Beyond Skyrim:Cyrodiil/Dar'taqto

Dar'taqto (RefID: xx07459B)
Location	Jerall View Inn
Race	Khajiit	Gender	Male
Level	PC×1 (range=13-70)	Class	Rogue
RefID	xx07459B	BaseID	xx0650B5
Other Information
Health	50×?	Magicka	50×?
Stamina	50×?
Primary Skills	One-handed,Sneak, Block, Light Armor
Perks	Archery: Overdraw 1, Overdraw 2, Overdraw 3, Critical Shot 1, Ranger, Quick Shot Light Armor: Agile Defender 1, Agile Defender 2, Unhindered Heavy Armor: Fists of Steel One-handed: Armsman 1, Armsman 2, Dual Flurry 1, Dual Flurry 2, Dual Savagery, Savage Strike, Hack and Slash 1, Hack and Slash 2
Morality	Property Crime Only	Aggression	Unaggressive
Follower	Yes
Faction(s)	CurrentFollowerFaction; CYRCrimeFactionBruma; CYRHunterFaction; CYRTownBrumaFaction; PotentialFollowerFaction

Dar'taqto

Dar'taqto, a Khajiit rogue, is a cat burglar and hunter living in Bruma. He usually hunts his own pelts and sells them on for a profit to Fadel and Cedus Perusius, but will also task you with collecting ten bear pelts. His dealings with Cedus will land him in trouble with the law; if you manage to get his charges dropped, he will agree to follow you.

He sleeps at the Jerall View Inn, wakes up at 7am, eats a quick breakfast and heads outside. On Morndas, Middas and Fredas he heads to a spot north of the Bruma Stables to do some hunting. On all other days, he will roam the city's streets. Either way, at 3pm he returns to the inn to enjoy some food and drink until 10pm, when he heads down to the bathhouse until 1am. He will then make his way back upstairs and go to bed at 2am. The only change to this schedule is on weekends, when between 3am and 7am he will be found burgling Ice-Wind Traders, provided neither you nor a patrolling guard are nearby.

Dar'taqto leather armor, gauntlets and boots, as well as a black Nibenese mage hood. He is armed with a steel war axe, a hunting bow and 40 steel arrows. He also carries a Necklace of Waning Frost, two wolf pelts, three deer pelts and a random selection of gold, lockpicks, gems, jewelry, food and drink.

Related Quests

• Dartaqto bear pelts: Gather ten bear pelts for Dar'taqto.
• Dartaqto misc task: Help a poor cat burglar clear his name.
• The Screeching Songman: Rid the good people of Bruma of a talentless singer's screechings.

Dialogue

Dar'taqto will warmly greet you depending on your race:

Answer	Race
"Greetings, moon-friend. May you always walk on warm sands."	Khajiit
"Greetings, Nord. This one hopes you come without prejudice, but rather with open arms."	Nord
"How may little Dar'taqto help a big one such as yourself?"	Other

You can then ask him a few personal questions:

What brought you to Bruma?

"This one likes to stay south of the border... the Empire makes the Nords let you through the walls. It is better than constant wandering, even if not so profitable. But there are still many Septims to be had. If you mean to ask why Dar'taqto is not in Elsweyr, it is quite simple. He came to Cyrodiil a great many years ago - so long ago he does not even remember the reason - and he has stayed here since. There are plenty of opportunities for adventure and profit if one knows to look in the right places."

Tell me about yourself.

"About Dar'taqto? Not so much to tell. He comes from Elsweyr, but his home is in Cyrodiil. He has spent most of his time walking Tamriel in this place, and, so far, he has no desire to leave. This one hunts, and he sells for a tidy profit. He plunders ancient tombs and caves in search of treasure, and treasure he finds. He lives comfortably, even if he is not rich. He is self-sufficient, and he is content."

Follower Dialogue

Should he become a follower after Dartaqto misc task, you can overhear him saying to himself:

"Sometimes this one misses his old life in Bruma. Then he remembers the treachery of the Ice-Wind trader, and all of a sudden he feels a lot better."

"This one wonders to himself sometimes, where will his story end? Where will he be when age consumes him? Hmm. Only time will tell."

"Think we could get many furs out here? Ah, sorry, old habit."

"Ah, walking in the moonlight of Jone and Jode. Dar'taqto's spirit is enriched, his soul is enlightened." (at night)

He will greet you with:

"Greetings, thrice-honored friend."

"Always walk on warm sands."

"You are to Dar'taqto as the sun is to an Elsweyr snake. That is, uhh, essential. You... are a good friend, you see what Dar'taqto means to say, yes?"

"This one doesn't miss Bruma all that much. It was home, and it was comfortable...ish, but it was unexciting and dull also."

"This one is most fascinated by the Argonians. Their culture, their cuisine, their precious Saxhleel jewels..."

"This one yearns to be emperor. He would make things so much better. Do you think he could? Eh, the look on your face says it all. Forget Dar'taqto asked."

Follow me.

"Ah, let us go then!"

I'd like you to do something for me.

"Dar'taqto does as you command. So give him your command."

"Er... did you still need Dar'taqto for something?"

I'd like to trade some things with you.

"And this one assumes it isn't your family fortunes, correct?"

Wait here.

"You tell Dar'taqto to wait, and Dar'taqto waits."

It's time for us to part ways.

"Truthfully? Gah, okay then. Dar'taqto leaves you... for now."

During your travels you can also ask him more about himself:

Tell me more about yourself.

"More about this one? Hmm. Not so sure what to tell. Go ahead, ask."

What's your story?

"Not so much to tell. Was born in Elsweyr, but came to Cyrodiil after a few unfortunate... misunderstandings. This one would prefer not to explain too much further about that, but suffice it to say Cyrodiil has long been his home."

Do you ever miss Elsweyr?

"Elsweyr is a land under the control of the Dominion. This one has little love for them, and they taint his homeland terribly. Yet Elsweyr is also a land of rich tradition, a long line of cultural Khajiiti heritage - and this one is no less Khajiiti than any of his bretheren. Dar'taqto sometimes struggles with this topic. His views are... conflicted. Muddled. Perhaps later, clarity will be achieved."

You seem conflicted about your identity.

"I suppose- aha, see? This one broke with the Khajiiti dialect. This is a sign of the conflict, yes? This one has little love for Elsweyr's politics, yet much love for its culture. He has more love for the tolerance of Cyrodiil, yet yearns to be reunited with his sense of self - his Khajiiti identity."

Is there nothing you could do to discover yourself?

"Yes, there is. Sadly, though, it remains out of this one's reach. And that is the problem. There is a concept known to the Khajiit of Elsweyr - 'Two-Moons Dance'. It is not well-documented - for it is to the Khajiit of Elsweyr as natural as breathing. The knowledge of its intricacies, its more obscure secrets, is passed down from Moon-Priest to Moon-Priest through the generations. If this one were to walk Two-Moons Dance, if he were to see himself and the world in which he resides in a different light... Bathed in the clarity of Jone and Jode, then, perhaps, he would be at peace with himself. But this ritual is practiced in Elsweyr, and we are not in Elsweyr. And even if we were, this one has no desire to fraternize with those there. So he is, as the Imperials say, 'at an impasse'."

Quest-Related Events

The Screeching Songman

After you witness Renod Even-Toned's horrific performance at the Jerall View Inn, Dar'taqto can be heard muttering about the bard and will point you in the direction of Reln-Tei:

"Who in Oblivion told that guy he's a good singer? I've heard Daedroths do better!"

"Damn it, if only that infernal bard would shut his mouth..."

Who is it you're complaining about?

"His name is Renod Even-Toned. Damned fool apparently thinks he's the Divines' gift to singing. He's terrible, and he's loud. You can hear his terrible "performances" from the streets. It's getting very irritating. The beggar, Reln-Tei, has shown a particular interest in getting Renod to shut up, for some reason. You could go speak with him - perhaps he'd even pay you."

Dartaqto bear pelts

Asking about his occupation will start the Dartaqto bear pelts quest:

Are you a hunter?

"Yes, indeed. This one labors long and hard to earn his keep. Hunting can be tiring, exhausting, but this one must press on. Although... hmm. This one is feeling a bit lazy today. What if you were to bring him some bear pelts instead? He will pay you well."

How do I know you'll give me a good price?

"Because this one has lucrative contracts with the merchants in Bruma that ensure he makes a profit. So Dar'taqto will simply offer you a price between the standard going rate of the pelts and the lucrative price he will receive. Profit for everyone, yes? Except Cedus Perusius. He has no idea he's being ripped off."

Err, no, thanks.

"Well, this one still feels lazy, so... return to him if you reconsider."

I'll do it.

"Excellent! Just return to this one when you have, oh, say... ten of the pelts."

Once you have all ten pelts, you can claim your reward:

Here are the ten bear pelts.

"Excellent! Thank you! Here is your coin. As I promised - profit for everyone, yes?"

Dartaqto misc task

Dar'taqto, pleading his case

Over at the Jerall View Inn, owner Stantus Faleria will hint at some legal trouble Dar'taqto is having:

"I heard the general store, Ice-Wind Traders, got robbed by the Khajiit, Dar'taqto. Or so Cedus says."

After you ask about his activities, pressing Dar'taqto further will reveal more information on this, provided you can pass an Easy Speech check:

What do you do in Bruma?

"Ah, a fair question, for my trade is perhaps not so obvious on first glance. This one calls himself hunter and fur trader. He stalks the wilds of the Jeralls and brings down the beasts and the deer. He skins them and sells the furs here in Bruma. The Nords love bear pelts, this one has found."

Is that all you do in Bruma?

"Well, this one does also sometimes explore the caves and tombs of the wilds in search of treasure, and sometimes he finds."

Is that really all you do? (Persuade)

"As far as you must know, yes."

"Well, err... Sometimes, this one will take what is left unguarded, and resell it to a more deserving owner. For a small finder's fee, of course."

So you're a thief?

"This one prefers "cat burglar"."

At this point you can ask:

Ever get in trouble for thievery?

"You mean for "cat burglary", honored friend. And the answer is no. Most of the time, anyway."

Most of the time?

"This one does have occasional run-ins with the law, he admits. There is, actually, a particularly unfortunate situation currently occurring."

What trouble are you in?

"This one has been falsely accused of stealing from Ice-Wind Traders, the general store. They tell him he has stolen their hides, and that he is selling them at his stall. This is false. This one has done nothing of the sort. In fact, perhaps you could help."

Depending on who is the current guard captain, he will continue:

"Adius Vilius/Ereia Snow-Fist/Garceus Avoci is the captain of the guard here in Bruma. If you speak to him/her, perhaps s/he will change his/her mind. This one fears s/he considers him a dirty thief, and will not hear his pleas."

Aren't you a thief? Why should I help you?

"Because the accusation is false. Regardless of this one's past - or his future - he has not stolen from the merchant. He does not steal from hard-working business owners. He steals from the pampered, the opulent and the unjust."

Not interested.

"This one understands. My apologies, honored friend."

I'll speak to <Alias=GuardCaptain>.

"Thank you! May you eternally walk on the warmest, glistening sands. Err, these pleasantries please you, yes? Then Khajiit will continue."

Sure enough, his extra-curricular activities beyond hunting are well-known to the authorities:

Can we talk about the charges leveled against Dar'taqto?

"He's accused of stealing from Ice-Wind Traders. What of it? Oh, wait. Don't tell me he roped you into having the charges dropped? He's been trying that tactic a lot recently. I have sympathy for the cat, being accused like this while the bigger fish swim free, but what can I do? I have to enforce the law."

Did you ever get evidence against Dar'taqto?

"No, but Cedus made the accusation. I don't know what you expect me to do, but I can't just drop charges on a whim like this."

Can you really arrest someone based on one person's word? (Persuade)

"No, I can't. But if I have two people each claiming the other is lying, I can't just drop the charges."

If you manage to pass Average Speech check or if you have completed Absent Antiquity, you can convince Adius to drop the charges:

You know me. I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't just.

"I... suppose so..."

Can you really arrest someone based on one person's word? (Persuade) / Besides, can you really arrest him based on Cedus's word alone?

"I... you have a point. Your word, along with Dar'taqto's, is one more voice than Cedus has on his side... Very well. Consider the charges dropped. However, I'm afraid it comes with some strings attached. I can't drop charges like this and return things back to the way they were. Consider the charges dropped, but Dar'taqto's evicted of residency in Bruma. No way I can get away with dropping these charges without people starting to ask questions about how fit I am to be guard captain. It's no secret he's a thief, but he's, well... he's about as close to a 'good thief' as you can get without reading a children's bedtime story. Tell... tell him I'm sorry. I was sort of fond of that cat. Wow, it felt strange to say that. Anyway, you should probably go tell Dar'taqto the bittersweet news."

When you return, he will take the news badly, though you will be able to ask him to follow you:

Adius has agreed to dismiss the charges against you...

"He has? This is wonderful news!"

...however, he has also been forced to evict you from residency in Bruma.

"Thank you for all the hel- wait, what?"

He said he had no choice. He did you as much of a favor as he could...

"This one... this one understands... he thinks. Bruma's citizens will have to do without their friendly neighborhood cat burglar, for now. But where will this one go now? His home has been taken from him, and the Jeralls are not so hospitable for sleeping rough."

I don't know. I'm sorry.

"This one will... gah. This one does not know. He will squat and beg and, err, burgle in the Bruma alleys for now. But whenever you're back in Bruma, come visit poor old Taq, now won't you?"

You could adventure with me.

"Hmm... an interesting proposition, honored friend. Allow this one a few moments to consider it. Oh, who is Dar'taqto kidding? Of course! It would be an honor to travel with you."

You can then ask him to wait or immediately follow you, though you'll have to dismiss any existing followers:

Let's go, then.

"Onwards, to gold and perhaps less run-ins with the law!"

"You look like you already have company. Come get this one in a little, yes?"

I'll come get you in a bit. Stay here for now.

"Of course, thrice-honored friend. Do not leave this one alone too long, though. The conversation is... surprisingly enjoyable."

Conversations

While in Bruma, you may overhear Dar'taqto conversing with Armion and Fadel:

Armion: "You there! Animal skinner!"
Dar'taqto: "What does the Altmer want with little Dar'taqto?"
Armion: "You will address me properly, Khajiit. I am here to requisition some information. Have you noticed anything suspicious here in Bruma?"
Dar'taqto: "Suspicious in what way? Khajiit sees many things, but Khajiit knows not what you refer to."
Armion: "You know damn well what I'm referring to, Khajiit. I'm referring to Talos worship."
Dar'taqto: "Ah, of course. The Thalmor seek to persecute people because of their beliefs, yes?"
Armion: "Well, I... that is to say... I am... you are... oversimplifying the matter. Give me the information or I will have your lice-ridden head on the executioner's block come Morndas."
Dar'taqto: "You avoid Dar'taqto's question, Thalmor. What's the matter? Afraid to tackle the truth with all these people around? Hoping against hope you will be able to indoctrinate them to believe you are right and just?"
Armion: "I'lll speak to you later, when you might be more likely to loosen your tongue."
Bystander: "You... you just tongue-tied a Thalmor agent. That's... unheard of."
Dar'taqto: "Heh. Being Khajiit gives this one a certain perspective on events that is free from the biases and emotions of the involved parties. The Thalmor and the Nords have hatred for each other, it clouds their minds and their judgement. Dar'taqto watches from afar, and takes time to gather his thoughts. Perhaps one day people will stop being so silly. For the time being, this one likes being special."

Fadel: "So you've got the meat we discussed?"
Dar'taqto: "Yes, indeed, this one has it. He has brought you as much as he could carry, fresh from the wilds of the Jeralls."
Fadel: "Great. Here's your usual payment."
Dar'taqto: "This one thanks you."

Bugs

• There is a missing voicefile when failing to persuade Dar'taqto to reveal his true occupation. ^?