So, unlike most of the Elder Scroll games, With your first character, you have to go through a tutorial on the simple things, like how to block power attacks and magic attacks, as well as how to do a power attack yourself. Below is a run through of all the text you probably didn’t want to read at first, and then decided later that maybe you should have used that extra 3 minutes to do so. Warning, this is based off the PS4 game, so here we go!
You start out in a cage, where it tells you to look around. You see a bunch of overused beds and of course, skeletons! Who doesn’t love to see a good skeleton when they wake up? So you walk around and go to the cell door. BOOM! There pops up a person with a huge ass blade.
Lyris: Whoa, there! Are you all right? The name's Lyris. *smashes lock on cell door* I hope you've still got some fight left in you. You're going to need it.
Now you are free to leave that "amazingly decorated" cage! Exiting the cage, you walk towards Lyris, your new bathroom buddy *Snort*, who so happens to be looking at a dead Dremora Churl.
Lyris: Dead. Must have been the runt of the litter.
The game then proceeds to ask you to loot the dead body, because that is completely sanitary! Definitely would love to do this in real life! When looting, you receive a greatsword. He didn't look like he had one on him, but just go with it.
Lyris: Keep your weapon ready and stay sharp. This place is full of surprises.
So you continue through the wasteland of soulless fucks, where you walk into another Dremora, who decides that it’s completely normal to pop out of the ground like some mole in your back yard. Brings me back to the days when I would play those whack-a-mole games and then get very very angry because they would keep coming after you beat 50 of them. Good times.
Anyways, so the game goes slow motion for your convenience to teach you how to attack and defeat your foe. Once that asshole is dead, you continue following Lyris, which by now you notice towers over you even though you made the tallest character possible! Don’t worry, it’s not you. The game makes her tower over you no matter what height your character is. Back to the game-- you end up entering a big room where you see 3 other soul shriven captives, such as yourself, holding a door closed. an Argonian calls out to you.
Er-Jaseen: Don't stop, now. Keep moving! More guards are on the way!
Of course, as promised, you enter a room filled with a number of torture cages where a Dremora Kynval appears! *Pokemon battle music* This is where you learn how to block a power attack, showing a yellow starburst around your enemy, and then you turn around and learn how to return that same attack, killing your enemy. After that, another Dremora asshat shows up, popping out of the ground (to keep with the whack-a-mole theme they have going on). Since this Dremora is a spell user, it starts casting a spell, which you can tell with the red starburst around the character. Of course, it teaches you how to deflect this special attack, where you stun them and kill them. WOO MURDER!
As you go to the next door, a fucking apparition appears of this old man, named the Prophet, who acts all friendly and shit. Of course, you are dead, so a friend is a friend. Best part is that it talks. Not like I’m scared of ghosts or anything! *Prays to all the gods possible and draws a cross on chest with finger*
The Prophet: Greetings, Vestige. Like you, I am a prisoner in this place. You must rescue me. And I, in turn, must rescue you.
Of course, after the creepy ghost talk, miss amazon Lyris wants to have a word with you, and what do you know-- the bitch knew who he was. Great news. Now put me into a padded room because my character obviously is tripping balls.
Lyris: The Prophet! He's a prisoner here, too. It was very dangerous for him to speak to you, even for a moment. He must think you can help me.
*Ask what you need to help her to do*
Lyris: Break him out, of course! Believe me, I can use all the help I can get. That blind old man is the only person alive who can help us get back home. Tamriel's a long way from here.
*Ask her where you go from here*
Lyris: These tunnels will eventually take us to the Towers of Eyes. That's where we'll find the Sentinels.
*Ask what the Sentinels are*
Lyris: Magical constructs created by Molag Bal to guide his vision in Coldharbour. The Sentinels are connected. If we destroy one, the others will be blinded. with any luck, that will buy us the time we need to free the Prophet.
*Ask how it can be destroyed*
Lyris: I've no idea. Brute force? We'll find a way. We have to. Be ready for anything. I doubt Molag Bal left the Sentinels unguarded.
*Tell her that you still have many questions, where she agrees to answer them as best she can*
*Who is this Prophet*
Lyris: He's a strange one, no doubt about it, but he's the wisest man I've ever met. He sees things. The past, the future.
*What is this place? Where am I?*
Lyris: You're obviously not in Tamriel anymore. Think of the most miserable, depressing place you've ever been in your life. That's paradise compared to Coldharbour. And to top it off, well ... there is no easy way to say it. You're dead.
*Ask her how it's possible that you are having this conversation with her*
Lyris: I don't know. Once we rescue the Prophet, he can tell you about the Gods and the ways of Oblivion. I don't understand any of it, myself.
*Ask her who killed you*
Lyris: A man named Mannimarco. His Worm Cult is doing some kind of ritual back in Tamriel. They sacrificed you and everyone in this prison, to the Daedric Prince Molag Bal. After you died, whatever was left showed up here. They call you Soul Shriven.
*Ask her what that means*
Lyris: It means you're a slave and you'll spend the rest of eternity in Coldharbour, working under the lash of the Daedra. Unless of course, you come with me.
*Ask if she is dead too*
Lyris: No, I wasn't sacrificed. The Prophet and I were brought here ... conventionally, if that makes any sense. But we're prisoners here, same as you.
*Ask how you will get the Prophet out*
Lyris: It won't be easy. The place is watched by magical constructs called Sentinels. We won't stand a chance unless we can blind them. I'll tell you more when we get there. And we'll never get there if we don't get moving.
This is where the conversation ends, and you enter the Bleeding Forge. Sounds like a "great" place, like the rest of this hell hole. So this is the first mini boss you will ever face. I say he is a mini boss because he comes off as such, even though he doesn’t have a special health bar. His name is Vaekar the Forgemaster, and you get the wonderful view of him holding a soul shriven, like you, by the neck. Then you get to see him throw said soul shriven across the room onto a spike. Delicious. Then the fight begins. Once you kill him, you get a bunch of sparklies around your screen and a LEVEL UP sign. Good Job! You can either open your menu and figure that all out, or be like me and just wait until the TUTORIAL IS OVER! The Prophet warns you that the God of Brutality (A.K.A. Molag Bol) now knows of your escape, and that you must hurry. Follow to path to get to the Towers of Eyes. When you enter the room, Lyris gives you a chance to talk to her.
Lyris: The God of Schemes can see every part of Coldharbour. We need to distract him.
After she says this, make sure to speak with her.
Lyris: The Sentinels are connected. If we destroy one, the others will also be blinded for a time.
Go ahead and follow the closest arrow block on your compass at the top of the screen. There you will have to go through an opening with a Dremora in it. Kill the Dremora, and possibly a Clannifer, then make your way up the stairs that are on your right. When you get to the top where a blue Mordor looking eye will be, it will tell you to sneak. Do so, but walk as fast as able in sneak mode, since it doesn’t matter in this case. When you get up to the eye, which will be looking away from you, just hit it with your sword. That easy.
Lyris: Quickly, while he's blinded we must get to the Prophet's Cell.
Heading back down the way you came from, follow the quest arrow to a gate. As you approach the gate you will here a voice. Its Molag Bal.
Molag Bal: Fool! You will never escape my realm. *Door catches fire*
Lyris: The door's warded. We'll never get in this way.
Speak to her further.
Lyris: Damn it! Destroying the Sentinel must have triggered these wards. We'll need to find another way in. Hmm. Maybe Cadwell can help us.
*Ask who Cadwell is*
Lyris: Cadwell is the oldest of the Soul Shriven. After years of torment, Soul Shriven usually go insane and turn feral, but not Cadwell. He was already insane before he left Tamriel. Mad as a box of frogs, but completely harmless. You'll see.
*Ask how a mad man can help*
Lyris: Cadwell sees things as he wishes them to be. To him, Coldharbour is a wondrous place. It's his home. And he knows it like the back of his hand. He's usually down by the river. Let's go find him.
Once again, follow the quest arrow on your compass at the top of the screen. There, you will enter a camp where Cadwell is. Talk to him.
*Sir Cadwell playing his lute*
Cadwell: Hello, what's this? Out for a stroll, then? Lovely day for it.
*Ask if he is Cadwell*
Cadwell: Sir Cadwell, yes indeed. A pleasure! And fair Lyris! Good to see you m'dear! How are you, then?
*Explain to him that you seek to get into the Prophet's enclosure*
Cadwell: Oh dear, oh dear. Well that is inconvenient, isn't it? Tell you what—I happen to know another way in! Much more of a scenic route. Rather a fun little jaunt, actually. Full of traps, and corpses, and nasty beasties filling up the bits in between.
*Ask how you will get through*
Cadwell: Rather cautiously, I expect. Watch your step, hold your nose, and do mind the traps. There'll like as not be a fair dose of running and skull-bashing as well.
*Ask where the entrance is*
Cadwell: Follow the river. You'll find the door to the Undercroft at the water's end. Once you're inside, stick to the light and you'll find a ladder that will take you right up to the Prophet, straightaway. Do give him my best! Best of luck. Do check in now and again, won't you?
If you want, you can question him further!
*Tell me about yourself*
Cadwell: Well, there's not much to tell, is there? It's the same old pish-tosh. Gallant knight, epic quest, rescued maidens. I came to this land when my head was quite unceremoniously separated from my body. Bad luck that, but you make the best of things.
*How long have you been here?*
Cadwell: Oh, quite a long time. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I were the oldest of the Soul Shriven. Of those who didn't go feral, that is. I know every tunnel and path, every nook and cranny. The others look up to me, I suppose.
*How do you know Lyris?*
Cadwell: Ah, Lyris. Girl's as mad as Sheogorath's jammies. Heart's in the right place, I suppose. Says she's got to rescue the Prophet to save us all from eternal torment. How an old blind man could do that is quite beyond me!
*What do you know about the Prophet?*
Cadwell: An Imperial gentleman. Apparently he was once a powerful mage, but the years haven't been kind. Lyris says he knows of a path back to Tamriel. I rather think that if one existed, I'd have found it by now.
*You don't think there's a way to get home?*
Cadwell: I hadn't actually given it much thought. Anything is possible, I suppose. Truth is, I've been here so long, this place feels like home. But a good uprising now and again is a pleasant diversion, so where's the harm, eh?
After that wonderful chat with a crazy man, you want to take his word for it and go to the Undercroft. You have to unlock the door into the undercroft, so you can either spend the time to practice unlocking things or press square.
Lyris: Cadwell seems to think this undercroft is a delightful place. That probably means it's a death trap. We'd better be careful.
Just as Cadwell said, the Undercroft is lined with traps and corpses. Several trunks and urns containing leveled items can also be found, so loot to your hearts content! Whack-a-mole is back, and this time, its a skeleton. Kill it and continue forward without running into one of the many flame throwers and dying. Soon enough you go up a staircase to the Prophet’s cell.
When you get in there, Lyris will speak.
Lyris: The Prophet's cage should be just ahead. Quickly now! We haven't much time. *runs ahead*
Follow her to reach a cave with a ritual circle and a man in a glowing ball of dark energy. You then need to talk to Lyris.
Lyris: There's a trick to opening the cell. The only way for a prisoner to leave is for another living soul to take their place. I need to swap places with the Prophet.
*Ask her if there another way*
Lyris: Believe me, I wish there was. But ... I don't see anyone else here with a beating heart, do you? If Molag Bal isn't stopped he'll destroy everyone and everything we've ever loved.
*Tell her you're ready*
Lyris: Once it's done, get moving. The Prophet will know where to go, but he'll need your eyes, and your protection.
When you have finished talking to her, you will need to defend Lyris from two Dremora Baunekyns. When you defeat each one, its essence will fly off to feed a respective Dark Pinion. I honestly think its funny that the Dremora came to keep the prophet and forgot that,"oh, if I die, then my soul will help the prophet escape!" Dumbasses. The two Dark Pinions are found on the north and south sides of Lyris. Head over to each one and disable it by pressing that X button. Once this has been completed, you watch Lyris and the Prophet swap places. They even get a little intimate when they are forced to go through each other. Kinky. Lyris can now be seen imprisoned inside the the dark energy ball. Speak to the Prophet.
The Prophet: Thank the Divines, you are safe! There is that, at least. Lyris sacrificed everything, that we might go free. Her sacrifice must not be in vain.
*Can we find a way to take her with us?*
The Prophet: I wish that were possible. But I promise you, once we escape Coldharbour we will find a way to rescue her together, Vestige.
*Vestige?*
The Prophet: That is the name I have given you. You are but a trace of your former self. A soulless one. An empty vessel that longs to be filled. It is as the Scrolls foretold, but not exactly as I imagined.
*Why does Lyris call you the Prophet?*
The Prophet: That is what I have come to be called. My true name is lost—even to me. Years of torment have taken their toll. Quickly now, we much make haste to the Anchor! *Spoiler Alert: He is lying about not knowing his name!*
*Anchor?*
The Prophet: The Anchors are Daedric machines of the darkest magic. Their chains bind our world and pull it towards Coldharbour. I can use one of these Anchors to return us to Tamriel, but you must lead me to it.
Next, head around past the prison cell and to the far side of the room. Head up the stairs, through the tunnel and into The Anchor Mooring.
Upon entering the Anchor Mooring, a colossal ethereal visage of Molag Bal appears before you
Molag Bal: Well done, mortals. But this is the realm of death itself. The armies of unlife are endless!
Disappearing, Molag Bal summons a final guardian known as the Child of Bones. During battle, the colossal titan primarily uses melee attacks. There will also be one final tutorial instructing you how to break free of a crowd-control effect. Guess that is a hint that we are going to be fighting more big ass fuckers in the future. That's something to look forward to!
Once the colossus has been defeated, speak to the Prophet.
The Prophet: The Dark Anchor's portal is high above us. I will prepare a spell to lift us to it. But first you must re-attune yourself to Nirn in order to regain your physical form. To do this, you will need a skyshard.
*Ask what a Skyshard is*
The Prophet: A shard of Aetherial magicka that carries the essence of Nirn. Some link them to Lorkhan, the missing god of creation. If you collect and absorb its power, it should restore your corporeal form. I will summon one of these shards for you to absorb.
Next, the Prophet will stand before the anchor mooring, raise his staff and begin his summon.
The Prophet: Shard of Aetherius. Fall upon us now and anoint us with your blessing.
As the Skyshard appears before you, and he tells you to collect it. Selecting the skyshard causes a beam of light to engulf you, and levitate you briefly from the ground. Once you have collected it, blinding light fills the room and the Prophet begins his ritual
The Prophet: Great Akatosh, Dragon God of Time! I require your strength! Let the way be opened! Let these wandering souls return home! Let the will of Molag Bal be denied!
As soon as the ritual is complete, a large rift opens up at the top.
The Prophet: Hurry! We must go now. *runs forward up the staircase*
As he reaches the top, the anchor levitates him up from the ground and into the portal. Follow him, and escape to Tamriel.
You will be transported to one of three locations based on the faction you have joined:
Members of the Aldmeri Dominion will find themselves in Auridon, with the option to go to Khenarthi's Roost after awakening.
Members of the Daggerfall Covenant will find themselves in Glenumbra, with the option to go to Stros M'Kai after awakening.
Members of the Ebonheart Pact will find themselves in Stonefalls, with the option to go to Bleakrock Isle after awakening. This is the one I usually do!
Irrespective of this, you will awaken next to a ghostly Prophet, because that asshole likes to make you trip balls.
The Prophet: As I feared, we arrived in different locations. *Where he will say he is depends on your faction.*
If you are part of the Aldmeri Dominion, he will say: "I am in a city near the sea, in a land of eternal spring. The air smells of the ocean, and of markets, and gardens."
If you are part of the Daggerfall Covenant, he will say: "I am in a city of industry, where men speak of intrigues and plots beneath layers of innuendo and pleasantry."
If you are part of the Ebonheart Pact, he will say: "I am in a place with the smell of burning ash on a hot wind, and the sounds of a distant battle." Like I said, this is the one I am used to.
Regardless of where he says he is, the Prophet will conclude: "It matters not. You have awakened once again, and we must set you on your path."
*How long was I unconscious?*
The Prophet: Days? Weeks? I cannot tell. The voyage between worlds disrupted all sense of time and space. I know only that you were deposited into the sea, and some charitable soul fished you out and brought you to dry land.
*What should I do now?*
The Prophet: I'm afraid you will have to decide that for yourself. I must focus on searching for a way to repay Lyris's bold sacrifice. I cannot simply abandon her to the wrath of Molag Bal.
*When will I see you again?*
The Prophet: I cannot foresee that. Not yet. But we will meet again. There is still much we need to accomplish.
The Prophet will have additional dialogue about your current location and the first quest in the alliance questline, which will also vary based on the faction you are part of. Congrats! You now have received a sealed urn and another skill point. Feels like a sorry gift for lying to me in the future. That's it for the tutorial dialogue! Please follow my blog for more information like this in the future!
