General:Interview With Three Writers

Interview With Three Writers
(link)
Medium/Format	Online Interview
Date	August 5, 2005
Interviewee(s)	Ted Peterson
Interviewer(s)	Xanathar, Attrebus, B and Sinder Velvin
Hosted By	The Imperial Library

This unofficial interview was conducted by Xanathar, Attrebus, B and Sinder Velvin of The Imperial Library, the roles of S'Reddit and all 3 writers are played by Ted Peterson.

---

It was a sunny day in the Imperial City. Nothing unusual was going on in the Imperial Library, until Xanathar received a letter from a well-known Literary Agent called S'Reddit. The Khajiit wanted to know if the Library would be interested in having a roundtable interview with three famous writers: Carlovac Townway, Waughin Jarth, and Baloth-Kul. The Librarians, who had long desired to ask these writers questions about their works, agreed.

Morndas evening, after the closing hour of the Imperial Library, four of the Librarians went to one of the Imperial City's taverns to meet with S'Reddit and the three writers.

The Literary Agent and the three people that he represented were sitting at one of the larger tables in the establishment. They stood up as the Librarians approached.

Xan:
Greetings, Master S'Reddit - as you can see, we are here. Thank you for arranging this meeting with these great authors. I am certain that this roundtable interview will prove to be a very informative experience. But first, let me introduce myself and my colleagues.

I, as you already know, am Xanathar. This -

Xanathar looked towards the Imperial standing to his left.

Xan:
- Is Attrebus, an Imperial Scholar, former student of the late S'Triker.

Attrebus bowed.

Xan:
And this -

Xanathar looked towards the High Elf to his right.

Xan:
- Is B.

B nodded.

Xan:
And the one behind me is Sinder.

Sinder nodded as well.

S'Reddit:
The man on the left -

S'Reddit gestured to a jovial, jowly Breton.

S'Reddit:
Surely needs no introduction. Waughin Jarth has been a literary treasure of Tamriel for decades, one of our most celebrated, most prolific writers, having graced us with "The Asylum Ball", "Dance in Fire", "The Wolf Queen", "Feyfolken" and many others. Baloth-Kul -

The agent continued, and a Dark Elf who was curiously plump for one of his race nodded at his name.

S'Reddit:
This genius's first play, "The Horror at Castle Xyr", has already made him famous throughout the land. Not since Gor Felim has a playwright so captured the imagination of the dark fantasy of the audience. Last but certainly, certainly not least -

S'Reddit concluded with the introduction of the tall, serious Breton on the right.

S'Reddit:
Carlovac Townway, author of "2920: The Last Year of The First Era", a historian turned writer, whose justly famous series has earned its place in the literary canon of the Empire. Esteemed Librarians and Scholars Attrebus, B, Sinder, and Xanathar, please ask these shining stars of the literati any questions you have about their past and future work.

The Khajiit finished with a formal bow and everyone sat down.

Waughin Jarth:
Can I get a drink?

Waughin, Carlovac, and Baloth-Kul ordered copious amounts of food and drink. S'Reddit was not that happy about it, since he knew he'd be footing the bill. Reaching up, B took hold of his hood and removed it. His hair was slightly disheveled, but after a quick smoothing with his hands, he looked presentable.

B:
This is very fascinating. Gentlemen, how nice it is to finally meet all of you in person. Let me start by saying that as a Librarian and a Scholar, I am a big fan of all your works. In fact, we are all humbled by your presence.

Attrebus:
I know that the Librarians have enjoyed all of your previous works, and I have a general question to all of the authors. What drew each of you to become a writer?

Waughin Jarth:
I write purely for my own amusement. Always have.

The people at the table were brought the food and drink they had ordered.

Baloth-Kul:
I've had theater in my blood my whole life. My mother was a great actress, and my father was an architect with a specialty in stage design. Of course, like all children, I also loved arena fights for all their blood and drama. That is why my chosen genre often leans towards the macabre, the violent. The ghastliness of life has always attracted me.

Carlovac Townway:
As S'Reddit said, I have been a historian for many years, and always fascinated by the people and situations of the distant past. I had over the decades done much research on the end of the First Era, the downfall of the Reman Dynasty, and I wanted to share it, and not just with my fellow academics. Writing is a chore for me - I get much more pleasure out of research than putting quill to scroll. But I think it's necessary for people to know whither we came, so we might know, or guess, where we are going.

B:
Would you be so kind as to inform us of your latest endeavors? We have enjoyed your previous works, and we anxious await any information you may have on what you are currently working on or have recently finished.

Waughin Jarth:
Oh, so many projects. I like to have four books going at once, so I'm never bored. A continuation of Decumus Scotti's adventures is nearly complete. And I'm very happy with a book called "The Exodus" about the Necromancers and the Mages Guild which should be published fairly soon... Though I cannot stop editing...

Baloth-Kul:
Some time ago, I was passing through the town of Cheydinhal and I heard a tale about a house there that absolutely terrified me. I do not have a title yet for the play, but I've completed a first draft and begun talking with the Actors Guild about staging a performance.

Carlovac Townway:
I have not begun writing anything at the moment. I have begun researching.

S'Reddit:
Perhaps you could whet their appetite by revealing the nature of your research?

Carlovac Townway:
Well, the smaller project is a compilation of Uriel V's letters from Akavir.

S'Reddit:
And "2E 896: The Last Year of The Second Era"?

Carlovac frowned.

Sinder Velvin:
What do you enjoy the most about being writers?

Baloth-Kul:
I enjoy sitting in my audience and hearing them scream.

Waughin Jarth:
I write entirely for my own amusement, and that of a few friends perhaps. Fortunately, I have been successful enough to be able to do it for a living, but even if I didn't, I'd still be writing. I just have too many stories I want to tell myself, and I don't mind that others listen in.

Carlovac Townway:
I don't enjoy being a writer in the least. I enjoy researching, compiling, working on theories, investigating those theories, finding common threads, and every aspect of my life and work, except the actual writing and publishing. If I could, I would research, and never share.

Sinder Velvin:
Very interesting. I wonder, though... How much of what you write is fiction and how much is fact? No offense meant - I have no doubts that your research is exhaustive and thorough, and I respect each of you greatly - but some writers are slightly prone to exaggerations.

Baloth-Kul:
Entirely fiction, and entirely true.

Carlovac Townway:
That's a very difficult question. If by "fiction", you mean completely invented out of my imagination, absolutely none of it is fiction. There's some conjecture based on research, certainly, and any events that take place in the distant past are open to interpretation. I could not say with certainty what the precise words of a conversation between the Duke of Morrowind and his mistress Turala, for example, but I know who she was, who he was, and where the conversation led... I would not consider that 'fiction,' because I believe that they are true, if not exact.

Waughin Jarth:
I could not claim to do the same research as my friend Carlovac, but I do like to take my inspiration from historical figures. Obviously, the Wolf Queen Potema and Pelagius the Mad existed -- There are people who still live who knew them. Decumus Scotti is a real person, but I changed his name for obvious reasons. But my books aren't history books. They're meant to be entertaining.

B:
Where do you get your information and ideas? Do you research books, conduct interviews, and/or travel around Tamriel? For example, Waughin Jarth, one report states that Scotti's latest adventure has him traveling through the swamps of Black Marsh? Did you actually travel to Black Marsh for inspiration, and if so, did you find yourself in any precarious situations?

Waughin Jarth:
Oh, I haven't been anywhere in Black Marsh but Gideon, and everyone knows that that's the most Imperialized city in the province. I have to admit that I identify with Decumus Scotti and his cowardice more than I ought to. I did spend some time in Valenwood as a child, though, so I know many of the locations in 'A Dance In Fire' first hand. That said, I know many, many Imperials who have traveled in Black Marsh, and can attest that I've gotten the descriptions right.

S'Reddit:
Gideon has changed quite a bit over the years. It was quite a small town when the Empress was imprisoned just out of there in 2920.

Xan:
Master Baloth-Kul, your play of The Horror of Castle Xyr is shocking - But it is, indeed, great. Is there any way you could tell us what happened to Iachilla Xyr? Will you ever make a sequel?

As a sidenote, have you ever seen the play "The Lusty Argonian Maid" by Crassius Curio?

Baloth-Kul:
Thank you. The romantic in me hopes that Iachilla Xyr is somewhere out there, still involved in good works. There has, of course, been call for a sequel, but that has never interested me very much. I think it would by definition be inferior to the original, containing less shock and surprise. The new one I'm finishing about the haunted house should be just as enjoyable if not more so than Castle Xyr... And yes, I did attend a private showing of Sera Curio's play, in which --

S'Reddit:
You mean, you didn't attend a private showing of Curio's play, right?

Baloth-Kul:
...Yes, of course. I have never seen The Lusty Argonian Maid being performed with great enthusiasm. Pure pornography is what I would call it if I had seen it, which I haven't. And if I had, it was shocking.

Attrebus:
Baloth-Kul, you mentioned the town of Cheydinhal and a story of a haunted mansion there. I was wondering if you could give us any more details on this, as in what province is this town in, and do you think the mansion actually exists?

S'Reddit:
Let's not give the name of the house yet. We have to leave some surprises, after all.

Baloth-Kul:
Oh, it most certainly exists, and the locals certainly believe it is haunted. Not only does it exist, but my play describes the layout with exactitude. It's not a mansion exactly, but a decent sized house. You haven't been to Cheydinhal in Cyrodiil?

Xan:
Master Jarth, can you tell us more about "The Exodus"? Is this book about Mannimarco, by any chance? I'd like to read more about what he did following the Warp in the West.

S'Reddit:
Since the book is still being edited and hasn't been published yet, it would be unfair to tell too much --

Waughin Jarth:
The Warp in the West?

S'Reddit:
The Miracle of Peace as ordained by the Nine I think he means.

Waughin Jarth:
Oh, I don't know much about that. Metaphysics have never been my area of expertise. I wouldn't know what happened to Mannimarco. Frankly, the mighty have never interested me. It's the tragedy and triumph of the little people I like to explore, and their relationship with the great powers of the Empire is only a background. I don't care much about Vanus Galerion and Mannimarco and their squabbles, but the simple Necromancers and their relationship with their cousins the Mages, therein lies drama to which I can relate. So, no, if you're interested in Mannimarco and whether he had an apotheosis as some believe, you will have to turn elsewhere in your research.

Xan:
I have always been fascinated with history, which is why I am a great fan of Master Townway's works.

Xanathar turned towards Carlovac.

Xan:
Master Townway, I have a question regarding your famous "1E 2920: The Last Year of The First Era", a question related to the late Sotha Sil - who I would have loved to meet personally one day, but alas, I will never be able to do that. Actually, I have many questions related to Sotha Sil, but more than anything else I would like to ask you about his deal with the Daedric Princes. Can you tell us more about it? Some Scholars believe that the deal was nullified with the death of Sotha Sil, but I believe that the deal had already been voided by the time the Four Score War was over.

Carlovac Townway:
I can tell you about the past as a historian, but I do not know what the future holds. Sotha Sil did go to Oblivion after Dro'Zel, the king of Senchal summoned Molag Bal to destroy the Valenwood kingdom of Gilverdale. Beginning in that point in history, with very few exceptions, rulers ceased their dealings with the Daedric Princes. Now, it wasn't because rulers ceased to desire power and the destruction of their enemies, so it would seem that Sotha Sil's bargain did hold. If I knew exactly what he had promised the Princes in return, I would have recorded it. I did not purposefully leave it out of the narrative for the purpose of mystery and drama. The Psijics almost certainly know more, but they permitted me only limited research in Artaeum.

Attrebus:
One thing that has intrigued me are the descriptions given of the Tsaeci and the Maormer. Since I have not met these elusive races in person, how accurate are the descriptions? In other words, have you met a member of these races and that's where the descriptions came from, or did you make an educated guess based on what you've heard?

S'Reddit:
Of course my client has never met with any Akaviri, Maormeri, or any other enemy of the Empire.

Carlovac Townway:
There are very old warriors, survivors of Uriel V's ill-fated invasion, and they told me what they saw. I stand by my descriptions that the Akavir Potentates were serpentine, not only in temperament, but in physical appearance. Even if I did not have witnesses, there are too many descriptions of them as snakes to assume that all writers used the same metaphor. There is much in Redguard history which suggests ancient connections to the Tsaesci as well. Not only are many of the greatest heroes clearly influenced by Akaviri as well as Redguard culture - Gaiden Shinji, for example - But the whole cult of Satakal and the dungeon called Fang Lair... It is too coincidental. We are a rare generation in Tamriel, when few of us have seen any denizen of Akavir. I suspect that we're lucky in that. The Maormer are a minor race, and don't interest me at all.

Waughin Jarth:
My esteemed colleague would be well-advised to talk to survivors of the War of the Isle, and he might change his mind. I think some of what I was told was exaggerated, and since my purpose in writing Wolf Queen was to describe Potema's life and ambitions and not necessarily to describe the details of Orgnum and his navy, I left out some details that may be questionable. The sea creatures at their command are the stuff of nightmares. It's a jolly good thing they have not be inclined towards invading us in recent years.

B:
Based on your writings, both of you seemed to be well versed in the Psijic Order. And looking through Tamriellic history, the Psijic Order's influence seems to have waxed and waned. Carlovac Townway, in "1E 2920: The Last Year of The First Era", you documented the Order late in the First Era, during the time of Iachesis. You also discussed some of the events that occurred on Artaeum at that time. Later on in that writing, you led us to believe that Iachesis felt it was time for the Psijics leave for a while. As we all know, Artaeum did, in fact, return. Waughin Jarth, you discussed in "The Wolf Queen" how, in 3E 110, Emperor Antiochus asked the Psijic Order for help in defending the west coast of Tamriel. You go on to discuss how the Order caught wind of a meeting between King Orgnum and Queen Potema of Solitude, and how they sent a group of gray cloaks, led by Loremaster Celarus, to pay a visit to the Queen. To make a long story short, the fleet of the Pyandoneans had been utterly destroyed by a storm that had appeared suddenly off the Isle of Artaeum. And finally, the author Taurce il-Anselma adds to the point when he said in "Fragment: On Artaeum": "The Council's influence in Tamrielan politics is tidal...Emperor Uriel V was much influenced by the Council in the early, most glorious parts of his reign, before his disastrous attack on Akavir." But he also reminds us that "The last four emperors, Uriel VI, Morihatha, Pelagius IV, and Uriel VII, have been suspicious of the Psijics enough to refuse ambassadors from the Isle of Artaeum within the Imperial City."

Perhaps you can elaborate on the historical significance of the Psijic Order? I'm sure both of you have some thoughts on this subject. For example, Carlovac Townway, you mentioned Emperor Uriel V's letters from Akavir. Taurce il-Anselma implies that the Order had a lot to do with the "early, glorious part of his reign" before the "disastrous attack". Are we to believe that Emperor Uriel V refused to be counseled and attacked Akavir anyway? Or did the Order suggest an attack, and when it failed, the Emperor refused to listen to them any longer?

Also, could you please describe what you believe is the Order's role today? Do they even have one? Taurce il-Anselma stated that the last four emperor have refused ambassadors, but rumor has is that Loremaster Celarus has been seeking an audience with Emperor Uriel VII himself.

Baloth-Kul:
The Psijics! The Psijics! Let me tell you something - I think their big secret hidden behind all their mystery and obfuscation is that they're very, very dull. Nothing has happened on Artaeum of the least interest since the days of Galerion and Mannimarco.

Carlovac Townway and Waughin Jarth looked at Baloth-Kul curiously, and then spoke.

Carlovac Townway:
Again, my area of expertise is history, not current or future events, so I could not say what business Celarus has with our Emperor, or what the current relationship, if any, is between the Empire and Artaeum. I've read il-Anselma of course, and I think he's right that the last few Emperors have had few dealings with the Psijics. My own theory is that the Psijics tell them the truth rather than what they want to hear. The Psijics did counsel Uriel V against the invasion of Akavir, very strenuously.

Waughin Jarth:
The historical significance of the Order is unquestionable, but they are just that, history. As far as I can tell, they have no connection with the Empire, though they continue to be counselors to the counts of Summurset.

Sinder Velvin:
Mr. Townway, is there any chance that you can tell us how and why Almalexia was able to defeat Mehrunes Dagon? I've always thought that the Daedric Princes were much stronger than the Tribunal.

Carlovac Townway:
Well, she had more then a little help from Sotha Sil, of course, and all three were terribly injured in the encounter. Almalexia, particularly. Of course, it's difficult to give a precise blow-by-blow description of the battle, since accounts are pretty mythic: there were survivors of the destruction of Mournhold, but clearly they weren't taking notes while they were running for their lives. The only physical attacks I mentioned in the book that she throttled him and he poisoned her with his claws, two attacks which are supported by my research. As for who is or was stronger, two of the Gods of Morrowind at the height of their powers, or a Daedra Prince... I could not say. It is tempting to say that the Tribunal was most powerful at that time. They repelled an invasion by Mehrunes Dagon, after all. But without knowing for certain how or what his intentions were beyond destroying Mournhold -- Which he succeeded in doing -- I would be a poor Scholar to assume too much.

Xan:
Why didn't Vivec use his powers while fighting the Empire? Considering the fact that he had an array of god powers, why did he use just common troops and war strategies?

Carlovac Townway:
There are definitely tales of Vivec's extraordinary feats during the Four Score War which I didn't include because they didn't take place in 2920. Vivec is an extraordinary character, I think, because he's a General as much as he is a God. He does the things one expects of Gods -- Flooding the land, stopping rocks that fall from the heavens -- But he also is a leader who inspires his men to victory. I think he sometimes, maybe not always, but sometimes, preferred to use his wits, his ability to devise strategy, rather than his raw power in battle... It's pure conjecture, but I suppose sometimes he just wanted his men to learn, instead of just saving them, and after eighty years of war, he was tired...

Waughin Jarth:
That's a lot of conjecture. Maybe he just wasn't as powerful as people said he was.

Attrebus:
There's a lot of conjecture with anything regarding Vivec.

Attrebus chortled.

Attrebus:
On a semi related topic to Vivec and the Tribunal is the fate of the Dwemer. There a few books related to this enigmatic race, however, none give a clear picture of what happened to them. Have any of you thought about researching this topic and writing a book about the Dwemer? Has the shroud of time made it impossible to remove fact from fiction on this matter?

Carlovac Townway:
I am a great admirer of the Dwemer culture. I think Tamriel has never fully recovered from their loss... Perhaps I will write about their disappearance some day. It certainly has all the markings of a great history, with all its promises, dashed forever.

Waughin Jarth:
It's too grand of an assignment for me. But I wouldn't mind trying to put together a biography of Dumac. As you know from "The Wolf Queen", I do have a weakness for doomed royalty... Maybe...

Baloth-Kul:
I would only do it to honor the legacy of my fellow playwright Gor Felim, whose other work beside that written as Marobar Sul is sadly not in print. Like him, I would come up with some wild speculations with absolutely no evidence, but plenty of entertainment value.

B:
I would agree that the Dwemer were fascinating, and to a great extent, their history still is. I find stories of the Brass God extremely interesting. There is mention of the original Brass God being seen by Kagrenac and the Enantiomorph. I was wondering if any of you could tell us more about the Enantiomorph, or as they are known individually, Zurin Arctus and Talos. Many believe Zurin Arctus was the Underking, but "The Arcturian Heresy" seems to cloud that perspective, hence the word "heresy". Would any of you care to enlighten us on the relationship of Arctus and Talos and the Enantiomorph?

Baloth-Kul:
You find that interesting? I do not. In the least.

Waughin Jarth:
Well, "The Arcturian Heresy" is a bit of a joke right? Who wrote it, do you think? I've never heard any history so, well, neither formal nor poetic, I guess you would say, conversationally written. I mean, in battle, Zurin Arctus 'takes them on'? As a theory, it's certainly less interesting than the idea that Zurin Arctus was the Underking, and the great tragedy of life is how often the less interesting turns out to be true, so perhaps it's not fiction.

Carlovac Townway:
Let me begin by saying -

S'Reddit:
This is the central action of my client's book "2E 896: The Last Year Of The Second Era". I think you should wait for the publication of that to hear his opinion... It's somewhat involved... But fascinating...

Sinder Velvin:
This makes me wonder - If there are so many radically different accounts of certain historical events, how can any researcher possibly tell which accounts are true and which are not? Furthermore, does this not mean that there is no unanimously accepted history of Tamriel? In this case, how do you explain the unity of the Empire given the great cultural differences between the peoples living in Tamriel?

Baloth-Kul:
You see unity in the Empire? I don't.

Carlovac Townway:
With all due respect, I think you're overstating things a bit, Sinder. Are there events, personalities, and histories that are in contention? Certainly. Does that mean that there are no facts that are generally accepted amongst the people of the Empire? Not at all. As a historian, it is my job to look at commonly held beliefs -- And there are many of them in Tamriel -- And question them, look for evidence to support and disprove them. I must see them in their political context, both historical and contemporary. Sometimes I must be satisfied with the most likely scenarios, guessing what happened and why based on what happened before and afterwards. And I have to admit to myself that some of my guesses are going to be wrong, and be big enough to admit it when other evidence comes to light. All that said, I don't see history in Tamriel as a completely formless mass with no tentpoles or points of reference. It may be impossible for a historian to be conclusive, but that does not mean that history as a whole is a lie. The truths are there, if you look

Waughin Jarth:
I don't think the common folk care much about history. Much of this is academic talk. What does it matter to a peasant in Morrowind who Veloth was, when he lived, or even if he ever existed at all? There's a tradition there, which will never die even if historians unanimously gave evidence, obliterating any doubt. People in Tamriel, and I think elsewhere, believe what they want to believe.

Attrebus:
From a scholarly point of view, it is a shame that there's not a more consistant view of history. Especially since there are beings walking Nirn that were at certain events and just aren't talking! Of course, there wouldn't be much of an "adventure" if everything was already known.

B:
We do believe that there are some discrepancies in the historical "facts" of Tamriel. I guess we might disagree on the severity of the issue. One thing we do have in common is our quests for knowledge and understanding. In "The Fall of the Usurper" by Palaux Illthre, there's quote from the poet Braeloque, "To find the facts, the wisest always look first to the fiction". I find this to be an interesting belief. We Librarians seem to do this on most occasions. While we're on the subject of the Usurper, I was wondering if there is anything more you could tell us about the man called the Camoran Usurper and his army of Daedra and Undead Warriors that went on a rampage through Valenwood.

Carlovac Townway:
That is a particularly interest of mine. And something that I'm researching now. It's a tremendous subject anyway you look at it. He was a remarkable warleader, the Usurper, and utterly relentless in his rampage through western Tamriel. The Emperor and the lesser royalty tried to stop him for decades, but he only got stronger and stronger. When you look over the accounts of the era, there is this palpable sense of mounting terror... It's truly an epic tale worth telling.

Sinder Velvin:
Talking about epic tales, I was wondering what you think about four great heroes who did great things: the Eternal Champion - The one who defeated the impostor Jagar Tharn, the Hero of the Battlespire - Who defeated Mehrunes Dagon during the time when Jagarn Tharn ruled over all of Tamriel, the so-called Hero of Daggerfall - Who had a great role to play in the events leading up to the Warp in the West (or as the esteemed S'Reddit put it, The Miracle of Peace as ordained by the Nine), and last, but not least, the Nerevarine - Who, of course, defeated Dagoth Ur among other things. Now, I am a bit ashamed to admit it, but I do not even know the real names of these brave heroes. Do you know of any biographies that have been written about them? Have you considered writing about them yourselves? Also, how is it possible that four men could have such great achievements? How could one single mortal fight both the Daedric hordes of Mehrunes Dagon and the Daedric Prince himself, and emerge victorious? It sounds more like a fairy tale to me...

Baloth-Kul:
Those tales sound interesting to you? Not to me. If they didn't actually happen, I would assume they were fairy tales constructed by some pathetic scribe.

Carlovac Townway:
You have to understand that these are all fairly recent historical events, all within our current Emperor's reign, and it is in his best interest to keep the names of those involved secret. I doubt I will live long enough for those records to become public, but I agree that they might make an epic tale one day. I hope a writer in the future does attempt to ferret out the truth.

Waughin Jarth:
The fellow -- I've heard it was a fellow, though it might have been a lady -- Who defeated Mehrunes Dagon did not, I think, truly defeat him. He merely thwarted what appeared to be the Prince's most immediate plans. It seems to me just as likely that Dagon manipulated the hero into doing exactly what he wanted. I don't think any Prince would be defeated if He didn't wish to be.

Attrebus thought for a moment.

Attrebus:
We've heard the rumblings that the Empire will fall. What's your take on this? Do you think we are in for a time of hardship in the not too distant future?

Baloth-Kul started singing.

Baloth-Kul:
Oh yes, there are bad times just around the corner, there are dark clouds hurtling through the sky And it's no use whining, about a silver lining, for we KNOW from experience that they won't roll by...

Waughin Jarth:
We're heading toward a time of hardship? I don't know. I look around me, and I see it's already here. But then, it's always been here. Tamriel has always been the Arena, and I guess always will be.

Carlovac Townway:
I'm a historian, not an eschatologist, but one can compare the events of 2920, say, with today. The Emperor is old, yes, but he's in good health. He has sons to inherit his kingdom. In 2920, there was but one Emperor, Reman, and one son, Juilek. Do I think this Empire will continue forever? No, of course not. All Empires fall or disintegrate, slowly over time, which I think, frankly, is the fate of the Septim Dynasty.

Xanathar looked around.

Xan:
Hmm, it's rather late. I am afraid we will have to end this interview soon. I'm pretty sure you all have important things to do tomorrow. But I will ask you one more question, about the book "On Oblivion". As you might know, it is said in this book that a certain "Jyggalag" is a Daedric Prince. Interestingly enough, there is no mention of Meridia in it. Do you, by any chance, know who this Jyggalag is?

Also, do you know anything about the wherabouts of Morian Zenas, the author of this book? The book says that it is just the first chapter in the series, but many years have passed since its publication, and to my knowledge, the second chapter has not yet been published. Could Morian Zenas have disappeared?

Carlovac Townway:
"Waters of Oblivion" is the book you want about that?

Waughin Jarth:
Have you read it?

Carlovac Townway:
No. Too busy right now, but I intend to.

Waughin Jarth:
I always thought Jyggalag was a bit of a joke played on poor old Zenas by the Daedra Princes.

Sinder Velvin:
It has, indeed, become rather late.

Sinder Velvin looked towards the authors.

Sinder Velvin:
Sorry for detaining you so long, sirs, but you are such interesting and knowledgeable individuals that we just had to ask you how you feel about certain topics. Now that I have finnaly met you in person, I am absolutely certain that you are worthy of praise. I shall eagerly await the publication of your next books, and I am sure that so will my esteemed colleagues. But, before we depart - Is there anything that you haven't told us yet, but that you would like to tell us?

Baloth-Kul:
Buy my books. I know they cost a lot, but my expenses are high.

Carlovac Townway:
I think I've said all I have to say, and probably more.

Waughin Jarth:
Oh, there are several more of my books coming out soon, but I would rather not spoil the surprise by discussing them. If after reading them, you would like to talk about them, I am always available through my agent, S'Reddit. I welcome your unqualified praise.

S'Reddit:
I seem to have left my purse at home. Can one of the Librarians pick up the bar tab, and send me a bill? Itemized, if at all possible?

Xanathar paid the very large bill.

Xan:
Gentlemen, I suppose this is the end of the interview. I would like to express my gratitude to you for giving us more information about your coming books and for answering our questions. Many thanks for arranging this, Master S'Reddit.

The Librarians stood up.

Xan:
It is now time for us to depart. There are still things that we have to do over at the Library, you see. I hope we can talk again in the future. Until we meet again, good luck and health to you.

After saying their goodbyes, the Librarians returned to the Imperial Library.