Redguard:N'Gasta

N'Gasta (lore page)
Location	N'Gasta's Tower
Race	Sload
Gender	Male

N'Gasta in front of his tower

"This one is comfortable with the trappings of his vocation, even if his victims lack such comfort." (listen ⏵)

N'Gasta is a Sload necromancer who lives on the eponymous Isle of N'Gasta. He is responsible for the soul snare cast on the island of Stros M'Kai, which captures the wayward souls of any who die and do not have holy rites performed upon them quickly, or are buried in unhallowed soil. He arrived on the island early during Thassad II's reign, and has become a thing of legend, feared by the populace of Stros M'Kai. He is a servant of the King of Worms, who gave him permission to live on the isle and harvest souls there.

As a Sload, he has little time for petty emotions, and thus holds no animosity toward the Mage's Guild, which hates him with a vengeance. Similarly, he has no pity for the souls of the people that he captures. He is an ally of Lord Richton, who recognizes his power. He is glad of the civil war that took place, because it gave him many souls to use for his experiments. His snare captured Brother Kithral of the brothers of Arkay and threatens to capture Hayle's soul, a Yokudan boy whose soul cannot easily be guided due to being born under the sign of the Serpent.

When you first meet N'Gasta, he will ask you to deliver an amulet to Richton. His dialogue changes depending on if you accepted Kotaro's job offering, which N'Gasta organized to find a courier. He is the first person to confirm that Iszara is alive, but leaves out important details about her location and state of being.

You later learn that N'Gasta's amulet is actually the soul gem containing Prince A'tor's soul. Iszara came to the necromancer hoping he could restore the Prince, and he offered to do so if she gave up her soul; he later gifted it to Clavicus Vile. Joto tells you the best way to defeat N'Gasta is by absorbing his magic using the Flask of Lillandril. Once you return to the island, the gate to the tower opens. You find Iszara in a comatose state at the top of the tower, then N'Gasta appears out of nowhere. Cyrus confronts him and N'Gasta explains what has happened.

He turns hostile and begins throwing spells at you, all the while laughing, "Ha-ha-hah!" You must use the flask to absorb the spells and send them back at him. N'Gasta dies after five successful hits and dissolves into a blue puddle that fades away. As Cyrus states during their confrontation, it is quite possible that he was caught in his own soul snare.

He wears a burgundy robe, with a large yellow amulet around his neck and a brown head cap. He moves very slowly.

Related Quests

• N'Gasta's Amulet: Obtain a certain amulet and deliver it to Lord Richton.
• Rescue Iszara: Defeat N'Gasta and rescue Iszara from Clavicus Vile.

Notes

• N'Gasta was voiced by John Pearson. As recalled by Michael Kirkbride, "I remember his throat getting really sore at the recording studio and only fried chicken could heal him."
• It is actually possible to kill N'Gasta using only your sabre, but this is not recommended.
• There is text intended for initiating dialogue with N'Gasta, but it is unused because he always starts the conversation. Before you knew his name, he would be called "Worm-thing".
• His name is sometimes spelled lowercase as "N'gasta".

Bugs

• The log entry unlocked by "Soul Snare" is clearly intended for the topic "What Happened to the Others?"

Scenes

The Fate of Iszara

As Cyrus tries to wake up Iszara, N'Gasta appears and tells him that her soul is with Clavicus Vile now. He recounts how she came to him looking for help with Prince A'tor's soul gem and was tricked into trading her soul. He then reveals that the amulet he had delivered was in fact the soul gem. Cyrus threatens to kill N'Gasta if he does not bring Iszara back, and they prepare to fight.

Dialogue

Topics

Idle
Greeting
Iszara
Restless League
Stros M'Kai
Necromancy
Delivery
Empire
Souls
Thassad
Net
Governor
Amulet
Daedra Lords
Temple
What Happened to the Others?
Soul Snare
Bye

Idle

Gate to tower opens:

"Come, Cyrus. This one has what you seek."

Greeting

First time:

"Cyrus! This one is N'Gasta, the necromancer of Stros M'Kai."

"Have we met?"

If you took the job from Kotaro:

N'gasta says that to deliver the amulet to the governor personally, and that the contractor will pay the rest of the fee after the delivery.

"The contractor informed this one of your impending arrival."

"He did...?"

"This one tenders you the amulet that will be delivered."

"To the Governor, right?"

"Make sure of its safety. Deliver it to him personally. The contractor will pay you the rest of your fee after the matter is settled."

If you have talked to Kotaro, but didn't accept the job:

"A contractor informed me of your reservations concerning the terms of my employ."

"He did...?"

"This one had hoped you might reconsider -- and, to this one's joy, you appear here!"

"I was just... exploring. My sister is lost here in Stros M'Kai."

"So you seek here? You must think her dead, or so this one must infer."

"She'd better not be."

"Our esteemed Governor is your temporal authority on states of being -- your sister's being in question, yes? But an audience with the great man is... almost impossible.

"This one ventures that your delivery of the amulet may provide the opportunity for a conversation."

I'll Take the Job

Accepted job from N'gasta to deliver an amulet to Governor Richton. Received amulet. N'gasta has arranged for an unnamed middleman to pay when task is accomplished.

"I'll take the job, I guess. Explain it to me again."

"Acknowledging the Governor's discretion in various matters, this one wishes to give his eminence a unique amulet bespeaking his high reckoning in the Empire's affairs."

"Fine. But I'd like to ask you some questions first --"

"Of course, but this one's answers need not be your only recompense."

"What do you mean?"

"This one engaged a fellow as middleman, not foreseeing your forthright initiative... but said fellow will pay you handsomely when you have performed this service."

I'll Find My Own Way

"I'll find my own way into the Governor's Palace, thanks. I've no time to make deliveries."

"As you wish, Cyrus, but this one continues to hope for your service.

"Permit this one to express a personal interest in your islander affairs and further to note that your advent here deserves special regard."

Otherwise:

"Permit this one to express a personal interest in your islander affairs and further to note that your advent here deserves special regard."

"Do you know a woman named Iszara?"

"First attend to first things. This one desires an agent to accomplish an important delivery."

"And then we'll talk about Iszara?"

"This one makes solemn oath to reveal the full sum of his wisdoms."

"Go on, then."

"Acknowledging the Governor's discretion in various matters, this one wishes to give his eminence a unique amulet bespeaking his high reckoning in the Empire's affairs."

I Can Do That

Accepted job from N'gasta to deliver an amulet to Governor Richton. Received amulet. N'gasta has arranged for an unnamed middleman to pay when task is accomplished.

"I can do that. But I have some questions for you first. --"

"Of course, but this one's answers need not be your only recompense."

"What do you mean?"

"This one engaged a fellow as middleman, not foreseeing your forthright initiative... but said fellow will pay you handsomely when you have performed this service."

I'll Pass

"I'll pass right now. I don't want any Imperial entanglements just yet."

"As you wish, Cyrus, but this one continues to hope for your service."

If you have accepted the delivery job:

"Hello again, N'Gasta."

"This one hopes to speak with you at length... later... after the amulet is delivered."

"You'll speak with me now."

"Very well. As you wish."

Otherwise:

"Hello again, N'Gasta."

"Have you reconsidered this one's offer?"

Opens same options as "Delivery".

---

Iszara

Iszara is among the living, N'gasta assures you, or he would know otherwise.

"Are you familiar with a woman named Iszara?"

"Other souls this one has gathered of late have whispered the name."

"She's my sister."

"Then count your sister among the living, for she's not cold yet, or this one would know her well."

Restless League

"I'd imagine this island is treacherous to reach by ship?"

"Imagine impossible. This one is amused by your imaginings."

"So you are probably never threatened by the pirates of the Restless League?

"This one is never threatened, Cyrus... but, yes, this one knows the League well."

"You do?"

"This one has tallied many of their rebellious souls in the present reign."

"What do you think of them?"

"What does one think of the gold in one's pouch? Does one judge this coin better than another if both spend the same?"

"All the dead are fair currency, then."

"Your wit accounts it well."

Stros M'Kai

"How long have you lived on Stros M'Kai?"

"How long in legend? This one arrived in Thassad's better years, and was given fair compass of these foul shoals. In that time this one was but a tale in passing, a shiver in riddle."

"How long have you been better than a legend, then?"

"Since the end of the war. How could this one neglect so rich a harvest? The sea so brimmed with the dead that its tides swelled 'round the world.

"So this one conjured a net to catch them all, these lost and torn-violent souls. Thereafter this one's presence has been well known here... perhaps somewhat feared as well."

Necromancy

N'gasta grants that the Mage's Guild opposes the practice of his craft, but that the governor favors him over those of the Mage's Guild.

"I thought Hammerfell was plagued by necromancy only in the north, where Sentinel lay in similar shadow."

"Do not speak ill, mortal, of this one's liege-lord, the King of Worms, for his grace grants these shores as this one's bountiful hunting grounds."

"Is your foul practice not contested by the men of this island?"

"Cyrus. What men are left -- this one wonders -- or women of likemind -- for violence against me? They were all slain in the war, and dead now they serve this one without protest.

"The Mage's Guild whines as is its wont when practitioners of this one's craft challenge their dominion, but the Governor shrewdly weights this one's concerns above theirs."

"Why is that?"

"This one is a better friend than enemy."

They Serve You

"How do these souls so collected serve you?"

"This one's business in souls doesn't concern you. That the Daedra lords look with favor on a necromancer with a stock in trade... should scarcely surprise you."

Mage's Guild

"Why does the Mage's Guild hate you? Outside the obvious reasons?"

"Such unsubtle gibes little trouble this one, Redguard. As for the Guild's enmity... with their Archmage dead in the seadust, their impotence breeds spite against this one's masteries."

Archmage

(Unlocked by "Mage's Guild")

"What happened to the Archmage?"

"He perished in the war protecting the Crown and was lost at sea. I lament that the snare was not then set, for such a soul would have been fit to... cultivate... for nights on end."

"He was powerful, then, this Archmage?"

"Scarcely. He was noted for his trappings, not his trivial skills. His magical artifacts, however... such might even be worth this one's notice."

"I'll get right on it."

Delivery

(Unlocked if you pass on his offer to deliver the amulet; disappears when you accept)

"About that delivery again --"

"Have you reconsidered this one's offer?"

I'll Deliver the Amulet for You

Accepted job from N'gasta to deliver an amulet to Governor Richton. Received amulet. N'gasta has arranged for an unnamed middleman to pay when task is accomplished.

"I'll deliver the amulet for you."

"This one is most pleased!"

"Hand it over."

"Acknowledging the Governor's discretion in various matters, this one wishes to give his eminence a unique amulet bespeaking his high reckoning in the Empire's affairs."

"I'll do just that."

"This one engaged a fellow as middleman, not foreseeing your forthright initiative... but said fellow will pay you handsomely when you have performed this service."

I'm Still Thinking About It

"I'm still thinking about it, N'Gasta."

"As you wish, Cyrus, but this one continues to hope for your service."

Empire

(Unlocked by "Restless League" or "Amulet" or if you did not accept job from Kotaro)

"Has the coming of the Empire given you much concern?"

"This one is neither not unwary of the Empire, nor eager to wear the leash. But the Governor has proven himself an honorable man.

"Thus this one offers him this gift, to encourage his attention to the affairs of the living, leaving me the rest."

Souls

(Unlocked by "Iszara", "Restless League", "Stros M'Kai" or "Archmage")

N'gasta's soulsnare captures the departed spirits of 'silly folk who neglect the sanctity of their souls'.

"The illicit soul-trade. How does it work?"

"If mortals knew the power they harbored, and how so unearned, a grace inexplicably given by the outer gods who provide too-plenty and without good guidance --

"If they knew, they may wise work as hard to keep the within as much as their precious withouts -- that easily slipped-bare skin that withers as paper before flame --

"For that is the truth of it: the body houses that which it cannot ever for long withstand.""

"Which answers little --"

"In short, the soulsnare captures the smokes of silly folk who neglect the sanctity of their souls."

Thassad

(Unlocked by "Stros M'Kai")

The soulsnare captures only those spirits unprotected by holy rituals, or those buried in unhallowed ground, according to N'gasta.

"You knew the worthy king, then. Does he rattle in your bag, too?"

"He died in Sentinel, not Stros M'Kai, and was therefore outside of this one's catching web, and before this one's time here as well."

"Right. Your soulsnare went up during the war, after Thassad was already dead."

"And besides, Thassad would have journeyed to the gods, in any case, for he was keen and prudent: a few good strides and he'd be at the Temple door."

"What difference would that make?"

"This one's snare catches only the heedless, those spirits unprotected by the holy rituals, or those interred in unhallowed ground.

"So, if you would avoid this one's net, die close by the Temple, or far from the island's shores."

Net

(Unlocked by "Stros M'Kai")

"You have the island under a spell, N'Gasta?"

"A soulsnare of this one's own devising, which gathers lost souls and bears them thither."

"For strange and terrible experiments, no doubt."

"This one is comfortable with the trappings of his vocation, even if his victims lack such comfort."

"My sister had better not be among them."

"Her being holds as much mystery for this one as it does for you. Inquire elsewhere."

Governor

(Unlocked by "Necromancy" or "Empire" or if you did not accept job from Kotaro)

N'gasta says that the governor is his generous patron, and that the governor's policies bring N'gasta profit.

"What can you tell me about the Governor?"

"That he is a generous patron, sending a steady flow to this one even with the war long over. His policies bring profit, and finally by the amulet may his generosity be acknowledged."

Amulet

(Unlocked by "Governor" or if you did not accept job from Kotaro)

"What is this amulet you give to the Governor?"

"A red diamond this one has found among many treasures, and judges fitting for a servant of the Empire, who might fly such symbols on their standards.

"And the dragon setting is well suited to honor the Governor whose command of such a beast gained the victory at Stros M'Kai, and placed Hammerfell in the Emperor's hands."

Daedra Lords

(Unlocked by "They Serve You")

N'gasta serves the Daedra Lord Clavicus Vile, and says that Vile grants favors in return for each soul N'gasta delivers.

"So the great necromancer is running dog to the lords of hell. Why are they always on the top of the diabolical food chain?"

"This one laps at the scraps from no one's table, Redguard. Clavicus Vile grants this one favors with every soul sent his way."

"Clavicus...Vile? Please."

"Do not mock that name, mortal!"

"Ha-ha. Pray forgive me, necromancer. It just seemed an overly unsubtle name, that is all."

"Daedra were born before stars, mortal. Do you consider that perhaps such names preceded, hence perhaps inspired, the concepts they connote?"

Temple

(Unlocked by "Thassad")

"So the Temple is your prime competitor in the area."

"Dichotomy to this devil's work. The good brothers of Arkay have a somewhat different perspective on the currency of the soul.

"They strive to shepherd its return, while this one... prefers to manage flocks for profit. Or should one say, the 'sole' good brother of Arkay, ha-ha... since there is but one left."

What Happened to the Others?

(Unlocked by "Temple")

"One has become raveled in my astral net, having parted from this world not long ago"

"How could a Temple member be snared when he works in the very haven that opposes you?"

"By leaving long the haven, this one speculates... but quite doubtful, it is agreed."

"How long ago was this?"

"A good three master moons. --"

"That's about the time my sister vanished."

Soul Snare

(Unlocked by "Souls", "Net", or "Archmage")

In passing, N'gasta mentions that there is only one surviving brother of Arkay, that the other became snared in his net three master moons ago -- about the same time that Iszara disappeared.

"I'm curious, N'Gasta. Just how does the soulsnare work?"

"You would play the student? Hmm, how quaint --

"The image of aether-hounds comes to mind, broad shouldered and panting, patrolling the near-here gates of death, alert for the scent of the hapless spirit.

"But grant me be a far more insidious craftsworm than that: the net's a siren song of semiotics, divining the fading signs of the departed, and crafting from them a lure --

"A gateway rung with gentle runes of the soul's own manufacture. That soul swarms gratefully into the waiting net, towards heavens woven from the spirit's dim yearnings."

Bye

"Goodbye, N'Gasta."

"Farewell, Cyrus. A pleasure doing business with you."

If you haven't accepted the delivery job:

"Do not neglect your service to this one!"

"I'll give it some thought. Goodbye."

Unused Dialogue

Idle lines perhaps for when he walks out of his tower to the gate:

"Welcome, guest."

"This one greets you."

"Approach, personage."

Gallery

• 

  3D render

• 

  N'Gasta dissolving into nothing

• 

  N'Gasta on a loading screen

• 

  Concept art