Online:Commander Merian

Commander Merian
Home City	Skingrad
Location	Feldagard Keep
Race	Imperial	Gender	Male
Reaction	Friendly
Other Information
Faction(s)	West Weald Legion

Commander Merian

Commander Merian is an Imperial member of the West Weald Legion who leads the forces at Feldagard Keep.

Related Quests

• Hold the Line: Help drive invading Daedra out of Feldagard Keep.
• In Memory Of: Some memories are best forgotten.

Quest-Related Events

Hold the Line

Commander Merian is first encountered atop the walls at Feldagard Keep, as you search for him with Tribune Alea Idolus:

Legionary Defender: "Commander, they're climbing over the walls! We can't—"

<The legionary is struck down by a stray arrow>

Commander Merian: "Tribune! Praise the gods. We could use your help."

Tribune Alea Idolus: "He's up on the wall. How can we help, commander?"

You can then speak with him to see what he needs you to do:

"Stendarr's blood, it's good to see you. We need all the swords we can get. And anyone traveling with Tribune Alea is always welcome in a fight.
Those Daedra are pummeling us. I need something done to hold them back."

What do you have in mind?

"The most immediate threat is that they're slipping in all over the keep. I need to contain them in one spot if I'm going to bring my forces to bear.
If we slow their progress and cut off their entry points, they'll regroup at the breach in the wall."

What do you want us to do?

"Since my soldiers are up to their ears in Daedra, you're going to slow down the assault.
Go around the keep and reset some traps that we planted. As you do that, burn the ropes those Daedra are using to climb over the walls."

I'll reset the traps and burn the ropes.

"You'll have to cut down an enemy or two, no question. But your primary objective is to reset those traps and burn those ropes. My legionaries can handle the rest. After that, meet me in the main courtyard.
If you have questions, make them quick."

You can ask your questions before you leave:

Tell me about the attackers.

"They're Daedra. They look funny, smell weird, and don't give a damn about dying. Call themselves Shardborn, but otherwise haven't made any demands.
They want my keep. I'll bring every stone here down upon their heads before I let that happen."

How will resetting traps and burning ropes help exactly?

"We need to cut off their access points and slow down their advance through the keep. Since they're using ropes to scale the walls, burning them is essential. And the traps should slow them down.
With any luck, they'll regroup at the breach."

After you complete your order, you will overhear Commander Merian get bad news:

Legionary Defender: "Commander, the ballista's destroyed! They'll breach the courtyard soon."

Commander Merian: "Blasted clever Daedra! Meet me in the courtyard!"

<Commander Merian runs into the keep.>

Go through the keep to meet up with Merian in the main courtyard. He starts by saying:

Commander Merian: "Tribune, get that ballista in working order. Mercenary, you get the fun part."

Talk with him to get your orders:

"We thought the barricades would hold longer. Those blasted Daedra broke through when our backs were turned and damaged our last ballista. My legionaries set up another barricade, but it may not last for long.
That's where you come in, mercenary."

Tell me what you're thinking, commander.

"If the Daedra can't get close to the barricade, they can't knock it down. So we'll set it on fire.
My legionaries already brought up oil. I need you to pour it over the barricade. Soak it well. Then come back here."

What happens then?

"Tribune Alea will repair the ballista while you douse the barricade in oil. Once it's ready, launch a flaming bolt into the oil and set it ablaze. That should hold their advance and create a kill zone.
After that, use the ballista at will."

Oil barricade, set barricade on fire, launch ballista bolts at Daedra. Got it.

You can ask him if the plan will work but he is not patient about that:

"I gave you an order, mercenary. Get to it!
Grab that oil that's behind you first. I'll walk you through everything else."

Are you sure this plan will work?

"No plan is ever certain, and we don't have time for maybes and what abouts! I didn't become a commander in the Imperial Legion by second guessing myself. And I won't be questioned by a hired mercenary.
Now get to it!"

While you go about this, Commander Merian will call out orders to you:

Commander Merian: "Grab that bucket of oil first."

Once you have the oil:

Commander Merian: "Now pour the oil around the barricades!"

Before you pour the oil:

"Don't dawdle while carrying out my orders. We don't have much time before the Daedra regroup and attack.
Get going, mercenary!"

Afterwards using the oil on the barricades, it will be time to repair the ballista:

Commander Merian: "Tribune, take lookout. Mercenary, finish repairing the ballista. The parts are by the back wall."

After repairing the ballista:

Commander Merian: "That did it! Now arm that ballista, target the oil, and set it ablaze."

Setting the barricade on fire:

Commander Merian: "That should hold them back. Now, crush those Daedra!"

As you use the ballista to wipe out the waves of Daedra, Commander Merian has various approving things to say:

Commander Merian: "Nice targeting, mercenary! Get ready for the next wave."

Commander Merian: "Keep it up, I see another wave approaching."

Once the waves have been dealt with, there will be another thing to deal with:

Commander Merian: "That's it for the ballista. Tribune, look sharp!"

Tribune Alea Idolus: "Daedra emerging through the north door! With me, comrade!"

Commander Merian: "Get down there and find out where they're coming from!"

Tribune Alea Idolus: "Comrade, you're with me."

Speaking to him before intercepting the intruders:

"I don't care how those Daedra got in. I need them gone before they dismantle the rest of the barricade."

Before going into the barracks:

"Follow Tribune Alea into the barracks! Find out where the Daedra are coming from. Go!"

Going into the barracks, you soon find Shardmarshal Vargas using Abolisher to open portals for her forces to get into the keep. Tribune Alea tackles her through a portal and you follow them to Mirrormoor. While fighting Shardmarshal Vargas, Tribune Alea manages to get the sword out of her hands, and you fight off the Shardborn trying to get it back. When Shardmarshal Vargas retreats, you experiment with Abolisher until you reopen a portal back to the keep.

Commander Merian and some of his soldiers will be there when you exit the portal:

Commander Merian: "Perhaps I'll ask about the portal later. Right now I want to know if the keep is secure."

Tribune Alea Idolus: "You give the report, comrade."

Talk to Commander Merian to report what happened:

"The battle out here appears to be over except for a few straggling Daedra. Are we in the clear? What did you find in the barracks? And how did you wind up emerging from a portal?"

The Daedra were using portals under the keep to bring in reinforcements. That path has been closed.

"Portals under the keep? That's an unexpected tactic. But I'm glad you and the tribune took care of it.
Without reinforcements, the remaining Daedra shouldn't pose too much of a problem for my legionaries."

So Feldagard Keep is safe now?

"As safe as can be expected. We are a military installation, after all. We'll wipe out the remaining Daedra, then begin rebuilding the keep.
I expect Tribune Alea will want a final word or two with you before you go."

You could ask him the possibility about a future attack:

Do you think the Daedra will attack the keep again?

"After this beating? Who can say. Daedra don't behave in any rational way that I ever noticed.
But we'll shore up the barricades, rebuild the wall. And there's always my tried and true methods-fire and traps! Always go with proven tactics, I say."

Talking to Merian when the quest is complete:

"We still have some Daedra stragglers to round up, but my legionaries can handle them. Feel free to take three or four down on your way out, if you're so inclined.
And mercenary … thank you."

In Memory Of

Commander Merian will be one of the guests at the gathering in Skingrad:

"Feldagard Keep still stands, thanks to you. I'd like to find a way to remove the taint those Recollection dogs left in the barracks. Daedric magic is foul, and the stink of Mirrormoor is fouler still."

Is West Weald secure now?

"As secure as it can be in this fouled up world. Oh, there are Recollection stragglers to drive off, and Count Calantius needs to finalize diplomatic relations with Vashabar, but we'll be all right.
At least as long as the war stays to the east."

Midway through the party, you will be called away to meet with Hermaeus Mora. He reveals that despite your success at having Ithelia leave your reality for good, he will make everyone except you and him forget the Prince of Paths.

After Beragon's toast to you when you speak to Commander Merian, he will be affected by Mora's magic:

"Tribune Alea did well when she brought you to help us at Feldagard. All of the Weald is in your debt, mercenary. If not for you, who knows what this Recollection and Daedra business would have led to.
Still, it seems I'm forgetting something …."

Is West Weald secure now? (Repeats dialogue)