Interview with Anaxes the Tormentor
By Mankar Camoran
For commissioning Gaiar Alata, I came into contact with the Xilivai Anaxes, who wished to serve here as a torturer. Below is a written version of the interview I had with him.
Please state your name and Clan
“I already told you who I was, mortal! Is your simple brain so small you could not remember that anymore?!”
I do remember. But for the sake of the documentation, please repeat your name and also tell me about your Clan.
“You mortals never fail to amaze me with your strange ways. Very well. I am Anaxes, as I already told you. And I have no Clan. No longer, that is. Once, I served Lord Molag Bal as a member of Clan Deathbringer, but we left.”
Who is ‘we’?
“Didn’t I tell you that already? Oh wait, funny mortal business. I left together with my fellow Dremora Medrike and our superior Kathutet.”
Why did you leave?
“Because Lord Molag Bal is a fool. You serve Lord Mehrunes Dagon, mortal, so you should know. Unlike the latter, his plans are anserine and improvident. And his mind is weak, so are those of his followers.”
And why should I believe you? You could be his spy.
“What a remarkable observation you make. What would Lord Bal gain from keeping an eye on an insect? Because that is what you are to him. You are nothing. He doesn’t even know who you are.”
Then how did you find me?“I didn’t. Kathutet did. He knows you are a loyal servant of Lord Dagon, and you can keep us safe. The enemy of my enemy… that sort of thing. Mortals do know that saying, right?”
I am not looking for refugees.
“I know, but you are looking for an executioner, a torturer. I am good at that. I’ll be the best you ever know or ever will see. Soon, your enemies will know my name.”
So you no longer agreed with Molag Bal and left. Can I expect the same lack of loyalty here?
“We served… I served Lord Bal far longer than you could imagine, many centuries before you were even born, mortal. So don’t speak to me about loyalty! But rest assured. I won’t betray you. Somehow, you should be glad we’re refugees, because with Lord Bal wanting our heads now, there is nowhere else we could go. And it’s not as if that’s our only reason why we want to join you. We actually believe in your cause, and we also know all about Lord Mehrunes Dagon. In fact, I have even read your commentaries and I know them to be true.”
Oh? Please, enlighten me.
“Sure, I will entertain you with a story, mortal. As long as it will bring me closer to my goal. So, all of Clan Deathbringer knows the story of how Lord Dagon came to be from the bowels of Lyg. It was actually a story out of mockery to Lord Bal’s rival, and it showed our Lord was the first. He was older, and therefore the righteous one. But that is not entirely true. You know this, don’t you?”
Perhaps, but I’m interested in what you have to say.
“Well then. You know the Magna Ge didn’t create Lord Dagon in the bowels of Lyg out of nothing. Otherwise, by right and thermology, they can’t be Magna Ge! No, they grabbed the lost Ehlnofey named Ha-Note and formed him into what Lord Dagon is now. So Lord Bal may be older than Lord Dagon, but not older than Ha-Note.”
I didn’t write that name in my Commentaries. What more do you know? Why did this fact change your perspective?
“It did not, but it helps put things in perspective, and helps in understanding who I want to serve. If anything, it only proves Lord Dagon is weaker than my former master. Or was, at least. Mortal, you should know we Dremora always wish to serve the strongest. That so many or my kin choose to serve Lord Dagon way before I am making that choice now, says something.”
Why would that story prove Mehrunes Dagon is weaker?
“Don’t play dumb. Even though the knowledge of the Daedra is far superior than that of a mortal, you should know the Ehlnofey gave their essence to the creation, whereas Lord Bal remained all of his strength. And then there’s also the story the grabbers didn’t even take all of Ha-Note, for some bones were left behind on Nirn.”
Oh? I don’t think I know this story.
“You don’t? How curious. It seems your master is keeping things even from you. Well, I don’t mind spilling some secrets! So, after Ha-Note was taken by the Magna Ge, what was left by them was taken by mortals. And from these remains, they made a mask, a funny little piece of armor, and they gave it a stupid name as mortals tend to do, ‘City-Face’ they called it, and it was still carrying the essence of the Ehlnofey. Yet Lord Dagon hasn’t reclaimed this mask.”
Why? Where is this ‘City-Face’ now?
“Why indeed? That is the right question, mortal. Maybe he isn’t powerful enough like they say? You could ask him yourself, perhaps. I’m interested in what he has to say to you! Anyway, the mask is no more. Another mortal used the piece to form a staff along with the essence of some other Ehlnofey. But enough of this! I want to know if we are hired. Am I getting the job as your tormentor, or will you keep tormenting me with your endless questions?”
You still haven’t told me why you want to follow Dagon now.
“I have, but you aren’t paying attention. Even if Lord Dagon is younger than my former master, and even if he is physically weaker -which I put to doubt, let me be clear- his will, his mind is still stronger. Even the lost piece City-Face still bears strong Mind Magic, let alone the Lord himself. And to a tormentor there is nothing more scarier than someone with an unbreakable spirit, and yet also still inspires change and rebellion. It has become clear to me, clear to us, Lord Dagon is the stronger one, the more cunning one, and the Lord I want to follow.
But what made you realize Molag Bal was the inferior one?
Ask Kathutet. I am done talking in circles with you, mortal. Do I get the job or not?
I will think about it. Thank you for your time and answers.
What is that for kind of answer? Ah, very well. I will await your response. Just don’t make me lose my patience…