Online:The Observer

The Observer
Location	Cliffs of Failure
Race	Dremora	Gender	Male
Health	39,959
Reaction	Friendly

The Observer

The Observer is a Dremora responsible for overseeing the endless games at the Cliffs of Failure.

Related Quests

• The Endless War: Participate in the Observer's game to win the mages' freedom.
• A Thorn in Your Side: Join forces with Angof to win the Battle of the Cliffs.
• The Will of the Worm: Join forces with Thallik to win the Battle of the Cliffs.
• A Bargain With Shadows: Join forces with Estre to win the Battle of the Cliffs.

Quest-Related Events

The Endless War

After arriving at the Cliffs of Failure through the portal and listening to the current contestants' conversation. When you approach him, he will say:

"Ah! Another mortal happens by!"

You can speak with the Observer to see what is going on.

"Why have you wandered into the Cliffs of Failure, mortal? Are you curious as to what you must face here? Do you wonder why we haven't destroyed you? Or why these mages are bound before us?
I have answers, of course—if you are willing to listen."

I'll listen.

"The three standing beside me have either failed the Lord of Schemes in life or become bound to him in death.
Redemption calls to each of them. But to win back the Dark Lord's favor, they must first win my game. And no one has ever won my game."

And why are the mages here?

"Why, these mages have joined the game! Sides have been drawn and tasks assigned. First, they each must perform a small deed for their new masters.
If they survive that, then the fun begins—they can start killing each other."

Let them go. Now.

He will make you play the game for the freedom of the mages:

"You ask so nicely, but no. Once you begin the game, only victory or defeat can set you free.
You, however, shall add an element of surprise and excitement to the game. Will you rush bravely into the fray? Or will you turn and run like a coward?"

Where did you send the mages?

"They are in the game now, below us. They fight for their lives, doing all they can to survive.
I'll be curious to see if they make it past the first trial. So few do, you know."

How can I get into the game?

"That portal will take you to the battleground. Find the mages there—if they haven't been eliminated yet.
Be warned. Once you enter the portal, you are committed to the game. Remember that. I don't abide cheaters or quitters."

Tell me more about this game of yours.

"My master hates when his servants fail him. It breaks his heart. But he will forgive if they can prove they still have something to offer.
Take these three. Failures, every one. But my master offers a chance. He allows them to compete in my game."

And how do they win this game?

"The rules are simple. These three cannot participate in the game directly. They must use pawns to fight for them. In this case, the mages.
If a chosen champion falls, so too falls the corresponding leader. And redemption slips from their grasp."

And what's my role in all this?

"You get to compete as well. Join a team and lead it to victory! Do this and you can claim the prize that has thus far been unattainable—freedom from my game!
And I'll even sweeten the deal. Win, and you can take one of the mages with you."

[Intimidate] What's to stop me from just killing you right now?

"I appreciate your spirit, but save it for the game.
I have been master of this game for thousands of years. Many have tried to defeat me. All have fallen. I confess that the game has begun to bore me. Where is the challenge?"

I'm not like the others you've faced.

"How true! So you can understand my excitement!
You have come here of your own accord. You seek to defend the mages. So … unprecedented! Still, to participate, you must choose a side. There are no wild cards in this game."

Once you have entered the battlefield and helped the three mages, you will be called back to the cliff top to speak with the Observer.

"You make a mockery of my game, mortal. By all calculations, the mages should be dead by now. But no. They still live.
I must say, however, that my game hasn't been this exciting in a long time. So I grant you the ultimate boon. The right to choose!"

And what would I be deciding on?

"You must pick a side in the game. There is no other option. The rules are built into the very fabric of this domain. The only way to save your mages is to follow the rules and win the game.
Now, choose a side or leave the mages to their fate."

I wish to speak to the others before choosing a side.

"Be quick about it. The game waits for no one."

I can defeat your game.

"So you believe. You must win the war first.
Now who will you choose? Angof of the Reach? Thallik of the Wormcult? Or Kinlady Estre, the former Altmer Princess? You may speak to them once more before you make your decision."

I'll side with Angof.

"Angof the Undying grows weaker. He doubts the choices he's made. Regret overwhelms him and pushes him to desperate measures.
Are you sure you wish to side with one who carries such a debilitating burden?"

I'm sure.

"So you have chosen. So shall it be.
Your allegiance has been pledged to Angof of the Reach."

I'll free the mages, but not with him.

"Then choose your side and stop boring me with your indecision."

I'll side with Thallik.

"Thallik, one-time servant of Mannimarco, sees nothing but death and desires nothing but power. There is more evil in his soul than you could find in a hundred mortals.
Are you sure you wish to side with one whose soul is blacker than the night?"

I'm sure.

"So you have chosen. So shall it be.
Your allegiance has been pledged to Thallik Wormtongue [sic]."

I'll free the mages, but not with him.

"Then choose your side and stop boring me with your indecision."

I'll side with Kinlady Estre.

"Kinlady Estre of the silver tongue. Quick-witted and capable of bargaining her soul over and over. How many Daedric lords have won and lost it, I do not know.
Are you sure you want to side with one who is so deceptive?"

I'm sure.

"So you have chosen. So shall it be.
Your allegiance has been pledged to Kinlady Estre of the Summerset Isles."

I'll free the mages, but not with her.

"Then choose your side and stop boring me with your indecision."

Regardless of which side you chose, if you exit out of the conversation before turning in the quest, he will say:

"The members of the Mages Guild compete in the battlegrounds, working with the sides that chose them. You have been granted the rare opportunity to choose your own side, which you must do soon if you wish to aid your friends.
Now, make your decision."

I'll side with Angof. / I'll side with Thallik. / I'll side with Kinlady Estre.

Fighting for Your Team

Unless where stated, there appears to be a lot of overlap in the Observers dialogue between the quests, A Thorn in Your Side, The Will of the Worm, A Bargain With Shadows.

"You have chosen a side. Now understand that only one contestant can win this game.
And, as always, I can change the rules without warning in order to keep the contest exciting."

So, you can cheat?

"Never! The game is sacrosanct! But I can alter the rules to keep the contestants guessing and to keep my own interest in the proceedings high.
Report to the one you pledged your allegiance to. The game begins now."

I'll find Angof/Thallik/Kinlady Estre.

Speaking to him again:

"Find the leader of the side you have chosen and present yourself. I'm eager to see how the game plays out with you involved."

After you beat one of the other champions a projection will appear nearby and exclaim:

The Observer: "You beat one of the champions. Impressive! Now the game is finally getting interesting!"

Once you beat the second champion he will call you to the entrance cavern.

The Observer: "And so the last champion falls. Interesting. Find me at the entrance to my watch to receive your … reward."

When you enter the cavern, the Observer's projection will appear again with an impromptu challenge.

The Observer: "Impressive. Most impressive. No one in the history of my games has ever defeated two champions. But now, you must face one more challenge."

The two missing Watcher guards appear out of portals.

The Observer: "Defeat my guardians and reach the portal to claim your reward!"

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The Observer
Location	Cliffs of Failure
Race	Dremora	Gender	Male
Health	133844	Difficulty
Reaction	Neutral
Drops
Daedra Heart

After the watchers are defeated and you enter the portal, the Observer will be waiting for you.

The Observer: "You have accomplished the impossible! Now for your true reward. Prepare to face … me!"

The mages will appear behind you.

Juline Ginis: "You won't face the Observer alone. We're in this together."

As the fight continues, the Observer will banish a mage, until all three are gone.

The Observer: "This contest is between your betters, mage. Off with you!"

The Observer: "Annoying mage! Away with you!"

The Observer: "I grow weary of your interference, mage. Begone!"

Once you have killed the Observer and enter the nearby portal, you will quickly realize that he miraculously revived. Additionally, the mages and the contestant you sided with will be in separate cages.

"How positively exciting! You have won the game that could not be won. You defied the laws of this realm.
Oh, well done! Well done!"

I don't understand. I killed you!

"Confounding, isn't it? Such is the way of things in Coldharbour.
The game goes on, and so there must always be a game master. Still, I am amazed that you managed to win the game. That should have been impossible. So, choose your reward!"

What are my options?

"You won, fair and square. So you may select one companion to take with you when you leave. Only one. The others must stay and continue to play the game until they can win for themselves.
Now, are you ready to make your decision?"

May I speak to them before I decide?

"As you wish. But don't take too long. I have a game to get back to!
Once you've made your decision, talk to me again."

I'm ready to decide.

A Thorn in Your Side

When you come back to him after speaking with Angof and Juline.

"What is your decision?"

I won your game. Why must I choose?

"Because the balance of the game must be maintained. If you select Angof, then the mages take his place. If you choose the mages, Angof remains as a leader in the game.
You are lucky that I agreed to provide this reward at all."

I'll take the mages with me.

"Very well. The mages are yours. Angof will have the honor of continuing to play my game.
Farewell, and thank you for such an excellent competition. You will not be allowed to participate again."

I chose [sic] Angof.

"The vined one? You would abandon your comrades for one such as he? You continue to surprise me, mortal.
Now, you and your prize must go. Do not return here, for you may not play the game again."

[Intimidate] I'll take them all. Otherwise, I'll just keep killing you and disrupting your game.

"What? How dare you threaten me!
You are lucky that I even gave you a reward at all. The balance … the balance must be maintained!"

Give me Angof and the mages or I'll make sure the balance is never restored.

"I … the unmitigated … how dare … fine!
Take them all and do not return. My master will be angry, but not as enraged as he would be if the game was permanently disrupted. Now, be gone with you!"

The Will of the Worm

When you come back to him after speaking with Thallik and Mim.

"What is your decision?"

I won your game. Why must I choose?

"Because the balance of the game must be maintained. If you select Thallik, then the mages take his place. If you choose the mages, Thallik remains as a leader in the game.
You are lucky that I agreed to provide this reward at all."

I'll take the mages with me.

"Very well. The mages are yours. Thallik will have the honor of continuing to play my game.
Farewell, and thank you for such an excellent competition. You will not be allowed to participate again."

I choose Thallik.

"The one with the heart as black as night? You would abandon your comrades for one such as he? You continue to surprise me, mortal.
Now, you and your prize must go. Do not return here, for you may not play the game again."

Intimidate] I'll take them all. Otherwise, I'll just keep killing you and disrupting your game.

"What? How dare you threaten me!
You are lucky that I even gave you a reward at all. The balance … the balance must be maintained!"

Give me Thallik and the mages or your game will never be balanced again.

"I … the unmitigated … how dare … fine!
Take them all and do not return. My master will be angry, but not as enraged as he would be if the game was permanently disrupted. Now, be gone with you!"

A Bargain With Shadows

When you come back to him after speaking with Estre and Relmus.

"What is your decision?"

I won your game. Why must I choose?

"Because the balance of the game must be maintained. If you select Estre, then the mages must take her place. If you choose the mages, then Estre continues to lead her side.
You are lucky I agreed to provide this award at all."

I'll take the mages with me.

"Very well. The mages are yours. Estre will have the honor of continuing to play my game.
Farewell, and thank you for such an excellent competition. You will not be allowed to participate again."

I choose Estre.

"The one with the silver tongue? Her words are more powerful than I expected to make you abandon your comrades for her. You continue to surprise me, mortal.
Now, you and your prize must go. Do not return here, for you may not play the game again."

[Intimidate] I'll take them all. Otherwise, I'll just keep killing you and disrupting your game.

"What? How dare you threaten me!
You are lucky that I even gave you a reward at all. The balance … the balance must be maintained!"

Give me Estre and the mages or your game will never be balanced again.

"I … the unmitigated … how dare … fine!
Take them all and do not return. My master will be angry, but not as enraged as he would be if the game was permanently disrupted. Now, be gone with you!"