Volthar Manor 1.6.2

This is my first Mod. It requires Dawnguard. I made it for fun, and to add several things I wanted all in one place. I also wanted a mod with many hidden passages and easter eggs, which i hope i added enough. It ended up being almost DLC sized. Don't stop exploring!

im not an experienced modder so this mod doesn't have all the perfectly crafted static, or places for all your trophies. What it does offer is (hopefully) a seamless addition to the lore and feel of skyrim, lots of in-depth background lore/context, and some mindbending content you don't see coming - this mod has LOTS inside - I just added detailed walkthrough with images - but I hope you try to solve the mod using the clues, riddles, and good old fashion exploring. 

Don't underestimate the scope and scale of the hidden places of the world.



About the Volthar:

       The Volthar family are imperial vampires, and the second oldest vampire clan in Skyrim. They prefer the finer things and enjoy obscene wealth and influence (though their bloodline has grown thin). They are worshippers of both Molag Bal and Dibella, and as such they are ruthless cunning beasts who are masters of the illusory arts and possess tremendous skill when it comes to seducing and manipulating mortals. Unlike most vampires, the Volthar operate in plan view of mortal institutions, rising to stations of great power and influence over mortal affairs. The Volthar were influential in the founding of Solitude, the establishment of the EETC, and the commission and construction of the Blue Palace.


This mod Includes:

5 different areas/realms to discover and explore
New Spells and Books
Lots of space for displays and storage
Summonable dragons and creatures
Many NPCs and Followers
many difficult enemies
Many Merchants and Markets
Lots of background and lore
Lore-friendly feel
Many difficult riddles, mazes and puzzles
2 Battle Arenas
Large Dungeon and Jail cells
2 large swimming areas
Many Weapons, Armor and Potions (some def overpowered)
Teleport spells and Teleport Pad to all the holds
powerful shrines 
MANY hidden mysteries and secret passageways.

This mod is NOT easy. I recommend trying to figure it out using the clues, but there's a walkthrough at the bottom.

It definitely has some adult content.

To Start the Mod:
There are two ways to start this mod 
1) Find the letter that Cicero stole, he dropped it in the Dawnstar Sanctuary
2) Read the letter to the Arch-Mage in the Arch-Mage quarters

To install: 
drop this into your data file, or use a mod manager

Issues:
-No LOD for Dia Nilus - this doesn't really affect the look, but it would be cool to have it.
-The arenas interfere with the teleport doors for some reason, especially dead dragons in Dia Nilus. For now, I suggest not saving after using the Arena a whole bunch. The arena in moonharbor doesn't seem to have issues 
-Probably some grammatical errors, there's at least 15,000 words of written and background lore
-I wouldn't summon the deadric warrior a whole bunch. I couldn't figure out how to put a limit on the summon button. But if you want 100 deadric warriors, do it up.
-I added a teleport to Sovngard spell that puts you right in front of the Valhalla. obviously don't use it to break the MQ.
-This is my first mod, i fixed as much as possible, but there are no doubt still some issues. let me know.


Conflicts:
This mod only alters a few spaces - where the manor is (just south of Morthal). It also adds a door and discoverable area in Labyrinthia, 
and adds a study area to quarters in the Blue Palace.  Has no conflicts as far as I know, unless another mod alters those areas.

Permissions:
Anyone can alter, improve, or port this mod.

Future Plans:
Add a courier to deliever the letter depending on if you're a vampire or not.
Add a duel Questlines for Good/evil characters
Add LOD for Dia Nilus
Add purchasable upgrades like Guards and bartender
Add the faith shout 

Credits:
Walburg for the map in the image section
Bethesda for a great game and CK

I hope you have fun. Lots here.

id love feedback. There's a walkthrough at the bottom. feel free to msg me.



The Note that Cicero Stole

Dear Listener, 

Friends like you are hard to find, and very valuable to me. You may not remember me, my name is Vianica. We met in Riften some time ago. I've heard lots about you since then. Most Impressive. I'd love to know how much is really true.

I couldn't find you, or find any courier who would deliver you a message, so I asked Babette to deliver this for me. I hope it finds you well. 
I'm writing because I have a proposition for you. I know you're busy, but I would like you to come live in my family estate, Volthar Manor. It is an old Solitude style mansion at the base of Eldersblood peak,  hidden in the forest just south of Morthal, at the intersection of the main road to Solitude and the tiny path to Cold Rock Pass.

With the recent passing of my father, the estate must either be sold or fall into disrepair. I no longer wish to have any association with that place. If you are willing to pay for the upkeep, then I would like to offer you use of its facilities.  I think it is a good fit, considering who you associate with. Several of my family have been in the Brotherhood, and my grandfather Lanus served Nocturna as a Nightingale. 

My stipulation is that you do not inquire as to my situation. It is too painful to speak about. And I would also ask you not explore the Vestiges that go deep underground (for your own safety). All  you need to know is that I am the last of my clan and a devout follower of Molag Bal. I will live near the shrine in the caves, and you may make use of all the rest of the mansion.

Afew notes about the mansion;
- The spare key is hidden by the lantern in front of the main gate. Theres a pullbar on the tree that opens a tiny rockface.
- The passageway to the shrines is in the lounge, first room on the left. The button to the door is on the bar.
- The lounge has all the smithing supplies you could need, and also some libations for the thralls and servants (when you get them). Upstairs theres alchemy and enchanting tables, plenty of storage, small crock pot and dining room nook, as well as the guest bedroom.
- On the third floor is the library and master bedroom.  You could learn a lot by spending some time in the library, it is one of the largest and oldest in all of Skyrim. Also theres a few shrines and artifacts up there.
- There's a shrine to Nocturna in the hallway to the backroom, and there may be a room for the dark sacrament (It was enchanted by my grandfather Lanus Volthar, but I haven't seen it in years)
- My father lost the key to back rooms. I will keep looking, but I doubt I'll find it. You can deal with that situation any way you like
- Only one thrall is left after my fathers passing, she stays in the grotto. If you stay, I could probably find afew more, and also (if you have coin) I know someone from whom I could hire a guard and barkeep.

I hope you are well, I've heard interesting rumors about a unique magic you possess. And now theres talk of dragons?
Feast on life, my friend. 

-- VIV



Letter to the Arch Mage

Dear Arch Mage,You don't know me, my name is Esra Marello, I am from the city of Cheydinhal in Cyrodiil. 

I write to you because I don't know who else to turn to. Some months ago my daughter went missing. Her name is Sadia. She and my eldest son were attacked on the road by a gang of bandits while returning from the imperial city. My son was spared, but my daughter was taken by the leader. 

I hired a bounty hunter to track them down, and discovered the Bandit leader was from the Falkreath hold of Skyrim, near Helgen. But by the time my man had found them, they'd sold my daughter to a coven of witches. My man tracked them down, but was discovered by the witches and barely escaped with his life. He found out that my daughter was offered to a Daedra named Sorn, and taken into Oblivion.

After inquiring around, I found out this Sorn is well known to the Synod. 

I am just a merchant, but I am also a member of the Cheydinhal Court, and I've heard some strange rumors that some in the Synod wouldn't want me to tell you. A particular mystery involving a lost Elder Scroll has been of great interest to the Synod, and they've worked along side a notorious vampire clan in order to track it down, dangerous vampires called the Volthar. According to a rumor, a synod researcher named Dellian Thrice became involved with them, and has kept constant contact. The Volthar are dangerous Daedra worshippers and usurpers, and one of their estates is in Skyrim, just south or Morthal. A member of the Synod told me that this Deadra called Sorn is somehow involved with the Volthar vampires. I believe tracking these vampires down could lead to my daughters safe return. Sadly, they are out of the reach of my influence.

I write you because I have no recourse. I am not equipped to deal with these evil forces, nor do those around me possess the knowledge to unravel the mysteries of Oblivion. Magic is not as prevalent as it was. The Dominion is ever watchful, especially over those who practice magic. I write because I have some small hope you will be able to track down at least some information about this Daedra named Sorn, and help return my daughter. It may be a fools hope, but it is my only hope.

I thank you for reading this Arch Mage, and wish you well.

Esra Marello 



The Volthar Family Genealogy, Book I
By Marcius Volthar

Volthar Fusrokela
Feyn Jun Mafarak

Thy secret wrath
Lessened fire
Sworn upon the pyre

By Azura's right
and Molags left
Thou shalt guard the Dia

This is the Volthar Epsidium, a poetic verse that tells the history of our family. The Volthar were originally from Cyrodil, but have lived in Skyrim for centuries. We are the second oldest vampire clan in Skyrim.

The first of our family name was granted vampirism by Molag Bal. His name was Rokel, a name given to him by the dragons. The Volthar line extends back 14 generations, of which my daughter Vianica is the 15th. Rokel was a student of Hakon one-eye, and lived in Grereatha, a now destroyed monastery in the Jarrall mountains. 

Rokel was charged with keep of the Scroll of Dia Nilus. However during the dragon wars, Molag Bal showed him favor, and he betrayed the Nords and gave the scroll to Bal in order to gain access to Coldharbor. Our Edda, as well as the fate of the Volthars, is tied to the scroll, though it was lost long ago. 
Molag Bal gave the scroll to the Ideal masters, who in turn gave it to Mora, and there it stays to this day, forever lost to all those upon Mundas. The Aedra were furious, and cursed Rokel, for our clan's destiny to be tied to the scroll, and suffer protecting the secrets of the scroll (even though Mora keeps it guarded). This is the closet approximation of the meaning of the family motto. These words were uttered by Akatosh, not long before the fall of Alduin. It was he who gave the Volthar their true name in the dragon tounge, Fusrokela.

Rokel married Lenya Meridin, who begat Tresi, Molfs, their children were Lokel, Melfdir, Mortin and Morbin, and their families were spread all over when the Dwemer invaded. They had many children, Kelbin, Morlel, Senya, Norbin, Nolfdir, Morhan, but it was Kornthir, son of Kelbin, who built the Volthar family home, shortly after most of Solitude inlet was settled. Many Volthar were members of the Solitude Court (though our influence has dwindled), Kornthir, and his son Ornthir played an influential roll in Solitude commerce.

Ornthir begat Mortil, Rolenya, Senya, and of course the bastard Orvil, who betrayed the family to the Redoran. Of Mortil's offspring, there was the great warrior Torcius, and his twin daughters Kelnya and Melnya. His youngest Morvius  was also a great warrior during the wars between the elves and the Nords, though their allegiance was always to the clan, he won many battles for the Nords. Morvius is still told of in their lore, a dreaded dark lord in daedric armor who bore a great warhammer. Morvius had many wives, and his son Lorus was the longest living Volthar. It was Lorus who build the library and shrines, as well as the fortifications around the estate.

Morvius had a gift for dealing with mortals, and was one of the original backers of the East Empire trade company. The Volthar have always been wealthy, but Morvius made us obscenely wealthy. Perhaps the reason we have lost so much influence over the centuries is that Morvius made said influence unnecessary. 

Morvius loved Skyrim and lived in the mansion here in Hjaalmarch, but he spent most of his life in the Imperial city. Our home in Cyrodil was destroyed in the Oblivion Crisis, but Morvius spread the Volthar legacy all over. Many of the mansions, hamlets, castles and keeps all over Tamriel were originally built with Volthar coin. 












Walkthrough (SPOILERS!!)

1) The key to the manor is hidden beneath a sliding rock in front of the main gate. There is a written warning, and a pullbar on a nearby tree.



2) Enter the manor and find the basement lounge. The button for the secret cave entrance is literally on the bar with the hanging garlic and elves ear - on the far right end there is a small rock protruding. This opens the door to the caves. Don't be fooled by the decoy button, it only opens the wall safes.



3) the Key to the back doors is in a strong box behind the dinning table and shelves, hidden amoung dragon tongue and other flowers. With this key you can open all the hidden passageways  and Secret tunnel. There is a hint to the location of this key in a note in the master bedroom.



4) To enter the Vestiges, look for the switch to the right of the door. Look at the dwemer shelf, and find the raised stone next to the lantern. 



5) Once in the Vestiges, go to the bottom of the stairs, mind the trap, then go right, right, left, right, right, second left, right, left, left, second right, and follow the stairs to the bad room.Take the key to the Vestige Keep. There is a letter that hints at Step 33.



6) To exit the bad room, hit the switch mounted on the firepit to open the stone door. Take the stairs up. There is a ladder that will take you back to the main stairway.

7) go back down the stairs and on the 33rd step from the bottom, there is a switch that opens the rock face, and the Key opens the door. You need both the key and to hit the switch to enter the Vestige keep. 



8) Once in the keep, find Marcius's room (where his coffin and journal are). take the key. You can now unlock every door in the vestiges, (including a secret passage that leads to Labyrinthia). 



9) Go back down to the dungeon, there is a small panel next to the sealed off hallway. use the key to unlock and pull the pullbar. Enter the new area.


10) Go to the door buttons. Push only 1 and 2. read the letter. Find the buttons to open the cabinets (or pick the locks).

11) Explore the new area.  At the end of the hall, press buttons 1, 2, 4, 6 to open the stone doors. Many combinations work.

12) Enter the Blood Claw Chamber. Read the Letter. SS is Sybille Stentor. She has the Blood Claw. You must go to the blue palace (take the secret entrance in Labyrinthia), and pickpocket Sybille's key. Open her lockbox(giggity) and take the Blood Claw. Go back and open the door with the Blood Claw

13) . Once in the Epsidiary, go straight north. DO NOT get lost. Find the Balcony and defeat Marcius Volthar and Nilhus. 

14) You can now use Marcius's spell tome to enter Moonharbor Hall. To enter Dia Nilus, take the leap of faith. the portal is at the bottom of the cliff.


15) Moonharbor has a few easy triggers to open all the doors. start by finding the candlestick in Fayt's study and exploring the Vampires coven. take the key on his desk to open Vianica's room. There are 2 markets and merchants everywhere.

16) Dia Nilus has many more hidden spots, including two merchants and a teleport pad. Use Whirlwind sprint to explore. The portal that leads to the Dia Nilus Spire is behind Sephela's word wall. Take the portals to the mountain and defeat the Aspect of Akatosh to claim the Bastardized Epsid.



There are many easter eggs along the way, many in fact. There is always another secret, this was the fun and main reason i made this. I hope you have fun and enjoy the mod!

The End.