Beyond Skyrim:Cyrodiil/Blind Balius

Blind Balius (RefID: xx07815E)
Home City	Bruma
House	Balius and Leo's Shack
Race	Imperial	Gender	Male
Level	3	Class	Citizen
RefID	xx07815E	BaseID	xx073C3A
Other Information
Health	66	Magicka	57
Stamina	57
Class Details	Citizen
Morality	No Crime	Aggression	Unaggressive
Voice Type	CyrMaleElderWizened
Faction(s)	CYRBrumaShackResidentsFaction; CYRCrimeFactionBruma; CYRTownBrumaFaction

Blind Balius

Blind Balius, an old Imperial citizen, is a refugee from Karthwasten who now lives in the slums just outside of Bruma's northern gate with his adopted grandson Leo, the local paperboy.

He wakes up at 7am every morning, has breakfast and then at 9am heads outside of his shack. For the next nine hours he can be found leaning or sitting by his home or wandering near the campsite in the slums. At 6pm he returns to his shack for dinner and will relax there until his bedtime at 10pm.

It is clear that he is struggling with his impaired vision as well as his mind, as seen when first meeting him: "Hello? Who is this?", "Leo, is that you?", "I can...still hear their voices...haunting me at night..." and "Where...where am I? What's going on?" If you ask if he's alright, he explains: "Oh. I'm sorry. I...I wasn't sure someone was there. My mind, it...comes and goes. Or are you referring to my vision? Because I got problems with both."

If you ask him about his story, he will tell you: "Like many, I lost a lot in the war. The Skyrim war. Me and my wife, we were refugees from Karthwasten. Got caught in a skirmish between the Imperials and Stormcloaks. Don't know who started it; don't remember most of that night, in fact. Arrow caught me in the shoulder, knocked me to the ground. I smashed my face on a rock. Woke up later with my whole face mangled. In the end, I lost the sight in both my eyes and a chunk out of my nose. But I was the lucky one. Because Thyra...my sweet Thyra... Please. Do not make me go on. I can't...I can't bear it."

Ask about Leo, though, and he will brighten up: "Ah, Leo. Brave Leo. That boy is older than his years, you know. Calls me gramps, even though I'm not really his grandfather. Though I might as well be now. We met on the road to Cyrodiil, just two Imperial refugees among many. He never told me where he came from, or what happened to his parents. I tried not to pry. It's funny, you know - funny that we, a child and a cripple, made it here when so many others didn't. But Leo is nothing if not determined. He deserves better."

If you point out that he does too, he will thank you: "That is a very compassionate thing to say. You know, I can...sense something about you. I'm no wizard, but...I can tell you're destined for great things. I must ask you...while you're out there changing Tamriel, please remember us. Us - the poor, the downtrodden. The forgotten. When you fix this world, just...just make sure there's a place in it for my boy Leo." If on the other hand you tell him melancholy is no use, he chuckles: "Heh. Leo thinks the same. I can tell you're a man/woman of action, not words. Well, I won't make you listen to any more of mine. Go. Leave me to my ghosts."

Balius wears miner's clothes and matching boots. He also carries the key to his shack and a random selection of gold, lockpicks, gems, jewelry, food and drink.

Conversations

While walking around the slums, you may hear Balius and neighbor Tedral Mendrin trading barbs, as well as Balius talking to his adopted grandson:

Tedral: "Look who it is! Blind Balius himself." Balius: "What do you want now, Tedral?" Tedral: "Oh, nothing. I just wanted to see you in all your glory." Balius: "Hmph. Yes, I'm blind and old...but what's your excuse? You're just as bad off as me." Tedral: "I was attacked by your people, fetcher. One day I might just take up the issue with you." Balius: "Just leave me be, elf."

Leo: "We almost got enough to move south, gramps!" Balius: "I'll never understand why you call me by that name, Leo... now, are you sure the money is properly hidden away?" Leo: "'Course I am! I ain't an idiot..." Balius: "I never said you were, Leo. In fact, I'm quite proud of you. You carry such a burden on your shoulders - one that I should have carried instead." Leo: "Oh, don't you worry about it, gramps. I'll provide for the both of us."