Tribunal Temple

The Tribunal Temple (normally just called, "the Temple") is the Dunmer religion dedicated to the worship of the three gods, Almalexia, Sotha Sil and Vivec, collectively called "Almsivi."  Almalexia and Sotha Sil are not in the Vvardenfell district, but you will meet Vivec as part of the Main Quest. If you can get through the door of Vivec's Palace, you can see him at any time, but he doesn't have much to say to you until you reach his part of the Main Quest. Outlanders (that's you, even if you are a Dark Elf) seldom join the temple, but they may.

The current Archcanon has written a very nice little treatise on what the Temple is all about. However, in the press of important Temple matters, he only ordered an initial run of 5 copies. Consequently, you'd have to go search for it. I snagged a bootleg of the galleys, so here's your very own copy of "Fellowship of the Temple" by Archcannon Saryoni.

Members of factions receive different types of welcomes from members of other factions, depending on how they get along. The formula is (Faction Reaction * 5)*(0.5 +(Faction Rank *0.5)). In plain terms, this means that as you attain higher ranks in your faction, people with negative modifiers will like you less and people with positive modifiers will like you more. This does not mean that everyone will start attacking you on sight, nor does it mean that they are going to fall all over themselves to be helpful. It does, however, modify their initial disposition toward you. This initial disposition will be further modified by your Personality, your overall reputation, your Criminal Status, whether or not you are Diseased, what kinds of favors you have done for the faction you're dealing with, etc. The other person may wind up liking you a lot or not liking you at all, but your faction and rank can impose a serious modifier.

Reactions to Other Factions
Hated Enemy
(-3)
Enemy
(-2)
Hostile
(-1)
Indifferent
(0)
Friendly
(+1)
Ally
(+2)
Beloved Ally (+3)
Vampires Mages Guild
Imperial Cult
Blades
House Telvanni
Ashlanders
Thieves Guild
Imperial Legion
Fighters Guild
  House Hlaalu House Redoran Temple

As you can see, Temple members don't particularly like the other factions. And if you have declared yourself the Nerevarine, you get a whopping -8 modifier. They hate you twice as much as House Redoran. This is why it's a good idea to pick up a few ranks in the Temple before getting too involved in the Main Quest.

Advancement within the Temple will depend upon your skill level in three of the following skills:

Alchemy
Blunt Weapon
Conjuration
Mysticism
Restoration
Unarmored

Tribunal Temple's rank structure:

Rank Personality Intelligence One required Skill at Two other required Skills at Minimum Faction Reputation
1 - Layman 30 30 0 0 0
2 - Novice 30 30 10 0 5
3 - Initiate 30 30 20 0 10
4 - Acolyte 30 30 30 5 20
5 - Adept 30 30 40 10 30
6 - Curate 31 31 50 15 45
7 - Disciple 32 32 60 20 60
8 - Diviner 33 33 70 25 80
9 - Master 34 34 80 30 100
10 - Patriarch 35 35 90 35 125

Of course, these promotions don't come just based on your skills. You must perform quests to gain reputation and rank within the Temple. You will typically receive 5 points of faction reputation for each successfully completed quest. Just ask about "duties" to anyone who has it in their conversation threads. You may join the Temple by selecting "join the Temple" to one of the quest-givers. The Tribunal Temple quest givers are, in no particular order:

Typically, each rank requires two or three successfully completed quests in addition to the minimum stat and skills requirements. All of the quest-givers (except Saryoni) have pretty much the same kinds of quests: go heal someone, go on a pilgrimage, retrieve some holy objects. Saryoni's quests just involve doing pilgrimages, but you won't be able to get those until you're about Rank 8 or 9.

Regardless of who you speak to, your first duty is going to be to undergo the "Pilgrimage of the Seven Graces." You can read about this quest in "The Pilgrim's Path" and you will be given a copy when you are given the quest. Reading the book also adds the quest to your Journal, even if you are not a member of the Tribunal Temple faction.

In short, you are to visit each of seven shrines located throughout Vvardenfell (they should be marked on your map when you read the book) and make the appropriate offering at each shrine. None are exceptionally difficult and the most you'll have to contend with is the "occasional" random critter in the wilderness. Successfully activating each shrine will net you either a full-day or half-day blessing of some sort.

You can visit the shrines in any order you choose. What you are looking for at each location is a golden three-sided obelisk (a trilith). Just activate the shrine with the appropriate offering in your inventory to complete the pilgrimage for that shrine. I'm going to start in the south and work my way north since three of them are a very short distance apart in Vivec. With liberal quotes from "Pilgrim's Path" to keep you in the mood, here we go.

To Stop the Moon: The Shrine of Daring

When Sheogorath rebelled against the Tribunal, he tricked the moon Baar Dau into forsaking its appointed path through Oblivion. The Mad Star inspired the moon to hurl itself upon Vivec's new city, which Sheogorath claimed was built in mockery of the heavens. When Vivec learned of Sheogorath's scheme, he froze the rogue moon in the sky with a single gesture and the grace of his countenance. Overwhelmed by the courage and daring of Vivec, the moon Baar Dau swore itself to eternal service of the Tribunal and all its works. Thus the moon now stands guard over the palace, and serves as a citadel for the Temple's Ordinators.

The Shrine of Daring is found in the city of Vivec, in the Temple District, along the western wall of the High Fane, the great Temple of Vvardenfell. When you address the shrine, it is customary to leave behind a Potion of Rising Force. Suitable potions may be purchased from the Temple. Homemade potions are not acceptable.

This is the shrine under the big floating rock next to the Temple. Any Rising Force potion will work, so save your septims and go Cheap or Bargain. In return you will get a Levitate cast upon you that will last for a half-day (about 24 minutes, real time). Next time you feel like wreaking havoc on the Cliff Racer population, this would probably be a good place to visit.

The Palace: Shrine of Generosity

Long after Lord Nerevar and the Tribunal triumphed over Dagoth Ur, the people wished to build a monument to the heroes of that war. Vivec thanked them, but said that it would be better to dedicate a monument not only to the glorious heroes, but to all people, great and small, who suffered and died in the war. It became the custom to make offerings here, either in thanks of our good fortune, or for those less fortunate.

The Shrine of Generosity is on the top steps of Vivec's Palace, the southernmost Canton of Vivec City. The customary donation for those in good fortune is 100 gold.

There are two of these, one on each side of the doors to Vivec's Palace. Activate either shrine to donate your 100 gold and receive a full-day (about 48 minutes, real time) blessing (+10 points to your Mercantile skill and +10 points to your Luck).

The Puzzle Canal: The Shrine of Courtesy

In a battle with Mehrunes Dagon, Vivec gave his own silver longsword to the Daedra Lord rather than dishonor himself by fighting an unarmed foe. This so impressed the Dremora, the most honorable and chivalrous of Mehrunes Dagon's Daedric servants, that they now share a bond of respect and courtesy with the followers of the Tribunal, though we must never forget that they are our enemies.

The Shrine of Courtesy is found in the heart of the Puzzle Canal, a labyrinth beneath Lord Vivec's Palace in the city of Vivec. The journey though the Puzzle Canal can be confusing and it is suggested that common pilgrims carry a scroll of ALMSIVI Intervention in case they get lost. The Dremora Krazzt is found in the center of the Puzzle Canal, and will accept a plain silver longsword if spoken to with courtesy. After Krazzt accepts the sword, pilgrims must read the inscription on the triolith.

This one can be difficult to find and beastly difficult to figure out what you're supposed to do. The entrance to this shrine is from the 3rd level of the Puzzle Canal beneath Vivec's Palace. In the connecting tunnel, you'll see an entrance in the wall. Go through it and you'll find yourself underwater. Swim for the surface and go up the steps to the platform in the center of the chamber where you'll find a triolith. Unfortunately it's not the one you want, but it gives you a clue to get to the one you want (which is behind the force field directly across from you): "Breathe the Waters of His Glory and the Way is Made Clear." Let me put it in simpler terms: go drown yourself. That's right. Go jump in the water and let your Breath and Health meters run out. When your Health meter reaches zero, you will be healed and be able to get to the surface. There is now a bridge across to the opening, which is now open.

There isn't anything on the other side except a chest, a Dremora named Krazzt and the shrine. Inside the chest you'll find four silver longswords. Take one and talk to the Dremora, give him the longsword, and then activate the shrine. You'll receive a full-day Water Breathing and Swift Swim. Oh, yeah, and you can steal all of the longswords when you're done because that's about the only treasure in the Puzzle Canal, all rumors to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Fields of Kummu: Shrine of Humility

Here Lord Vivec met a poor farmer whose guar had died. The farmer could not harvest his muck without his guar, and he could not provide for his family or his village. So the Lord Vivec removed his fine clothes and toiled in the fields like a beast of burden until the crop was harvested. It is at the Fields of Kummu we go to pray for the same humility Lord Vivec showed on that day.

The Fields of Kummu are west of Suran on the north shore of Lake Amaya as you head towards Pelagiad. The shrine is between two rocks, and most easily noticed while traveling east along the road. Alof's farm nearby has a small dock on the north bank of Lake Amaya. This is the only dock nearby which Alof kindly allows servants of the Temple to use. It is customary to leave a portion of muck at the shrine to represent Vivec's humility.

You'll need to bring some Muck with you to this shrine. Buy it at almost any alchemist's shop or get it yourself from the Mucksponge you can find on a little island just offshore from the shrine. Activate the shrine, your Muck will be removed and you'll receive a full-day Feather.

The Ghostfence: The Shrine of Pride

The Ghostfence is a lasting symbol of the indomitable will and power of ALMSIVI, and a monument to Dunmer pride in overcoming its enemies.

The Shrine of Pride is found within the Ghostfence, just northeast of the Ghostgate itself. The safest route to Ghostgate is along the Foyada Mamaea, a volcanic ravine running from the top of Red Mountain southwest to its end just below Balmora. An old Dwemer bridge crosses the foyada near Fort Moonmoth. A pilgrim may follow the Foyada Mamaea all the way to Ghostgate. Any journey inside the Ghostfence is dangerous, but even the most timid pilgrim should be safe, so long as he does not stray too far from the Ghostgate and flees from any minions of Dagoth Ur. When you address the shrine, it is customary to leave a soul gem in remembrance of our ancestors who were bound to the Tribunal's service.

You'll have to go through the Ghostgate to get to this one. It's not a very pleasant place and there are usually a couple of Cliff Racers, Ash creatures or Corprus Stalkers running around. If you've put this off too long (25th level), you might even run into a few Daedra or Ascended Sleepers. Once you are through the Ghostgate, there will be a wide path going uphill in front of you and to the right. The shrine is between two trees at the head of that little valley. You'll need a soul gem, but any will do, so save your septims and pick up a petty soul gem (drop the good stuff before activating the shrine) and talk to the shrine. You'll get a full-day Fortify Magicka (50 points) and Shield (25 points). This would be a good place to use one of those Intervention scrolls ("Almsivi Intervention" will take you inside the Temple at Ghostgate and "Divine Intervention" will take you to Fort Buckmoth).

The Mask of Vivec: Shrine of Justice

Near the altar is Vivec's Ash Mask. In the Days of Fire when Dagoth Ur first crept back into Red Mountain and awakened it, Vivec led refugees here as they fled the ash and blight. Weary, they rested here a while. When Vivec awoke, he found himself and all his followers encased in casts of grey ash. Frozen like a sleeping statue and unable to free himself or help his people, Vivec was filled with despair. Vivec's tears weakened his ash cast. He tore the ash from his perished followers, breathed life into their lungs, and cured them of the blight. This is Vivec's heroism -- his tender heart provides strength when his might fails.

The Shrine of Justice is guarded within the Gnisis Temple, in the village of Gnisis, northwest by road from the town of Ald'ruhn. When you address the shrine, it is customary to leave a potion of Cure Common Disease as a token of your respect for justice. Suitable potions may be purchased from Temple. Homemade potions are not acceptable.

This one is pretty simple. Go to the Temple in Gnisis and upstairs to the Shrine. You'll need a Cure Common Disease potion. Activate the shrine and receive your blessing (Cure Blight Disease/Common Disease/Poison). Admire Vivec's ash mask while you're there. I wouldn't take it, though, if I were you. First, the nice Ordinator standing right next to it wouldn't like it very much. Sure, he calls you "scum," but he's a nice person deep inside and probably just had a troubled childhood. Second, the game won't let you pick it up. Third, it's not the real mask, anyway. The REAL ash mask is hidden in the middle section of the shrine (just touch it again to open it). Activate the mask to get the spell "Vivec's Touch" (Cure Blight Disease and Cure Common Disease on Touch).

Koal Cave: The Shrine of Valor

Within the Koal Cave, Vivec fought a battle with Ruddy Man, the father of the Dreugh. When he defeated Ruddy Man, Vivec spared his life, on the condition that Ruddy Man and his children would give up their tough hides to serve as armor for the Dunmer.

The Shrine of Valor is inside the Koal Cave, a cavern on the seacoast west of the ancient stronghold Berandas and south of Gnisis. The cave mouth faces south, towards the sea, and is marked by a large natural arch of stone. The region is wilderness, and finding the cave mouth can be difficult. Dreugh within the cave itself are fearsome enemies; only experienced and capable adventurers should attempt to re-enact the epic battle with the dreugh in the cave. Dreugh wax may be bought at the Temple in Gnisis. When you address the shrine, it is customary to leave a portion of dreugh wax as a token of Vivec's victorious struggle with Ruddy Man.

The hardest part is finding the shrine. And don't do like I did and overlook the shrine and have to spend the next couple of hours looking for it. It's just to your left as you enter. If you're missing your Dreugh Wax, there are two Dreugh in the cave. One has 1 random Dreugh Wax (60% chance) and the other has 4 random Dreugh Wax (60% chance for each). 'Course they aren't just going to voluntarily give it up for you... Anyway, activate the Shrine, the Dreugh Wax will be removed and you'll receive a full-day 10-point boost to all Armor skills (light/medium/heavy/un).

Report back for your successful completion of the Pligimages and a 20-point boost to your reputation within the Temple. It may be enough for an advancement or two.