"That would depend on how long they've actually been involved with them," Garyn says. "This is one of the few settlements on Vvardenfell that actually predates the Empire."

They round a corner into a large room with a padded floor, and training dummies in each corner. Seated and stretching in a corner of the room is a burly Imperial - not the sort one would take for a scholar. He stands and rolls his shoulders before turning to face them.

"Ah, Balvadares. You've brought a friend this time, I see."

"And your puzzle box."

He does him the courtesy of handing him the priceless ancient artifact rather than tossing it to him.