And so it's finally here! Easily the most fun I've had in this game, the Trebbite Monk combines fast-paced agile combat with both defensive and offensive magic creating a perfect blend of Warrior and Mage archetypes. Inspired by the lore for one of my favorite races and utilizing some tricks never used before without any glitches this character quickly climbed to the very top of my list! And so, without further ado, I'm proud to present...
Trebbite Monks were an old Altmeri monastic order active during 3rd Era in the city of Firsthold. Despite dangerous political orientation (pure Altmer bloodlines on all Summerset Isle, especially in royal families) their research into Alchemy and Alteration was highly beneficial for the common folk and the members of the order were well received and respected by the people.
Needless to say, the Dunmer queen of Firsthold – Morgiah, didn’t enjoy the growing popularity of the order. The “Black Queen” orchestrated a whole “rebellion” to set the monks up. After the doomed coup attempt was quelled she started to act. Members of the order were branded traitors and faced an ultimate choice – either to face an imminent death or to be exiled to the mainland. Today many Trebbite Monks still wander Tamriel continuing their research and hoping to set foot on the Blessed Isles again one day…
Race: Altmer
Standing Stone: Lady (+ Atronach with Aetherial Crown)
Stats:0/3/0 – put all points in health.
Shouts: Slow Time, Elemental Fury
Powers: Secret of Arcana, Highborn
Passive Abilities: Agent of Mara, Seeker of Sorcery, Sinderion's Serendipity
Alteration – Trebbite Monk’s primary defensive skill it can not only provide whole 300 AR but even mitigate all incoming physical damage by 80%! Not to mention its other useful applications like Paralyze and Transmute.
Destruction – This magic school is traditionally used by the Altmer and Trebbite Monks are no exception. Cloak spells provide extra DPS when fighting in close quarters and Ignite allows you to focus on melee combatants in group encounters while the archers and mages burn to a crisp.
Restoration – Undead and necromancers were a problem on Summerset Isles too and as followers of Auriel, Trebbite Monks knew how to deal with them. Most prominent is the use of sun spells with the wards being secondary.
Spells: Healing, Lesser Ward, Sun Fire, Stendarr’s Aura, Vampire’s Bane
Alchemy – Trebbite Monks assisted the people of Firsthold with their knowledge of plants for many years and became known as prodigious alchemists. They always carry a large variety of brews with them - both beneficial and debilitating.
Block – Lightning-fast reflexes were always a trademark of the order members and years of wandering honed them even more. Tales about Trebbite Monks being faster than the perception of the eye still circulate on the Summerset Isles.
One-Handed – Often used as a backup weapon by the others, daggers become deadly tools in the hands of an experienced Trebbite Monk. Low weight and speed of strikes complement Trebbite Monk’s agility perfectly.
Perk Spread (Level 40)
Against chargers – those include crazy bandits screaming “Skyrim is for the Nords!!” and rushing towards you with a warhammer, deadly dwarven spiders and spheres, melee draugr…
This is the type of combat where Trebbite Monks excel. Due to their almost inhuman speed enemies can’t even touch them while being damaged by both the cloak of the monk and constant strikes of the dagger sometimes coated with weakness to element poison for even higher effect. “Float like a butterfly sting like a bee” anyone?
Against mages
Charging Trebbite Monk is a terrifying sight – a whirlwind of lightning and fast dagger strikes closing in with a great speed absorbing almost all hostile spells. Mages will soon find their magicka drained and will be forced to rely on a dagger versus dagger combat where Trebbite Monks have no match.
Against archers
Long ranged shooters would’ve been a problem for Trebbite Monk if not an ancient relic – Ahzidal’s Ring of Arcana. By putting those archers on fire the monk can afford to forget about them and focus on more dangerous (and closer) targets.
Against bosses – dragons, Dwarven Centurions etc.
There are multiple options for Trebbite Monk. Utilizing Slow Time shout combined with Fortify Alteration potion and Stability perk they are able to apply a lot of Ignite effects combined with Weakness to Fire poisons on dragons. Wards and spell absoprption nullify dragon breath and Centurion steam breath, if those creatures ever manage to use it. Destruction spells and quick dagger strikes complete the package.
Lacking formal magical education the Trebbite Monks use enchanted apparel to increase the number of spells they can cast without exhausting themselves. Since there are no points put in magicka we need all the fortify magicka equipment we can get and College of Winterhold questline provides us with almost a full collection.
Aetherial Crown Lady Stone – Regenerate Stamina 25% faster, Regenerate Health 25% faster Atronach Stone – Magicka +50pts, Spell Absorption 50%, Regenerate Magicka 50% slower
Ahzidal’s Ring of Arcana Ignite and Freeze spells (obtained at the third phase of the Unearthed quest)
Savos Aren’s Amulet +50 magicka
Archmage's Robes All spells cost 15% less to cast, +50 magicka, and magicka regenerates 100% faster.
Archmage's Boots 40% Resist Shock (found in the Arch-Mage’s Quarters)
Together this equipment provides 150 extra magicka which combined with Altmer racial boost brings Trebbite Monk’s magicka pool to 300 magicka along with 15% cost reduction for all spells and 100% extra magicka regeneration (Atronach stone negative bonus is nullified with Recovery perks). That allows the Trebbite Monk to cast both flesh spells and cloaks and still have some magicka left for other spells!
Trebbite Monks are notorious for their masterful use of daggers and they never use inferior weapons. Ebony daggers are the best of which they are able to obtain, lacking the knowledge of Smithing. Blade of Sacrifice will be the final choice; it is well balanced with low weight and high damage. Using the secrets of the Dwemer obtained from the Black Book: Filament and Filigree the Trebbite Monk also gets the power to use the legendary Keening for 60 seconds once a day. Be wary not to abuse it though as using Keening for longer will take away its power!
The Trebbite Monks follow the ways of the elven ancestors. If presented similarly to the Nine Commands of the Eight Divines they can be written as such:
- Stendarr says: Be kind and generous to the people of Tamriel. Protect the weak, heal the sick, and give to the needy. - Mara says: Live soberly and peacefully. Preserve the peace and security of home and family. - Xarxes says: Learn and remember. The past holds the key to the future. - Phynaster says: Do not rush. Always think before acting. - Jephre says: Listen to the song of Mundus, and heed its missives. Observe and honor the laws of nature, of life, and of death. - Magnus says: Do not abuse magic. Keep the balance and use it wisely. - Syrabane says: Know and study the laws of magic. When in doubt, seek wisdom from the wise. - Auri-El says: Honor your parents and follow in their example. Worship the Eight, do your duty, and heed the commands of the saints and priests. Guard and tend the bounties of the mortal world, and do not profane the spirits of the dead. - The Eight say: Above all else, be good to one another.
Daedra worship is a big taboo for Trebbite Monks and they try to avoid any contact with the Daedra. If somehow they are forced to deal with them, they’ll try to undermine the Daedra every chance they get.
College of Winterhold – Тhe immense magical knowledge hidden in the walls of that magical institution is interesting to any Trebbite Monk and discovery of the Eye of Magnus solidifies their resolve to explore everything it has to offer.
Shalidor’s Insights – The former archmage of the College is rumored to have found (or stolen from Akatosh) "Glamoril", or the secret of life in elvish. Trebbite Monks try to find whether this is true or not by tracking Shalidor’s works scattered all over Skyrim.
Lost to the Ages – The Dwemer seem to have found a way to get to Aetherius but their refusal to accept the Aedra denied them true ascension. The Trebbite Monks try to combine Dwemer technology and Aedra worship to follow Auri-El’s example and lead their people back to Aetherius. Dwemer of Skyrim used a rare and enigmatic material called Aetherium which, perhaps, can be of help…
Arniel’s Endeavor – Arniel Gane’s research perfectly coincides with what Trebbite Monks are working on.
Main Quest – The Dragonborn blood is a gift from Akatosh and who is better fitting to receive it than Trebbite Monks – devout followers of Auri-El.
Dawnguard – The vampiric spawns of the Daedra are abominations on the face of Nirn and should be destroyed. Trebbite Monks will aid the Dawnguard in that quest.
Trebbite Monks are not the ones for settling, but they keep outposts throughout Skyrim for emergency restocking and rest. Each outpost contains only the basic things essential for adventurers and each of them has a garden with various alchemical ingredients (Windstad Manor also has a fish hatchery in addition to the garden).
Know which ingredients to plant as some of them are quite common even without Hearthfire, like Wheat and Thistle Branch. Good alchemists reserve those spots for more rare ingredients like Giant Lichen and Imp Stool.
Shalidor’s Dragonhide – Use Shalidor’s Insights: Alteration to be able to cast Dragonhide. The scroll also gives Dragonhide +50% duration. Combined with Syrabane's Patronage (Fortify Alteration) and Stability perk the spell lasts for about two minutes!
Trebbite Reflexes – Use Elemental Fury shout and then dodge the power attack of an enemy with Quick Reflexes. Slice him to pieces with crazy-fast dagger strikes combined with passive DPS from your cloak spell.
Dwemer Secrets – Use Shalidor’s Dragonhide, Elemental Fury and Secret of Arcana then charge enemies dual wielding Blade of Sacrifice and Keening. Unenchanted Blade of the Sacrifice in the left hand allows the use of Elemental Fury and you will be able to deal a ton of damage while also restoring all the three stats.
Notes
- It is possible to obtain an Elven Dagger at level 1. You can find it at Journeyman’s Nook; it’s near the body of former College of Winterhold student – Borvir. - Shalidor’s Insights quest allows you to explore all of Skyrim and be rewarded by very useful scrolls in the end. - Blade of Sacrifice can be obtained without starting the Boethiah’s quest by looting it from the dead body in the pit. - Using only the first word of Slow Time makes you move faster than with all three words and apply more hits and Ignite spells. - Mage’s Circlet can be a good substitute for Aetherial Crown, just keep in mind that it’s leveled. I got it at level 18 and it gave +50 magicka. You can find the rewards and required levels here: UESP page for Mage's Circlet - Hearthfire gardens should cover all the ingredient needs. There are only three ingredients in the given recipes that you can’t farm – Salt Pile, Garlic and Trama Root, but you should have no problem finding or buying those. - Jarls provide enough building materials to build the basic house (without furniture) and a garden. - Bones of the Earth can serve as a replacement for Dragonhide if you don't mind reacquiring it at Earth Stone every time. - Aetherial Crown has an annoying clipping issue with the female version of Archmage's Robes. I was forced to make a mod that fixes that. You can find it here: No Clip Aetherial Crown - For more detailed information about character's backstory and personality, please, see Profile: Elnarya Direnni, The Trebbite Monk and An Interview with a Trebbite Monk
Closing Remarks
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the guys on Skype (Tim Faroe, Ponty, Henson, Kyrielle, Jo'Daro, Armathyx, Adam "Snacks" Gould) for listening to my ramblings and encouraging me with their invaluable advice!
Thanks to Teccam and Mason for testing something for me; despite it didn't end up in the final product I very much appreciate you taking time with this!
Credit to Ben C for his Secret of Arcana - More Powerful than you Think discussion that served as a basis for Dwemer Secrets technique.
And last, but certainly not the least - Vix and Kynareth. Vix actually gave me the idea for the faction and both of them helped to develop the lore background!
And so it's finally here! Easily the most fun I've had in this game, the Trebbite Monk combines fast-paced agile combat with both defensive and offensive magic creating a perfect blend of Warrior and Mage archetypes. Inspired by the lore for one of my favorite races and utilizing some tricks never used before without any glitches this character quickly climbed to the very top of my list! And so, without further ado, I'm proud to present...
Trebbite Monks were an old Altmeri monastic order active during 3rd Era in the city of Firsthold. Despite dangerous political orientation (pure Altmer bloodlines on all Summerset Isle, especially in royal families) their research into Alchemy and Alteration was highly beneficial for the common folk and the members of the order were well received and respected by the people.
Needless to say, the Dunmer queen of Firsthold – Morgiah, didn’t enjoy the growing popularity of the order. The “Black Queen” orchestrated a whole “rebellion” to set the monks up. After the doomed coup attempt was quelled she started to act. Members of the order were branded traitors and faced an ultimate choice – either to face an imminent death or to be exiled to the mainland. Today many Trebbite Monks still wander Tamriel continuing their research and hoping to set foot on the Blessed Isles again one day…
Race: Altmer
Standing Stone: Lady (+ Atronach with Aetherial Crown)
Stats:0/3/0 – put all points in health.
Shouts: Slow Time, Elemental Fury
Powers: Secret of Arcana, Highborn
Passive Abilities: Agent of Mara, Seeker of Sorcery, Sinderion's Serendipity
Alteration – Trebbite Monk’s primary defensive skill it can not only provide whole 300 AR but even mitigate all incoming physical damage by 80%! Not to mention its other useful applications like Paralyze and Transmute.
Destruction – This magic school is traditionally used by the Altmer and Trebbite Monks are no exception. Cloak spells provide extra DPS when fighting in close quarters and Ignite allows you to focus on melee combatants in group encounters while the archers and mages burn to a crisp.
Restoration – Undead and necromancers were a problem on Summerset Isles too and as followers of Auriel, Trebbite Monks knew how to deal with them. Most prominent is the use of sun spells with the wards being secondary.
Spells: Healing, Lesser Ward, Sun Fire, Stendarr’s Aura, Vampire’s Bane
Alchemy – Trebbite Monks assisted the people of Firsthold with their knowledge of plants for many years and became known as prodigious alchemists. They always carry a large variety of brews with them - both beneficial and debilitating.
Block – Lightning-fast reflexes were always a trademark of the order members and years of wandering honed them even more. Tales about Trebbite Monks being faster than the perception of the eye still circulate on the Summerset Isles.
One-Handed – Often used as a backup weapon by the others, daggers become deadly tools in the hands of an experienced Trebbite Monk. Low weight and speed of strikes complement Trebbite Monk’s agility perfectly.
Perk Spread (Level 40)
Against chargers – those include crazy bandits screaming “Skyrim is for the Nords!!” and rushing towards you with a warhammer, deadly dwarven spiders and spheres, melee draugr…
This is the type of combat where Trebbite Monks excel. Due to their almost inhuman speed enemies can’t even touch them while being damaged by both the cloak of the monk and constant strikes of the dagger sometimes coated with weakness to element poison for even higher effect. “Float like a butterfly sting like a bee” anyone?
Against mages
Charging Trebbite Monk is a terrifying sight – a whirlwind of lightning and fast dagger strikes closing in with a great speed absorbing almost all hostile spells. Mages will soon find their magicka drained and will be forced to rely on a dagger versus dagger combat where Trebbite Monks have no match.
Against archers
Long ranged shooters would’ve been a problem for Trebbite Monk if not an ancient relic – Ahzidal’s Ring of Arcana. By putting those archers on fire the monk can afford to forget about them and focus on more dangerous (and closer) targets.
Against bosses – dragons, Dwarven Centurions etc.
There are multiple options for Trebbite Monk. Utilizing Slow Time shout combined with Fortify Alteration potion and Stability perk they are able to apply a lot of Ignite effects combined with Weakness to Fire poisons on dragons. Wards and spell absoprption nullify dragon breath and Centurion steam breath, if those creatures ever manage to use it. Destruction spells and quick dagger strikes complete the package.
Lacking formal magical education the Trebbite Monks use enchanted apparel to increase the number of spells they can cast without exhausting themselves. Since there are no points put in magicka we need all the fortify magicka equipment we can get and College of Winterhold questline provides us with almost a full collection.
Aetherial Crown Lady Stone – Regenerate Stamina 25% faster, Regenerate Health 25% faster Atronach Stone – Magicka +50pts, Spell Absorption 50%, Regenerate Magicka 50% slower
Ahzidal’s Ring of Arcana Ignite and Freeze spells (obtained at the third phase of the Unearthed quest)
Savos Aren’s Amulet +50 magicka
Archmage's Robes All spells cost 15% less to cast, +50 magicka, and magicka regenerates 100% faster.
Archmage's Boots 40% Resist Shock (found in the Arch-Mage’s Quarters)
Together this equipment provides 150 extra magicka which combined with Altmer racial boost brings Trebbite Monk’s magicka pool to 300 magicka along with 15% cost reduction for all spells and 100% extra magicka regeneration (Atronach stone negative bonus is nullified with Recovery perks). That allows the Trebbite Monk to cast both flesh spells and cloaks and still have some magicka left for other spells!
Trebbite Monks are notorious for their masterful use of daggers and they never use inferior weapons. Ebony daggers are the best of which they are able to obtain, lacking the knowledge of Smithing. Blade of Sacrifice will be the final choice; it is well balanced with low weight and high damage. Using the secrets of the Dwemer obtained from the Black Book: Filament and Filigree the Trebbite Monk also gets the power to use the legendary Keening for 60 seconds once a day. Be wary not to abuse it though as using Keening for longer will take away its power!
The Trebbite Monks follow the ways of the elven ancestors. If presented similarly to the Nine Commands of the Eight Divines they can be written as such:
- Stendarr says: Be kind and generous to the people of Tamriel. Protect the weak, heal the sick, and give to the needy. - Mara says: Live soberly and peacefully. Preserve the peace and security of home and family. - Xarxes says: Learn and remember. The past holds the key to the future. - Phynaster says: Do not rush. Always think before acting. - Jephre says: Listen to the song of Mundus, and heed its missives. Observe and honor the laws of nature, of life, and of death. - Magnus says: Do not abuse magic. Keep the balance and use it wisely. - Syrabane says: Know and study the laws of magic. When in doubt, seek wisdom from the wise. - Auri-El says: Honor your parents and follow in their example. Worship the Eight, do your duty, and heed the commands of the saints and priests. Guard and tend the bounties of the mortal world, and do not profane the spirits of the dead. - The Eight say: Above all else, be good to one another.
Daedra worship is a big taboo for Trebbite Monks and they try to avoid any contact with the Daedra. If somehow they are forced to deal with them, they’ll try to undermine the Daedra every chance they get.
College of Winterhold – Тhe immense magical knowledge hidden in the walls of that magical institution is interesting to any Trebbite Monk and discovery of the Eye of Magnus solidifies their resolve to explore everything it has to offer.
Shalidor’s Insights – The former archmage of the College is rumored to have found (or stolen from Akatosh) "Glamoril", or the secret of life in elvish. Trebbite Monks try to find whether this is true or not by tracking Shalidor’s works scattered all over Skyrim.
Lost to the Ages – The Dwemer seem to have found a way to get to Aetherius but their refusal to accept the Aedra denied them true ascension. The Trebbite Monks try to combine Dwemer technology and Aedra worship to follow Auri-El’s example and lead their people back to Aetherius. Dwemer of Skyrim used a rare and enigmatic material called Aetherium which, perhaps, can be of help…
Arniel’s Endeavor – Arniel Gane’s research perfectly coincides with what Trebbite Monks are working on.
Main Quest – The Dragonborn blood is a gift from Akatosh and who is better fitting to receive it than Trebbite Monks – devout followers of Auri-El.
Dawnguard – The vampiric spawns of the Daedra are abominations on the face of Nirn and should be destroyed. Trebbite Monks will aid the Dawnguard in that quest.
Trebbite Monks are not the ones for settling, but they keep outposts throughout Skyrim for emergency restocking and rest. Each outpost contains only the basic things essential for adventurers and each of them has a garden with various alchemical ingredients (Windstad Manor also has a fish hatchery in addition to the garden).
Know which ingredients to plant as some of them are quite common even without Hearthfire, like Wheat and Thistle Branch. Good alchemists reserve those spots for more rare ingredients like Giant Lichen and Imp Stool.
Shalidor’s Dragonhide – Use Shalidor’s Insights: Alteration to be able to cast Dragonhide. The scroll also gives Dragonhide +50% duration. Combined with Syrabane's Patronage (Fortify Alteration) and Stability perk the spell lasts for about two minutes!
Trebbite Reflexes – Use Elemental Fury shout and then dodge the power attack of an enemy with Quick Reflexes. Slice him to pieces with crazy-fast dagger strikes combined with passive DPS from your cloak spell.
Dwemer Secrets – Use Shalidor’s Dragonhide, Elemental Fury and Secret of Arcana then charge enemies dual wielding Blade of Sacrifice and Keening. Unenchanted Blade of the Sacrifice in the left hand allows the use of Elemental Fury and you will be able to deal a ton of damage while also restoring all the three stats.
Notes
- It is possible to obtain an Elven Dagger at level 1. You can find it at Journeyman’s Nook; it’s near the body of former College of Winterhold student – Borvir. - Shalidor’s Insights quest allows you to explore all of Skyrim and be rewarded by very useful scrolls in the end. - Blade of Sacrifice can be obtained without starting the Boethiah’s quest by looting it from the dead body in the pit. - Using only the first word of Slow Time makes you move faster than with all three words and apply more hits and Ignite spells. - Mage’s Circlet can be a good substitute for Aetherial Crown, just keep in mind that it’s leveled. I got it at level 18 and it gave +50 magicka. You can find the rewards and required levels here: UESP page for Mage's Circlet - Hearthfire gardens should cover all the ingredient needs. There are only three ingredients in the given recipes that you can’t farm – Salt Pile, Garlic and Trama Root, but you should have no problem finding or buying those. - Jarls provide enough building materials to build the basic house (without furniture) and a garden. - Bones of the Earth can serve as a replacement for Dragonhide if you don't mind reacquiring it at Earth Stone every time. - Aetherial Crown has an annoying clipping issue with the female version of Archmage's Robes. I was forced to make a mod that fixes that. You can find it here: No Clip Aetherial Crown - For more detailed information about character's backstory and personality, please, see Profile: Elnarya Direnni, The Trebbite Monk and An Interview with a Trebbite Monk
Closing Remarks
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the guys on Skype (Tim Faroe, Ponty, Henson, Kyrielle, Jo'Daro, Armathyx, Adam "Snacks" Gould) for listening to my ramblings and encouraging me with their invaluable advice!
Thanks to Teccam and Mason for testing something for me; despite it didn't end up in the final product I very much appreciate you taking time with this!
Credit to Ben C for his Secret of Arcana - More Powerful than you Think discussion that served as a basis for Dwemer Secrets technique.
And last, but certainly not the least - Vix and Kynareth. Vix actually gave me the idea for the faction and both of them helped to develop the lore background!
