If one inquires about rumors with the innkeeper Hulda at 'The Bannered Mare' in Whiterun, it is learned that strange stories regarding the Jarl's children are circulating. One child is said to have turned to evil, and the others are described as unappealing.

Ask about Balgruuf's strange children
One proceeds to Dragonsreach and questions Jarl Balgruuf regarding difficulties with his children. The Jarl admits that his youngest son, Nelkir, has changed recently. The child has become brooding and violent, as if a shadow has fallen over him. He no longer converses with his father, and the Jarl would be grateful if the underlying cause could be determined.

Find out what's wrong with Nelkir ★
Nelkir wanders around Dragonsreach. Due to the quest marker, locating him requires minimal effort. When approached, the child delivers his usual insolent remark:

"- Another wanderer here to lick my father's boots. Good job."

Upon speaking to him, the dialogue becomes vulgar as he speaks insultingly about his father. He claims his father knows nothing about him, whereas he himself knows many secrets. Nelkir provides several interesting examples, and when questioned about the source of this information, he speaks of rooms within the castle that have been abandoned for ages. In these locations, things can be heard and seen - including the Whispering Lady. Although the name remains unknown to him, he listens regularly at the door in the basement, where many secrets are revealed to him. The door cannot be opened by him, but it is suggested that one should proceed to the location and listen as well.

Listen to the whispering door
The basement is accessed through the kitchen, where one must pass through another partially blocked doorway. One then stands in the storage room among crates in front of an old, locked wooden door. Without a key, the door cannot be opened, but one can listen... and a female voice is indeed heard. The voice states that she has been waiting for someone more capable than the child to execute her will.
When questioned if someone is behind the door, she replies that she is Mephala, the Whisperer. She forgives the lack of knowledge regarding her identity, as few hear her whispers nowadays. The boy was skilled at uncovering secrets, but the corruption of children does not suffice for her purposes - a more active role is expected from the player. First, this door must be opened, as a portion of her power was locked away behind it. She desires to see this power released. The Jarl's court rightfully fears this power, and the dark child knows why.

Speak to Nelkir
The boy immediately senses that the Whispering Lady has been spoken to, and he also knows how the door could be opened. Only two individuals possess the key: Jarl Balgruuf and the court wizard, Farengar. Nelkir then adds that no one would notice if Farengar were to disappear.

Obtain the key to the whispering door
If one is a skilled pickpocket, this method may be attempted. Alternatively, Farengar can be killed. To ensure the fewest side effects, waiting for the night and pickpocketing Farengar while he sleeps is recommended.


The key must be taken from one of these two individuals - either alive or dead.

Open the whispering door / Retrieve the Ebony Blade
With the purloined key, the door can now be opened. An empty room is entered, containing only a table upon which a book and a dai-katana rest - Mephala's Ebony Blade. The book, titled "Admonition Against Ebony," serves as a warning for anyone intending to take the weapon. This treacherous weapon is described as capable of killing while the victim smiles at the wielder. Not even the hottest fires of the Skyforge were able to melt it, and because it must never fall into enemy hands, it was hidden here. The text concludes with a warning: "Woe to any who choose to take it up."

"Admonition Against Ebony" – Full Text

To anyone reading this: BEWARE THIS BLADE

It is hoped that the only people having access to this room should be the Jarl of Whiterun and his trusted wizard. If anyone else is reading this, please understand the magnitude of your folly, turn around, and never even speak of this room or this blade to anyone.

It has corrupted and perverted the desires of great men and women. Yet its power is without equal -- to kill while your victim smiles at you. Only a daedra most foul could have concocted such a malevolent and twisted weapon. But it appears that all who wield it end up with the crazed eyes of those wild men who roam the hills chattering with rabbits.

It is not to be trifled with. Not even the hottest fires of the Skyforge could melt it; indeed the coals themselves seemed to cool when it was placed within. We cannot destroy it, and we would not have it fall into the hands of our enemies. So we keep it, hidden, dark and deep within Dragonsreach, never to be used.

Woe be to any who choose to take it.

If the blade is taken regardless, Mephala's voice resonates within one's mind, advising not to believe everything heard regarding the Ebony Blade. She remarks on how admirably the world is permeated by lies and deceit. The blade is described as a leech that feeds on deception to strengthen its master, noting that only through this method will the weapon return to its former glory.
With this, the quest concludes.


About the Ebony Blade

This Daedric artifact has appeared in previous installments of The Elder Scrolls series. A comparison of its attributes across the titles is detailed below:

• "TES I: Arena" - Katana, Enchantment: Absorb Health (on strike)
• "TES II: Daggerfall" - Katana, Enchantment: Fortify Long Blade (equipped) + Absorb Health (on strike) + Silence (cast on use)
• "TES IV: Oblivion" - Katana, Enchantment: Absorb Health & Silence (on strike)
• "TES V: Skyrim" - Dai-Katana, Enchantment: Absorb Health (on strike)

However, the unique enchantment of the Skyrim Ebony Blade is somewhat more complex. The amount of absorbed health is initially 10, but increases with the killings of friends. After every 2 friends killed with the Ebony Blade, Mephala's words of praise are heard and the absorbed health increases by 4. After 10 killed friends (= 5 increases), the absorbed health per strike remains at 30. This is the maximum value.

"Friends" are NPCs for whom a favor has been performed, who regularly express their gratitude, or who are ready to follow at any time. For example, Lucan Valerius, after the Golden Claw has been returned to him.

Further strange properties of the Skyrim Ebony Blade:

• The enchantment does not deplete. The blade never needs to be recharged.
• As described in the "warning", the weapon is indestructible. This means it cannot be hardened or sharpened with the grindstone either. The reason is that, unlike other Daedric artifacts, the material specification is missing from the properties of the Ebony Blade.
• The Ebony Blade is a two-handed weapon, but is treated internally by the game like a one-handed weapon (sounds, weight, damage, reach, recoil, and stamina consumption).
• Usage of the blade increases the "Two-Handed" skill. However, the blade benefits from one-handed enchantments and talents from the One-Handed perk tree.

There is a second variant ★ of the Ebony Blade (000EA29C, only via console). This one has the property that those attacked do not become hostile. When reading the urgent warning again, it becomes clear that the admonishing words refer to this second blade. Mephala's words also fit this one better. The blade on the table is a weakened version of the "true" Ebony Blade (RealEbonyBlade), which is a truly horrific weapon.

Tips & Notes

• Prior to the quest, the whispering door remains silent.
• If Hulda is deceased, the quest cannot be started. Although Ysolda will take her place at The Bannered Mare, she does not possess the rumor dialogue option.
• If one has fought for the Stormcloaks in the civil war, Jarl Vignar the Revered will rule in Whiterun. Balgruuf will be in exile in Solitude. The quest can still be completed, but traveling to the Blue Palace is required to speak with him or Nelkir.
• The whispering door cannot be opened without the key. This is ensured by a dresser on the other side that holds the door frames together. It disappears as soon as the key is obtained.
• It is not clarified at the end whether the Jarl or the boy was helped in any way.
• Mephala is the Daedric Prince of lies, secrets, and intrigue. As the Webspinner or Weaver, she interferes in the affairs of mortals and manipulates them for her own amusement. Although genderless, she is frequently depicted as a black-handed and four-armed female entity.