Skyrim:Vekel the Man

Vekel the Man (RefID: 00019DF9)
Home City	Riften
Store	The Ragged Flagon
Race	Nord	Gender	Male
Level	PC×1 (range=10-25)	Class	Food Vendor
RefID	00019DF9	BaseID	00013380
Merchant
Gold	100
Sells	See The Ragged Flagon
Buys	Innkeeper (Food, Raw Food)
Other Information
Health	50+(PC-1)×8.3
Magicka	50+(PC-1)×3.3
Stamina	50+(PC-1)×3.3
Primary Skills	Pickpocket, Speech, One-handed, Sneak
Morality	No Crime	Aggression	Unaggressive
Essential	Yes
Voice Type	MaleNord
Faction(s)	CrimeFactionThievesGuild; Riften Ragged Flagon Faction; ServicesRiftenRaggedFlagon; Thieves Guild No Pickpocketing Faction; ThievesGuildFaction 0(Agent)

Vekel the Man

Vekel the Man is the Nord food vendor and bartender at the Ragged Flagon, which he owns. He has 100 barter gold and sells cheap food and ingredients. Although you can't fence him any stolen goods, as long as you're part of the Thieves Guild he doesn't mind if you steal objects from the tavern. He is in a relationship with Tonilia but is frustrated both by her engagement refusals and the rumors of an affair she allegedly has with Brynjolf.

Vekel will always be found offering his services in the Ragged Flagon while he waits behind the counter, gives it a scrub, or sweeps the floor. He wears some common barkeep clothes and shoes. He also carries a belted tunic and a leveled potion of restore health, magicka or stamina, as well as the odd trinket or two. He is armed with a leveled dagger and war axe (both up to elven quality).

You will be directed to purchase Shadowfoot Sanctum from him for 7,500 gold as part of the related quest if you have the Shadowfoot Sanctum Creation installed.

The Ragged Flagon's bouncer and Vekel's good friend Dirge will inform you to behave around Vekel: "Vekel doesn't like strangers snooping around the Flagon.", "Last person who made trouble for Vekel ended up with a smashed head." and "The last person that made trouble for Vekel ended up floating in the canal... catch my drift?"

Related Quests

• A Cornered Rat: Locate Esbern.
• Shadowfoot Sanctum^CC: Purchase a cozy sewer home ideal for a thief.
• Toying With The Dead: Retrieve a necromancer's journals for an interested buyer.

Dialogue

Greetings:

"You better have coin to pay for your drinks. There's no handouts here."

"Got a lot of nerve coming down here. People tend to get hurt in the Ratway."

"I wouldn't stay here long if I were you."

"There's a reason the city guard doesn't come down here you know."

"Don't make trouble or else I'll ask Dirge to 'walk' you out."

If you join the guild, his attitude won't exactly improve and he'll even start complaining of the guild's sorry state of affairs:

"So, you're Brynjolf's new protege, eh? Don't look like much to me."

"Something has to change soon or I may as well pack this place up and leave it for the skeevers."

"Less coin in everyone's pocket means less coin in mine."

"I hear even the simple jobs are becoming difficult. It never used to be like this."

"It's been a long time since anyone joined us. Seems like people are in a rush to leave."

"It's one thing to say you've got the skills to be a thief. It's another to actually use them."

If you get kicked out of the guild, he'll refuse to talk to you:

"I'll serve you after you've paid Vex."

Quest-Related Events

Toying With the Dead

If you ask him for work, he'll tell you about some journals he's been looking for:

Anything you need done around here?

"Now that you mention it, there is. I have a buyer with, shall we say, a very odd taste in literature looking for some particular books. I'm told they're the ravings of a madman... a wizard named Arondil and his peculiar cravings. It's said to be spread across four volumes and very hard to come by. My client is offering quite a reward for them, which I'd split with you."

If you inquire as to the journals' existence, he'll reveal:

What kind of books are they?

"Recently, a woman was found... naked and shivering along the road to Dawnstar. The only information the guard could get from her were tales of strange experiments and Arondil scribbling in his journals." Asking about the man himself won't net you much: "Only rumors. He used to have a home in Dawnstar until they burned it down. The people say he was doing unspeakable experiments on reanimation... rituals only a necromancer would perform. After he made for Yngvild, he was never heard from again."

Should you agree, he'll be pleased:

I'll get them for you.

"Then we have a deal. In his later years, Andoril [sic] moved into some ice caves known as Yngvild. He prefered [sic] the solitude in which to perform his, um... experiments."

If you tell him you're not interested in books he'll scoff:

I'm not into books.

"Yeah, but you're into gold. Let me know if you change your mind. I'm not going anywhere."

If you already have all the volumes he'll be astounded:

I think you're in luck.

"I can't believe it. You have them already? Here, take this. This should cover your end of the work nicely."

Finally, if you only have some of the journals he'll spur you on:

I think you're in luck.

"It's a good start, but you need all four of the volumes or the set isn't complete. Why don't you head back out to Yngvild and find the rest?"

Once you return, he'll reward you with a leveled enchanted one-handed weapon:

I've recovered all of Arondil's Journals.

"Good. I was hoping you hadn't forgotten about it. As promised, here's your payment for bringing them to me. Got it as part of a fair trade from my client."

A Cornered Rat

During the quest A Cornered Rat, Vekel may help with gathering information on Esbern. If you ask him about an old man he'll reply in four different ways, depending on whether you're part of the guild, whether you're friends with him, and whether you've already learned Esbern's location:

"Lot of people looking for him. Don't know his name, but he's paid good money for nobody to know he's down here."

"Well... there is guy like that. He's paid good money for nobody to know he's down here, but I guess I can tell you."

"Huh. Lot of old guys around. I don't really know how I can help."

"He's holed up in the Ratway Warrens. Be careful. You're not the only one looking for him."

If you don't manage to get the information straight from him you can try to bribe, persuade, or intimidate him:

"Well... when you put it that way, I think I do know the old guy you're talking about." or "Big talk for someone with a light purse."

"Maybe I'm just getting soft in my old age, but I actually believe you." or "That's a touching story. Now get outta my face."

"There's no need for that. Not like he's a friend of mine or anything. Just calm down." or "You've got a lot of nerve. But not a lot of common sense."

If you press him to tell you who else is looking for Esbern he'll confide: "Dangerous-looking elves who didn't give their names. Draw your own conclusions."

Shadowfoot Sanctum

I'm looking to make a home here in the Ratways.

"Splendid! There's a house available right now."

I'll take it. (7,500 gold)

"Wonderful! Here is the key to your new home."

I'll have to think about it.

"Very well, just let me know when you're ready to purchase the house."

Stage-Dependent Dialogue

At different stages in the Thieves Guild questline, Vekel will deliver the following lines when talked to:

Know of an old guy hiding out in Riften, name of Esbern?

• "Sure. How about you mind your own business about it, and I won't have to get Dirge to toss you into the cistern?"
• "I don't know you so we've got nothing to talk about. How about you finish the job Brynjolf gave you, then we can talk."
• "I don't know about the others, but I sure am glad to see a fresh face down here. The Flagon used to be packed every night with the boys from the Guild but now look at it. Last few years have been pretty bad. I've almost closed this place up."
• "Well, you did something Vex couldn't do at Goldenglow, so you're looking pretty damn good. Word is that you found something while you were out there though... something that could be a problem for the Guild. Just watch your back and do what Mercer says... he'll sort it out."
• "Maven was down here right before you got back and she was all smiles. Haven't seen her like that in a long time. Whatever you did at Honningbrew, you're now on her good side. Best of all, if she's happy, Mercer's happy. Keep it up and you'll go places."
• "Glad to hear Gulum-Ei got what he deserved. That lizard owes me big for a bad shipment of Shadowbanish Wine he tried to pass off on me. Mercer's been storming around waiting for you to come back. I think he's finally figured out who's been messing with the Guild. Never seen the guy so angry. Better help him out any way you can."
• "Everyone's been worried since you and Mercer haven't shown up in a while. Brynjolf even went out to find you. Delvin and Vex have been running things for now. I hope this all gets straightened out soon or I'm headed on the first caravan out of Riften."
• "Look, I like you, so I'll tell it to you straight. Brynjolf and the rest are in the Guild, and they're ready to cut you down. I know you have a damn good reason for siding with Karliah, so I hope you can give it to them."
• "The word is that Mercer Frey is a dead man. The Guild wants his blood. I can't say I blame them. Murder is not our way. Gallus was before my time, but I still can't believe it. You need to teach him a lesson... show him the penalty for betrayal around here."
• "So, word has it you and Brynjolf know where Mercer's hiding. Good. Make sure you make him pay for what he did to Gallus... heck, for what he did to all of us. We're all behind you, friend. Do your best."
• "I haven't seen so much celebrating in years. Mercer's dead, we have a new Guild Master and things are finally looking up. I only hope we can restore the Guild to its former glory after all the damage that's been done."
• "I haven't seen so much celebrating in years. Mercer's dead, we have a new Guild Master and things are finally looking up. Business is booming, coin is flowing and everyone seems content as things keep going our way. A new chapter in the Thieves Guild is being written this day and we all owe it to you. Many thanks."

Conversations

• Vekel can be heard having random conversations with the other regulars of the Flagon, as listed below.

Vekel: "Dirge! Did you take out the trash like I asked?" Dirge: "Yeah. Threw it in the lake like you said." Vekel: "Tell me you looked through the trash before you did that." Dirge: "Take it easy, Vekel. How long we known each other? Yeah. I checked it. All the stuff is in the safe."	Dirge: "Job's done, boss. Gave the package to her just you said." Vekel: "Good. Did she say anything we need to know?" Dirge: "Yep. She said that the Jarl was planning a surprise raid on us, but she talked her out of it. Said she saved us a lot of trouble." Vekel: "That she did. Very good. I'll tell Brynjolf."
Vekel: "Why can't you just settle down and run the Flagon with me?" Tonilia: "I don't want to settle. I like things the way they are." Vekel: "Come on, Ton. Marry me. Let me take care of you." Tonilia: "I can take care of myself."	Vekel: "Look, I need to know. What's going on between you and Brynjolf?" Tonilia: "How dare you! After all we've been through together? How can you do this to me!" Vekel: "Hey, hey. Sorry. I just get jealous when I hear rumors about you." Tonilia: "That's all they are... rumors. So quit worrying."
Vekel: "All right, Delvin. What gives with that case of Shadowbanish you sold me?" Delvin: "What do you mean? That wine tastes finer than anythin' Surilie Brothers ever made." Vekel: "Sure, it tastes great. Only one problem. You said it can make the darkness as clear as day when you drink it. Guess what? It doesn't." Delvin: "Am I responsible if the vintage was off on that case? Sorry, you know the rules Vekel. No refunds."	Delvin: "Puttin' together another shipment from Morrowind, Vekel. Lookin' for anythin' special?" Vekel: "Well, if some Moon Sugar should fall into your lap..." Delvin: "Maybe. That stuff's gettin' tough to bring across the border with all the Argonian patrols." Vekel: "Well if it turns up, I'll be willing to buy."

Notes

• Despite his claim that business is booming after you are named Guild Master, he will switch back to his default dialogue after that point, complaining about the sorry state of affairs the guild is in.
• In the Prima Official Game Guide, the summary for him reads "A sly Nord who owns and operates the Ragged Flagon tavern, Vekel was once a resident of the Honorhall Orphanage and continually got into trouble for concocting strange and powerful alcoholic drinks that kept his fellow orphans in a near continual stupor. He eventually ran away and saved enough from his burgeoning pickpocketing career to afford the tavern. He is loved and respected by his fellow thieves, partly because of his confidence, but also because of his amazing skills as a brewer."