Skyrim:Dirge

Dirge; (RefID: 00019DFA)
Home City	Riften
Location	The Ragged Flagon
Store	The Ragged Flagon
Merchant
Gold	100
Sells	See The Ragged Flagon
Buys	Innkeeper (Food, Raw Food)
Other Information
Stamina	97
Primary Skills	Pickpocket, Speech, One-handed, Sneak
Voice Type	MaleBrute
Faction(s)	CrimeFactionThievesGuild; Riften Ragged Flagon Faction; ServicesRiftenRaggedFlagon; Thieves Guild No Pickpocketing Faction; ThievesGuildFaction (Agent)

Dirge

Dirge is an Imperial food vendor and a member of the Thieves Guild who works as the Ragged Flagon's bouncer. He will initially be found standing imposingly on the wooden runway leading to the Flagon from the Ratway, but will then start patrolling the entire span of the tavern.

Befitting his role, he is clad in leather armor, bracers, and boots, and wields a leveled war axe (up to elven quality). He also carries a belted tunic and has a random chance of carrying some gold, lockpicks, food, drink, gems, or jewelry.

Related QuestsEdit

A Cornered Rat: Locate Esbern.
Spread the Love: Distribute religious literature to the citizens of Riften.

DialogueEdit

Although he is in good relations with fellow lookout Tonilia and bartender Vekel, he will be coarse with you and always square you up with a selection of random threats:

"Stay outta trouble, or there's gonna be trouble."

"Last person who made trouble for Vekel ended up with a smashed head."

"Vekel doesn't like strangers snooping around the Flagon."

"There's two things to do at the Flagon: spend coin and then get out."

When you join the guild, his attitude won't improve one bit, even if you eventually become Guild Master.

"Even if you're one of us, you better not make trouble."

"I don't care if you're best buddies with the Guild Master. I'll still smash in your skull if you try anything."

"The last person that made trouble for Vekel ended up floating in the canal... catch my drift?"

If you're suspended from the guild, he'll warn you:

"You better straighten things with the Guild or you won't be welcome here anymore."

Speaking to him:

Why do they call you Dirge?

"They call me Dirge, 'cause I'm the last thing you hear before they put you in the ground. Why? You think it's funny or something?"

No way. That name would scare anyone. (Persuade)

"Oh yeah? I think so too. You're pretty smart. Hey, here. Have one on the house."

I think it's hilarious. You got a problem? (Intimidate)

"No, no. Sorry if I sounded so mean there. My brother always said I have a big mouth. Here, have one on me."

Quest-Related DialogueEdit

A Cornered RatEdit

During the quest A Cornered Rat, Dirge 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 he's in the Warrens:

I'm looking for an old guy, hiding out somewhere in Riften.

"Don't know his name, but there is a guy like that hiding out down here. Paid plenty for nobody to know about it. You're not the first person to come in here asking about him, either, so be careful."

"Yeah, I think I know who you mean. He's paid good money for nobody to know he's down here, but I guess I can tell you."

"That's interesting. Why do I care? You want a drink, or maybe just a few broken bones?"

"Down in the Ratway Warrens. Nice place, if you don't mind the stench, rats, and assorted lowlifes as neighbors."

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

Option	Dialogue
I need to talk to him. I'm a friend. His life's in danger. (Persuade)	Passed: A friend, huh? Well... then it's probably okay if I tell you. Failed: I guess you don't hear too well. I never heard of this "friend" of yours.
Maybe this will help your memory. (Bribe)	Passed: You know what? I think I do know the guy you're talking about. Failed: Maybe it would. If you had it.
Are you going to tell me, or am I going to have to beat it out of you? (Intimidate)	Passed: Easy there. I don't want that kind of trouble. Guy ain't worth it. Failed: Yeah. That's what it's going to take.

If you press him to tell you who else is looking for Esbern he'll confide:

"Various shady types I've never seen before. I'd watch my back if I was you."

Spread the LoveEdit

If you offer him a pamphlet:

Here, brother. Blessings of Mara upon you.

"I think I have some more of these padding my mattress."

ConversationsEdit

Tonilia: I need you to do me a favor, Dirge. Dirge: Sure, Ton. You know I'm good for it. Tonilia: There's a new guard nosing around the meadery. Can you do something about it? Dirge: Gladly. He won't bother you anymore, I promise.	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.	Dirge: You need to tell your boys to place [sic] nice, Delvin. Almost threw two of them into the well last night. Delvin: They aren't my boys. Do I look like the leadin' type? Dirge: You know what I mean. Tell your boss that rough is rough, but when someone pulls a dagger fun time is over. Delvin: I'll pass it along.
Delvin: Good news. I found that dwarven hammer you were looking for. Dirge: You did? Thanks. I [sic] get you the rest of your coin by tomorrow. Delvin: Yeah, funny thing about that. The price was a hundred higher than I expected. Dirge: Vekel [sic], you have no shame. I'll get you the rest like I said. I want that hammer.	Dirge: Hey Ton, you shouldn't cheat on Vekel. He's a good guy. Tonilia: What are you talking about? Dirge: Come on, everyone knows about you and Brynjolf. Tonilia: Well, everyone's wrong. Now why don't you just shut up about it.

NotesEdit

In the Prima Official Game Guide, the summary for him reads "Dirge is a hulking behemoth of an Imperial who serves as the bouncer and general crowd control for the Ragged Flagon. Dirge earned his nickname because his voice is the last thing people hear before they die. He has been good friends with Vekel the Man for years."
If Vekel the Man were to die, Dirge would take over running the bar in the Ragged Flagon. However, since Vekel is essential, this will not happen during standard gameplay.
As Maul is a Nord, it must be assumed the two had the same father but different mothers.

BugsEdit

After talking to Maul about him, Dirge was supposed to tell you:
I met your brother.
"Maul? Yeah. That jerk works for Maven Black-Briar now. Left me down here watching this garbage heap. I guess he's better at all that talking stuff anyway. I'd just mess everything up."
However, the wrong dialogue variable is checked, so you'll never hear it.
- The Unofficial Skyrim Patch, version 1.3.1, fixes this bug.

UESPWiki β