The Axe Man

Imperial - Waraxe - Light - Assassin

Background

Once a person was targeted by the Brotherhood and Torik was sent to them, they would simply cease to be. I asked him one what his weapon of choice was, and was equally started by his answer.

“I only likes to use axes”, he said in his typical quiet voice.

The image of this silent, dour fellow attacking anyone with a weapon inherently bloody and violent as an axe so frightened and intrigued me.

Weapons

Any war axe as you level and preferably a Dwarven one. The final weapon is the Cleaver of St. Felms which is a unique war axe introduced by Ghosts of the Tribunal that does fire damage and absorbs magicka. Importantly Minas Torik, the assassin mentioned in The Axe Man book, used an iron war axe of Dwarven origin and this is a regular metal looking axe that uses Dwarven Smithing.

To start the Ghosts of the Tribunal quest read the journal on the second room on the right of the lower floor in the Temple at Raven Rock. The axe is carried by one of the followers of the tribunal.

Armor

Make a full set of Leather Scout Armor as soon as you can. The final gear is a full set of Morag Tong armour, which is acquired at the end of the Raven Rock main quests from the Second Councilor Adril Arano. You have to clear the quest in the mine to retore it to working order and do the quest regarding the Ash Spawn from Captain Veleth before the assassination quest will become available. The end of this quest gives you access to the Morag Tong gear.

I was wearing a full set of scaled armor before getting the Morag Tong gear.

Spells

Heals from Restoration.

Standing Stones

The Atronach Stone for 50% spell absorption, 50 Magicka but -50% magicka regen.

Shrines

Mephala for 10% better prices and because she’s the patron of the Morag Tong.

Shouts

Character Creation

Male Dark Elf

Pick a Dunmer as they are an exact match for the origin of the build, which is an axe wielding member of the Morag Tong known as Minas Torik.

Minas Torik was a male but if you are precious about maximising a build then females make more sense due to the Agent of Dibella power and the Alure perk.

Attribute Distribution

Distribute attributes at a ratio of 0 / 2 / 1. At level 61 which is required for all the perks the attributes are:

Perk Point Distribution

The skill boosts for Dark Elves are marked in bold.

Skills and Perks

Mage Skills

Warrior Skills

Rogue Skills

Spells

Alteration

From the Bow of Shadows quest that you get from the steward in Dragonsreach you can get the Detect Life spell book at the stables once you have read the ledger in Acradia's Cauldron. Cast this in the market during the day to level Alteration.

I didn't need to actively use any Alteration spells in gameplay. They were purely to get levsls for perks.

Conjuration

Use Soul Trap to fill soul gems for enchanting purposes.

Destruction

Destruction spells are not needed in the build as the only direct damage source is from the sword and the indirect damage source is from Frenzy spells.

Illusion

Courage can be used to level illusion by casting it at an NPC.

Restoration

Just the healing spells from Restoration.

Enchantments

The effects listed below are based upon 100 Enchanting skill, all the enchanting perks in the build and with a set of enchanted crafting gear. Read my guide on making crafting gear if you are not familiar with it.

With the Sallowed Regent Black Book the magnitude of all enchantments can be increased. Please note that Black Books can only be used on Solstheim.

The magnitude of the enchantments can be further increased by equipping 4 pieces of Azhidal's gear.

Alchemy

Potion of Fortify Health

You can get all the Blue Mountain Flowers you need is in Whiterun. The two farms to the east of Whiterun also get you all the Wheat you need.

Potion of Fortify Carry Weight

Get 2 Glowing Mushrooms just inside Shimmermist Cave to the north east of Winterhold and the remaining 7 are in the secret lab at the farm. Go back to Helgen and take the path towards Ivarstead and gather all the Snowberries you need from there. Steel-Blue Entoloma are from Khajiit merchants.

Potion of Fortify Enchanting

Dreugh Wax and Stoneflower Petals are only available from Khajiit caravans. Some travel between Whiterun and Markarth. Snowberries are abundant near Windhelm.

Potion of Fortify Smithing

Dreugh Wax and Gold Kanet are only available from Khajiit caravans. Some travel between Whiterun and Markarth. Glowing Mushrooms are in Falmer caves.

Farming

For more information on getting to and setting up your farm read my guide.

Main Area (27)

Side Area (11)

Planters (6)

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