What kind of ordnance is the EEC packing?

[Imbalance]

During Rise in the East, the pirate stronghold at Japhet's Folly comes under bombardment from an East Empire Co. vessel anchored off shore. Does anyone know what, exactly, they are firing?

This has puzzled me for quite some time. The volley is destructive enough to tear apart buildings and fortified ramparts. The bombs sometimes appear as if they are solid objects, even after they explode on impact, yet the ship has no cannons that I recall (if that's even a thing that exists in TES). If they are meant to be magic fireballs, who possesses the wells of magicka for such spell-slinging? If the Company has this kind of firepower at their disposal, why aren't they taking on dragons and ruling the empire?

I admit I may be missing something as I've only done this quest twice, but even the wiki is shy on details about the naval assault on the island. I'm genuinely curious, and somewhat hopeful that this quest hints at further nautical adventures in future installments.

[SeaGtGruff]

That's an interesting question! Since we haven't seen any guns, gunpowder, or (nonmagical) fireworks in TES, I guess the assault uses some sort of Destruction magic. Maybe it's the "Enemies Explode" spell that we've read about but never actually seen?

[Dark Spark]

They're exploding arrows, console code 961d6. You have to use additem to generate them, then use equipitem to arm them because they won't appear in your inventory screen.

[Imbalance]

Well, that answers part of the technical aspect of the question, thanks. Do the mercenaries on board carry them? I don't imagine that something that requires fiddling with the console can be pick-pocketed.

Is there any lore perspective about why or how the Company can employ missiles that nobody seems to have?

[SeaGtGruff]

Is there any lore perspective about why or how the Company can employ missiles that nobody seems to have?

It's... company policy. They don't sell anything that could be used against them to devastating effect; they just keep it for themselves to use against their competition and enemies!

[Damon]

In Tribunal, there were explosive charges that you had to use to breach into areas of the ruin under Mournhold that was blocked off by debris. Whether or not it was actual gunpowder or a mix of more Tamrielic ingredients that made a similar effect, I don't know, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that the Dwemer, or even modern man or mer could be using cannons or similar weapons that use an explosion to launch projectiles. The Dwemer had the mechanical and magical capabilities needed to do just about anything.

Besides, how else would naval battles take place if not with cannons?

Exploding arrows could be a good technical answer to how it happens without having to make all of the stuff needed for ship-based bombardment in a once-off instance, but I don't see why there couldn't be cannons.

[Imbalance]

Quite right, and even Dawnguard sees you expand your arsenal with bolts that burst into flame on impact that are based on Dwemer schematics. But using alchemy to launch a material projectile is still not quite the same as having deck guns. Besides, once cannons are...canon...firearms aren't far behind. Dwarves with guns was a staple of Mage Knight, the tabletop game, and it worked within that lore universe. TES doesn't seem ready to shove its head up that rabbit hole just yet.

Naval battles without cannons? Ramming and boarding, with the occasional ballista to try and launch spears heavy enough to poke holes in the hull of your enemy's trireme.

[Unionhack]

Today I learned this quest exists. Never did it.

Back into Skyrim I go!

[SeaGtGruff]

Yeah, you get it while in Dawnstar I think-- in the local drinking/eating/socializing establishment when talking to some of the piratey-type customers, IIRC.

[Dark Spark]

Quest opens in Windhelm. The East Empire Company warehouse there on the docks.

[SeaGtGruff]

Quest opens in Windhelm. The East Empire Company warehouse there on the docks.

Okay, thanks! It's obviously been a long time since I've done the quest. Aren't the guys hanging out in Dawnstar involved, though? (Checks the wiki pages.) Yep, that must be why I got confused. 'Cause it couldn't have anything to do with my silvery-white hair, no way! And I can't blame it on losing my mind, because in order to lose something you have to have it first.

[Imbalance]

I hope I didn't give too much away. Come back with you impressions once you get through it.

[Lord Timster]

It's probably worth bearing in mind that when the game uses something (like arrows) behind the scenes that doesn't necessarily mean it's supposed to also be arrows in the game world - it might just be the devs re-using game functionality / assets.

I don't have Skyrim on the PC but a Google search turned this up:

Checking the Creation Kit, there is an item with editor ID "dunJaphetsFollyCWCatapultAmmo" and item ID 961D6.

That makes me wonder if the Imperial Legion was originally supposed to have ships with catapults on for the Civil War questline and that the EEC would be using a few of those. But then as the Civil War got trimmed down and trimmed down again the ships never made it into the final game leaving the 'Rise in the East' looking a bit half-finished.

That would be my take on it anyway.

If the Company has this kind of firepower at their disposal, why aren't they taking on dragons and ruling the empire?

I'd imagine fighting dragons and ruling Empires is too much risk and hassle for too little profit!

Also I always pick this quest up from the Solitude docks.
(not that I spend a lot of time hanging around the docks or anything)

Cheers