Skyrim Walkthrough: Elder Knowledge

After playing the game for a while now I’m coming to terms with the console like menus system on the PC and the Fallout 3 like gaming system. Having played RPGs on the PC for 30 years I’ve become accustomed to number crunching, having a huge range of stats to maintain, and having to change armor and see how it effects my overall defense.

With the revised simpler system, there isn’t as much number crunching, but the system does make you think what skills are required to complete quests and I have found that my character is far more rounded than any I have had before. Little touches like showing the effect on armor class prior to changing the armor make the game more intuitive.

There’s still a lot that can be improved though, and although I’ve heard rumors that this will be the last Elder Scrolls game, I’ve no doubt we’ll see another RPG game from Bethesda in the future and hopefully they will continue to tweak the engine!

For this next quest you’re going back Southwest heading for Alftand. You will encounter plenty of Ice Wraiths but could encounter the odd Troll or two – always be prepared for a tough battle when you meet Trolls.

You’ll find some stairs once you reach the mountain and will head down into the glacial ruins. Move ahead and you’ll find some Dwarven Spiders to loot; you have to go west as the northern root is blocked.

Some of the Dwarven Spiders will come to life but these are easy kills and will give a little loot. Keep moving west – you’ll meet J’darr – again this is another easy opponent. He’ll have some healing potions for you to loot – the other dead Khajiit will have a lockpick.

Head north; you’ll meet Dwarven Spheres. These are pretty dangerous due to their speed – try and pick them off with ranged weapons – but be ready to heal – if you can slow them down then this will give you an advantage.

There’s some treasure to find by going across some rising platforms, but nothing to spectacular.

Continue north and you’ll come across an easy to open locked gate. A couple of chests have some treasure in them; keep going west; you’ll fight more Dwarven Spiders and should loot them for potions – things are getting tougher no so make sure you are prepared.

You now head east to an upper level – there are more spiders to fight – keep going east and you’ll find the Animonculory. There’s a shield, helmet an potions here; continue east and you’ll meet more spiders – a corpse will have a journal to read.

Returning west you’ll come across another Sphere. Move up the ramp ahead. Heavily armored characters will be happy to find a Ring of the Minor Night in a chest to the north – moved won the pathway (slightly south) and you’ll come across a fairly difficult locked door. Yet again you meet more spiders and find some more treasure in chests.

Moving out of the room, jump down to the west – you’ll find a body with a little loot next to it. Move west – yep Spider, Chest etc – moving east and you’ll find some feral elves. Careful, the previous battles have lulled you into a false sense of security – this battle is hard and they have decent magic. Try using magic and ranged attacks before jumping in, and make sure you can do hefty damage. It’s a tough battle and you’ll probably be healing a lot. Once you’ve won this battle, go into the next room – there’s an alchemy station – I’d suggest to create as many potsions as you can. You’ll come across three more elves. Keep going east through the door.

Again you’re going to come across a tough battle. You’ll meet Falmer and spiders – try ranged attacks where possible, and run to lure them away from large groups – you’re not going to win a battle by charging in at this point.

Move up the stairs and find the switch to open the southwest gate. You’ll come across a tough Dwarven Centurion – he’s a tough enemy – dart in and out to try and damage him avoiding his steam attack if possible – heal up at every opportunity (the steam attack can do major damage) – this will take a while but with patience and a little luck you’ll get through it. Loot the nearby chests.

Move west to meet Sulla and Umana – they should be fighting each other so join in and ensure both are killed. Activate the mechanism – a new staircase will appear leading downwards. You’ll come across another Dwarven Sphere – try and let the machines and Falmer fight each other – this makes it easier for you to finish the battle.

Moving southwest you’ll find some archers – use ranged attacks to pick them off – it’s pretty easy. Move up to the top of the building and loot – go southwest and enter the tower.

Once at the top put the lexicon cube in the seceptacle – hit the second button four times, the third button twice, and the far left fourth button once. You’ll find Elder Scrolls and the Runed Lexicon. Exit and go back to Paarthurnax at High Hrothgar.