Prerequisites: (none) Quest Giver: Azura (via Aranea Ienith) Region: Shrine of Azura, College of Winterhold, Winterhold, Ilinalta's Deep, Azura's Star or The Black Star Reward:Azura's Star or The Black Star
Summary: Azura's Star has been corrupted, and she wishes to restore its brilliance. She reveals a vision to her priestess, Aranea, indicating where and with whom one must inquire to retrieve the star. Once the broken star has been recovered, one can decide how its future functionality will operate.
Quest Description
Awareness of the Daedra Azura and her shrine is raised by chance when inquiring with innkeepers about news and rumors. As soon as someone brings up the topic, a map marker is received.
The colossal statue of Azura is visible from miles away.
Visit the Shrine of Azura
The shrine is located on a mountain peak southwest of Winterhold. Two routes lead to it: one from the north, for instance from Saarthal, and the simpler path branches off to the west from the road to Winterhold. The shrine is dominated by a colossal Statue of Azura, which is visible from miles away from other mountain ranges.
At the feet of the statue lies an altar where a lone priestess - Aranea Ienith - prays to Azura. Upon approaching her, she explains that Azura foresaw this meeting and chose the player as her champion. Aranea elaborates that Azura is the powerful Daedric Prince of Dawn and Dusk. She guides her followers through the twilight of the future, and the shrine was built in her honor by the Dunmer when they fled Morrowind 200 years ago after the volcanic eruption.
She then explains that a fortress must be visited - "endangered by water, yet untouched by it" - where an elven mage can be found "who can turn the brightest star as black as night". She adds that while Azura's signs are cryptic, they are always correct. She believes the fortress in question is the College of Winterhold. There, one is to ask for the elven enchanter.
Find the elven mage from Aranea's vision ★
If access to the College has not yet been gained, this can be quickly resolved by passing the brief entry exam.
For the purpose of Azura's task, it is irrelevant from whom information within the College is obtained. One can turn to Mirabelle, Faralda, Nirya, Colette, Tolfdir, or Drevis - whomever is encountered first. They all answer more or less evasively, but one learns that an unfortunate incident occurred a few years ago. Consequently, the mage Nelacar was expelled from the College. However, he can be found at the "Frozen Hearth" inn.
Speak to Nelacar
The mage is located in the side room of the aforementioned inn in Winterhold.
After using persuasion or payment to induce Nelacar to speak on the matter, he shares his story: he formerly worked at the College under a mage named Malyn Varen, who sought to discover how Azura's unique soul gem functioned. The group hated the Daedra because they used mortals for their own purposes. They wanted to demonstrate on Azura's Star that Daedric power can be broken. No one knew, however, that Malyn was terminally ill. He intended to alter the star to eliminate Azura's magical restriction to white souls. Then, he planned to transfer his soul into it to achieve immortality. Yet, the longer he worked on the stone, the more his mind was damaged by Azura's magic. In his madness, students lost their lives, and he was banished from the College. He retreated to Ilinalta's Deep with a few loyal students, and nothing more was heard of him. Nelacar returned to Winterhold and dedicated himself to his own research.
The semi-sunken fort of Ilinalta's Deep.
Find Azura's Star
The destination is located on the northern shore of Lake Ilinalta and can be reached, for example, by traveling west from Whiterun on the road and taking the turnoff toward Falkreath. The lake can also be reached by taking the road west from Riverwood.
Ilinalta's Deep is a fort that half-sank into the lake years ago. The reason for this is revealed at the end of the exploration. The current ruins can only be entered via the western of the two trapdoors.
Right in the entrance room, one encounters a hanging skeleton of a fisherman, which was likely placed here to deter the curious. The bones and blood-splattered stones in the next room with a double waterfall serve the same purpose. Initially, one can only proceed to the left/west and reaches a dining room after a few corridors. By this point at the latest, it becomes clear that necromancers reside here. In the adjacent kitchen, a skeleton keeps watch - this time not entirely dead.
One enters a room that is half-submerged in water. Diving down allows one to reach a side room with a chest and a skill book on the ceiling (Alteration). This is followed by an area with two sleeping quarters (a chest is located in the larger one). At this stage at the latest, one is attacked by additional necromancers, and in the next room even by a master. Aside from the altar and the large chest, more items can be found behind a locked door underwater.
Through a few corridors and staircases, one returns to the room with the double waterfall. A loop has been completed, and one is now a floor higher. However, a stone ramp is suddenly present, allowing one to proceed downward. This ramp was not there upon first entering the room...
The stone ramp on the right is only present after the loop to the upper floor (images slightly brightened).
However, one should remain upstairs and follow the water. There is a door to the second section of the fort - Ilinalta's Deluge. This door is only accessible during the quest.
Access to Ilinalta's Deluge before and during the quest.
One enters a room where necromancers are discussing the necessity of procuring another soul for their experiments. They express concern, as it would attract attention to make another villager disappear so soon. They agree to sacrifice another follower, and the choice falls upon an apprentice named Haerlon, who would not be a major loss.
However, they will not survive the next few minutes. The path then leads into a passage with several cells. Afterward, one enters the flooded east tower, where a master necromancer is experimenting.
The deceased Malyn Varen in his workroom.
Ascending the tower stairs finally leads to the very top room where Malyn Varen worked and died. Next to his skeleton, his journal and the broken Star of Azura are found.
Bring the star to Aranea or Bring the star to Nelacar
A decision must now be made on who should repair the broken star. Choosing Azura restores it to the well-known soul gem that does not disappear upon discharge. However, it will only be able to capture white souls, though of all possible soul sizes. Nelacar, on the other hand, will repair the star so that it can repeatedly capture only black souls (meaning only those of people). ★
Choosing the traditional properties of Azura's Star aligns with the intentions of the Daedric Prince.
At the Shrine of Azura, Aranea is delighted to see the star again. The star is handed over to her, and she petitions Azura to restore the gem to its original purity. Thereupon, Azura speaks directly to the player, explaining that the star contains Malyn Varen's soul. She intends to send the player inside to banish Malyn's soul. As soon as one is ready, one is to say so.
Tell Azura you're ready to enter the Star
While being transported by Azura into the world of the soul gem, her comforting words are heard, assuring that she is watching over the player. One is told to have faith. Nelacar is astonished that Azura's Star has been found and now sees a chance to set things right. He wishes to finish Malyn's work as it was planned before his madness: separating the star from Azura so that it can only capture black souls.
He examines the broken star and discovers Malyn Varen's soul inside. Furthermore, the star is in an unstable state and repeatedly requires souls to sustain itself. Repairing it is only possible once the gem has been cleansed of Malyn's soul. A soul would be needed that is willing to overwhelm Malyn from within. Nelacar is aware that one completely surrenders oneself to him by doing this.
Tell Nelacar you're ready to enter the Star
Nelacar intends to cast a soul trap but keep the player's body barely alive. As soon as Malyn's soul is destroyed, Nelacar will pull the player's soul back into the body, as if using a magical tether. Destroy Malyn Varen's soul
Regardless of who sent the player into the star, Malyn must now be found and fought. Initially, Malyn believes that his followers have sent him a fresh soul, but he soon realizes that something is amiss this time. He flees, and up to three Dremora blocking the way must be defeated first. Before moving forward to confront Malyn, one should heal and activate shock resistance if necessary. Malyn is very confident because he has conquered mortality. However, if his shock spells can be endured, he will be defeated quickly.
Malyn Varen's soul inside the Star.
After Malyn Varen's soul is destroyed, Azura's words are heard, telling the player not to worry. Suddenly, one is standing back at the shrine, and Azura announces that her star has been restored and Malyn's soul has been delivered to Oblivion. The player has fought bravely, and as foretold, one is now free to use her star as seen fit.
Afterward, Aranea approaches and reveals that her duty at the shrine is fulfilled, and she would feel honored to accompany the guardian of the star. She would thus have a new purpose. Aranea is a capable mage and would use her spells for the player, protecting them and defeating their enemies.
One can take Aranea along immediately or leave her at the shrine to be picked up sometime later. She will continue to tend to the shrine until needed as a follower.
If one visits Nelacar afterward, he is unfriendly and dismissive. He states that he does not do business with Azura's followers. Nevertheless, trading with him is still possible. As soon as Malyn Varen's soul is defeated, Nelacar's words are heard, announcing that he is in the process of pulling the player's soul back out.
A bit dazed, one finds oneself back in Nelacar's study at the "Frozen Hearth." He reports that it is done - the star has been severed from Azura, and it can now be used to capture black souls for enchantments. The star will never degrade, but it can no longer contain the white souls of lesser creatures. The Daedra has been tricked, and the player is still alive. Nelacar congratulates the player but prefers to leave this chapter of his life behind.
If one visits Azura's shrine afterward, Aranea has only one thing to say: "- Leave this shrine, blasphemer, before I kill you for defiling Azura's artifact."
This concludes this Daedric quest, regardless of which color the star now possesses.
Tips & Notes
Since the massive statue of Azura can be spotted from afar, the shrine can also be discovered by chance while traveling. In this case, the preliminary objective to "Visit the Shrine of Azura" is bypassed.
A chest is located underwater, south of the western tower of Ilinalta's Deep.
Numerous and partially valuable potions can be found throughout the rooms of the fort. An alchemy lab and an arcane enchanter are also available.
The mechanic involving the magical stone ramp appears unfinished. If the "Clairvoyance" spell is cast upon first entering the room, the highlighted quest path guides upward over the non-existent ramp.
Little is to be found in the cell block of Ilinalta's Deluge, but the cell locks can be utilized to practice lockpicking.
Inside Azura's Star, it is impossible to wander off the path or fall off. One should remember to harvest the rare Daedra hearts from the defeated Dremora.
With his hooded cloak, his face, and the lightning, Malyn Varen bears a striking resemblance to another well-known figure of the Dark Side...
Some guards will note with astonishment that the player "wields" Azura's Star ("You wield... Azura's Star? How... how can such a thing be possible?"). This dialogue line is highly unusual, as the star is a soul gem and cannot be equipped or used as a weapon in combat.
"Someone" mourns the death of Malyn Varen and sends conjurers to attack the player.
The actual quest starts at this point.
Everything before was just a prelude.
Even though it is stated and described this way in the game,
The Black Star can in reality contain all types of souls
- just like a regular Black Soul Gem.
or The Black Star
, which is visible from miles away from other mountain ranges.
- Aranea Ienith - prays to Azura. Upon approaching her, she explains that Azura foresaw this meeting and chose the player as her champion. Aranea elaborates that Azura is the powerful Daedric Prince of Dawn and Dusk. She guides her followers through the twilight of the future, and the shrine was built in her honor by the Dunmer when they fled Morrowind 200 years ago after the volcanic eruption.
, which is visible from miles away from other mountain ranges.
- Aranea Ienith - prays to Azura. Upon approaching her, she explains that Azura foresaw this meeting and chose the player as her champion. Aranea elaborates that Azura is the powerful Daedric Prince of Dawn and Dusk. She guides her followers through the twilight of the future, and the shrine was built in her honor by the Dunmer when they fled Morrowind 200 years ago after the volcanic eruption.
in Winterhold.
to speak on the matter, he shares his story: he formerly worked at the College under a mage named Malyn Varen, who sought to discover how Azura's unique soul gem functioned. The group hated the Daedra because they used mortals for their own purposes. They wanted to demonstrate on Azura's Star that Daedric power can be broken. No one knew, however, that Malyn was terminally ill. He intended to alter the star to eliminate Azura's magical restriction to white souls. Then, he planned to transfer his soul into it to achieve immortality. Yet, the longer he worked on the stone, the more his mind was damaged by Azura's magic. In his madness, students lost their lives, and he was banished from the College. He retreated to Ilinalta's Deep with a few loyal students, and nothing more was heard of him. Nelacar returned to Winterhold and dedicated himself to his own research.
of a fisherman, which was likely placed here to deter the curious. The bones and blood-splattered stones in the next room with a double waterfall
serve the same purpose. Initially, one can only proceed to the left/west and reaches a dining room
after a few corridors. By this point at the latest, it becomes clear that necromancers reside here. In the adjacent kitchen, a skeleton
keeps watch - this time not entirely dead.
that is half-submerged in water. Diving down allows one to reach a side room with a chest and a skill book on the ceiling (Alteration). This is followed by an area with two sleeping quarters (a chest is located in the larger one). At this stage at the latest, one is attacked by additional necromancers, and in the next room
even by a master. Aside from the altar and the large chest, more items can be found behind a locked door underwater.
are discussing the necessity of procuring another soul for their experiments. They express concern, as it would attract attention to make another villager disappear so soon. They agree to sacrifice another follower, and the choice falls upon an apprentice named Haerlon, who would not be a major loss.
with several cells. Afterward, one enters the flooded east tower, where a master necromancer
is experimenting.
are found.
Malyn Varen's soul inside. Furthermore, the star is in an unstable state and repeatedly requires souls to sustain itself. Repairing it is only possible once the gem has been cleansed of Malyn's soul. A soul would be needed that is willing to overwhelm Malyn from within. Nelacar is aware that one completely surrenders oneself to him by doing this.
blocking the way must be defeated first. Before moving forward to confront Malyn, one should heal and activate shock resistance if necessary. Malyn is very confident because he has conquered mortality. However, if his shock spells can be endured, he will be defeated quickly.
in Winterhold.
to speak on the matter, he shares his story: he formerly worked at the College under a mage named Malyn Varen, who sought to discover how Azura's unique soul gem functioned. The group hated the Daedra because they used mortals for their own purposes. They wanted to demonstrate on Azura's Star that Daedric power can be broken. No one knew, however, that Malyn was terminally ill. He intended to alter the star to eliminate Azura's magical restriction to white souls. Then, he planned to transfer his soul into it to achieve immortality. Yet, the longer he worked on the stone, the more his mind was damaged by Azura's magic. In his madness, students lost their lives, and he was banished from the College. He retreated to Ilinalta's Deep with a few loyal students, and nothing more was heard of him. Nelacar returned to Winterhold and dedicated himself to his own research.
of a fisherman, which was likely placed here to deter the curious. The bones and blood-splattered stones in the next room with a double waterfall
serve the same purpose. Initially, one can only proceed to the left/west and reaches a dining room
after a few corridors. By this point at the latest, it becomes clear that necromancers reside here. In the adjacent kitchen, a skeleton
keeps watch - this time not entirely dead.
that is half-submerged in water. Diving down allows one to reach a side room with a chest and a skill book on the ceiling (Alteration). This is followed by an area with two sleeping quarters (a chest is located in the larger one). At this stage at the latest, one is attacked by additional necromancers, and in the next room
even by a master. Aside from the altar and the large chest, more items can be found behind a locked door underwater.
are discussing the necessity of procuring another soul for their experiments. They express concern, as it would attract attention to make another villager disappear so soon. They agree to sacrifice another follower, and the choice falls upon an apprentice named Haerlon, who would not be a major loss.
with several cells. Afterward, one enters the flooded east tower, where a master necromancer
is experimenting.
are found.
Malyn Varen's soul inside. Furthermore, the star is in an unstable state and repeatedly requires souls to sustain itself. Repairing it is only possible once the gem has been cleansed of Malyn's soul. A soul would be needed that is willing to overwhelm Malyn from within. Nelacar is aware that one completely surrenders oneself to him by doing this.
blocking the way must be defeated first. Before moving forward to confront Malyn, one should heal and activate shock resistance if necessary. Malyn is very confident because he has conquered mortality. However, if his shock spells can be endured, he will be defeated quickly.
bears a striking resemblance to another well-known figure of the Dark Side...
the death of Malyn Varen and sends conjurers to attack the player.
