Prerequisites: Completion of the quest "Seeking Disclosure" Quest Giver: Dexion Evicus Region: Ancestor Glade in the Pine Forest Reward: Contents of all three Elder Scrolls, items in the Ancestor Glade
Summary: In the Ancestor Glade, the Ancestor Moth ritual described by Dexion must be performed. Afterwards, the contents of the Elder Scrolls are known, revealing where to go and what to do.
Quest Description
In the last quest, the Moth Priest was found blinded. Although he can no longer help, he explained the ritual through which the knowledge of the ancients could be obtained. One might doubt that one is capable of doing what Moth Priests must prepare for for years. However, Dexion firmly believes that one is destined to hear the Ancestor's Chorus. Thus, one sets off for the Ancestor Glade with three Elder Scrolls to make the attempt.
Find a Moth Priest's knife
The fastest way to reach the glade is by traveling to the Peak's Shade Tower near Falkreath or to Angi's Camp. Alternatively, one can take the road east from Falkreath, and after the bandit bridge, turn south and walk up the mountain path. If not much has been explored in the game yet, it is also possible to head west from Helgen. The mountain path to the south (marked by a rock pile) is reached shortly past Pinewatch.
The entrance to the Ancestor Glade on the northern slopes of the Jerall Mountains.
One enters a small, overgrown area - not exactly inviting, on which Serana also makes her comment. However, via a fallen tree and an earthen passageway, the actual underground clearing, or rather the clearing enclosed by the mountain, is reached. It is a huge cave, or rather a depression in the mountain, so that sunbeams illuminate everything - peaceful, beautiful, and impressive.
A column of sunlight marks the location of the ritual.
A path leads down, where a stone structure with the floating ritual knife is found next to a Canticle tree.
Gather bark from a Canticle Tree Gather Ancestor Moth swarms
As soon as this draw knife has been taken, it must be used to carefully shave off some tree bark. This presumably releases a scent irresistible to the moths, by which they are attracted. Now, one only needs to move near the moths, which can be found in small swarms throughout the glade. The more moths follow, the stronger the surrounding shimmering aura becomes. When seven swarms are following, one is ready for the next step.
Enter the column of light and read the Elder Scroll (Blood) Speak with Serana
Beginning with the Blood Scroll, one lets the buzzing Ancestor Moths convey the knowledge of the ancients while standing in the bright light. Afterwards, pale as death but with enormous knowledge of the ancients, one is approached by Serana. She finally wants to get rid of this ridiculous prophecy and asks if more is known about Auriel's Bow now. And indeed, one can answer that it is located in a place called Darkfall Cave.
With this, this quest ends and the next one starts immediately. However, it is worthwhile to explore the glade before leaving it.
Known Bugs
It is highly recommended to save the game before entering the cave. The entrance gate closes as soon as the knife has been taken and remains closed until the scrolls have been read and Serana has been spoken to afterwards. Should Serana have had difficulties following the player initially, she will be unreachable through the closed gate, making it impossible to finish the quest. It is also reported that in rare cases, the scroll cannot be read or Serana is unresponsive afterwards. The easiest solution would be to load an earlier save game.
If another permanent follower is present alongside Serana, they might not enter the cave and dismiss themselves from the player. They can also no longer be hired as a second follower. While it is possible to dismiss Serana after the quest and take the other follower along again, Serana will take their place and remain the sole follower as soon as Darkfall Cave is entered. This is likely not a bug in the game, but may be undesirable.
To have two followers again (Serana + follower), the following procedure can be used: complete this and the next quest together with Serana. Immediately after Vyrthur's death, fast travel and hire the second follower. Then immediately return to the Forgotten Vale, teleport from the Wayshrine of Vision to the Wayshrine of Radiance, enter the Inner Sanctum, run through it, and speak to the waiting Gelebor on the temple balcony. The quest will then continue with two followers.
Tips & Notes
Traveling to the glade with Serana is not mandatory. However, upon entering it, Serana will be present (due to quest requirements). Hopefully, see bugs. Special care should be taken that she enters the main cave together with the player before the gate closes.
The quest marker is superfluous here once again. The glade, the knife, the tree, the moths, and the column of light are easy to find, and without the marker, the short quest would gain atmosphere and tension. Deactivating the marker in the options is not recommended, however, as other quests would be barely solvable.
After the knowledge of the ancients has been obtained, the gate of the cave entrance opens again and one is attacked by rushing enemies. Depending on the side supported, these are either Dawnguard members or vampires.
Fairly valuable items are distributed across several spots in the cave. Mostly they lie on rocky ledges or waystones, but also here and there loose on the ground. Most are found by carefully following the worn and paved paths.
The Dragon Scroll will still be needed for the TES V main quest if applicable, but the other two can be sold to Dexion Evicus. This, however, appears only possible if playing on the Dawnguard side.
Personal Note: The ability of the player to read Elder Scrolls appears heavily exaggerated against the lore background. Even the Dwemer built complicated machinery for this purpose. Yet the player simply goes ahead and reads 3 scrolls per minute without taking damage. Perhaps the quest designers were new to the TES topic and did not know the significance of an Elder Scroll. Poorly created or ill-conceived. Can it get any worse for TES veterans? Yes. Next quest.
- not exactly inviting, on which Serana also makes her comment. However, via a fallen tree and an earthen passageway, the actual underground clearing, or rather the clearing enclosed by the mountain, is reached. It is a huge cave
, or rather a depression in the mountain, so that sunbeams illuminate everything - peaceful, beautiful, and impressive.
with the floating ritual knife is found next to a Canticle tree.
has been taken, it must be used to carefully shave off some tree bark
. This presumably releases a scent irresistible to the moths, by which they are attracted. Now, one only needs to move near the moths, which can be found in small swarms throughout the glade. The more moths follow, the stronger the surrounding shimmering aura
becomes. When seven swarms are following
, one is ready for the next step.
while standing in the bright light. Afterwards, pale as death but with enormous knowledge of the ancients, one is approached by Serana. She finally wants to get rid of this ridiculous prophecy and asks if more is known about Auriel's Bow now. And indeed, one can answer that it is located in a place called Darkfall Cave.
- not exactly inviting, on which Serana also makes her comment. However, via a fallen tree and an earthen passageway, the actual underground clearing, or rather the clearing enclosed by the mountain, is reached. It is a huge cave
, or rather a depression in the mountain, so that sunbeams illuminate everything - peaceful, beautiful, and impressive.
with the floating ritual knife is found next to a Canticle tree.
becomes. When seven swarms are following
, one is ready for the next step.
while standing in the bright light. Afterwards, pale as death but with enormous knowledge of the ancients, one is approached by Serana. She finally wants to get rid of this ridiculous prophecy and asks if more is known about Auriel's Bow now. And indeed, one can answer that it is located in a place called Darkfall Cave.