Netruk44/uesp-wiki-content huggingface dataset:
Lore:The Aetherium Wars

:Dedicated to  , 
:my Friend and Colleague''

 he end, when it came, was swift. In the span of three short years, the great   cities of Skyrim, from   to the  , fell before the armies of the High King. Cities that had held fast against the  s for over a hundred years crumbled abruptly and without warning.

For centuries, scholars have marveled at the sudden collapse of the Dwemer city-states. Even the Nords seem to have been taken by surprise, though their chroniclers were quick to ascribe their success to King Gellir's inspired tactics and the blessings of  .

My research suggests a much different cause, however. In the decades preceding their fall, the dwarven cities of Skyrim had been decimated by internal disputes and infighting over a most surprising cause:  .

Modern scholars know Aetherium as a rare, luminescent blue crystal found in some Dwemer ruins. Most consider it little more than a curiosity, as it has proven all but impossible to work with: while it has a strong magical aura, it is   inert, and no known process can enchant, smelt, mold, bind, or break it.

To the dwarves, of course, such problems were merely a challenge. In the years following King Harald's reign, the Dwemer discovered a considerable source of Aetherium in their deepest delvings. An alliance of four cities, led by  , the great research center in the southern  , was formed to oversee its extraction, processing, and study, and a new 'Aetherium Forge' constructed to smelt it under precisely controlled conditions.

If the inscriptions I discovered are to be believed, the results were nothing short of spectacular: the items produced by the Forge were artifacts of immense power, imbued from the moment of their creation with powerful enchantments. The dwarven alliance shattered almost immediately, as the four city-states and their rivals attempted to claim the Forge.

We can only speculate that none were successful. Decades of conflict merely weakened them all, allowing for King Gellir's subsequent conquests. And though the Dwemer reclaimed most of their lands a century later, there is no evidence that they ever resumed their research on Aetherium. Perhaps the costs had just been too great.

But nothing like   described in the inscriptions has ever been found within the borders of Skyrim. It may have been destroyed long ago, by the Nord invaders or the Dwemer themselves. Or perhaps it, like the secrets of Aetherium itself, still remains to be discovered.
Skyrim:Reaper's Lair

After emerging from Valerica's portal and following the path through the large stone wall that bisects the Soul Cairn, the building is found along the southeastern edge of the area. It is a large black ruin, similar to the other structures within the realm, but can be distinguished by the presence of a door.

The interior is very dark and barren. Lightning will occasionally strike the center of the room, illuminating the jagged walls. In the middle of the room stands a pedestal where a set of three Reaper Gem Fragments can be placed. Doing so will summon the Reaper and three bonemen. After defeating the summoned enemies, there is little to do other than loot their remains and exit the ruin.

In the center of the circle is a square grate over what appears to be a teleport well; however, there is no way of accessing the well below, which in any event does nothing.
 

Bugs
 
 
 

Gallery
Lore:Touching the Sky

any of the most dedicated   once committed themselves to a tireless journey through the   to the  . They carried with them the paramount desire to become one with their god, Auri-El. Though all set out with the determination to prove their worth, few were prepared for the trials that lay ahead. For the path to Auri-El was not without its tribulations. The pilgrims struggled not only against the natural elements of the treacherous vale, but with a myriad of tests upon their faith and loyalty.

It is told that many simply could not continue on the path for long before turning back. Some argue that the rebuke they endured upon their return was crueler than any punishment that may have lay ahead of them along the path. In their failed attempt, they were forced to live in the shadow of those who did continue on to achieve the great glory and honor of ascension into the light. Forever after, their faith and loyalty in Auri-El would be scrutinized and their remaining days filled with shame and regret.

Tales of those who reached the Inner Sanctum are not without their share of woes. It is said upon their arrival that many were mere shells of the person they had once been. Some were quite mad from sleeplessness and starved to the point of frailty. By the end of their journey, the marvel that they had strength yet to carry their vessel and ascend the stairs of the temple was the last true testament of their loyalty. Regardless of each individual's tale, the final words remain eerily similar. It is said that every pilgrim ascended, bathed in light, a look of relief and contentment on their face.
Lore:The Betrayed

nd when the Snow Prince fell to ground,  
The   divided above and below.  
Now vanquished and brutally bound,  
One moment had shattered all they did know.


 he once cool wind on their skin,  
Now replaced with the heat of the flame.  
And a pride once felt deep within,  
Forgotten along with their name.


 orn from their home of ice and frost,  
Thrown into the pitch black dread of night.  
Living in fear as their minds become lost,  
As their eyes begin dimming the light.


 hained and enslaved,  
What once was light turned to blackness.  
Alone and  ,  
Sinking deeper into madness.
Skyrim:Amulet of Bats

The Amulet of Bats is an amulet retrieved as part of the Amulets of Night Power  quest. The silver-colored chain of the amulet is made of small bones and vertebra, connected to a pendant of a bat skull, with red gems in the eye sockets; as opposed to the bronze-colored chain and green gems of the other Amulet of Night Power, the Amulet of The Gargoyle. Its enchantment has no effect when you are in human form, but causes your Vampire Lord ability Bats to drain health from nearby enemies when it used, in addition to its usual ability to allow you to dodge damage for two seconds.
Skyrim:Amulet of The Gargoyle

The Amulet of   Gargoyle  is an amulet retrieved as part of the Amulets of Night Power  quest. The chain of the amulet is made of small bones and vertebra, with a small animal skull with green jewels covering its eye sockets serving as a pendant. Its enchantment has no effect when you are in human form, but causes your Vampire Lord ability Summon Gargoyle to summon two gargoyles instead of one.
Skyrim:Ring of The Beast

The Ring of   Beast is a ring retrieved as part of the Rings of Blood Magic  quest. The ring is made of three bands of bone, with two orange jewels set into it. Its enchantment gives you 100 more health and causes your unarmed attacks to deal 20 more damage. Unlike most other rings, its bonuses will still apply when you are in Vampire Lord form.
Skyrim:Ring of the Erudite

The Ring of the Erudite is a ring retrieved as part of the Rings of Blood Magic  quest. The ring is made of three bands of bone, with two green jewels set into it. Its enchantment gives you 100 more magicka and causes you to regenerate magicka faster. Unlike most other rings, its bonuses will still apply when you are in Vampire Lord form.
Skyrim:Conjure Mistman

Conjure Mistman is an adept level Conjuration spell that summons a Mistman to aid you in combat.

 
Effects
Conjure Mistman, for 60 secs

Perks
Summoner, increase range to 48 ft at first rank or 72 ft at second rank.
Necromancy Greater duration for spell.
Dark Souls 
 

Notes
The Mistman is undead, and thus subject to spells that affect the undead.
The stats of the Mistman summoned are:
Skyrim:Conjure Wrathman

Conjure Wrathman is an expert level Conjuration spell that summons a Wrathman to aid you in combat.

 
Effects
Conjure Wrathman, for 60 secs

Perks
Summoner, increase range to 48 ft at first rank or 72 ft at second rank.
Necromancy Greater duration for spell.
Dark Souls
 

Notes
The Wrathman is undead, and thus subject to spells that affect the undead.
The Wrathman has the highest health of any summoned creature.
The stats of the Wrathman summoned are:
Skyrim:Amethyst Paragon

The Amethyst Paragon is located on a frost giant northwest of the Shrine of Learning, near the path up to the paragon platform, in the Forgotten Vale, opposite the end of the river that leads into the Darkfall Grotto. If placed into the gem holder for the Paragon Portal, it will create an opening to an area above the Darkfall Grotto, with a chest filled with leveled loot.
Skyrim:Diamond Paragon

The Diamond Paragon is found in the Forgotten Vale on a frost giant after traversing the normally accessible Glacial Crevice and before the Shrine of Radiance. Turn left up a path into mountains immediately upon departure from Glacial Crevice and before running into the second part of the Falmer's mountain homesteads. Two leveled Falmer must be killed and past their little outpost should be the frost giant, wandering about among several dead Falmer. The paragon will create an opening to an area above the Glacial Crevice if placed into the gem holder for the Paragon Portal, and it will have a single chest with leveled loot.
Skyrim:Emerald Paragon

The Emerald Paragon is held by a frost giant who is located on an area fenced off by the Falmer in the top of the canyons at Forgotten Vale. Specifically, this is in the area beyond the Shrine of Resolution, and before the Glacial Crevice. 

Go to the Shrine of Resolution.  Cross the rock bridge to the north.  Turn left, heading west, down to a Falmer camp.  Turn right and climb the canyon to a second rock bridge.  Follow the path to a Falmer bridge. Turn left and cross a third rock bridge.  Continue past Sharpslope Cave, on a one way path over more bridges.  Just before reaching the top of the western canyon, there is a fenced area to the right where the frost giant is located. Kill the giant to get the Emerald Paragon.

If placed into the gem holder for the Paragon Portal, it will create an opening to the Forgotten Vale Overlook, an area that overlooks the giant lake where Voslaarum and Naaslaarum were located. At the end of the river, there will be a leveled weapon, Unknown Book, Vol. II, and a chest near a corpse. With some tricky moves, you can reach this position from the castle balcony without the paragon.
Skyrim:Sapphire Paragon

The Sapphire Paragon is located in the Forgotten Vale. To find it, go to the area where the Amethyst Paragon was found, northwest of the Shrine of Learning, and there is a path up the mountain. At the top, turn right towards the waterfall and you should see both the frost giant with the Sapphire Paragon and the gem platform directly across the river from him. If placed into the gem holder of the Paragon Platform, it will create an opening to the Inner Sanctum, with an abundance of leveled gems, several pieces of leveled elven gear, and three chests of leveled loot.
Skyrim:Ruby Paragon

The Ruby Paragon is located on a frost giant in the Inner Sanctum of the Forgotten Vale, behind a door that can only be opened with the Initiate's Ewer. If placed into the gem holder of the Paragon Platform, it will create a portal to Forgotten Vale Forest, an area with Frost Trolls fighting a Falmer that carries an artifact, Auriel's Shield.
Skyrim:Jolf

Jolf is a Nord warrior and the ferryman for Solitude. He wears a set of farm clothes, a pair of boots, and carries an iron war axe. You can hire him to sail you to Dawnstar or Windhelm for 50 gold, or Icewater Jetty for 500 gold.
 
Dialogue
When you first speak to him, he'll ask where you'd like to go. If you tell him you want to go to Dawnstar or Windhelm, he'll say: "Climb on in the boat and get comfortable." 

After you're seated, he'll say: "You just enjoy the fresh air and leave the rowing to me." 

However, if you tell him you're interested in traveling to an island near the border to High Rock, he'll answer: ''"The one with the ruined castle? Don't you know that place is cursed? Even seasoned sailors steer far around that place."

Telling him you need to go there anyway will result in the answer: "I'll take you as far as I can, but I'm not hanging around and it's gonna cost you extra." 

He will then reluctantly tell you: "Climb on in and let's get this over with."''

If you don't have the gold he asks for, he'll be annoyed, and reply ''"You think I do this for my health? Come back when you've got the coin."''
Skyrim:Forgotten Vale Forest

Auriel's Shield can be found here.
 
Walkthrough
Exterior
The exterior to this grotto is the Forgotten Vale. This area is located far north of the main parts of the Vale and can only be accessed using the ruby paragon at the paragon platform. It transports you to the small sunken area of forest surrounded by tall rock walls.

Forgotten Vale Forest
Upon arriving, behind you is the portal that will return you to the paragon portal, between two broken pillars that were part of the original arch. There doesn't seem to be a proper path through the trees, and due to the density of the snow and trees it can be quite difficult to see any frost trolls as you approach. Use of the Detect Life spell or the Aura Whisper dragon shout can help greatly. There are up to six frost trolls found in the woods. Eventually you will encounter a Falmer Warmonger either battling some of them or having defeated them, wandering near an unlocked stone chest. The Falmer is carrying the unique Auriel's Shield and will attack as soon you are spotted. The chest is located on a rise near the southwest wall, by the remains of another arch, with a skeleton that can be looted lying on the ground in front. A flight of stairs lead down on the right towards where part of the surrounding wall overhangs, and where you are normally able to find one or two frost trolls. The only other items found within the forest are three snowberry bushes and some broken masonry.

Once you're done, just head east and you'll reach the portal.
Lore:Gellir

Gellir was a High King of Skyrim in the  . Little is known about him or his reign, except that he ruled at least several decades after  , whose reign ended in  . He led the Nords to conquer several   city-states, including  , though the Dwemer would retake them about a century later.  

Nordic chroniclers have ascribed his surprising success to inspired tactics and the blessings of  . Others assert the Dwemer were in a weakened state due to an ongoing civil war, which paved the way for Gellir's subsequent conquests.  

References
Skyrim:Dawnguard Rune Shield

:"A magical shield that when blocked with, surrounds   wielder with a holy aura that harms the undead. Might come in handy."'' — Florentius Baenius
The Dawnguard Rune Shield is a powerful shield received as part of the Lost Relic quest. When you block with this shield, an aura similar to Stendarr's Aura will appear around you that does harm to undead.
Skyrim:Dawnguard Rune Hammer

:''"A powerful warhammer imbued with magic that places warding runes on the ground to obliterate   wielder's foes."'' — Florentius Baenius
The Dawnguard Rune Hammer is a powerful warhammer received as part of the Lost Relic quest. Its enchantment gives you the unique defensive ability to create a Fire Rune by bashing with the hammer while aiming at the surface the rune is to be placed upon, however the range at which the rune can be placed is not particularly long.
Skyrim:Dawnguard Rune Axe

:"An axe imbued with magic fueled by the destruction of the unholy. With every victorious blow against an undead creature, its power grows." — Florentius Baenius
The Dawnguard Rune Axe is a powerful war axe received as part of the Lost Relic quest. It is the only artifact in the game that is a war axe.

Its enchantment deals 10 extra sun damage to undead for every 10 undead killed with the axe since the last sunrise. Consequently, the enchantment becomes more powerful the more it is used, up to a maximum of 100 extra damage. This axe can be extremely powerful against groups of undead, as the enchantment has an area of effect. It also doesn't need to be recharged with soul gems.

In addition, this axe instantly shatters any ward spells it hits.
Skyrim:Taron Dreth's Robes

Taron Dreth's Robes are a set of unique robes worn by the eponymous person. They are similar in appearance to Master Robes and carry an enchantment identical to apprentice-level destruction robes, granting the wearer fifteen points of destruction magic fortification and 75 points of magicka regeneration.

After completion of the side quest Lost to the Ages, Taron Dreth may be found wandering Skyrim. Speaking to him with an Aetherial item equipped will cause him to turn hostile and attack you, after which the robes can be looted from his corpse.
Skyrim:Sunhallowed Elven Arrow

A Sunhallowed Elven Arrow is an elven arrow that has been blessed by Knight-Paladin Gelebor. The arrows are visually similar to the elven arrows that are needed to create them, with a gray shaft instead of a golden one, and the fletchings alternating between gray and white. The quiver is similar, being a more pallid color compared to the strong golden one of normal arrows. When fired at the sun during the day with Auriel's Bow, it will cause a sunburst, doing damage to any target caught in the blast, with undead taking triple damage. It is the contemporary and counterpart of the Bloodcursed Elven Arrow.
Skyrim:Bloodcursed Elven Arrow

A Bloodcursed Elven Arrow is an elven arrow that has been tainted with the blood of a Daughter of Coldharbour, a female vampire created by Molag Bal himself. The arrows are visually similar to the elven arrows that are needed to create them, with a gray shaft instead of a golden one, with the fletchings being alternating shades of gray. The quiver is similar, being a more bleak color compared to the strong golden one of the normal arrows. When fired at the sun during the day with Auriel's Bow, it will block out its light for the rest of the day, negating the damage vampires suffer from it. It is the contemporary and counterpart of the Sunhallowed Elven Arrow.
Skyrim:Destroying the Dawnguard

Quick Walkthrough
# Speak to Garan Marethi or Fura Bloodmouth.
# Kill the Dawnguard leaders at Fort Dawnguard.
# Return to Garan or Fura.

Detailed Walkthrough
After completing Kindred Judgment, Garan Marethi or Fura Bloodmouth in Volkihar Keep may offer this quest. You will be asked to kill the leaders of the Dawnguard to "avoid an all-out war". Upon nearing Fort Dawnguard in Dayspring Canyon, several Dawnguard members will turn hostile and attack you. Make your way into the fort. It is best to try and kill the leaders as stealthily as possible because in groups they can be difficult to defeat. Isran also uses a powerful spell called Stendarr's Aura that will drain your health if you come into melee range, but only if you are a vampire. Once you have defeated the leaders of the Dawnguard, return to Garan or Fura for your reward. He or she will congratulate you on killing the leaders of the Dawnguard, but comment that the Dawnguard will still remain active even with its leaders dead.

Notes
All NPCs within Fort Dawnguard must be eliminated in order to complete this mission. There are eight in total: Agmaer, Beleval, Celann, Durak, Florentius Baenius, Gunmar, Isran, and Sorine Jurard.
It is not required that you kill the Dawnguard members patrolling outside the Fort.
During this quest, Isran is no longer considered essential and can be killed.
You can use Calm or Pacify on Sorine Jurard and Florentius Baenius to buy the new Restoration spells and bolts from them. This can be repeated until they are killed.

Bugs
 
 
Use the   console command to bypass this.

Quest Stages
Skyrim:A Jarl's Justice

Quick Walkthrough
# Speak with Isran.
# Warn the jarl of the vampire threat.
# Find and take evidence to the jarl.
#*(Alternate) Discreetly kill the Visiting Advisor and return to Isran.
# Kill the Visiting Advisor.
# Report back to Isran.

Detailed Walkthrough
After speaking with Isran, you will be sent to inform the jarl of a vampire threat within the court. After informing the jarl, you will be told to provide evidence of the threat; this can be done by pickpocketing the Visiting Advisor for his orders. The visitor can usually be found in the main court room of the jarl's hall. Return to the jarl with the note and you will be informed that you can kill the visitor with no retaliation from the guards. Alternatively, you can discreetly kill the Visiting Advisor without obtaining the note. Once the vampire lies dead, return to Isran.

Notes
The Visiting Advisor is detected by Detect Life rather than Detect Dead, despite allegedly being a vampire. He is also immune to the Sun Fire spell.
If you have a bounty in the assigned hold prior to this quest, guards will attempt to arrest you upon killing the Advisor. If the jarl has given you permission to kill the Advisor, your bounty will not increase, but you will still be pursued for any bounty you already have.
If you attempt to pickpocket the advisor and fail, he will attack you. If this occurs in front of other NPCs, they will then attack the advisor. You can use this to your advantage. For example, if the advisor is in Whiterun and you are Thane of Whiterun, you can wait until everyone in Dragonsreach is sitting down at the dining table, then pickpocket the advisor in plain view. The NPCs will kill the advisor, and you can tell the guard that you are the Thane to dismiss your crime.
If the Jarl you were to report to is deposed, including via Season Unending, this quest will automatically be completed.
It is impossible for the advisor to be at the court of Maven Black-Briar or Ulfric Stormcloak, due to their unique voice types.
Unlike other Dawnguard radiant quests, this one can only occur every twelve days at best.
If you want to complete this quest without a bounty and without adding an assault or murder to your crime statistics, try casting Frenzy while hidden.

Bugs
 
 
Save and reload the game,  or exit the building and re-enter; the advisor may show up in a different location.
Wait until the jarl goes to bed or wakes up; this will typically cause the advisor to follow or, if locked in a room, to teleport close to the jarl. (This may require you to leave and re-enter or save and reload.)
  Use the following console commands to move directly to the advisor:  . Look for the line that starts with   and note the ID in parentheses at the end of that line. Then use   and you should be taken directly to the advisor.

Quest Stages
Skyrim:Forgotten Vale Overlook

Walkthrough
Exterior
The exterior to this valley is Forgotten Vale. It can only be accessed via the Paragon Platform, using the Emerald Paragon, or by using shout Whirlwind Sprint standing on one of icebergs outside Temple Balcony.

Forgotten Vale Overlook
The portal transports you to the eastern bank of a fast flowing river in an isolated river valley. There are no enemies found here. There is a stone arch forming the portal allowing you to return directly to the paragon platform, with fallen masonry all around. The river is wide, but also fast flowing with many rock lying in the water causing rapids. Both of the riverbanks are cluttered with further masonry and fallen trees. Head downstream, by staying on the eastern bank and out of the water, to avoid being swept over the falls accidentally. Just to the right of where the falls go over the edge is a small area of land, where you will find a skeleton lying beside an unlocked stone chest, with an elven enchanted greatsword, a quiver of elven arrows, a random enchanted bow and Unknown Book, Vol. II all on the ground on the other side of the chest. Looking up towards the northwest and you'll see part of the Inner sanctum on top of cliffs above you.