Sinderion ' s Field Journal Content . 4E 58 Second Seed , Middas I ' ve spent a large portion of my life unraveling the mystery of the nirnroot and yet I still feel unfulfilled . The trilling sound this strange herb emits seems to taunt me , to push me even harder to discover its secrets . Even after a generous and indomitable traveler became a field collector in my stead , and provided me with five score of the nirnroot , I was only able to muster what I consider a mediocre alchemical creation at best . This only served to strengthen my hunger and whet my appetite for the solution . It wasn ' t until over fifty years later that the answer to my prayers was carried into my basement workshop at the West Weald Inn . The first thing I heard was the familiar tone - that unmistakable warble unique to the nirnroot . But when I turned around , my heart leapt and a chill ran down my spine . This was indeed a nirnroot , but of a variety the likes of which I have never seen . The herb was awash in a spectacular array of red hues , each leaf seemingly emblazoned with innumerable variations of crimson . I couldn ' t move - I was completely transfixed . Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined a species of nirnroot with such a unique property . After an awkward silence , I finally managed to stammer out a few questions to the traveler who ' d brought me this treasure . He told me his name was Obeth Arnesian , a treasure - seeker from Skyrim . Apparently , he ' d been exploring a vast subterranean network of grand caverns called Blackreach and had stumbled across what he dismissed as " a noisy red weed . " His expedition was largely unsuccessful and he didn ' t want to leave the caves empty - handed , so Obeth picked one of the crimson nirnroot to bring home . He said that it took some time , but eventually he was pointed my way and that perhaps I ' d pay a fair price for it . Before I could gather my wits and ask anything else , Obeth offered to sell me the crimson nirnroot sample , a map showing me how to find Blackreach and the strange key needed to breach its outer defenses . It took me mere moments to decide . Obeth left Skingrad a thousand septims richer , but I would have easily paid ten times that amount to obtain the sample alone . It took a year of planning , but I was able to pack up and sell my workshop and make my way into Skyrim . Before delving headfirst into Blackreach , I knew I needed to set up a new laboratory , but wished to do so in seclusion . After making inquiries at the College of Winterhold , of which I was an honorary member , I was directed to speak to Avrusa Sarethi , a student of botanical alchemy who had a small farm near the city of Riften . By bartering my knowledge of nirnroot cultivation , I was able to secure Sarethi Farm as a launching point for my field research . I kept the knowledge of the crimson nirnroot a secret from Avrusa , but imparted everything else I knew to her in exchange for her hospitality . A few months passed , but I was finally ready to enter Blackreach . I used the Attunement Sphere that Obeth had provided and descended into the depths . My goal was to gather enough crimson nirnroot to produce my greatest alchemical creation to date - I was certain it would take at least thirty of them to provide the necessary catalyst . This brings me to the present . My initial research seems to indicate that the crimson nirnroot has a similar affinity for moisture as the garden variety , but also maintains some sort of symbiotic relationship with the enormous fungi that inhabits Blackreach . It ' s my guess that the fungi itself is a source of water , absorbing it from the moist subterranean air like a sponge . This provides the ideal environment for the nirnroot to grow . Unfortunately , the crimson nirnroot appears to have a vastly shortened lifespan , and they are in no way plentiful down here . Gathering thirty of them will be quite the challenge , but hopefully the denizens of Blackreach will allow me to gather my samples unhindered .