Darkness Returns

Darkness Returns is a quest available in in which the Dragonborn must return the Skeleton Key to the Twilight Sepulcher and fulfil their oath to Nocturnal.
==Background==
With the Skeleton Key of Nocturnal safely in my possession, I'm bound for the Twilight Sepulcher to return it to its resting place.
==Objectives==
#Enter the Twilight Sepulcher
#Speak to the Nightingale Sentinel
#Follow the Pilgrim's Path
#Retrieve Nystrom's Journal (optional)
#Return the Skeleton Key to Ebonmere
#Listen to Nocturnal
#Speak to Karliah
#Choose Nightingale Role
==Walkthrough==
To complete this quest, the Dragonborn must take the Pilgrim's Path to the Twilight Sepulcher in order to put the Skeleton Key back where it belongs. As the Sepulcher is entered, the ghost of Gallus Desidenius, the Nightingale murdered by Mercer Frey, is encountered. He warns the Dragonborn that, because the Key is missing, the other ghosts have been corrupted and are now hostile. When asked about the obstacles to reaching the Ebonmere Lock, he advises to look for a journal that belonged to another adventurer, Nystrom. His skeleton is to the east of Gallus.
Nystrom's journal holds some clues to the trials:
"Shadows of their former selves, sentinels of the dark. They wander ever more and deal swift death to defilers."
"Above all they stand, vigilance everlasting. Beholden the murk yet contentious of the glow."
"Offer what She desires most, but reject the material. For her greatest want is that which cannot be seen, felt or carried."
"Direct and yet indirect. The path to salvation a route of cunning with fortune betraying the foolish."
"The journey is complete, the Empress's embrace awaits the fallen. Hesitate not if you wish to gift her your eternal devotion."
Nystrom also says that the man who gave him the clues mumbled nonsensical phrases like "night is the new day" and how he was the "ghost of the sun."
===First trial - Sentinels===
"Shadows of their former selves, sentinels of the dark. They wander ever more and deal swift death to defilers."
The first trial is facing the shadows of their former selves, sentinels of the dark - Nightingale ghosts, hostile and powerful. Either sneak past or kill them. If they are killed, there is valuable loot on both sides of this area.
When entering the first trials room, it is relatively easy to sneak attack the Nightingale Sentinel with a bow as they are directly in front of the Dragonborn when they enter. Then they can continue on to the next trial or, in the chance of receiving more loot, kill the other sentinels.
In the room on the left, with the alchemy lab, there is a desk. A button located under the desk and to the left of the chair opens a secret door in the same room revealing moderate loot.
===Second trial - Light versus dark===
"Above all they stand, vigilance everlasting. Beholden the murk yet contentious of the glow."
For the second trial, night is the new day: avoid the light and stay on the darkest path. One can enter sneak and go through the mist. Standing or moving through the lit areas will cause large amounts of damage, which not even Become Ethereal can avert, since the damage is scripted to be taken without any magic effect. Watch for trip wires when going up the staircases. During this trial there are no enemies. Candlelight and Magelight spells can also help if having trouble finding the way around, as their own lights are not harmful in this area.
===Third trial - Hidden door===
"Offer what She desires most, but reject the material. For her greatest want is that which cannot be seen, felt or carried."
For the third trial, in the room with the statue and a dead bandit lying in front of it, there are two large sconces to either side of the statue. To the left of the left hand sconce there is a chain, and at the right hand side of the right sconce there is a second chain. Pull the two chains to put out the lights of the sconces, so giving her (Nocturnal) what she desires most (darkness). The door behind the statue will then open.
===Fourth trial - Sentinels versus traps===
"Direct and yet indirect. The path to salvation a route of cunning with fortune betraying the foolish."
For the fourth trial, there are some options:
*The hallway traps can be avoided altogether; there is a Master locked iron door to the left before the first hallway (with the swinging axes) that can be used to avoid the traps (open it with the Skeleton Key). If you do this, skip the next two steps.
*If you go straight ahead through the traps, step carefully, using Whirlwind Sprint or Become Ethereal. The swinging axes can transmit diseases, even to a werewolf or vampire.
*Open the next door from the side; it hides a swinging battering ram. Do not go through the door to the west just yet; it leads to the next area. Turn south and continue.
*In the next room, kill the sentinels and loot the pit. Among other things it contains two skill books: Proper Lock Design (on the southern table) and Sacred Witness.
After looting the entire area, proceed north to Twilight Sepulcher - Inner Sanctum. Very soon, there is a point of no return; be sure you have looted everything you want before proceeding.
===Fifth trial - The inner sanctum===
"The journey is complete, the Empress's embrace awaits the fallen. Hesitate not if you wish to gift her your eternal devotion."
As you proceed through the Twilight Sepulcher - Inner Sanctum, you will come to a steep pit. This is the point of no return; when you are done here, the first part of the Twilight Sepulcher will be sealed. Fall into the pit and search Anders' skeleton; read the message. Wait a few seconds until the Skeleton Key reacts. The ground will disappear and you will fall. When you land, place the Skeleton Key into the Ebonmere Lock. That will summon Nocturnal, who will bid the Dragonborn to drink from the Ebonmere, "for this is where the Agent of Nocturnal is born."
"My, my. What do we have here? It's been a number of years since I've set foot on your world. Or perhaps it's been moments. One tends to lose track. So... once again the Key has been stolen and a "champion" returns it to the Sepulcher. Now that Ebonmere has been restored, you stand before me awaiting your accolades; a pat on your head... a kiss on your cheek. What you fail to realize is your actions were expected and represent nothing more than the fulfillment of your agreement. Don't mistake my tone for displeasure, after all, you've obediently performed your duties to the letter. But we both know this has little to do with honor and oaths and loyalty. It's about the reward; the prize. Fear not. You'll have your trinkets, your desire for power, your hunger for wealth. I bid you to drink deeply from the Ebonmere, mortal. For this is where the Agent of Nocturnal is born. The Oath has been struck, the die has been cast and your fate awaits you in the Evergloam. Farewell, Nightingale. See to it the Key stays this time, won't you?"
Then speak to Karliah, and she explains the choice that must be made between the Agent of Strife, Subterfuge and Stealth. To pick one, step on the corresponding moon. They give greater Powers, usable once a day only. The Dragonborn can later choose to change the chosen power after a day so there is little pressure in choosing the best ability. Next, talk to Karliah. After Karliah is spoken to, Gallus' ghost will appear and they will speak shortly before he goes to Evergloam. Karliah then goes back to Nightingale Hall. The Dragonborn can then leave through the southern portal.
==Powers==
Nightingale of Shadows
*The crescent moon represents this power, which makes the Dragonborn the master of remaining unseen. Once a day they can become invisible while crouching for 120 seconds, much like The Shadow Stone.
Nightingale Subterfuge
*The half moon represents this power, which allows the use of shadow to cloud the judgment of those around them. Once a day, it can be activated for 30 seconds in order to make people and creatures in the spell's area of effect attack anyone nearby.
Nightingale Strife
*The full moon represents this power, which, when used, instantly absorbs 100 Health points from the target. This power can also be used once a day. Will go through the target and hit others.
==Journal==
Darkness Returns – TG09	Darkness Returns – TG09
ID 	Journal Entry
10 	
With the Skeleton Key of Nocturnal safely in my possession, I'm bound for the Twilight Sepulcher to return it to its resting place.
*Objective 10: Enter the Twilight Sepulcher
20 	
*Objective 20: Speak to the Nightingale Sentinel
30 	
Within the Twilight Sepulcher, I happened upon the spirit of Gallus, the Nightingale murdered by Mercer Frey. He warned me that removing the key from its resting place has corrupted the other resident Nightingale Guardian Spirits, distorting their morality and making them incredibly hostile.
*Objective 30: Follow the Pilgrim's Path
40 	
*Objective 25: (Optional) Retrieve Nystrom's Journal
*Objective 40: Return the Skeleton Key to the Ebonmere
50 	
*Objective 50: Listen to Nocturnal
60 	
*Objective 60: Speak to Karliah
70 	
*Objective 70: Choose Nightingale Role
200 	
I've returned the Skeleton Key to its proper resting place within the Twilight Sepulcher and encountered Nocturnal herself. As a reward for my actions, she allowed me to become a true Nightingale Agent and imbued me with the appropriate ability befitting my station.
*Quest completed
==Trivia==
*The Pilgrim's Path contains plentiful loot, including skill books, potions, and soul gems. It becomes inaccessible once the key is used to open Ebonmere.
*It is recommended to not return the Skeleton Key until either reaching the Unbreakable lockpick perk, or are able to become the Thieves Guild Guildmaster, as the Skeleton Key must be returned to do that.
*Should the unnamed ghosts be lured to Gallus he will not help fight.
*During the first test there is a secret door in the room with the Nightingale sitting down. It can be opened by pressing the button on the floor to the left of the seat under the table.
*After the completion of this quest, a shrine to Nocturnal will appear in the Thieves Guild Cistern. It gives the Blessing of Nocturnal, which makes the Dragonborn 10% harder to detect for seven hours.
*In the second trial, only the light from the sconces can damage the Dragonborn, so torches, Magelight, or Candlelight can still be used. 
*The console command TGM (toggle god mode) does not prevent damage from the light sources in the second trial.
==Bugs==
*After Nocturnal is done speaking, the quest marker will follow her into the Ebonmere instead of moving to Karliah, so that she cannot be spoken to. Re-loading from before returning the Key to the Ebonmere can fix this. If this does not fix the quest, you may need to quit the game and restart to fix the quest.
*This quest may be removed from the quest menu. Enter the Twilight Sepulcher to continue the quest.
*When using the portal to the entrance, the Dragonborn may fall through the floor of the game to nothingness and die on the spot.
*Sometimes Karliah, when spoken to, will only respond with "yes, fellow Nightingale?" And you will be unable to complete the quest. Reload last save to continue.
* When returning to the Twilight Sepulcher, the Ebonmere will be shut and the moon symbols will have vanished. It is still possible to change blessings of Nocturnal, but one will be unable to tell where they are.
* After inserting the Skeleton Key into the Ebonmere Lock, Nocturnal may appear momentarily before disappearing. The quest objective to speak with her will be completed, despite her never having spoken.
==Achievements==
==Appearances==
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de:Die Rückkehr der Finsternis
es:El regreso de las tinieblas
ru:Возвращение сумерек
it:Il Ritorno dell'Oscurità