In The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, you’ll interact with various characters to help improve the world of Cyrodiil. However, you also have the option to create chaos and support the schemes of Daedra worshippers across Tamriel. Your true intentions may not be clear until you’re deep into the action.
Specifically, when it comes to the Crimson Cave, it’s evident that you’re tracking a perilous cult. We’ll guide you on how to find the necessary notes and sleeper agent to lead you to the cave and complete your initiation—unless you prefer to dismantle them from the inside.
Where to Find the Burning Trail Notes
Before you reach the Crimson Cave, you’ll undertake the Burning Trail quest. In this quest, you’ll need to follow a hidden trail of notes across Cyrodiil to uncover a secretive Mythic Dawn agent.
You need to find four Mythic Dawn Pamphlets, which are located in the following areas:
Simply read the pamphlets to advance; there’s no need to collect them.
|
Note Number |
Location |
|---|---|
|
Mythic Dawn Pamphlet 1 |
On a barrel in Talos Plaza, Imperial City. |
|
Mythic Dawn Pamphlet 2 |
At the back of a tree, following the gaze of the wolf statue at Hircine’s Shrine. |
|
Mythic Dawn Pamphlet 3 |
Near the Molag Bal shrine, oriented towards the sun. |
|
Mythic Dawn Pamphlet 4 |
Inside the basin of the Lady Luck statue in Bravil. |
Once you’ve collected the notes, head to the Lonely Suitor Lodge and talk to the innkeeper about finding a reserved Dunmer. He’ll direct you to Ranaline, who resides not far from the Lady Luck statue.
Speak with her to receive a set of Mythic Dawn Robes, a Mythic Dawn hood, and directions to the pyre.
If Ranaline seems clueless about your inquiries, try the persuasion minigame to improve her mood. Offering gold as a bribe can also be effective.
Should You Light the Pyre?
Make your way back to Hircine’s Shrine and head south to Mingo Cave. Ensure you wear the Mythic Dawn attire before entering; otherwise, the cultists will turn hostile and attack you on sight.
Inside, the typical cave structure has been transformed into a Mythic Dawn hideout. You can converse with the cultists if you wish, but aim to delve deeper to find an Imperial Guard locked in a cage, flanked by two cult leaders and a Dremora.
Talk to the Dremora, known as Mehrune’s Harbinger, who will inform you that the privilege of lighting the pyre is yours. You need to interact with the cage to carry out this act and incinerate the guard.
It’s important to note that while you can eliminate the cultists, there’s no actual way to free the guard.
If you opt to slay the cultists, Mehrune’s Harbinger will commend you for bringing down those unworthy of serving the Daedric lord. Alternatively, for those who prefer to maintain a good rapport with the cult, you can choose to simply harm the guard, which might be easier to manage. However, many virtuous heroes from Kvatch might feel compelled to eradicate the cult.
Regardless of your choice, the quest wraps up after talking again with the Dremora. She will grant you a spell called Summon Mehrunes’ Harbinger. This conjuration spell has no cost and can be activated at any time to call her forth.
Once you summon her, speak with her to claim your rewards, which will be plentiful.
How to Get Cataclysm Armor and Weapons
After summoning your new Dremora ally, you can request weapons and armor from the Cataclysm set. These items exceed normal crafting abilities, so you’ll need to converse with her to obtain enhanced sets as you progress. You can ask her for the following items at any time:
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Category |
Cataclysm Items |
|---|---|
|
Armor |
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|
Weapons |
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To obtain the matching Cataclysm Horse Armor, visit Snak gra-Bura at the stables outside the Imperial City. While it’s unclear how she knows how to craft it, the armor is both sleek and Daedric in design.
