Completing Vahtacen's Secret Quest in Oblivion: A Guide to Solving

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In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, some quests are quite simple, while others can be more demanding. For example, you might find yourself battling fish for their scales in one side quest, then solving a tricky puzzle in another.

One of the more difficult quests is Vahtacen’s Secret, which includes a puzzle that can be surprising, especially after more straightforward tasks like eliminating necromancers or delivering books. Fortunately, this puzzle isn’t overly complicated!

Starting Vahtacen’s Secret Quest

To access the Vahtacen’s Secret quest, you must complete the Mage’s Guild quest line. This involves earning commendations from various guild halls in Cyrodill and finally joining the Arcane University. This quest follows the ‘Ulterior Motives’ quest, where you encounter the Count of Skingrad.

The quest kicks off by speaking with Raminus Polus after completing ‘Ulterior Motives.’ Next, you’ll want to consult Irlav Jarol at the Arcane University, where Raminus is also located. He will direct you to the Vahtacen ruins, the primary location for this quest.

Getting to Vahtacen

The Vahtacen ruins are situated south of Cheydinhal, east of the Imperial City. You can find them at the end of the Reed River if you follow it northeast.

Completing Vahtacen’s Secret Quest

Upon entering Vahtacen, you’ll navigate a tunnel before reaching the ruins themselves. Speak to Skaleel, a mage in the first chamber, to progress. She will mention a pillar deeper in the ruins and provide you with a key to access that area.

Solving the Vahtacen Pillar Puzzle

As you delve deeper into the ruins, locate and converse with the mage Denel regarding the pillar they’ve been attempting to unlock. Proceed to the room containing the pillar and examine the four tablets on the walls located in each corner. Afterward, discuss a book with Denel to aid in translating them.

He’ll inform you that Skaleel possesses a book that can translate the tablets surrounding the pillar. Return to her to acquire the book and hand it over to Denel. He will then have additional dialogue options to interpret each tablet.

If you lack the necessary spells for the puzzle, you’ll find spell scrolls in the chest near Denel. If you’ve exhausted these, you can purchase them from the Mage’s Guilds or step outside the ruins and wait four to five days for the chest to reset.

You need to cast target or touch spells on the pillar in the correct order and with the right effects to unlock it. Here’s the breakdown of the tablets and their meanings:

‘Av Molag Anyammis’ means ‘From Fire, Life’: Cast a fire spell.
‘Av Mafre Nagaia’ means ‘From Frost, Death’: Cast a frost spell.
‘Magicka Loria’ means ‘Magicka Darkens’: Cast a damage Magicka spell.
‘Magicka Sila’ means ‘Magicka Shines’: Cast a fortify Magicka spell.

Acquiring the Ancient Elven Helm

Once you’ve successfully cast all the spells in the appropriate order on the pillar, it will open completely. Chat with Denel and Skaleel before venturing deeper into the ruins. The remainder of the ruins will resemble a typical Ayleid ruin, featuring leveled enemies, traps, buttons, and pressure plates.

In the final chamber, a large room awaits with an elevated platform situated in the center. Head to the back of the room and locate the button to activate the mechanism that raises the stairs. On top of this platform, you will find another button. Press it to reveal the Ancient Elven Helm.

Return to Skaleel with the Ancient Elven Helm and speak with her. She will instruct you to report back to Irlav Jarol at the Arcane University. Doing so will complete the quest and continue the Mage’s Guild quest line.