Online:Blood of the Reach

Search for the Arkthzand Keystone. Zone: The Reach This quest is part of the Zone Story Quest Giver: Gwendis at the North Markarth Wayshrine, Count Verandis Ravenwatch at Understone Keep Location(s): Blackreach: Arkthzand Cavern, Bthar-Zel, Bthar-Zel Vaults, Markarth, Understone Keep Previous Quest: The Despot of Markarth Next Quest: The Study of Souls Reward: Guardian's Edge 1 Skill Point Very High Leveled Gold XP Gain: Very High XP ID: 6551

Silver Vaults of Bthar-Zel

Count Verandis wants to see me in Understone Keep in Markarth. He wants to discuss how we deal with the Gray Host, and I still need to tell him about the Dwarven relic Lady Belain seeks—the Arkthzand Keystone.

Quick Walkthrough

1. Talk to Nolovan in his shop.
2. Find the rebels.
3. Seal a pact with Arana.
4. Search for Bthar-Zel.
5. Find the Arkthzand Keystone.
6. Talk to Count Verandis Ravenwatch.

Detailed Walkthrough

Verandis is intrigued by this "Arkthzand Keystone" Rada al-Saran mentioned during the meeting you overheard. He asks you to investigate while he searches for the rebels. He points you towards Nolovan, a Reachman who is obsessed with Dwarven scrap. He owns a shop in southeastern Markarth, near the wayshrine. Head on over there and ask him if he knows anything about the Arkthzand Keystone. He says that you may be able to find something related to what you seek in Bthar-Zel. You can either purchase a map that leads to Bthar-Zel from him for 69 gold, or you can do a simple job for him in exchange for the map.

If you decide to run an errand for Nolovan, you'll need to exit Markarth's eastern gate and follow the river to the southeast. Cross the bridge south of the North Markarth Wayshrine and head towards the circle of three houses. The Package for Nolovan is on a table in the abandoned house at the base of the southern cliff. Once you've retrieved the package, return to Nolovan in his shop and exchange it for the Bthar-Zel Map. As you go to leave the store, you'll find Gwendis near the exit. She tells you that Verandis made contact with the rebels, and that you can find them at Rebel's Retreat, an old Nord ruin in the center of the Reach. Verandis would like to speak with you, so you should make haste.

Search for Arana's ritual components

Head across the river from the Rebel's Retreat Wayshrine and climb the stairs up the ruin. Arana, her bodyguard, and Verandis are standing near the general goods store. Speak with Arana. She agrees to assist you, but insists that she performs a ritual to see if the spirits will bless your alliance. She asks you to collect a few components needed for the ritual: a briar heart seed, a Hagraven's eye, and a handful of bright river-shale.

You can find the Briar Heart Seed in the hills south of Rebel's Retreat, at the Cinder-Heart Clan Camp. The Bright River-Shale is located along the river bank to the northwest. The rock is guarded by a spriggan and a mudcrab. You can recover a Hagraven Eye east of Rebel's Retreat and northwest of the Harrowed Haunt Ritual Site. A hagraven named Antra lives there, and keeps one of her eyes in a jar to perform rituals. Once you have all three components, return to Arana. She instructs you to throw the components into the ritual fire she's started. Once you do, she calls to Hircine to seal your alliance. The a pillar of flame erupts from the fire pit, and the image of the Serpent constellation forms in the cloud of smoke. The pact is sealed, and now you need to investigate the three locations marked on the map to Bthar-Zel.

Form an alliance with the rebels

The first location is just northeast of the North Markarth Wayshrine. A plaque depicting the Thief constellation is located here. The second location is a ways north of the first location, north of the Arkthzand Great Lift and east of the Black-Moon Clan Camp. A plaque depicting the Mage constellation is located here. The third location lies northwest of the second; east of the Druadach Mountains Wayshrine and north of the Black-Moon Clan Camp. Here, you'll find a plaque depicting the Warrior constellation. After you investigate all three plaques, Arana has an epiphany. She realizes that the positions of the three plaques form most of the Serpent constellation. She points out the space where the Serpent's "head" should be on the map, and says that there may be another plaque at this location. To find the Serpent's "head", you'll need to head north of the Druadach Mountains Wayshrine, towards Deep Folk Crossing.

At Deep Folk Crossing, you'll see a puzzle consisting of three Dwarven puzzle cubes. You'll want the correct symbols facing towards the stairs leading up to the top of the platform they're set upon. You'll want the Warrior showing on the cube in the center (interact with it three times), the Thief pointing forward on the cube to the right (interact with it three times), and the Mage pointing forward on the cube to the left (interact with it twice). Once a cube is in the correct position, it begins glowing blue. The door to Bthar-Zel will appear once all the cubes are facing in the correct direction, and Arana will experience a piercing headache. Speak with Verandis, and then proceed into Bthar-Zel.

You're going to want to head east from the entrance, towards the center of the ruins. You should find yourself in a large chamber reminiscent of a city square, complete with some kind of forge. Once you enter this room, head south to reach Bthar-Zel's Vault. There's silver in the vault, which the rebel's crafters can use to forge weapons for use against the Gray Host. Navigate the vault and enter the keystone chamber. When you approach the keystone's chamber, you'll see Verandis and Gwendis in the chamber. Rada al-Saran appears and freezes them in place, allowing Lady Belain to take the keystone. The Dwarven Dynastor drops from the ceiling. Defeat the Dynastor and head up the lift to the south to enter Blackreach. This is where you and Arana will part ways, for the moment. She needs to head back up to the surface to send her crafters to retrieve the silver you found.

You should head west and look for Verandis, who is just outside. Rada al-Saran and Lady Belain escaped across the river, and were heading towards the Dwarven structure in the distance. Gwendis insists on pursuing them, and disappears in a cloud of red mist. Speak with Verandis to plan your next step.

Quest Stages

Blood of the Reach
Finishes Quest	Journal Entry
	I need to return to Understone Keep in Markarth and talk to Verandis. Objective: Talk to Count Verandis Ravenwatch
	Verandis suggested that a local scrap dealer named Nolovan might be able to help us get a lead on the Arkthzand Keystone. While I find him in the southeast section of the city, Verandis plans to meet with Arana and the rebels. Objective: Go to Nolovan's Scrap House
	Now that I'm inside Nolovan's Scrap House, I should ask the proprietor about the Arkthzand Keystone. Objective: Talk to Nolovan
	Nolovan thinks I may be able to find the Arkthzand Keystone in the ruins of Bthar-Zel. He has a map, but I need to buy it or complete a simple job for him to obtain it. Objective: Obtain the Map Objective Hint: Bribe Nolovon for Map Objective Hint: Gather Nolovan's Package Objective Hint: Bring Package to Nolovan
	Nolovan provided me with a map that may lead us to the keystone. Now I should exit the scrap house and find Verandis. Objective: Exit Nolovan's Scrap House
	As I was leaving the scrap house, Gwendis of the Ravenwatch showed up. I should talk to her. Objective: Talk to Gwendis
	Gwendis told me that Verandis made contact with Arana's rebels. She wants me to join him at the Reachfolk's main encampment, Rebel's Retreat. Objective: Go to Rebel's Retreat
	I arrived at Rebel's Retreat. Verandis wants me to talk to Arana. I should speak to her. Objective: Talk to Arana
	Arana intends to conduct a ritual to seek the blessing of Hircine for our alliance. I need to gather the components she needs for the ritual—a briar heart seed, a hagraven's eye, and bright river-shale. Objective: Gather Ritual Components Hidden Objective: Find a Briar Heart Seed Hidden Objective: Find a Hagraven Eye Hidden Objective: Find Bright River-Shale
	I gathered the ritual components as Arana requested. I should return to Rebel's Retreat and deliver them to her. Objective: Talk to Arana
	I should place the components into the fire to begin Arana's ritual. Objective: Begin the Ritual Hidden Objective: Interact with Fire
	I should stand back as Arana performs the ritual. Objective: Observe the Ritual
	Arana performed the ritual, binding the Ravenwatch and her rebels together in the battle against the Gray Host. I should speak with her about what comes next. Objective: Talk to Arana Optional Step: Talk to Count Verandis Ravenwatch Optional Step: Talk to Arana
	The map I acquired in Markarth indicates that three locations hold the secret to finding the entrance to Bthar-Zel. Arana and I should go to these locations and look for clues. Objective: Investigate Map Locations
	I think Arana may have figured out how to interpret the map. I should talk to her. Objective: Talk to Arana
	Arana told me where to find the entrance to Bthar-Zel. I should make my way to the hidden entrance. Objective: Find the Entrance to Bthar-Zel
	We located the entrance to Bthar-Zel, but it appears to be locked behind some sort of elaborate lock. I must solve this puzzle to enter the Dwarven ruin. Objective: Open the Door to Bthar-Zel
	Arana and I must enter Bthar-Zel to look for the Arkthzand Keystone while Verandis and Gwendis search another section of the ruin. Objective: Enter Bthar-Zel
	I should talk to Count Verandis before I enter Bthar-Zel. Optional Step: Talk to Count Verandis Ravenwatch
	We entered the Dwarven ruin of Bthar-Zel. Verandis and Gwendis went off to search on their own. Now Arana and I need to see if these ruins really contain the Arkthzand Keystone. Objective: Search for the Arkthzand Keystone
	I should continue my search for the Arkthzand Keystone in Bthar-Zel. Objective: Search for the Arkthzand Keystone
	Verandis and Gwendis encountered Rada al-Saran and Lady Belain. Unfortunately, I'm too far away to intervene. I should watch to see what happens. Objective: Observe the Encounter
	Rada al-Saran and Lady Belain snatched the keystone away from Verandis and Gwendis, which triggered some sort of alarm. Now I must fight an enormous Dwarven automaton to escape Bthar-Zel. Objective: Defeat the Dwarven Dynastor
	There's nothing more to accomplish here. Arana and I should make our way out of the ruins of Bthar-Zel. Objective: Exit Bthar-Zel
	We exited Bthar-Zel, but Lady Belain wound up with the Arkthzand Keystone. I should talk to Arana and see what she thinks we should do now. Objective: Talk to Arana
Finishes quest	Arana is returning to prepare her rebels for war. I should find Verandis and determine what we should do next. Objective: Talk to Count Verandis Ravenwatch

Notes

* Any text displayed in angle brackets (e.g., <Alias=LocationHold>) is dynamically set by the game and will be filled in with the appropriate word(s) when seen in game.

• Not all Journal Entries may appear in your journal; which entries appear and which entries do not depends on the manner in which the quest is done.
• Stages are not always in order of progress. This is usually the case with quests that have multiple possible outcomes or quests where certain tasks may be done in any order. Some stages may therefore repeat objectives seen in other stages.

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