Skyrim: Lost to the Ages Quest Guide (Walkthrough)

Of the many side quests and optional activities that Skyrim players can get lost in, Dawnguard‘s “Lost to the Ages” is one of the most captivating and well-designed optional adventures on which fans shouldn’t miss out. To initiate the quest, one must either read the book “The Aetherium Wars,” go directly to the quest’s starting location, Arkngthamz, or collect one of the quest items by chance. For a more immersive Skyrim experience, begin by reading the book, which can be found randomly or in one of its guaranteed spawn locations. The most accessible place to acquire “The Aetherium Wars” is at the Bards College in Solitude, on a small bookcase in the room right of the entrance.

Arkngthamz is a Dwemer Ruin located within the Jerall Mountains to the far southeast of Markath. Once inside, players will encounter Katria, a ghost NPC. After some dialogue, the Dragonborn will press deeper into the cavernous Skyrim dungeon, fighting hostile Falmer along the way. It should be noted that, as Falmer are blind, they are weak to Sneaking, meaning that players can easily land a sneak attack on the vile creatures.

While exploring the ruin, players will come into a large, naturally lit grotto. While in this area, be sure to grab Katria’s Zephyr, one of the fastest bows in the game. It can be found sitting at the tip of a fallen log overlooking the chasm below. Progress through the dungeon to encounter one of Skyrim‘s challenging puzzles. Above a locked door sits five Resonators, contraptions that will activate if shot with an arrow or spell projectile. If Skyrim fans hit any of them in the wrong order, various traps will trigger that will either awaken enemies or cause ballistae to fire from above at the player. To solve the puzzle shoot the Resonators in the following order: bottom left, bottom right, top left, top right, center. Inside, players will find one of four Aetherium Shards, quest items required to progress “Lost to the Ages.“

How to Complete Lost to the Ages Quest in Skyrim

To get the next shard, head to Mzulft, a Dwemer ruin located along the western side of the mountains of Eastmarch. Inside, players can either unlock the Expert-locked gate in the middle or the two Apprentice-locked doors to the right. Retrieve the fragment locked within and then travel to Raldbthar, west of the city of Windhelm in Skyrim, to find the third Aetherium Shard. Raldbthar is full of traps and enemies, so be adequately prepared. After venturing through its long, perilous hallways, players will encounter a drawbridge surrounded by giant cogs jammed with bones and debris. Remove the items obstructing the gears to unlock the bridge, and be sure to also tend to the set of cogs hidden below the water.

After collecting the next shard, go to Deep Folk Crossing north of Markath. The fragment is very easy to get as it’s located above the ground. Finally, go to the Ruins of Bthalft located southeast of Ivarstead and use the Aetherium Shards to enter the Forge below. In the dungeon’s final arena, players will face several Dwarven enemy types before fighting the Forgemaster, the boss guardian of Skyrim‘s Forge. Once all the enemies have been defeated, players can use the materials in the chests nearby to forge their reward for completing “Lost to the Ages.”

• Aetherial Shield: bashing an enemy turns them temporarily into a ghost
• Aetherial Crown: allows players to possess two Standing Stone powers
• Aetherial Staff: summons a Dwarven Spider or Sphere for 60 seconds

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.

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