How to Start the Mephala Quest in Skyrim: A Comprehensive Guide
The Daedric quest “The Whispering Door” in Skyrim is a fan favorite, primarily due to the reward: the infamous Ebony Blade. However, getting this quest to trigger can be a bit of a puzzle. Simply put, to initiate “The Whispering Door,” you need to reach level 20, complete the main quest “Dragon Rising,” and then gather rumors from Hulda (or another innkeeper) at the Bannered Mare in Whiterun, eventually leading you to Jarl Balgruuf with questions about his children. Now, let’s dive into the specifics.
Unlocking the Gateway to Darkness
The most common frustration players encounter is that the quest simply won’t start. The key factors are your character’s level and progression through the main storyline. Forget trying to charm your way into it early; level 20 is a hard requirement. Think of it as Mephala testing your mettle. Also, “Dragon Rising” introduces you to dragons in the game, this also needs to be complete.
Essential Steps:
- Reach Level 20: No shortcuts here. Grind through quests, explore dungeons, and hone your skills until you hit the required level.
- Complete “Dragon Rising”: This quest marks a significant point in the main storyline. You’ll know you’ve completed it when you’re recognized as the Dragonborn by the Greybeards.
- Head to Whiterun: The Bannered Mare inn is your starting point. Locate Hulda, the innkeeper. If Hulda is not available, speak to Ysolda.
- Gather Rumors: This is where it gets a bit tricky. The dialogue option “Heard any rumors lately?” needs to appear. If it doesn’t, keep trying at different times of day. Buy a drink, rent a room, and exhaust all other dialogue options first. Sometimes, simply leaving and re-entering the inn can refresh the dialogue.
- Follow the Lead: Hulda (or your chosen innkeeper) will eventually mention that the Jarl’s children are acting strangely.
- Speak to Jarl Balgruuf: Go to Dragonsreach and talk to the Jarl. Inquire about his children.
- Investigate: The Jarl will direct you to investigate the disturbances, officially kicking off “The Whispering Door.”
Troubleshooting Tips
- Patience is Key: Sometimes, the rumor trigger is just stubborn. Keep trying the rumor option with the innkeeper over multiple in-game days.
- Check for Other Quests: Occasionally, another questline can interfere. Temporarily pausing other quests and focusing on the “Dragon Rising” storyline can help.
- Console Commands (PC Only): As a last resort, if you’re on PC, you can use console commands. Open the console (usually the
~key) and typesetstage DA08 10. This command will manually advance the quest to the first stage. Use this only if you’ve confirmed you meet the level and quest prerequisites, as it can potentially break the quest if used incorrectly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About “The Whispering Door”
1. Why is the “Heard any rumors lately?” option not appearing?
This is the most common issue. Ensure you’re level 20 or higher and have completed “Dragon Rising.” Try speaking to the innkeeper at different times of day, exhausting other dialogue options, and even leaving and re-entering the inn. Sometimes, your previous dialogue choices and completed quests might affect the rumors available.
2. Does the innkeeper matter? Can I get the rumor from someone other than Hulda?
Yes, while Hulda is the most common contact point, any innkeeper in Skyrim can potentially trigger the quest rumor. However, the Bannered Mare in Whiterun is generally considered the most reliable location. If you have a high speech skill this will make a difference.
3. I’m level 20 and have finished “Dragon Rising,” but still nothing. What’s wrong?
Double-check that you’ve actually completed “Dragon Rising.” This means fully completing the quest, returning to Whiterun, and being officially acknowledged by the Jarl and his court as the Dragonborn.
4. Can I start the quest before level 20 using console commands?
While you can use console commands to start the quest early, it’s strongly discouraged. The quest is designed for level 20 characters, and attempting it earlier may lead to bugs or incomplete quest stages. Also, you may not be able to complete the quest unless your level is at least level 20.
5. What are the benefits of completing “The Whispering Door”?
The primary reward is the Ebony Blade, a unique Daedric artifact that becomes stronger as you kill friendly NPCs with it. The quest also offers an interesting insight into the machinations of the Daedric Prince Mephala.
6. Is the Ebony Blade the best weapon in Skyrim?
That’s subjective. The Ebony Blade’s strength lies in its unique ability to absorb the life force of those you kill, increasing its damage. However, it requires killing friendly NPCs to reach its full potential, which may not appeal to all players. Other weapons, like Daedric or Dragonbone weapons, may have higher base damage. This Daedric quest has it’s rewards.
7. How many kills does it take to fully upgrade the Ebony Blade?
It takes 10 kills to fully upgrade the Ebony Blade. The amount of damage is increased after every 2 kills. You can follow your progress by listening to the weapon.
8. Who should I kill to upgrade the Ebony Blade?
This is a moral choice. Ideally, you should target NPCs you don’t like or those who are easily replaceable. Some players choose to kill bandits who have become friendly through the “Thieves Guild” questline. Others will kill their spouse.
9. What happens if I kill essential NPCs with the Ebony Blade?
Killing essential NPCs will break the game. Some NPCs can not die, so it is not possible to kill them.
10. Can I reverse the Ebony Blade’s curse?
No, the Ebony Blade is inherently linked to Mephala’s influence, and there is no way to remove its corrupting properties in the vanilla game.
11. Is “The Whispering Door” part of the main questline?
No, it is a standalone Daedric quest, completely separate from the main questline.
12. Can I complete “The Whispering Door” and then avoid using the Ebony Blade to remain a “good” character?
Yes, you can complete the quest and simply store the Ebony Blade away. You’ll still have the experience of completing the quest and can use the weapon later if you choose.
13. Does completing “The Whispering Door” affect my standing with the Jarl or Whiterun?
No, completing the quest doesn’t negatively impact your relationship with the Jarl or the city of Whiterun. The killings are done in secret, and no one will know about your actions unless you choose to reveal them.
14. What level should I be before attempting the other Daedric quests?
Most Daedric quests have level requirements. It’s best to check a guide for each specific quest to ensure you meet the prerequisites before starting them.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore surrounding Mephala and the Daedric Princes?
The Games Learning Society provides great insight into the lore of Skyrim.
This guide should equip you with everything you need to successfully start “The Whispering Door” quest and claim the Ebony Blade for yourself. Happy adventuring!