Waking Nightmare: A Comprehensive Guide to Vaermina’s Quest in Skyrim
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Starting the Waking Nightmare quest in Skyrim is simple: head to Dawnstar and enter the Windpeak Inn. Inside, you’ll find Erandur, a Priest of Mara. Talking to him initiates the quest, delving you into the heart of the mysterious nightmares plaguing the town and the ominous presence lurking within Nightcaller Temple.
The Nightmare Begins: Unveiling the Waking Nightmare Quest
The Waking Nightmare quest is one of Skyrim’s more engaging Daedric quests, drawing players into a mystery surrounding recurring nightmares and an ancient artifact of immense power. The quest involves exploring a forgotten temple, battling enemies, and making a pivotal decision that impacts the fate of Dawnstar and your character’s acquisition of a Daedric artifact.
Step-by-Step Initiation: Meeting Erandur
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Travel to Dawnstar: Dawnstar is located on Skyrim’s northern coast, easily reachable by carriage from major cities like Whiterun or Windhelm.
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Enter the Windpeak Inn: The Windpeak Inn is a prominent building in Dawnstar, hard to miss. Look for the inn sign as you approach the town.
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Speak with Erandur: Inside the inn, you’ll find Erandur, a dark elf priest of Mara. He’ll be distressed and talking about the town’s nightmares. Initiate a conversation with him.
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Engage in Dialogue: Erandur will explain the situation – the nightmares plaguing Dawnstar are caused by an artifact called the Skull of Corruption housed within Nightcaller Temple. Agree to help him investigate.
Following Erandur and Beginning the Questline
After speaking with Erandur, he will lead you through the initial stages of the quest. This involves following him to Nightcaller Temple, battling spiders, and learning more about the temple’s history. Pay close attention to his dialogue, as it provides crucial context for the choices you’ll need to make later in the quest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Waking Nightmare
These FAQs provide additional insights and information about the Waking Nightmare quest in Skyrim.
1. Should I kill Erandur or let him live?
This is a pivotal decision. If you’re aiming for the Oblivion Walker achievement (requiring you to collect 15 Daedric artifacts), you must kill Erandur during the ritual to claim the Skull of Corruption. If you let him complete the ritual and destroy the Skull, you’ll miss out on this artifact. However, letting Erandur live allows him to become a follower.
2. How do I solve the nightmare problem in Dawnstar?
The nightmares are linked to the Skull of Corruption within Nightcaller Temple. To stop them, you must either help Erandur destroy the Skull through a ritual or kill Erandur and claim the Skull for yourself.
3. How to get the Skull of Corruption without killing Erandur?
Unfortunately, it’s impossible. The game mechanics require you to kill Erandur to obtain the Skull of Corruption. Choosing to let him live results in the destruction of the artifact.
4. What are the benefits of having Erandur as a follower?
Erandur is a competent mage follower with proficiency in destruction and restoration magic. He is particularly skilled in using fire magic, making him a valuable asset in combat. Additionally, some players find his dialogue and backstory interesting, adding to the role-playing experience.
5. Does taking the Skull of Corruption stop the nightmares?
Yes, claiming the Skull of Corruption for yourself will end the nightmares plaguing Dawnstar. The nightmares cease once the quest is completed, regardless of whether you destroyed the skull or kept it.
6. Can you become Thane in Dawnstar after completing the quest?
Yes, after resolving the nightmare situation in Dawnstar, you can speak to Jarl Skald and request to become Thane. He will give you a task (usually slaying a giant) to prove your worth. You must be at least level 22 to receive the Jarl’s task.
7. Is the Skull of Corruption worth getting?
The Skull of Corruption is a unique staff. It does a straight damaging attack, which is powered up by stealing people’s dreams while they are sleeping. If you’re collecting artifacts, go for it, but it is a pretty underwhelming item, in my opinion. The staff’s unique ability to absorb dreams to increase its damage can be effective, making it a situational but potentially powerful weapon. Also, obtaining it is necessary for the Oblivion Walker achievement.
8. What happens if Erandur finishes the ritual?
If Erandur completes the ritual, the Skull of Corruption is destroyed, and the nightmares in Dawnstar cease. Erandur will then offer to become a follower. However, you will not acquire the Skull of Corruption.
9. How do I follow Erandur to Nightcaller Temple?
After speaking with Erandur in the Windpeak Inn, simply follow him. He will lead you up a nearby mountain to Nightcaller Temple. You’ll encounter spiders along the way.
10. Do you need the Skull of Corruption for the Oblivion Walker achievement?
Yes, you need a total of 15 Daedric artifacts for the Oblivion Walker achievement. The Skull of Corruption is one of the available artifacts, so you must obtain it to earn the achievement if you don’t collect the other available artifacts.
11. What does the Skull of Corruption do?
The Skull of Corruption allows you to steal dreams from sleeping NPCs to power up its damage output. It is a staff that deals direct damage to enemies, with its effectiveness scaling based on the number of dreams it has absorbed.
12. What is the max level of Erandur?
Erandur scales with your level, but his maximum level is 50. This means he can be a formidable ally, especially at lower levels. However, he will not continue to grow in power beyond level 50.
13. What mission is the Skull of Corruption part of?
The Skull of Corruption is part of the “Waking Nightmare” Daedric quest, initiated by speaking with Erandur in Dawnstar’s Windpeak Inn.
14. What are some tips for using the Skull of Corruption effectively?
To maximize the Skull of Corruption’s damage, regularly absorb dreams from sleeping NPCs. Visit inns and cities at night to find sleeping targets. Be aware that using the Skull on friendly NPCs will turn them hostile.
15. Are there any other notable Daedric quests in Skyrim?
Yes, Skyrim is filled with Daedric quests! Some other notable ones include: “The Black Star” (Azura), “The Cursed Tribe” (Malacath), “A Daedra’s Best Friend” (Clavicus Vile), “Boethiah’s Calling” (Boethiah), and “Discerning the Transmundane” (Hermaeus Mora). Each quest offers unique rewards and challenges.
Conclusion: Embrace the Nightmare, Choose Your Path
The Waking Nightmare quest in Skyrim presents a compelling narrative and a significant choice that impacts your character’s goals. Whether you prioritize obtaining the Oblivion Walker achievement by claiming the Skull of Corruption or prefer to let Erandur destroy the artifact and become a follower, the quest provides a memorable experience within the world of Skyrim. The Games Learning Society website provides an excellent resource for information and resources on using video games for learning and research; please visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more. Embrace the challenge, make your decision, and face the consequences in the dark depths of Nightcaller Temple!