Should I Give Calixto the Amulet in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide
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Absolutely! Selling the Strange Amulet to Calixto Corrium in Windhelm during the “Blood on the Ice” quest is crucial for progressing the questline and ultimately obtaining the Necromancer’s Amulet. Refusing to sell it will result in the amulet becoming a permanent, unusable item in your inventory.
The Importance of Selling to Calixto
The “Blood on the Ice” quest is notoriously buggy, and the Strange Amulet is often the culprit for players getting stuck. The quest centers around a series of murders in Windhelm, and your investigation leads you to discover the amulet. Calixto, posing as a collector of curiosities, offers to buy it from you.
Selling to him is not just about the 500 gold he offers. It’s the trigger that sets the final stages of the quest in motion. Only after selling it will Calixto continue his plan, allowing you to eventually confront him and claim the functional Necromancer’s Amulet from his corpse.
Consequences of Not Selling
If you decide to keep the Strange Amulet, you’ll be permanently stuck with it. It will remain a quest item, meaning you can’t drop it, sell it to anyone else, or store it. Calixto’s museum will remain locked, preventing you from entering and gathering further evidence. Essentially, you’ll hit a dead end in the quest.
How to Proceed After Selling
Once you’ve sold the amulet to Calixto, speak to Wuunferth the Unliving, the court wizard at the Palace of the Kings. Confront him about the necromantic rituals implied by the amulet. He’ll initially deny involvement but will eventually predict when the next murder will occur. Wait until that night, patrol the market district after 5 PM, and you’ll witness Calixto attempting to kill another victim. Intervene, kill him, and loot the Necromancer’s Amulet from his body. This version is functional and offers magical benefits.
Is the Necromancer’s Amulet Worth It?
The Necromancer’s Amulet grants +50 Magicka, +25% Magicka regeneration, and fortifies Conjuration by 25 points, but reduces Health by 25 points. Whether it’s “worth it” depends on your playstyle. If you’re heavily invested in Conjuration magic, especially summoning undead, the benefits outweigh the health reduction. However, if you’re a warrior or a character who doesn’t rely on magic, it might not be a beneficial item. Remember, it cannot be kept after completion of the quest line given its importance.
Correcting Common Bugs
Sometimes, Calixto might not appear at the right time, or the murder sequence might not trigger correctly. If this happens, using console commands (if playing on PC) can help advance the quest. The command setstage MS11 130 is often used to force the quest to the stage where you catch Calixto.
Importance of the Games Learning Society
Understanding the intricacies of game mechanics, like quest progression and item significance, is a key aspect of enjoying video games. The Games Learning Society studies how people learn through games, and how these learning processes can be harnessed for education and other purposes. You can find more about their research at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happens if I pickpocket Calixto after selling him the amulet?
If you manage to pickpocket the Strange Amulet back from Calixto after selling it to him, it can potentially break the quest. He needs to have it in his possession for the murder to be committed and for you to obtain the functional Necromancer’s Amulet. It’s best to leave it with him after the sale.
Is Calixto the only suspect in the “Blood on the Ice” quest?
Initially, the quest might lead you to believe there are other suspects. However, Calixto Corrium is, in fact, the serial killer known as “The Butcher”.
Can I skip selling the amulet and just kill Calixto?
No. You must sell the Strange Amulet to Calixto for the quest to progress correctly. Killing him beforehand will prevent you from obtaining the Necromancer’s Amulet and may bug the quest permanently.
How do I open Calixto’s chest in his museum?
You can either pickpocket the key from Calixto or pick the lock. The chest contains his journal (“Butcher Journal”), a steel dagger, and some embalming tools, providing further insight into his motives.
What is the Butcher Journal?
The Butcher Journal found in Calixto’s chest details his motivations for the murders, revealing that he is trying to recreate his sister by collecting specific body parts.
Does the Strange Amulet have any use outside of the quest?
No. The Strange Amulet has no other purpose. It’s purely a quest item that needs to be sold to Calixto to progress “Blood on the Ice“.
At what time does Calixto strike again?
Calixto usually attempts his next murder around 5 PM to 12 AM in the game. Patrol the market district in Windhelm during these hours after speaking with Wuunferth to catch him in the act.
What are the effects of the Necromancer’s Amulet?
The Necromancer’s Amulet provides +50 Magicka, +25% Magicka regeneration, and fortifies Conjuration by 25 points, but reduces Health by 25 points.
Is the “Blood on the Ice” quest bugged?
Yes, the “Blood on the Ice” quest is notorious for being buggy. Selling the Strange Amulet to Calixto and following the steps precisely can help avoid some of the common issues. Use of console commands on PC is often required to resolve other issues.
What should I do if Calixto doesn’t appear when he’s supposed to?
If Calixto doesn’t appear, try waiting for 24 hours in-game and then checking the market district again after 5 PM. If that doesn’t work, use the console command setstage MS11 130 to force the quest to the next stage.
Can I get the Necromancer’s Amulet without doing the quest?
No, the Necromancer’s Amulet is exclusively obtained through the “Blood on the Ice” quest.
Who voiced Calixto?
Calixto Corrium was voiced by George Coe.
What if I accidentally killed the victim before Calixto could?
This can break the quest. Reloading a previous save is recommended.
Are there any mods that fix the “Blood on the Ice” quest?
Yes, several mods aim to fix the bugs in the “Blood on the Ice” quest. Searching for “Blood on the Ice fix” on mod repositories like Nexus Mods will reveal available options.
Should I complete other quests before starting “Blood on the Ice”?
It is recommended to complete other quests in Windhelm before beginning “Blood on the Ice” as the Civil War quest line can interfere with the Blood on the Ice quest.