Erandur and the Skull of Corruption: A Deep Dive into Skyrim’s Moral Quandary

If you allow Erandur to finish the ritual during the “Waking Nightmare” quest in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, he will successfully destroy the Skull of Corruption, thus ending the nightmare plaguing Dawnstar. He will then offer to become a follower. This selfless act, driven by his desire to atone for his past mistakes, comes at a cost: you will not obtain the Skull of Corruption Daedric artifact. Importantly, choosing this path prevents you from earning the Oblivion Walker achievement if you are relying on this artifact for it.

The Moral Implications of Your Choice

This quest presents a compelling moral dilemma: do you prioritize personal gain (acquiring a Daedric artifact, even a relatively underwhelming one) or allow Erandur, a former priest of Vaermina seeking redemption, to find peace and prevent further suffering? The answer speaks volumes about your Dragonborn’s character and your playstyle.

• The Pragmatic Approach: For completionists aiming for 100% achievement completion, killing Erandur is often seen as a necessary evil. The Skull of Corruption, while not the most powerful weapon in the game, is a requirement for the Oblivion Walker achievement if you are missing any others.
• The Roleplaying Perspective: From a roleplaying perspective, siding with Erandur aligns with a heroic archetype, prioritizing the well-being of others over personal power. It’s an act of compassion and forgiveness, allowing a flawed individual to find redemption.
• The Grey Area: Some players argue for exploiting the game’s mechanics to acquire all artifacts without sacrificing Erandur. However, this often involves glitches or console commands and diminishes the impact of the moral choice.

Erandur: A Follower Worth Having?

Even if you forgo the Skull of Corruption, Erandur can prove to be a valuable asset. He’s a proficient mage, specializing in restoration and destruction magic. His abilities make him a reliable healer and a decent damage dealer, especially in the early to mid-game. His dialogue also offers interesting insights into the Daedric cults and the lore of Skyrim.

• Combat Prowess: Erandur’s ability to heal himself and others makes him a durable companion, capable of surviving prolonged engagements.
• Lore and Story: His backstory as a former priest adds depth to his character, and his conversations can provide additional context to the game’s world.
• Accessibility: Obtaining Erandur as a follower is straightforward, requiring only the completion of the “Waking Nightmare” quest.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Ultimately, the decision to let Erandur finish the ritual or kill him comes down to personal preference. There’s no right or wrong answer, only different paths with varying consequences.

• Letting Erandur Finish:
  • Pros: Allows a character to find redemption, potentially providing a valuable follower.
  • Cons: Prevents you from obtaining the Skull of Corruption, potentially hindering your progress towards the Oblivion Walker achievement.
• Killing Erandur:
  • Pros: Grants you the Skull of Corruption, essential for achievement hunters.
  • Cons: Ends Erandur’s story abruptly, potentially clashing with a heroic roleplaying style.

It’s about aligning your choices with your desired outcome, be it maximizing achievement points or immersing yourself in the rich narrative of Skyrim. Learning through games like Skyrim and the choices we make in those games can be a great way to explore morals. Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more information on how games can be educational.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if I choose to kill Erandur?

If you kill Erandur during the ritual, Vaermina will reward you with the Skull of Corruption. Erandur will be dead, and you won’t be able to have him as a follower. This is a necessary step if you need the Skull for the Oblivion Walker achievement.

Is the Skull of Corruption a powerful weapon?

The Skull of Corruption is a unique staff that deals damage based on the “dreams” it has absorbed. It initially deals a small amount of damage, but its power can be increased by draining the dreams of sleeping NPCs. However, it’s generally considered an underwhelming Daedric artifact compared to others.

Can I get the Oblivion Walker achievement without the Skull of Corruption?

Yes, it is possible to get the Oblivion Walker achievement without the Skull of Corruption. You need 15 Daedric artifacts and can skip one if you obtain all the others. The quests involving Hircine and Clavicus Vile provide choices that lead to obtaining multiple artifacts at once.

What makes Erandur a good follower?

Erandur is a competent mage who specializes in restoration and destruction magic. He can heal you and himself, making him a resilient companion. He also provides interesting lore through his dialogue.

Does Erandur betray me if I let him complete the ritual?

No, Erandur does not betray you if you allow him to destroy the Skull of Corruption. He expresses gratitude and offers to become your follower.

Where does Erandur go if I dismiss him?

If you dismiss Erandur, he will return to Nightcaller Temple. However, there have been reports of him disappearing entirely, so it’s wise to keep this in mind.

How do I empower the Skull of Corruption?

To empower the Skull of Corruption, you need to use it on sleeping NPCs. This “steals” their dreams, increasing the damage dealt by the staff. You also need soul gems to recharge it.

Is Erandur essential? Can he die permanently?

When Erandur is a follower, he is flagged as “protected,” meaning he cannot die from enemy attacks, only from the Dragonborn attacking him directly or making him a sacrifice.

What Daedric artifacts are essential for the Oblivion Walker achievement?

There is no one “essential” artifact, as you can miss one and still get the achievement. However, it is important to make the correct choice in quests such as the Clavicus Vile quest or the Hircine quest to get the needed artifacts.

Can I reverse my decision after choosing to let Erandur destroy the Skull?

No, once Erandur destroys the Skull of Corruption, the decision is permanent. You cannot go back and obtain the artifact without reloading a previous save.

Are there any glitches associated with the Waking Nightmare quest?

Yes, there are some known glitches, such as Erandur disappearing after being dismissed or the quest not progressing correctly. Saving frequently during the quest is recommended.

How many Daedric quests are there in Skyrim?

There are 15 Daedric quests in Skyrim, each associated with a different Daedric Prince (except for Jyggalag).

Does the Rueful Axe count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement?

No, the Rueful Axe does not count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement. You must obtain the Masque of Clavicus Vile instead.

What are some alternative ways to obtain Daedric artifacts?

Most Daedric artifacts are obtained through completing Daedric quests. The Daedric quests must be completed in order to get the artifacts for the Oblivion Walker achievement.

Is it possible to duplicate the Skull of Corruption?

The Skull of Corruption has the unique ability to create duplicates of enemies when used against them, but these duplicates will attack the original, not the wielder.