The Elder Scrolls franchise is filled with some of the most interesting locations and characters seen in an RPG. Its deep lore and immersive setting allow for virtually any RPG fan to sink their teeth into something. For more hardcore RPG fans, they might appreciate just how much detail goes into some of the franchise’s smaller details.
Take Skyrim’s Apocrypha as an example. The realm of Hermaeus Mora is filled with books, strange Daedra, and poisonous sludge. Braving this area is no small task for players, but those willing to dig a little deeper can find some truly cool details. From Black Book text to unique dialogue, here are ten details players rarely noticed in Skyrim’s Apocrypha. Dragonborn spoilers ahead.
10 Has Every Written Book
According to The Elder Scrolls Online, Hermaeus Mora’s knowledge extends as far as time itself. This Daedric Prince has every book that will ever be written including books that haven’t been written yet.
Where are all of these books stored? Inside Hermaeus Mora’s realm of Apocrypha. Many of the thousands of books that decorate this plane of Oblivion are books that were written far in the future or long forgotten by the time Skyrim takes place.
9 The Dragonborn Cannot Die
No matter how much damage a player takes in Apocrypha, a player can’t die while in this realm. Taking fatal damage will put players in a kneeling state before being teleported back to Solstheim by a Black Book. Why Apocrypha does this is unknown as other planes of Oblivion don’t follow this rule.
8 Hermaeus Mora’s Original Form
Obtaining “Black Book: Filament and Filigree” will first take players to a strange shrine covered in eyes and what appears to be crab arms. This might seem like a strange shrine to denote an Apocrypha entrance, but this is actually a nod to Hermaeus Mora’s original design in older Elder Scrolls games where he was shown as a totem covered in eyes and crab arms.
The Prince got a new look between Oblivion and Skyrim.
7 Black Book Text
Some perceptive Elder Scrolls players have noticed that the Black Books have legible text when opened. Sadly, players only have a second to read the text before the Black Book pulls them into Apocrypha.
What might surprise players is that these Black Books aren’t gibberish. Take “Black Book: Waking Dreams” as an example:
The eyes, once bleached by falling stars of utmost revelation, will forever see the faint insight drawn by the overwhelming question, as only the True Enquiry shapes the edge of thought. The rest is vulgar fiction, attempts to impose order on the consensus mantlings of an uncaring godhead. First,
Since players can’t flip the pages in these books, the writing cuts off after “first.” Every Black Book has text like this that can be read if the player screenshots the book before being sent to or from Apocrypha.
6 Seekers Read Books
Image from u/velariefox (Reddit)
Seekers are the guardians of Apocrypha. They patrol the endless halls of books and kill any mortal that tries to defile the library. While most believe them to be aggressive, Seekers are actually quite inquisitive when not alerted.
Sneaking past Seekers will show them reading books sometimes. This gives evidence to a theory that mortals that enter Apocrypha seeking knowledge become insane and turn into Seekers.
5 Filament and Filigree’s Darkness Mechanic
“Black Book: Filament and Filigree” has a unique mechanic where players will enter rooms filled with harmful darkness. Not even the Become Ethereal Shout can save players from the constant damage-over-time.
What will save players is either a torch or the Candlelight spell. Using either method will dissipate the darkness inside and let players traverse the area without taking damage. It sounds obvious that this would work, but it is surprising how many players solely stick to lit areas to complete this challenge.
4 Waterwalk Over Sludge
Black sludge covers Apocrypha’s surface. It deals passive poison damage to players that step on it. This results in most players avoiding it when possible.
This isn’t necessary. Players can actually glide over the sludge through a Waterwalking effect—provided from a potion or enchantment—or by floating as a Vampire Lord. Either will prevent players from taking damage from the sludge, allowing players to safely explore Apocrypha.
3 The Hidden Twilight Skip
In fact, the waterwalking trick is useful for skipping major chunks of “Black Book: The Hidden Twilight.” When players reach the first door, walk along the wall to the right instead of going through the door. Once in the sludge, use waterwalking or Vampire Lord form to traverse the ocean.
Head for the island further out to skip straight to Chapter VII. Kill the nearby Seeker and read the Chapter VI book, otherwise the level will bug out. After that’s done, read Chapter VII and finish the level.
2 Miraak Is A Nord
Miraak is a key member of Apocrypha and serves as the zone’s final boss towards the end of the Dragonborn DLC. Players get to fight the first Dragonborn yet never get to unmask the figure since players have to absorb his soul. What exactly did Miraak look like?
Based on the Creation Kit, players can find that Miraak is a Nord that has a randomly generated face. Adding and removing his mask will change his facial features each time. Without his fancy robes, Miraak’s generic appearance would fit right in any of Skyrim’s Holds.
1 Miraak’s Unique Dialogue
Speaking of Miraak, his fight at the end of the main quest has unique dialogue based on what the player does during combat and which quests they have completed.
For example, trying to jump off of the tower will teleport the player back to the arena with Miraak telling the Dragonborn they cannot flee his realm. Lowering Miraak’s health without completing “The Way of the Voice” quest will cause Miraak to state “You are strong. Stronger than I believed possible.” Normally, Miraak comments about the Greybeard’s teachings. Using Dragon Aspect in front of Miraak will leave him impressed, and sneaking from Miraak will leave him disappointed.
Miraak’s unique dialogue even extends to the first time players meet Miraak. He will comment on how many dragons the Dragonborn has killed while also acknowledging Alduin’s defeat if the player beat the main story. This is one of the few NPCs in Skyrim that acknowledges the death of Alduin.
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