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Forgotten Vale

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition guide · Searching for the Snow Elf sanctuary
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The Forgotten Vale is a secluded, ancient realm accessed via Darkfall Passage during the quest "Touching the Sky." To gain entrance to the Inner Sanctum, the Dragonborn must visit five separate Wayshrines scattered across the massive valley and fill an Initiate's Ewer with water from each basin. Once completed, you confront Arch-Curate Vyrthur to obtain Auriel's Bow.

Region
Skyrim
Getting there
through Darkfall Passage
Connects to
Darkfall Passage, Inner Sanctum, Darkfall Cave, Glacial Crevice
Related quests
Touching the Sky
Services and people
Prelate Celegriath · Prelate Nirilor · Prelate Edhelbor · Prelate Athring · Arch-Curate Vyrthur
Enemy types
Falmer · Chaurus · Frostbite Spider · Frost Giant · Skeleton · Dragon · Ice Wraith · Sabre Cat

Items

0/7

Secrets

0/1

Key fights

The Frozen Lake Ambush

Enemies: Naaslaarum and Voslaarum (two revered dragons)

Threats: Simultaneous attacks, dive-bombing through the ice to submerge and break line of sight, Vitality Drain breath attacks (draining Health, Magicka, and Stamina simultaneously), biting melee attacks

Weaknesses and resistances: Resist Fire 50%, weak to Frost (inherent Revered Dragon traits); vulnerable to Dragonrend Shout

Tactics: Stay near the word wall island to avoid falling into freezing water, utilize the Dragonrend Shout to force them onto the ice together or ground them separately, and focus down one dragon at a time with ranged Frost damage or heavy melee before engaging the second

Rewards: Two dragon souls, two dragon skeletons to loot (Dragon Bones, Dragon Scales, high-tier loot), and access to the Word Wall for the Drain Vitality shout

The Ruby Paragon Guardian

Enemies: Frost Giant (Ruby Paragon carrier)

Threats: Massive physical club strikes, stomps, power attacks that cause staggering and knockback, heavy Frost damage aura/attacks

Weaknesses and resistances: Immune to paralysis, highly resistant to Frost damage; weak to Fire damage

Tactics: Maintain distance along the narrow cliff ledge near the shrine, kite using Fire spells or fire-enchanted bows, and hide behind the stone pillars of the nearby archway to block forward charges

Rewards: Ruby Paragon, Frost Giant Toe, high-level leveled loot

The Amethyst Paragon Guardian

Enemies: Frost Giant (Amethyst Paragon carrier)

Threats: Devastating two-handed physical smashes, sweeping melee swings that knock down the player, immunity to standard crowd control

Weaknesses and resistances: Immune to paralysis, highly resistant to Frost; vulnerable to Fire damage and poison

Tactics: Exploit the elevated rocks bordering the river gorge to snipe from high ground where the giant's melee pathing cannot reach, using Fire Breath or Fire magic to overcome its high health pool

Rewards: Amethyst Paragon, Frost Giant Toe, high-level leveled loot

The Sapphire Paragon Guardian

Enemies: Frost Giant (Sapphire Paragon carrier)

Threats: Crushing melee blows capable of killing non-tank characters in one hit, high movement speed over open terrain, unyielding stagger mechanics

Weaknesses and resistances: Immune to paralysis, highly resistant to Frost; vulnerable to Fire damage

Tactics: Backpedal through the narrow glacial canyon approaching the portal platform to create a chokepoint, setting Fire Runes and having Serana draw aggro while pelting it with ranged attacks

Rewards: Sapphire Paragon, Frost Giant Toe, high-level leveled loot

The Emerald Paragon Guardian

Enemies: Frost Giant (Emerald Paragon carrier)

Threats: Heavy area-of-effect ground slams, high-damage melee sweeps, ability to quickly close distances in the canyon

Weaknesses and resistances: Immune to paralysis, highly resistant to Frost; weak to Fire damage

Tactics: Lure the giant toward the narrow canyon pass leading to the Falmer settlement to limit its flanking movement, deploy summoned atronachs (preferably Flame) to absorb charges, and strike from the perimeter with Fire-enchanted weapons

Rewards: Emerald Paragon, Frost Giant Toe, high-level leveled loot

The Diamond Paragon Guardian

Enemies: Frost Giant (Diamond Paragon carrier)

Threats: Enormous physical attack damage, ground pound stagger, fast tracking on charging strikes

Weaknesses and resistances: Immune to paralysis, 33% Magic Resistance, 100% Frost Resistance; vulnerable to Fire damage

Tactics: Position yourself atop the rocky inclines near the glacial wall where the giant cannot path directly, kiting it in wide circles across the snowfield while pelting it with Fire spells or archery

Rewards: Diamond Paragon, Frost Giant Toe, high-level leveled loot

Enemies

Naaslaarum
Weak to FireSteal / drop Dragon Bones, Dragon Scales

Dragon that bursts through the frozen lake to attack alongside Voslaarum.

Voslaarum
Weak to FireSteal / drop Dragon Bones, Dragon Scales

Twin dragon that bursts out of the frozen lake alongside Naaslaarum.

Arch-Curate Vyrthur
Weak to Sun DamageSteal / drop Ancient Falmer Armor

Powerful vampire mage fought on the balcony of the Inner Sanctum.

Frost Giant
Weak to FireSteal / drop Specific Paragon stone

Massive creatures roaming specific dead-ends and alcoves across the vale.

Shops and people

  • Knight-Paladin Gelebor: Sunhallowed Elven Arrows (converts regular Elven Arrows after the main questline is finished)

Tips

  • Bring plenty of regular Elven Arrows into the vale so you can convert them into Sunhallowed or Bloodcursed Elven Arrows once you obtain Auriel's Bow.
  • Do not sprint across the large frozen lake immediately, as the ice can crack and two dragons will ambush you simultaneously.

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