Online:Valley of Blades

Retrieve the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy from the Valley of Blades. Quest Giver: The Prophet Location(s): The Valley of Blades, Ancestral Crypt Prerequisite Quest: Halls of Torment Next Quest: Shadow of Sancre Tor Reward: Sword Saint's Choker 1 Skill Point Very High Leveled Gold Glyph of Health Achievement:The Valley of Blades XP Gain: Very High ID: 4837 Solo Only: Yes

Sai Sahan pays respect to his ancestors

Varen has asked me to accompany Sai Sahan on a trip back to his ancestral home. An old friend, Kasura, may have knowledge of how to sneak into Sancre Tor.

Quick Walkthrough

1. Talk to Sai Sahan in the Harborage.
2. Talk to Sai Sahan in the Valley of Blades.
3. Find Kasura.
4. Destroy the three sigil stones.
5. Defeat the titan.
6. Enter the Ancestral Crypt.
7. Retrieve the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy.
8. Defeat the enemies.
9. Return to the Harborage.

Detailed Walkthrough

Once you are close to a major city, the Prophet appears.

"It is time, Vestige. Sai Sahan's strength has returned. You must accompany him to his ancestral home in the Valley of the Blades."

The Valley of the Blades?

"An ancient trading hub, high in the mountains of Hammerfell; a place I thought lost to the ravages of time. Sai Sahan entrusted the key to Sancre Tor to one of his mentors there. It must be retrieved."

I understand.

"Come quickly. Mannimarco is undoubtedly conducting his own search for the Amulet of Kings. We must not allow him to get there first."

The Harborage

You need to speak to Sai Sahan in the Harborage. However, Varen Aquilarios can tell you more:

"The key to Sancre Tor isn't really a key at all. It's an enchanted ring bearing the sigil of Stendarr.

The ring is in the keeping of Sai Sahan's mentor, Kasura. You, Lyris, and Abnur must accompany him to the Valley of Blades to retrieve it.

Of course.

"The valley contains an abbey I thought long abandoned. In his youth, Sai studied there and honed his craft.

It seems that Kasura has been using it as a retreat of sorts, to train a select few young warriors. Sai Sahan can tell you more."

Sai Sahan will go over the basics:

"Honor and faith to you, my friend. We are nearly ready to depart. My Lord Varen requested that Tharn and Snow Lily join us, for safety's sake, though I have seen fewer places as tranquil as the Valley of Blades.

Why do we need to go to the Valley of Blades?

"An old friend, Kasura, dwells there. Before I was captured, I placed an enchanted ring in her keeping.

The ring is a key of sorts. Without it, we will not be able to open the secret chamber where the Amulet of Kings lies hidden."

Tell me about Kasura.

"She was my first mentor and instructor, a true master of blades. She still trains young swordsmen in the valley. Those she deems worthy of her instruction."

What does she teach?

"Swordsmanship, but much more than that. Her teachings revolve around a trinity of body, blade, and brilliance. The sword-singers of old were said to be masters of all three.

Mannimarco summons the hosts of Oblivion and their lackeys

Varen will then open a portal, which Abnur, Lyris, and Sai will step through. Follow them through to continue.

Journey to the Valley of the Blades

Once you're through the portal, you can talk to Sai:

"Do you smell the scent of burning embers in the air? We may be in for a treat if Kasura is teaching the firewalk!"

Which way are we heading?

"The abbey is just down the path.

We're fortunate that my Lord Varen opened a portal for us. This landslide appears to have blocked the valley's only approach."

What could have caused it?

"I cannot say. I've never known these mountains to experience earthquakes. Strange."

Follow the path until you see a crumbling, burning ruin -— it's the Abbey. As the group speculates about what could have done the damage (Tharn suggests "keeping an eye skyward"), Sai Sahan rushes into the ruins to look for his mentor.

Sai Sahan: "Kasura! Are you injured? What happened?"

Kasura: "Sai Sahan! Intruders … cultists … they attacked the abbey. So many of my students have fallen …."

Sai Sahan: "The abbey is in ruins, Kasura! How could they …?"

Kasura: "A gigantic beast … like nothing I've ever seen! The cultists … they're opening rifts to Oblivion!"

Sai Sahan: "Save your strength, Kasura. We will make them pay, I promise you!"

Destroying the Sigil Stones

Fighting the Titan

After Sai Sahan finishes talking to Kasura, you will have to destroy the three sigil stones around the area. However, after you approach any one of them, Mannimarco summons Daedric minions to destroy "Molag Bal's enemies." When you destroy the sigil stones, all enemies from it will disappear; if you allow your companions to engage them, you can instantly do so without needing to kill them at all. After destroying the third sigil stone, a titan appears, introduced by the forboding line, "Ah, Sai Sahan and company, at last! My pet has been waiting for you." It will land in front of you. Defeat it, and then go to Kasura:

Are you injured?

"My injuries are not serious. What are a few more scars to an old warrior? Scars have the virtue of reminding us that our past is real. My students, and my home, have not fared half so well.

I'm glad to see you, but curious why you are here."

We've come for the ring. Is it safe?

"They did not find the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy. But now that the King of Worms knows you are here, it is only a matter of time before he launches another attack."

Then we must collect the ring and leave quickly.

"Indeed. Atop the eastern stair is the secret entrance to the Ancestral Crypt. The ring is within."

Follow Kasura into the Crypt. Once inside, you can talk to Sai:

"I can feel the presence of my ancestors whenever I come here. I am burdened with a great responsibility to honor their sacrifice and uphold their legacy."

Your ancestors are interred here?

"Aye. Along with some of the most renowned sword-singers who ever lived. We must tread carefully and with great respect."

Why did Kasura hide the ring here?

"We both thought it would be well protected in the Valley of Blades. The most gifted young swordmasters of Hammerfell are invited to train with Kasura. The town was bristling with strength and steel before the Titan showed up."

How did Mannimarco find out about this valley?

"I cannot say. Perhaps someone told him of my past. Perhaps he pried the memory from me during my time in the Halls of Torment.

Either way, I am to blame for the valley's destruction. No one I love will be safe until Mannimarco has been dealt with."

We'll stop Mannimarco.

"Then I shall need a proper weapon.

Kasura said that my father's greatsword lies with the ring. It seems proper that I should wield it in his honor."

Follow the path through the crypt. If you step up to the numerous shrines with statues above them, Sai will give you a brief history of seven ancient swordmasters interred here: Divad Hunding, Ra Abah, Ansei Kalam, Ra Adia, Ra Hasa, Ra Huzar, and Ansei Satameh. At the east end of the crypt you'll find the chest containing the ring. Claim it and talk to Kasura: (see bug report below)

"The ring is yours. Guard it well. I must return to my students to begin the long task of rebuilding."

Kasura, will you come with us?

"Thank you, but I cannot leave the Valley of Blades. I must bury the dead and tend to the wounded."

I must return with the ring, but perhaps Sai Sahan and the others can help.

Mannimarco will appear at the bottom of the stairs, and challenge the group. He raises Divad Hunding, then Ra Abah, then Ansei Kalam and Ra Adia. Next, he will summon Ra Hasa, Ansei Satameh, and Ra Huzar. During the fight, Abnur will admonish the Sai for his choice in hiding place:

"The next time you hide something from the most powerful necromancer in all of Tamriel, you might reconsider hiding it in a bloody tomb!"

Afterward, talk to Sai, then take the portal back to the Harborage and talk to Varen to complete the quest.

Notes

• Prior to the One Tamriel update, this quest could not be started until level 35.

Bugs

• The resurrected corpses in the Ancestors' Crypt do not reset or respawn properly. If you're killed during the battle, they may all respawn together after you resurrect, or they may never reappear at all. ^?
  • Workaround: Leaving the Ancestors' Crypt entirely and re-entering will restart the entire scene: Mannimarco's projection will appear in the main room and dialogue will begin before you even make it back.
• When the quest stage says to talk to Kasura after picking up the ring, the quest icon will not display over her head. ^?
  • Workaround: She should be standing close to you; just look around for her crouching form.

Quest Stages

Valley of Blades
Finishes Quest	Journal Entry
	A projection of Varen Aquilarios appeared to me when I arrived in town. I should talk to him and see what he wants. Objective: Enter The Harborage Hidden Objective: Talk to Varen
	Sai Sahan plans to travel to the Valley of Blades to seek an old friend's knowledge of Sancre Tor. I should talk to him before we leave. Objective: Talk to Sai Sahan
	The portal has opened and Sai Sahan is ready to travel to the Valley of Blades. I should enter the portal to begin the journey. Objective: Travel to the Valley of Blades
	We arrived in the pass to the Valley of Blades, but something is amiss. I should talk to Sai Sahan. Objective: Enter the Abbey of Blades Optional Step: Talk to Sai Sahan
	The abbey is burning and Sai Sahan has run ahead to search for Kasura. I should follow and help find Kasura. Objective: Find Kasura
	Kasura has been injured. I should listen to what she knows about the attack. Objective: Listen to Kasura
	Kasura has been injured and the town is still threatened by several Daedric Sigils. I should destroy the Sigils to hopefully prevent further attacks. Objective: Destroy the Sigils:x/3
	Daedric Titan attacked the Abbey of Blades and killed many of Kasura's students. I must destroy the Titan. Objective: Defeat the Titan
	The cultists are all dead and the portals closed. I should talk to Kasura. Objective: Talk to Kasura
	Under the protection of Kasura, the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy has remained hidden in the nearby crypt. I should find the hidden entrance to the Ancestral Crypt atop the nearby steps. Objective: Enter the Ancestral Crypt
	The Ring of Stendarr's Mercy should be in a chest at the far end of the Ancestral Crypt. I should find the chest and take the ring. Objective: Find the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy Optional Step: Talk to Sai Sahan Hidden Objective: Learn More About Sai Sahan and His Ancestors
	I have the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy. I should talk to Kasura and see if she'll return to the Harborage with us. Objective: Talk to Kasura
	Mannimarco found us in the crypt. His minions must not overrun the crypt and gain the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy! Objective: Protect the Ancestral Crypt
	I have the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy. I should talk to Sai Sahan. Objective: Talk to Sai Sahan
	Varen Aquilarios opened a portal back to the Harborage. I should give him the ring and inform him of what happened in the Valley of Blades. Objective: Return to the Harborage
Finishes quest	I returned to the Harborage. I should give the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy to Varen Aquilarios and tell him what happened in the Valley of Blades. Objective: Give the Ring of Stendarr's Mercy to Varen

Notes

* Any text displayed in angle brackets (e.g., <Alias=LocationHold>) is dynamically set by the game and will be filled in with the appropriate word(s) when seen in game.

• Not all Journal Entries may appear in your journal; which entries appear and which entries do not depends on the manner in which the quest is done.
• Stages are not always in order of progress. This is usually the case with quests that have multiple possible outcomes or quests where certain tasks may be done in any order. Some stages may therefore repeat objectives seen in other stages.