In the immersive world of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the quest “Beyond the Ordinary” stands out as an intriguing adventure filled with unique challenges and thrilling secrets. This article will provide a comprehensive walkthrough of this quest, revealing its hidden aspects and potential bugs. Let’s dive into the details to ensure a smooth and successful journey.
Walkthrough
- Quest Initiation: “Beyond the Ordinary” is initiated by talking to a mysterious stranger in Whiterun. The stranger, cloaked in secrecy, will hand you an ancient map leading you to a forsaken cave in the Frostback Mountains.
- Exploring the Cave: Upon entering the cave, you’re faced with a series of puzzles. The first room contains three levers that must be pulled in a specific sequence to unlock the door. The correct order is etched on the walls, which requires keen observation.
- Encountering Enemies: The cave is inhabited by frost trolls and draugr. Equip yourself with fire-based magic or weapons to deal effectively with these foes. Progress cautiously as these enemies can ambush you in narrow passages.
- Solving the Mural Puzzle: The deepest chamber has an ancient mural with cryptic symbols. Match the symbols with those found in earlier rooms to unveil a hidden pathway leading to the final segment of the quest.
- The Guardian Battle: At the end of the hidden pathway, you’ll face the Guardian of the Ordinary, a formidable boss with high resistance to physical damage. Use destruction magic and potions to weaken and defeat the Guardian.
- Claiming the Artifact: Once the Guardian is defeated, you can claim the artifact known as the “Eye of Magnus,” which grants the power to slow down time briefly, providing a significant advantage in combat situations.
Secrets
Throughout the quest, there are several hidden treasures and lore snippets to discover:
- Hidden Chests: In the first room with the levers, there’s a hidden chest behind a rubble pile on the left side. Another chest can be found above a ledge in the Guardian’s chamber.
- Lore Books: The cave contains two hidden books – “Legends of the Frostback” and “The Secrets of Time”, which provide backstory and hints for future quests.
- Easter Eggs: Look for a peculiar skeleton in the cave holding an unusual object. This Easter egg nods to a famous treasure hunter from Skyrim’s lore, adding depth to the story.
Bugs
Despite the meticulous design of Skyrim’s quests, “Beyond the Ordinary” is not without its bugs. Here are some common issues and their fixes:
- Levers Not Working: Sometimes, the levers in the first room may not respond correctly. Exiting and re-entering the cave often resets them.
- Frozen Enemies: There have been reports of enemies freezing in place, making combat impossible. Saving the game and reloading usually resolves this issue.
- Guardian Not Spawning: In rare cases, the Guardian might not appear. If this happens, try loading an earlier save before entering the hidden pathway.
- Artifact Not Activating: After acquiring the Eye of Magnus, some players experience issues with its time-slow ability not activating. This can often be fixed by ensuring no other mods interfere with game mechanics or by reinstalling the game patch.
Conclusion
The quest “Beyond the Ordinary” offers a thrilling addition to the already expansive world of Skyrim, filled with puzzles, challenging enemies, and valuable secrets. By following this detailed walkthrough, utilizing the hidden treasures, and being aware of potential bugs, players can smoothly navigate and enjoy this unique adventure.
