Lightless Oubliette

For the book, see The Lightless Oubliette.

"I could hear Morian Zenas weep at the images he saw, and shiver at the sight of the Imperial Palace, spattered with blood and excrement."

―Seif-ij Hidja^[src]

The Lightless Oubliette is a Daedric Ruin situated in the region of the Shrouded Plain in the realm of Coldharbour. It is Molag Bal's recreation of the White-Gold Tower for his own realm. The tower serves as a prison for the Ayleid king Laloriaran Dynar, with its interiors completely pitch black and lightless.

History[]

"Coldharbour is a series of prisons within prisons. The Lightless Oubliette was specifically built to hold entities who can manipulate light to magical ends. The wardens of the Oubliette are careful to use only lights of the colder spectra, as these are less susceptible to refocusing."

―Lightless Oubliette loading screen^[src]

As Coldharbour is Molag Bal's interpretation of Tamriel after he were to have ruled it, some of the realm's structures mimic locations on Nirn, with the Lightless Oubliette being Bal's version of the White-Gold Tower.^[1] Bal uses the tower as a prison for servants of Meridia, and had the interior guarded with Dremora, which mainly supervised the Auroran prisoners. As such, strict rules prohibited the use of many types of light, as the Aurorans could utilize it and turn it into their own energy.^[2] At some point, however, the guards left, with many of its enemies now being Soul Shriven and Essences of Darkness. None of the prisoners remain, save for Laloriaran Dynar, the last Ayleid king.^[3]

Sublocations[]

Lightless Cell[]

"The rules that govern the behavior of Molag Bal's servants are known as the Seven-Hundred-and-One Edicts; special cases are covered in the Mandatory Codicils. Violation of even the least of the Edicts can result in a sentence to the Scathe-Rings."

―Lightless Cell Loading Screen^[src]

The Lightless Cell is Laloriaran Dynar's prison. He is found restrained in a pillar of darkness at the center, with many crystals surrounding him. He explains that these crystals are the key to rescuing him, and once set in a certain order, will remove his restraints.

Quests[]

The Army of Meridia[]

The Groundskeeper will task you with rescuing Laloriaran Dynar from the Oubliette. She recommends rescuing Dynar before Vanus Galerion.

Into the Woods[]

After assisting either Tzik'nith or Faraniel, they will guide you to the entrance of the Oubliette.

Light from the Darkness[]

After entering the ruined passage, a Projection of King Laloriaran Dynar will appear. He will guide you to take the Light of Meridia hidden inside a tree. Once the interior of the tower is entered, the projection will task you with retrieving the Lifeshadow, Mindshadow, and Flameshadow crystals. Once that is done, you must place the crystals into their displays in order to enter the Lightless Cell.

Once within the Cell, Dynar's projection will continue to guide you, and tasks you with rotating the crystal prisms in order to deactivate the ebon shards. Once that is done, Dynar will be set free, and opens up a portal to the Hollow City.