Oblivion:Vahtacen

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Ayleid Ruin:
Vahtacen
(view on map) (lore page)

# of Zones

2

Occupants

Skaleel, Denel
Undead
(1 boss-level Undead)

Important Treasure

1 Ancient Elven Helm
3 boss-level Ayleid Coffers
1 boss-level Ayleid Reliquary

Console Location Code(s)

VahtacenExterior, Vahtacen, Vahtacen02

Region

Nibenay Basin

Location

South of Cheydinhal, western shore of Reed River origin

Vahtacen

Vahtacen is a medium-sized Ayleid ruin south of Cheydinhal containing undead (quest-related). It contains two zones: Vahtacen and Vahtacen Lorsel.

Related Quests

Vahtacen's Secret: Find out how the Mages Guild's excavation of Vahtacen is faring.

Notes

The entrance to this ruin looks like a normal cave, and there's a short access route through caverns to the actual Ayleid ruin part. The upper section has been explored and is safe. The map icon is that of a cave, rather than of an Ayleid ruin.
Most of the ruin is inaccessible without a key you get with the Mages Guild quest.
The Welkynd and Varla Stones in this ruin are random loot, stored in crates in the first zone of Vahtacen. Up to 15 stones total can be found; the number of stones that you find is not influenced by your level. If you are level 9 or higher each stone you find has a 10% chance of being a Varla Stone.
The Song of Pelinal, v 4 describes how Pelinal Whitestrake and the slave queen Alessia released the prisoners held in Vahtacen by the Ayleids.

Exterior

Key to Maps

Map of Vahtacen Exterior

The exterior is located at coordinates: Tamriel 30, 17
This location's map marker (M on map) is named Vahtacen (editor name VahtacenMapMarker). The entrance door is SSW of the marker, 30 feet away.
0-1 Mud Crab is near the entrance
2 Wilderness Creatures (Valley variety) are near the entrance
1 Nirnroot is at location N on map
The following plants can be found near the entrance: 25 Bergamot plants, 1 Flax plant, 13 Lavender plants, 17 Monkshood plants, 1 Nightshade plant, and 1 Primrose plant

Zone 1: Vahtacen

Vahtacen

The entrance to the ruins

Occupants:

Denel (non-respawning) at location D on map
Skaleel (non-respawning) at S
2 Ethereal Undead (dungeon-specific leveled list)

Treasure:

1 boss-level Ayleid Coffer (Undead variety) at location B on map
1 boss-level Ayleid Reliquary (Undead variety; locked) at B
1 A Battered Crate (may contain 1 magical Stone, 15% chance of appearing; non-respawning) at H
3 Ayleid Casks 01 (all locked)
1 Chest (contains 9 scrolls, including Elevate Magicka, Flare, and Sever Magicka; does respawn; locked) at I
2 Crates (each contains up to 4 magical stones, each 50% chance of appearing; each stone has 10% chance of being a Varla Stone for level 9 or higher characters, otherwise is a Welkynd Stone; non-respawning) at G
1 Restoration Ayleid Chest
2 Small Crates (each contains up to 3 magical stones, each 15% chance of appearing; non-respawning) at F
The following books will always be found: 1 Magic from the Sky and 1 The Wild Elves

Traps:

4 Dark Welkynd Stone traps at locations T on map

Doors and Gates:

There are three doors in/out of this zone
- 1 door (at Out) leads outside
- 2 doors (at C and E) lead out of dungeon to Vahtacen Lorsel and Vahtacen Lorsel
1 Crumbling Wall at J
1 Gate at L (locked, key required, opened by Vahtacen Ruins Key)
1 Hidden Door at K

Other:

Vahtacen's Pillar (needs to be opened to explore rest of ruin) at location V on map
2 bedrolls at b

Zone 2: Vahtacen Lorsel

Vahtacen Lorsel

Straight ahead of where you enter is one enemy. Continuing down the stairs, you'll find your first few traps; a spike pit surrounded by four Dark Welkynd Stones. Ahead of you, down a short hallway, is a pressure plate. Stepping on it opens up two rooms to the sides of you containing an enemy each. Enter each room to open the way to the rest of this dungeon (it is not necessary for you to kill the enemies here).

The next room has four more Dark Welkynd stones. Opening the gate at the opposite side of the room triggers three swinging blade traps. Continue through the ruin until you reach the large chamber in the northeast.

To raise the stairs, you will need to activate the push block located in one of the towers southeast of the main chamber. If your Acrobatics is high enough, you can jump directly there without needing to. When you've reached the cage enclosing the Elven helm, enemies will immediately appear in the chamber. Grab the helm and either unlock the gate at H to access a previously-inaccessible chamber in Vahtacen or go back through the door you went through to enter this zone.