The Lost to the Ages side quest in Skyrim takes players on a thrilling journey across ancient Dwemer ruins to locate four powerful Aetherium Shards. These glowing crystal fragments are essential for unlocking the legendary Aetherium Forge, where players can craft unique and valuable artifacts. Knowing exactly where to find each shard saves time and ensures a smooth adventure through some of the most dangerous dungeons in the game.
Starting the Quest and Finding the First Shard
To begin the quest line, players can read a copy of the book titled The Aetherium Wars or travel directly to the ancient ruin of Arkngthamz. Inside Arkngthamz, you will meet the ghost of Katria, a fellow adventurer who guides you through the complex puzzles of the site. After solving the tonal lock puzzle near the end of the ruin, you can claim the very first Aetherium Shard from its pedestal.
Locating the Remaining Dwemer Shards
The remaining three shards are spread across different regions of Skyrim, requiring careful navigation. The second shard rests at Deep Folk Crossing, situated outdoors atop a stone pedestal near a scenic Dwemer bridge. For the third piece, venture to the ruin of Raldbthar, where you must fight through Falmer enemies and solve mechanism puzzles to retrieve the shard. The final fragment is housed inside the Dwarven Storeroom near Mzulft, which can be easily picked open without exploring the main dungeon.
Forging Legendary Items at the Aetherium Forge
Once all four shards are collected, you must travel to the Ruins of Bthalft to combine them into the Aetherium Crest. Inserting the crest into the mechanism opens the elevator leading down to the ancient Aetherium Forge. Players can then choose to craft either the Aetherial Crown, the Aetherial Shield, or the Aetherial Staff to complete their reward.
