# Oblivion:Trap Demonstration

See the Skull of the Mountain in operation

- Quest Giver: Captain Gudrun
- Location(s): Bear Riders' Lodge
- Prerequisite Quest: Valus Patrol
- Reward: None
- ID: RM05

The Mountain Riders' Lodge outside Bruma

## Quick Walkthrough

1. Visit Arcane U
2. Take the portal to an Ayleid chamber
3. Watch the fireworks

## Detailed Walkthrough

### Arcane University

Gudrun will tell you that Tar-Meena has finished her research on the spell book you found. She's asked you to come to the Arcane University when you're next in the city.

### Demonstration

Tar-meena introduces you to Malandil, a Master of Conjuration, who has prepared a demonstration of the trap. You follow her to the basement of the Practice rooms, where a portal takes you to an Ayleid chamber somewhere underground. Malandil informs you that the Mages' Guild doesn't know where the chamber is, either. The portal was intended to connect the University to the grove at Wellspring Cave, but connected itself to this chamber instead.

It was the perfect place to install the trap for two reasons. One was the configuration of the chamber, with a cell for the trap, and a safe viewing location next to it. The other was that the trap would guard the chamber in case there were any hidden entrances the mages hadn't found!

While you look on from the viewing corridor, Malandil summons a range of Daedra, all of which are instantly killed by the Skull of the Mountain trap. It seems to sense the creatures' weaknesses and cast the right spell to exploit them.

### A Request in Return

After the demo, you ask if there's anything you can do for Malandil and Eugenie. They'd like you to find Malandil's other assistant, Prietus, who went looking for books in Saradavar Leed. He's locked in a room there, either by the conjurers, or to escape the Daedra.

When you speak with him, you'll discover that Malandil sent him away because he couldn't concentrate on his studies if he was anywhere near Eugenie. He knows she's hot for him, but always says "No", so he's understandably confused. He thinks it may be due to her father using a Command Spell on her. You hint that "No" could be the right answer if he phrases his request appropriately, and he rushes off to test that theory.

### A Book at Bedtime

While Prietus is busy with Eugenie, you talk to Malandil, who is glad to have the problems all sorted out. She rewards you with the book that Prietus retrieved from the ruin - the Conjuration skill book Limnal Bridges.

## Notes

- The trap kills only Daedra, but it is still dangerous to be in the cell, in case you get between the stone and the target, or the spell has an area of effect.
- The chamber end of the portal is an Ayleid Step that was lost from the network when its linked step was destroyed, probably by an Oblivion gate opening. It became connected to the portal in the University by accident, but the linkage is stable.
- It's a good idea to open the gate leading to the shortcut out of the ruin, before speaking to Prietus. If you don't, he'll take the long way round, through the falling blade traps, and become unconscious a few times.

## Journal Entries

Trap Demonstration (RM05)
Stage | Finishes Quest | Journal Entry
--- | --- | ---
10 |  | Gudrun tells me that Tar-Meena has news for me about the Skull of the Mountain spell. I should see her when I'm next in the Imperial City.
20 |  | A mage scholar named Malandil is going to show me where they're using the Skull of the Mountain spell. I should follow her.
30 |  | We have arrived at the Ayleid chamber where the Skull of the Mountain Trap has been placed. Malandil is going to demonstrate how it works.
40 |  | We're in position for the demonstration. Malandil can begin.
50 |  | Malandil summoned various Daedra and the trap spell killed each one instantly. Very impressive! I must thank Tar-Meena and Malndil for their work.
60 |  | I've agreed to look for Malandil's apprentice Prietus, who went missing in Sardavar Leed.
70 |  | I found Prietus locked in a cell in the Ayleid ruin, and sent him back to Malandil and Eugenie. I should follow and make sure he arrives safely.
80 |  | Prietus has reported back to Malandil at the University.
100 | 0 | Malandil thanked me for finding Prietus and gave me a book about Conjuration.

Notes

- 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 random order.
- If an entry is marked as "Finishes Quest" it means the quest disappears from the Active Quest list, but you may still receive new entries for that quest.
- On the PC, it is possible to use the console to advance through the quest by entering `setstage quest stage`. Where `quest` is the internal name of the quest, and `stage` is the number of the stage you wish to complete. It is not possible to un-complete (i.e. go back) quest stages. See SetStage for more information.