Black Book: The Winds of Change is one of the Black Book side quests in Dragonborn, and probably the most relaxed of them. Reading the book pulls you into Apocrypha, the realm of Hermaeus Mora, where you have to reach the hidden knowledge at the end of the path. There is no quest giver as such: the book itself starts the quest the moment you open it.
How to start
Find and read the Black Book The Winds of Change. The journal notes that you have ended up in Apocrypha and can either uncover the knowledge hidden there or read the book again to leave. The book is written by Liesl Grey-Heart, who describes studying the patterns in the thoughts and behaviour of a troubled population under a ruler named Elgryr, with the plan of understanding them and eventually steering them.
Walkthrough
Follow the path
Unlike some of the other books, this realm is not much of a puzzle. The route is linear: simply follow the walkway ahead of you. Along the way you will find books and containers with loot, so it is worth a short detour here and there.
Fight through the guardians
Several Seekers and a Lurker stand between you and the end. The Lurker hits hard, so keep some healing ready, or bring a ranged option and use the platforms to your advantage.
Reach the Black Book
Keep going until the path enters a tunnel. The Black Book waits at the far end of the tunnel. Read it to choose your reward, then read it once more to return to Solstheim.
Choices and consequences
You may only pick one of the three Secrets offered by the book. Choose based on how you play:
- Scholar’s Insight is the long-term option for anyone who reads every skill book they find.
- Companion’s Insight suits characters who travel with a follower and keep hitting them with shouts, spells or wild swings.
- Lover’s Insight gives a small combat and trading edge, but only against people of the opposite sex.
Rewards
One of the following abilities:
- Scholar’s Insight – reading a skill book gives an extra skill point.
- Companion’s Insight – your attacks, shouts and Destruction spells deal no damage to your followers.
- Lover’s Insight – 10% more damage and 10% better prices with people of the opposite sex.
The loot along the path is a nice bonus on top.
Tips and notes
- You can read the book again at any time to escape Apocrypha before reaching the end.
- The source does not say where the book is found on Solstheim, so check your map and the Black Book listings if you are hunting for it.
- Other Black Books with their own realms: Filament and Filigree, The Hidden Twilight, The Sallow Regent and Untold Legends.
