Ancient Falmer Tomes is a miscellaneous quest from the Dawnguard add-on that turns a sightseeing trip through the Forgotten Vale into a small fortune. Four ancient books written in the language of the Falmer, dating back to the late Merethic Era, lie scattered across the valley. Nobody can read them in the field, but Urag gro-Shub, the librarian of the Arcanaeum at the College of Winterhold, is more than happy to pay for them.
How to start
There is no quest giver. The quest begins when you pick up one of the Unknown Books in the Forgotten Vale, which you visit during the main questline of Dawnguard. From then on the journal simply asks you to bring the tome to Urag gro-Shub.
Walkthrough
Each book sits in its own spot in the Forgotten Vale. Grab whichever ones you pass while you work through the main story, then deliver them all at the College.
Unknown Book, Vol. I
Start at the Wayshrine of Learning and head straight on along the river. Pass under the arch, then go between a pair of broken pillars. Just beyond them, a very tall pillar rises behind some rocks. At its base you will find a chest, a skeleton and the first volume.
Unknown Book, Vol. II
Activate the Emerald Paragon at the Paragon Platform to be carried to the Forgotten Vale Overlook. From there, turn right and follow the river downhill, past two broken pillars, until you see a cluster of broken pillars on your right. Behind a tree you will find weapons, a skeleton, a chest and the second volume. An alternative route: stand on the balcony of the Inner Sanctum, use Become Ethereal and jump down to the Overlook without taking fall damage.
Unknown Book, Vol. III
Travel to the Wayshrine of Resolution, then go northwest and cross the bridge. Keep left and follow the Falmer walkways through the ravine for quite a distance. The book lies on a table in the southernmost tent, close to the waterfall. If you get lost, go to the entrance of the Glacial Crevice and face north; climb the ramp on the left over the river, follow the path and take the Falmer-built bridge on your left to reach the tent.
Unknown Book, Vol. IV
Once you are through the Glacial Crevice you arrive at a small open-air Falmer village. The last volume lies on a table in the highest hut near the far end of the village, just before the long tunnel. Look for the hut with a huge mammoth skull over its entrance.
Hand them in
Take the books to Urag gro-Shub in the Arcanaeum. He pays 1,000 gold for every book and hands you a translated copy in return. You can turn them in one at a time or all together.
Rewards
- 1,000 gold for each Unknown Book (4,000 gold in total)
- The Betrayed (translation of Vol. I)
- Journal of Mirtil Angoth (translation of Vol. II)
- Diary of Faire Agarwen (translation of Vol. III)
- Touching the Sky (translation of Vol. IV)
Tips and notes
- The books are found along the route of the Forgotten Vale part of the main quest Touching the Sky, so it is easiest to collect them while you are there anyway.
- The translated copy of Vol. IV shares its name with that main quest.
- If you sell all four at once, the game may show only one gold notification even though the full amount arrives. Check your purse rather than the pop-up.
