The Aetherium Forge (Dawnguard) lies deep beneath the Ruins of Bthalft and opens only after the four Aetherium Shards have been joined into the Aetherium Crest. The Dwemer built it to shape Aetherium into magical artifacts, and according to Katria it is at least 4,000 years old – ancient even for the Dwarves. It is the grand finale of Lost to the Ages.
What you’ll find
- Dwarven Spiders and Dwarven Spheres guarding the halls.
- The Forgemaster, a unique Dwarven Centurion standing between you and the forge.
- A lava-filled main hall with rock islands, side doors above the lava and a high-level chest hidden at the back of the lava on the left.
- An Adept-locked chest half buried in the plaza (the only container that restocks every few days) and another behind the lowest waterfall.
- Soul gems lying underwater near the entrance and the sealed gate.
- A statue on the path to the resonators whose eyes are actual rubies you can pry out.
- Two silver ore veins past the doorway to the right of the corridor to the main forge.
Quests
Lost to the Ages – after beating the Forgemaster, Katria realises the shards themselves are pure Aetherium, and you get to craft one of three artifacts:
- Aetherial Crown – Aetherium Crest, 2 Dwarven Metal Ingots, 2 Gold Ingots, 2 Flawless Sapphires.
- Aetherial Shield – Aetherium Crest, 4 Dwarven Metal Ingots, 2 Refined Malachite.
- Aetherial Staff – Aetherium Crest, 2 Dwarven Metal Ingots, 1 Gold Ingot, 2 Ebony Ingots.
Tips
The lava hits hard: a 150-point burst of fire damage plus lingering burn, and touching it floods your vision with blinding yellow. To reach the chest at the back, use Become Ethereal to swim through, or hop the rock islands with Whirlwind Sprint – a Vampire Lord‘s bat form works too. The high side doors have no ledge, so the same ethereal trick is the way in. If the crown refuses to accept your Flawless Sapphires, check for an unfinished quest that has marked them as quest items.
Details checked against community wiki articles and the Skyrim/Dawnguard game files, summarised in our own words.
