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To open Vahtacen’s sealed Ayleid pillar passage, cast four effects on the pillar in this order: Fire Damage, Frost Damage, Damage Magicka, Fortify Magicka. This walkthrough follows guides for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered; it does not establish whether every quest trigger or puzzle detail is identical in the original release.
How to start Vahtacen’s Secret
Speak with Raminus Polus at the Arcane University. Game8’s Vahtacen’s Secret walkthrough says you need to be an Evoker or have completed “Ulterior Motives” before Raminus sends you to Irlav Jarol. Irlav explains that research at Vahtacen has stalled because a passage is blocked.
Find the pillar and get its inscription translated
Travel to Vahtacen, south of Cheydinhal, and speak with Skaleel about the pillar. The Game8 walkthrough says Skaleel can provide the book Ayleid Inscriptions and Their Translations; take it to Denel, who helps interpret the inscriptions and identify the effects needed to open the passage.
Cast the four effects in this order
Stand close enough to target the pillar and apply these spell effects one at a time, in sequence:
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| Order | Effect to cast | Inscription meaning in Game8’s walkthrough |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fire Damage | “From Fire, Life” |
| 2 | Frost Damage | “From Frost, Death” |
| 3 | Damage Magicka | “Magicka Darkens” or “Magicka Wanes” |
| 4 | Fortify Magicka | “Magicka Shines” or “Magicka Waxes” |
Game8 says to use Target or Touch spells. GameSpot’s Oblivion Remastered guide gives the same order and notes that some scrolls require you to be within touch range. If a cast does not register, confirm that the effect is correct, that you have followed the order, and that you are close enough and aiming at the pillar.
Explore the opened ruins and return to Irlav
Once the pillar opens the passage, continue into the inner ruins and retrieve the Ayleid artifact. Then return it to Irlav Jarol to complete the objective. The walkthrough sources cited here do not securely establish the artifact’s exact name or the quest reward, so those details are not specified.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the puzzle or quest appears stuck
Do not assume an old workaround for a pressure-plate or switch problem applies to your game. A GameFAQs answer about Vahtacen’s Secret repeats console-command suggestions attributed to UESP, but it does not establish a safe fix for Oblivion Remastered or identify a current, version-specific bug. Check which edition you are playing and seek support for that edition before using console commands.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay.
- Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.
- Rediscover Cyrodiil Journey through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.
- Navigate Your Own Story. From the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.
- An Epic Adventure. Step inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.
Rank #3
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay.
- Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.
- Rediscover Cyrodiil Journey through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.
- Navigate Your Own Story. From the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.
- An Epic Adventure. Step inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.
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