Lights Out!

Snuffing the Lights of Solitude

When you visit Solitude, be on the lookout for a shady Argonian character who usually lurks outside of Angeline’s Aromatics, close to one of the city gates. He sometimes beckons you over. Step up to him and ask what he wants. He explains that he and his sister Deeja are treasure hunters. With the advent of the war, and as Solitude is one of the Empire’s major ports, the Solitude Lighthouse serves a vital purpose keeping ships safe in the treacherous waters of the Northern Coast. Now, if the lighthouse went dark, one of the cargo ships that Jaree-Ra has had his eye on—the Icerunner—could run aground and yield some sizable plunder. Are you in?

If you are, agree to put out the lighthouse fire. You can also ask about the ship’s crew or turn him over to the guards, but neither helps your success with this quest.

Beyond the giant arch of Solitude on the cusp of the Northern Coast is the Solitude Lighthouse. Climb the stairs in the exterior, being careful not to alert the lighthouse keeper, Ma’zaka. Although he sometimes confines himself inside his quarters within the Lighthouse, he may be wandering the building. Simply avoid him, or if you encounter Ma’zaka, kill him or sneak up the tower so you’re not spotted. Ma’zaka won’t spot that the Lighthouse fire is out until it is too late and the ship Jaree-Ra was eyeing runs aground. Once atop the Lighthouse tower, snuff the flames (there isn’t any special equipment needed for this).

Scuttled and Plundered!

Find Jaree-Ra on the docks outside the East Empire Company Warehouse. Speak to him: Your actions have already caused the Icerunner to run aground on the shoals across the bay. Jaree-Ra has already dispatched his sister and his gang, the Blackblood Marauders, to strip the ship of valuables. You are to join them.

You can wade, swim, or Fast-Travel to a nearby location and clamber across the rugged terrain to the ship that has scraped the jagged rocks along the coast. As you draw near, you can see Blackblood Marauders are already stripping the cargo from the vessel. The corpses suggest that the ship’s former crew have already been dealt with.

You can talk to one of the Marauders, who tells you Deeja is expecting you down in the hold of the ship. Enter the ship, and head south along the main corridor, opening the second door on your left. Wind your way down the steps to the waterlogged hold. Now head north to a storage alcove where Deeja is checking the contents of a large treasure chest.

Deeja says she’s supposed to give you a cut of the loot. But as most of the loot has already been moved, she has another offering: a quick death!

The Argonian shouldn’t be too terrifying an opponent for you; quickly cut her down and then search her still-twitching corpse. The note from Jaree-Ra refers to both the “fool who did our work at the lighthouse” and the location of the plundered loot: Broken Oar Grotto. Battle the remaining Blackblood Marauders who attempt to halt your progress from the Icerunner, and fight your way onto the exterior deck; expect to dispatch about five before the ship is empty of double-crossing cutthroats!

When you get back outside, you’ll notice that the rowboats loaded up with loot are already gone, as are most of the Marauders. Only one remains on the shore, with the boat that would have carried the last few stragglers away. Deal with him.

Seeing the Light

Optimally Fast-Travel to Solitude Lighthouse and walk west along the Northern Coast, as the Broken Oar Grotto is nearby. There’s a scuttled boat and two recently moored rowboats at the entrance. Enter the smuggler’s hideout, fashioned from wood and cavern pathways, and maneuver through this large and looming place. Prepare for protracted combat at long and short ranges with Blackblood Marauders.

Farther into the grotto, Marauders guard a rickety building used for unloading ill-gotten gains. The end of the grotto, where a sunken ship decomposes in the turquoise water, is where Jaree-Ra is counting his loot. Battle up the wooden ramps to the top of the dock structure, and slay the dishonorable lizard with whatever death-dealing implements you consider most suitable. Then scour the Broken Oar Grotto for any remaining foes and any valuables you can scavenge.

Quest Conclusion

Consult the Atlas chapter for any valuables you can scavenge from the Wreck of the Icerunner or Broken Oar Grotto. Expect no other rewards.