The Elder Scroll Sun is a pivotal quest item introduced in The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard expansion that centers on an ancient vampire prophecy known as the Tyranny of the Sun. Discovered alongside Serana in Dimhollow Crypt, this artifact holds vital clues regarding Auriel's Bow and the cosmic balance between day and night across the province.
Origins and Recovery of the Artifact
Discovery in Dimhollow Crypt
Players first encounter the artifact deep within the eerie chambers of Dimhollow Crypt while rescuing the vampire Serana from her ancient seal. Valerica hid the scroll away from her husband, Lord Harkon, to prevent him from exploiting its dark potential. Recovering this item initiates a major chain of events that pulls your character into a bitter conflict between the Volkihar vampires and the Dawnguard order. Navigating through the crypt requires careful combat and puzzle-solving skills, setting a dramatic tone for the entire seasonal expansion.
Prophecy of the Tyranny of the Sun
The core significance of the scroll revolves around the ominous prophecy stating that the blood of Coldharbor's daughter will blind the eye of the dragon. According to historical lore detailed on the Elder Scrolls Fandom Wiki), this verse foretells an eternal twilight where day and night merge into a single shadowed era. Lord Harkon intends to harness this power to remove the traditional weaknesses that vampires face under direct sunlight. Unraveling these cryptic verses requires consulting specialized scholars who understand the hidden language of the ancient scrolls.
Moth Priest Reading and Auriel's Bow
Unlocking the full meaning of the text demands the assistance of a Moth Priest capable of deciphering the blinding light of the artifact. When Dexion Evicus reads the script, he uncovers a clear vision pointing directly toward Auriel's Bow as the focal point of the ritual. This revelation shifts the primary objective from mere survival to actively hunting down a legendary divine weapon. Players must gather additional scrolls from distinct locations to complete the entire tapestry of the prophecy before making their final choice.
Role in Faction Choice and Endgame
Your interaction with the artifact ultimately forces a permanent allegiance decision between siding with the Dawnguard or embracing Lord Harkon's vampire court. Depending on your chosen faction, the scroll either helps you thwart the eternal darkness or enables the ritual to shroud the sky. The final confrontations test your combat readiness across forgotten valleys and ancestral chapels. Managing this powerful item brings a deeply satisfying conclusion to one of the most memorable questlines in modern role-playing history.
Practical Guidance for Managing the Scroll
Because the artifact acts as an essential quest component throughout the Dawnguard storyline, it weighs heavily in your inventory without consuming regular gold value. You cannot drop or store the item in a standard chest until the narrative specifically allows you to sell or archive it. Keeping track of its weight limit ensures your character avoids encumbrance issues while traveling through treacherous mountain passes.
| Artifact Attribute | In-Game Value | Practical Role |
|---|---|---|
| Base Item Weight | 20.0 Units | Adds permanent inventory load until storyline completion. |
| Gold Value | 0 Gold | Cannot be bartered with standard merchants initially. |
| Quest Status | Essential | Protected from accidental dropping or premature selling. |
| Post-Quest Sale | 6,000 Gold | Can be sold to Dexion Evicus after finishing the main conflict. |
Steps to Handle and Utilize the Artifact
- Locate Serana inside Dimhollow Crypt to initiate the main questline.
- Deliver the recovered scroll to Dexion Evicus for translation.
- Travel to Ancestor Glade to read the text safely.
- Sell the artifact later for gold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drop the Elder Scroll Sun before finishing Dawnguard?
No, the game designates the artifact as a crucial quest item while the expansion story remains active, preventing you from dropping or storing it. You must progress through the primary missions until the game flags the item as safe to part with.
Who buys the Elder Scroll Sun after the quest?
Once you finish the main narrative conflict known as Kindred Judgment, you can sell the scroll to Dexion Evicus at Fort Dawnguard or Castle Volkihar for six thousand gold. This clears space in your inventory permanently.
Do I need multiple scrolls to finish the storyline?
Yes, the prophecy requires combining knowledge from several distinct scrolls scattered across different hidden locations in the game world to reveal the complete truth about the bow. Collecting all of them is mandatory for progress.
Conclusion
Mastering the mysteries of the Elder Scroll Sun enriches your entire journey through the frozen peaks of Skyrim by connecting ancient myth to high-stakes faction warfare. Take time to explore Dimhollow Crypt thoroughly and speak with your chosen faction leaders to begin uncovering the secrets of the sun today.
