After completing the “Speaking With Silence” quest in Skyrim, the “Hard Answers” quest becomes available. This quest will lead you to uncovering a hidden message within Gallus’s journal and revealing the truth about Mercer Frey’s treachery. A crucial step in this quest involves obtaining Calcelmo’s Falmer translating guide to decipher the journal. This guide will walk you through every step to get Calcelmo’s Falmer translating guide, ensuring you successfully complete the “Hard Answers” quest.
Prerequisites for Starting “Hard Answers”
Alt text: Gallus’ Journal lies open, a key item for unraveling the mysteries in the Hard Answers quest.
Before diving into “Hard Answers,” you need to complete a series of quests within the Thieves Guild questline. Here’s a list of the quests you’ll need to finish:
| Quest Name | NPC to Speak With | Location |
|---|---|---|
| A Chance Arrangement | Brynjolf | Riften – Town Square |
| Taking Care of Business | Brynjolf | Riften – The Ragged Flagon |
| Loud and Clear | Brynjolf | Riften – The Ragged Flagon |
| Dampening Spirits | Maven Black-Briar | Riften – The Bee and Barb/Black-Briar Meadery |
| Scoundrel’s Folly | Mercer Frey | Riften – The Ratway |
| Speaking With Silence | Mercer Frey | Snow Veil Sanctum (Southeast of Winterhold) |
Accepting the “Hard Answers” Quest
Alt text: Enthir awaits at the College of Winterhold, a vital contact for deciphering Gallus’ journal during the Hard Answers quest.
Upon finishing “Speaking With Silence,” Karliah will automatically give you the “Hard Answers” quest. Your first task is to speak with Enthir, who can be found in Winterhold, either at The Frozen Hearth or the College of Winterhold. Show him Gallus’ journal, and he’ll reveal that it’s written in Falmer language and needs translation. He will direct you to Calcelmo in Markarth to get Calcelmo’s Falmer translating guide.
Meeting Calcelmo in Markarth
Alt text: The Dragonborn converses with Calcelmo, seeking access to his research for the Hard Answers quest.
Markarth is located on the western edge of Skyrim. Find Calcelmo inside Understone Keep, where Jarl Igmund resides. Calcelmo possesses the key to his museum, which you need to enter. However, he’s reluctant to hand it over. You’ll need to use persuasion, bribery, or intimidation to convince him. Successfully doing so will make him give you the key, enabling you to get Calcelmo’s Falmer translating guide.
Alternative Methods to Obtain the Key
Besides persuasion, bribery, and intimidation, you can also complete the following side quests for Calcelmo:
- The Book of Love
- Nimhe, The Poisoned One
Alternatively, you can try to steal the key from a table near Calcelmo. However, succeeding in this will turn the guards hostile. A riskier approach involves breaking into Calcelmo’s Museum, bypassing the need to speak with him altogether. Be prepared to evade or fight the guards if you choose this method.
Navigating Calcelmo’s Museum
Alt text: A detailed look inside Calcelmo’s Museum, filled with ancient Dwemer technology and guarded secrets for the Hard Answers quest.
With the key in hand, enter Calcelmo’s Museum. If you obtained the key legally, the guards in the main area will remain passive. However, the guards within Calcelmo’s Laboratory are hostile. Make your way to the laboratory, where you’ll encounter Calcelmo’s personal mercenaries.
In the laboratory, find the table with the Spider Control Rod nearby. This rod controls a mechanical spider that can aid you in defeating the guards. Alternatively, you can try to sneak past the guards to reach the back of the laboratory.
The laboratory also features several valves that activate traps. Use these to your advantage to distract the guards if you prefer avoiding direct combat. Activating these valves is optional; choose the approach that suits your playstyle best.
As you proceed through the laboratory, you’ll encounter a corridor filled with highly poisonous gas. Run through it as quickly as possible and step on the button to disable the poison. The Become Ethereal shout can negate the damage, but it might alert nearby guards.
Alt text: Aicantar lies dead in his study, an event that can significantly alter your path through Calcelmo’s Laboratory.
This corridor leads to Aicantar’s study, where you’ll encounter Aicantar (Calcelmo’s nephew) and his guards. You have several options here:
- Sneak past Aicantar and his guards.
- Kill Aicantar and his guards.
- Activate the nearby trap, causing the guards to die and Aicantar to flee.
In Aicantar’s study, you’ll also find the Dwemer Puzzle Cube, which can be sold to Delvin for The Litany of Larceny quest. Grab this cube before heading to the balcony.
Alt text: A Dwemer Puzzle Cube, a valuable collectible hidden within Aicantar’s study, awaits discovery.
Obtaining Calcelmo’s Falmer Translating Guide
From the balcony, go up Calcelmo’s Tower and enter the room on the left side. Here, you’ll find charcoal and a roll of paper. Use these items to create a copy of Calcelmo’s Stone, which is the Falmer translation guide you need to get Calcelmo’s Falmer translating guide.
Leaving Calcelmo’s Museum
Alt text: The Dragonborn gazes upon Calcelmo’s Stone, the essential artifact needed to translate Gallus’ journal.
To leave the museum, you can either jump from the tower (risky) or head back through the museum. If you choose to jump, be cautious, as a misstep can lead to death. If you killed Aicantar earlier, the path will be clear. Otherwise, he’ll be in the tower with guards, so you’ll need to fight or sneak out.
Once you’re out of the museum, return to Enthir in Winterhold.
Speaking with Enthir
Alt text: The Frozen Hearth in Winterhold, a tavern where Enthir can often be found, awaiting your return with Calcelmo’s Stone.
Find Enthir in the cellar of the Frozen Hearth, speaking with Karliah. Hand over the copy of Calcelmo’s Stone and listen as Enthir translates Gallus’ journal. You’ll learn about Mercer’s true intentions and his betrayal of the Thieves Guild, including the defilement of the Twilight Sepulcher.
Rewards for Completing “Hard Answers”
Alt text: The Nightingale Blade, a mystical reward for your efforts, imbues its wielder with the essence of shadows.
Upon completion, Karliah will reward you with the Nightingale Blade, a powerful sword with absorbing enchantments. The stats of the Nightingale Blade vary depending on your level:
| Personal Current Level | Nightingale Blade Stats |
|---|---|
| 1-18 | Absorb 5 health and stamina |
| 19-26 | Absorb 10 health and stamina |
| 27-35 | Absorb 15 health and stamina |
| 36-45 | Absorb 20 health and stamina |
| 46+ | Absorb 25 health and stamina |
With “Hard Answers” complete, head to the Ragged Flagon in Riften and start the next quest, “The Pursuit.”
