The “Hard Answers” quest in Skyrim is crucial for uncovering Mercer Frey’s treachery within the Thieves Guild. A key step in this quest involves obtaining a Falmer translating guide to decipher Gallus’s journal. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on How To Get The Falmer Translating Guide, specifically Calcelmo’s Stone, and complete the “Hard Answers” quest.
Prerequisites for “Hard Answers”
Before you can begin “Hard Answers,” you must complete a series of preceding quests in the Thieves Guild questline. Here’s a list of the necessary quests:
| 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 or Black-Briar Meadery |
| Scoundrel’s Folly | Mercer Frey | Riften – The Ratway |
| Speaking With Silence | Mercer Frey | Snow Veil Sanctum – Southeast of Winterhold |
Accepting “Hard Answers”
After completing “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 within the College of Winterhold.
Enthir can be found in Winterhold and will direct you to Calcelmo.
Enthir will examine Gallus’ journal and determine that it is written in Falmer language. He will then instruct you to seek out Calcelmo in Markarth, as he possesses the knowledge to translate it. This is where you start the journey to learn how to get the falmer translating guide.
Meeting Calcelmo in Markarth
Markarth is located on the western edge of Skyrim. You can find Calcelmo inside Understone Keep, where Jarl Igmund resides. To get Calcelmo’s help, you need to convince him to grant you access to his museum.
Calcelmo can be persuaded, bribed, or intimidated.
Obtaining the Key to Calcelmo’s Museum
Calcelmo is initially reluctant to give you the key to his museum. You have several options to obtain it:
- Persuasion, Bribery, or Intimidation: Successfully persuading, bribing, or intimidating Calcelmo will lead him to hand over the key.
- Sidequests: Completing either “The Book Of Love” or “Nimhe, The Poisoned One” sidequests can also earn you the key.
- Stealing: The key can be stolen from a table near Calcelmo. However, be aware that successfully stealing the key will make the guards hostile.
- Breaking In: You can bypass Calcelmo altogether by breaking into the museum. This requires stealth and carries the risk of being caught by the guards.
Inside Calcelmo’s Museum
With the key in hand (or having bypassed the need for it), enter Calcelmo’s Museum.
Navigate through the museum and head towards Calcelmo’s Laboratory.
Important Note: While guards in the main part of the museum are generally passive, those within Calcelmo’s Laboratory are hostile.
Your goal is to reach Calcelmo’s Laboratory. Inside, you’ll encounter hostile mercenaries. You can find a Spider Control Rod on a table nearby, which can be used to control a mechanical spider and help you defeat the guards. Alternatively, you can attempt to sneak past them.
The laboratory contains several valves that activate traps. Use these to your advantage to distract or eliminate guards if you prefer a stealthier approach. Activating the valves is optional.
Continue through the laboratory until you reach a corridor filled with highly poisonous gas. Run through as quickly as possible and step on the button at the end to disable the poison. Using the Become Ethereal shout can negate the damage, but may alert nearby guards.
Aicantar’s Study
The corridor leads to Aicantar’s study, where you’ll find Aicantar (Calcelmo’s nephew) and his guards. You have several options here:
- Sneak past Aicantar and his guards.
- Kill Aicantar and his guards.
- Activate a nearby trap to eliminate the guards and cause Aicantar to flee.
You can choose to sneak past or confront Aicantar and his guards.
In Aicantar’s study, you can also find the Dwemer Puzzle Cube, which can be sold to Delvin Mallory as part of The Litany of Larceny quest.
Obtaining Calcelmo’s Stone
From Aicantar’s study, head up Calcelmo’s Tower. Enter the room on the left, where you’ll find charcoal and a roll of paper. Use these to create a copy of Calcelmo’s Stone, which is the Falmer translating guide you need.
Don’t forget the Dwemer Puzzle Cube.
Leaving Calcelmo’s Museum
To leave the museum, you can either jump from the tower (be careful, as a misstep can be fatal) or head back through the museum. If you chose to kill Aicantar earlier, the path will be clear. Otherwise, you’ll need to avoid or confront him and his guards.
Speaking With Enthir
Return to Enthir in Winterhold, who can be found in the cellar of The Frozen Hearth, speaking with Karliah.
Return to The Frozen Hearth to find Enthir and Karliah.
Hand over the copy of Calcelmo’s Stone. Enthir will translate Gallus’ journal, revealing Mercer Frey’s betrayal of the Thieves Guild and his desecration of the Twilight Sepulcher.
Enthir will translate Gallus’ journal once you provide him with Calcelmo’s Stone.
Rewards for Completing “Hard Answers”
Upon completion of the quest, Karliah will reward you with the Nightingale Blade. The stats of this powerful sword vary depending on your current 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, you can now proceed to the next quest in the Thieves Guild questline, “The Pursuit,” by heading to the Ragged Flagon in Riften.
