If you’re diving into The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and tackling the Through A Nightmare, Darkly quest in Bravil, get ready for a wild ride. This miscellaneous quest is no walk in the park—it throws you into a bizarre dreamworld where you’ve got to help a guy named Henantier wake up by beating four tricky trials. You’ll face traps, fights, and some head-scratching navigation, all without your usual gear.
1. Starting the Quest
Head to the Bravil Mages Guild and talk to Kud-Ei about Henantier, who’s stuck in a magical coma. Agree to help out, then follow her to his house in southwest Bravil. She hands you the Dreamworld Amulet and points you to Henantier’s bed. Pop on the amulet to dive into his dreamworld. Heads-up: Your regular gear’s gone—you’re stuck with basic stuff like robes, a dagger, and a few spells.
2. Entering the Dreamworld
You wake up in a hub area with four portals, each leading to a trial:
- Test of Patience (north)
- Test of Perception (east)
- Test of Courage (south)
- Test of Resolve (west)
Talk to the dream version of Henantier for a quick rundown. You can hit the trials in any order, but this guide’s order keeps things smooth. Pro tip: Your skills carry over, and your health, magicka, and stamina reset after each trial. Save a lot.
3. Test of Patience (North Portal)
Get through a hallway full of traps to snag the amulet piece. The floor’s loaded with pressure plates that shoot arrows, fireballs, or swing blades. Only one path’s safe.
Strategy
Check the floor tiles—stick to the lightest ones (like beige or white). Dark tiles will mess you up. Take it slow and watch for trap patterns. If you hit a trap, it stings but won’t always kill you.
Grab the Fragment of Patience at the end.
Tips
High Agility or Acrobatics helps you dodge traps. Use the dreamworld’s healing spells or potions if you take a hit.
Save before you start to avoid redoing everything.
4. Test of Perception (East Portal)
Cross a bunch of platforms with hidden traps to reach the amulet piece. Spikes, collapsing platforms, and tricky jumps make this a pain.
Strategy
Pick up the Boots of Perception near the start—they show you the safe path. Stick to the glowing route and don’t rush, since some platforms crumble.
Watch out for spike traps and time your moves to dodge swinging stuff. Snag the Fragment of Perception at the end.
Tips
It’s dark, so crank up your brightness or use a Light spell if you’ve got one. High Sneak or Agility makes this less brutal.
Save after each platform to avoid backtracking.
5. Test of Courage (South Portal)
Swim through a flooded ruin, deal with a big fish, and grab the amulet piece. You’re underwater with a maze-like path, limited air (sort of), and a Guardian Creature (giant slaughterfish) at the end.
Strategy
Grab the Amulet of Courage at the start—it lets you breathe underwater forever. Swim through the tunnels, skipping dead ends. It’s mostly straightforward.
At the end, you’ll face the Guardian Creature. Use your dagger or basic spells like Flare. It’s quick but not too tough. If your Sneak’s decent, you can slip past it.
Take the Fragment of Courage from the pedestal.
Tips
High Endurance or combat skills help if you’re fighting. Save before the fish fight. If you get lost, backtrack for air pockets (though the amulet makes drowning a non-issue).
6. Test of Resolve (West Portal)
Beat three tough enemies to claim the amulet piece. You’re up against a Minotaur, an Ogre, and a Flame Atronach with just basic gear.
Strategy
Grab the Lightning staff and some armor at the start for a fighting chance.
- Minotaur: Dodge its slow, heavy swings and hit when it’s open.
- Ogre: Keep moving and strike when it pauses—it’s strong but sluggish.
- Flame Atronach: Stay close to avoid its fire spells; it’s weaker in melee.
Pick up the Fragment of Resolve after you win.
Tips
High Block or healing spells keep you alive. Use the arena’s pillars to dodge and kite enemies. Save after each fight.
7. Completing the Quest
Once you’ve got all four fragments, head back to the hub and talk to Henantier. He’ll merge the pieces to fix the Dreamworld Amulet. You both wake up in his house. Chat with him for thanks, then talk to Kud-Ei for some extra dialogue.
The reward for this quest is no shiny loot, but you get experience and your skills probably leveled up from the trials.
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