Skyrim: The Break of Dawn

The Break of Dawn in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

“The Break of Dawn” is a Daedric Quest in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

This quest is available after the Dragonborn reaches Level 12.

Locations

• Random
• Kilkreath Temple

Walkthrough

Find Meridia's beacon

To begin this daedric quest you need to find Meridia's Beacon. The Beacon is a random treasure that you can find just about anywhere. If you approach the Statue to Meridia, then you will receive a marker showing where the beacon can be located.

Bring Meridia's beacon to Mount Kilkreath

With the beacon in hand, the Dragonborn needs to bring the Beacon to the Statue of Meridia in Haafingar. Go and approach the statue of Meridia.

Replace the Beacon

Approach the statue and interact with the two figures at its base to place the Beacon.

She tells you that you need to clear out shadows that have appeared in the temple below the statue: Kilkreath Temple.

Guide Meridia's Light through the temple

Having spoken with the statue, it is time to head into the Ruins and deal with the shades and the Necromancer underneath. Head over to the West and drop down to the ground level. Head into the Temple using that entrance.

Inside the temple, start going forward down the slope. Go into the first chamber, go around the column in the center and continue to the South. There is a locked door (Adept) on the Eastern side. Continue on forward to the first large chamber with a light beam coming into it.

Head to the Pedestal in the middle of the room and interact with it.

This will direct the beam of light into another orb. You can move on once this is done.

Go through the door to the East and press forward. This leads to another room. Inside it you will find Corrupted Shades that you will need to deal with. Take your time dealing with the shades from the room. There are 2 just inside the door you can see as you approach. There is also another Shade in the back of the room which will come forward.

Having cleared out the shades, head to the pedestal in the room. Interact with it to send the beam of light forward and allow you to progress. Head up the short set of stairs. Check the shelves around the area to find some useful items.

Head to the South from there. Deal with the few Shades in this hallway. Continue through to the South. Open the door at the end of the hallway and press forward through the corridor.

The next door leads to a room with an adjoining corridor. There is a chest on the Southern side of it. Open it for some loot. Head to the East to continue forward.

This leads to a large room with a number of Corrupted Shades.

Head to the Southeastern side of the room and take the stairs upwards. Be wary of the incoming Shades. Head to the back portion of this area. You can find an Arcane Enchanter that you can use to clear out some inventory or improve what you have. To the North is a chest behind some bars. If you head to the right of it you will find a locked Iron Door (Adept). Pick the lock to get to the chest.

To move forward, you need to interact with the pedestal in the middle of the room. Either head to the South and turn West to jump to it or go to the North, turn West and take the bridge over (access to the left from the Arcane Enchanter).

This will open the way forward to the next portion of the temple. Go through the door to reach the Balcony. On the balcony, turn to the East and over the bridge. Take the stairs on the far side upward to continue forward on this quest. The door forward is just in front of you.

Inside, go on up the stairs and turn to the North. This room has caged walkways above you. There are more Corrupted Shades. Take your time clearing out the Shades, using the doorway as cover against the Ranged ones and to draw the others toward you.

Having dealt with at least some of the Shades, go over to the East. Take the ramp up, on the left is the first pedestal. Interact with it to open the next door you need. Turn to the East and head through the now open door there.

This leads to a room with a few more Corrupted Shade. Continue to the North and follow the corridor.

Pull the lever you find at the corner. This will open the way forward for you. Head into the caged portion of path in front of you. Follow the path to the West.

Go to the West and left the caged area. Look to the South and you will see the next pedestal. Save, then jump for the landing with it.

This opens the door to the West. Go on through it. Take the corridor forward to the next chamber.

This chamber has more Corrupted Shades for you to deal with. Thin them out and then take the ramp to the East. Go through the doorway there. Follow the corridor forward.

Be ready for more shades. Go to the South to start working on the beam. Interact with the Pedestal there.

Head back through the corridor to the previous room. Head across it to the Western side and up the ramp there. You can find a potion or poison in this portion of the room. Head out of the room to the South and back to the room with the caged walkway.

Go to the Southern side and through the door that has opened on the floor level. This will bring you to the Kilkreath Catacombs.

This leads to another room with a pedestal. Interact with it to continue the beam forward.

Go on through the door to the East. Follow the stairs on down.

This leads to a final chamber. Get ready for a big fight because you have Malkoran and his Corrupted Shades to contend with.

Destroy Malkoran

Malkoran is a very difficult foe. Before you engage him in his chamber, SAVE! Else you risk having to redo things from the last save you created. Malkoran will use Steadfast Ward almost every time you are using Shouts or spells. This makes him a very difficult opponent for spell casters. For fighters and archers, you need to worry about the spells and shades. He uses Icy Spear and Ice Storm to great effect.

Killing this opponent once is not enough. After you defeat him, Malkoran's Shade will rise from his corpse. Immediately start attacking this Shade. It also has high level destruction spells and in greater variety. Spell casters will need to worry more because he will use Shock spells which also damage magicka.

Retrieve Dawnbringer

Collect the loot from the ash pile of the shade and the body of Malkoran. Now, go to the pedastal that is illuminated by the beam of light coming in.

There you will find Dawnbringer. Collect it and then wait for Meridia to contact you. She will take you out of the temple and set you at the base of her statue. That will finish this quest and Dawnbringer is now your's