Night at the Museum is an optional museum quest in which you face a mysterious entity that haunts the museum. During the quest, you will encounter strange anomalies and thrilling experiences, while revealing the museum's history.
The quest includes graphic visuals and might not fit for those who are easily disturbed. If you want to avoid this quest you can choose this option during the conversation with Brother Ikard at the beginning of the quest. Avoiding the quest will not prevent you from getting the Ghost Helm.
Note that some of the quest markers don't appear immediately. This is intended cause you should at first search on your own. If you cannot find a certain clue, just wait until the objective updates (takes some in-game hours) and a marker appears.
Requirements
The quest starts when you have completed the introductory museum quest An Interesting Prospect to become the museum's relic hunter and have reached a display count of 300. If the player chooses the Live Another Life Relic Hunter start, finishing An Interesting Prospect isn't needed as you are already the museum's relic hunter. Note that if Shadows of One's Past is already running, this quest will not start until it is completed.
When returning to the museum after fulfilling these prerequisites, Brother Ikard will speak to you before you can enter. During this conversation, you will have the option to skip the quest by telling Brother Ikard to handle the situation on his own. If you choose this option you will have to wait two in-game days before you could enter the museum again.
Objectives
- Return to Ikard after nine in the night / Give Ikard time to investigate
- Search the Library for clues / Search the rare books area
- Show the letter to Ikard
- Have a rest in the staff barracks
- Find additional clues / Search the Natural science gallery
- Show the journal to Ikard
- Search the museum for the painting of lord Macnarian / Find the painting of Lord Macnarian in the store room
- Show the painting to Ikard
- Hang the Painting in the Reception Hall
- Sleep in the staff barracks
- Search the museum for clues about what happened / Search the staff barracks
- Search for more clues about Nile's death / Search the upper hallway
- Place the Ladder to climb down / Find the commission contract
- Show the commission contract to Ikard
- Find Morgaine Olfstead / Return to Morgaine Olfstead with the payment for the statue
- Check back at the museum tomorrow
- Return to the museum
Walkthrough
When returning to the museum after the requirements have been fulfilled, Brother Ikard will wait for you at the gate of the museum. He will let you know that he was assigned by Auryen to handle a ghost that haunts the museum. He asks for your assistance since you know the museum better than others. If you agree to help him, he will instruct you to return to the museum at 21:00.
The Library
After meeting Ikard at night, he will ask you to search the library for anything out of place. After entering the museum, you will find that some things are not located in the usual place. For example, boxes are stacked in the middle of the room. Every time you will hear a creepy sound it means that something abnormal is happening. Upon entering the library you will see flying books and pages. On the left side of the small room on the first floor, you will find a Letter from Niles. After bringing the letter to Brother Ikard he will let you know that this letter is from Lord Niles Macnarian, the former owner of the building, to his wife. Then, he tells you to go and take a rest in the staff barracks.
The Gallery of Natural Science
After two hours of sleep, you will wake up and find Brother Ikard in front of you. He will show you that the mannequins from the Armory came to life and the dining area is upside down. Then, he will ask you to examine the Gallery of Natural Science and the Museum Store Room. When roaming around the museum you can see other furniture, such as chairs, stacked up in an odd manner.
To progress, you'll need to find an old journal in the Gallery of Natural Science. However, you will find that the gallery is flooded and your displays have all came to life. Some of them will attack each other and you. Only the displays you built up to this point will come to life; thus this stage is harder the more displays were built. Good thing the dragons can't come back to life (remember you already absorbed their souls). After defeating the creatures, you will find the Journal floating in the water.
The Storeroom
Upon delivering the journal to Brother Ikard he will reveal that the ghost is Lord Macnarian and ask you if you recall seeing his painting, which is mentioned in the journal, hanged in the museum. Since you didn't see this painting, you are sent to find it. The painting can be found in the storeroom beneath the staff barracks, on the right side of the room, hidden next to the wine rack behind a stack of boxes and barrels. After showing the painting to Brother Ikard, he will instruct you to hang it in the reception hall. Hang it in the dining area above the fireplace. Then, Ikard will suggest that you will spend the night in the museum to see that everything is fine and tell you to go to sleep in the staff barracks.
A Nightmare in the Museum
You will wake up after two hours and see that everything around you is on fire and the burnt body of Ikard is lying on the bed next to you. To progress, read the Black Horse Courier that is placed on the dresser next to the bed. The reception hall is filled with blood, fire, spider webs, and three skeletons that will attack you. The Hall of Heroes is also filled with bodies, skeletons, and unique weapons that you want but can't take. Most of the museum doors will be locked and the available parts are also filled with creepy imageries. Use the time to explore the museum. Then, make your way to the corridor on the second floor and go towards the library door. After experiencing a creepy encounter, you will find another old journal floating in the air right next to you. Reading the journal will get you sleepy.
The Cliff
You'll wake up in the Hall of Heroes with Ikard standing over you. Apparently, it was all just a horrible nightmare. After telling Ikard about your dream, he tells you to inspect the cliff on which Lord Macnarian lost his life. To get there, you will need to place the ladder the Ikard gave you in the corner of the balcony of the Safehouse, and go across the alley between the museum and the blue palace. Passing the alley might require some jumping around. Under a rock at the end of the cliff, you will find the Commission Contract.
Katla's Farm
Brother Ikard will wait for you outside of the museum. When you will show him the contract he will instruct you to visit the great-great-grandson of Burgess Olfstead; a stonecutter that lives in Katla's Farm. On the farm, you will meet Morgaine Olfstead who will tell you that (even after three generations) the statue of Lady Orellia Macnarian is still on the farm. If you pay him the remaining 4,000 septims, he will deliver the statue to the museum the next day.
Epilogue
The next day you will find Brother Ikard standing at the statue next to the museum's entrance. He will tell you that you appeased the ghost but didn't remove him. From now on you can find the spirits of Niles and Orellia walking peacefully in the museum at night. The Ghost Helm can be found on the fireplace in the dining area next to the painting of Lord Macnarian.
Quest Stages
Night at the Museum (DBM_HauntedMuseumQuest) | |
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Stage | Journal Entry |
5 | [Technical stage - startup] |
6 | I returned to the museum to find that Auryen has closed it to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard, a priest of Arkay, has been called in to investigate. The museum will be closed for a couple days while he investigates.
Objective 6: Give Ikard time to investigate |
10 | I returned to the museum to find that Auryen has closed it to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard, a priest of Arkay, has been called in to investigate and has asked for my assistance. I should return after 9 o'clock tonight and help him investigate the museum.
Objective 10: Return to Ikard after nine at night |
15, 16 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. We are heading inside - I'll check out the Library while he investigates the Main Hall.
Objective 15: Search the library for clues |
20 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. I found a peculiar letter in the Library. It seems rather old and makes mention of the museum building. I should show it to Ikard and see what he makes of it.
Objective 20: Show the letter to Ikard |
25 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. I found a peculiar letter in the Library. It seems rather old and makes mention of the museum building. Ikard believes it must have some connection to the strange goings-on. He is having a short rest. I should go ahead and finish a quick sweep around the museum and then take a short rest in the Barracks.
Objective 25: Have a rest in the staff barracks |
30 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. We have had a short nap and should now get back to searching for clues.
Objective 30: Speak to Ikard |
35, 36 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. We have had a short nap and when we awoke the haunting of the museum appears to be intensifying. Furniture on the ceiling, chandelier hanging from the floor and mannequins walking around on their own. I should investigate the Hall of Natural Science, the Wine Cellar and the Book Stacks.
Objective 35: Find additional clues |
40 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. He and I have had a short nap and when we awoke the haunting of the museum appears to be intensifying. I searched the Natural Science Gallery and found it had been flooded. Not only that but the displays have all come to life! I found an old journal floating in the water which has handwriting that matches the letter I found. I should show it to Ikard.
Objective 40: Show the journal to Ikard |
45, 46 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. We believe that the ghostly activity is caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian. The journal that I found indicates that a painting of Macnarian was commissioned to be hung in the finished building. Ikard and I believe that Macnarian could perhaps be upset about being forgotten for his efforts here and if I could find the painting and display it, perhaps he'd be appeased.
Objective 45: Search the museum for the painting of lord Macnarian |
50 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. We believe that the ghostly activity is caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian. The journal that I found indicates that a painting of Lord Macnarian was commissioned to be hung in the finished building. I've found it in the Museum Store Room. I should show it to Ikard and we should find a place to hang it.
Objective 50: Show the painting to Ikard |
55, 56 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. We believe that the ghostly activity is caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian. I've found a painting of Lord Macnarian in the Museum Store Room. Ikard and I should hang the painting in the Reception Hall.
Objective 55: Hang the painting in the reception hall |
60 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. We believe that the ghostly activity is caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian. We have found and placed the painting of Macnarian in the Reception Hall of the museum and plan to sleep the rest of the night here to ensure that he is appeased. I should use the bed in the Staff Barracks again.
Objective 60: Sleep in the staff barracks |
65, 66 | I have awakened to a nightmare. I don't feel entirely awake, or perhaps something dreadful has just happened to me. Is the museum on fire? I need to find Ikard and get out of here!
Objective 65: Search the museum for clues about what happened |
70, 71 | I have awakened to a nightmare. I don't feel entirely awake, or perhaps something dreadful has just happened to me. Ikard is dead and the museum is on fire! I found an old issue of the Black Horse Courier news sheet which has an article in it about the death of Niles Macnarian and his wife. It indicates he died right after hearing the news of his wife's death in a fire. There must be another clue somewhere.
Objective 70: Search for more clues about Niles' death |
75 | I found another journal of Niles Macnarian and... I feel so tired. So odd. I... |
80 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. We believe that the ghostly activity is caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian. I have woken up from a terrible nightmare. Ikard seems to be perfectly fine, thank the gods. It was all a bad dream. |
85, 86 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. We believe that the ghostly activity is caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian. It's a long shot, but there is a small possibility that there may be a remaining clue about Macnarian's final wish to create a monument to his wife, and it may be out back through the alley between the museum and blue palace. I should climb down from the upper balcony and have a look.
Objective 85: Place the Ladder to climb down |
90 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. We believe that the ghostly activity is caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian. Well, wonders never cease. The commission receipt has been wedged between two rocks out back of the museum for all these years. I should show Ikard.
Objective 90: Show the commission contract to Ikard |
95 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. The ghostly activity is being caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian - who, heartbroken at the loss of his wife had a monument commissioned for her but it was never finished. The commission receipt I found says the sculptor Burgess Olfstead was to carve the statue. Ikard suggested I should head down to Katla's Farm and see if Morgaine Olfstead is related to the Burgess. He may know what became of the statue.
Objective 95: Find Morgaine Olfstead |
96 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. The ghostly activity is being caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian - who, heartbroken at the loss of his wife had a monument commissioned for her but it was never finished. I have spoken to Morgaine Olfstead, who is the great-great-grandchild of Burgess Olfstead. The statue is still in his basement waiting for the remaining 4000 septims to be paid. I should gather the funds and complete the payment to appease Lord Macnarian.
Objective 96: Return to Morgaine Olfstead with the payment for the statue |
100 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. The ghostly activity is being caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian - who, heartbroken at the loss of his wife had a monument commissioned for her but it was never finished. I've paid Morgaine the remaining 4000 septims owed for the statue carved by his great-great-grandfather. He will deliver it to the museum shortly. I should check back after it's been delivered and ensure that Macnarian is finally appeased.
Objective 100: Check back at the museum tomorrow |
105 | The Dragonborn Gallery is closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard and I are investigating. The ghostly activity is being caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Niles Macnarian - who, heartbroken at the loss of his wife had a monument commissioned for her but it was never finished. I've paid Morgaine the remaining 4000 septims owed for the statue carved by his great-great-grandfather. He will deliver it to the museum by tomorrow. The statue should be delivered by now. I should head back to the museum to check.
Objective 105: Return to the museum |
110, 111 | The Dragonborn Gallery was closed to the public due to a supernatural disturbance inside. Brother Ikard discovered that the ghostly activity was being caused by the former owner of the Gallery, Lord Niles Macnarian - who, heartbroken at the loss of his wife had a monument commissioned for her but it was never finished. He managed to find the descendant of the sculptor who then delivered the statue and it is now on display outside the entrance to the museum. Ikard fulfilled the final wishes of Niles Macnarian and the museum is now restored to normal.
[completes quest] |