The Forgotten Vale is a hidden region of Skyrim that is inhabited by Falmer. However, it once was a holy place to their predecessors, the Snow Elves, and houses a temple to the goddess Auri-El. It also contains a massive frozen-over lake and waterfall, where dragons are known to lurk, even underwater. It contains variants of almost any species known in Skyrim, including the otherwise unseen Frost Giants.
NPCs
- Knight-Paladin Gelebor
- Arch-Curate Vyrthur
- Four ghostly Prelates, tending to the Wayshrines.
- Knight-Paladin Gelebor
- Arch-Curate Vyrthur
- Four ghostly Prelates, tending to the Wayshrines.
Monsters
- Naaslaarum, dragon
- Voslaarum, dragon
- Falmer
- Feral Falmer
- Chaurus
- Frost Trolls
- Frost Giants
- Frostbite Spiders (×2)
- Giant Frostbite Spider (×1)
- Ice Wraith (×3)
- Vale Sabre Cat
- Naaslaarum, dragon
- Voslaarum, dragon
- Falmer
- Feral Falmer
- Chaurus
- Frost Trolls
- Frost Giants
- Frostbite Spiders (×2)
- Giant Frostbite Spider (×1)
- Ice Wraith (×3)
- Vale Sabre Cat
Places
Forgotten Vale Cave
Shortly after entering the vale the Dragonborn will stumble upon a small cave, just north of the main path. In the cave a Rope Release opens up a hidden passage to the a Shellbug that can be mined for Shellbug Chitin.
Further along the path the Wayshrine of Sight is located. And entering the main vale with the frozen waterfalls, to the south-east: Wayshrine of Learning.
Paragon Portal
Entering the main vale, turn north along the frozen waterfalls, upriver to find the Paragon Portal, that lets you place paragon gems (from Frost Giants), opening portals to various hidden areas in the vale.
Darkfall Grotto
The grotto can either be accessed by following the main Forgotten Vale downstream to a waterfall, or via the Paragon Portal by using the Amethyst Paragon. In the latter case the exit is high up on a tall stalagmite in the grotto.
Many dead Falmer (×7) and dead chaurus (×4) can be found in the grotto, apparently wiped out by a few Feral Falmer (×3).
Forgotten Vale Overlook
The Forgotten Vale Overlook is accessed by using the Emerald Paragon at the Paragon Portal.
Forgotten Vale Forest
The Forgotten Vale Forest is located within the Forgotten Vale and accessed via the Paragon Portal by using the Ruby Paragon.
Sharpslope Cave
After the Wayshrine of Resolution, following the river upstream will lead to a cave connecting the river bed with the Falmer tents up in the mountains, this can be used as a short cut to avoid some of the Falmer resistance in the canyon.
Glacial Crevice
On the roundabout path to the Inner Sanctum, the Glacial Crevice will need to be traversed. High up an otherwise inaccessible ledge can be explored via Paragon Portal by using the Diamond Paragon.
Inner Sanctum
Located up the cliff at the south-eastern tip of the ice lake in the Forgotten Vale, reaching the sanctum requires taking a long-winding path through the vale. A secret room at the sanctum can only be accessed via Paragon Portal by using the Sapphire Paragon.
Quests
- Touching the Sky, the search for Auriel's Bow.
- Forgotten Vale Books Quest, "Bring Ancient Falmer Tome to Urag-gro Shub".
Items of Note
Forgotten Vale Cave:
- Falmer chest ~1120, ~ value (L72).
Forgotten Vale (out in the open):
- Silver Ore Vein ×7, Gold Ore Vein ×4, Malachite Ore Vein ×6,
- Metal chests ~1420 ~740, ~470; satchel ~410, ~410 value (L72).
- A copy of Unknown Book, Vol. I can be found just passing the spiders, entering the main vale, next to a skeleton.