Dark Anchors

For the card in The Elder Scrolls: Legends, see Dark Anchor (Legends).

Dark acnhors — Dark Anchors being deployed.


	Length:	0:19
	Description:	Dark Anchor Appearance

Dark Anchors are enormous interplanar machines that Molag Bal has created to merge Tamriel with his own Daedric Plane of Coldharbour. The purpose of the Anchors are to pull Tamriel into Coldharbour, thus merging the two realms together into a single, nightmarish hellscape. They will spawn periodically across Tamriel in set locations called Dolmens, which are in each subregion of Cyrodiil and every Alliance zone. All dolmens are protected by a large number of Daedric and undead guardians that must be destroyed to deactivate all 5 Anchor Pinions, with more powerful enemies appearing once 4 of the pinions have been deactivated.

It is possible for higher level players to defeat the Daedric protectors and return the Anchors by themselves, however it is recommended to battle them in parties, as they will be tough competitors. Dolmens are used to gain experience, Fighters Guild skill line progress, and overland jewelry sets. The Fighters Guild can assign players to destroy any three anchors in a zone, which can give further rewards as well as leveling up Companions' Fighters Guild skill line.

Dark Anchors are similar to Oblivion Gates and are summoned by Worm Cult Battlemages.

Mechanics[]

Dark Anchors begin when several Worm cultists appear in puffs of smoke, who say several lines of dialogue and sacrifice an innocent. This ritual causes the anchor's chains to fall to the ground, and Daedra and undead will begin to spawn. The cultists can be attacked at any time, and doing so will cause the chains to immediately fall to the ground. This can be useful, as the distinctive visual effect (dark clouds, unnatural lightning, and chains) signals to other players that the dolmen is active, who can assist in destroying it.

Defeating enemies sends their animus into a pinion. Closing a pinion restores nearby players' stats, and gives the closer the Power of the Daedra visual effect for 30 seconds. Closing the fourth pinion will automatically defeat all enemies present. Standing in one place for too long will drop lightning down where the player is ("Static Charge"), dealing moderate damage.

The pinions require more enemies to be defeated with more players present. If one runs far enough away from the dolmen, the enemies chasing them will return to the dolmen and stand passively until engaged again. Players should hit at least some of the enemies in order to be eligible for rewards. If a player that has not participated closes the final pinion, they will earn rewards but not achievement progress.

Locations[]

Aldmeri Dominion[]

Auridon[]

Grahtwood[]

Greenshade[]

Malabal Tor[]

Reaper's March[]

Daggerfall Covenant[]

Glenumbra[]

Stormhaven[]

Rivenspire[]

Bangkorai[]

Alik'r Desert[]

Ebonheart Pact[]

Stonefalls[]

Deshaan[]

Shadowfen[]

The Rift[]

Eastmarch[]

Cyrodiil[]

Other[]

At the end of The Wailing Prison, a dark anchor-like portal with multiple rings transports you and The Prophet to Tamriel
A magical projection of a dark anchor is seen within the Vision of the Companions in The Harborage
At Gil-Var-Delle in Greenshade, a dolmen is found at the center, which is destroyed during the related quest
In Arenthia in Reaper's March, a dolmen is found in the courtyard of the Temple to the Divines and is destroyed during the related quest
At Bangkorai Garrison courtyard, a dolmen appears after being summoned by Battlemage Papus and is destroyed during the related quest
The Great Shackle, a very large Dark Anchor is found at The Mooring part of the area
There are three dolmens located in Craglorn, all of which are unfinished and have stones jutting out in the middle. One of these dolmens is the Proving Grounds Dolmen, which is a part of the "Elemental Army" quest. The two other dolmens are unmarked, they are located southwest of the Howling Sepulchers for Upper Craglorn, and one northeast of Shada's Tear for the Belkarth Region.
The Unfinished Dolmen in Wrothgar is a dolmen that does not have a dark anchor but serves as a Group Boss site ^OR
A very large dolmen is located at the top of the White-Gold Tower, and is destroyed during the related quest ^IC
Dark Anchors spawn in cycles within each Zone. For example, the three Dark Anchors in Auridon cycle from south to north. Once a Vestige understands the cycle for a Zone, they can observe their map to note the currently spawned Dark Anchor and thus anticipate the next.^{confirmation needed}

Creatures[]

Normal:

Elite:

Bosses:

Generals[]

Quotes[]

Molag Bal yells when he deploys the anchor:

"Your White-Gold Tower will serve as an anchor point for my dark machines!"
"My minions will gnaw the flesh from your corpse!"
"I will dominate this world, and all others in time. The strong should always command the weak."
"The end of Nirn is at hand. Come forth and destroy!"
"Destroy the body, and the animus is cast into the darkness. But the animus returns."
"Wretched things, mortals. May a storm wash you into Coldharbour."
"Your death will mean nothing to me. You are but a minor distraction."
"Your pathetic attempts to save this world amuse me."
"When oath-bonds are weak, there is pain, and shame, and darkness."
"You must bow to me or die. Minions, destroy them!"
"They serve by choice. They serve the strong. They serve me."
"While the prey was distracted, the predator prepared to strike."
"Weakling. Pathetic piece of filth. Leave while yet you can."
"When you are destroyed, the flies will pick your bones clean."
"We do sometimes admire our prey and secretly applaud when it cheats our snares."
"You think me brutish? How do you imagine I view you?"

When he summons the lieutenants:[?]

"Lyris Titanborn. She was the best slave at the Black Forge. Whatever happened to her?"
"Bend your knee to me, I'll give you a minion for each enemy you've slain. You will have an army."
"The sacrifices you make are all done in my name. You are and will always be my servant."
"The strong will cleanse the world of the weak. Cleanse, my pawn, cleanse."
"The Battlemage has the amulet, but you have true power. Fight for me."
"The strong will cleanse the world of the weak. Cleanse, my pawn, cleanse."
"Throw aside the pawns, my knight. Until one day you are taken unawares [sic] [Do not change this to unawered. This misspelled word is how it appears in-game.]."
"Mannimarco's failures are your opportunities. You both shall serve me well."
"Fool! Every drop of blood you spill to defeat me only gives me more strength."
"I forged you in the soulfire in Coldharbour to be my tool. Prove your worth."
"The plan is in place. You are but an inconvenience."
"Varen's gambit nearly handed the empire to Mannimarco—and Nirn to me."
"You think this is over, wretch? Tell yourself another lie."
"The Prophet is a fool, and you are a greater one for following him."
"You again? Cease splashing blood upon my chains!"

When he summons the generals:

"Now you face my chosen soldiers. Kathutet, Amkaos, Ranyu! Destroy these worms!" – Amkaos, Kathutet and Ranyu
"Kathutet, Amkaos, Ranyu! Time to torture some mortals!" – Amkaos, Kathutet and Ranyu
"The Xivilai make excellent torturers and guards. Let's test them against you." – Anaxes and Medrike
"Xivilai know no honor. Anaxes and Medrike will test their strength, not yours." – Anaxes and Medrike
"Lord of Magas Volar, Bearer of the Daedric Crescent, serve me and destroy the mortals!" – Dregas Volar
"From your sanctuary on Vvardenfell, I summon you, Lord Dregas Volar." – Dregas Volar
"Loyalties are fickle among the Dark Seducers. Face now the least loyal but most deadly." – Dylora, Jansa and Vika
"The Seducers are known for their subtlety, but I find they have many strengths." – Dylora, Jansa and Vika
"From deep beneath Cyrodiil, I summon Fangaril! Consume them, each one!" – Fangaril, King Styriche and Zayzahad
"Your flesh is nothing but mort meat to Fangaril." – Fangaril, King Styriche and Zayzahad
"From deep beneath Morrowind, I summon the lich Gedna Relvel!" – Gedna Relvel
"Let's see if you can withstand the might of Gedna Relvel, crimson witch of Mournhold." – Gedna Relvel
"Think you're strong? Have some ogrim! Three of them!" – Glut, Hogshead and Stumble
"Amusing. Let's see how you fare against these Ogrim." – Glut, Hogshead and Stumble
"Deep in dark Nchurdamz, I found Hrelvesuu. Come forth and destroy!" – Hrelvesuu
"Some of my pets are fascinated by the toys of mortals. Hrelvesuu, show them!" – Hrelvesuu
"You will now be a gift to my most favoured pet, Menta Na." – Menta Na
"The daedroth Menta Na has served me well. He will destroy you." – Menta Na
"Many Dremora serve Dagon, but these serve me." – Methats, Sumeer and Vonshala
"The Dremora know no fear, and admit no defeat." – Methats, Sumeer and Vonshala
"Forged from ice at the heart of Coldharbour, Nomeg Haga will destroy you." – Nomeg Haga
"Now you face my personal slave. Nomeg Haga, come forth and stop these worms!" – Nomeg Haga
"My son, my child! Ozzozachar, destroy them!" – Ozzozachar
"Ozzozachar, my son! I summon you from the skies!" – Ozzozachar
"You've done well. Now it ends. Come, Rhagothan! Feast!" – Rhagothan
"A mortal for you to feast upon, Rhagothan. You may feed now." – Rhagothan
"Blood on the water, Velehk this way comes. Your doom is upon you." – Velehk
"He'll tear you open and eat your heart raw. His eyes gleam red, his heart will never thaw." – Velehk
"Some prefer knowledge to strength. Yggmanei gives me both." – Yggmanei
"For your final test, meet Yggmanei. Even the Lord of Domination needs spies." – Yggmanei
"Can you withstand Zymel Hriz, an atronach of lightning and rock?" – Zymel Hriz
"Most atronachs are weak. Some are strong. Zymel Hriz, I summon you!" – Zymel Hriz

After the bosses' defeat:

"You've proven your strength. Again."
"You and I know how this ends."
"Are you still working for the dim one?"
"Good. I grant you permission to strengthen yourself with my minions."
"That's right. Grind them into the dirt."
"Drink in your victory. It won't last long."
"We go through the motions again, I see."
"The time remaining when you can still refuse me is dwindling."
"May your enemies be broken and bloody."
"I am patient. This world will one day be mine."
"The plan shall go on, with or without you."
"My subjects failed me. They deserved to be destroyed."
"The effort was not for naught. Until next time …."
"You are useful little worms."

And after the anchor is destroyed:

"Pointless. Ten anchors drop for each that is destroyed!"
"I am patient. But not that patient."
"I admire your tenacity, mortals."
"Like all worldly things, you will in time wear and be used up."
"I don't want revenge. I want your submission."
"This will not finish me!"
"The skins of those you love will fly as my banners."
"I will ensure no tales are told of your valor."
"You've done nothing, mortal."
"Wretched mortals. Worms."
"I don't want revenge. I want your submission."

Ritual[]

There are several rituals used to summon a Dark Anchor, they are recited by Worm cultists periodically:

"Bring forth the blood offering!
Let Coldharbour remake Nirn in its own image!
God of Schemes, we offer this victim to honor you!
Through the power of innocent blood, bring forth your anchor and let two worlds become one!
Bind this world with your chains! Draw it ever closer to your realm!"
"Bring forth the blood offering!
Let Coldharbour remake Nirn in its own image!
God of Schemes, we offer this victim to honor you!
Through the spilled blood of an innocent, we call forth your anchor to join our worlds!
We submit to your will and call forth the chains of Coldharbour!"

The Worm cultists will then either be sacrificed to Molag Bal or become alerted and attack the Vestige.

Reward[]

Reward for each destroyed Dark Anchor is distributed evenly:

Chest.
Bonus to the Fighters Guild skill line that offers passive, active and ultimate abilities.
Progress towards achievements for killing certain opponents and destroying Dark Anchors a certain number of times.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

Dolmen take their name from real life Dolmen, which are ancient graves of unknown exact origin from the early Neolithic era.
As of Patch 2.0.8, completing a Dark Anchor for the first time will award experience.^[1]
Dark Anchors are made of ebony-alloy cold-iron,^[2] and at least 17500 tons of the material were used in the construction of The Great Shackle^[3]

Appearances[]

References[]

[1] Patch 2.0.8

[2] The Black Forge loading screen

[3] The Black Forge

[1]

[2]

[3]