I've asked Colette about additional training in Restoration. She suggests there are spells I don't yet know, but that the Augur of Dunlain down in the Midden is the keeper of that knowledge and I'd have to gain his approval before I can learn them.
After speaking with the Augur, the Dragonborn is stripped of all weapons, armor, and potions except quest items, leaving behind only the ability to use spells, powers, and Dragon Shouts. Afterward, the Dragonborn is attacked by three ghosts: one using Flames, one using Frostbite, and one using Sparks. They are immune to any attacks made by the Dragonborn. Through the use of healing spells and wards, the Dragonborn must survive the attacks. Eventually, the Augur intervenes and the quest is complete.
Tips
If any followers are present, they will retain all of their inventory and engage in combat with the ghosts. If nothing else, this will likely draw their attention, making the quest much easier.
If the Dragonborn goes into sneak mode and remains unseen, two of the ghosts will eventually disappear. Engage the final remaining ghost for a much easier trial. Invisibility is an alternative for low-Sneak characters.
Use Invisibility immediately after you lose your belongings. Sneak up to the first ghost and attempt to initiate a pickpocket sequence. You will be unable to do so and lose your invisibility. Immediately make yourself invisible once again and step around the first ghost and face them. The other two ghosts should appear one after the other. After only a minute or so the mission will show completed without engaging in any battle whatsoever. This is especially easy with a high level of Sneak.
The Alteration perk Atronach, all three ranks of Magic Resistance, and the Atronachstanding stone will make the Dragonborn virtually immune to the spells of all three spirits. Due to the high Magicka absorption rate of this method, should damage become significant, there should be no shortage of Magicka for healing.
Since the ghosts are undead, if the player is specialized in Restoration, spells such as Sun Fire and Vampire's Bane from Dawnguard can prove very useful.
Conclusion
The Bane of the Undead spell, shown in the magic menu.
The spell Bane of the Undead will be added directly to the Dragonborn's spell list upon completing the Augur's challenge. Afterward, the other Master Restoration spell, Guardian Circle, will be available as a Spell Tome for purchase from Colette Marence.
Journal
Restoration Ritual Spell – MGRitual04
ID
Journal Entry
10
I've asked Colette about additional training in Restoration. She suggested there are spells I don't yet know, but that the Augur down in the Midden is the keeper of that knowledge and I'd have to gain his approval before I can learn them.
Objective 10: Gain the Augur's approval
200
I've passed the Augur's test, and have been granted the Bane of the Undead spell.
Quest complete
Bugs
This section contains bugs related to Restoration Ritual Spell. Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following:
Please reload an old save to confirm if the bug is still happening.
If the bug is still occurring, please post the bug report with the appropriate system template 360 / XB1 , PS3 / PS4 , PC / MAC , NX / PS5 , XS , depending on which platform(s) the bug has been encountered on.
Be descriptive when listing the bug and fixes, but avoid having conversations in the description and/or using first-person anecdotes: such discussions belong on the appropriate forum board.
Click to show
PC PS3 Sometimes, when the quest is finished, Colette Marence doesn't sell the Guardian Circle spell tome.
Casting Bane of the Undead immediately after receiving it from the Augur may fix this.
PC (Fix) If the above does not work, you can reinitiate the quest by opening the console and typing setstage cd987 10 then returning to the Augur's chamber and surviving the ghosts again (this time only one, you have all your equipment, and for a much shorter time) and the Augur will grant you worthy once again, completing the quest. Save, see Colette again, and she should have the tome. If not, reload and try the above option then speak with her.
It is possible for multiple books to become purchasable. When fighting with the ghosts, repeatedly attempt to talk to the Augur of Dunlain right before and after they disappear. If this is done quickly enough, multiple Guardian Circle tomes will become available for sale to the player. Sometimes, the game may glitch and make the Augur repeat the acceptance line, achieving the same effect. To stop hearing the dialogue repeated constantly, leave the room and it should stop, but the animation will still follow (confirmed on 360 and PS3, unconfirmed on PC).
The Augur may delay in taking the Dragonborn's equipment. In some cases, it never will, and an earlier save must be loaded.
The game may freeze when trying to "step into the light" when the Augur commands. This may be solved by dropping ALL inventory items manually.
Sometimes when bringing followers, one ghost will remain to attack them and the ghost can't die. This can be fixed by leaving the Midden Dark.
On rare instances, the third ghost will not spawn, causing the quest to be stuck and reloading is the only solution.
Due to a bug in the quest script, the ritual unlocks the sale of the Alteration mastery books instead of Restoration. Therefore, the tome of Guardian Circle available directly after the quest, which is added to her inventory separately, is the only one available, and once Colette's merchant inventory resets, the spell can no longer be acquired without console commands.
If the Augur of Dunlain has not already been discovered and spoken to during the College of Winterhold quest Good Intentions, Colette Marence will not have the dialogue option to begin the quest.
PS3 Sometimes after stepping into the light, the ghosts won't appear. Dropping all inventory items manually (by placing them in a nearby corpse if available) and mashing X repeatedly by talking to the Augur may fix this.
360 Sometimes, the ghosts will not de-spawn after the test is over, and will continue attacking the Dragonborn while in the Midden.
360 (Fix) A possible fix is to reload prior to the test (remove all attire before speaking to the Augur or entering the designated area may better one's chances of avoiding this glitch).
