Oblivion Remastered: A Shadow Over Hackdirt Quest Walkthrough

While there are dozens of quests to complete in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, there are some that take more effort than others. Quests will take you across the map, have you rescue villagers, and slay mighty beasts that stand in your way. A Shadow Over Hackdirt, however, will test your investigative skills.

When Dar-Ma from Chorrol goes missing, it's up to you to find and rescue her. There are several ways to do this, and we'll walk you through the best ways to safely get her home. Here's everything you need to know to help locate the missing Argonian in Cyrodiil.

How To Start A Shadow Over Hackdirt Quest

Before this quest starts, you'll need to visit the city of Chorrol at least once and meet young Dar-Ma. She's a chatty Argonian woman living with her mother, Seed-Neeus. Together, they run the Northern Goods and Trade shop in town.

After meeting Dar-Ma, speak with her mother upon your next visit. You will need to leave Chorrol completely for this quest to begin. Apparently, Seed-Neeus sent her daughter to make deliveries to a small settlement called Hackdirt, not far from Chorrol. However, she hasn't yet returned and Seed-Neeus is worried.

Where To Find Hackdirt

Leave Chorrol and head south of the city. You'll follow the path down past the Weynon Priory, then detour along the dirt track further south. If you've reached the Odiil farm, you've gone too far.

When you arrive in Hackdirt, you'll notice that most of the town is in ruins. The place was burned down long ago and the remaining inhabitants are less than welcoming. Speaking with them will reveal very little information, if any at all.

How To Find Dar-Ma

Investigate the town at your leisure, though don't dawdle. While the people aren't forthcoming about Dar-Ma, you can question them as much as you'd like to get an idea of what's going on.

Speak with Etira Moslin, the local merchant and Seed-Neeus' contact. She claims that Dar-Ma never arrived and that Seed-Neeus is a swindler, but offers little else. You're free to explore the town and collect evidence of Dar-Ma's presence on your own.

Gathering Evidence Of Dar-Ma's Arrival

Several pieces of evidence can help you locate Dar-Ma in Hackdirt. Below are some of the ways you can confirm that she did visit town and is still nearby:

• Her horse, Blossom. In one of the abandoned, burned down buildings is Blossom! While riding the horse counts as stealing, Seed-Neeus told you that Dar-Ma would never abandoned her beloved mare. If you ask Etira about the horse, she claims to own the horse herself.
• Dar-Ma's trashed bedroom. Enter the inn and pick the lock to reach the guest rooms. One of them is completely overturned as if there was a scuffle. Something isn't right here, though you can't establish what just by looking at it.
• Dar-Ma's diary. In the dresser of the guest room are all of Dar-Ma's belongings, along with her diary. The last entry mentions how Dar-Ma kept hearing footsteps outside her door at night. If you confront the innkeeper about it, he claims she simply stayed the night and left without a word.
• The Deep Ones. Entering the chapel, you can read the Bible of the Deep Ones, which is a text filled with daedric runes. This won't bring up any conversation topics, but it sheds some more light on why the people of Hackdirt are closed off.

How To Keep Dar-Ma Safe

When you enter the caverns beneath the settlement, you'll find Dar-Ma locked in a cage. Carefully make your way to her to avoid detection, or slay the half-dressed Hackdirt Bretheren. Use the key on the stool beside Dar-Ma to free her or pick the lock.

You can sneak out together through the ladder to the inn and make your way to her horse, Blossom. If you drop a weapon for Dar-Ma, she may pick it up and defend herself. Otherwise, flee the town as quickly as you can.

Should You Kill The People Of Hackdirt?

If spotted by the townspeople at night before the ritual, most of them will turn hostile and attack you. Even if undetected, should you ever return, they'll try to kill you.

Despite the growling sounds in the underground caverns, you won't actually see the Deep Ones. However, it's believed the guttural sounds are supposed to be the unknown creatures.

Only a handful, including Jiv Hiriel, will avoid combat with you. So, unless you're willing to go to extraordinary lengths, you'll likely have to kill almost everyone in Hackdirt.

If you're set on saving the townsfolk for some reason, sneak your way around the settlement and speak only to Jiv Hiriel without being seen, then make your way to the caverns.

Even if you can escape without getting spotted, there's a chance the townsfolk will still attack, so be on your guard.

Regardless of your actions, the Hackdirt Bretheren will find you. If you don't kill them in the caves, they will emerge from the trapdoors and chase you in the overworld. Dispatch them quickly to prevent more casualties in Cyrodiil.

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