Download Hints

Get quick and convenient access to just the hints you need for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, without staying on our website. Just download a free trial version of our UHS Reader software and a copy of these hints. You will get the same gradual hints you see here -- unlike ordinary cheats or a walkthrough that can spoil your game.

You can also buy the full version of the UHS Reader for Windows or macOS. For just $14.95, you get full access to hints for hundreds of games and 1 year of free updates. You can also search, decode, or print an entire game's worth of hints at once.

Ask the Author

If you have questions about a puzzle that aren't answered anywhere in these hints, you may contact the author.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Hints

How can I get through the Forbidden Grotto?

  • 1 of 13: With a lot of help from a friendly native whom you'll be meeting soon.
  • 2 of 13: In the first Forbidden Grotto region, you'll soon come to a large torture chamber where a red-clad ascended guy is torturing people trapped in cages by lowering them into the lava.
  • 3 of 13: After killing off the torturer, you can find the lever on the other side of the room and use it to switch who's in the lava and who isn't, but that's not really useful.
  • 4 of 13: As you leave the torture room, you'll meet a friendly red-clad guy named Eldamil.
  • 5 of 13: Tell him you're here to kill Mankar Camoran and agree to accept his help.
  • 6 of 13: He'll tell you his plan and ask you to follow him and act like a regular prisoner.
  • 7 of 13: When Orthe shows up and Eldamil orders you to get into the cage, do so and wait for him to lower you.
  • 8 of 13: After he raises you back up, you'll be able to exit the cage on the other side.
  • 9 of 13: At the north/south path split past a short tunnel, head south. (North just leads you to Orthe's room.)
  • 10 of 13: Go through another torture room and find the door that leads to the second segment of the Forbidden Grotto.
  • 11 of 13: You'll soon meet up with Eldamil, who will remove those cursed Bands of the Chosen and offer to join you against Mankar Camoran.
  • 12 of 13: Accept his help and lead him onwards until you come to the NW corner of the area, where a xivilai named Medrike is hanging out.
  • 13 of 13: You can either kill him to get his magic weapon, or just run by him and use the exit to get back out to Paradise. (Though note that if you just run by, Eldamil will probably get caught up in fighting him and won't be coming with you to help fight Mankar Camoran.)