The quest known as Fingers of the Mountain is one of the most memorable storylines tied to the Chorrol Mages Guild in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Players must navigate a tense rivalry between Teekeeus, the local guild head, and Earana, a rogue mage seeking ancient power. Completing this assignment efficiently requires understanding each choice and how it impacts your standing with the guild.
Starting the Chorrol Recommendation Quest
To begin the quest line, speak with Teekeeus inside the Chorrol Mages Guild to inquire about joining the Arcane University. He will ask you to investigate Earana, who can be found wandering nearby or resting at the local inn. Speaking to Earana reveals her search for an ancient tome located at a mountain ruin known as Cloud Top.
Reporting back to Teekeeus gives you explicit instructions to retrieve the book before Earana gets her hands on it. Travel to Cloud Top, search the scorched corpse at the site, and secure the requested ancient tome. At this stage, you must decide which path best serves your character's goals.
Choosing Between Teekeeus and Earana
Handing the book over to Teekeeus immediately satisfies the requirement for the Chorrol recommendation. This choice guarantees your entry into the guild without requiring additional subterfuge. However, doing so will anger Earana, who demands that you steal the book back from the guild's living quarters.
Alternatively, giving the book to Earana first unlocks her unique translation research after waiting 24 hours. To earn Teekeeus's recommendation afterward, you can pickpocket his key or lockpick the chest in his room to return the tome to him. This double-cross strategy lets players gain both rewards while keeping their guild advancement intact.
Unlocking the Finger of the Mountain Spell
Once Earana translates the text, she provides notes detailing a ritual to harness the mountain's ancient lightning magic. To perform the ritual, travel back to Cloud Top with a Welkynd Stone in your inventory. Cast any basic shock spell at the ruined pillar in the center of the site.
A massive bolt of lightning will strike your character, so having shock resistance or high health is strongly recommended. If you survive the blast, you permanently acquire the powerful Finger of the Mountain spell. Keep in mind that this spell's magicka cost scales significantly with your character level.
Maximizing Rewards and Quest Outcomes
The best approach for most players is to satisfy both NPCs to ensure no content is missed. Obtaining the guild recommendation is vital for unlocking spellmaking tools later in the game. Meanwhile, acquiring the shock spell adds a potent offensive capability to your spellbook.
Carefully managing your inventory and lockpicking skills makes navigating the theft portion simple. By following these steps, you can secure full Mages Guild approval while mastering one of Cyrodiil's most legendary elemental spells.
