An Elder Scroll

Inside the tower is another Dwemer lift that takes me way back up into the mountain. The old hermit did mention something about stars, which you can't really see from underground.

At the top of the tower is a large, round chamber housing a complex structure on both the floor and the ceiling. Most of the Dwemer construction I've seen has been functional, but this is the only one I've seen that's beautiful.

Of course I have no idea what it does, but it looks like there's some kind of capsule in the centre.

On a viewing platform off to the left is a group of buttons and a little holder for Dwemer cube the hermit gave me. The whole machine comes to life as I start pressing buttons. I'm sure there's a system here, but there's no manual and I don't have a mind for this sort of thing, so I just watch the rings spin.

I must get it right eventually as suddenly clear white light is focused through the top of the structure and then fragmented through the many glass discs mounted on the arms of the thing.

That was obviously the right thing to do as the capsule I saw before drops down slowly and opens.

By the Eight (and Talos as well, I'm that impressed) it's an Elder Scroll! I take a few moments to stand in awe of it. What knowledge it must contain, what secrets and power. Gingerly I pick it up and run my fingers over the smooth, gold surface.

Overcome by curiosity, I tug gentle on the edge of the scroll, revealing a sliver of the gold page within. I can't help it, it's so pretty and it's educational! I pull the whole thing out and immediately regret my decision!

Incomprehensible characters and shapes blaze with incredible power and such knowledge! The sheer weight and intensity of the knowledge on that scroll dazzles and blinds me. I stumble back disoriented and unable to see. Fortunately the effects are temporary, as I know that the Moth Priests of the Imperial City are permanently blind from their time spent studying the scrolls.

Glad that nobody was around to see that, I stuff the scroll in my pack and head back down the lift.

On the way out through Blackreach I pass a giant. What on earth is he doing down here? Seriously, how does a giant get down here!? Anyway, I fling a spell his way, more out of idle amusement than anything else, but he gets really angry so I have to hide. Good thing it's dark. If I could get him to follow me without trying to squash me into scrib jelly I would, but he doesn't seem that unhappy so I don't feel too bad leaving him behind. Maybe he has a thing for giant glowing mushrooms.