The Elder Scrolls: Tamriel

Tucked away in the foothills south of Ivarstead, the Ruins of Bthalft are the moss-covered remains of a small Dwemer outpost, long forgotten by most of Skyrim. Overgrown with ivy and surrounded by scattered stonework and Dwemer scrap, the ruins lie silent—until the Dragonborn gathers the four Aetherium Shards during the quest Lost to the Ages. When activated, the ruins transform dramatically. Ancient Dwemer machinery rises from the ground, assembling the Aetherium Forge Elevator—a marvel of lost engineering that grants access to one of the most powerful crafting sites in Tamriel. From this unassuming site, the path opens to the legendary Aetherium Forge deep beneath the mountains. The Ruins of Bthalft are more than just rubble—they are the key to unlocking the secrets of Aetherium, where Dwemer ambition still hums beneath the earth, waiting for the next soul bold enough to wield it.