To access Blackreach in Skyrim, one must first progress in the main questline and reach the Tower of Mzark in Blackreach. The tower is accessed by traveling through the Alftand Glacial Ruins and Alftand Cathedral in the underground Dwemer city of Alftand.
Getting to Blackreach in Skyrim
Blackreach is a hidden underground area in Skyrim that houses the powerful Elder Scroll at the Tower of Mzark. To access Blackreach, you will first need to progress through the "Elder Knowledge" quest, which is part of the main questline in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Starting the Quest
The "Elder Knowledge" quest begins after completing the quest "Discerning the Transmundane," given to you by Septimus Signus. In this quest, you retrieve a lexicon from a Dwemer ruin and bring it back to him. Septimus will then give you the "Elder Knowledge" quest, pointing you towards the College of Winterhold to speak with Urag gro-Shub, the librarian.
Seeking Information at the College of Winterhold
At the College of Winterhold, Urag gro-Shub will direct you to a book called "The Aetherium Wars," which contains the location of the Dwemer ruins you need to explore to access Blackreach. The book is located in the Arcanaeum, the College's library, and you can find it on a bookshelf.
Locating the Entrance to Blackreach
After reading "The Aetherium Wars," you will learn that the entrance to Blackreach is in the ruins of Alftand. Head to Alftand, a Dwemer ruin located in the mountains southwest of Winterhold. As you explore Alftand, you will encounter Falmer and Dwemer automatons, so be prepared for combat.
Progressing Through Alftand
Within Alftand, you will encounter puzzles, traps, and enemies as you make your way through the ruins. Follow the quest marker to navigate deeper into the ruin until you reach the Tower of Mzark. This tower holds the entrance to Blackreach, but you will need a key to access it.
Reaching Blackreach
Once you reach the Tower of Mzark, you will need to complete a puzzle to unlock the Elder Scroll. Use the controls in the main chamber to align lenses and solve the puzzle. Once the puzzle is solved, the Elder Scroll will be revealed, and the Oculory will open, granting you access to Blackreach.
Exploring Blackreach
Upon entering Blackreach, you will find yourself in a vast underground cavern filled with glowing flora, Dwemer ruins, and dangerous enemies. To reach the Tower of Mzark where the Elder Scroll is located, follow the quest marker and navigate through the expansive cavern system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to get to Blackreach in Skyrim, you must progress through the "Elder Knowledge" questline, starting with "Discerning the Transmundane." Seek out information at the College of Winterhold, locate the entrance in Alftand, progress through the ruins, solve the puzzle at the Tower of Mzark, and finally explore the underground world of Blackreach. Enjoy the exploration and challenges that Blackreach has to offer in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim!