Repairing the Orrery is an optional side quest in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, which unlocks the Orrery, a dwarven machine with the ability to grant the Hero Greater Powers depending on the phase of the moon. Upon entering the Arcane University’s Arch-Mage’s lobby, players are met with Bothiel, a Wood Elf, who wants to repair the Imperial Orrery.

The door to the Imperial Orrery can be found in the Arch-Mage’s lobby, but it remains locked. The only way to open this door and unlock the functions of the Orrery is to complete Bothiel’s request and gather the dwarven artifacts needed for the repair process.

How to Start Repairing the Orrery

bothiel in the elder scrolls 4 oblivion remastered

To start ‘Repairing the Orrery,’ head to the Arcane University in the Imperial City and enter the Arch-Mage’s Lobby. Talk to Bothiel, the Wood Elf mage stationed there, and agree to her request to gather dwarven materials to repair the Orrery. The quest will start.

You do not need to join the Mage’s Guild to undertake this quest.

Repairing the Orrery Walkthrough (Step-by-Step)

repairing the orrery camp locations in the elder scrolls 4 oblivion remastered

There are five dwarven artifacts Bothiel needs to repair the Orrery. These artifacts are in the possession of bandit camp leaders found in the mountains surrounding Kvatch. The first quest marker will lead players to Camp Ales, directly north of Kvatch. Head to Camp Ales and defeat the bandits inside. You will find a ‘Dwarven Cog’ and an ‘Undelivered Letter’ on the body of the leader.

Read the ‘Undelivered Letter,’ and the locations of the remaining four bandit camps will be marked on your map. They are:

  • Bodean Camp (Dwarven Cylinder)
  • Brotch Camp (Dwarven Cog)
  • Dagny’s Camp (Dwarven Coherer)
  • Varus Camp (Dwarven Tube)

The bandits during this quest carry extremely expensive gear that can be sold for a hefty profit to merchants. Make sure you have enough extra carry weight to bring all the loot with you from each camp.

After gathering all remaining dwarven artifacts from the bandit camps, the quest will be updated. Return to Bothiel in the Arcane University and hand over the artifacts. She will give you a gold reward depending on your level.

How to Unlock the Imperial Orrery

After Bothiel receives the dwarven artifacts from the Hero, she will enter the locked door leading to the Imperial Orrery to repair it using these materials. To unlock the Orrery, wait 24 hours of in-game time. A pop-up will appear stating, ‘The Orrery at the Arcane University should be functional once more.’ Now, the door to the Orrery is unlocked, and you can freely enter it at any time.

Upon entering the Orrery, head up the stairs and interact with the ‘Imperial Orrery Console’ to activate it. The device will turn on, the barriers around it will come down, and it will start glowing blue.

How to Use the Orrery

The Imperial Orrery’s function is to grant the player unique Greater Powers depending on the phase of the moons Masser and Secunda. They can only be used once a day and last for one minute (60 seconds). They are not ‘Active Effects’ but rather ‘Spells’.

All Orrery Greater Powers have two effects; Fortify Attribute by +20 points, and Drain Attribute by -20 points. Which Attribute gets Fortified and which one gets Drained depends on the phases of the moons. The exact table is as follows:

Greater Power

Fortify Attribute

Drain Attribute

Masser's Might

Strength +20

Speed -20

Masser's Grace

Agility +20

Endurance -20

Secunda's Will

Willpower +20

Intelligence -20

Secunda's Opportunity

Luck +20

Personality -20

Masser's Alacrity

Speed +20

Strength -20

Secunda's Magnetism

Personality +20

Luck -20

Secunda's Brilliance

Intelligence +20

Willpower -20

Masser's Courage

Endurance +20

Agility -20

Greater Powers the Orrery provides change every 3 in-game days, corresponding to the shifting of the moon’s phases. The Greater Powers order is displayed in the table above. If you gain Masser’s Might on your first visit, for example, waiting 3 days will give you Masser’s Grace, waiting 6 days after that will give you Secunda’s Opportunity, and so on.

Once activated, an Orrery Greater Power is permanent until replaced. It does not change automatically with the phases of the moon unless you actively use the Orrery again in a different phase.

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Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
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Released
April 22, 2025
ESRB
Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
Developer(s)
Virtuos, Bethesda
Publisher(s)
Bethesda
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Strong