Sinderion is a recurring character in The Elder Scrolls series. Players can first encounter him in Oblivion, residing in Skingrad. Then in Skyrim, they can find him — or at least what remains of him — in his field laboratory in the depths of Blackreach.
The most notable thing about Sinderion is his fascination with nirnroot. In both Oblivion and Skyrim, he is the quest-giver for the series’ infamous nirnroot gathering quests. Though generally regarded as tedious for players in The Elder Scrolls community, the nirnroot samples are crucial to furthering the elf’s research.
Sinderion in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
In The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, Sinderion can be found in Skingrad, specifically in the basement of the West Weald Inn. There, the player will find the alchemist with his makeshift alchemy station. Talking to him about nirnroot will prompt the elf to explain what the plant is and trigger the quest “Seeking Your Roots.” Here, the player will have to collect a total of 100 nirnroots for Sinderion. This allows him to brew a special potion known as the Elixir of Exploration.
Once the player has collected the right amount of nirnroot — unfortunately, one of the rarest alchemy ingredients in the game — the quest will complete. Additionally, Sinderion’s disposition toward the player will max out, and the most potent version of the Elixir of Exploration will become available for sale from the alchemist. Should the player come across even more nirnroot, they can sell them to Sinderion for a marked-up price.
Research on Nirnroots and the Elixir of Exploration
As a well-known master alchemist in The Elder Scrolls world, Sinderion was highly regarded in the mage community. Aside from his research into nirnroots, he has also collaborated with Arch-Mage Taris Rendil of the local Mages Guild. Together, the two built the Frostcrag Apparatus Table, a special alchemy station that boosts its user’s alchemical ability. Oblivion players can find this unique alchemy station in Frostcrag Spire. Sinderion also offered alchemy training to skilled alchemists, asking for rare, vintage wines in return for sharing his knowledge.
Though, of course, Sinderion is most known for his work concerning nirnroots. “Seeking Your Roots” is a straightforward item collection quest in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, but in contrast, Sinderion’s research into the plant is complex and intriguing. He details his findings in an in-game text labeled “Nirnroot Missive.”
In Oblivion, the player acquires this text upon starting “Seeking Your Roots.” In it, Sinderion explains that nirnroot used to be seen everywhere in Tamriel, according to the records of an ancient Imperial herbalist named Chivius Regalliam. However, following the eruption of Red Mountain and the spread of the magical ash salt, these plants could no longer flourish as they currently were. Despite this, nirnroots continued to sprout, albeit not as often as before.
Sinderion believes that this was because of the plant’s inherent magical nature. According to his notes in Oblivion, the nirnroots harnessed the magic of the ash salt, combined it with their own, then changed its makeup to adapt and thrive in the new environment. Sinderion stresses that no other plant has ever come close to doing something like this before. Thus, nirnroots ought to be studied in great detail so that they may be harnessed in alchemical practices.
With that said, Sinderion is aware that the number of nirnroots is dwindling. “The nirnroot is on a path to destruction,” he writes. Given this, it’s all the more important that the plants are studied immediately. In the events of Oblivion, Sinderion’s personal research led him to the creation of the Elixir of Exploration. However, he feels it is a mediocre creation at best, which only spurred him to continue his research.
Sinderion’s Demise in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Much later, long before the events of Skyrim, Sinderion traveled to the cold land to pursue a new research project on nirnroot. Unfortunately, this would end in his death, as the Last Dragonborn can find his skeleton in one of the small structures in Blackreach. They can also pick up his field journal, which triggers the quest “A Return To Your Roots” and details how he ultimately ended up in the underground city.
Long after Sinderion’s dealings with The Hero of Kvatch, an explorer named Obeth Arnesian arrived in his room in the West Weald Inn, holding a unique nirnroot, crimson in hue. The man explained that he came all the way from Skyrim and wished to sell the strange nirnroot. Sinderion happily took the plant off his hands and also bought a map and key, which would lead him to Blackreach, where Obeth found the crimson nirnroot.
Following this discovery, Sinderion packed up his workshop, selling the items he no longer needed, and headed for Skyrim. He was an honorary member of the College of Winterhold, so he headed there first, and they directed him to an Avrusa Sarethi. Avrusa was a budding alchemist and a former student of Sinderion’s who lived near Riften, and Sinderion taught her all he knew (save for matters about the crimson nirnroot). In exchange, she allowed him to stay at her farm while he prepared for his journey to Blackreach.
Sinderion stayed with Avrusa and her sister for decades, heading out every now and then to make trips. It only took a few months for him to find the way into Blackreach. After that, he established a workshop in one of the underground city’s abandoned structures, likely moving between there and Avrusa’s farm based on his needs. Eventually, however, he was killed by something in Blackreach, likely either the Falmer or one of the hostile Dwarven machines.
Upon finding him, the player can then travel to Avrusa’s farm and inform her of Sinderion’s fate. It’s worth noting that she is the only farmer in Skyrim capable of growing nirnroot, which is most likely something she picked up from Sinderion. When she learns of Sinderion’s death, she muses that she may one day continue his research. This then allows the player to present her with 30 crimson nirnroots, which completes the quest and rewards the player with the effect “Sinderion’s Serendipity.”
Thus ends the story of one of the most prolific alchemists in The Elder Scrolls. Though his quests are some of the most frustrating in the series, their underlying backstories paint Sinderion as a likable character — an alchemist who will stop at nothing to further his research.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.