Tracking down every Oblivion Ayleid statue is a rite of passage for any serious treasure hunter in Cyrodiil. These ten relics, scattered across the ancient elven ruins of the province, aren't just decorative curiosities—they are the key to one of the most lucrative side quests in the game. Whether playing the classic experience or the newer Remastered version, finding all ten statues for the eccentric noble Umbacano can net a total of 10,000 gold coins, along with uncovering some of the most atmospheric dungeons in the Elder Scrolls lore.

Starting The Collector Quest

The quest, officially titled "The Collector," does not appear in the journal through traditional conversation with NPCs or reading flyers. Instead, it is triggered by action. There are generally two ways to grab the attention of Umbacano’s household, but one is significantly more profitable than the other.

The first method involves finding any one of the ten Ayleid statues and selling it to a merchant in the Imperial City. After the transaction, a man named Joll Ring—Umbacano's butler—will eventually track you down to offer an invitation to Umbacano Manor in the Talos Plaza District. While this works, it is less efficient as merchants rarely pay the full 500 gold bounty that Umbacano offers for each individual piece.

The preferred method is to obtain a statue and head directly to Umbacano Manor. Show the artifact to Joll Ring at the door, and he will grant access to his master. Umbacano will immediately pay 500 gold for the first statue and promise the same for each subsequent find, with a massive 5,000 gold bonus waiting upon the completion of the entire set.

Expert Preparation for Ayleid Ruins

Exploring Ayleid ruins is inherently more dangerous than clearing standard bandit camps or natural caves. These structures are notorious for their lethal traps and magical guardians. Before embarking on the hunt for all ten statues, considering the following preparations is often helpful for survival:

  • Night Eye or Light Spells: Ayleid ruins are notoriously dim. While torches work, they occupy a hand and can alert enemies to your presence. Night Eye provides a clear view of floor pressure plates and wall switches that might otherwise be missed.
  • Detect Life: Many ruins are populated by undead or vampires who wait in dark alcoves. A Detect Life enchantment or potion allows for better tactical positioning before an engagement begins.
  • Poison Resistance: Several ruins, specifically Moranda, utilize poisonous gas traps. Having a surplus of Cure Poison potions or a high resistance can prevent a quick death in the lower chambers.
  • Inventory Management: Each statue has a weight of 20 units. Carrying multiple statues simultaneously requires significant inventory space, so it is generally advisable to offload heavy gear before a multi-ruin run.

Detailed Locations of All 10 Ayleid Statues

1. Vilverin

Vilverin is almost always the first ruin a player encounters, sitting prominently on an island northeast of the Imperial Prison sewer exit. It is a sprawling complex that serves as an excellent introduction to Ayleid architecture and the dangers within.

The statue is located in the deepest section, known as Vilverin Sel Sancremathi. To reach it, players must navigate through three prior levels: the initial halls filled with bandits, the Canos El section, and the Wendes El area. The third level features a dangerous trap—a collapsing floor over spikes. It is usually safest to hug the walls when crossing the central platform. The statue itself rests on a pedestal in a room guarded by the necromancer Jalbert. Taking the statue often triggers a final confrontation with him, so being prepared for magical combat is necessary.

2. Culotte

Located southeast of the Imperial City on the eastern shore of the Upper Niben, Culotte is one of the simpler ruins to navigate. It consists of a single floor, making it one of the quickest statues to retrieve.

The path to the statue is relatively linear, but there is a structural hazard to watch for. As you cross the main bridge toward the central chamber, sections of the walkway will crumble. The statue sits on a central altar surrounded by three pillars. Picking up the statue awakens the zombies in the surrounding crypts. Since the bridge is now broken, the exit route involves following a side path that leads to a ledge overlooking the entrance, allowing for a safe drop-down to leave the ruin.

3. Fanacas

Fanacas is situated north of Cheydinhal, tucked away in the mountains east of Lake Arrius. This ruin is a hub for vampires, making it a dangerous trek for low-level characters or those without disease resistance.

The internal layout of Fanacas is somewhat circular. The statue is found at the end of the main corridor, but the journey is fraught with swinging blade traps and floor triggers. It is generally better to stay out of the water-filled trenches, as they provide little tactical advantage and can contain hidden enemies. Once the statue is secured from its pedestal, the quickest way out is to continue through the loop rather than backtracking through the traps.

4. Mackamentain

Mackamentain is found in the Nibenay Basin, northwest of the small lake that feeds the Silverfish River. This is a necromancer-heavy dungeon, meaning players should expect to fight high-level casters, wraiths, and possibly Liches depending on their character level.

The statue is located in the final zone, Mackamentain Tombs. In the first major chamber, there are several Varla Stones high on the walls; these are highly valuable and worth the effort to retrieve with a bow or telekinesis. The statue itself is in the very last room, housed in a chest near the shortcut exit. There is a hidden pressure plate in this room that opens a gate leading back to the entrance of the ruin, saving a long walk back through the cleared halls.

5. Moranda

Located between Chorrol and Bruma, Moranda is famous for its environmental hazards. The ruin is inhabited by various forest creatures like Spriggans and Minotaurs, but the primary threat is the architecture itself.

The statue is located in the Moranda Arpenia section, which is the lowest level. This area is filled with a thick, green poisonous gas. Speed is essential here. Players may find it useful to identify the statue’s location—tucked into a small nook near the back of the central gas-filled room—and then retreat to clear air to heal before making the final grab. This ruin also contains a high density of Welkynd Stones, which are useful for magicka-reliant characters.

6. Ninendava

Ninendava is a very short ruin located northeast of Chorrol and east of Sancre Tor. It is perhaps the easiest statue to acquire if you can handle a few vampires and skeletons.

The structure is essentially two large rooms connected by a short hallway. There are no complex puzzles or branching paths. Upon entering, players simply need to move forward, pick the lock on the central gate, and grab the statue from the far wall. Because of its brevity, Ninendava is often recommended as a quick stop when traveling through the Highlands.

7. Wenyan da Wik

Wenyan da Wik is located northwest of Bravil, just south of the Green Road. This ruin is a labyrinth of undead and can be confusing due to several dead ends and locked gates.

The key to finding the statue is to take the correct exit from the first large chamber. Heading north (right from the entrance) leads to the path that actually progresses toward the statue. Taking other doors often leads to frustrating loops. The statue is located in a hidden area that opens once a specific floor switch is pressed in the lower tunnels. It is typically guarded by a high-level undead enemy, such as a Lich or a Dread Zombie, so saving your resources for this final fight is a sound strategy.

8. Wendir

Wendir is found south of Chorrol, nestled in the woods northwest of the village of Hackdirt. This ruin is moderately sized and heavily populated by undead.

The statue in Wendir is not at the very end of the dungeon, which catches many players off guard. Instead, it is located in the second major room on an elevated walkway on the right side. If you reach the large, open cavern at the very end of the ruin, you have gone too far. It is advisable to thoroughly check the upper tiers of the mid-section chambers to ensure the statue isn't overlooked.

9. Welke

Welke is located southeast of Bravil, near the Panther River. This ruin is unique because it requires navigating a submerged tunnel to reach the final chamber.

Water breathing spells or potions are helpful here, though the tunnel is short enough for most characters to swim through if they don't get lost. The statue is located in the third and final room of the ruin. This area is often guarded by multiple wraiths or ghosts, which require silver, daedric, or enchanted weapons to damage. The statue sits prominently at the end of the final hall.

10. Wendel Bek

Wendel Bek is the final ruin on the list, located east of Bravil and north of the Panther River. It is a long, linear dungeon filled with necromancers.

To reach the statue efficiently, it is generally recommended to stay on the upper walkways of each level. This avoids many of the ground-based traps and puts you in a better position to snipe necromancers from above. The statue is found in the fourth room, resting on a raised platform near the exit. Because this is one of the longer dungeons, ensure you have sufficient repair hammers or soul gems to maintain your equipment throughout the crawl.

Total Rewards and Bonus Quests

Returning all ten statues to Umbacano provides a significant financial boost. Here is the breakdown of the gold earned:

  1. Individual Statue Bounty: 10 Statues x 500 Gold = 5,000 Gold.
  2. Completion Bonus: 5,000 Gold.
  3. Total Return: 10,000 Gold.

Beyond the gold, completing "The Collector" is the prerequisite for two other major Ayleid-themed quests. After returning three statues, Umbacano will offer the quest "Nothing You Can Possess," which involves a race against a rival treasure hunter to retrieve the High Fane Key from the ruins of Malada.

Once all ten statues are returned and "Nothing You Can Possess" is complete, the final quest in the trilogy, "Secrets of the Ayleids," becomes available. This mission culminates in a trip to the ruins of Nenalata or Lindai and deals with the ultimate fate of Umbacano himself. These quests provide some of the deepest lore regarding the ancient Elven kings of Cyrodiil and offer unique artifacts like the Crown of Nenalata.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the quest is straightforward, a few hurdles can arise during the hunt:

  • The Sarda Var Leed Misconception: Some older journals and rumors suggest a statue is located in Sarda Var Leed. This is incorrect. There is no statue in that ruin; it is a common point of confusion for new explorers.
  • The Miscarcand Warning: While searching for ruins, you may encounter Miscarcand. While it is an Ayleid ruin, it does not contain a statue for this quest. More importantly, it contains the Great Welkynd Stone, which is a critical item for the Main Quest. It is generally better to avoid taking items from Miscarcand until the Main Quest explicitly directs you there to prevent potential script errors in the journal.
  • Merchant Resale: If you accidentally sell a statue to a random merchant and they reset their inventory before Joll Ring speaks to you, the statue may be lost. It is always safest to keep the statues in a secure player-owned chest until you are ready to deliver them to Umbacano.

By systematically visiting these ten ruins, any adventurer can secure a small fortune and explore the most significant remnants of Cyrodiil’s elven past. The Ayleid statues are more than just gold; they are markers of the history that lies beneath the surface of the Empire.