Oblivion Remastered’s Hackdirt Quest Is a Terrifying Lovecraft Easter Egg You Can’t Miss

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Summary

  • Oblivion Remastered features unique quests in various locations, including a small, unnerving town with cosmic horror themes.
  • Bethesda incorporates nods to H.P. Lovecraft in their games, adding depth and mystery to familiar aspects like the Aedra and Daedra.
  • A Shadow Over Hackdirt quest in Oblivion Remastered draws inspiration from Lovecraft’s “The Shadow Over Innsmouth,” offering a memorable and eerie experience.

In the revamped version of Oblivion, players journey to various unique, intriguing, and bizarre destinations for their quests. Ranging from Cyrodiil’s distinctive cities to eerie Ayleid ruins, and even to the domains of the Daedra themselves, there are numerous spots in Oblivion Remastered where one can lose oneself. However, among these diverse locations, there is a seemingly ordinary town hidden away off the main trail, shrouded by the woods, which carries profound Lovecraftian undertones.

In several of its recent titles, Bethesda has subtly paid homage to H.P. Lovecraft’s works, like the developing lore of the Dunwich Borers in Fallout series. The Aedra and Daedra in Elder Scrolls are cherished elements of the franchise, yet at times, a hint of the enigmatic can offer fresh insights on questions concerning the gods that some players assume as common knowledge. Proceed with caution though, as the Brethren have become watchful, and it’s time to plunge into Hackdirt.

A Shadow Over Hackdirt Is Oblivion Remastered’s Nod to Cosmic Horror

Adventurers purchasing goods at Northern Goods and Trade in Chorrol might be tasked with rescuing Dar-Ma, an Argonian girl who has gone missing, last spotted heading towards Hackdirt. As they journey south of Chorrol, anticipating a typical town, they will instead encounter something distinctly unsettling. What greets them is a desolate landscape of dilapidated ruins, deserted buildings, and a town that appears to be overgrown by the forest, eerily emerging from the trees.

It’s clear that there’s something amiss with this town, and it seems the residents themselves are a source of greater concern. They’re quick to mistrust anyone new, even warning strangers that they aren’t fond of outsiders. The Hero of Kvatch isn’t exempt from their suspicion; instead, he receives a sneer upon arrival. Inquiries about the town will yield little useful information, aside from the fact that it has been attacked in the past. Mentioning the Brethren, however, elicits cautions about potentially severe repercussions.

Hackdirt’s Unsettling Nature Runs Deep

In crafting Hackdirt, Bethesda went to great lengths to make it seem unfriendly. The merchants in this game will have distinctive dialogue specifically for trading, and they’ll even accuse you of swindling them. Their attitude towards you will initially be very poor, although you can try to improve it. However, any improvement won’t significantly impact their overall demeanor. The surviving buildings in Hackdirt are a mess, filled with damaged, moldy crates, crooked pictures, and hidden trapdoors on the floor. What really sets this town apart, though, is that NPCs will trail after you, maintaining a distance but always keeping you in their sight. This creates an understated feeling of unease throughout Hackdirt.

Looking into Dar-Ma’s location may result in puzzled faces, as townsfolk vehemently claim they don’t know her. Yet, her horse being present in town and her diary at hand make it a hard tale to swallow. However, Jiv Hiriel extends an aid, asking the player for a clandestine meeting post-dusk to unveil the town’s hidden truths. Regrettably, no one else is willing to collaborate, and spending the night at the inn results in an unpleasant surprise as a member of the Hackdrit Brethren assaults the player in their room. Yet, provoking the wrath of Hackdirt’s wary residents can be achieved by exploring one of the hidden trapdoors leading to the tunnels beneath the village, and uncovering the secrets buried deep within.

How a Shadow Over Hackdirt Puts a Spin on Lovecraft’s “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”

Fans of Lovecraft will undoubtedly spot the likenesses between Hackdirt and Lovecraft’s “The Shadow Over Innsmouth.” In this narrative, an investigator travels to Innsmouth, a virtually unknown coastal town with peculiar inhabitants and a chilly ambiance that is far from welcoming. He uncovers information about the town being repeatedly assaulted and battling an enigmatic illness. He also observes that some of the residents exhibit unusually inhuman features.

Following an encounter with a non-resident, the storyteller is prompted to converse with the local drunk, Zadok. He shares how Innsmouth transformed when Obed Marsh initiated a custom of blood sacrifices aimed at pacifying the enigmatic Deep Ones. According to him, offspring born from unions between humans and Deep Ones would initially appear normal, but over time, they would metamorphose into Deep Ones as adults, longing for the depths of the ocean. When Marsh’s rituals led to townspeople being imprisoned, the disgruntled Deep Ones retaliated against the residents in their anger.

As the stories grow increasingly bizarre, the narrator dismisses them as mere drunken ramblings, even when warned they were being observed. When compelled to stay in town overnight, the narrator is awakened by someone desperately trying to break into his room, causing him to flee. Realizing that the entirety of Innsmouth is now seeking him, he manages to escape via the main road, only to encounter a sight he would never have imagined possible.

A Shadow Over Hackdirt Isn’t the Only Time Bethesda Has Paid Homage to Lovecraft

It’s quite evident that Lovecraft’s story shares similarities with the quest in Oblivion Remastered, but neither plot is given away. Bethesda seems to be acknowledging the influential cosmic horror writer by weaving tributes into their game, creating a location within the game that might go unnoticed by players. This isn’t the first time they’ve made such obvious references.

Bethesda often incorporates elements of H.P. Lovecraft’s horror themes, notably within their Fallout series. For instance, starting with the Dunwich Building in Fallout 3, Bethesda has created a storyline centered around mysterious, ancient beings of cyclopean origin that predate human understanding by far, with these entities being older and more powerful than anything humans can fathom. This narrative was further expanded upon in Fallout 4 through the Dunwich Borers quarry, and even extended to the Cabot House quest line involving ancient alien artifacts. Even Fallout 76 has hints of cosmic influence, leaving speculation about whether The Elder Scrolls 6 will further develop any Lovecraftian connections.

A Shadow Over Hackdirt is a captivating adventure that any player of Oblivion Remastered should try out, and those intrigued by it ought to delve into the tale that sparked its creation as well. The game offers numerous engaging quests similar to this one, so during your time with the Dark Brotherhood and the Mages Guild, be sure to carve out some moments for Hackdirt.

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2025-05-03 06:34