If there’s one crucial takeaway from Starfield’s “Exhuming the Past” quest, it’s that navigating an abandoned dam can be more challenging than anticipated.
In this mission, part of the Starfield Shattered Space DLC, you are tasked with aiding one of the three Houses on Dazra in resolving their internal conflicts. House Ka’ric aims to rescue hostage family members, while House Veth’aal prefers to eliminate their foes. Alternatively, House Dul’kehf sends you to the Ma’leen Dam to recover the Vortex Interlock.
This seemingly straightforward fetch quest transforms into a complex challenge, marked by a labyrinthine facility and a tough decision lying ahead.
How to Acquire the Keycard and Access the Dam
To obtain the ID card for the reader next to Ma’leen Dam’s Secure Access door, locate a young boy named Comrak Abbass near the stairs.
While Comrak doesn’t possess the card, he can direct you to its holder: Kaviil Fahrzanas, a resident of a nearby settlement. You have the option to either persuade Kaviil or utilize your Security trait to secure the card from him. Once you acquire the card, return and use it to access the dam.
How to Navigate the Dam
To fulfill the objective of exploring the Ma’leen Dam in Starfield Shattered Space, you must navigate to the Pump Control and drain the dam to reach the lower levels.
Start by moving down the stairs and following the blue waypoint to your right. You will eventually arrive at a hallway with a hole in the floor. Drop down and employ your jetpack to maneuver between red pipes. Above these pipes, you will spot a door.
Continue following the marker until you find a computer behind a glass window. To access it, locate a staircase on the lower floor and be cautious not to step in the contaminated water. Ascend the stairs and activate the switch to open the door.
Inside, you’ll discover the computer that controls the Sub Pump, but it will be inactive since the Vortex Power Modulator is unresponsive. Follow the blue marker and look up to find the blue half-sphere device (the Vortex Power Modulator). Destroy it by shooting until it is obliterated, then return to the computer.
Next, explore the now drained rooms of the dam. Eventually, you will encounter a locked white door with the objective “Find a way to open the door.” To unlock it, you need to conduct a teleportation experiment, which requires inputting a three-digit code into a nearby computer.
How to Execute the Teleportation Experiment
Upon interacting with the computer behind the locked white door, you will discover it pertains to a teleportation experiment in Starfield.
To obtain the keycard, enter the code 335 into the computer. This number is referenced in the “Recent Experimental Results” document, indicating that this power level successfully teleported a keycard – precisely what you need.
With the keycard secured, unlock the white door and continue to retrieve the Vortex Interlock.
How to Obtain a Vortex Interlock
After confronting Karija again, interact with the computer located at the center of the room. Then, continue through the right hallway until you reach a red Emergency Cuttable Wall. Shoot the orange corners of the wall to break through and venture into the vents.
Proceed through the vents, and you’ll face Karija once more. After that, take aim at the Vortex Power Modulator positioned at the room’s back. Finally, return to the computer to claim your first Vortex Interlock.
Should You Remove the Remaining Interlock or Exit the Dam?
Removing the Remaining Interlock
If your objective prioritizes rewards over moral integrity, this option is for you.
Rewards:
- 2 Vortex Interlocks
- 1 Exterminator Modified Va’ruun Penumbra
- 1 Titanium Va’ruun Penumbra
- 12000 Credits
- 350 XP
- Andreja’s Disapproval
As infuriating as Karija may be, they raise a valid point: if you defeat them and take the second Vortex Interlock, the farmers above, including the boy and the man you persuaded for access to Ma’leen Dam, will suffer. Removing the interlock devastates the ecosystem of their seaweed farm, which you can confirm by completing the optional objective, “Visit the villagers.”
However, acquiring the Vortex Interlock is crucial for the final quest of Starfield: Shattered Space, making later challenges easier. Additionally, you will loot the legendary heavy weapon, Titanium Va’ruun Penumbra, from Karija’s corpse. Ekris rewards you with an Exterminator Modified Va’ruun Penumbra and 12000 Credits as well.
Exiting the Dam
If you are unwilling to jeopardize the livelihoods of farmers for your own gains, then this choice is the best option for Exhuming the Past in Starfield.
Rewards:
- 1 Vortex Interlock
- 1 Exterminator Modified Va’ruun Penumbra
- 12000 Credits
- 350 XP
- Andreja’s Approval
With just one Vortex Interlock in your possession, you navigate back up from where you came and exit the Dam. The journey back is prolonged, and vortex enemies will continue to harass you. The farm remains safe, but you can hand over only one Vortex Interlock to Ekris and the Citadel.
Having reached the end of this main quest, you might consider tackling a side quest, such as The Duel, and unlocking The Keep Armory during your return to Dazra.
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