Ashe: Crystal Heart – Skyrim SE Mod Main Quest Walkthrough

Recruiting Ashe

When you start off the game, you can either go to Riverwood or Whiterun, or head to Solitude directly (this is where Ashe is). In Riverwood and Whiterun there are different NPCs that can point you to start Ashe's quest (Lucan in Riverwood and Ysolda in Whiterun), otherwise you can read news pamphlets placed at certain parts of these locations. Additionally, guards around the overworld will universally point you to Solitude to start Ashe's quest. Currently (as of 1.0.6) a quest objective starts with quest markers pointing to Riverwood and Whiterun, but this is planned to be removed in the future.

Note: If you've installed the NPC impressionist patch (the one disabling the impressionist voices) you cannot trigger Ashe's quest through characters like Lucan and Ysolda as that dialogue was disabled. You can still trigger her quest through the guards, reading news pamphlets, or heading to the Winking Skeever directly.

In-game Quest ID - MM_AsheIntro

Prologue - Whispers of White Hair

To recruit Ashe, you need 200 gold. No way around it. Once you first meet Ashe, she will be closed off. To start her main quest you need to get to know her more, which means just talking to her and selecting usually the topmost dialogue options (these are new, scripted topics and different from the usual radiant follower topics). Additionally, at certain points you're instructed to go to sleep. You can go to sleep at any bed in the game, and you'll be greeted about whether or not you want to proceed with a playable flashback sequence. If you do experience the flashbacks, you'll have to talk to Ashe afterward and choose to optionally share your experiences or choose not to.

To make things simple and straightforward, I give you quest objectives for when you should talk to Ashe or head to bed. Some quest stages have timers, so if nothing is progressing please wait 24 hours and you should be good.

You'll know you've finished this part of Ashe's quest when she asks to take you to her home, and the quest "A Borrowed Soul" is started.

In-game Quest ID - MM_FriendshipQuest.

Quest FAQ:

Q: I can’t move during dream sections, or the game crashes.

A: Use the enableplayercontrols console command to regain movement. If it still crashes, use a crash logger to troubleshoot. Other sleep-related events (like the Dark Brotherhood kidnapping) can conflict with these flashbacks—complete those events first or skip the dream sequences with console commands.

Chapter 1 - A Borrowed Soul

This chapter begins after completing the rapport-building phase. You'll receive a quest objective to visit Ashe's home, which should already be marked on your map.

Upon arrival, speak with Ashe and explore the full dialogue tree. Afterward, she will walk to a gravestone near her house and begin a monologue. If Ashe encounters pathing issues, it's likely due to a navmesh conflict. To resolve this, move Ashe's mod lower in your load order to override conflicts. Alternatively, you can physically nudge her, and she should automatically resume proper pathing.

Once Ashe completes her monologue, a new dialogue tree will become available. Follow her into the workshop, where you'll witness an introduction scene between Ashe and Canas. Ashe will then guide you on a tour of the workshop. After the tour, speak with her to advance the quest and trigger additional cutscenes. The quest is straightforward to complete from this point onward.

During this chapter, dialogue options labeled as (Flirt) will optionally advance Ashe's romance meter.

Chapter 2 begins immediately after. You can optionally use a bed to trigger Ashe's third flashback and hear her commentary, if you haven’t already. Additionally, there are audio logs scattered around the workshop that you can pick up and play. These logs are not tied to any specific quest but add interesting background details. Journals are also available throughout the workshop. One of these journals is a prerequisite for unlocking the optional "Hearthfire Protocol," which allows the player to accelerate their romance with Ashe.

In-game Quest ID - MM_AMQ_01

Quest FAQ:

Q: During “A Borrowed Soul,” Ashe won’t enter the lab or the quest won’t proceed. I can’t find the location.

A: Ashe’s home (the Dwemer-style “lab”) is near Stendarr’s Beacon. If she won’t plant the flower or walk inside, use console commands or the moveto player command to bring her in. Once inside, walk around and hit the dialogue triggers. The spot that advances the quest is near the bed with the painting. If it isn’t working, progress with the console commands outlined in this article.

Q: Ashe is glowing like the Sovngarde people.

A: This is the effect used for the memory scenes involving Ashe in the past. If the effect is applying on the real Ashe, then use console commands to remove the spell/magic effect. Get More Informative Console, then check her list of spells and you should see the glowing effect. For most people, the id of the spell should be 10B2DE. Click on her with the console, do “removespell 10B2DE” and see if that works.

Q: Canas is missing and walks away from the lab.

A: Use Modex or the moveto player command (after selecting him in the console) to bring him to you while you’re in the lab.

Chapter 2 - All for One

At the start of this chapter, speak with Ashe about her feelings regarding her quest for vengeance. This conversation will lead you to investigate possible leads on the assassin's whereabouts. You can gather information by talking to various innkeepers. However, if the dialogue options do not appear (or if you're on a repeat playthrough and already know where to go), you can head directly to the Silver-Blood Inn in Markarth and speak with Kleppr.

Kleppr will direct you to Nevas. Sit on the designated chair, and after a short cutscene, you will engage in dialogue with Nevas. During the conversation, you can optionally perform an insight check to uncover his true motives. If successful, you will discover that he is hiding something. Spoiler alert: Nevas will ambush you at the fake location he provides. Alternatively, you can choose to kill him on the spot to end the quest prematurely. Future updates will add additional quest outcomes, including the ability to pickpocket Nevas.

The dialogue options you choose when speaking with Nevas affect Ashe's Ethical Points System, which influences her ethical alignment at the conclusion of her main quest.

If you decide to follow the quest objective markers, Nevas will ambush you with two other assassins at the specified location. Finish the dialogue with them and defeat the group to progress the quest. Afterward, investigate Nevas's body to uncover the real location of Rolen. Speak with Ashe to discuss the next steps and advance to Chapter 3.

In-game Quest ID - MM_AMQ_02

Quest FAQ:

Q: I can’t talk to the innkeeper or the drinks scene with Nevas doesn’t start. Everyone just stands or sits idle.
A: This can occasionally happen due to vanilla scene hangups or interior overhaul mods (e.g., JK’s Silver-Blood Inn). Try the following:

• Leave the inn, return, and wait 3 in-game hours. This is so the AI can refresh and it has enough time to do so.

• Target the innkeeper with the console (prid [refID] or click on them), then use disable → enable.

• If on PC and the above fail, consult this article for appropriate console command workarounds.

Q: The ambush doesn’t trigger or enemies just stand there.
A: If the ambush fails to initiate, or the Dark Brotherhood assassin is missing, use the console to advance the quest and begin “Oath Echoes.”

Chapter 4 - Shadows of the Past

After reading the journals, Ashe suggests she and the player head back to Markarth - you guys have a name but you don't have a face, or a location to that face. She thinks that Calcelmo might know a thing or two, seeing as how he has history with Aryo. Talk to Calcelmo, and a mini-cutscene plays. After talking to him, talk to Ashe, then head to the location (Blackheart Cavern).

Inside the dungeon, it's initially a bit empty - there is a secret door to proceed with the rest of it (for a hint Ashe references it's near a specific rock).

Further inside, you’ll encounter bandits, some already dead, along with enemies such as flame atronachs, dwarven automatons, and daedra. Midway through the dungeon, Ashe charges ahead, determined to confront Medeus, leaving you to fight through enemies to catch up.

At the end of the dungeon, you find Ashe kneeling beside Medeus’s corpse, devastated to discover that he has already died. You can attempt to console her or remain pragmatic, but the weight of her failure is clear.

Searching Medeus’s chamber, you’ll find a note on a bandit’s body that provides crucial information. The note reveals that someone hired the bandits to assassinate Medeus and hints at a meeting at Icewater Jetty, near a hidden vampire stronghold.  Ashe decides to remain by Medeus' corpse to process the situation. She leaves your party and rejoins once you leave the cavern.

When you show the note to Ashe, she recognizes its significance but chooses not to pursue the lead immediately, stating that blindly seeking vengeance has brought her nothing but emptiness. This is a future plot thread that will be explored with Ashe and SDA Awareness.

After this, wait a day and Ashe should greet you to start the next Chapter.

In-game Quest ID - MM_AMQ_04

Quest FAQ:

Q: The door in the cave during “Shadows of the Past” won’t open, or the quest won’t progress.

A: A button on the left side of the door is hidden by vegetation. For the quest not working (if Ashe won’t follow), be sure to loot all the enemies to collect any required items. Otherwise, use console commands from this article to advance.

Chapter 5 - Through Hell and High Water 

After Ashe turns to talk to you, she tells you that she resolves to visit Aryo's workshop again to uncover the truths of her patch and find direction. During the conversation and depending on the player's response, this conversation can strengthen their bond (and affect Ethical Points or the Romance Meter).

Travel with her to the workshop. After you arrive, a cutscene will play between Ashe and Canas, and a subsequent flashback scene. The cutscene then flashbacks are pretty long, and take you throughout different places in the workshop. Simply follow where Ashe and Canas are running and watch the scenes to progress with the story. After the two scenes, you can choose to talk to either character (choose who you will side with in the argument). 

Ultimately (regardless of your conversation choices), Ashe comes to a critical realization: her past may have shaped her, but her choices define who she is now. She resolves to revisit places and people from her history—not to uncover more about who she was created to be, but to better understand who she has become. Chapter 6 - One For All - is started right away.

In-game Quest ID - MM_AMQ_05

Q: "Through Hell and High Water" isn’t triggering after completing "Shadows of the Past." I’ve waited in-game, slept, and even tried console commands like startquest MM_AMQ_05, but nothing happens. What should I do?

A: This issue can sometimes occur if Ashe’s dialogue doesn’t properly trigger after the waiting period. If you've completed "Shadows of the Past" but the next quest isn’t starting, try the following workaround:

1. Wait 25+ in-game hours somewhere safe (like an inn or player home).

2. Fast travel to a different major city (Whiterun, Solitude, etc.).

3. If the quest still doesn’t trigger, reload a save before waiting, then repeat the process.

Users have reported that this method reliably triggers Ashe's dialogue, starting "Through Hell and High Water." Let us know if you encounter further issues!

Chapter 6a - One For All - Shattered Orphans

This quest begins at the Riverwood Commune, located south of Riverwood near Anise’s Cabin. To reach the area, follow the quest marker to a stone pillar structure with a spiral staircase. Climb it and continue along the path until you arrive at a small settlement with mostly destroyed houses and one surviving house. If the player visits this area before the “One For All” quest begins, they can witness a brief prologue interaction between Ashe and the two siblings, Lynelle and Remy. While this encounter does not affect the main quest, it adds immersion to the story. Upon arriving, the player can optionally talk to Ashe about her thoughts on the area. This conversation has no impact on the quest’s progression or outcome.

Speak to Lynelle near the surviving house to learn about a werewolf attack that devastated the area months ago, leaving the siblings orphaned. Afterward, a scene triggers where Ashe confronts her guilt over her actions. The player is presented with dialogue choices that allow them to influence Ashe’s Ethical Points and relationship status. Supportive or constructive responses encourage Ashe to make amends, while dismissive or aggressive choices can prematurely end the quest, preventing the player from helping the siblings.

If the player continues, Lynelle approaches them in distress, saying that Remy has run off into the woods. The player follows her to locate him, triggering a scene where Ashe intervenes to save Remy from a wolf attack. With Remy safe, the group returns to the cabin, where Lynelle invites the player inside. 

Follow the NPCs to the cabin - you can also just head their yourself and the quest should proceed like usual. In the cabin, Lynelle expresses gratitude and asks for help gathering supplies like food or pelts to sustain her and Remy. Right after this, Remy goes up to the player and privately asks Ashe for hunting lessons. 

Follow Remy outside, and a brief scene shows where Ashe teaches Remy how to hunt. You do not actually need to hunt - this is implied through a fade to black. Remy returns to Lynelle and shows his catch. You can then donate supplies. Just talk to Lynelle and a gifting window should pop up. You can gift anything and whatever you give and don't give does not affect how you proceed the quest. 

The quest concludes with Ashe visiting the grave and then reflecting on her past choices. Visiting the Riverwood Commune again allows the player to interact with Lynelle and Remy, whose dialogue changes based on the quest’s outcome. While the siblings cannot be adopted, they express gratitude for the player’s help. Adoption support will come in future mod updates.

In-game Quest ID - MM_AMQ_06a

Q: “Shattered Orphans” won’t progress when giving supplies, teaching Remy archery, or dealing with the wolf attack.
A:

• After speaking with Remy, follow him outside. Ashe will teach him archery (a fade-to-black scene). Remy then returns to Lynelle to show his catch. At this point, a gifting window should appear, letting you donate supplies. What you give—or don’t give—does not affect quest progression.
  
  

• If progression stalls:

  • Use Ashe’s failsafe dialogue (in her tactics/configuration menu).

  • On PC, check quest status with player.sqs MM_AMQ_06a or advance stages with setstage MM_AMQ_06a <stage> (see walkthrough for numbers).

  • If NPCs are stuck behind invisible barriers, use moveto player. Removing Ulvenwald may also fix this.
    
    

Q: In Chapter 6, the wolf and Remy get stuck—Remy’s sister and Ashe just stand by the stairs, the wolf dies without me doing anything, and I can’t interact with anyone.
A:

• This happens if the encounter script fails to reset when you run too far ahead of Ashe.

• To avoid it:

  • Stay close to Ashe, just within conversational range. Don’t trigger the wolf events out of sequence.
    
    

• If it’s already broken:

  • Load a save from before entering the forest cell.

  • Or start a clean save with only Ashe installed.

  • On PC, use setstage MM_AMQ_06a <stage> to skip ahead if necessary.
    
    

Q: I updated to version 1.0.6 / 1.0.7 (or later) mid-playthrough, but the quest still isn’t working.
A:

• The Chapter 6 fixes only apply if you start from before this quest begins.

• If you updated while already in the quest, the fixes won’t retroactively apply.

• Solution:

  • Use Ashe’s failsafe dialogue.

  • On PC, check quest stages (player.sqs MM_AMQ_06a) or advance manually (setstage).

  • If issues persist, consider restarting from a save made before Chapter 6, or begin a fresh playthrough.

Chapter 6c - One For All - Beyond the Blade

(NOTE: This documentation was originally written for version 1.0.7)

As of June 2025, the updated version of this quest is now live in Ashe 1.1. The rework deepens Ashe’s emotional arc and repositions Rolen’s remorse to feel more grounded and believable—while keeping the core themes of forgiveness, reckoning, and redemption intact.

New documentation reflecting these changes is currently underway and will be available soon. In the meantime, please note that the updated quest’s Quest ID is now:
MM_AMQ_06cNEW (not MM_AMQ_06).

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we continue to improve the experience!

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To begin this quest, travel with Ashe to Rolen’s shack after completing "Shattered Orphans" and "Binding Blade" (with Rolen spared). A scene will automatically trigger outside the cabin, where Ashe and Rolen exchange tense initial words. Rolen suggests moving the conversation indoors, and you’ll follow him inside.

Once inside, you are prompted to sit down. Important: Sit only on the designated marker to avoid potential issues. Rolen will briefly leave to fetch refreshments and then join you at the table. He and Ashe engage in a conversation that begins to mend their rocky history. Ashe even offers an apology, acknowledging her harsh actions toward him. Rolen reciprocates by admitting his own regrets, laying the foundation for reconciliation.

Rolen will request your help with some tasks, stating that actions speak louder than words. Ashe briefly pulls you aside to share her thoughts, and you’ll have the option to encourage her to embrace the change of pace or flirt with her to increase the Romance Meter (RM). Once you agree to assist Rolen, the three of you step outside to begin the errands.

Your first objective is to chop firewood. Locate the designated wood chopping block near the cabin and chop at least two batches of wood. Present the finished bundles to Rolen, who will be nearby stacking the wood. This straightforward task offers Ashe an opportunity to reflect on simpler, non-combative experiences, an idea she may begrudgingly come to appreciate.

After completing the woodcutting, Rolen asks you to mine some ore from a vein located south of the cabin. He asks Ashe to remain behind, ensuring her safety and giving them time to speak privately. The cabin door locks behind you as you leave, and Ashe temporarily exits the follower state.

Follow the map marker to the ore vein, mine the required amount, and return to the cabin. A fade-to-black transition occurs to simulate the passage of time while Ashe and Rolen talk.

When you return, the cabin door unlocks, and you rejoin Ashe and Rolen. Ashe is in noticeably better spirits, sharing a humorous tale about her mercenary days. You’re prompted to sit down again in your designated spot, and Rolen resumes the conversation, this time reflecting on his past as a blacksmith’s apprentice and how it shaped his perspective on life.

Ashe and Rolen’s dialogue becomes warmer, and you witness Ashe’s transformation from anger to understanding. She expresses newfound clarity about her father’s wishes, realizing that letting go of resentment is essential to truly living.

The quest concludes with Ashe reflecting on the day’s events. A dialogue option allows you to ask her how she feels, with her responses highlighting her personal growth and the weight lifted from her shoulders. 

If you engaged in flirtatious dialogue earlier, Ashe may also playfully tease you during the final exchange, further advancing the romantic route.

In-game Quest ID - MM_AMQ_06c

Chapter 7 - Go Beyond - Vestiges Reborn

The quest begins after completing all Chapter 6 quests. Ashe will forcegreet you shortly afterward. If she doesn’t, wait a few in-game hours or fast travel to a new location to trigger the dialogue. During the forcegreet, Ashe reflects on the transformative journey she has shared with you and expresses a need for clarity. She suggests traveling to the Throat of the World, believing that the vastness of Skyrim’s highest peak may help her gain a fresh perspective.

A quest marker will point to the Throat of the World. You can either fast travel or manually journey there.

Upon reaching the summit, Ashe takes a moment to appreciate the grandeur of the view. She sits on a nearby ledge, prompting you to sit beside her. Follow the quest marker to your designated seat and initiate the next phase of the quest.

During this moment of introspection, Ashe opens up about her struggles with identity, questioning her sentience and the nature of her emotions. Through a series of dialogue options, you can affirm her feelings, reassure her, or challenge her doubts. Ashe eventually comes to terms with her existence, concluding that her experiences, emotions, and choices make her more than just a machine—they make her alive.

Choosing a Path

Ashe stands and moves to a new position near the starting point of the quest. When you speak to her, she reveals that her journey and the choices made along the way have led her to a crucial realization. Based on the Ethical Points (EP) accrued during the previous quests, she determines her path forward. Each path unlocks a unique ability and defines Ashe’s character moving forward:

Pacifist Path (High EP)

Ashe embraces compassion and healing, choosing to protect and nurture life rather than take it.

Unlocked Ability: Rejuvenating Core – Rapid health regeneration for Ashe or the player when health is low (60 seconds, 24-hour cooldown).

Utilitarian Path (Moderate EP)

Ashe seeks balance, embracing the greater good even if it requires difficult choices.

Unlocked Ability: Strategic Rush – Rapid stamina regeneration when health is low, allowing for tactical combat maneuvers (60 seconds, 24-hour cooldown).

Aggressive Path (Low EP)

Ashe chooses strength and power, believing the world rewards ruthlessness and domination.

Unlocked Ability: Relentless Fury – Ashe and the player deal double damage but take half damage for a limited time when health is low (60 seconds, 24-hour cooldown).

After making her declaration, Ashe forcegreets you with dialogue that reflects her chosen path. If you previously activated the Hearthfire Protocol, this dialogue includes Ashe’s acknowledgment of her deeper feelings for you.

Ashe runs down the mountain, and a cinematic moment begins. Emotional music plays, and fast travel is disabled to ensure an uninterrupted experience. Follow Ashe as memories of her mother, Rebecca Montclair Avellan, begin to emerge in a series of poignant voiceovers. These memories reveal Rebecca’s love for Aryo, her struggles with infertility, and her hope that a part of her soul would live on in Ashe.

The voiceovers culminate in a final message from Rebecca to Ashe, affirming her as the culmination of their love and dreams. Rebecca encourages Ashe to live fully, embrace her freedom, and chart her destiny with a kind heart and an open mind.

In-game Quest ID - MM_AMQ_07

Quest FAQ:

Q: During the “Go Beyond” quest at the Throat of the World, sitting on the bench doesn’t trigger anything.

A: Use the console commands on my website to advance the quest.

Bound by Flame and Crystal - Romance Part 01

This quest automatically begins after completing Chapter 7, "Go Beyond – Vestiges Reborn." Once you’ve followed Ashe down the mountain and completed the previous quest, wait 24 in-game hours. A new objective will prompt you to talk to Ashe.

Note: This quest requires you to have accumulated sufficient Romance Meter (RM) with Ashe by consistently selecting flirtatious dialogue options at least twice (or more) throughout her main questline. Without enough RM, the quest will not trigger.

When you speak to Ashe, she nervously opens up about her feelings. She expresses the deep connection she has developed with you, shaped by the challenges you’ve faced together. At this pivotal moment, you’re presented with three responses:

Reciprocate Ashe’s feelings: Choosing this option solidifies your romance with Ashe and allows the quest to proceed into its romantic content.

Turn Ashe down: If you choose this, the romance quest will end. However, Ashe hints at the possibility of revisiting the romance in future updates.

Delay your decision: If you’re unsure, Ashe will respect your request for more time, leaving the door open for romance later in the quest.

If you reciprocate Ashe’s feelings or opt to delay, she invites you to her workshop for privacy. Fast travel there, where Canas’s NPC will temporarily leave to ensure the two of you can have uninterrupted time together.

Upon entering, Ashe offers you a choice of drinks: milk or Sujamma. Engage in light-hearted conversation with her, learning about her quirks and humor. The dialogue branches here provide insight into Ashe’s character, her relationship with Canas, and her growth since the beginning of her journey.

If you reciprocated Ashe’s confession earlier, the conversation naturally deepens, leading to her sharing vulnerable thoughts about intimacy and connection. She explains her father's intention for her to experience the full spectrum of human emotions, including love. She expresses both excitement and uncertainty, asking for your patience and guidance as she navigates this uncharted territory.

You can respond with tenderness, humor, or boldness, each shaping the tone of the scene. Finally, Ashe leans in for a kiss, prompting the romance to fully bloom:

SFW Version: A fade-to-black sequence depicts the moment.

NSFW Version: If you have an appropriate adult framework installed, animations will play to reflect the romance.

If you chose to delay the romance earlier, Ashe uses the time to reflect on her emotions and her future. She shares her uncertainty about navigating life without vengeance as her driving purpose. You can provide encouragement and guidance, helping her find clarity.

At the end of this branch, you’re given another chance to solidify the romance. If you decide to proceed, Ashe nervously but confidently embraces the moment, leading to the same outcomes as the confession branch. Alternatively, you can choose to maintain a close friendship, which Ashe gratefully accepts.

If you previously activated the Hearthfire Protocol, this quest progresses differently. Ashe immediately invites you to her workshop without the 24-hour wait. Her dialogue reflects a deeper trust and understanding, shaped by the emotional bond established through the Protocol. This path leads directly to an intimate moment, skipping earlier hesitation and uncertainty.

At the end of the quest, Ashe reaffirms her feelings for you. The romance, once established, adds new dimensions to her interactions and future questlines. Your relationship with Ashe will continue to grow in subsequent updates, with new dialogue and story content reflecting the depth of your bond.

In-game Quest ID - MM_AMQ_07Epilogue

Romanced Ashe

Once you've romanced Ashe, you can opt to kiss or make love to her at any time. You can also disable this dialogue from popping up by selecting the "cool off" dialogue option in her dialogue menu.

Currently there is no exclusive lover dialogue - this will be added in a later update.