Tending The Flames

[daisydork]

So I recently started the Bard's College quest to see what it was like. I have completed the tasks up to "Attend the burning of King Olaf", but it doesn't seem to progess from that. I left my computer for about 10 minutes, but Viarmo was still using the torch on the effigy. I tried waiting, reloading saves and interrupting him (attacking him) to try and progress the quest but nothing has seemed to work. Am I doing something wrong or do I have to now use the console to progress it?

[bobczes]

When Viarmo burns the effigy, it is possible for him to repeat his burning animation indefinitely, preventing the festival from finishing. Talking to him may allow you to continue the ceremony but he may be permanently stuck. ?

Disrupting the crowd gathering for the festival before it starts (e.g. attack people with a shout and then calm them with a spell) may fix this.

Another way to fix this loop is to use the console command kill on Pantea. After closing the console, she will fall dead. Go to Viarmo and talk to him; he will stop setting the fire and finish the quest. To revive Pantea, simply return to her and use the command resurrect 1 on her.

Alternatively, you can use kill and resurrect 1 on Viarmo to have a similar, if not more, immediate effect. Viarmo is essential, so he will not die but instead go into recovery mode.

You may also complete the quest through the console after speaking to Jorn in order to start the festival. Jorn will leave the Bards College to set up the festival, and once he leaves, enter the console and write the following: completequest ms05, upon leaving the college the festival should be set up. Then run to Viarmo as he will start his speech about the burning. Quickly, open your map and fast travel to a location and then back. Once you arrive, Viarmo will have completed his animations and welcome you to the Bards College. (This will allow you to attend the festival as well as complete the quest).

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Tending_the_Flames

[SMERK0R]

Have you tried fully restarting the game. That what unsually fixes bugs like this for me

[Roscaria]

Happened to me. Restarting the game, leaving and coming back days later etc. None of that worked - only getting the Unofficial Skyrim Patch from Nexus fixed it.

[SpeedFreak1972]

Well there's another possibility ... mods that alter solitude. There are a few mods that can cause this .... same problem with the companions quest (especially mods that alter the skyforge layout)

[Brandybuck]

I had this happen to me once, and NOTHING fixed it. Not killing/resurrecting him, not the console, not even a vampire attack disrupting the ceremony. I was using minimal mods, and had the unofficial patches in place. Oh well.

It was annoying but not a huge loss. The only quests after this are to find the three special items. The quest givers won't give them to you, but they will still accept them if you find them on your own.