The synthesis of the basic tetracyclic skeleton 2 of ervitsine and its 20-deethylidene-6,16-dihydro analogue 4 is reported via 2-aryl-N-methyl- and 2-aryl-N-formylpiperidines which are easily accessible from N-formyl- and N-methyl-2-(3-indolyl)-4-piperidones 5, 6, and 14.