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Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim eGuide The Atlas Hold 3: The Pale

Additional Locations

[DG.01] Dimhollow Crypt

Related Quests

Recommended Level: 10

Faction: Vampire Lair

  • Death Hound
  • Draugr
  • Frostbite Spider
  • Lokil
  • Skeleton
  • Vampire
  • Vampire’s Thrall

Special Area

  • Word Wall

Crafting

  • Arcane Enchanter

Puzzle

  • Ceremonial Crypt

Miscellaneous

  • Area is locked
  • Chest
  • Loose Gear
  • Potions

Exterior

The entrance to Dimhollow Crypt lies on a lonely, snowbound path that winds west and south up the mountain from the Hall of the Vigilant, in the Pale. You can also get there by trekking down from the Lord Stone.

Dimhollow Crypt

Exit to Skyrim

Entrance Grotto

A short tunnel opens up into this grotto with a stream at its base. If Dawnguard Main Quest: Awakening is active, a group of vampires are speaking about the death of Vigilant Tolan. Expect combat with vampires, a thrall, and Death Hound. Then head south to the small stone tower and activate the chain inside to open the main entrance gate to the northeast.

If Dawnguard Main Quest: Awakening hasn’t been started, only wolves are here, and a rockfall prevents you from progressing farther.

  • Vigilant Tolan (Deceased)
  • Chest
  • Potions
  • Loose Gear

Waterlogged Burial Chamber

After winding down a connecting stone corridor, expect four skeletons and a vampire to attack you here. To exit, pull the lever next to the gate in the western wall. Note the chest in the southeast corner.

  • Chest

Draugr Catacombs

Expect combat between Draugr and a vampire, plus a Death Hound. The chamber has four portcullis gates leading to corridors. Three of the gates lead to a narrow dead end and a Draugr fight, a chest [Master], and a potion pedestal. The final, northwest gate has a passage leading deeper into the crypt.

  • Arcane Enchanter
  • Chest [Master]
  • Potions

Waterlogged Cavern

Among the water and Namira’s Rot mushrooms are a vampire and around four skeletons. To the south is Location #6 at the top of the waterfall.

Upper Draugr Catacombs

There are two vampire incursions here; the second vampire is accompanied by two Death Hounds. There are numerous dead Frostbite Spiders, urns to check, and a chest in one of the small dead-end corridors to the southwest.

  • Chest

Cavern Gate

A strong vampire is usually finishing off a Giant Frostbite Spider in this chamber. Use the lever to open the gate, and rush the door to Dimhollow Cavern if the fight is unappealing.

Door to Dimhollow Cavern

Dimhollow Cavern

Door to Dimhollow Crypt

Lokil’s Balcony

Although you may expect something to happen if you take the scroll from the pedestal, nothing does. Open the gate with the lever on the left. Gaze across the gloom at the central stone island, then descend and fight a vampire named Lokil and his brethren near a rock platform. The corpse they were talking about is that of a Vigilant of Stendarr named Adalvald. Claim his book, and check the chest tucked away in a corner behind the steps.

  • Chest
  • Adalvald’s Journal

Ceremonial Crypt

This circular stone island is actually an elaborate sarcophagus. To open, solve the following puzzle:

Puzzle Solution: Follow the single line of flames back from the circle, and find the brazier it passes through. Push the brazier to the outer base it slides onto, channeling the fire around. This leads to another brazier to shift; continue to follow the fire around, channeling it onward using the braziers (there are five in total to push or pull; the fire won’t move if you shove the brazier the wrong way). After the final brazier slots into place, a monolith is revealed. A Mysterious Woman, who was sealed in this crypt, falls out of it.

  • Follower: Serana [DG1/13]

Gargoyle Ambush

This bridge and earthen slope allow exit from the circular crypt but is guarded by two ferocious gargoyles. Under the slope is a conjurer with a coin purse to check. On the upper balcony behind the gargoyles, above the graves, is a chest.

  • Chest

Stepped Crypt Chamber

Head along the tunnel and up the steps to pull a lever, stirring a couple of Draugr and some skeletons; then raise the exit gate to the north. Check the table on the lower floor to the south for the following:

  • Chest
  • Spell Tome: Necromantic Healing

Sacrificial Pit and Word Wall

The Nordic royals of yore sacrificed those who displeased them in this large pit. Expect combat with around four dangerous Draugr and skeletons here. Then check the entire stepped area for Deathbell flowers and Malachite Ore. Peek behind the Word Wall for coins and two leveled weapons, and loot the large chest. Or simply flee to the northern exit if combat becomes tricky.

  • Malachite Ore Vein
  • Chest
  • Word of Power: Drain Vitality

Exit to Skyrim

Pull the chain on the right to exit into Skyrim. Now that the portcullis is up, you can enter Dimhollow Cavern from this entrance as well.

[HF.03] Heljarchen Hall

Related Quests

  • Hearthfire Task: Adoption
  • Hearthfire Task: Build Your Own House
  • Thane Task: Thane of Hjaalmarch

Services

  • Carriage Driver

Special Area

  • Shrine of Akatosh [HF2/3]
  • Shrine of Arkay [HF2/3]
  • Shrine of Dibella [HF2/3]
  • Shrine of Julianos [HF2/3]
  • Shrine of Kynareth [HF2/3]
  • Shrine of Mara [HF2/3]
  • Shrine of Stendarr [HF2/3]
  • Shrine of Talos [HF2/3]
  • Shrine of Zenithar [HF2/3]

Crafting

  • Alchemy Lab
  • Anvil or Blacksmith Forge
  • Arcane Enchanter
  • Carpenter’s Workbench
  • Cooking Pot or Spit
  • Drafting Table
  • Grindstone
  • Oven
  • Smelter
  • Tanning Rack
  • Wood Chopping Block
  • Workbench

Miscellaneous

  • Area is locked
  • Chest
  • Loose gear
  • Potions Aplenty

A superb slice of land on the edge of the Pale, away from the most blistering of blizzards, this sits on firm tundra and offers exceptional views of Loreius Farm, Dragonsreach, and the Throat of the World in the far distance. Although there’s a giant camp nearby, they’ve been quiet recently. The structure shown in the picture is simply one example of the property you could construct here, after finishing your Thane Task. This is the only buildable dwelling with a mill, which allows you to grind the flour required for most baking recipes.

  • Follower: Gregor (Housecarl) [DG2/3]
  • Land for Sale [2/3]
  • Marriage Prospect: Gregor [DG2/3]