Moss Mother Cavern: Hunter and Hunted*

Dead Man’s Drink (Falkreath)

Stop by Dead Man’s Drink and strike up a conversation inside. Among the other scuttlebutt, the innkeeper (Valga Vincia, or Narri) mentions that a hunting party has recently gone missing. It was led by a man named Valdr.

Moss Mother Cavern (Exterior)

You hear several increasingly feeble shouts as you trudge down the path toward Moss Mother Cavern. Valdr waits on a log, bleeding heavily. You can:

• Hand him one or more healing potions; any standard healing potion will do.
• Cast a healing spell on him.
• Cast a healing spell with an area of effect, and catch Valdr in the area.
• Or leave him to his fate. If you enter the cavern without healing him, Valdr dies, and you miss this quest entirely.

After you treat his injuries, Valdr explains his dilemma: The bodies of his friends are still inside the cave, being torn apart by beasts. You can offer to help him clear out the cavern, or tell him to stay outside while you head in alone. Valdr is a capable archer (especially if fully healed), but he can be killed, which causes you to fail the quest. The choice is yours. If you find the enemies inside too difficult, you can always leave and come back later. Valdr will remain at the entrance and wait for you indefinitely.

Moss Mother Cavern (Interior)

Enter this sun-dappled grotto, and you’ll spot a fresh kill. Ari lies in a splatter of blood. There’s little time to search her; expect a bear attack followed by a Spriggan. Try to edge into the cavern slowly so you aren’t swarmed by too many enemies. Farther inside, you find the corpse of Niels, along with two additional Spriggans who emerge from the trees around you.

With all the enemies dispatched, speak with Valdr or return to him outside. He hands over a dagger Ari gave him when he first joined their hunting party.

• Valdr’s Lucky Dagger

If you come back later, two small cairns have been set close to the cavern entrance: the graves of Ari and Niels. Valdr returns to the Dead Man’s Drink in Falkreath, where he’s always happy to see you again.