Services, Collectibles, and Items of Interest

In this section of the Training chapter, we briefly highlight the services, merchants, collectibles, and objects of interest that you can discover on your adventure. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are tracked in the Atlas. Those marked with a dagger (†) have a table in the Appendix that shows every location or instance of them in the game, or in the case of Skill Books, the two easiest locations to find in the game. Those marked with a double dagger (‡) have a chart or table elsewhere in this guide that shows all of their locations or instances.

If there’s something that you’re looking for that isn’t listed here or in a specific location in this guide’s Inventory, Bestiary, Atlas, or Appendices, it probably occurs randomly in the world and is thus impossible to track.

Achievements/Trophies

If you want to obtain all the different Achievements (PC and Xbox 360) or Trophies (PlayStation 3) that Skyrim has to offer, consult the Appendices. It lists all of them and provides advice on how to obtain each. You are wise to consult this chart now so you know how to unlock each of these rewards ahead of time.

Services and Traders

Apothecary*†

• Number Available: 17

This is a shop where alchemy ingredients and potions are sold. Apothecaries can be found in most towns and cities and typically display a sign such as the one shown here.

Innkeeper/Bartender*†

• Number Available: 21

The proprietors of inns and taverns sell food and drink and rent rooms where weary travelers can sleep for the night. They are also a great source of local rumors, which often lead to quests and objectives.

Blacksmith/Fletcher*†

• Number Available: 41

In medium or large settlements, you can often find a smith, which typically includes several smithing and crafting stations, often manned by a smith who sells weapons and armor. Most display a sign like the one shown here.

Caravan*‡

• Number Available: 3

Three Khajiit Caravans travel the roads of Skyrim, selling their wares and trading with anyone they meet. The routes they take are listed in the Atlas.

Follower/Hireling*‡

• Number Available: 70

A person who may be willing to join you on your adventure, lending sword or spell to your cause. Hirelings charge a fee for their services. Consult the information earlier in the Training.

Stables/Carriage Drivers *

• Number Available: 8 Ferrymen: 4

A location, always close to a Hold capital, where you can purchase or steal horses. You can usually find a carriage nearby as well; pay the carriage driver a nominal fee for a ride to any of Skyrim’s other major cities. These are Primary Locations in the Atlas.

Trader (Vendor)*†

• Number Available: 73

These merchants sell a variety of general goods, pawned items, and the like. Fences for stolen items are also included in this category, although not all vendors are fences (and none will serve as fences right away).

• Fence: 10
• Food Vendor: 10
• General Goods Vendor: 25
• Lumberjack: 9
• “Special” Vendor: 5
• Spell Vendor: 14

Trainer*‡

• Number Available: 61

A skilled individual (who may also be a Follower or Trader) who can help you improve a particular skill. Consult the information earlier in the Training.

Crafting Stations

Alchemy Lab*

A table-sized laboratory where you can mix ingredients into potions and poisons by using your Alchemy skill.

Arcane Enchanter*

A table-sized piece of furniture where you can enchant or disenchant magical items using your Enchanting skill.

Anvil or Blacksmith Forge*

The tools of a blacksmith, a forge, or an anvil allow you to forge metal, leather, and more esoteric materials into weapons, armor, and jewelry by using your Smithing skill.

Cooking Pot and Spit

A spit, stew pot, or other implement where meats and ingredients can be cooked. There are a huge number of these—one in almost every house.

Grindstone*

A foot-driven stone wheel that allows you to sharpen and improve weapons by using your Smithing skill.

Smelter*

A furnace that allows you to smelt ore (and some Dwarven materials) into ingots for smithing or selling.

Staff Enchanter*

A table-sized piece of furniture located in Tel Mithryn that allows you to enchant staffs using your Enchanting skill.

Tanning Rack*

A wooden rack that allows you to dry pelts and tan them into leather (or leather strips) for smithing or selling.

Wood Chopping Block

An old tree stump where you can split logs into firewood. They can be found in almost any lumber camp or settlement.

Workbench*

A sturdy bench that allows you to temper and improve armor by using your Smithing skill.

Collectibles

Captured Critter*‡

Number Available: 5

An insect caught in a glass jar. Find these as part of Side Quest: Captured Critters*.

Crimson Nirnroot*‡

Number Available: 30+

Related Character: Avrusa Sarethi (Sarenthi Farm in the Rift)

A special red variant of the odd, chiming plant, found only in the underground realm of Blackreach. Collect these as part of Side Quest: A Return to your Roots.

Dragon Priest Mask*‡

Number Available: 10

An ancient ceremonial mask, infused with great power and borne by a formidable Dragon Priest. Find these as part of Side Quest: Masks of the Dragon Priests.

Dragon Acolyte Mask*‡

Number Available: 4

An ancient ceremonial mask, infused with great power and worn by a frightening servant of Miraak the Dragonborn. Find these as part of Solstheim Side Quest: Masks of the Acolyte Priests.

Books‡

A wide range of Spell Tomes, functional books, and common books can be found throughout the world. Consult earlier sections of this chapter and the Inventory for more information.

Black Book*‡

One of seven fabled tomes of forbidden knowledge that transport the reader to Apocrypha, the realm of Oblivion where Hermaeus Mora resides.

Skill Book*†‡

Each of these books increases a specific skill by one point when first read. There are five distinct books for each skill, for a total of 90 titles and 90 skill increases that you can earn (though there are multiple copies of each book). Two copies (the easiest to find) of each book are listed in the Appendices, although each Atlas location with a Skill Book is also flagged.

Treasure Map*‡

Number Available: 13

These pieces of parchment have a visual map drawn on them, revealing the location of a hidden treasure. Consult Side Quest: The Great Skyrim Treasure Hunt and Solstheim Side Quest: Deathbrand for details.

Unique Weapon*†‡

• Number Available: 98

These items are separated into unique weapons found in dungeons, those found or given to you as part of a quest, and Daedric artifacts. Details about all of these weapons can be found in the Inventory chapter.

Unique Armor or Item*†‡

• Number Available: 160

These items are separated into unique armor and outfits found in dungeons, those found or given to you as part of a quest, and Daedric artifacts. Details about all of these items can be found in the Inventory chapter.

Unusual Gem*‡

• Number Available: 24 (plus Crown)
• Related Character: Vex (Thieves Guild in Riften)

Occasionally you may stumble across one of these Unusual Gems, which are actually stones from the legendary Crown of Barenziah. Consult Thieves Guild Radiant Quest: No Stone Unturned.

Items of Interest

Standing Stones*‡

• Number Available: 13

These standing stones can be activated to receive a powerful blessing. Standing stones are Primary Locations in the Atlas and are described earlier in this guide.

Civil War Maps*

These maps show the current state of the Civil War that rages across Skyrim. Activate the flags on the map to add each location to your world map. These are flagged in the Atlas only, as each is identical.

Sacred Stones*‡

• Number Available: 6

These sacred All-Maker Stones must have the tainted energy of Miraak removed before they can be activated to receive a powerful blessing. Standing stones are Primary Locations in the Solstheim Atlas and are described earlier in this guide.

Shrines*†

Number Available: 104

Activate a shrine to one of the Nine Divines to receive a blessing. The locations of these shrines are listed in the Atlas and the Appendices.

Word Walls*‡

These ancient stone walls are (usually) inscribed with one of three Words of Power from a specific Shout. Approach them and absorb their Word, then unlock it with a Dragon Soul to increase the power of your Thu’um. Consult the Atlas.

Dragon Mounds*‡

• Number Available: 24

These ancient burial mounds mark the spot where the dragons of old were slain. Now the dragons are being resurrected, and the mounds are opening one by one. Dragon mounds are Secondary Locations in the Atlas and are described earlier in this chapter.

Watch the skies!