Arvak the Spectral Steed*

A Good Deed for a Noble Steed

Among the various oddities and general chaos that pervades the Soul Cairn, there are a couple of strange occurrences tied to a spectral steed named Arvak. You can:

Witness the spectral horse galloping across the Soul Cairn (as shown). You’re unable to stop or interact with him. This is a Wilderness Special Encounter: Arvak.

You can encounter a soul trapped in the Soul Cairn, just northeast along the path from the first Boneman encounter and black chapel, close to the entry portal. The soul pleads with you to “find my Arvak.” The steed accompanied this soul into the Cairn but fled after they were attacked by monsters. The soul loves his horse dearly and wants his suffering to end. Your quest updates.

The horse’s skull is located on the direct route between the location of Keepers 2 and 3. Northeast of the second Keeper’s location, look for a small tower with an altar inside. This altar has Arvak’s Skull on it and is guarded by Mistmen (floating apparitions of skeletal blackness) and lightning.

• Arvak’s Skull

After you retrieve the skull, the soul you met earlier appears in a small graveyard just northeast of the altar (look for the compass waypoint with the Miscellaneous Objective active). The soul is ecstatic, as he can sense that Arvak’s soul has been freed! In gratitude, the soul teaches you a spell that causes Arvak to appear before you.

• Summon Arvak

Postquest Activities

All that remains now is to summon Arvak to aid you on your travels. Select Magic > Conjuration > Summon Arvak, and with enough Magicka, you are able to conjure the spectral horse in the following locations:

• Skyrim Exterior
• Soul Cairn
• Blackreach
• Dayspring Canyon
• Forgotten Vale Exterior
• Solstheim