The Great Skyrim Cache Grab*

A Lack of Cartographical Evidence

There are a huge number of Wilderness Encounters that can occur during your adventures in Skyrim. However, three of them (Dawnguard Novice, Dawnguard Outrider, and Dawnguard Remains) lead to this unmarked quest.

Like all Wilderness Encounters, these three are also random, so patience is necessary (and the encounters may take a while to occur). These particular encounters will occur only after you’ve completed Dawnguard Main Quest: The Bloodstone Chalice (Vampires) or Dawnguard Main Quest: A New Order (Dawnguard).

In each case, you find a member of the Dawnguard (or what’s left of them) and a note, detailing the locations of three Wilderness Caches—dead drops set up by the Dawnguard to resupply their agents in the field. After reading the note, you can now find these hidden chests and claim the items they contain.

Caches 1–3: Dawnguard Novice

This Wilderness Encounter occurs only late at night (try between 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.) and only in Whiterun Hold. Dawnguard Novice Hakar is running from two vampires. Save him, and he abruptly resigns from the order, drops his items (which includes his Dawnguard Armor, orders, and a Cache Key), and flees for Rorikstead. Reading his note reveals the location of the Dawnguard Caches in Whiterun Hold (see below). You can also claim the orders and Cache Key from his corpse if he dies. You can now find Wilderness Caches 1, 2, and 3. If you don’t take the Cache Key, the strongboxes are all locked [Expert]. The last of the three Caches you find contains a Scroll.

• Dawnguard Orders: Hakar
• Dawnguard Cache Key

Cache 1: “In Rorikstead, in the pasture behind Frostfruit Inn.” Simple and direct. This cache is hidden between a fallen log and some large rocks in the pasture.

Cache 2: “Near Stendarr’s Shrine in the center of the tundra.” The shrine in question is Secondary Location [6.I]: Shrine of Stendarr: The Two Pillars. The cache is up against the rocks just behind the shrine.

Cache 3: “South of Whiterun’s Western Watchtower.” This cache is located on a small island in a stream south of the watchtower.

Caches 4–6: Dawnguard Outrider

This Wilderness Encounter occurs only in Hjaalmarch, the Pale, or Winterhold Holds. Dawnguard Saliah rides by you on horseback. If you try to talk to her, she quickly brushes you off—she has no time for conversation. Kill or pickpocket her for her orders (which reveal the Caches in Hjaalmarch, the Pale, and Winterhold) and a Cache Key. You can now search for Wilderness Caches 4, 5, and 6. If you don’t take the Cache Key, the strongboxes are all locked [Expert]. The last of the three Caches you find contains a Scroll.

• Dawnguard Orders: Saliah
• Dawnguard Cache Key

Cache 4: “In Morthal, on the islet due east of the mill.” It’s easy to get lost in the marsh, but these directions are clear: carefully walk due east from the mill to find this cache up against a tree.

Cache 5: “Outside Nightgate Inn, at the foot of the pier.” The cache is nestled among the rocks on the south side of the pier.

Cache 6: “Near Winterhold, under the great arch.” The arch itself is not a marked location, but it’s easy to spot from the road as you make your way south from Winterhold. The cache is buried in the snow at the foot of the arch.

Caches 7–9: Dawnguard Remains

This Wilderness Encounter occurs only in Haafingar or the Reach. Dawnguard Lynoit lies dead on the ground, surrounded by three smoldering vampire ash piles. Loot his body for his orders, which reveal the Caches in Haafingar and the Reach. You can now locate Wilderness Caches 7, 8, and 9. If you don’t take the Cache Key, the strongboxes are all locked [Expert]. The last of the three Caches you find contains a Scroll.

• Dawnguard Orders: Lynoit
• Dawnguard Cache Key

Cache 7: “On the small island south of Solitude Sawmill.” This is the island out in the middle of the Karth River. It requires a short swim, but it’s not hard to find.

Cache 8: “Due east of the entrance to the ruin Volskygge.” The cache is up against a fallen log east of Volskygge.

Cache 9: “On the east side of Karthwasten Bridge.” After crossing the bridge, search the rocks around the dead tree to find this cache.

Quest Conclusion

Continue your adventuring until you’ve pried open all nine caches and recovered their treasure!