The Fate of the Skaal

Storn of the Skaal

• OBJECTIVE: Accompany Frea to Skaal Village
• TARGET: Storn Crag-Strider, Skaal Village

Follow Frea out of the exit tunnel, and back into the Solstheim wilderness. A few dozen footfalls farther down the snowy mountainside, Frea pauses and asks if you can see a green light down the valley. This is the Wind Stone, where her people work against their will. She beckons you on, away from that possessed place, to the village and her father, Storn.

Follow her across the wooden bridge heading east. Frea stops again with her village in the middle-distance. She explains Storn used magic to raise a barrier around the settlement, protecting the few remaining Skaal from Miraak’s control. Continue to follow her into Skaal Village, where a group of elders are kneeling in prayer. She approaches them and tells them her news. It seems Storn has more stories to share.

Approach Storn Crag-Strider and he asks that you speak quickly, as his powers of protection are dwindling. You mention Miraak, and Storn recalls reading about terrible battles fought at the temple. He asks if you are Dragonborn. Answer however you wish. Storn then tells you to journey to Saering’s Watch. There is a Word of Power there that Miraak has already mastered. Knowing this Thu’um may help to break the spell Miraak has over the Skaal people. Before you go, you can:

• Ask for further information about Miraak.
• Ask what he means about freeing his people from control.
• Ask why you need to learn this Word of Power.

When Storn’s answers have concluded, prepare to journey west, into the craggy, snowbound mountains of northern Solstheim.

Free Will

The trek to Saering’s Watch is dangerous and difficult to traverse. The optimal path is to set out in a northwest direction, crossing back over the wooden bridge and skirting the edge of the Headwaters of Harstrad. Next, maneuver north, then northwest up the steep snowy slopes to pass by the entrance to Benkongerike. Turn right (north), heading under the stone henges as you reach the outskirts of Saering’s Watch.

Pass under the henges (don’t head farther up the mountain, as this places you away from the Word Wall) and head to the more open snowy cliffs where a great dragon is swooping down to attack a group of Draugr, recently resurrected from their tombs inside this ancient site. Other creatures may be prowling this area too (they are usually waiting among the rocky crags on the mountaintop, near the edge overlooking the ruins). Although not imperative, it is worth engaging in the battle here. You can:

• Slay anything that moves, in no particular order. Wading in is fine. Firing down from a vantage point above these Draugr ruins is better.
• Remember that you can also watch the dragon and Draugr battle it out, and then mop up any survivors if you aren’t confident you can take them all on at the same time.

When you’ve thwarted the enemies in this vicinity, enter the ruins, looking for the three-headed stone serpent torch attached to the wall to the south. There is a set of stone steps to the left and right (heading southwest and northeast). Climb to the left to reach a secondary promontory with more steps up to the exterior Word Wall. Close by is a large treasure chest and the remains of a ritual involving candles and a long-dead skeleton. Approach the Word Wall, and learn your new Shout.

• Word of Power: Bend Will

The Lurker at the Threshold

Before continuing, spend a Dragon Soul to unlock the Bend Will Shout (the dragon you just slew at the base of Saering’s Watch will do nicely). Equip and Favorite the Shout before descending back the way you came, down the mountainside heading roughly southeast. Before you step onto the wooden bridge, go down the hillside, heading north toward the All-Maker’s Wind Stone. The Skaal you speak to are beyond your ability to help and mumble praises to Miraak. Clear your throat and bellow the Bend Will Shout directly at the stone. The rock arches glow red and then explode, snapping the Skaal villagers from their malaise. As the pieces of masonry fall away, something is summoned from Hermaeus Mora’s realm!

After cleansing the Wind Stone, you can commune with it. It grants you the power of the North Wind for a single day. Find out more information about the All-Maker Stones of Solstheim on page 94.

• All-Maker Power: North Wind (target takes 20 points of Frost damage for 10 seconds, plus Stamina damage)

The grim fish-headed statuary at Miraak’s temple bears a resemblance to the unspeakable atrocity that appears to thwart you and the regrouping Skaal. Step forward and engage the Lurker, watching for its dark tendrils, ranged attack of black spittle, and foot-stomping splashes. This tough fellow is more easily contained if you utilize the Wind Stone to hide behind as you dodge its attacks. When the slimy beast is slain, your quest updates:

Quest Conclusion

Climb the hill with the freed Skaal tribe members, and head back to Skaal Village. Enter the shaman’s hut if Storn isn’t in the village exterior, and speak with him. He already knows you’ve prevailed. You can speak to him about the following matters:

• Let him know his people are free. He mentions that you are now a friend of the Skaal. Ask him what to do next, and he asks if you might perform the same cleansing Shout on the rest of the stones of Solstheim.
• Ask him for further information about Miraak.
• Ask him what the All-Maker is.
• Ask him what his role is among the Skaal.

Postquest Activities

Continue your conversation with Storn, and he asks you to remove Miraak’s presence from the remaining All-Maker Stones. This starts Dragonborn Main Quest: Cleansing the Stones.

Tell Storn that isn’t enough and that Miraak needs to be stopped now. He tells you this is beyond his power and understanding. You must learn more about the Black Book you’re carrying. Storn won’t read such unnatural tomes, but he recommends the Dark Elf Wizard Neloth to aid you in these matters. At this point, Dragonborn Main Quest: The Path of Knowledge begins. After this, you can quiz Storn about:

• More information on the Black Books.
• Neloth and his role in finding more Black Books.

After completing this quest, you can persuade Frea to join you as a Follower.