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Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Guide The Atlas Blackreach

[10.05] Skuldafn

[10.05] Skuldafn

Related Quests

Recommended Level: 24

Dungeon: Dragon Priest Lair

  • Dragon
  • Draugr
  • Frostbite Spider
  • Nahkriin

Dangers

  • Dart Trap (pressure plates)
  • Oil Lamp Trap (pressure plate)
  • Oil Pool Trap

Puzzles

  • Nordic Puzzle Door (Diamond Claw)
  • Nordic Pillars I
  • Nordic Pillars II

Collectibles

  • Dragon Claw: Diamond Claw [10/10]
  • Dragon Priest Mask: Nahkriin [10/10]

Special Objects

  • Word Wall: Storm Call [3/3]
  • Area Is Locked (quest required)
  • Chest(s)
  • Potions
  • Loose gear

Skuldafn is a special location that lies just outside the bounds of Skyrim’s ninth Hold, the Rift. Once you’ve advanced to Main Quest: The World-Eater’s Eyrie, you’re able to visit Skuldafn by flying on the back of a dragon. Your goal is to access Skuldafn’s portal to Sovngarde [10.06], the legendary underworld of the Nords.

Skuldafn (Exterior)

Odahviing (to Skyrim)

Bridge Entrance

Slay a dragon that ambushes you in Skuldafn’s large exterior ruins, while simultaneously battling multiple Draugr.

Lower Grounds

A second dragon strikes as you near the South Tower, and more Draugr are poised on the walkway beyond the east stairs.

Ruined Tower

Climb an open-air tower to locate a chest beyond the east stairs, then slay more Draugr as you scale the north stairs that follow.

Temple Walkways

If you like, loop around to visit the North Tower, and raid the exterior chest on the table atop the south steps, before entering Skuldafn Temple.

  • Chests (2)

Skuldafn South Tower

This simple tower teems with Draugr, but there’s a chest upstairs.

  • Chest

Skuldafn North Tower

The North Tower’s similar to its twin—full of undead and housing a chest on its upper level. Head outside through the upstairs door and reenter the tower via the other balcony door to discover a second chest in a small alcove.

  • Chests (2)

Door to Skuldafn Temple

Skuldafn Temple (Interior: Section I)

Door to Skuldafn

Entry Hall

The legendary portal to Sovngarde is housed within this temple. Beware of pressure plate traps and Draugr as you explore the cavernous entry hall, looting a chest on the right.

Puzzle Chamber I

Spin the three Nordic pillars so that the two on the outside are mirroring the glyphs on the opposing walls (Snake, Whale). Then spin the central pillar so that its Hawk glyph faces toward the far porcullises. Pull the central lever to raise the Hawk portcullis, then raid the chest beyond. Change the central pillar again so that its Snake glyph is facing the portcullises; then pull the lever a second time to open the Snake portcullis and advance.

Draugr Crypt

Loot another chest at the bottom of the following chamber, then cut through Frostbite Spiders on your way to another room with a second Nordic Pillars Puzzle. Find a fourth chest here.

Puzzle Chamber II

Solve the simple puzzle by spinning the three pillars so that the bottom one shows a Snake, while the upper two show a Whale and a Hawk, matching the glyphs on the walls about the room. Pull the lever to lower the drawbridge that leads deeper into the temple.

  • Danger! Dart Trap (pressure plates)
  • Chests (4)

Door to Skuldafn Temple

Skuldafn Temple (Interior: Section II)

Door to Skuldafn Temple

Grand Stairs

Loop around the entry room, slaying Draugr on your way to a stairwell.

Spiral Steps

Beware the pressure plate near the stairwell—stepping on it causes a hanging lamp to fall and ignite the oily floor, while also causing arrows to fly out from the far wall! Go upstairs and raid a chest near more oil and another hanging lamp.

Oily Hall

Pull the nearby lever to open the north portcullis and sack another chest on your way down an oily hall, but beware another dangerous pressure plate.

Nordic Puzzle Door

Kill a powerful Draugr in the passage the follows to obtain the Diamond Claw, then use the claw to open the nearby puzzle door (Fox, Moth, Dragon).

Word Wall Chamber

Approach the Word Wall that follows to gain new power, then proceed toward the door that leads back outside to Skuldafn’s exterior, swiping a few potions from a small embalming chamber along the way.

  • Danger! Dart Trap (pressure plate), Oil Lamp Trap, Oil Lamp Traps (pressure plates), Oil Pool Trap
  • Dragon Claw: Diamond Claw [10/10]
  • Word Wall: Storm Call [3/3]
  • Chests (2)
  • Potions
  • Loose gear

Door to Skuldafn

Skuldafn (Exterior: Temple Apex)

Door to Skuldafn Temple

West Tower

Cut down the Draugr outside the temple, then descend the wooden stairs of the west tower to plunder a large chest at the bottom.

Portal Threshold

Go back up and circle around the temple so you may scale its exterior stairs, at last arriving at the portal to Sovngarde. Slay the mighty Dragon Priest that guards this wondrous site so you may claim its valuable mask and staff. Inspect the Dragon Seal to replace the staff and open the portal once more. Gather your courage and jump into the beam to journey to Sovngarde [10.06]!

  • Dragon Priest Mask: Nahkriin [10/10]
  • Unique Weapon: Dragon Priest Staff [73/80]
  • Chest
  • Potion

Portal to Sovngarde