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Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Guide The Atlas Hold 2: Hjaalmarch

[2.04] Dead Men's Respite

[2.04] Dead Men’s Respite

Related Quests

  • Other Factions: Bards College Quest: Tending the Flames
  • Dungeon Activity

Recommended Level: 6

Dungeon: Draugr Crypt

  • Animal
  • Draugr
  • King Olaf One-Eye
  • Svaknir

Crafting

  • Arcane Enchanter

Dangers

  • Battering Ram Trap (pressure plate)
  • Flamethrower Trap (pressure plate)
  • Swinging Blade Trap
  • Spear Trap (pressure plate)

Puzzles

  • Nordic Puzzle Door (Ruby Dragon Claw)
  • (Wolf, Hawk, Wolf)

Quest Items

  • King Olaf’s Verse

Collectibles

  • Dragon Claw: Ruby Dragon Claw [1/10]
  • Skill Book [Speech]: The Buying Game

Special Objects

  • Word Wall: Whirlwind Sprint [2/2]
  • Chests
  • Potions
  • Loose gear

In the low mountains southwest of Morthal, stone steps lead up to a massive arch carved into the rock face. This is the tomb of King Olaf One-Eye, the ancient High King of Skyrim and also the de facto tomb of Svaknir, the bard who composed a legendary epic poem against Olaf’s reign. In revenge, Olaf captured Svaknir, burned all the copies of his work save one, then threw him into a pit to rot, with only the final verse to console himself. It is said that Svaknir’s ghost still haunts the tomb, hoping that someone will come to avenge him.

Exit to Skyrim

Claw Chamber

A ghostly figure beckons you forward as you enter this chamber. Take the Ruby Claw from the pedestal to open the portcullis, but beware—a swarm of vicious Draugr ambush you when you do. Collect a potion from the nook beyond the iron door before advancing to [2].

  • Dragon Claw: Ruby Dragon Claw [1/10]

Snaking Passages

Beware the pressure plate in the corridor that leads into these passages, and pull a chain on the wall to open the way forward when you reach the dead end. Beware Frostbite Spiders in the passage that follows.

  • Danger! Spear Trap (pressure plate)

Spider Nest

Wipe out the Frostbite Spiders here and loot the urn they guard; then head south and pull another wall chain to open a passage leading east.

Dead End

Slay a few Draugr and skirt a dangerous pressure plate trap as you move to collect a bit of loot from this dead end. Double back afterward (dodge the trap again!) and go north.

  • Danger! Battering Ram Trap (pressure plate)
  • Potion

Webbed Chamber

Loot a few urns and sidestep yet another pressure plate trap in the twisting passage that leads to this chamber, which is covered in webbing. Slay the Frostbite Spiders that descend from the ceiling, then pull the chain on the east wall to open a watery pit. Drop down to advance.

  • Danger! Flamethrower Trap (pressure plate)
  • Potion
  • Loose gear

Watery Chamber

Slay a Skeever and a few Draugr on your way to this large chamber, where more Draugr await. When you approach the barred door, look down and disarm the hinge trigger if you can, or you’ll have to deal with a lethal series of swinging blades on the narrow bridge. If you fail to disarm the trap, stop carefully by the candles to avoid the blades as they swing past. Pull the chain on the far side if you need to allow your Follower through, then take the upstairs door to reach [7].

  • Danger! Swinging Blade Trap (hinge trigger)

Sealed Door Passage

Take advantage of a rare crafting station in this passage. The far door is sealed by some sort of energy—go north instead and slay several more Draugr on your way to [8].

Svaknir’s Grave

As you enter this area, pick an Expert door lock to access a nook with a locked chest. Slay the mob of Draugr that attack you in the main chamber, then approach the chest in the south nook. Disarm the hinge trigger or stand aside as you open it to avoid the dart trap. Back out in the main room, pull the south wall chain to open the central stairwell, then descend to at last catch up with the apparition you’ve been pursuing. Collect the book near Svaknir’s corpse, then backtrack to [7] and follow Svaknir’s ghost through the previously sealed door.

  • King Olaf’s Verse
  • Danger! Dart Trap
  • Chest
  • Chest (Locked: Master)

Puzzle Door Passage

Rotate the three rings of this passage’s far door to mimic the same sequence of symbols that appear on the Ruby Dragon Claw you collected back at [1] (Wolf, Hawk, Wolf). Then activate the keyhole to insert the claw and open the way forward.

The Court of the Dead

Enter King Olaf’s court, and Svaknir calls his nemesis to battle. As the host of Draugr rise one by one, help Svaknir lay waste to the undead. When King Olaf rises to do battle, cut him down to finally free Svaknir from this tomb. Obtain a key off of Olaf’s corpse, and stand near the south wall to learn a new Word of Power.

  • Word Wall: Whirlwind Sprint [2/2]
  • Olaf’s Treasury Key
  • Potions

Olaf’s Treasury

Use the key you found on Olaf’s corpse to open this treasury, then loot the giant chest within. Pull the nearby lever to open the exit passage, which leads back to [1].

  • Chest
  • Potion
  • Loose gear