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

[2.18] Mzinchaleft

Related Quests

Dark Brotherhood Quest: Side Contract: Maluril
Dungeon Activity

Recommended Level: 16

Dungeon: Dwarven City

Animal
Bandit
Dwarven Centurion
Dwarven Sphere
Dwarven Spider
Falmer

Underground Connection: Blackreach [10.02]

Collectibles

Skill Book [Archery]: The Black Arrow, v2
Unique Weapon: Grimsever [7/80]

Special Objects

Dwarven Mechanism
Chest(s)
Potions
Loose gear

Surrounded by rocks, these impressive dwarven ruins stand in the frozen wastelands in Hjaalmarch’s northeast corner. South of the ruins, an ornate elevator grants passage to the Mzinchaleft Gatehouse, where a dwarven mechanism can be activated to grant passage to Blackreach [10.02]; known as the Great Lift at Mzinchaleft. However, you can’t use this elevator until you’ve navigated all of Mzinchaleft and used it to exit the Gatehouse, which is the ruins’ final area.

During a Miscellaneous Objective for Mjoll the Lioness, you can discover a unique weapon here at Mzinchaleft called “Grimsever.” See the Quests chapter for further details.

Exterior

Entering the ruins won’t be easy, for a large group of bandits has make camp here as they work at ransacking the site. Slay a mob of brutes in the exterior area, and locate a locked chest atop one of the spiral-path towers.

Chest (Locked: Adept)
Loose gear

Door to Skyrim

Campfire Passage

A few bandits are huddled around a campfire in this first stretch of passage. Secure the site, loot a chest to the south, and swipe a few potions from the vicinity.

Chest
Potions

Frozen Cavern

Dispense with a couple of mages and loot another chest in this frosty cavern.

Chest
Potions
Loose gear

Treasure Room 1

Pick a tricky door lock to enter this small chamber, where a chest, a Skill Book, and a few potions await collection.

Skill Book [Archery]: The Black Arrow, v2
Area Is Locked (Adept)
Chest
Potions

Sphere Chamber

Ancient, yet still functional, Dwarven Spheres patrol this large chamber. Allow them to engage any roaming bandits, then dispatch the stragglers. There’s little else of interest here.

Spider Chamber

Dangerous Dwarven Spiders skitter about this long hall. Pick an Adept-level gate to the south to access a unique-looking dwarven chest.

Chest

Steam Pipe Passage

Disable several Dwarven Spheres in this chamber, then follow the thick pipes along the left wall to locate an elevated chest.

Chest

Lever Chamber

Manipulate the levers in this chamber until you can access the southeast chamber, where you may loot a chest and turn a valve. This will allow you to advance to the Mzinchaleft Depths.

Chest

Elevator to Mzinchaleft Depths

Elevator to Mzinchaleft

Mzinchaleft Depths: South

The Mzinchaleft Depths are truly breathtaking—an entire dwarven settlement built within a massive underground cavern. Dangerous Falmer and Chaurus lurk down here, and more Falmer will emerge from small holes high on the walls. Find one chest hidden among the southern Chaurus nest and another in an northern nook, deep underwater. Find two more sunken chests by opening the southeast underwater gate and following the submerged passage to a small room.

Chests (4)
Loose gear

Connecting Tunnel

After fulling looting the southern exterior area, enter the east building and slay a few more Falmer before following a long tunnel north. Dispatch additional Falmer and Chaurus along the way, and don’t miss the odd chest that’s hidden in a tent about halfway through.

Chest

Mzinchaleft Depths: North

The long connecting tunnel deposits you in a northern exterior area. Find a chest in a north tent, then head up a winding ramp to reach a ledge with a button that shines a light on a nearby gate when pressed. Pick a nearby Expert-level gate to enter [11], then head back down, go through the now-lit gate, and loot a long, unique chest that sits near the central fountain. Pick an Adept-level door to visit as well [12]. When you’ve finished raiding this place, proceed up the northwest stairs to reach the door to the Mzinchaleft Gatehouse.

Treasure Room 2

Breaking into this small chamber isn’t easy, but picking the Expert-level lock lands you within easy reach of two dwarven chests.

Area Is Locked (Expert)
Chest (2)

Treasure Room 3

Pick a locked door in the southwest corner of [10] to access a small room with a chest.

Area Is Locked (Adept)
Chest

Door to Mzinchaleft Gatehouse

Mzinchaleft Gatehouse

A fearsome Dwarven Centurion guards this large chamber, along with a lesser Dwarven Sphere. Fight hard to survive this encounter. Pull a lever to the northeast afterward to open a nook with a chest, and open the southwest gate to access a peculiar Dwarven Mechanism—activating this with a special item opens a way into Blackreach.

When you’re ready to exit out to Skyrim, proceed through the far west door and take an elevator to the surface. Pull a lever outside to lower the elevator gate. Now you can quickly return to the Gatehouse in the future.

Chest
Loose gear