[3.05] Dawnstar Sanctuary

[3.05] Dawnstar Sanctuary

Related Quests

• Dark Brotherhood Quest: The Cure for Madness
• Dark Brotherhood Quest: Where You Hang Your Enemy’s Head…
• Dark Brotherhood Quest: Welcome to the Brotherhood
• Dark Brotherhood Quest: Cicero’s Return*
• Dark Brotherhood Quest: The Dark Brotherhood Forever!
• Dark Brotherhood Quest: The Torturer’s Treasure: Parts I, II, III, IV*

Recommended Level: 8

Dungeon: Special/Habitation: Special

• Cicero
• Sanctuary Guardian
• Udefrykte (Troll)

Services

• Follower: Cicero [6/47]
• Follower: Dark Brotherhood Initiate [7/47]

Dangers

• Bear Traps
• Oil Pool Trap
• Spear Trap (proximity)

Collectibles

• Skill Book [Alteration]: Sithis
• Skill Book [Archery]: The Marksmanship Lesson [D1/10]
• Skill Book [One Handed]: Fire and Darkness
• Skill Book [Sneak]: Sacred Witness
• Unique Item:Jester’s Boots [10/112]
• Unique Item:Jester’s Clothes [11/112]
• Unique Item:Jester’s Gloves [12/112]
• Unique Item:Jester’s Hat [13/112]
• Unique Item:Cicero’sBoots [14/112]
• Unique Item:Cicero’sClothes [15/112]
• Unique Item:Cicero’sGloves [16/112]
• Unique Item:Cicero’sHat [17/112]
• Unique Item:Worn Shrouded Armor [18/112]
• Unique Item:Worn Shrouded Boots[19/112]
• Unique Item:Worn Shrouded Cowl [20/112]
• Unique Item:Worn Shrouded Gloves [21/112]
• Unique Item:Tumblerbane Gloves[22/112]
• Area Is Locked (quest required)
• Chest(s)
• Potions
• Loose gear

Explore the coastline north of Dawnstar to discover an ominous door built into the rock face. This is the entrance to Dawnstar Sanctuary, which you cannot enter until you’ve advanced to Dark Brotherhood Quest: The Cure for Madness, during which you must chase a wounded person through this trap-filled place. The Dark Brotherhood eventually moves their hideout here after you complete their quest line.

Exit to Skyrim

Training Chamber

Swipe a Sneak Skill Book off a small table on your way to this tall, circular chamber. Before maneuvering past the stabbing spears (Whirlwind Sprint may help), knock down two hanging lamps to ignite the oily floor below and singe a pair of Sanctuary Guardians. Get past the spears and then go downstairs to find a pair of Skill Books. Another book on a nearby shelf can potentially grant you a new quest.

• Danger! Oil Pool Traps, Spear Trap (proximity)
• Skill Book [Archery]: The Marksmanship Lesson [D1/10]
• Skill Book [One Handed]: Fire and Darkness
• Skill Book [Sneak]: Sacred Witness
• Potions
• Loose gear

No Access

These rooms are blocked by rubble until the Dark Brotherhood takes over the Dawnstar Sanctuary and removes the debris.

North Entry Hall

Moving through the training chamber lets you explore the north half of the sanctuary’s entry hall. This section of the sanctuary has given way to the ravages of time. Collect a Skill Book from a shelf near the circular stained-glass window before proceeding into the snowy tunnel on your way to [4].

• Skill Book [Alteration]: Sithis
• Loose gear

Udefrykte’s Lair

Dodge bear traps as you navigate the frigid tunnel, which leads to the den of an ill-tempered troll named Udefrykte. Raid a chest on a high ledge here as you continue to the trail of blood toward your quarry.

• Chest

Coffin Corridors

Slay a number of Sanctuary Guardians as you navigate this long passage. If you’re skilled enough, loot the large locked chest in the southern nook as you go.

• Chest (Locked: Master)

Torture Chamber

Don’t worry if you couldn’t open that last chest—this gruesome chamber contains another. Unbar the nearby door to find yourself back at [3], your exploration of the Sanctuary complete. During Dark Brotherhood Quest: The Cure for Madness, you face Cicero here.

• Chest

Post–Dark Brotherhood Occupation

The Dark Brotherhood repurposes Dawnstar Sanctuary for their own base of operations after you complete the entire Dark Brotherhood quest line. Naturally, the place is much different after the Brotherhood moves in:

During Dark Brotherhood: Where You Hang Your Enemy’s Head..., you can purchase New Banners (1,000 gold), a Poisoner’s Nook (5,000 gold), a Torture Chamber (5,000), a Secret Entrance (5,000) that can be accessed from the hills above the Sanctuary, and a Master Bedroom (3,000 gold). All are bought from Delvin Mallory of the Thieves Guild, inside the Ragged Flagon in Riften.

During Dark Brotherhood: Welcome to the Brotherhood, Nazir has an initiate recruited for you.

• Follower: Dark Brotherhood Initiate [7/47]

During Dark Brotherhood: Cicero’s Return,* you can elect to keep Cicero as a companion.

• Follower: Cicero [6/47]

During Dark Brotherhood: The Dark Brotherhood Forever!, you receive assassination orders from the Night Mother, who is also ensconced in these new surroundings.

During Dark Brotherhood: The Torturer’s Treasure: Parts I, II, III, IV,* providing you’ve had the Torture Chamber installed, you can torture victims until they reveal the location of their treasure.