[6.12] Dustman's Cairn

[6.12] Dustman’s Cairn

Related Quests

• The Companions Quest: Proving Honor
• Dungeon Activity

Recommended Level: 6

Dungeon: Draugr Crypt

• Animal
• Draugr
• Silver Hand

Crafting

• Alchemy Lab

Dangers

• Dart Trap (pressure plate)

Quest Items

• Fragment of Wuuthrad

Collectibles

• Skill Book [Two-Handed]: The Battle of Sancre Tor [A2/10]

Special Objects

• Word Wall: Fire Breath [1/2]
• Chest(s)
• Potions
• Loose gear

Scale the hill that lies northwest of Whiterun’s capital to discover ancient ruins dug directly into the hilltop. You visit this site with your Shield-Sibling during Companion Quest: Proving Honor, in search of a fragment of Wuuthrad, the Blade of Ysgramor. Only a small portion of Dustman’s Cairn can be explored until you visit the site as part of that quest.

Exit to Skyrim

Entry Chamber

Inspect the Skill Book on the entry chamber’s central table, then loot the nearby chest before advancing.

• Skill Book [Two-Handed]: The Battle of Sancre Tor [A2/10]
• Chest (Locked: Novice)

Cavernous Chamber

Snag potions from a north nook in this quiet chamber, then pull a lever to open the south portcullis and advance the plot.

• Crafting: Arcane Enchanter
• Potions

Burial Hall

Dispatch several Silver Hand mercenaries on your way to this chamber, then raid the chest beneath the stairs. Find a larger chest hidden among the upstairs rubble, and open a secret nook in the upstairs north wall by pulling the nearby wall chain so you may access a third chest. Descend the south stairs and claim a bit of loot from a table on your way to [4].

• Chest
• Chest (Locked: Novice)
• Chest (Locked: Master)
• Potions
• Loose gear

Overgrown Passages

Slay a powerful Silver Hand mercenary and several Draugr in these passages. Loot the locked chest as you near [5].

• Chest (Locked: Adept)

Crumbling Hall

Dispatch worthy Silver Hand mercenaries in this wide, debris-filled chamber. You can just reach the coin purse on the south ledge by standing on the nearby stone.

Crypt Access

Avoid a pressure plate as you descend this

• Danger! Dart Trap (pressure plate)
• Chest

Door to Dustman’s Crypt

Door to Dustman’s Cairn

Walkway Chamber

You arrive just in time to witness a fierce battle between the Silver Hand and Draugr. Wait for the battle to play out, then slaughter the victors and cut across to [8].

Looping Passage

Loot a lone chest as you loop around this passage, heading back toward [7].

• Chest

Burial Preparation Area

Raid a chest that lies beneath this chamber’s wooden stairs, then open the nearby door to find several potions.

• Chest (Locked: Adept)
• Potions

Walkway Chamber Revisited

Raid a chest on this chamber’s ground floor, then search the nearby chest to discover a key that unlocks the north door.

• Dustman’s Cairn Key ( chest)
• Chest

Lab

Mix up a few potions at the Alchemy Lab here, and unlock the Novice-level door to access a closet with a potion.

• Crafting: Alchemy Lab
• Potion

Spider Den and Waterfall

Combat a Giant Frostbite Spider here, along with her young, then slaughter the Draugr that lie in the watery passage beyond.

Word Wall Chamber

Obtain a new Word of Power from this chamber’s far Word Wall, then raid the nearby large chest and collect the Fragment of Wuuthrad from the nearby table to advance your quest. Beware: a host of powerful Draugr emerge from the surrounding sarcophagi after you claim the Fragment, and you’ve no choice but to slay them all. They will come at you in waves, so take your time and jump off the raised area and over the altar to give you space between you and your opponent if you need it. After the final Draugr emerges, a passage that leads back to the Dustman’s Cairn is revealed.

• Fragment of Wuuthrad
• Word Wall: Fire Breath [1/2]
• Chest
• Potions

Path to Dustman’s Cairn

Path to Dustman’s Crypt