Secondary Locations

[6.A] Shrine of Akatosh: Rorikstead

A small cluster of weatherbeaten rocks lie atop this hill overlooking Rorikstead, north of the town. Resting on the ground on the west side is a Shrine of Akatosh, and a book.

• Shrine of Akatosh [4/6]

[6.B] Dragon Mound: Rorikstead Resurrection

Related Quest:

• Main Quest: Alduin’s Wall

Related Quest: Main Quest: Elder Knowledge

This Dragon Mound is initially sealed. It opens during Main Quest: Alduin’s Wall, once you set off for Sky Haven Temple. After this point, but before you begin your search for the Elder Scroll, Alduin will appear here and resurrect the dragon Nahagliiv. Alduin cannot be harmed; he resurrects his brethren and flies off. But confront Nahagliiv quickly, or he will attack Rorikstead and wipe out much of the town. Alternatively, you could lure him to the town and use the guards as a distraction to make the battle that much easier.

[6.C] The Expired Alchemist

Follow the stream from Talking Stone Camp until it ends in a waterfall. On the rocky outcropping in the pool below, you can find the body of a dead alchemist. Loot the corpse for a Nirnroot and other valuables.

[6.D] Hunter and Hunted

In the mountains close to Drelas’ Cottage, you find a hunter’s body. Fend off the fierce predator nearby, then search the corpse for valuables.

[6.E] Shrine of Zenithar: Ring of Boulders

Due west of the Swindler’s Den is a ring of large boulders. A small Shrine to Zenithar has been built up against the largest of these stones, with a few offerings.

• Shrine of Zenithar [3/5]

[6.F] Fetid Pond

West and a little south of Swindler’s Den is a small pond with the skeleton of a mammoth and a dead bandit, still grasping for a Nirnroot at the pool’s edge. Search him and harvest any nearby ingredients you need.

[6.G] Shrine of Zenithar: Crumbling Bastion

Due north of Broken Fang Cave lies a crumbling stone ruin. This fortification has seen better days, but a small altar with a Shrine to Zenithar and some offerings still remains. Jump up the rocks behind the ruin to reach a hidden chest on the arched wall over the shrine.

• Skill Book [Speech]: 2920, Second Seed, v5
• Shrine of Zenithar [4/5]
• Chest (Locked: Novice)
• Satchel

[6.H] King of the Mudcrabs

Related Quest: Side Quest: Kyne’s Sacred Trials

Due west of Broken Fang Cave, just off the main road, is a small pond with a number of Mudcrabs, including a huge Mudcrab carcass. Wonder what it would be like to fight such an enormous creature? Then return here for Kyne’s Sacred Trials to battle the Mudcrab Guardian Spirit. Near the pool is a rocky alcove with spilled blood and an old skeleton and some loose items.

• Loose gear

[6.I] Shrine of Stendarr: The Two Pillars

Due south of Swindler’s Den, two Nordic columns and a bare foundation are all that remain of this old structure, long since lost to the elements. A small Shrine to Stendarr is now present here, along with a Skill Book. Check the altar for some offerings to take.

• Skill Book [Enchanting]: Twin Secrets
• Shrine of Stendarr [3/5]
• Strong Box

[6.J] Swallowed Skeleton: Greymoor Foothills

In the foothills due north of Sleeping Tree Camp is a strange sight: a mammoth skeleton with a human skeleton inside of it. There’s little else here but this oddity.

[6.K] Dragon Mound: Great Henge Resurrection

Related Quest

• Main Quest: Diplomatic Immunity
• Main Quest: Alduin’s Wall

This Dragon Mound is initially sealed. It opens during Main Quest: Diplomatic Immunity, once you set off for Solitude. After this point, but before you begin your journey to Sky Haven Temple, Alduin will appear here and resurrect the dragon Vuljotnaak. Alduin cannot be harmed; he resurrects his brethren and flies off. But slay Vuljotnaak and claim his soul.

[6.L] Puzzling Pillar Ruins

On the rough path leading toward Sleeping Tree Camp is a group of standing stones and three Nordic Puzzle Pillars. Line up the animal glyph associated with the glyph in the rubble around the pillar to open the trapdoor, which has a chest to open.

• Chest

[6.M] Necromancer’s Bluff

An ancient altar rests atop this rocky bluff. Climb the hill from the east and take in the scene; a pair of skeletons have slain the necromancers that raised them. Splinter these bony fiends, then collect any items on or around the dead.

• Loose gear

[6.N] Bloodied Box: Sleeping Tree Camp

Just east of the second path that leads to Sleeping Tree Camp is a thicket. Check the ground for some dried blood, and a strongbox to open.

• Strongbox (Apprentice)

[6.O] Dragon Mound: Lone Mountain

Related Quest: Main Quest: Alduin’s Wall

This Dragon Mound is initially sealed. It opens during Main Quest: Alduin’s Wall. If you visit during or after this point in the Main Quest, the resurrected dragon will likely be circling this location. Strike it down and claim its soul as your prize.

[6.P] The Skeleton’s Strong Box: Greymoor

In the rocky scree above the pond to the northwest of Fort Greymoor is a copse of trees. Beneath one of them is a skeleton, still clutching the strongbox it was attempting to covet.

• Strongbox (Apprentice)

[6.Q] The Lad of the Lake: Bleakwind Basin

Northwest of Bleakwind Basin is a small lake shrouded by mist. Sticking out of the water is a bony arm, still clutching a sword. Claim it, then pick the nearby Nirnroot you wish.

• Loose gear

[6.R] Smuggler’s Den: Whiterun

Beneath the rocky cliffs on Whiterun’s northern rim lies a smuggler’s den, with two bandits who attack if you approach. There’s plenty of loose loot lying about, including a supply of Skooma, a Skill Book, and a horse you can steal. Be careful when opening the chest, though. When you do, the remaining members of the gang return and ambush you!

• Skill Book [Pickpocket]: Aevar Stone-Singer
• Chest (Adept)
• Potions

[6.S] Whiterun Attack Camp

Related Quests

• Civil War Quest: Battle of Whiterun
• Civil War Quest: Defense of Whiterun

At the beginning of the assault on Whiterun, Galmar Stone-Fist assembles his men for a rousing speech at this location, prior to the epic assault (from your allied footsoldiers and flame catapults) on this Imperial-allied stronghold.

[6.T] Shrine of Talos: White River Valley

Related Quests: Favors: Jobs for the Jarls: Elisif the Fair

On a mountain bluff north of the White River, you can find an overhang with a hidden Shrine to Talos. Receive a blessing here if you wish, before helping yourself to the offerings. Jarl Elisif the Fair of Solitude will send you to this remote shrine to dedicate her husband’s Torygg’s War Horn to Talos. But when you do, prepare to be ambushed by two Thalmor! A note suggests they have been waylaying worshippers to the shrine.

• Shrine of Talos [10/17]
• Satchel
• Loose gear

[6.U] Hunters’ Camp: White River Hills

If the Stormcloaks take control of Whiterun, a small group of hunters will set up camp on this plateau, taking over the spot formerly occupied by Whiterun Stormcloak Camp [6.32].

[6.V] Big Log Bridge

Crossing the gorge with the river rapids below, just south of Hillgrund’s Tomb, is a massive fallen tree. A bandit or two are likely to be readying an ambush here. Dropping them with arrows from hiding and watching them plunge into the river is exceptionally satisfying! On the northwest side of the log bridge, find a chest and Skill Book hidden behind the remains of a tree stump.

• Skill Book [Illusion]: The Black Arts on Trial
• Chest

[6.W] Ruined Toll and Wispmother’s Well

Along the winding path in the eastern foothills of the Throat of the World, close to Darkwater River, are the remains of an old Imperial toll building. The place is deserted, save for the screech of a Wispmother, appearing from the well atop the hill. A Skill Book rests atop a large woven basket among the ruins.

• Skill Book [Conjuration]: The Warrior’s Charge

[6.X] The Seven Thousand Steps

To reach High Hrothgar, pilgrims must climb the Seven Thousand Steps, a journey that begins near the village of Ivarstead in the Rift. Along this path lie ten wayshrines, which recount the history of the Greybeards and the Voice. Read the stone plaques at all ten shrines to receive the unique Voice of the Sky blessing (animals neither attack nor flee from you for a day). You can repeat the pilgrimage to replenish the blessing if you wish.

• Voice of the Sky