Complete Guide to the Bleak Falls Barrow Quest in Skyrim

Introduction

In Skyrim, one of the first major quests you’ll encounter is the Bleak Falls Barrow quest. This iconic adventure serves as a pivotal introduction to the game's lore and mechanics, sending you on a journey through ancient ruins filled with Draugr and puzzles. This guide will walk you through every step necessary to successfully complete this quest, from gathering essential items to defeating the final boss, ensuring you’re well-equipped to handle the challenges that arise.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

• Starting the Quest

  • Locate the quest giver: Begin your journey by visiting the town of Riverwood where you can find Lucan Valerius in the Riverwood Trader.
  • Speak with Lucan: He will mention the stolen golden claw and request that you retrieve it. Accept the quest to officially start Bleak Falls Barrow.

• Travel to Bleak Falls Barrow

  • Head towards the Barrow: From Riverwood, follow the path leading up to Bleak Falls Barrow, which is situated on the mountainside northeast of the town.
  • Encounter enemies: Be prepared to face a few enemies along the way, including wolves and possibly bandits.

• Entering Bleak Falls Barrow

  • Find the entrance: Upon arriving at the Barrow, locate the stone entrance adorned with vine carvings.
  • Enter the ruins: Approach the entrance and activate it to step inside the ancient tomb.

• Solving the first puzzle

  • Navigate through the first hall: Proceed forward and eliminate the Draugr lurking in the shadows.
  • Activate the two statues: You will encounter a puzzle with three pillars and a combination mechanism that can be activated by pulling levers near the statues.
    • The combination is Snake, Whale, Snake. Rotate the pillars until they match.

• Advancing into deeper chambers

  • Continue deeper: Upon solving the puzzle, the door will open, allowing you to progress further into the Barrow.
  • Face additional Draugr: Continue down the passage where further Draugr will attack you. Take them out for experience and loot.

• The Golden Claw

  • Finding the claw: Proceed until you reach a large chamber with a stone pedestal. Here you will find the Golden Claw.
  • Inspect the Claw: Before exiting this room, ensure you inspect the claw to learn its significance and its key to the next puzzle.

• Interacting with the final door

  • Read the inscription: Head to the ancient door with the bear, butterfly, and owl symbols. You’ll need to replicate the same patterns found on the Golden Claw.
  • Input the combination: Use the symbols from the claw and interact with the door to unlock it and gain access to the final chamber.

• Defeating the Draugr Overlord

  • Prepare for battle: Inside the chamber, prepare yourself as a boss fight with a Draugr Overlord awaits you.
  • Engage strategically: Utilize health potions and your strongest weapons/spells to defeat the Overlord while avoiding his powerful attacks.
    • Take cover and use the environment to your advantage. After defeating him, loot his body for valuable items including the Dragonstone.

• Returning to Riverwood

  • Retracing your steps: After claiming the spoils, backtrack through Bleak Falls Barrow to return to Riverwood.
  • Completing the quest: Speak to Lucan Valerius and hand over the Golden Claw to complete the quest. He will reward you, unlocking further merchant options and experience.

Conclusion

Completing the Bleak Falls Barrow quest is a fundamental step in your Skyrim journey, offering insight into the game’s mechanics and lore. With this detailed walkthrough, you should now feel confident in tackling the challenges of the Barrow and uncovering its secrets. Make sure to savor the experience as you continue your adventure in the vast open world of Skyrim!