Bleak Falls Barrow

1. Report to Whiterun

From Riverwood, travel to Whiterun and tell Jarl Balgruuf about the dragon at Helgen. He sends you to his court wizard, Farengar, who asks you to recover a Dragonstone from Bleak Falls Barrow — a tablet mapping ancient dragon burial sites.

In Riverwood, Lucan Valerius at the Riverwood Trader also wants his stolen Golden Claw back — which happens to be inside the same barrow. Two birds, one dungeon.

2. Into the Barrow

• 1

  Bandits outside

  Clear the bandits at the entrance ruins. A bow helps for the ones on the steps.

• 2

  The pillar puzzle

  Inside, a swinging-blade trap is tied to three pillars. Rotate the two loose pillars to match the carving above the gate: Snake, Snake, Whale. Pull the lever to open the way.

• 3

  Draugr & the claw

  Fight through webbed corridors (a giant frostbite spider guards one) and the reanimated Draugr. You'll take the Golden Claw from the thief Arvel after he's caught in webbing.

3. The Golden Claw Door

Tip: open your inventory, select the Golden Claw, and rotate it to read the three symbols on the palm yourself — Bethesda hides the answer there.

4. First Word of Power & the Dragonstone

Beyond the door lies a large chamber with a glowing curved Word Wall. Approach it to learn your first Word of Power: Fus (Force) — the first word of Unrelenting Force.

A Draugr Overlord then bursts from the central coffin. Defeat it and loot the Dragonstone from its body. Use the nearby passage and lever to shortcut back to the entrance.

5. Chapter Complete

Return the Golden Claw to Lucan in Riverwood for a reward, then bring the Dragonstone to Farengar in Whiterun. As you hand it over, a guard rushes in: a dragon has been sighted near the Western Watchtower.