Dragonborn: Miraak

1. Reaching Solstheim

After defeating the cultists who attack you (they carry a note: "Miraak shall be Dragonborn alone"), read the order and travel to Windhelm docks. Board Gjalund Salt-Sage's ship Northern Maiden to Raven Rock on the ash-covered island of Solstheim.

2. The All-Maker Stones

Miraak has enthralled the island's people to build shrines at the All-Maker Stones. You'll free them one by one — the Earth Stone, Water Stone, and others — often by fighting off his controlled workers and later using Bend Will to cleanse them.

• 1

  Temple of Miraak

  Investigate the Temple with Frea of the Skaal. Inside you recover the first Black Book, Waking Dreams, which pulls you into Apocrypha and sets Miraak as your rival.

• 2

  Seek Storn & Neloth

  The Skaal shaman Storn and the Telvanni wizard Neloth in Tel Mithryn help you understand Miraak's plan and the power of the Black Books.

3. Learning Bend Will

To reach Miraak you need the shout Bend Will, learned across the DLC (its final word comes from cleansing the Wind Stone). Bend Will can pacify the All-Maker Stones and, crucially, tame dragons — letting you ride them.

4. Boss: Miraak

• 1

  Tame Sahrotaar

  In Apocrypha's final chapter, shout Bend Will at the serpentine dragon Sahrotaar to tame him. Ride him to Miraak's platform.

• 2

  The duel

  Miraak fights like a Dragonborn: he shouts, drains dragon souls, and periodically goes intangible to heal. Hit him hard between phases; use your best shouts and keep healing ready — he mirrors your tricks.

• 3

  Hermaeus Mora's price

  As Miraak nearly dies, Hermaeus Mora intervenes and finishes him personally, claiming his knowledge. You absorb the dragon souls Miraak had stolen.

5. Rewards

You keep Bend Will (dragon riding for good), and can loot Miraak's Mask and Robes — some of the best mage gear in the game. Solstheim opens up for full exploration, including all 7 Black Books and their permanent Apocrypha powers.