Skyrim Walkthrough: Tending The Flames

Whether or not you follow the main quest of Skyrim you'll find plenty to do, whether it's roaming the wilds or trying to join guilds - there's so much open-ness that you're still going to be busy for many days playing the game!

The cool thing about Skyrim is the ability to join guilds and factions. As you join a guild you must perform quests and tasks to move up the ranks and gain the full benefits of the guild. It adds a lot of excitement and lore to the game as well as making the game a more rounded one.

You don’t have to join any guilds, but the experience you gain as well as the bonuses will enhance your character and make the main quest that much easier.

After speaking to some of the Bards at inns and taverns you will find out about the Bards College in Solitude. Once you decide to go to the college you will meet Headmaster Viarmo who will tell you about the college and then give you a task that you need to complete before being allowed to join the college.

High King Torygg has been assainated and because of this the ritual ‘The Burning of King Olaf’ may be cancelled by his grieving widow Elisif.

To save the festival, Viarmo want to recite King Olaf’s verse but sadly it has been lost. However, Viarmo believes it can be found inside Dead Men’s Respite.

Look to the mountains southwest of Morthal to find the ancient burial chamber – once entering you’ll see a ghost disappear through a sealed entrance to the north. Pick up the Ruby from the table – get ready to fight four Draugr – these are pretty easy but you should try and fight with ranged attacks and avoid their magic. The gate will open and you can follow the ghost.

Find a chain at a dead end (after following the ghost) and pull it. You’ll enter a maze section and will have to use several chains to open up blocked doors – generally you’ll want to head north – but it’s worth searching this area thoroughly – you’ll encounter spiders and Draugr along the way – nothing too tough yet.

You’ll eventually find a stair going up – there’s a trap plate at the bottom – moving up you’ll fight spiders. Pull the chain to open the grate in the floor and enter the pit. You’ll come across more enemies and should take on the archer first. Move up and open the gate – there’s a chain that will stop the swinging blade traps over the bridge – cross the bridge – move up and you’ll find a huge door.

Open the door – continue to the end of the tunnel and watch the ghost move through another sealed door – again you’ll have to proceed through another maze with plenty of Draugr. Search well as there is plenty of gold around. Make sure you save often.

You’ll come across another chamber – the door behind you closes and 5 Draugr attack. Move southeast – pull the chain and move down the path. You’ll come across a handle – use the handle and a wall will lower – you will find a ghost next to a corpse – search the corpse. You will find the forbidden Verse – the ghost disappears.

Head back through the maze.

On the way you’ll come across the Ghost of Svankir – follow him and you’ll come across a puzzle door. Look at the Ruby Dragon Claw for the solution (Wolf Hawk Wolf) – use the solution and insert the claw into the keyhole. Get ready for a tough battle!

You will face 12 Draugr in this battle, 8 first and then 4 tougher Draugr – the ghost will help. After this you will meet Olaf One-Ete – try and avoid his attacks and use ranged attacks if possible. It’s a long and arduous fight!

The ghost is free and will disappear. Loot the corpse of Olaf – and find a key to the treasury – there is also a Whirlwind Dragon Shout behind the coffin. Search the treasury – look for a lever and move out of the tomb.

Head back to the college and give the Verse to Viarmo – he will complain and say that the writing is unreadable and poor. Tell him to improvise! You will actually have to do the improvisation – doesn’t really matter what you choose here but your final reward will vary based on what you make up! Follow Viarmo towards the Blue Palace (once he is happy with the Verse).

Go to the lobby of the Blue Palace and talk to him – move up the stairs with him – Elisif will reinstate the festival and offer a reward to the college – Wait until the festival (Talk to JOrn and then you can decide to start the festival) – and you will be pronounced a Bard.