A priest who loses the very amulet that powers his holy magic is in an awkward spot, especially when the dead downstairs start making noise. In Whiterun Hold, Andurs of the Hall of the Dead asks the Dragonborn to go into the catacombs and bring back his Amulet of Arkay. It is a short errand, but the amulet is easy to overlook, which is why most players end up here.
How to start
- Visit the Hall of the Dead in Whiterun and talk to Andurs.
- He opens by asking whether you believe in Arkay, the god of life and death. Any answer works: whether you claim to know the god well, admit the gods matter little to you, or ask to hear more, the conversation always leads to his lost amulet.
- Ask what he lost, then agree to find it. He explains that the amulet is both the source of his divine power and his badge of office, and that he will not go down himself because he has heard sounds in the catacombs and fears the dead are restless.
- If you turn him down, he simply hands your soul over to Arkay’s patience. You can still return later.
Walkthrough
1. Enter the catacombs
Head down from the main hall into the catacombs below. Andurs stays upstairs to keep watch so that nothing unpleasant escapes, which is a polite way of saying you are on your own. Keep your guard up on the way through, since the priest’s warning about strange noises is the only hint you get about what waits below.
2. Find the amulet
Make your way to the northernmost room of the catacombs. There you will find two tables, each with a candle surrounded by a red wreath. Stand facing the north wall: the amulet lies on the table on the right, placed right in front of the red wreath. The red and gold blend together very well, so if you cannot spot it at first, move your crosshair slowly across that table until the item name pops up.
3. Return to Andurs
Take the amulet back upstairs and tell Andurs you found it. Relieved, he thanks Arkay and pays you for the trouble. He also admits that the war has left both him and the catacombs rather overwhelmed.
Rewards
- 15 gold
- The gratitude of Whiterun’s priest of Arkay
Tips and notes
- Drop your own Amulets of Arkay first. If you are already carrying an ordinary Amulet of Arkay when you pick up Andurs’ amulet, the quest cannot be completed. Store any Amulets of Arkay in a chest before starting, and pick them up again once you have handed his back.
- The quest can end in failure, so do not sell or lose track of the amulet before you deliver it.
- Andurs explains that priests of Arkay perform funeral rites, comfort the grieving and stand guard against necromancers. The theme fits the city, where the dead are kept close to the living.
- The reward is modest, so treat this as a quick favour to pick up whenever you pass through Whiterun rather than a reason to make a special trip.
