Arvak is the most stylish mount in Skyrim: a skeletal horse with glowing white eyes and a mane and tail that burn with violet flame, a look much like that of bound weapons. He comes with the Dawnguard expansion and lives in the Soul Cairn, where his former owner has been waiting for him for a very long time. Free him, and you gain a spell that calls him to your side whenever you need a ride.
How to obtain Arvak
On the first path into the Soul Cairn, on the way to the Boneyard, a distraught soul calls out Arvak’s name. He explains that he and his horse came to this realm together, were set upon by monsters, and that he told Arvak to run. The horse has apparently not stopped since. The soul asks you to find Arvak and then fades away.
To free the horse you need Arvak’s Skull. It sits on a pedestal due east of the Boneyard’s front gate, the place where you meet Valerica. Ghosts surround the pedestal and turn into Mistmen when you approach. Once you have the skull, the soul reappears and teaches you the summoning spell. You may also glimpse Arvak galloping around the Soul Cairn from time to time.
Where you can summon him
- Anywhere in the open wilds of Skyrim and in the Soul Cairn.
- In Blackreach.
- On Solstheim, which is notable because ordinary horses cannot be taken to the island.
- Not inside walled cities such as Whiterun or Solitude.
- Not in the Forgotten Vale, even though it is an open area.
Notes
Arvak acts like a summoned creature rather than a normal horse. When you are not riding him he follows you around instead of standing still, and if he dies you can simply cast the spell again. While you ride him the spell never expires; its duration keeps resetting until you dismount. Summoning him does not raise your Conjuration skill, and you do not need to keep the skull in your inventory. With the Twin Souls perk you can even call two Arvaks at once.
Calling and mounting Arvak replaces any horse you currently own, including bought horses, Frost and Shadowmere. They are not lost, though: after a while they return to the place where you first got them.
His name comes from Norse myth, where Árvakr is one of the two horses that draw the sun across the sky. Some players also see a resemblance to the fire-maned Nightmare of tabletop fantasy.
