Find Arvak’s Skull is a miscellaneous quest in the Dawnguard add-on, set in the gloomy Soul Cairn. A desperate soul has lost his loyal horse, Arvak, and the poor animal has been running from the realm’s monsters ever since. Help him out and you gain one of the best rewards in the add-on: a spectral horse you can summon.
How to start
The quest becomes available when you reach the Soul Cairn during Chasing Echoes. On the first path towards the front of the Boneyard you will hear a frantic soul shouting for Arvak. He explains that he and his horse were attacked by monsters after they arrived, that he told Arvak to flee, and that the horse is still running. He begs you to find Arvak, then vanishes.
Walkthrough
Find the skull
To free Arvak you need his skull. From the front gate of the Boneyard, where Valerica waits, head due east. You pass two purple fires along the way. The skull rests on a pedestal inside a ring of standing stones, which in turn surrounds four tall pillars arranged in a square.
Deal with the guardians
Ghosts linger around the stones. When lightning strikes them they turn into mistmen, bonemen and wrathmen, and they attack as soon as they see you. Clear them out or grab the skull quickly.
Return the skull
Once you have the skull, Arvak’s owner appears close by. He thanks you for helping his horse, asks you to look after Arvak well and teaches you how to summon him.
Rewards
- The Summon Arvak spell
Tips and notes
- If the game does not register that you picked up the skull, try reloading an earlier save, or wait a day, drop the skull and pick it up again.
- If Arvak runs off the first time you summon him, riding him should settle the problem.
