Darkfall Grotto (Dawnguard) is a big cavern system that you can only get into from the Forgotten Vale. The classic way in is the least dignified one: drop over the waterfall at the southeastern end of the Vale’s frozen river and let the current carry you through the caves like a very cold water slide. It eventually spits you out into the big cavern of Darkfall Passage.
What you’ll find
- A lake at the bottom of the falls. On its right side, past the waterfall, sits a small camp where feral Falmer seem to have wiped out the original residents.
- A handful of chaurus hunters keeping the feral Falmer company.
- A small rock spire under the main waterfall that you can’t reach normally; it’s only accessible through the Paragon Platform.
Notable items
- Once you’ve taken the Amethyst Paragon from a frost giant in the Vale, the platform sends you to the top of the spire. A chest waits there with random loot, often high-level gems, and reportedly potions, gold and scrolls.
Tips
The water ride is one-way, so finish whatever you were doing up top first. Expect to land in the lake close to the feral Falmer camp, so be ready to fight while dripping wet. Chaurus hunters hit harder than you might expect from a bug, so keep your health up. If you’re after the spire chest, hunt the Amethyst Paragon giant first: it stands near the waterfall at the northern end of the river, southeast of the platform.
Good to know
The fast-water section reportedly started as a test during a Skyrim developer mod week, where one experiment was a dungeon built around moving water. Bring Serana along and she will let you know, with feeling, that she did ask you not to go over the waterfall.
Details checked against community wiki articles and the Skyrim/Dawnguard game files, summarised in our own words.
