Blackreach

Blackreach is one of Skyrim’s most breathtaking secrets: an enormous underground cavern deep beneath the province, lit by giant glowing mushrooms and a strange artificial sun. Long ago it was a great city of the Dwemer, the vanished Dwarves. Today it belongs to the Falmer, their chaurus beasts and the Dwarven machines that still guard the ruins.

What you will find

• Falmer settlements and chaurus nests.
• Dwarven automatons, including towering Dwarven Centurions.
• The Tower of Mzark, an observatory with the Oculory – an ancient machine holding an Elder Scroll.
• Crimson Nirnroot, a rare glowing plant found only here.
• Huge amounts of ore veins, Dwemer metal and treasure.

Getting there

Blackreach is reached through deep Dwemer ruins. In the main quest you enter through Alftand, using the Attunement Sphere from Septimus Signus to open the great Dwemer door. Once you have been inside, lifts lead back up to the surface.

Role in the story

In Elder Knowledge you travel through Blackreach to the Tower of Mzark to recover the Elder Scroll needed to learn Dragonrend.

Good to know

Blackreach is huge. Take your time – it is one of the most rewarding places in Skyrim to explore, and it hides a few surprises for those who experiment with their Shouts.