Animal

Shadowmere

Shadowmere is the Dark Brotherhood’s red-eyed black horse, given by Astrid after The Cure for Madness: tough, fast-healing and a fierce companion.

Shadowmere is the legendary steed of the Dark Brotherhood, once the mount of Lucien Lachance. In Skyrim he belongs to Astrid, who lends him to the Dragonborn so they can chase Cicero to the Dawnstar Sanctuary during The Cure for Madness. Once that quest is done, she lets you keep him.

His first appearance leaves no doubt that he is no ordinary horse: he rises out of a dark, bubbling pool in a cloud of smoke, eyes glowing red, to the sound of hooves and thunder. Astrid calls him “one of us”. His coat looks pitch black but is actually a very deep reddish brown, and his saddle carries the black handprint of the Brotherhood on both sides.

Where to find them

Shadowmere first emerges from the pool outside the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary near Falkreath. After that he follows the Dragonborn: fast travel to a spot in the wilderness and he appears there; fast travel to a city and you will find him at the local stables, such as the Whiterun Stables, Riften Stables, Windhelm Stables or Markarth Stables.

Why he is the best horse in Skyrim

Huge health pool: 1,637 health at level 50, far more than any normal horse, plus extremely quick regeneration.
Stamina: more than most horses, so he can sprint longer.
He fights back: he charges nearby enemies on his own. His hits are weak, but he makes an excellent distraction.
He comes back: unlike in Oblivion he can die, from long falls or in combat, but he respawns roughly ten days later where he fell. If he dies in water, he returns to the pool outside the Sanctuary instead.

Notes

If you summon the Spectral Assassin, Lucien greets Shadowmere as an “old friend”.
Astrid refers to Shadowmere as “he”, although Lucien called the horse “she” back in Oblivion, and even Astrid is not entirely consistent between conversations.
If you leave him alone until Death Incarnate, he will already be fighting the Penitus Oculatus when you return to the Sanctuary.
He is not invulnerable: Destruction spells cast faster than he heals, or the Wabbajack’s instant-kill effect, can bring him down.
Because he heals so fast, players sometimes use him as a living training dummy for combat skills.

Abilities & attacks

Extremely fast health regeneration
Attacks nearby enemies on its own (10 damage)
Higher stamina than most horses for longer sprints
Follows the Dragonborn when fast travelling
Respawns about ten days after dying

How to beat it

Let Shadowmere soak up attention: his health and regeneration let him tank enemies while you fight from range with a bow or spells. Dismount if a fight drags on so he can join in, and avoid riding him off cliffs, since long falls can kill him. If he goes down, he returns after about ten days.

Loot & harvestables

Ingredients and items it drops

Where to find it

Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary

Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary in Skyrim: hidden assassin lair west of Falkreath – Black Door passphrase, members, Marked for Death Word Wall, loot and quests.

Dawnstar Sanctuary

Dawnstar Sanctuary in Skyrim: the Dark Brotherhood’s hidden home behind the Black Door – passphrase, Cicero’s fate, upgrades, skill books and Shrouded gear.

Falkreath

Falkreath is the quiet forest town of southern Skyrim with a famously large graveyard – home of Jarl Siddgeir, the Dead Man’s Drink and a talking dog called Barbas.

Markarth Stables

Markarth Stables in Skyrim: buy the pinto horse from Cedran and Vigilance the war dog from Banning for 500 gold – Dwarven-style stables outside Markarth.

Riften Stables

Riften Stables in Skyrim: buy the dapple-grey horse, settle Shadr’s debt or brawl Hofgrir Horse-Crusher to ride the stable’s horses for free, plus quirks.

Whiterun Stables

Whiterun Stables in Skyrim: Skulvar Sable-Hilt’s stables outside Whiterun – buy a black horse, catch the carriage and see which horse each stable sells.