Dushnikh Yal is an Orc stronghold southeast of Markarth and northwest of the Dwemer ruin Arkngthamz. Chief Burguk runs the place, the Orcs work their own mine, and outsiders are not welcome – at least until you prove yourself. Once you are in, it is one of the best-equipped crafting stops in the region, with two trainers, a potential follower and a cellar full of alchemy goodies.
What you’ll find
- Burguk’s Longhouse: beds and living space for the clan, with a large cellar underneath.
- The cellar: an alchemy lab, plenty of ingredients, and a food store stacked with potatoes and assorted meats.
- Dushnikh Mine: owned and worked by the Orcs, mainly yielding orichalcum, iron and ebony ore.
- Facilities: smelter, forge, workbench, grindstones, tanning rack and alchemy lab.
Residents
- Chief Burguk – leader of the stronghold and a Master-level One-Handed trainer.
- Gharol – blacksmith and Expert-level Heavy Armor trainer.
- Ghorbash the Iron Hand – can become your follower and is a marriage candidate.
- Murbul – the stronghold’s apothecary.
- Arob, Nagrub, Shel and Umurn round out the household.
- Down in Dushnikh Mine you will meet the miners Mahk, Ghak, Oglub and Dulug.
Getting in
Unless you are an Orc, a guard stops you at the gate. Ask how to change his mind and he sends you after the Forgemaster’s Fingers; bring them to Burguk and you are named Blood-kin and offered training. There are plenty of other ways to earn Orc trust, though:
- Find The Last Scabbard of Akrash for Ghorza in Markarth.
- Give Moth gro-Bagol a Daedra heart.
- Clear the spider-infested mine at Shor’s Stone and talk to Grogmar gro-Burzag.
- Help Pavo Attius at Left Hand Mine by clearing Kolskeggr Mine, then talk to Gat gro-Shargakh.
- Settle the mine dispute in Karthwasten in Ainethach’s favour on your first visit.
- Retrieve a book for Urag gro-Shub at the College of Winterhold.
- Join the Dawnguard (Dawnguard) – Durak vouches for you after A New Order.
Quests
The Forgemaster’s Fingers is the classic way in. It is a radiant quest, so the gauntlets can be hidden in various dungeons. Gharol also has a sword she wants delivered to her daughter, Lash gra-Dushnikh, who lives in Karthwasten.
Notable items
- Heavy Armor skill book Orsinium and the Orcs, in the cellar.
- A dragonfly in a jar, one of five unique captured critters.
- Ore veins in Dushnikh Mine, including orichalcum and ebony.
Tips
If you brawl with Burguk, keep your fists on the chief. Clipping an innocent bystander with a stray punch can earn you a bounty and an entire stronghold of very angry Orcs. Otherwise, pop down to the cellar while you are here – free alchemy lab, free ingredients and a skill book make the trip worthwhile even without the training.
Nearby
Closest places covered on TamrielSaga: Reachwind Eyrie, Purewater Run, Reachcliff Cave, Reachwater Rock, Hag Rock Redoubt.
Location data (hold, map position, editor ID) read from the Skyrim game files; details checked against community wiki articles and summarised in our own words.
