Gyldenhul Barrow is an ancient Nordic tomb on Horker Island, just off the east coast of Solstheim, added with the Dragonborn expansion. It is the final resting place of the legendary pirate Haknir Death-Brand – and, true to pirate form, he did not go to his grave poor. Expect a treasure room that would make a dragon jealous and a captain who very much wants it back.
What you’ll find
- A Master-locked main door. Alternatively, the key comes from the last ancient chest you open during the Deathbrand quest.
- Just inside, a dead adventurer with a note explaining how he ended up that way, flanked by two sarcophagi full of mineable Stalhrim. The left one holds a draugr corpse with minor loot, and another draugr straight ahead carries some gold.
- A secret passage: mine through the sarcophagus to the west with an Ancient Nordic Pickaxe to reach a lower chamber. It runs south to an iron door opened by the same key.
- The treasure room – piles of coins, gems, potions and weapons. The moment you pick something up, the gate behind you slams shut.
- Another iron door to the south leading to a large burial chamber and Haknir’s remains.
- Haknir’s ghost and the spectral crew he calls in, including Garuk Windrime and Thalin Ebonhand.
Quests
Deathbrand ends here. Haknir’s skeleton lies deep in the barrow with a unique scimitar, Bloodscythe, right behind it. Take the blade and the pirate’s ghost rises, summoning members of his crew mid-fight. Beat him and his ghostly remains drop a second unique scimitar, Soulrender.
Notable items
- Bloodscythe and Soulrender – a matching pair of unique scimitars.
- About 80 piles of gold, roughly 100 coins each, plus assorted gems.
- Six Stalhrim from the two entrance sarcophagi.
- A Black Soul Gem and a Master-level chest in the lower chamber.
- 17 or more samples of Ectoplasm from defeated ghosts.
Tips
Don’t forget the Ancient Nordic Pickaxe – without it you’ll stare at a sarcophagus and go nowhere. Resist the urge to loot the treasure room on the way in: grabbing coins can drop the gate and trap you, and the reliable fix is simply to defeat Haknir and his men, after which the gate opens again. Better yet, deal with the ghost crew first and then sweep up the gold at your leisure. Dual-wielding the two scimitars afterwards is optional, but stylish.
Nearby
Closest places on Solstheim covered on TamrielSaga: Horker Island, Skaal Village, Bujold’s Retreat, Frossel, Haknir’s Shoal.
Map position and editor ID read from the Dragonborn game files; details checked against community wiki articles and summarised in our own words.
