Hillgrund’s Tomb is an ancient Nordic burial site south-southeast of Valtheim Towers, out in the eastern wilds between Whiterun and Windhelm (it lies southwest of the latter). It is the family crypt of Golldir’s ancestors, and lately it has had an unwelcome lodger: a necromancer who decided a tomb full of dead Nords was the perfect workspace. You will mostly come here to help Golldir sort that out. The game files count the tomb as part of the Pale, although it lies close to the border with Whiterun Hold.
What you’ll find
- A full catalogue of draugr, from Restless Draugr and Draugr Wights up through Overlords, Scourges, Deathlords, Hulking Draugr and even a Draugr Scourge Lord. How tough the line-up feels depends on your level.
- A frostbite spider lurking inside.
- Vals Veran, the necromancer who holed up deep inside the tomb.
- Ore to mine: a gold ore vein just east of the entrance and a silver ore vein near the frostbite spider.
- A chest sitting on top of the tomb’s exterior, easy to miss if you go straight for the door.
Quests
Ancestral Worship – Golldir wants into the tomb to find his aunt, who went in earlier to deal with Vals Veran. The tomb has to be cleared as part of the quest, so bring supplies for a proper dungeon crawl.
Notable items
- Illusion skill book The Black Arts on Trial.
- Gold and silver ore veins, plus the rooftop chest.
Tips
Before heading in, climb around the outside of the tomb for the chest on top and swing your pickaxe at the gold vein by the entrance – free money before the fighting starts. Inside, the sheer variety of draugr means you should pack plenty of healing potions, especially at higher levels when the tougher Scourges and Deathlords join the line-up. Vals Veran is a spellcaster, so closing the distance quickly beats trading magic with him across a room full of reanimated relatives. And yes, it is a little awkward fighting someone’s great-grandparents while their descendant waits outside.
Nearby
Closest places covered on TamrielSaga: Guldun Rock, Darkshade, Valtheim Towers, Whiterun Stormcloak Camp, Fellglow Keep.
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.