Mor Khazgur is a walled Orc stronghold in the rugged far northwest of Skyrim, west of Solitude and not far from the border with High Rock. The gate faces north toward a path into the western woods, wooden watchtowers look out over the countryside, and in the middle stands the chief’s longhouse. Above and behind it, the path climbs to the entrance of an orichalcum mine – the stronghold’s main source of income. Like its sister strongholds Dushnikh Yal and Largashbur, it is not exactly a tourist destination: outsiders get told to leave, in a variety of blunt ways.
Residents
- Chief Larak – the chief, who won the title by killing his own father in single combat. He once served in the Imperial Legion, trains Block up to master level, and will happily brawl you for 100 gold if you ask for work.
- Bagrak – Larak’s first wife, mother of Borgakh. She patrols the watchtowers day and night and carries a key to the longhouse.
- Shuftharz – Larak’s second wife and the stronghold’s Forge-Wife. She sells weapons and armour and pays full price for orichalcum ore.
- Sharamph – the elderly wise woman and Larak’s mother. She is the stronghold’s spiritual guide and apothecary, selling potions and ingredients from her workshop next to the longhouse.
- Borgakh the Steel Heart – Larak’s daughter, usually found at the training dummy outside the longhouse. She is due to be married off to another chief and is not thrilled about it.
- Olur – Shuftharz’s son, who tends the forge and the mine and spends most of his day by the smelter.
- Ghamorz and Gul – miners working in Mor Khazgur Mine.
What you’ll find
- Chief Larak’s longhouse at the heart of the stronghold.
- A forge run by Shuftharz, plus a smelter near the watchtower and the mine entrance.
- Sharamph’s workshop with an alchemy lab.
- Mor Khazgur Mine, with seven orichalcum ore veins.
Quests
- The Forgemaster’s Fingers – non-Orcs can be named blood-kin by bringing back this pair of legendary gauntlets.
- Mine ore – Shuftharz will buy orichalcum from the mine.
- Brawl – ask Larak for work and he puts 100 gold on a fist fight.
- Follower – Borgakh refuses at first out of duty to tradition, but persuasion or paying off her dowry changes her mind. She can also be married or recruited into the Blades.
Notable items
- Smithing skill book The Armorer’s Challenge, near the forge.
- A piece of orichalcum ore on a table next to two ingots – stealable, if you are feeling brave.
Tips
Non-Orcs need an invitation before the locals will deal with them. The easiest way in is clearing Kolskeggr Mine near Markarth: Gat gro-Shargakh then vouches for you to all the strongholds. Once inside, mine the seven orichalcum veins and sell straight to Shuftharz. Do not get light-fingered, though – theft here can earn you a visit from hired thugs. And if you take Borgakh along, she simply heads home here when you dismiss her.
Nearby
Closest places covered on TamrielSaga: Darkfall Cave, Deepwood Redoubt, Druadach Redoubt, Deep Folk Crossing, Harmugstahl.
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.