Yngvild is an isolated ice cave and barrow on an island directly east of Dawnstar. The necromancer Arondil moved in after Dawnstar threw him out for his deeply unpleasant experiments. The tomb seems to have held only female warriors, possibly battlemaidens of old, and Arondil has raised them into a private draugr army – plus a set of ghosts that were once young milkmaids from Dawnstar. Charming fellow.
What you’ll find
- Leveled draugr throughout, and reportedly almost always a Draugr Deathlord with full-power Unrelenting Force, whatever your level.
- Yngvild Ghosts, Arondil’s spectral servants, including his favourite in the final room.
- Arondil himself, a strong necromancer whose frost magic hits hard and slows you to a crawl.
- Arondil’s journals, four parts in total, scattered through the barrow.
- A throne room deeper inside, and a secret shortcut out after the final fight.
Quests
Toying With The Dead has you collect Arondil’s journals for Vekel the Man of the Thieves Guild. The final room holds a Stone of Barenziah for No Stone Unturned. Yngvild is also a possible location for a Totem of Hircine, Onmund’s Request, the Helm of Winterhold, Meridia’s Beacon, Arniel’s Endeavor (Part 2) and the Amulet of Bats.
Notable items
- Reality and Other Falsehoods (Alteration) – on the stone table beside the throne.
- Grand Staff of Charming – in the final room.
- Stone of Barenziah – next to the last journal on the desk.
- Arondil’s Journal, parts 1–4.
Tips
Sneaky players can skip most of the boss fight: steal the greater soul gem from the pedestal in the last room and Arondil’s favourite ghost turns on her master, often finishing him for you. Bring frost resistance for Arondil and something sturdy for that shouting Deathlord. The journals may stick in your inventory, so save before picking them up. There is also a chest behind a pillar near two draugr archers that you can reach with Whirlwind Sprint.
Good to know
The throne room door shows a Word Wall symbol, but there is no Word Wall inside. Arondil’s story echoes Ancotar in Oblivion, another wizard driven out of town who set up shop in a nearby ruin.
Nearby
Closest places covered on TamrielSaga: Hela’s Folly, The Tower Stone, Winterhold Imperial Camp, Nightcaller Temple, Hob’s Fall Cave.
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.