Dungeon & Cave Locations
Vvardenfell is riddled with ancient tombs, smuggler's hideouts, and monster-infested caves. This section will guide you through some of the most notable and lucrative subterranean locations, detailing their challenges and rewards. Always come prepared with healing potions, a reliable light source, and a strong weapon or spell.
Ascadian Isles Region
Ashalmawia
- Location: Southwest of Pelagiad, nestled in the hills. Follow the road west from Pelagiad, then cut south off the main path towards the coast.
- Threats: Primarily Sixth House cultists and Ash creatures. Be wary of Sleepers who may ambush you.
- Walkthrough:
- Upon entering, you'll find a small antechamber. Two cultists usually patrol here.
- Proceed through the main passage. It branches into several smaller caves. The main path leads to a larger cavern where more cultists and an Ash Ghoul reside.
- Look for a hidden passage behind a large rock formation in the main cavern. This leads to the inner sanctum.
- Key Item: In the inner sanctum, defeat the Ash Slave and the unique cultist, Dagoth Gares. He carries the Amulet of Ashal, a powerful enchanted item.
- Explore thoroughly for various potions, scrolls, and some moderate gold in chests and on cultist bodies.
Shulk Egg Mine
- Location: Directly south of Balmora, just across the Odai River. It's easily identifiable by the large mining structure at its entrance.
- Threats: Kwama Foragers, Workers, and Warriors. The Queen is a significant threat.
- Walkthrough:
- The initial tunnels are relatively safe, populated by a few Kwama Foragers.
- As you delve deeper, you'll encounter more aggressive Kwama Workers and Warriors. Their poison attacks can be debilitating, so bring Antidote potions.
- The mine eventually opens into a vast cavern, the Kwama Queen's chamber. She is a formidable opponent, capable of summoning additional Kwama. Focus fire on the Queen.
- Key Item: After defeating the Queen, search her chamber for valuable Kwama Eggs (used in alchemy) and a hidden chest containing a small amount of gold and a random enchanted item.
- There are also several veins of raw ebony and glass throughout the deeper sections of the mine, requiring a pickaxe to extract.
Bitter Coast Region
Addamasartus
- Location: Just north of Seyda Neen, along the path leading towards Balmora. It's a small cave entrance easily missed if not looking carefully.
- Threats: Low-level smugglers and a few Rats. Ideal for new characters.
- Walkthrough:
- This is one of the first dungeons many players encounter. The cave is linear.
- You'll face 2-3 smugglers. They are not particularly strong but can be dangerous to an unarmored character.
- Key Item: Defeat the leader, Foryn Gilnith, who carries a small amount of gold and a decent short sword.
- Search the barrels and crates for cheap weapons, armor, and a few potions. There's also a chest with a small amount of gold.
West Gash Region
Gnisis Egg Mine
- Location: Directly beneath the town of Gnisis. The entrance is within the town itself, near the river.
- Threats: Kwama, and later in the main quest, diseased Kwama and Blighted creatures.
- Walkthrough:
- Initially, the mine is a standard Kwama operation. You'll encounter Kwama Foragers and Workers.
- Main Quest Relevance: During the main quest, "Blinded by a Blight," you'll need to investigate this mine. The deeper sections will be infested with Blighted Kwama and other Blighted creatures.
- Key Item: The Kwama Queen in the deepest chamber will be Blighted. Defeating her is a primary objective for the quest. You'll find a unique Kwama Egg Sac containing a Blighted Kwama Egg, crucial for the quest.
- The mine also contains several veins of raw ebony and glass.
Molag Amur Region
Punabi
- Location: Southeast of Suran, hidden among the rocky hills. It's a bit of a trek, so consider using a Mark/Recall spell.
- Threats: Daedra (Scamps, Atronachs, Dremora) and a powerful Daedric Lord.
- Walkthrough:
- Punabi is a Daedric Ruin, meaning it's filled with powerful Daedra. Ensure you have strong magical or elemental resistance.
- The ruin is multi-leveled. The upper levels contain Scamps and Flame Atronachs.
- Descend to the lower levels, where you'll face Frost Atronachs and Dremora Lords.
- Key Item: The deepest chamber houses a unique Dremora Lord, who guards a valuable Daedric Katana and several other high-value enchanted items in a locked chest. A high Lockpicking skill or a strong Open spell is recommended.
- Be prepared for a tough fight. Consider using summon spells to distract the Daedra.