Jarl Balgruuf will task you with retrieving the Dragonstone from Bleak Falls Barrow, an ancient Nordic ruin. This quest is your first true dungeon crawl and introduces you to Draugr, Frostbite Spiders, and the Dragon Claw puzzle mechanic. It's an excellent opportunity to practice combat, stealth, and puzzle-solving. Ensure you have a good supply of healing potions before entering.
Objectives:
- Retrieve the Dragonstone from Bleak Falls Barrow.
- Return the Dragonstone to Farengar Secret-Fire in Dragonsreach.
Strategy:
Bleak Falls Barrow is located west of Riverwood. The exterior is guarded by a few bandits. Inside, you'll encounter more bandits and then your first Draugr. These undead enemies can be tough, especially early on. Use power attacks and blocks effectively. You'll also face Frostbite Spiders; fire spells or torches can be effective against them. The first major puzzle involves three rotating pillars and a lever. The solution is found above the gate: Snake, Snake, Whale. The second puzzle is the Golden Claw door. Examine the claw in your inventory to see the combination: Bear, Moth, Owl. The final boss is a Draugr Overlord. Defeat him to claim the Dragonstone from the wall behind him. loot the Golden Claw from Arvel the Swift's corpse.