Ultimate Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Zone Guide
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Area Description
Blackreach, a legendary and long-forgotten realm that stretches beneath Skyrim, hides terrible creatures and even more terrible secrets. The caverns beneath Western Skyrim include Greymoor, the Lightless Hollow, Dark Moon Grotto, and Dusktown.
Contents
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What Is A Crafting Set Station?
A crafting set station is a crafting area that allows you to craft a specific set piece of armor. Often there are additional requirements, like a number of traits that must be researched before you can make an item of a specific set. While you can make generic pieces at crafting set stations, these are the only areas where you can the specific set that is listed. There is one exception – attunable crafting tables (which are ‘tuned’ to replicate set stations) can be obtained and placed in houses for use.
On your map, crafting set stations appear with a blackened crafting icon when you are close to a location. Once the set station has been visited, the icon turns white.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Crafting Set Stations
- Parasite’s Cave – Spell Parasite
How To Obtain Overland Set Pieces
Players are rewarded for each boss kill with item/items from that boss’s loot table.
- Delve bosses drop a waist, foot, or another unique item piece.
- Overland World Bosses drop a head, chest, leg, weapon, or unique item piece.
- Public dungeon bosses drop a shoulder, hand, weapon, or unique item piece.
- Chests at Dark Anchors or Dolmens drop a jewelry set piece.
Even with Curated Item Set Drops, bosses with a specific loot table will only drop curated items from their own loot table. Treasure chests have a chance to grant any set piece from the zone they are found in. Click here to learn more about curated set drops.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Overland Armor Sets
There are no overland sets in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
What Is A Delve?
A delve in The Elder Scrolls Online is in essence a small dungeon. Delves usually contain a few enemies, at least one ‘boss’, and a skyshard. Delves can generally be completed solo. If you are a new player, you may want to explore delves with a friend. Most delves have an associated quest that you can get just inside or near the entrance. This quest is more a side story to the main quest of the area but does offer rewards for completing it.
On your map, delves appear with a blackened single torch. Once the delve is completed (by defeating the boss or bosses), the delve icon turns white.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Delves
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There are 2 delves in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
Midnight Barrow
The ancient burial site known as the Midnight Barrow once occupied the side of a hill in Western Skyrim. Centuries ago, an earthquake caused the ground to swallow the barrow, dragging it into the depths of Nirn.
Prisoner of the Past
Alwyn Felsdottar has been haunted by visions ever since someone scattered her ancestor’s bones and belongings in Midnight Barrow. I promised to help her retrieve his remains to uncover the truth about his past, and allow his spirit to rest again.
Midnight Barrow Location
Travel west from the Lightless Hollow Wayshrine to find the Midnight Barrow delve.
Exploring and defeating the boss will reward you with the Midnight Barrow Explorer achievement.
Inside Midnight Barrow
This delve is inhabited by bone flayers, draugrkin skullguards, and skeletal wolves. It has one level, one boss, and one skyshard as notated on the map.
Delida the Damned
Delida the Damned is a draugr accompanied by a skeletal bear. She uses a greatsword for melee attacks. Delida can create a giant hand that will pin you in place. She also pierces the ground with her greatsword creating aoes. She is easily defeated.
Completing Prisoner of the Past
You will need to find the bones and belongings of Jarl Hagridden. Return to Alwyn to complete the quest. You will be rewarded with gold and Draugr’s Demise, part of the Venomous Smite armor set.
The Scraps
The true name of this ancient Dwarven ruin has been lost to time, but locals with knowledge of the place refer to it as “The Scraps” because of the abundance of discarded Dwarven devices that clutter up the place.
Scraps Matter
The High Elf Neramo needs to acquire special Dwarven power nodes and a master scepter in order to conduct his experiment. He asked for my help retrieving them.
The Scraps Location
Travel southwest from the Dwarven Run Wayshrine to reach The Scraps.
Exploring and defeating the boss will reward you with the achievement.
Inside The Scraps
The Scraps is a dwemer ruin that is inhabited by Falmer enemies, dwarven spheres, and chaurus eggs. This delve has one level, one boss, and one skyshard as notated on the map.
Dwarven Spider
The Dwarven Spider uses electrical attacks. During battle, it will also summon Dwarven Spheres and additional Dwarven Spiders. Occassionally, it will cover itself with a shield. It cannot be damaged at that time. When the shield is up, focus on the adds. The Dwarven Spider is easily defeated.
Completing Scraps Matter
You will need to search scrap heaps for Dwarven Spiders. After collecting the Dwarven Power Nodes you will find the Master Scepter. Return to Neramo to complete the quest. You will be rewarded with gold and the Spiderprod Staff, part of the Winter’s Respite armor set.
What Is A Public Dungeon?
Public dungeons are a type of dungeon that is non-instanced. This means that it can be accessed by anyone at any time. These dungeons are more difficult than delves. Public Dungeons contain at least one skyshard and often a group challenge that rewards a skill point. Each public dungeon also offers its own quests and achievements.
On your map, public dungeons appear with a blackened cave. Once the public dungeon is completed (by defeating the bosses/mini-bosses and all associated quests), the public dungeon icon turns white.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Public Dungeons
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There is 1 public dungeon in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
Nchuthnkarst
“In our exploration of the area around Dusktown, we found the Dwarven ruins of Nchuthnkarst. While Claudina is fairly certain there’s nothing supernatural haunting the ruins, the strange mechanical sounds echoing from inside have made both of us uneasy. Best to avoid the place.”—Phebe Peronard
Nchuthnkarst Location
Travel east from the Dusktown Wayshrine to reach the Dwemer ruin inside Dusktown Cavern called Nchuthnkarst.
Nchuthnkarst Quest
This public dungeon has one quest.
The Tones of the Deep
Kireth Vanos enlisted my aid in helping her and her brother, Raynor, investigate the ancient Dwarven ruin of Nchuthnkarst.
Completing The Tones of the Deep
You will need to gather three dwarven parts and return to Thaddeus to repair a dwarven device. Speak with Kireth Vanos to complete this quest and you will be rewarded with gold and the Nchuthnkarst Halbert, part of the Eternal Vigor armor.
Completing this quest will also reward you with the Miniature Dwarven Sun memento.
Inside Nchuthnkarst
Nchuthnkarst is a dwemer ruin located in Dusktown Cavern. It is inhabited by dwarven automatons, salamanders, fabricants, and pirates.
Dungeon Bosses
Nchuthnkarst has 6 bosses. To complete the dungeon, you will need to complete the quest and defeat all 6 bosses.
Click on the boss name for quick access to that section.
Brsssp the Behemoth
Brsssp the Behemoth is an Argonian Behemoth.
Mechanics
Brssp the Behemoth melee attacks with swipes, stomps, tail swings. He also roars which causes stalactites to fall from the ceiling. Brssp is powerful but slow. Avoid the aoes when possible. Ranged attacks work well.
Clockwork Criterion
The Clockwork Criterion is a Factotum that serves as the group event for the Nchuthnkarst public dungeon. The one skyshard in this public dungeon is located close to this boss as notated on the map.
Mechanics
The Clockwork Criterion uses a lightning staff creating electrical aoes. He summons factotum chargers, beetle fabricants, dwarven spiders, and others to aid him in battle. During the battle, he will create a shell over himself making him invincible. At that time, focus on the adds. Clockwork Criterion can also be interrupted when he raises his staff to charge a powerful aoe.
Dwarf-light the Destroyer
Dwarf-light the Destroyer is a dwarven arquebus.
Mechanics
Dwarf-light the Destroyer attacks with electrical charges. He summons mines and dwarven spiders to aid him in battle. Avoid the aoes when possible. Dwarf-light the Destroyer is easily defeated.
Imperfect Iteration
Imperfect Iteration is an imperfect factotum.
Mechanics
Imperfect Iteration uses hydraulic kicks that do not only physical damage but also shock damage. He also swings his arms for heavy hitting melee attacks. During battle, he will rise above the ground hovering for a few seconds, and then lands creating a large electrical aoe. Avoid the aoes when possible. Imperfect Iterations is easily defeated.
Krodunth the Mantikora
Krodunth the Mantikora is a mantikora, a type of four-legged beast that has a tail like a scorpion.
Mechanics
Krodunth the Mantikora uses his staff and tail to attack. He also stomps on the ground creating large aoes. Krodunth will also stop, bend over, and breathe fire. Avoid the aoes and the fire when possible. Ranged attacks work well.
Shahmar
Shahmar is a Yaghra Monstrosity, a large crab-like creature.
Mechanics
Shahmar uses slashes and stabs to attack. It also drops poisons which glow green. Shahmar creates small spreading aoes and large aoes. It will also jump across the room. Avoid the poisons and the aoes when possible. Ranged attacks work well. Shahmar is easily defeated.
Achievements
Defeating all the champions in Nchuthnkarst will reward you with the Nchuthnkarst Conquerer achievement.
Defeating the Clockwork Criterion will reward you with the Nchuthnkarst Group Event achievement.
What Is A Group Dungeon?
Group Dungeons are designed to be four-player areas. Dungeons in ESO feature large groups of enemies that are tougher to defeat and have multiple bosses. These bosses pose unique challenges and often feature special mechanics that require teamwork. Each dungeon has a quest with a skill point rewarded for its completion. Dungeons also offer special gear sets that cannot be found in the overland areas of Tamriel. Dungeons can be completed in normal mode, veteran mode, or veteran hardmode. Dungeons completed in any of the veteran modes will reward you with a Monster Helm – a unique piece of armor for the head. You can learn more about Monster sets in the Monster Set Guide and how to obtain the matching shoulder piece in the Undaunted Guide. You can also find a video and a written guide for each dungeon in the All About Mechanics Series.
On your map, dungeons appear with a blackened square-shaped icon with a plus sign. Once the dungeon is completed (by defeating the bosses), the dungeon icon turns white.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Group Dungeons
- Stone Garden – click for mechanics guide
“Dwarven pipes can transport more than just steam. Water, oil, air, even molten rock in some cases. That’s the beauty of Dwemer designs. Their versatility means they can be repurposed for any use. It doesn’t take a genius to see that, but it helps.” —Raynor Vanos
Stone Garden Armor Sets
- Stone Husk (monster set)
- Elemental Catalyst (light armor)
- Kraglen’s Howl (medium armor)
- Arkasis’s Genius (heavy armor)
What Is A World Boss?
World bosses are powerful enemies often with their own unique abilities. They sometimes require groups of players to overcome. World bosses in DLC zones are significantly harder than other base game bosses.
On your map, world bosses appear with a blackened skull and crossed swords icon. Once the world boss is defeated, the world boss icon turns white.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns World Bosses
There are 2 world bosses in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
Need specific info? Click these quick links to go directly to each section.
Doomclaw, Hjorrenn the Harvester, and Exarch Savfyr at the Vampire Feeding Grounds
Travel northeast from the Western Greymoor Wayshrine to reach the small cave called Vampire Feeding Grounds.
Mechanics Notes
You will find a small group of kneeling Harrowfiends when you enter the cave. This group and another wave of Harrowfiends must first be defeated before Doomclaw appears.
Doomclaw is a large gargoyle. He uses melee attacks by swiping with his wings and claws. He also can cause bleeding. Ranged attacks work well.
After defeating Doomclaw, Hjorrenn the Harvester appears. She is a Nord vampire. Hjorren uses electrical attacks and summons large groups of Harrowfiends to aid her in battle. While not difficult, this battle is chaotic. Stay focused on Hjorrenn. She will also summon Flesh Colossus. Be on the lookout for her to channel to them. When she does, they will heal. Interrupt her to stop their healing.
After defeating Hjorrenn the Harvester, Exarch Savfyr will appear. He is a bloodknight. He primarily uses melee attacks. Exarch will squat like a football player and charge you. He will also summon groups of bats that will swarm you. Ranged attacks work well.
Achievement Earned
The first time you defeat this world boss you will earn the No Food For You achievement.
Dismantler the Dwarven Colossus at the Colossus Charging Station
Travel southwest from the Grotto Falls Wayshrine to reach the Dwemer ruin that is the Colossus Charging Station.
Mechanics Notes
Dismantler the Dwarven Colossus has blades for one arm and a cannon for another. Both arms can cause a lot of damage. As you attack it, the blade arm will become damaged. Eventually, the blade arm falls off. The cannon arm will also eventually fall off. During the battle, other dwarven enemies like spiders and spheres will also appear. As you defeat the spiders, they will leave small areas of green poisons. Keep the adds down and do as much damage as possible. Dismantler can also stomp the ground creating numerous aoes. With both arms removed, Dismantler becomes much easier to defeat.
Achievement Earned
The first time you defeat this world boss you will earn the Dwarven Disassembler achievement.
What Is A Wayshrine?
Wayshrines are shrines that were built to honor the Divines by being a safe haven point where players can revive if you die while adventuring in Tamriel. Once you visit a wayshrine, it becomes available on your map for you to use to fast travel at no cost. You can also travel to any unlocked wayshrine from anywhere in Tamriel for a price paid in gold. This price reduces with time and also can be reduced by champion point allocations. Each zone begins with one available wayshrine.
On your map, wayshrines will appear with a blackened wayshrine icon when you are close to its location. Once the wayshrine has been visited, the icon turns white.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Wayshrine Locations
There are 8 wayshrines in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
- Dark Moon Grotto Wayshrine
- Deep Overlook Wayshrine
- Dwarven Run Wayshrine
- Dusktown Wayshrine
- Greymoor Keep Wayshrine
- Grotto Falls Wayshrine
- Lightless Hollow Wayshrine
- Western Greymoor Wayshrine
What Is A Skyshard?
Skyshards are glowing crystals that provide you with 1/3 of a skill point. Collecting 3 skyshards grants you 1 skill point which can then be used for abilities and/or passives.
On your map, skyshard will appear with a blackened skyshard icon when you are close to its location. Once the skyshard has been collected, the icon turns white but then disappears from your map.
Once you collect all the skyshard from the zone, you will earn the Auridon Skyshard Hunter achievement.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Skyshard Locations
There are a total of 7 Skyshards in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
Skyshard #1 – on the edge of a waterfall
Skyshard #2 – among some bushes at the bottom of a cliff
Skyshard #3 – on a ledge over lava outside Greymoor Keep’s walls
Skyshard #4 – on the edge of a ritual site
One skyshard is also found in each of the delves and one in the public dungeon. Maps with exact locations are provided in those sections.
What Is A World Event?
Western Skyrim introduced a new type of World Events called Harrowstorms. A Harrowstorm is a ritual site and the location of a giant supernatural conflux intended to be a group activity. In addition to waves of enemies, Witches Pikes must be destroyed. Each Harrowstorm has three pikes. The pikes draw to them Lost Souls that will heal the pikes when they reach it. Always destroy the pikes as quickly as possible.
When all the pikes are gone, a final large boss appears. In addition to the boss and other smaller enemies, the ‘storm’ discharges lightning strikes and ground aoes. Once the boss is defeated, a pile of Reliquary Remnants will appear and can be looted.
On your map, world events will appear with a blackened world event icon when you are close to its location. Once the event has been defeated, the icon turns white.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns World Event Locations
There are 4 world events in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
- Dwarf’s Bane Ritual Site
- Gloomforest Ritual Site
- Miner’s Lament Ritual Site
- Nightstone Ritual Site
On your map, when a world event is active, the crossed swords icon will appear and flash behind the world event icon.
What Is A Lore Book?
Shalidor’s Library is a collection of lore books in Tamriel. Reading lore books within this collection increases your Mages Guild rank.
On your map, lore books will appear in your compass as you near it. Once collected, it will disappear. You can track your collection under the zone guide.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Lore Book Locations
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns share lore books with Western Skyrim.
- Lore Book #1 – House Ravenwatch Proclamation – found in random bookshelves within Western Skyrim
- Lore Book #2 – Nords Of Skyrim – near Jarl Morryn’s Hunting Lodge
- Lore Book #3 – Varieties Of Faith: The Nords – In Lightless Hollow in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns
- Lore Book #4 – The Brothers’ War – in the Blue Palace in Solitude
- Lore Book #5 – Orcs Of Skyrim – inside a house in Mor Khazgur
- Lore Book #6 – The Crown Of Freydis – inside Morthal Barrow
- Lore Book #7 – All About Giants – inside the Frozen Coast
- Lore Book #8 – On Stepping Lightly – inside the Mages Guild on a bookshelf in Solitude
- Lore Book #9 – The Road To Sovngarde – can be found in random bookshelves within Western Skyrim
- Lore Book #10 – The Wandering Skald – inside a tent west of Dark Moon Grotoo in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns
What Is A Treasure Map?
Treasure Maps are rewards that show the location of special chests that can only be seen when you have the map in your inventory. You must travel to the specific location, dig the dirt mound, and then a chest will appear for you.
Treasure Map locations do NOT appear on your map. You can slot the maps for quick access to compare your location.
This map uses the chest icon to denote the location.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Treasure Map Locations
- Treasure Map I – near a small light post west of Grotto Falls Wayshrine
- Treasure Map II – near the large blue crystal stalactite northeast of the Grotto Falls Wayshrine
- Treasure Map CE I – on the left of the Darkrise Overlook tower
- Treasure Map CE II – on the left side of the room in Lightless Hollow after jumping down from a platform
An Instrumental Triumph
Locate and retireve all 19 musical instruments and deliver them to the Bards College in Solitude.
An Instrumental Triump achievement is rewarded for collecting all the lost musical instruments that have been scattered across Western Skyrim and Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
Visit the Bards College in Solitude and speak to Leiborn. Leiborn is a member of the Bards College and asks for help to recover a famous instrument called Petraloop.
After completing this quest titled ‘Orchestrations’, you will be rewarded with gold and Dancer’s Treble Leggings, part of the Winter’s Respite armor set. Additionally, you will find in your inventory Nel’s Hidden Loves which is a document that contains clues to the remaining missing instruments.
Instruments do not appear on your in-game map. They do, however, glow green to aid you in spotting them.
Begin the Collection
An Instrumental Triump achievement is rewarded for collecting all the lost musical instruments that have been scattered across Western Skyrim and Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
Visit the Bards College in Solitude and speak to Leiborn. Leiborn is a member of the Bards College and asks for help to recover a famous instrument called Petraloop.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Instruments Locations
There are 4 instruments in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
- Chime of the Endless – on a cliff above lava near Greymoor Keep in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns above a moat on a rock ledge
- Pan Flute of Morachellis Hag-Husband – inside Lightless Hollow (Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns) on a cupboard
- Reman War Drum – west of Greymoor Keep Wayshrine on the fungus stair (Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns) in a crate
- Ateian Fife – inside Silversnow Mine up the stairs at a hole in the boards (Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns) under broken boards
Completing Orchestrations
After completing this quest titled ‘Orchestrations’, you will be rewarded with gold and Dancer’s Treble Leggings, part of the Winter’s Respite armor set. Additionally, you will find in your inventory Nel’s Hidden Loves which is a document that contains clues to the remaining missing instruments.
You will earn An Instrumental Triumph achievement.
Mining Sample Collector
Locate and retrieve all 5 mining samples in the caverns of Blackreach. The Mining Sample Collector achievement is rewarded for collecting all the samples. Mining samples appear as a side quest (marked with a black arrow). As you read the notes or letters, you will begin the side quest. Take the samples which are usually located in a backpack or bag then return to Ingfred in Dusktown.
Ingfred the Tall
All the mining sample quests will be completed by returning to Ingfred the Tall who is located outside a building in Dusktown. After you return all 5 samples, you will complete the achievement.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Mining Sample Locations
- Mining Sample 1: You will find Kelbarn’s To-Do List. This will begin the quest titled ‘Kelbarn’s Mining Samples’. Take the samples from the backpack and speak to Ingfred the Tall. You will be rewarded with gold and Kelbarn’s Mantlet, part of the Eternal Vigor armor set.
- Mining Sample 2: You will find a Letter to Irm. This will begin the quest titled ‘Inguya’s Mining Samples’. Take the samples from the backpack and speak to Ingfred the Tall. You will be rewarded with gold and the Girdle of Inguya, part of the Eternal Vigor armor set.
- Mining Sample 3: You will find Ingfred’s Work Order. This will begin the quest titled Reeh-La’s Mining Samples. Take the samples from the backpack and speak to Ingfred the Tall. You will be rewarded with gold and Reeh-La’s Scaled Vest, part of the Venomous Smite armor set.
- Mining Sample 4: You will find a letter, To the Kind Stranger Who Finds This. This will begin the quest titled ‘Adanzda’s Mining Samples’. Take the samples from the backpack and speak to Ingfred the Tall. You will be rewarded with gold and Zabusihr’s Soft Shoulders, part of the Venomous Smite armor set.
- Mining Sample 5: NOTE: This quest will not appear until the 4 other mining samples have been found and their associated quests completed. You will find a Report for Bitterblade. This will begin the quest titled ‘Ghamborz’s Mining Samples’. Take the samples from the backpack and speak to Ingfred the Tall. You will be rewarded with gold and Ghamborz’s Rough Leggings, part of the Venomous Smite armor set.
You will earn the Mining Sample Collector achievement.
What Is A Great Lift?
Great lifts are large mechanical lifts that take you from Western Skyrim to Blackreach and The Reach.
On your map, great lifts will appear with a blackened lift icon when you are close to its location. Once the great lift has been visited, the icon turns white.
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Great Lift Locations
There are 4 great lifts in Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
- Dark Moon Grotto Great Lift
- Greymoor Cavern Great Lift
- Lightless Hollow Great Lift
- Silversnow Mine Entrance
Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns Summary
In addition to the main quest line, Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns also offers many side quests, acquire zone-specific armor sets, visit points of interest, and striking locales.
The area of Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns is located under Western Skyrim. The caverns are known to be difficult to navigate. Great Lifts are used to access Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns.
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