Skyrim’s Sapphire Dragon Claw: Acquisition and Purpose – Top

Within the haunted depths of Shroud Hearth Barrow near Ivarstead, Skyrim players will encounter a large locked door hindering further exploration of the tomb, and the only way to open it is with the Sapphire Dragon Claw. Getting this claw can be somewhat confusing as the game doesn’t pinpoint where to obtain it. As there is no alternative way to progress through the dungeon, the Dragonborn must have the claw to solve this Skyrim puzzle.

Luckily, the solution to Shroud Hearth Barrow’s locked door can be found right within the town of Ivarstead, specifically in Vilemyr Inn, but first, players must venture into the Nordic tomb for an item. As an ancient crypt, Shroud Hearth Barrow is full of undead enemies such as Skeletons and Draugr variants. Thus, it would be wise for players to prepare accordingly before embarking into the dungeon. Draugr, in particular, are weak to any silver weapons, which multiply damage dealt by 1.5. Fire spells do not deal bonus damage against Draugr but are undoubtedly effective against undead enemies. On the other hand, low-level players can recruit a Skyrim follower to accompany them into the treacherous catacombs.

To get the Sapphire Dragon Claw in Skyrim, players will need to give the innkeeper of Vilemyr Inn, Wilhelm, a quest item called Wyndelius’s Journal. Wyndelius is the first mini-boss of the dungeon and can be found in a few hallways down from the tomb’s entrance. The first lever puzzle is easy to get through and requires the player to flip through the levers until the correct gates open. To advance, go to the lever set in the room on the right, have all four levers face up, and have only the second lever on the left side facing the hallway go down. Once the puzzle is complete, players can progress this Miscellaneous Quest in Skyrim.

Using the Sapphire Dragon Claw in Skyrim

After reaching Wyndelius in his fabricated ghostly form, defeat him and take the journal lying on the table nearby. Exit the burial site and show the diary to Wilhelm at Ivarstead’s inn. He will thank the Dragonborn for dealing with the menace and hand over the Sapphire Dragon Claw. Return to Shroud Hearth Barrow and proceed through the same route, but this time, go to the locked stone door instead of Wyndelius’ chambers. Like other claw puzzles in Skyrim, the solution to opening the door is found on the Sapphire Dragon Claw’s inscriptions:

• Top – Moth
• Center – Owl
• Bottom – Wolf

After battling through the halls of Draugr in the Skyrim dungeon, players will come upon another puzzle for lowering a drawbridge. The drawbridge solution is found by looking around in the environment: Whale, Hawk, Snake, Whale. Alternatively, those with the Whirlwind Sprint Dragon Shout can zoom across the gap to the other side. While venturing through the rest of the dungeon, be wary as the doorways and corridors are riddled with tripwire and pressure plate traps.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.