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The Dawnguard questline of Skyrim will fling you into the world of vampire lore, offering you the chance to become a vampire yourself. As you make your way through the Dawnguard questline, you will eventually come across the quest Beyond Death. For this ques꧒t, you will need to venture into the Soul Cairn.
In this guide, we are going to take a look at how to complete Beyond Death, as well as what the rewards are. Because this quest is part of a larger story, there are several quests that you will need to complete beforehand. First, let's take a look at these quests.
Prerequisites To Complete
Beyond Death is nea𓆏r the end of t൩he Dawnguard questline. Below, you can find all quests that you need to complete first.
|
Quest |
NPC To Speak With |
|---|---|
|
Dawnguard |
Agmaer
Alternatively, y☂ou just need to be level 10 and this quest will automatically be acc𝔉epted. |
|
Awakening |
Isran
|
|
Serana
|
|
|
A New Order
|
Isran
|
|
The Bloodstone Chalice
|
Garan Merethi
|
|
Prophet |
Harkon (if vampire).
Isran (if Dawnguard).
|
|
Seeking Disclosure
|
Harkon (if vampire).
Isran (if Dawnguard).
|
|
Chasing Echoes |
Serana.
|
Accepting Beyond Death
After completing Chasing Echoes, this quest will immediately be accepted and added to your journal. The Chasing Echoes ends with you entering the Soul Cairn, so you🎀 will already be in the location for Beyond Death.
Locating Valerica
Your first task in Beyond Death is to locate Serana's mother, Valerica, within the Soul Cairn. The♛ path to her is pretty straightforward; continue into the cairn while following the waypoint marker.
While heading towards Valerica, you will encounter several lost souls, with some of them giving you side quests for the Dawnguard.
Speaking With Valerica
Once you reach Valerica, you will notice a barrier blocking her from reaching you and Serana. Speak with Valerica here, and she will tell you that the only way to remove the barrier is to defeat the three Boneyard Keepers. These are enemies that can be found on three 𒈔towe🌞rs within the Soul Cairn.
Traveling To The Boneyard Keepers
The tower locations are pretty far apart from each other. However, if you complete the Soul Cairn Horse Quest, you will be able to summon Arvak, a horse mount. By sum🅺moning Arvak, you♕ can quickly travel around the cairn.
In the image above, you can find the location of each Keeper, as well as Valerica's location. As you approach each Keeper, you wil🤡l come across weaker enemies. Take care of them, and then proceed to the Keeper. Killing the Keepers will not be difficult if you have made it through the rest of the quests in the Dawnguard questline with little to 🧔no trouble.
If you are struggling to defeat the Keepers, try to position yourself in such a way that the use of Unrelenting Force will push the Keeper off of the tower. Doing so will cause the Keeper to fall and die.
Returning To Valerica
After all three Boneyard Keepers have been defeated, head back to Valerica. Once you return, the surrounding barrier will vanish, and she will lead you into the Boneyard. Here, Valerica will give you your last task: slay Durnehviir.
Defeating Durnehviir
Durnehviir is an undead dragon that can be found within the Soul Cairn. Slaying this dragon is relatively easy compared to previous boss' battles.
The best method to take down Durnehviir is by using a bow and arrow (or a crossbow with bolts). Using this long-ranged weapon, shoot Durnehviir as he flies through the sky. Once the dragon lands, Valeri♋ca will begin to attack him. This will distract Durnehviir, allowing you to con𒆙tinue attacking him with a long-ranged weapon.
Continue attacking Durnehviir, as well as the minions that he summons, until he is defeated. Since he is the undead dragon, Durnehviir doesn't actually die after this fight is over.
Retrieving The Elder Scroll
After you defeat Durnehviir, follow Valerica to the location of the Elder Scroll, and then exit the Boneyard.
Serana and Durnehviir will be waiting outside of Boneyard, waiting to speak with you. Here, Durnehviir will teach you a shout that can summon him, as well as request that you summon him in Tamriel, so he can see where h🐲e once lived.
Finishing Beyond Death
Lastly, head back through the portal and back to Tamriel; doing so will end the quest. The only reward that you will receive from this quest is the Dragon Shout that allows you to summon Durnevhiir.
With both the Blood and Dragon Elder Scroll in hand, it's time to head to Dexion and complete Seeking Disclosure.
