The Ultimate Guide to Skyrim's Horn of Jurgen Windcaller: Unveiling Hidden Secrets and Power-Ups

After proving their worth to the Graybeards of High Hrothgar, players are tasked with retrieving the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Jurgen, the founder of the order, holds great significance. Upon successful retrieval of the horn, the Graybeards will officially acknowledge the Dragonborn, marking the completion of this early section of the main quest in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.

To locate the horn, players must journey to Ustengrav, a barrow situated in the northwest of Skyrim. Reaching Ustengrav is relatively straightforward, as players can opt to travel southeast from Solitude or northeast from Morthal. However, complications arise once players step inside the barrow.

Upper Ustengrav

Upon arriving at Ustengrav, players will witness a confrontation between a necromancer and a group of bandits. Although players have the option to join the combat immediately, they could also choose to wait and allow the enemies to reduce their numbers, making the battle easier. The entrance to the tomb can be found in the nearby pit.

Upon entering the tomb, players will notice that the conflict between bandits, mages, and the draugr guardians is still ongoing. If players opt for stealth, they will find that most of the fighting has subsided by the time they arrive. Eventually, players will reach a corridor with alcoves lining its sides. These alcoves contain traps connected to spellcasting, but the soul gems that power them are already depleted. On the left side, there is a hidden door in a room filled with urns, serving as a shortcut back to the surface. Alternatively, on the right side, players can discover The Mystery of Talara v2, a skill book that enhances Restoration abilities.

Head down a flight of stairs, where you will come across a Nord weapon and a stack of gold coins placed neatly on top of a table. Adjacent to the table, you will notice a pull chain that, when activated, unveils a concealed passageway leading to a treasure-filled chest. As you proceed further, you will enter a spacious chamber adorned with two elevated walkways and inhabited by numerous active draugr. The path to access the upper walkways lies on the opposite side of the chamber, but do not overlook the opportunity to examine the chest on your way. Upon crossing this chamber, you will find the entrance to Ustengrav Depths through a door.

Ustengrav Depths

Upon entering the Ustengrav Depths, players will be greeted with a scenic view of the main area through a charming vine-covered opening. From there, they will notice an upper path leading through a series of rooms before descending further. During this time, players can take advantage of their vantage point to skillfully pick off the skeletons that patrol the area below.

The large dining hall is the first area, where players have the option to avoid the draugr by taking a side passage towards the exit on the opposite side. Beyond that, there is a rough chamber where the draugr emerge from sarcophagi. By shooting a lantern hanging above an oil puddle, players can potentially destroy both the lantern and the oil puddle. In this area, there is also a room protected by two gates. The handle for one gate is located right next to it, while the handle for the second gate is above one of the draugr sarcophagi.

Continuing further, players will return to the main chamber of Ustengrav Depths. There are upper walkways that lead to a hidden area, but these walkways are broken and too far apart to jump across. However, players can utilize the Whirlwind Sprint shout to traverse the gaps and access a loot chest.

In the chamber's lower area, players can find several ore veins to mine and discover a Word Wall, granting them a word for the Become Ethereal shout. Additionally, there is a concealed room located behind the waterfall.

Returning to the main level, players will come across a deceased draugr, pressing down on a flame trap panel. This serves as an example of the panel's appearance and function. Luckily, players can easily bypass the trap to further explore the upper area.

The next step is to cross the extensive land bridge. On the opposite side, three stone posts come to life when players approach them, unlocking the gates that lead to the next chamber. However, the gates only remain open for a brief moment, making it essential to use Whirlwind Sprint to surpass them. Luckily, if players find themselves stuck midway, there are pull chains that will open the gates to return back.

The subsequent area is infested with frostbite spiders and flame traps, but fortunately, most of the flame traps are inactive and no longer pose a threat. The final section features a pathway between two pools, from which eagle statues emerge as the player progresses. At the far end lies the resting place of the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller, although instead of the horn, players will discover a note. Continue moving forward to locate a sizable treasure chest and the convenient shortcut back to the entrance.

Tracing the Horn

In order to locate the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller, players need to read the note and follow its instructions, which involves returning to the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood. They should ask for an "attic room" and enter the designated room where Delphine will divulge her knowledge. This initiates the subsequent main quest, "A Blade in the Dark," during which Delphine will hand over the horn to the Dragonborn.

Players have the option to immediately proceed with the next quest, but for the full completion of this one, they should make their way back to High Hrothgar and deliver the horn to Arngeir. The Graybeards will then recognize the player as the Dragonborn and reward them by teaching the final word of the Unrelenting Force shout.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is available now on PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.