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Pirates are nothing new to The Elder Scrolls universe as they have been referenced in the series since its very outset. In Skyrim there are very few pirate-themed questlines even though there are several pirates referenced in books and by NPCs as inhabiting Skyrim's northern coastline. The Sea of Ghosts is home to many mysteries, the Dead Man's Dread is just the latest.The Dead Man's Dread is a ship rumored to be the vessel that the legendary hero Cyrus traveled on after his adventures. Cyrus was the main character in The Elder Scrolls Redguard, and in this Skyrim Creation players are given the chance to recover some of his lost treasures, take the ship for themselves, and learn about what happened to this not-oft-mentioned hero.
How To Start Dead Man's Dread
Dead Man's Dread starts by heading to The Winking Skeever inn, just inside the front gates of Solitude (it's the tavern where Malborn collects the Dragonborn's things for the Thalmor Embassy quest). Look for a book titled "The Restless" on a table in the back of the bar and read it, which initiates a quest of the same name.
The Dead Man's Dread is located on a new explorable island in the Sea of Ghosts north of Skyrim itself. Players don't have to worry about swimming through frozen waters, though, as the questline directs them to a boat that goes directly to Blackbone Isle. Head inside the Grotto to begin your takeover of this legendary docked vessel.
Pirates? In My Skyrim? It's More Likely Than You Think.
Pirates have been a mainstay of The Elder Scrolls series since the beginning. The Elder Scrolls: Redguard put the player in the shoes of Cyrus, a hero wanting to rescue his sister from Clavicus Vile's fields of regret who doubled as a "good-hearted" pirate. In legends repeated throughout Skyrim locals sing of Cyrus' post-Redguard adventures with his crew, though nobody knows exactly what happened to him.
In vanilla Skyrim there are a few quests that directly involve the province's pirates, most notably the Jaree-Ra questline in Solitude where the Dragonborn helps to crash a ship for its loot. While colorful pirate aesthetics might seem out-of-place in a game like Skyrim, these ocean-faring people cause a lot of problems for merchants on the northern coastline. These raids in turn instigate a great deal of conflict and problems in cities like Solitude and Dawnstar, even if players don't get to see much of it.
Two Unique Weapons
The Dead Man's Dread Creation adds two Unique Enchanted weapons and a few unenchanted unique weapons too. The two new Unique Weapons are Cyrus' Sabre and The Blackwater Blade. Cyrus' Sabre was the player's weapon of choice in The Elder Scrolls: Redguard, while the Blackwater Blade was previously seen in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
- Cyrus' Sabre: An unenchanted rapier with a gold hilt that's worth a lot of gold, though it has no other major benefits
- The Blackwater Blade: A One-Handed Sword that absorbs 30 Stamina on hit
Cyrus' Sabre is displayed above a desk in a room at the end of the Dead Man's Dread, while The Blackwater Blade is found on the body of Celeste, the Blackwater Brigands' leader. Neither are particularly notable for their power, though they look great when displayed or part of a cosplay. Dead Man's Dread also adds Scimitars, the legendary curved blades of the Redguards.
Redguard And Pirate Armor
In addition to these Unique Weapons, Dead Man's Dread adds a handful of unique clothing, though none of it counts as Armor. Cyrus' Clothes gives a player the same look as the protagonist of The Elder Scrolls Redguard, complete with a red vest and simple white shirt, while the Captain's Clothes are more vibrantly blue with more embellishment.
Additionally, there are several boots, gloves, and other clothing items that give players the ability to fully dress up in a pirate outfit. Most of these clothing items are found on the bodies of Blackwater Brigands throughout the Dead Man's Dread, but some are hidden away in the ship in chests or other loot containers.
The Dead Man's Dread Player Home
The highlight of the Dead Man's Dread Creation has to be the Dead Man's Dread player home. Once the player has completed the quest "The Restless" they are given full access to the docked pirate ship, including its many crafting facilities, weapon displays, mannequins, storage chests, and even the gloomy grotto it's trapped in.
It's a bit like owning the pirate ship from The Goonies, though there's unfortunately no chance of this marooned vessel making it out to sea. Be sure to spend some time exploring the ship and the surrounding cave to the fullest, as there are crafting materials, pirate-themed gear, and other useful items hidden away in alcoves and out-of-the-way spots.
Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S