In the Dragonborn DLC for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, players are brought to the island of Solstheim. As with all the locations in Skyrim, there are numerous hidden events and locations that can be found on the island. Exploring the island also gives players the chance to discover more about the different factions located on Solstheim.
Solstheim was the location for an Elder Scrolls III DLC, adding more for fans of the series. There are a lot of hidden locations and references for the player to find, so set up camp in Raven Rock and get ready to explore.
Updated February 24, 2022 by Erik Petrovich: Despite the Dragonborn DLC being nearly as old as the base game of Skyrim itself, the island of Solstheim is still home to a lot of mysterious locales that many players have never seen before. Some of these locations are only accessible through Black Books, which teleport players to Apocrypha for a sort of test, while others are only accessible with the Anniversary Edition of the game released in 2021. Many Solstheim secrets are found just off the beaten path from the main Dragonborn questline, but others require players to go significantly out of their way to find, like the Giant Nirnroot Island. It's a good thing, then, that Solstheim provides some of the most scenic views in the game for those long walks.
10 Giant Nirnroot Island
In the northeast part of Solstheim is a set of islands. On the northernmost island, there are six giant nirnroot plants. On the island are three Spriggans and a dead alchemist. The nirnroot on the island gives the player three samples for each plant they pick, offering more.
This island is a reference to Oblivion, where four nirnroots can be found scaled to the height of a player. There is also an East Empire Company strongbox on the island, allowing players to find another collectable.
9 The Tribunal Cave
An area added with Skyrim Anniversary Edition is the Tribunal Cave just outside of Raven Rock. This is the hub for the Ghosts of the Tribunal creation and questline, which takes players on a journey back to the distant past to discover the fate of the legendary Tribunal of Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec - the Dark Elves' former Living God rulers.
The cave sits just above Raven Rock, and houses a winding cave system connecting rooms related to the Tribunal and their heritage. The creation also adds a variety of Morrowind-themed items and stories, making it a must-visit for any long-time fan of the Elder Scrolls series.
8 Flying Wizard
Players can find a Bosmer wizard out in the wilds of Solstheim. He will tell the player that he has created a new spell that will cause him to fly. He will cast it and seem to be succeeding. It takes a turn for the worse, however, and the wizard falls to his death.
This is a reference to a Bosmer mage who could be found in Morrowind. The mage thought he had discovered a spell that would let him levitate, but he shared the same fate as the wizard in Dragonborn.
7 The Unfortunate Miner
West of Brodir Grove, players can find the body of a dead miner. A Dunmer miner can be found, crushed by rocks and ore from a cart. It looks like he was near his camp, with the cart tipping over as he went up a hill.
While it is a sad sight to stumble across, players can find five gold ore near the cart, two emerald geodes, two gold ore veins, and a locked strongbox with varied loot. It's not like the miner is going to need the loot anymore.
6 Riekling Island
Near the island with the giant Nirnroot is another island inhabited by Rieklings. It is located in the northeast part of Solstheim, requiring players to swim to it. On the island is a medium-sized Riekling camp.
On the island is also another East Empire Company strongbox, allowing players to find another collectable to return for a side quest that can be started in Raven Rock.
5
The Optional Black Books
There are two Black Books that players must interact with in order to progress the main questline for the Dragonborn DLC, but there are in fact five others that can be found in Solstheim. Each of these offers a choice of unique permanent bonuses or abilities at the end of a short segment of Apocrypha, the realm of Hermaeus Mora.
Filament and Filigree is found at the end of a Dragur tomb after unearthing Kolbjorn Barrow outside Raven Rock. The Hidden Twilight is found in Tel Mithryn. The Sallow Regent is in White Ridge Barrow, in the northern portion of Solstheim. The Winds Of Change is found in Bloodskal Barrow north of Raven Rock. Finally, Untold Legends is found in the Riekling lair Benkongerike, just past the Word of Power.
4 Old Attius Farm
Old Attius Farm can be found right outside of Raven Rock. Players will encounter Captain Veleth who is fighting Ash Spawn. Because of the fight and the quest that comes after, players are more than likely going to pass this location up. There are a few good items players can find inside the farm.
Players are able to find a full set of bonemold armor inside the farm, located on a dead Redoran guard. Players can also find ash yams on the farm, giving them a unique food item.
3 Strange Vessel
Traveling northwest of the Temple of Miraak, players will come across the location called Moesring Pass. The area is inhabited by Rieklings who are guarding what looks like a crashed Dwemer airship. It appears to be based on The Patchwork Airship from Morrowind, covered by more snow as time went on.
Inside of the airship players can find two chests, one of which has an Ancient Nordic design. Also near where the Rieklings are set up is an East Empire Company strongbox, which gives players another collectable to return.
2 Solstheim Dragon Mound
On the same set of islands the Nirnroot and Rieklings can be found on is a dragon mound. It is located in the northeastern part of Solstheim, giving players a dragon to fight if they stumble upon the location. This will give players another dragon soul to use in their fight again Miraak.
There are also Horkers that can be found on the island. Besides the dragon soul, there is not much loot to be found. There is a leveled locked chest and a skeleton right next to the chest.
1 Usha's Camp
Players who follow a stream to the north of Ashfallow Citadel will stumble across a locked wooden gate. Jumping over the gate will reveal the camp of a dead Argonian named Usha. Around Usha's corpse is a few empty bottles of Skooma as well as a letter that gives insight into Usha's background.
Players can find an East Empire Company strongbox as well as some gold ore. There is also a chest that players are able to loot from. Players can use this location to get some supplies or to get some Skooma to sell for extra gold.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is available on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S