Tag: Skyrim Bleak Falls Barrow

Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary – Log 2: Bleak Falls and Poor Attitudes

Cold-Blooded – Log 2: Bleak Falls and Poor Attitudes

Game: Skyrim Special Edition
Mode: Survival Mode
Difficulty: Adept
Survivor: Treads-Through-Cold (Argonian)

Bleak Falls Barrow doesn’t rush you. The cold does.

Bleak Falls Barrow was the agenda for the day. I equipped the fur armour I’d picked up earlier and prepared for the climb.

I also made heavy use of Clairvoyance. Not because it’s elegant, but because I know I’ll get lost without it.

The cold took longer than expected to become a problem, which gave me time to deal with bandits along the road. Somewhere during this, I realised I could cast both equipped spells at once.

The urge to channel my inner Emperor Palpatine was strong.

I compromised.

Sparks in one hand. Flames in the other.

Entering the Barrow

I reached Bleak Falls Barrow and overheard a conversation involving Arvel the Swift. That answered the question of who had the claw.

Inside, I moved carefully. One bandit required preparation, so I cast Oakflesh.

They immediately pulled a lever and solved the problem themselves.

I examined the room, recognised a puzzle, solved it without incident, and continued.

Arvel the Swift, Briefly

I found Arvel stuck in a web, guarded by a giant spider. The spider nearly ended the run, but I survived long enough to win.

Arvel asked to be cut down.

I didn’t like his tone.

I killed him, took the claw, and read his journal. It confirmed this place had more going on than a simple fetch job.

Before leaving, I reanimated his corpse.

Not for strategy. For amusement.

He fought some draugr. They were not impressed.

Traps and Helpful Enemies

Further in, I encountered pressure plates that triggered spike traps.

I avoided them.

Draugr and my temporary undead companion did not.

This happened more than once.

Words of Power and Bad Timing

At the end of the barrow, I learned part of Unrelenting Force.

The Restless Draugr sleeping nearby demonstrated it immediately.

I attempted to use a Scroll of Harmony. In theory, this should have worked.

It didn’t.

Riverwood and Necessary Spending

I returned to the Riverwood Trader, handed over the claw, and proceeded to spend most of my remaining wealth.

He had Novice Robes of Destruction.

I sold a significant amount of gear, did some uncomfortable mental maths, and bought them anyway.

Worth it.

Nightfall and a Sensible End

I returned to Hadvar’s uncle’s place and called it a night.

Tomorrow, I head for Whiterun.

Progress Update

  • Levels gained: +3 (between logs)
  • Attributes: +2 Health, +1 Magicka
  • Perks:
    • Novice Restoration
    • Novice Alteration
    • Dual Casting (Destruction)

Video Log

No commentary gameplay:

Log 2 Survival Notes

  • Clairvoyance saves time and mistakes.
  • Let enemies trigger traps when possible.
  • Dual casting changes early combat dramatically.
  • Some scrolls lie.
Continue the journey:
Cold-Blooded – Log 1: Survival Starts After Helgen |
Cold-Blooded – Log 3: Gold Problems and an Unwanted Destiny
1

Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary – Log 1: Survival Starts After Helgen

Cold-Blooded – Log 1: Survival Starts After Helgen

Game: Skyrim Special Edition
Mode: Survival Mode
Difficulty: Adept (possibly dropping to Apprentice)
Survivor: Treads-Through-Cold (Argonian)

I could pick any race. I always pick Argonian. Some habits don’t need explaining.

I’m calling this run Cold-Blooded, which feels slightly unfair for an Argonian. But if the game insists on freezing me, I’m leaning into the theme.

Difficulty is set to Adept. That may change. I’m here to survive, not impress the weather.

Helgen (Skipped on Video, Not Skipped in Reality)

I didn’t record the wagon ride, the dragon, or the escape from Helgen. Survival Mode doesn’t matter until you’re out of the cave and the cold starts applying pressure.

I followed Hadvar through Helgen, grabbed what made sense, and moved on.

Once Survival Mode became available, I switched it on. At that point, the run was live.

Hadvar’s Advice and Immediate Doubts

Hadvar suggested we split up on the way to Riverwood.

We then took the same path.

He also suggested I join the Imperials. They did try to execute me earlier, so I’m undecided.

Mage Stone First, Because I Have Priorities

I detoured for the Mage Stone. If I’m going to struggle, I want my magic skills levelling efficiently while it happens.

From there, I headed straight for Embershard Mine.

Embershard Mine: Cold Prep in a Dark Hole

There was someone waiting outside. I dealt with that first.

Inside, I somehow avoided alerting the bandits after triggering their trap. I’m not calling it skill.

I cleared the mine carefully. Not stealth-archer careful. Mage careful.

The key find was fur armour. As an Argonian, warmth matters more than looks.

Loot was otherwise forgettable, but I did gain a level.

Riverwood: Familiar Faces, Familiar Problems

I reached Riverwood not long after Hadvar.

I spoke to the trader and learned about a stolen Golden Claw.

The thief ran off to Bleak Falls Barrow.

I don’t like the name. I like the location even less.

Apparently I’m Family Now

After speaking with Hadvar’s uncle, I was asked to warn the Jarl in Whiterun.

I was also told I could take food.

Not the bow. That stayed put.

Nightfall and a Sensible Call

I sold a dagger, watched the light fade, and chose not to push my luck.

Night meant colder temperatures and no margin for mistakes.

I returned to Hadvar’s family home and rested there.

Level-up went into Health and Destruction.

Video Log

No commentary gameplay:

Log 1 Survival Notes

  • Survival starts when the cold is allowed to matter.
  • Early warmth beats early damage.
  • Daylight is a resource.
  • Bleak Falls Barrow can wait.
Continue the journey:
Cold-Blooded – Log 2: Bleak Falls Barrow
1

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑