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.