A Blade in the Dark is the final quest of the first act featured in Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
The following game guide explains how to complete this quest, offering additional information on each objective and the rewards that can be earned.
A Blade in the Dark starts during the sixth main-quest included in Act 1.
The quest-giver is Delphine located at the Sleeping Giant Inn, in Riverwood. During this quest, you will have to visit the following locations: Kynesgrove, Kynesgrove Dragon Mound, Riverwood, and Sleeping Giant Inn
If you manage to complete A Blade in the Dark, you will start the second act of the game and its first main-quest, called Diplomatic Immunity.
Since A Blade in the Dark begins during the conversation you have with Delphine for the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller, it is a good idea to listen carefully to what she has to say.
Objective 1: Talk to Delphine
After you pick up the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller, Delphine will ask you to go with her.
Accept this request and she will open a secret door, hidden behind a chest.
Follow her and you will enter a room where you will see the map of Skyrim on a table.
Inside the room, there are many potions you should pick up.
Delphine tells you that she was looking for someone like you for a long time, and that she was Farengars source who located the Dragonstone you found earlier in the game.
She also tells you that all dragons are coming back to life and someone helps them.
Fortunately, the Dragonstone you have found reveals the location of the next dragon, and you must go there immediately. Your next destination is Kynesgrove.
NOTE: If you didnt complete the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller quest, now its time to finish it, and then continue this quest.
Objective 2: Locate the dragon burial site
When you are ready to start your journey, talk to Delphine and she will accompany you.
At this point, you have several ways to reach Kynesgrove.
If you explored any adjacent locations, you can Fast Travel to one of them and from there continue on foot.
You can ride a horse to Kynesgrove.
You can follow Delphine to your destination, or you can go alone.
Dont forget to reveal as many Primary Locations as you can, because you can return to explore them anytime.
If you wish to travel even faster, use the Whirlwind Sprint and follow the roads.
When you arrive in Kynesgrove, Delphine tells you that something is wrong and you will see Iddra running and yelling that a dragon is attacking the hill.
Follow Delphine and you will eventually see a black dragon with red eyes: Alduin.
Alduin tries to resurrect another dragon using a Shout.
Several moments later, you will meet your next enemy: a skeletal dragon that rises from the dead. This is Sahloknir and you must defeat him.
Objective 3: Kill the dragon Sahloknir
As soon as Sahloknir appears, you should attack him with a series of melee strikes, because you will notice that the dragon starts to regenerate his flesh and skin.
Keep in mind that you should try to reduce Sahloknirs health as much as possible before he regains his powers, and his wings.
A dragon on the ground can be defeated faster than a dragon that flies around.
When he starts to fly, you should adopt the same strategy that you used when you killed Mirmulnir during the Dragon Rising quest; however, the only difference between these two fights is that Sahloknir should not leave the ground with a full health bar.
After you kill Sahloknir, absorb his Dragon Soul and loot his corpse, then approach Delphine.
Objective 4: Talk to Delphine
Ask Delphine as many questions as you want, and you will find out that she is a member of the Blades, a group that served the Dragonborn a long time ago.
Tell her that you saw Alduin before and that he stopped your execution in Helgen.
Your next task is to find out who controls the dragons, and the Thalmor may offer you some answers.
Delphine informs you that she can get you inside the Thalmor Embassy, but she needs some time to plan the next move.
You will receive Delphines Secret Door Key, and you are asked to meet Delphine in Riverwood.
Use the key to open Delphines cabinet located in her room, inside the Sleeping Giant Inn, and you will complete the last quest of the first act.
Get ready to start the second act of Skyrim.
