Skyrim: How to Complete Dreams of the Dead (Quest Guide)

Skyrim's latest Anniversary Edition introduces new and engaging content, including new NPCs and locations, notably Gallow's Hall, the setting for the 'Dreams of the Dead' quest from the Creation Club. This quest is particularly appealing, as completing it allows you to acquire Gallow's Hall as a player-home in Skyrim, where you can harness necromantic magic to summon the dead.

For those interested in acquiring this base, you must complete several ambiguous steps in the quest and utilize various obscure objects hidden around the house, which may leave many players needing clarification and guidance on where to start. You must first reach Gallow's Hall, situated by the banks of Mara's Eye Pond, although Skyrim needs more clarity on how to find and access it.

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How To Find Gallow's Hall In Skyrim

Travel To Windhelm

To find Gallow's Hall, start by walking, Fast-Traveling, or riding a carriage to Windhelm in Skyrim, located in the northeastern region of Skyrim's map. Head southwest towards Eastmarch, at the northwest corner of Mara's Eye Pond. Look out for a building next to a stone-brick structure. The entrance is marked by a wooden door protruding from the rock formation near several boats floating on water.

Upon entering, you'll find a dead mage lying in front of an altar in the center, surrounded by various notes, including Naara's plea and journal. Reading the journal initiates the 'Dreams of the Dead' quest, leading you through several puzzle-like steps to progress further.

How To Complete 'Dreams Of The Dead' Quest

Solve The Arch Necromancer’s Torch Puzzle

After examining the notes scattered around Naara's Corpse, you will be guided to search for clues left behind by Gallow's Hall's previous owner, the Arch Necromancer. The first clue is on a table behind Naara's body, marked by a Waypoint, where you'll find a map. Reading the note directs you to pick up torches from the pillars encircling the altar in a specific order that traces the mage's path.

Begin with Morthal's torch on your left, then turn left again and cross the chamber to collect the torch from Falkreath, followed by those from Nightgate Inn and Fort Dunstad. Each torch is marked with a Waypoint for easier identification. The sequence is outlined in the table below:

Activation Order Name of Torch First Torch Torch of Morthal Second Torch Torch of Falkreath Third Torch Torch of Nightgate Inn Fourth Torch Torch of Dunstad

Be aware that some pillars will have extra torches marked with a Waypoint to mislead players. Ensure not to pick up any torches not mentioned in the note, as doing so will disrupt the puzzle process.

Find And Use The Fallen Staff

After activating the correct torches, the next puzzle to solve in Skyrim involves equipping the Necromancer's Fallen Staff, the Staff of Worms. A new Waypoint will lead you to an open coffin behind a table to the left of the room's entrance. Inside the coffin, you will find skeletal remains, and beside it on the ground lies the Staff of Worms, identifiable by its skull-adorned end.

After picking up the staff, you will receive vague instructions to 'Find a use for the staff,' leaving many players puzzled and dumbfounded. To proceed, return to Naara's body to find a letter revealing that the skeletal remains within the coffin are those of a hooded mage. Return to the coffin and use the staff to raise the skeleton, examine it, and obtain the Arch Necromancer's Key.

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Collect Greater Soul Gems In The Dream World

Use the key to open the Arch Necromancer's Safe indicated by a Waypoint, situated beside a pillar next to a smaller altar with lit candles on top. Unlocking the safe gives you rare items in Skyrim, including a Bloodworn Helm, a Dwarven Bow, 105 Gold, assorted jewels, and, most importantly, the Arch Mage's second clue.

Reading the note unveils further cryptic instructions to 'Find a Way To The Dream World'. To do so, you must activate the Shrine of Vaermina, a small statue sitting on a shelf against the wall, to receive the Blessing of Vaermina. With this activated, sleep on the bedroll in the center of the room to progress.

Upon your awakening in the dream world, you are tasked with collecting three Dreamer's Greater Soul Gems. Fortunately, the instructions detail that these gems are found inside the necromancer's coffers. Search both the open and closed coffins about the room to obtain each Gem before returning to the center altar of the Revenant to read the final set of instructions.

The fourth and final Dreamer's Greater Soul Gem is located on the ground beside Naara's corpse, which players must pick up to activate the altar.

After placing all four gems into the gem holders at each corner of the altar, Skyrim's 'Dreams of the Dead' quest comes to an end with the activation of the altar. This action reveals the entrance to Gallow's Hall, which now comes into the player's possession.

Rewards For Completing 'Dreams of the Dead' Quest

Gallow's Hall And The Bone Forge

With the 'Dreams of the Dead' quest complete, you can use Gallow's Hall as your personal home in Skyrim, providing storage for weapons, resources, armor, and other heavy items for later sale or to keep as a part of your collection. As for the rewards, you retain the Staff of Worms used in the Arch Necromancer's puzzle, allowing you to turn almost any dead body into a permanent Thrall with enhanced stats and capabilities.

Additionally, you'll find an array of precious items inside the house, including the Bloodworm Helm, which reduces the cost of Conjuration magic in Skyrim and enhances damage against Undead, and the Helm of Oreyn Bearclaw, which significantly boosts Maximum Stamina and Stamina regeneration. These artifacts enhance both your magical and physical abilities.

Jade PG highlights that a critical feature of Gallow's Hall is the Bone Forge, which owners can utilize with items found within the hall to summon one of four permanent Undead followers. This capability provides powerful allies who can assist in combat, enhancing your adventures throughout Skyrim.

The Skeleton, Boneman, Mistman, and Wrathman cannot be dismissed once called upon, but they do not count towards the player's follower limit. This allows you to retain other companions alongside these Undead allies.

Source: Jade PG/YouTube