Skyrim's Blackreach is one of the most dangerous locations in the game, and contains many secrets in its dark, winding caverns, including secrets that are easy to miss. The area stretches between three major Dwemer cities: Alftand, Mzinchaleft, and Raldbthar, and acts as a method of connecting them. Blackreach can only be accessed through quests that lead players to some of its hidden entrances, such as Elder Knowledge or Discerning the Transmundane. While it is not the most beautiful location in Skyrim, it holds large amounts of treasure and lore hidden throughout its twisting passageways. Though not these alone - there are a number of dangerous enemies lurking in the dark, too.
Throughout the hundreds of unique quests across Skyrim, players will face many different kinds of enemies that stand between the Dragonborn and their objectives. The Blackreach is home to many hostile creatures that can be particularly nasty if players are unprepared. Some of these enemies, such as the Falmer, are expected to be lurking underground due to their status as a subterranean species. Yet an enemy type players will not likely expect to face within Blackreach are dragons. While dragons will not spawn randomly in the area, there is a special Ancient Dragon named Vulthuryol that can be defeated by the most determined warriors.
Unlike the many powerful dragons in Skyrim, which spawn randomly across the territory, the Ancient Dragon in Blackreach has a set spawn and requires a summon to be fought. There is no quest that requires the Dragonborn to complete this summon, and there are no obvious hints as to how to make it happen. In order to lure Vulthuryol out of hiding, players must venture to a yellow orb (a sort of false sun) in the center building of the Blackreach area. Falmer will be blocking the path but shouldn't be too much of a challenge for experienced Skyrim players. After reaching the orb, the Dragonborn will need to have access to the Unrelenting Force Shout and use that on the orb. This will cause the orb to reverberate a special tone throughout Blackreach, summoning Vulthruyol out to fight.
Skyrim Has Few Named Dragons, Making Vulthuryol Very Special
Skyrim doesn't have many named dragons, totaling only sixteen if the Skyrim DLCs are included in the count. Unlike many of the dragons that spawn throughout the world, the named dragons often have their own lore and backstory for those eager to learn. The main questline of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim sees Alduin resurrecting his most loyal named lieutenants to slay the Dragonborn, connecting them to the ancient Dragon War of Skyrim. However, it appears that Vulthuryol was not one of Alduin's servants. He is not risen from the dead (so far as is known) and does not venture above ground to wreak havoc on the Nordic Holds. The Falmer and Falmer Servants that are patrolling around the orb may be his only subjects, though Vulthuryol's reason for lingering underground isn't explained.
Vulthuryol isn't an average dragon, as he bears an Ancient rating that will make defeating him difficult for lower-level Dragonborn. Despite this, living in the dark abyss of Skyrim's Blackreach seems to have dissuaded him from taking flight. Throughout the battle, Vulthuryol will stay on the ground following his initial entrance into the area, which makes Vulthuryol's battle one of the most unique, as he is one of the few dragons that melee builds in Skyrim will be able to fight without running around waiting for him to land. Ranged fighters can take a firing position at the top of the building's ramp, just beneath the yellow orb that was used to summon Vulthuryol, and take advantage of his flightlessness to defeat him.
There are many aspects of Skyrim that players may not have discovered, despite the game's age. Its massive open world, random encounters, and character choices make Skyrim highly replayable. For those looking to encounter something new in their next Skyrim adventure, Vulthuryol could provide an encounter formerly missed.