Castle Volkihar Castle Volkihar is a location in . It is a large castle that rests on a secluded island in the Sea of Ghosts . The castle serves as the primary base for the Volkihar Clan . If the Dragonborn joins the Volkihar Vampires , the castle can be used as a home . Location . Castle Volkihar is located in a previously inaccessible region in the far northwest corner of Skyrim , near the sea border with High Rock . The entrance can initially be accessed via Icewater Jetty , northwest of Northwatch Keep . The castle can also be reached by Ferrymen , or by swimming across the channel . Volkihar Keep . Volkihar Keep is located inside Castle Volkihar , which is the primary residence for the Volkihar Vampires . Volkihar Keep is moderately large , with multiple levels and rooms . Dining Hall . Upon entering the castle , the spacious main dining area is the most prominent sight . Two dining tables loaded with platters of Human Flesh and bones flank the long decorative rug that lines the center of the hall . A Vampire Cattle is laid out on each table and fed upon by members of the court throughout the day . All the silver plates and goblets found here are smeared with blood . At the back of the room is the main table where Lord Harkon ' s throne is found . This table is also where his primary advisors , Vingalmo and Orthjolf typically sit . Feran ' s Laboratory . This room is usually inhabited by Feran Sadri and Ronthil who can be found working or reading throughout the day . An Alchemy Lab and a display case with various alchemy ingredients can be found in the bottom floor . In addition , a dead Dunmer alchemist alongside a skeleton can be found lying on the main table . Near the main table is a bookshelf was an assortment of books . This room is also where Ronthil sleeps , usually behind the bookshelf as he is still considered a new recruit and not worthy of sleeping in the coffins that the other vampires sleep in . A set of stairs leads up to a balcony overlooking the laboratory where an Arcane Enchanter and a display case with various soul gems can be found . Following the balcony leads to another section with a table and chair that overlooks the balcony . Garan Marethi and Vingalmo can usually be found here . Bloodstone Chalice Room . This small blood spattered room is attached to the main dining area . The central feature is the small stone pedestal that the Bloodstone Chalice sits on , once it is returned to the castle . This chalice grants Blood of the Ancients which allows Vampiric Drain to absorb magicka and stamina in addition to health . In addition to the chalice , two well stocked bookcases and a cupboard with a few bottles of Skooma are the only things of note . Sleeping Quarters . From the balcony area , the sleeping quarters can be accessed . This room contains eight coffins that are used by most of the vampires in the court . Sleeping in a coffin grants the Vampiric Blood Rested effect . At the back of the room is a small unit that contains an assortment of Vampire Armors , two pairs of Vampire Boots and a display case holding a Bone Hawk Amulet . A weapons rack with a leveled weapon can be found near the entrance to the room . Smithy and Training Room . The Castle ' s blacksmith can be found off of the main dining area where Hestla can be found tending to the forge . This area contains most crafting stations : a forge , tanning rack , grindstone and a workbench , although it lacks a smelter . The upper walkway holds a weapon racks and a training dummy that Fura Bloodmouth frequently practices against . Off to the side is a combat training area complete with ranged targets and additional weapon racks . Harkon ' s Room . Next , there is an area that Harkon and Serana often visit , as it has their thrones and a giant locked cage used for keeping Vampire Cattle in . Harkon and Serana can be found sitting in front of the fireplace watching the flames from their chairs . There is a torture table in the middle of the room , with a vast array of torture instruments ranging from ladles to irons . A unique Werewolf Pelt can be found in a display case . There is also a knife that can be picked up and used as a weapon , even though it resembles a common silverware knife . Serana ' s Room . Before the " The Bloodstone Chalice " quest , the room is empty and abandoned , but after the quest is completed the room is fully furnished . There is an arcane enchanter and an alchemy lab in the southwest corner , as well as a few potions and soul gems around them . In the northwest part of the room there is a small closet containing a wardrobe and two locked glass cases : one with two unenchanted necklaces , the other with an enchanted dagger and an unenchanted ring . Also scattered around the room are various planters and pots containing different types of assorted flora , as well a minor loot around the two nightstands flanking the bed . Kitchen . After passing through a small corridor with kegs of dripping blood in it is the kitchen . There are few worth noting things here aside from minor items and a bleeding rack , as well as a coffin usually used by Rargal Thrallmaster . Thrall Dungeon . There is a dungeon attached to the kitchen which has six Vampire Cattle locked away in jail cells and a couple of kegs of blood . Volkihar Cathedral . The cathedral of the castle is mostly in ruins . Dark and dank , the most prominent feature is the large altar of Molag Bal in the center that prepetually flows with blood . Around the sides of the room are stairs that lead to a small balcony above the main door and an empty chest can be found near the entrance . The Cathedral is the location the Dragonborn and Serana confront Harkon in the quest " Kindred Judgment . " Volkihar Dungeons . The dungeon part of the castle is distinctly separate from the living quarters of the castle and are host to enemies . The Volkihar Dungeons include Volkihar Undercroft , Volkihar East Tower , Volkihar North Tower , and Volkihar Ruins . Exterior . Volkihar Exterior Watchtower . This watchtower is located across the castle on the other side of the bridge , next to the small wooden dock . It provides a high , safe place from which a guard can watch anyone attempting to approach the island . Volkihar Bridge . This is the main entrance to the castle . Stone statues of gargoyles line the pathway to the main gate and Bone Hawk s typically circle above . Along the rocky shore , several clams can be found and harvested for clam meat . Washed up crates , pieces of old wood , and debris are scattered around the castle ' s shoreline . Volkihar Docks . On the north side of the island is an unused dock with a few sunken ships and some minor loot nearby . The inlet was used by the previous owners to bring supplies into the castle . Clams and a few barnacles can be found and harvested . Several hostile skeletons patrol nearby . Castle Volkihar Balcony . The balcony is attached to Valerica ' s Study , where the Soul Cairn portal is located . The balcony is a quick fast travel location for Valerica ' s Study . The only loot that is out on the balcony is a bloody tankard and two dead salmon .