The Golden Claw ( Skyrim ) The Golden Claw is a quest available in . The quest can be activated by entering Bleak Falls Barrow and overhearing the bandits discussing the claw , entering Lucan ' s shop and asking what went missing , or by letting the local innkeeper , Orgnar , tell the Dragonborn the latest rumors and / or gossips . Background . When the Riverwood Trader is entered , Lucan and Camilla Valerius are heard arguing about whether or not a valuable item that has recently been stolen from their shop should be retrieved . Upon inquiry , it is learned that a Golden Claw has been stolen from the shop by bandits . More curious yet , is the fact that the claw was the only item stolen , despite the numerous other valuable items in the shop being worth just as much . The bandits are thought to be holed up in Bleak Falls Barrow . Objectives . " Completing this quest simultaneously fulfills the objectives for " Bleak Falls Barrow " and vice versa " . Retrieve the Golden Claw . Bleak Falls Barrow can be found by following the path Camilla lays out up the mountain west of Riverwood . Several bandits are found guarding the entrance , as well as two bandits inside , who can be overheard talking about someone called Arvel , who seems to have gone ahead of the rest of the group . After killing or sneaking by the bandits and continuing through Bleak Falls Temple , another bandit is seen who pulls a lever and is cut down by a volley of poisoned darts . This introduces a turn - stone puzzle , whose solution can be deduced by studying the order of carvings on the stone faces , going from left to right ( Snake , Snake , Whale ) . Once the trap has been deactivated , the Pickpocket skill book " Thief " can be taken from a table just past the portcullis . Cut Arvel down . The voice of Arvel the Swift can be heard crying out for his comrades help ( these include Bjorn and Soling ) , despite running ahead with the claw . Upon investigating the cries , a large Wounded Frostbite Spider descends from the ceiling to guard its trapped prey . Once the spider has been killed , Arvel asks to be set free . He states that he knows about the markings on the claw and the stone door and that he ' ll share in the power that the ancients have hidden away once he is free . Despite all of his promises , Arvel is nothing but a bandit and tries to run once he has been cut free . Since he has the claw , he must be cut down ( or let the trap and Draugr up ahead do it ) . His corpse has the Golden Claw as well as Arvel ' s Journal on it . To avoid the impending chase , Arvel can be killed as soon as he is free , as he will stand still for a moment or two after dropping to the floor . Another way that he can die is if he survives the Draugr , he can run into a spike trap , killing him instantly . Find the secret of Bleak Falls Barrow . Past where Arvel was ensnared is the start of the crypts and the first encounters with the many ancient Draugr that inhabit the barrow , as well as a number of deadly traps . There is a closed gate with water running through it that can be opened by activating the chain next to it . Eventually , the doorway down to Bleak Falls Sanctum can be found . It is guarded by a Restless Draugr at lower levels . Behind the door is a swinging axe trap , with two Draugr behind it . Eventually , there is an iron door that leads to the Hall of Stories , a long , low arched vault with stone murals on the sides . Here , the ancient Nords processed their dead for their voyage to Sovngarde . At the end of the hall is the keystone that the Golden Claw unlocks . The combination can be seen on the palm of the claw ( which can be seen when viewing the claw in the items view ) . Activate the outer , middle , and inner rings to rotate the radial turn stones on the door . Once they match the claw , activate the keyhole , which will insert the claw as the key . Once through , the passage will open up into a great chamber with a Word Wall for the Dragon Shout - Unrelenting Force . While learning the shout , a Draugr Overlord will emerge from the nearby crypt . Once defeated , the Dragonstone , a quest item , can be taken from his body . Warning : Once taken , the Dragonstone , as a quest item , cannot be dropped , stored or given to a follower until it is presented to Farengar Secret - Fire in Whiterun to complete the quest " Bleak Falls Barrow . " With a weight of 25 , it takes up a considerable percentage of the Dragonborn ' s carrying capacity , especially early in the game , and presenting the Dragonstone sets in motion events that significantly change the game world , making it more difficult for players who are still early in the game . It is recommended the Dragonstone be left with the Overlord , and the location noted , until the player is ready . Bring the Golden Claw to Lucan . With the secret of Bleak Falls Barrow uncovered , Lucan will be awaiting his prized possession . Following the stairs to the left of the Word Wall will lead to a handle that will reveal a secret passage to a one - way exit from the sanctum ( the final room after the one - way drop has a chest and some purple mountain flowers , red mountain flowers , and blue mountain flowers ) . Return to the Riverwood Trader where Lucan will be pleased to have his prized trinket back , and in return , happily pays the promised gold . Camilla becomes a marriage prospect as well .