Understone Keep The Understone Keep is the palace in which Jarl Igmund resides , in the city of Markarth in . Background . Located high above the city of Markarth , Understone Keep is a gigantic dwarven structure , now used as the city ’ s keep . Much like the city itself , the keep is built upon the ruins of an ancient Dwemer city of Nchuand - Zel ; relics of their machinery and automatons can be seen throughout . The Castle Wizard , Calcelmo , has recently uncovered additional chambers . Both he and his nephew Aicantar , can be found here , leading an excavation effort of the ruins . The sheer size of the structure , and ability to be well guarded , negates some of the instability the location has recently suffered from . Interior . Entrance to the Mournful Throne . The first time the keep enter via the main doors , Thongvor Silver - Blood is having a heated discussion with Brother Verulus about the worship of the outlawed deity , Talos . At this huge intersection of stone and fire , head left to Nchuand - Zel ’ s entrance , or right to the Dwemer Museum or forward to meet the Jarl , who is guarded by both Markarth Guards and Thalmor Soldiers . Jarl Igmund sits on the Mournful Throne , usually with his Steward and Housecarl by him . Outside , on the upper top of the stairs where Ondolemar and his guards like to stride about , are two stone tables . The one to the right ( northwest ) houses an Alteration skill book , " " . Kitchens . To the left ( south ) of the throne room are the kitchens . The two hounds around here are large but friendly . Inside , Voada , Rondach , and the short - tempered Anton Virane may be found . As would be expected , there is a large amount of food in here . Jarl ' s Chamber . Igmund rests here , behind the large golden door to the left ( southeast ) of the throne room . If one is going to sift through his personal belongings , remember to try the ones on the stone shelf facing the subterranean river that dominates the rear of the chamber . The Conjuration skill book , " The Warrior ' s Charge " can be found here . Understone Forge . This is located to the right ( north ) of the throne room . Moth gro - Bagol works here , while his sister Ghorza tends to the Blacksmith Forge outside . A Blacksmith Forge , Grindstone , Tanning Rack , Workbench are available here . Bedrooms . Being in this area counts as trespassing . To the right ( northwest ) are bedrooms for the more important members of the Jarl ’ s counsel . Faleen ’ s room is to the right , with the large dinner table , a Key to Markarth Keep that opens the two other nearby doors , and the Jarl ’ s Quarters . Raerek houses the steward , a Key , and his secret Talos - loving reading materials . Up the stairs is a third room leading to the Imperial War Room , where Legate Emmanuel Admand is overseeing the Civil War in this territory . Markarth Wizard ' s Quarters . Unless approval has been received from Calcelmo , being in the following areas is also considered trespassing . Unless the Thieves Guild quest " Hard Answers " is active , the laboratory and tower are inaccessible . Dwemer Museum . The Dwemer Museum showcases Calcelmo ' s collection of artifacts recovered from ruins across Skyrim . Only three guards patrol this area , keeping watch for intruders . This space is normally off - limits — the guards will aggressively arrest any trespassers here — but Calcelmo ' s permission to visit the museum can be attained in any number of ways ; see the Thieves Guild Quest page " Hard Answers " for details . The Museum has the finest collection of Dwarven artifacts ( weapons , armor , items , and books ) in the entirety of Skyrim and the highest concentration of locked containers in any area of the game . There is even a small selection of Falmer items . To the south is an apprentice - locked gate leading to a small workshop with an Unusual Gem . To the northwest is a locked gate to a two - level storage room . Up the steps to the west is the laboratory door . Calcelmo ' s Laboratory . This area is the main living and research quarters for Calcelmo and Aicantar , although they typically spend most of their time in the Keep , closer to the Nchuand - Zel Entrance . Most of this area is locked unless the Thieves Guild quest " Hard Answers " is ongoing . Markarth Wizard ' s Balcony . The great balcony atop the keep connects Calcelmo ’ s laboratory to his tower , a separate structure off the main body of the Keep . There is a clear view of the city from here . One section of the balcony wall has broken away , exposing a path around the cliffside that ends in a waterfall , which can be reached by a jump . Calcelmo ' s Tower . The tower has a lower - level entry hall , an upper - level office , and a massive stone relic containing a text in Dwemer and Falmer on the same granite slab . This stone is the key to Calcelmo ’ s current research , a secret he jealously protects .