Alduin ' s Wall ( Quest ) Alduin ' s Wall is a quest available in . Walkthrough . After the Dragonborn and Esbern arrive at Riverwood , they meet with Delphine at the Sleeping Giant Inn . They say that the Dragonborn must go to Alduin ' s Wall , which is in Karthspire , located in Sky Haven Temple . The Dragonborn may travel with Delphine and Esbern , or meet them at the Karthspire . Arriving in Karthspire or meeting up at the entrance to the Karthspire camp , the group will encounter a number of leveled Forsworn and a Hagraven . Note : The lower wooden bridge continues up the hill to the other side where there are more Forsworn . If they aren ' t killed initially , they will attack from above with Ice Spike on the way into Karthspire ( Sky Haven Temple ) . A dragon may also spawn at the camp , on some occasions , increasing the chaos in the camp . The dragon might attack both the Dragonborn and his allies , as well as the Forsworn . The attacking dragon may be as high as an ancient dragon , even if the Dragonborn is low level . Upon entering into the caverns , there will be an encounter with several more Forsworn . Delphine and Esbern run ahead , allowing the Dragonborn to look for loot . There ' s an iron ore vein in the bottom area of the first section . They stop at the first puzzle , which controls a drop - bridge that further passage into the mountain . The puzzle solution , with Esbern ' s hint , is to align them so that all three show the " Dragonborn symbol . " Once the bridges drop , the group can cross and go higher into the mountain . Again , the party stops when Esbern looks ahead and sees danger in a patio area consisting of pressure plates with symbols on them . Esbern points out the Dragonborn symbol and , sure enough , walking only on these plates allows safe passage across to where a chain can be pulled that disarms the trap part of the plates . Note that any follower will cause interference while walking across the pressure plates , but this can be avoided by telling the follower to wait while the puzzle is crossed . Once the chain is pulled , Esbern and Delphine run ahead . At this point , a follower can be told to " follow " again without causing problems . Note that Whirlwind Sprint can be used to get across and quickly pull the chain . Another method is to use the Become Ethereal shout and simply walk across the plates , taking no damage . If the drawbridge was opened before Esbern says anything about turning the pillars , it is possible to run ahead and just pull the chain without the pressure plates being activated . The tunnel opens up into a large room just prior to the Temple . In the wall ahead , there is a very large stone face , and a few feet in front of the face is a circular platform . Esbern thinks the entrance will open if the Dragonborn sheds a few drops of blood onto the pressure plate . If the plate is activated , a cut - scene plays showing the Dragonborn ' s hand being cut to dribble some blood on the plate . The face slides up and reveals a doorway . A treasure chest with a quicksilver vein can be seen to the right . " Note : The plate cannot be activated if the quest is not active . " Instead of racing ahead like they have until now , Esbern and Delphine decide that the Dragonborn should have the honor of being the first to enter the great Sky Haven Temple . As a large , open room is approached with a large table and a carved stone frieze , Esbern reverts to historical scholar . As he examines the frieze wall , he explains that it tells the story of Alduin ' s time of dragon rule , the human rebellion led by those who could " shout , " and finally a panel that shows Alduin defeated by a Shout . Esbern fears that only this Shout will defeat Alduin . Delphine isn ' t pleased about involving the Greybeard s at High Hrothgar but agrees that it is necessary to return to them and ask to learn that Shout . After the conversation with Esbern , he offers a Dragonslayer ' s Blessing that will increase the chance to gain critical hits against dragons by 10 % for 5 days . It is possible to talk to him and get the blessing again , but he advises that it should only be obtained if battles with dragons are expected . The room on the opposite side from Alduin ' s Wall ( to the left at the top of the stairs ) has a complete set of Blades Heavy Armor and the sword Dragonbane ( a weapon that is especially effective against dragons ) . An upper room has a number of beds and chests . Delphine decides the Temple will be the new Blades headquarters . If there are worthy warriors who will drop previous allegiances and swear to the Blades , they may be sent to Delphine at the Temple to build up the numbers of Blades . The exit indicator takes the Dragonborn back through the entire Sky Haven Temple , then through Karthspire to the entrance . It is possible , however , to exit from the Temple quickly . Starting at Alduin ' s Wall , to the left is a staircase . The left doorway leads to the Blades sleeping quarters . The right doorway leads to a staircase up . Turning right , heading down the corridor , then left up another staircase , the Dragonborn ends up directly behind and above Alduin ' s Wall . There are 5 doors leading out to a courtyard , where the Dragonborn can fast travel to their next destination . In the courtyard , there are a couple of archery targets and a practice dummy , hanging moss , juniper berries and a stump with mora tapinella . Rewards . Rebuilding the Blades . At this point in the main Storyline the Dragonborn has not yet encountered Paarthurnax , the leader of the Greybeards . Later , during the quest " Kill Paarthurnax " they will have to choose irrevocably , and without warning , between the Greybeards and the Blades . If Paarthurnax is spared , all quests pertaining to the Blades will become and remain unavailable . Thus , beforehand , after completing this quest ( " Alduin ' s Wall " ) , it is possible to acquire the following quests :