On Stepping Lightly Content . Dotting the landscape of Skyrim , the ancient Nordic Ruins are a testament to the ingenuity of the Nordic people of the past . When constructing the final resting places of their noble class , these supposedly " barbaric " people proved quite the opposite ; developing some of the most sophisticated and clever defenses ever encountered . Coupled with the presence of the fearsome draugr , these tombs have become quite a challenge for the would - be treasure hunter . The most often - overlooked obstacles are the abundance of traps spread throughout the tombs . Ranging from simple tripwire - activated rock falls to complex pressure plate - triggered dart traps , the Nords utilize these devices abundantly . Most of the traps can be avoided by simply looking for the trigger mechanism and avoiding them . Since they are most often placed in areas where distractions abound , remember to keep your eyes to the floor . One of the keys to survival in a Nordic Ruin is through the clever use of these traps to gain an upper hand against its denizens . In many cases , it ' s trivial to lure them across the triggering mechanism in hopes that they ' ll fall victim to the trap ' s effect . This advantage can come heavily into play when encountering an oil trap . Using a ranged attack , lure your victim onto the oil and then loose an arrow at the fire pot hanging above . The moment the fire pot shatters , the entire pool of oil will ignite and engulf the enemy . Just be certain that you ' re standing clear of the oil yourself , or else this trick could end your expedition in an untimely manner . Perhaps one of the most amazing engineering marvels of all to be found in the ruins has little to do with the traps designed to kill . Utilizing all manner of pull chains , levers , switches and pressure plates , some of the most frustrating obstacles can occur in the form of puzzles that could threaten to block your progress . Watch for the telltale signs of these barriers : groups of levers in a single place , rotating pillars with carvings on all faces and even large arrays of pressure plates covering the floor of a room . In most cases , the puzzle might take experimentation , in others the solution could actually be present elsewhere in the complex . It ' s recommended to keep a writing implement and a journal handy in the latter case . Although Nordic Ruins are commonly infested with vermin such as skeever and spiders , these creatures pale in comparison to the mighty draugr . These horrific , animated dead beings are commonly found as guardians in most of the tombs and will defend them mercilessly . Since the draugr tends to lay dormant until someone happens upon their resting place , it ' s advisable to keep an eye on any niches or sarcophaguses that you encounter . These undead beings animate rather rapidly and silently , so always watch your back - any remains you may have passed could suddenly animate and set upon you without warning . The perils of the Nordic Ruin are not without reward . The burial chambers in some of the larger complexes have been known to contain all manners of riches , from gold coins to even the occasional enchanted weapon or armor . Never dismiss the small ceremonial urns that dot the ruins , they are commonly filled with ancient offerings of great value . There are rumors that most , if not all of these ruins contain large walls with magical inscriptions upon them , but these have yet to be confirmed . While this might seem like comprehensive guide to the ruins , there are certain to be dangers lurking within that remain undiscovered . Just be sure to always enter these tombs with plenty of equipment and a good , solid weapon by your side . With a bit of patience , a keen eye and a light step , the Nordic Ruin can bring you great wealth - do without these simple safety measures and you risk becoming a permanent resident like many before you .