Ironbind Barrow Ironbind Barrow is an ancient Nordic tomb in . It is the final resting place of the Warlord Gathrik . Overview . Ironbind Barrow is a medium - sized dungeon . It is occupied by draugr , and has a named final boss , Warlord Gathrik . Because this dungeon is in a remote and mountainous area , it can be hard to reach for low - level characters . Dragons , wolves , frost trolls and sabre cats in the area may also cause problems for the poorly equipped . The barrow is located about an equal distance southeast of Dawnstar and southwest of Winterhold on the road from Whiterun to Windhelm , a short distance north - northwest of the Nightgate Inn near the Wayward Pass across the northern mountain chain . Walkthrough . Before entering , the Dragonborn will come upon a warrior , Salma , and a wizard , Beem - Ja , two adventurers arguing over exploring the ruins . Salma is eager , yet Beem - Ja believes they should wait . However , upon the Dragonborn ' s arrival , the two agree to delve inside , so long as the Dragonborn accompanies them . Upon entering , the Dragonborn will be in a frozen cave with a few Frostbite Spiders and a giant frostbite spider . Note that Salma and Beem - Ja will wait for the Dragonborn if they get too far ahead . Past the cave is the actual Nordic Ruin . To the right of the first gate is a treasure chest with leveled loot . A handle that opens the gate is in an alcove to the left side of the gate , opposite the chest . Through the gate is a room with a pit covered by a metal grate . Two draugr come out of their crypts to attack . There is a table against the north wall that contains various potions and armor . From the east wall is a passage that bends into a left turn and eventually heads west . A table with a leveled weapon is on the right ( north ) side of the passage . Where the passage turns right ( north ) , a chest has minor loot , but is protected by a spear trap . The passage turns north and enters a room with a bridge and several draugr . On the other side of the bridge is a small room with an adept - locked chest at the south end that contains minor loot . Just before the room , at the end of the bridge , a ramp goes down to the right ( south ) . At the south end of the room is a gate that leads to a passage to another room with a large fire pit in the center and two draugr . There are miscellaneous potions available on shelves around the room , and a pull chain that opens the grate above that covered the pit from the earlier room . Through the iron gate to the east is a room with a gate at the opposite end , and high - grade loot on a pedestal . Take the loot from a small distance , as spikes shoot from the floor amid ceiling around the pedestal . This will also raise the gate in front . There is also a pull - chain above and behind the pedestal ( opposite from the gate ) that will raise it as well . Through that gate , the passage turns north to an iron door . The final chamber is a great throne room , in which Warlord Gathrik will arise and attack , accompanied by a few skeletons , both mage and archer versions . Due to the Warlord ' s frequent Ice Spike attacks , melee is not recommended unless the Dragonborn can back him into a corner . After slaying Gathrik , Beem - Ja ( if still alive ) will then explain that he needs a blood sacrifice to absorb Gathrik ' s power , and that the Dragonborn will be just the one . He will then attack with Lightning Bolt spells . Upon slaying him , Salma will be disheartened , and asks the Dragonborn to continue without her . After collecting the Word of Power and loot from a chest left of the word wall , the Dragonborn will find a gate with a pull chain on the lower level of the throne room to the right . This leads to a stairway , at the top of which is an exit to Ironbind Overlook . To the left ( southeast ) from the doorway is a chest with minor loot . From here , it is possible to fast travel .