Glory of the Dead (Skyrim walkthrough)

Glory of the Dead mission (Skyrim walkthrough).

To unlock this skyrim mission you first have to finish Purity of Revenge of the Companions' questline. Following Kodlak Whitemane's death there is a funeral held at the Skyforge with all the Companions' and others gathered. Afterwards, agreeing that Kodlak would want to go to Sovngarde, the Circle decide to travel to Ysgramor's tomb to hold a ceremony which is to clean his tainted soul of beast blood.

Mission objectives:

1. - Attend Kodlak's funeral

2. - Retrieve Kodlak's fragment

3. - Give the final fragment to Eorlund

4. - Meet the Circle

5. - Go to Ysgramor's Tomb with the Circle

6. - Return Wuuthrad to Ysgramor

7. - Get to the Burial Chamber

8. - Speak to Kodlak

9. - Put witch head into fire

10. - Defeat wolf spirit

11. - Speak to Kodlak

1. - Attend Kodlak's funeral

Once you enter Whiterun following the Purity of Revenge mission, the Glory of the Dead mission will begin and Vilkas will tell you to hurry to the Skyforge, where the funeral ceremony is just getting underway. Aela the hunteress will hold a speech in unison with the others, and afterwards they will give Kodlak a proper viking goodbye; lighting his corpse on fire. After the ceremony, Eorlund the blacksmith, asks you for the fragments of Wuuthrad which you recovered in the previous quest. He thanks you and following says that the last fragment is in Kodlak's personal chambers, and that he would like you to get it.

2. Retrieve Kodlak's fragment / 3. Bring the final fragment to Eorlund

The last fragment is located in the cupboards in Kodlak's bedroom. Located in the cupboard is also Kodlak's personal notes, which describes you and your progress in great detail; stating amongst other things how you might be worthy to take his title when he travels to the eternal beyond. Bring the fragment of Wuuthrad to Eorlund.

4. Meet the Circle

The Circle have called for a meeting in the Underforge, here two views of opinions of the beast blood are debated; Aela who sees it as a blessing versus Vilkas who sees it more as a curse... nevertheless, they decide that Kodlak would have liked to have his soul cleansed of beast blood so that he can enter the heavenly kingdom of Sovngarde, and that this can be done even though the person has died. The Circle decides that they have to travel to Ysgramor's tomb to perform the ceremony which is to cleanse Kodlak's soul. After the heated debate, Eorlund enters and brandishes the legendary battleaxe Wuuthrad; it will be your key to enter the Ysgramor tomb, the resting place of past Companions.

5. Go to Ysgramor's tomb with the Circle / 6. Return Wuuthrad to Ysgramor

Ysgramor's tomb is located in the cold north. Northeast of Driftshade refuge, were you where in your previous mission. Fast travel to Driftshade Refuge, unless you have already been somewhere nearer to the tomb... and travel from there. Beware of Frost trolls as they often travel in groups of 2 or 3 and can thus be mighty adversaries. Once you get to Ysgramor's tomb, the Circle will be waiting inside, and they tell you that you must return Wuuthrad to Ysgramor to open the burial chamber. Return Wuuthrad by activating the statue located in the midst of the room; opening the surrounding doors. Vilkas will wait outside, while Farkas and Aela will follow you.

7. Get to the Burial Chamber

You will have to fight your way through hordes of Companions' ghosts to make your way to the burial chamber. Along the way you will also learn of Farkas' scare of spiders (arachnophobia), as he midway decides to wait in the first room with Vilkas. Once you get to the burial chamber you will see the spirit of Kodlak Whitemane. Speak to him.

8. Speak to Kodlak

Speaking to Kodlak you will learn that he and other Companion souls are evading the Hircine (were the werewolves end up when they die). You tell Kodlak about how Vilkas still thinks that Kodlak can be cured by performing the ceremony of cleansing. Kodlak seems intrigued and asks you to put a witch head into the fire to release its magic.

9. Put witch head into fire / 10. Defeat the wolf spirit / 11. Talk to Kodlak

Putting one of the Glenmoran Witch heads into the fire will release Kodlak's beast spirit; in the shape of a giant wolf. You need to defeat it in order to free Kodlak's soul. Once done, he will thank you kindly; and say that you are now the harbinger of the Companions; their chosen leader.

You have now finished the Glory of the Dead mission. Well done. Go back to the house of Jorrvaskr to get radiant quests.

Rewards:

- Becoming Harbinger of the Companion

FAQ:

Q - Can I cure my own lycantrophy (werewolf blood) in Ysgramor's Tomb?

A - Correct, as long as you have several witches heads; and not only one for Kodlak. You may activate the flame of the Harbinger once again after the mission is done to cure your lycantrophy. Warning though, this will cure your lycantrophy forever.

Q - Where is the main / master chest in Ysgramor's tomb / in the Glory of the dead mission?

A - It is located in the northeast corner of the last room you are in, the room in which you speak to kodlak's spirit. It contains the Shield of Ysgramor and many other fine items. This further leads to the quick exit from Ysgramor's tomb, so you don't have to walk all the way back from wherehence you came.