The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is chock-full of optional quests that, when completed, grant the Dragonborn unique rewards or abilities. While this isn't the case for every side quest in the game, the majority tend to reward players for their efforts, and the "Siege on the Dragon Cult" side quest is no exception.
Skyrim's "Siege on the Dragon Cult" quest tasks the Dragonborn with traveling to an optional dungeon and speaking to the NPC who has made camp there. Completing the quest will reward players with the Rahgot mask, one of the nine Dragon Priest Masks found throughout Skyrim, and one Word of the Storm Call Shout.
How To Start The Siege On The Dragon Cult Quest
To start the "Siege on the Dragon Cult" quest in Skyrim, players must travel to Forelhost, a tomb situated on the mountain just southeast of Riften. Upon reaching this location, a man named Captain Valmir can be found at the campsite just across from the Forelhost entrance. Speaking to him, he will ask the Dragonborn to help him acquire Rahgot's Dragon Priest mask from within Forelhost.
If players wish to find out more about Captain Valmir, they can pickpocket a letter entitled "Valmir's Orders" from him; otherwise, they can proceed into Forelhost Stronghold by using the door Valmir unlocked.
Forelhost Stronghold
Forelhost Stronghold is crawling with Draugr, Dragon Cultists, but most of them can be dealt with quite easily. There is also a large assortment of potions, treasures, and ingredients to be found while exploring each area, so players should take their time while progressing through each room.
Upon entering Forelhost Stronghold, the Dragonborn should proceed northwest until they are faced with three different paths. Turning right and climbing the stairs leads to an area in which Skorm Snow-Strider's Journal can be found. Players don't need to collect this journal, but reading it does off some backstory on Forelhost's history.
Continuing west into the next room and traveling through the door in the southwest corner, the Dragonborn should drop down to the lower area, proceed through the door leading west, and then head north toward the quest marker. Before traveling down the stairs, players can pull the lever on the right to create a shortcut back to the entrance; then, they can use the door at the bottom of the stairs to reach Forelhost Crypt.
Forelhost Crypt
Upon entering Forelhost Crypt, players should follow the corridor ahead and turn right into the hallway leading southeast. The way forward is full of powerful Draugr, so players should proceed with caution. Eventually, after passing through the Draugr-filled crypt, the Dragonborn will arrive at a large room with a coffin to the north. Next to this coffin is a chest, in which the Forelhost Well Key can be acquired.
Climbing to the top of this room and unbarring the door at the end of the walkway, players can return to the entrance of Forelhost crypt and travel through the door leading north. Using the Forelhost Well Key, the gate in this room can be opened with ease; otherwise, players will need to pick the lock.
Moving past the gate and traveling to the bottom of the well, the Dragonborn must swim north until they reach a cave. Three Skeevers will attack upon entering the area, but they are easily dealt with. Proceeding northeast and swimming to the next room leads to a new section of Forelhost Crypt, at the end of which, a door leading to the Forelhost Refectory can be found.
Forelhost Refectory
Once inside the Forelhost Refectory, players must follow the path forward and pass through the dining hall area using the southeastern door. Pushing forward, they will eventually arrive in a room full of Death Bells. Traveling up the stairs at the end of this room and turning right leads to a lever that, when used, creates a shortcut back to the dining hall.
Ignoring the way back to the dining hall, the Dragonborn should continue northwest and use the stairs at the far side of the next room to reach the floor above. Turning right at the top, they will enter a room with a soul gem trap. Before proceeding through this room, players should ensure to collect the Glass Claw from the pedestal next to the bookcase, as it is needed to solve an upcoming puzzle.
Forelhost Refectory Door Puzzle Solution
Upon collecting the Glass Claw, the gate at the end of the room will open, allowing players access to the next area. Following the linear path ahead, the Dragonborn will eventually be faced with a sealed door in which the Glass Claw must be placed.
To solve the puzzle, Players must rotate the Outer Ring to display a fox, the Middle Ring must be rotated to display an owl, and the Inner Ring must be rotated to display a snake. Interacting with the Keyhole will then cause the door to open, allowing the Dragonborn access to the final room of Forelhost.
How To Complete The Siege On The Dragon Cult Quest
Climbing the stairs in the area just after the Dragon Claw Door, the Dragon Priest, Rahgot, will emerge from his coffin and attack the Dragonborn. A group of Draugr Deathlords will also participate in the battle, so players should take care to avoid getting surrounded.
Once Rahgot has been defeated, players can loot his body to acquire the Rahgot Dragon Priest mask, 250 Gold, a Dragon Priest Staff, and the Forelhost Balcony Key, which can be used to open the large door to the south. There is a Boss Chest to the left of this door that players can also loot before leaving.
Upon using this door, the Dragonborn will emerge outside of Forelhost. Directly south of the door is a Word Wall that, when approached, will teach the Dragonborn one Word of the Storm Call Shout. To complete the "Siege on the Dragon Cult" quest, players must return to the Forelhost entrance and speak to Captain Valmir, who will now be wearing a different outfit. Valmir will attack the Dragonborn in an attempt to claim the Rahgot mask for himself; when he is defeated, the "Siege on the Dragon Cult" quest will end.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is available for PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.