Skyrim’s orc strongholds remain one of the game’s most overlooked features, even fifteen years after launch. These fortress settlements scattered across the province offer unique quests, powerful followers, and crafting opportunities, but most players never set foot inside them. Why? Because Bethesda locked them behind a reputation system that isn’t immediately obvious.
Whether you’re running the Anniversary Edition on PS5, replaying on PC with mods, or experiencing Skyrim for the first time via Game Pass, understanding how to access these strongholds unlocks a surprising amount of content. This guide covers every stronghold location, the fastest methods to gain entry, the best quests and loot inside, and why orc settlements deserve a spot in your playthrough.
Key Takeaways
- Skyrim orc strongholds are accessible through the Blood-Kin reputation system, with The Cursed Tribe quest at Largashbur being the fastest path to entry and rewards like the powerful Volendrung warhammer.
- Each of the four orc strongholds offers specialized trainers—including Ugor’s Master Heavy Armor training at Largashbur and Yatul’s Expert Smithing at Narzulbur—making them essential stops for specific character builds.
- Narzulbur’s Gloombound Mine provides renewable ebony ore every 30 in-game days, a critical resource for crafting endgame Daedric and Dragonbone gear without expensive purchases.
- Borgakh the Steel Heart in Mor Khazgur is one of the game’s best followers with no quest requirement, high HP, dual-wield combat, and no level cap for powerful combat partnerships.
- Orc characters start with automatic Blood-Kin status, granting immediate access to stronghold services and resources from level 1, providing early advantages in training and crafting.
What Are Orc Strongholds in Skyrim?
Orc strongholds are self-sufficient fortress communities inhabited by Orsimer tribes. Unlike the scattered bandit camps or civilian towns you’ll encounter, these settlements follow strict traditions: outsiders aren’t welcome unless they’ve earned the title of Blood-Kin.
There are four major strongholds in the base game, each led by a chieftain and populated by miners, hunters, and craftspeople. The strongholds aren’t just aesthetic, they contain trainers, merchants, followers, and quest-givers that many players miss entirely.
Each stronghold has its own economy and social structure. Chieftains control access to the forge, mine, and longhouse. Wives of the chieftain manage daily operations, while the rest of the tribe works the mines or hunts for food. If you’re playing as an Orc, you’ll notice NPCs treat you slightly differently, but you still need Blood-Kin status to access services and homes.
The strongholds aren’t marked as major settlements on your map initially. You’ll stumble across them during exploration, or they’ll appear as quest destinations. Guards at the gates will turn you away unless you meet specific conditions, which we’ll cover next.
How to Gain Access to Orc Strongholds
Become Blood-Kin Through Quests
The most reliable method is completing a quest that grants Blood-Kin status. Once you’re Blood-Kin, all four strongholds open up permanently. Here are the primary quests:
The Cursed Tribe is the easiest entry point. Travel to Largashbur (southeast of Riften) and you’ll witness a giant attack. Help defend the stronghold, then follow the quest chain. Completing it automatically makes you Blood-Kin.
The Forgemaster’s Fingers starts in Mor Khazgur. Talk to Larak inside the stronghold if you manage to enter (or catch him outside during random encounters). Retrieve the Forgemaster’s Fingers gauntlets from Fallowstone Cave, return them, and you’re in.
Fetch quest from any stronghold chieftain: If you somehow enter a stronghold without being Blood-Kin (via glitches or the methods below), some chieftains will offer simple fetch quests. Complete one, and you earn the title.
Alternatively, many players focus on accessing stronghold content early through specific quest triggers rather than stumbling upon them during late-game exploration.
Alternative Methods to Enter Strongholds
If you’re playing as an Orc character, you start with automatic Blood-Kin status. No quests required, just walk in.
Brawl your way in: Some orc NPCs outside strongholds will brawl you. Win the fistfight, and they’ll vouch for you. This method is inconsistent and depends on random encounters with traveling orcs.
Marry an orc: If you complete quests for orc followers (like Borgakh the Steel Heart in Mor Khazgur), you can marry them via the Amulet of Mara. Marriage to an orc grants Blood-Kin status.
Glitches and exploits: On older versions (pre-patch 1.9), you could sprint past guards or use Whirlwind Sprint to clip inside. The Anniversary Edition patched most of these, but speedrunners still find creative ways in.
All Orc Stronghold Locations in Skyrim
Dushnikh Yal: The Reach Stronghold
Location: Southwest of Markarth, near the border mountains.
Chieftain: Burguk
Dushnikh Yal is the most accessible stronghold geographically. It’s a short walk from Markarth, making it a natural discovery point if you’re exploring The Reach. The stronghold has a working mine (Cracked Tusk Keep nearby), a smelter, and several crafting stations.
Key NPCs:
- Gharol: Expert Heavy Armor trainer (trains up to level 75)
- Murbul: Sells general goods and alchemy ingredients
The longhouse contains several bed rolls and storage containers. If you’re Blood-Kin, you can freely use the forge and mine iron ore. Not much in terms of unique loot, but the Heavy Armor trainer alone makes this a valuable stop for tank builds.
Mor Khazgur: The Remote Mountain Fortress
Location: Far northwest corner of Skyrim, west of Solitude. Extremely remote.
Chieftain: Larak
Mor Khazgur is the hardest stronghold to reach. There’s no nearby fast-travel point, and the mountain terrain makes navigation tedious. You’ll likely discover this last unless you’re actively hunting strongholds.
Key NPCs:
- Borgakh the Steel Heart: Potential follower and marriage candidate (no quest required, just ask her to leave)
- Sharamph: Sells orcish weapons and armor
The stronghold has a full set of crafting stations including a forge, tanning rack, and grindstone. The Forgemaster’s Fingers quest starts here if Larak is chieftain. Borgakh is one of the best warrior followers in the game, high HP, dual-wields, and no level cap.
Narzulbur: The Eastmarch Mining Settlement
Location: East of Windhelm, in the mountains near Kynesgrove.
Chieftain: Mauhulakh
Narzulbur is built around its mining operation. The Gloombound Mine produces ebony ore, making this stronghold critical for players crafting Daedric or Dragonbone gear.
Key NPCs:
- Yatul: Expert Smithing trainer (trains up to level 75)
- Dushnamub: Works the mine, sells ore
The mine itself contains several ebony ore veins. If you’re Blood-Kin, you can mine freely and purchase additional ore from Dushnamub. The Smithing trainer here is one of only a few in the game at Expert level, making Narzulbur essential for crafting-focused builds.
Some players prioritize locations like Narzulbur when following ebony farming routes to stockpile high-tier crafting materials early.
Largashbur: The Cursed Stronghold
Location: Southeast of Riften, in the mountains bordering Morrowind.
Chieftain: Yamarz (initially), then Gularzob after the quest
Largashbur is the stronghold tied directly to The Cursed Tribe quest. When you first arrive, a giant will be attacking the gates. This is your scripted introduction to stronghold culture and the easiest path to Blood-Kin status.
Key NPCs:
- Atub: Sells alchemy ingredients and spells
- Ugor: Master Heavy Armor trainer (trains to level 90) after the quest completes
Post-quest, Largashbur functions like the other strongholds. The Master Heavy Armor trainer is the real prize here, Ugor is one of only two trainers in the game who can take you to 90 (the other is Farkas in the Companions).
The stronghold has a forge, tanning rack, and smelter. The nearby giant camp respawns, so you can farm giant toes for alchemy.
Important Quests and Storylines in Orc Strongholds
The Cursed Tribe Quest Walkthrough
Quest-giver: Auto-starts when you approach Largashbur
Rewards: Blood-Kin status, Volendrung (unique two-handed warhammer), access to all strongholds
This is the signature orc questline. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Defend Largashbur: When you arrive, a giant is attacking. Help the orcs kill it. Talk to Atub afterward.
- Gather ingredients: Atub needs Troll Fat and a Daedra Heart to perform a ritual. Troll Fat is common (any troll drops it). Daedra Hearts are rare, check alchemy shops in major cities, or loot one from the Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon.
- Speak to Yamarz: After the ritual, the chieftain Yamarz will task you with clearing a giant from Fallowstone Cave. He’s supposed to do it himself (Malacath’s orders), but he’s a coward.
- Clear Fallowstone Cave: Travel with Yamarz. He’ll ask you to kill the giant for him. If you refuse, he’ll attack you. If you agree, he’ll betray you afterward and attack anyway. Either way, Yamarz dies.
- Defeat the Giant Chief: After Yamarz dies, Malacath speaks to you directly. Kill the giant chief Gularzob inside the cave.
- Return to Largashbur: Place Shagrol’s Warhammer on the shrine. Malacath transforms it into Volendrung and declares you Blood-Kin.
Volendrung is one of the best two-handed weapons in the game. It has a base damage of 25, absorbs 50 stamina per hit, and weighs only 18 pounds. It’s effectively a Daedric warhammer with a unique enchantment and no level scaling, you get the full-power version no matter when you complete the quest.
The Forgemaster’s Fingers Quest
Quest-giver: Larak (Mor Khazgur chieftain)
Rewards: Blood-Kin status, Forgemaster’s Fingers (unique heavy gauntlets)
This is a simpler alternative to The Cursed Tribe:
- Talk to Larak: Ask about work or the stronghold. He’ll mention the lost gauntlets.
- Retrieve the gauntlets: They’re in Fallowstone Cave (yes, the same cave as the Cursed Tribe quest). If you’ve already cleared it, just grab them from the final chamber.
- Return to Larak: Hand over the gauntlets, earn Blood-Kin.
The Forgemaster’s Fingers have a Fortify Smithing enchantment (+12 Smithing skill). They’re useful for crafting builds, but not as universally strong as Volendrung. Most players prefer the Cursed Tribe route.
Unique NPCs, Followers, and Trainers
Orc strongholds house some of the best trainers and followers in Skyrim. Here’s who to prioritize:
Followers:
- Borgakh the Steel Heart (Mor Khazgur): No quest required. Just ask her to follow you. She’s a tank, heavy armor, one-handed, andblock perks. No level cap. Marriage candidate.
- Ogol (Largashbur): Becomes available after The Cursed Tribe. Solid warrior, but Borgakh is better.
- Ugor (Largashbur): Technically a follower, but she’s more valuable as the Master Heavy Armor trainer.
Trainers:
- Ugor (Largashbur): Master Heavy Armor (trains to 90). This is huge for tank builds. Only Farkas matches this.
- Gharol (Dushnikh Yal): Expert Heavy Armor (trains to 75). Good if you haven’t reached Largashbur yet.
- Yatul (Narzulbur): Expert Smithing (trains to 75). Essential for crafting builds. Pair with the Warrior Stone and sleep bonuses to level Smithing fast.
Merchants:
- Sharamph (Mor Khazgur): Sells orcish weapons and armor. Stock refreshes every 48 in-game hours.
- Atub (Largashbur): Alchemy ingredients and spells. Limited but useful if you’re in the area.
If you’re running a heavy armor build, Largashbur becomes a regular training stop. Combine Ugor’s training with the ebony ore from Narzulbur, and you’ll max Heavy Armor and Smithing faster than through most other methods.
Notable Loot, Armor, and Weapons
Orcish Equipment and Crafting Materials
Orcish gear sits between Dwarven and Ebony in the smithing tree. It’s solid mid-game equipment, but the real value is the crafting materials inside strongholds:
- Orichalcum Ore: Found in mines near strongholds (Dushnikh Yal, Narzulbur). Smelt into ingots for orcish armor and weapons.
- Ebony Ore: Narzulbur’s Gloombound Mine has multiple ebony veins. This is endgame material, mine it all.
- Iron and Corundum: Abundant in all stronghold mines. Stock up for steel and banded iron crafting.
Each stronghold has a forge, smelter, grindstone, tanning rack, and workbench. If you’re leveling Smithing, strongholds are one-stop shops. Narzulbur in particular is a favorite for players who need ebony for Daedric gear.
Unique Items Worth Collecting
Volendrung is the crown jewel. Base damage of 25, 50 stamina absorption, and it looks incredible. Power attacks become spammable because you never run out of stamina. It’s top-tier for two-handed warriors and remains viable even in late game.
Forgemaster’s Fingers (+12 Smithing) are niche. They’re useful when crafting, but you’ll swap them out for combat. Pair with the Notched Pickaxe, Amulet of Zenithar, and Blacksmith’s Elixir for maximum Smithing boosts.
The Longhammer (technically not from a stronghold, but related): Found in Liar’s Retreat, this unique orcish warhammer swings 30% faster than other two-handed weapons. It’s not inside a stronghold, but many Skyrim weapon guides mention it alongside orcish loot routes.
Chief Yamarz’s Armor: After he dies in The Cursed Tribe, loot his body for a full set of orcish armor. It’s leveled, so if you do the quest early, it’s decent mid-game gear.
Strongholds also contain random loot chests in longhouses, potions, gold, soul gems. Nothing unique, but worth clearing if you’re already there.
Stronghold Benefits: Why Visit Orc Settlements?
Beyond quests and loot, strongholds offer practical benefits:
Free crafting stations: Every stronghold has a complete set. If you’re in the wilderness and need to repair or improve gear, strongholds are reliable pit stops.
Safe storage: As Blood-Kin, you can use containers in longhouses. Most are non-respawning, so your items won’t vanish. This is useful before you buy a house.
Respawning ore veins: Mines refresh every 30 in-game days. Narzulbur’s ebony mine alone is worth repeat visits. Set a reminder and return monthly for free endgame materials.
Training + pickpocket exploit: If you’re into exploits, train with Ugor or Yatul, then pickpocket your gold back. Repeat to level infinitely. Bethesda never patched this, and it works on all versions including Anniversary Edition.
Roleplaying depth: If you’re playing an orc character or doing a tribal-themed playthrough, strongholds offer immersion. You can “live” in a stronghold, using it as a home base instead of Breezehome or Lakeview Manor.
Volendrung alone justifies a visit: Even if you ignore everything else, The Cursed Tribe takes 20 minutes and rewards one of the best weapons in the game. There’s no reason to skip it.
Tips for Playing as an Orc Character
If you’re rolling an orc for your playthrough, here’s what to prioritize:
Berserker Rage is your racial ability. For 60 seconds, you deal double physical damage and take half damage. It’s essentially god mode for one minute. The cooldown is once per day, but it recharges if you sleep or wait. Use it liberally, it trivializes tough fights.
Orcs start with +10 Heavy Armor, +5 Enchanting, +5 Smithing, +5 Block, +5 Two-Handed, and +5 One-Handed. This makes them natural warriors. Pair with the Warrior or Lord Stone for maximum tankiness.
You’re automatically Blood-Kin. Walk into any stronghold from level 1 and access all services. This gives you immediate access to Expert Smithing training (Yatul) and ebony ore (Narzulbur). Rush Narzulbur early, mine ebony, and you’ll be crafting endgame gear by level 20.
Berserker Rage stacks with enchantments and potions. Pop a Fortify Two-Handed potion, activate Berserker Rage, and you’ll one-shot most enemies. Combine with the Longhammer for absurd DPS.
Strongholds are natural quest hubs. The game expects you to engage with orc culture. Lean into it, complete The Cursed Tribe, recruit Borgakh, marry an orc, and base yourself out of a stronghold. It’s one of the most cohesive roleplaying arcs in Skyrim.
Avoid magic-focused builds. Orcs have no magicka bonuses, and their racial ability is melee-centric. Stick to warrior, tank, or battle-mage hybrids.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Skipping The Cursed Tribe entirely: Many players never discover Largashbur because it’s off the beaten path. Don’t sleep on this, set a waypoint and make the trip. Volendrung is worth it.
Ignoring Narzulbur’s ebony mine: Ebony is rare and expensive. If you’re crafting Daedric or Dragonbone gear, you need dozens of ingots. Narzulbur gives you a free, renewable source. Mark it on your map and return every 30 days.
Killing orcs before becoming Blood-Kin: If you attack stronghold NPCs before earning Blood-Kin, you’ll be permanently hostile. Guards will attack on sight, and quests will break. The only fix is reloading a save or using console commands (PC only).
Not recruiting Borgakh: She’s one of the best followers, no quest, no hassle, just ask. If you’re running a two-handed build, she’s a perfect tank companion.
Forgetting to loot Yamarz: After he dies in The Cursed Tribe, search his body. He’s wearing a full set of orcish armor. If you skip it, you miss free mid-tier gear.
Selling Volendrung: It’s a unique artifact. You can’t get another one. Don’t sell it to a merchant for 1,000 gold. Display it in your home or keep it as a backup weapon.
Missing the training exploit: If you’re leveling Smithing or Heavy Armor, train with orc NPCs, then pickpocket your gold. It’s not “cheating” in the traditional sense, it’s a Bethesda-approved exploit that’s been in the game since 2011.
Not checking for random orc encounters: Sometimes orcs spawn on roads and offer brawls or quests. If you see one, talk to them, it’s another path to Blood-Kin status.
Conclusion
Orc strongholds are some of Skyrim’s most rewarding hidden content. Four fortresses, each with trainers, followers, crafting stations, and quests, all locked behind a simple reputation gate. Whether you’re chasing Volendrung, farming ebony ore, or leveling Smithing through Yatul, strongholds offer practical benefits that scale from early game to endgame.
The Cursed Tribe remains the fastest route to Blood-Kin status, but players who explore alternative methods, brawling, marriage, or the Forgemaster’s Fingers quest, gain flexibility. Narzulbur’s ebony mine and Largashbur’s Master Heavy Armor trainer are mandatory stops for crafting and combat builds.
If you’ve been ignoring strongholds, fix that. Mark Largashbur on your map, trigger The Cursed Tribe, and open the door to an entire network of settlements. Skyrim’s been out for over a decade, but strongholds prove there’s still depth to discover.
