Labyrinthian is one of the most intriguing places inSkyrim: an ancient religious complex filled with untouched secrets and mysteries to be solved. Once the command and religious center of the Dragon Priests, Labyrinthian is now little more than acuriosity to adventurersand a footnote in history to the averageSkyrimNPC. Many players, however, have taken joy in uncovering the truth of this ancient complex, including unlocking the secrets of the Dragon Priests through their masks.
Collecting Dragon Priest masks is one of the most popular tasks for players to complete because they require defeating some of the most powerful enemies inSkyrimand the masks themselves come with powerful enchantments and bonuses that fortify different areas of gameplay for any Dragonborn. As the base of power for the Dragon Priests, Labyrinthian provides a place for all those masks right in the heart of the complex, with a surprising twist that makes it stand out even in Labyrinthian.
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Why History Plays a Large Role in Modern Skyrim
What modern Skyrim knows as Labyrinthian are actually the ruins of the ancient Nordic city of Bromjunaar, the once-capital of Skyrim and the headquarters of the Dragon Cultthat was abandoned and fell into ruin after the events of the Dragon War. It lies in Hjaalmarch hold, and has few visitors because of the Frost Trolls who wander the ruins.
Access to the temple itself requires participation in the Mages' Guild storyline, but Labyrinthian’s greatest secret doesn’t require access to its temple; all it requires of the Dragonborn is a little curiosity. In the center of Labyrinthian there lies a large, raised, burial mound, reminiscent of the Dragon Burial Mounds that are found throughout Skyrim; however, this isn’t a burial mound at all, and is instead the Bromjunaar Sanctuary.
Inside the Sanctuary is a room with an altar, a Wooden Mask, a skeleton, and a thug’s missive. Reading the missive leads the Dragonborn to wear the mask, which literally takes the Dragonborn through time. The Sanctuary transforms before the player’s eyes from a frozen, broken room to a restored, warm, and inviting haven with an intact altar. The restored altar has space for theDragon Priest masks the Dragonborn has recovered; once all eight masks are placed on the altar, the ninth mask, Konahrik, is unlocked on the altar and free to be taken by the Dragonborn.
Why Labyrinthian Has The Best Payoff in Skyrim
The quiet and warmth of the Bromjunaar Sanctuary provide a welcome reprieve from the harsh environment of Labyrinthian and remainsone of the best moments inSkyrimwith its small moment of location-locked time travel. Labyrinthian is the cultural heart of ancient Skyrim society, and this small room gives the Dragonborn a chance to see it in its heyday as opposed to a snow-covered ruin. The displacement of time truly makes it an untouched sanctuary, as no enemy or outside force can harm the Dragonborn from thousands of years in the past.
Returning the Dragon Priest masks to where they truly belong, in the time period they were created and used, is the perfect place and time to receive the final mask. Going back in time to receive the final mask is amoment that feels earned with a great payoff, and proves that moments of quiet in the storm can be some of the most memorable, particularly in one with such far-reaching lore and history as Skyrim. Time travel isn’t touched upon in other parts ofSkyrimlike it is here, and it doesn’t need to be more than this single room and a moment in time because of how it creates a special moment for the collection of the masks and the player.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis available now for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
