One of the great enigmas of Elder Scrolls history is the fate of the Dwemer. The dwarves were once one of the most advanced civilisations on Tamriel. They built huge underground cities, created advanced constructs, and left all other races looking primitive in comparison. Then, one day, they disappeared.
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Left behind are their homes, empty but for their steam-powered contraptions, their creeping Falmer servants, and lots of expensive goods. The profitable and exciting activity of ruin-diving is open to all in Skyrim, but judging by the number of bodies you find, the success rate isn't extremely high.
10 Alftand
Not far from Winterhold, it's possible to see a lone dwarven tower and a collapsing camp. These are the ruins of Alftand, though the real show is below, through a gap in the glacier.
Scattered throughout the ruins, you can find the remains of the expedition that built the camp. Most are dead, and the few that aren't are really not in the mood for talking. Encountering one of the last members, Umana, will get you attacked. Afterwards, it will get you the unique shield Targe Of The Blooded, which inflict bleed damage on a bash.
9 Mzinchaleft
A short walk out of Dawnstar, Mzinchaleft's upper areas are full of bandits. Venturing below, they give way to Dwemer animunculi. Eventually, you find Falmer in the depths far beneath the ground. It's one of the few places you can find a complete set of Falmer armour, along with some items relating to quests.
Mzinchaleft is the place where Mjoll the Lion lost her sword, Grimsever, and this can be recovered for her. Getting the glade involves either fighting or sneaking past a huge centurion, so be cautious.
8 Nchuand-Zel
.jpg "Skyrim: 10 Best Dwemer Ruins To Explore (3)")
The Dwarven city of Nchuand-Zel sits right beneath the contemporary city of Markarth, and is entered through Understone Keep. Calcelmo, the rather distracted scholar there, will ask the Dragonborn to head inside to deal with a large spider that has been harassing diggers. On doing so, you may find a dead Imperial soldier with a note, referencing an expedition inside.
Following the trail of the doomed scholars leads you into the city proper, infested by Falmer. Once you've had your fill of looting, you can activate Nchuand-Zel's defenses, and centurions will awaken and turn on the snow elves. You are then free to make a swift exit while they're destroying each other.
7 Raldbthar
Located west of Windhelm, Raldbthar is a place you may approach with a mission in mind. The place is inhabited by bandits, including a certain Alain Dufont, a man wanted by the Dark Brotherhood. Killing him will be helpful if you're on that particular quest, and allows you to take Aegisbane, the heirloom of the Shatter-Shield family.
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That's not all, however — you many want to keep pushing down past the bandits, into the falmer-ridden underground tunnels. There's treasure to be had, and a puzzle that involves unjamming some gears that have become stuck. But beware — there is also a centurion waiting for intruders.
6 Sightless Pit
Sightless Pit's name is fairly straightforward about its nature. The entrance to this ruin is a drop, meaning the only way out once you enter is to keep descending into the depths.
After making your way through the falmer-infested tunnels, you will find a great Dwemer door, and enter into the Temple of Xrib. This is also infested with the corrupted Snow Elves, but making your way up to the Altar of Xrib at the end will yield some expensive Dwemer prizes, as well as a way back up to the surface. That might be the true prize.
5 Tolvald's Cave
Wandering around near Windhelm, it's possible to come across a small cave with a cart set outside. Unassuming as it appears from the outside, Tolvald's Cave has far more to it below, and is part of a major quest. Venturing in will initially reveal a natural cave, which will eventually give way to a bit of pipe and gold metal, as its Dwemer nature becomes clear. Expect Falmer — lots of Falmer.
Related: Skyrim: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Falmer
When you have successfully collected all the Stones Of Barenziah, you unlock the Crown Of Barenziah, a legendary item and trophy to show off to the Thieves' Guild. Handing it in will give a perk that permanently buffs how many gems you can find. Shiny!
4 Kagrumez
Sitting out on Solstheim, it's easy to miss the low-set pit of Kagrumez. It's certainly not one you should ignore, though. Heading inside, you will come across several Reavers puzzling over a control panel, talking amongst themselves and insisting they will be rich if they can figure out how to work it. After introducing them to the sharp end of your axe, it's possible to pick up some notes on the site, and two resonance gems. Reading these and placing the gems appropriately will release a number of any automata that you need to handle.
On dealing with this trial, the first gate will open, and you'll be allowed into the first treasure room. This yields a new friend, a friendly dwarven spider follower. Subsequent trials require more resonance gems, and yield greater rewards, including a unique bow.
3 Bthardamz
Out in a remote corner of the Reach, you can find the ruins Bthardamz. Though if you find it by accident, it might not be especially fruitful to start with.
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The dungeon only becomes properly available when you have consulted with the Daedric Prince Peryite at his shrine not far away. This requires gathering some ingredients for a special incense, and receiving orders to deal with a treacherous priest of the Daedra who resides there. Taking care of business for Peryite yields Spellbreaker, a shield that can defend against magic.
2 Fahlbtharz
.jpg "Skyrim: 10 Best Dwemer Ruins To Explore (9)")
Another of Soltheim's Dwemer relics, the front of Fahlbtharz is occupied by the small and highly aggressive rieklings. If you're not deterred by the angry blue goblins, descending further below will merit the astonishing site of a huge chamber filled with rotating, interlocking gears. Hitting spinning propeller-like objects to advance becomes part of the puzzles of the ruin, and you will be required to use your brain to work the machinery and navigate the massive gears.
Reaching the end will award you with piles of gold, a stone for advancing Kagrumez, and the Visage Of Mzund, a unique helm that increases your stamina by 60 points, and lets you breathe scorching steam on your enemies.
1 Blackreach
One of the most impressive Dwemer ruins, Blackreach is generally only accessible through certain quests — specifically, 'Elder Knowledge' or 'Discerning The Transmundane'. It can also be accessed by glitching through the Tower of Mzark gate with a plate, but that may not be strictly canon.
Blackreach connects to Radbthar, Mzinchaleft and Alftand, albeit only when unlocked. It's a huge and alien place of glowing mushrooms, green fog, and a clockwork sun. If the sun in question is hit with Unrelenting Force, it will summon a dragon. Plates aside, it's the only way up to the Tower of Mzark, where an Elder Scroll resides. Getting hold of it takes you one step closer to stopping Alduin, which is probably a good reason to go.
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