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Walkthrough
When you escort Esbern to the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood, you'll meet up with Delphine again, and Esbern will tell you about Alduin's Wall, the place where the Blades of old recorded their knowledge of Alduin and his possible return. Esbern will then reveal that he's figured out where the Wall is -- inside Sky Haven Temple, which is located due east of Markarth.
At the end of the conversation, you'll have to decide if you want to travel to Sky Haven Temple with Esbern and Delphine, or go alone. Either way, you'll first have to travel to Karthspire (aka the Kilkreath Ruins), a cave system that leads to the entrance of the temple. When you reach Karthspire, you'll encounter a dragon and some forsworn, but fortunately Esbern and Delphine will meet you there (if they weren't with you already), and they'll help you out.
Inside Karthspire, you'll come to a bridge controlled by three rotating pedestals (#1). Esbern will note that the symbols on the pedestals represent "warrior," "king" and "dragonborn." To lower the bridge, you'll just need to rotate all of the pedestals to show "dragonborn" (the symbol with the arrow pointing down).
Past the bridge you'll come to a trapped room with pressure plates on the floor (#2). To cross the room safely, you'll need to walk on the plates with the "dragonborn" symbol on them, and then pull the chain on the opposite side of the room. That will turn off the trap. If you walk onto any of the wrong plates before turning off the trap, then you'll get hit by a fireball. The fireballs aren't especially deadly, so if you've maxed out fire or magic resistance, then you should be able to walk straight up to the chain without any problems.
Finally, you'll reach a "blood seal" (#3), which you'll need to activate. When you do this, you'll draw a dagger (even if you don't have one) and spill some of your blood on the seal, which will cause the door leading to Sky Haven Temple (Exit A) to open up. Esbern and Delphine will wait politely for you to enter the temple first.
Inside Sky Haven Temple, Esbern will lead you to Alduin's Wall (#4), and he'll narrate the engravings for you. Eventually he'll come to the Dragon War, and he'll reveal that you'll need a special shout to defeat Alduin. Delphine will then reluctantly suggest that you return to the Greybeards to see what they know.
1 - Bridge Puzzle
2 - Pressure Plate Room
3 - Blood Seal
4 - Alduin's Wall
5 - Storeroom
Inside this room, you'll find several useful things: a chest containing
Blades Armor,
Blades Boots,
Blades Gauntlets, a
Blades Helmet, and a
Blades Shield; several
Blades Swords hanging on the wall; the leveled sword
Dragonbane (you'll get the best version if you're at least level 46); and the book
Mace Etiquette, which will increase your One-Handed skill by 1.
Exits:
- Doorway between Karthspire and Sky Haven Temple.
- World exit.
