How to Find the Owner of the Golden Claw in Skyrim: A Comprehensive Guide

The Golden Claw is a crucial item in Skyrim’s early questline, acting as both a key and a puzzle solution within Bleak Falls Barrow. Finding its owner is a necessary step to progress the main story and retrieve the Dragonstone. So, how do you find the owner of the Golden Claw in Skyrim? You find the owner of the Golden Claw by returning to Lucan Valerius, the shopkeeper at the Riverwood Trader.

Unraveling the Mystery of the Golden Claw

The Golden Claw quest begins when you overhear a conversation in Riverwood about a robbery at the Riverwood Trader. This sets you on a path to recover the claw and discover its true purpose.

Initiating the Quest

Before you can return the claw, you need to acquire it. This happens within Bleak Falls Barrow, a dungeon located southwest of Riverwood. Follow the quest marker for “Bleak Falls Barrow” from Riverwood Trader.

Recovering the Golden Claw

Navigate through the dungeon, battling bandits and draugr, until you reach Arvel the Swift, a thief trapped in a spider web. He holds the Golden Claw. You can either cut him down, where he will run briefly before being killed by Draugr, or kill him and loot it.

Returning to Riverwood

Once you have the Golden Claw, the quest will update, directing you to return to Lucan Valerius at the Riverwood Trader. This is the final step in finding the “owner”.

Claiming Your Reward

Upon returning the Golden Claw to Lucan Valerius, he will be overjoyed and reward you with some gold and allow you to keep the valuable information about dragons that were on the back of the claw. This completes the quest, providing a boost to your early-game resources and progressing the main storyline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Golden Claw and its Owner

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help clarify any lingering questions you might have about the Golden Claw and its owner in Skyrim.

1. What happens if I sell the Golden Claw before returning it to Lucan?

   Selling the Golden Claw before completing the quest “The Golden Claw” will effectively block your progress in the main questline. You will need to retrieve it to progress in the story. You can try locating the merchant you sold it to and buying it back, or resort to console commands (if playing on PC) to reacquire it. Failing that, you may have to load an earlier save.

2. Can I keep the Golden Claw after completing the quest?

   No, you cannot keep the Golden Claw after completing the quest. Once you return it to Lucan Valerius, it remains in his possession. However, the quest’s reward and the progress it unlocks are more valuable than the claw itself.

3. What is the significance of the symbols on the Golden Claw?

   The symbols on the Golden Claw (Bear, Moth, Owl) are the combination to unlock the final puzzle door inside Bleak Falls Barrow. Examining the claw in your inventory allows you to see the correct sequence, which is crucial for obtaining the Dragonstone.

4. How do I examine the Golden Claw to see the symbols?

   Simply open your inventory, select the Golden Claw, and choose the “Examine” option. This will display a close-up view of the claw, clearly showing the correct symbol sequence.

5. Is it possible to complete Bleak Falls Barrow without the Golden Claw?

   While technically possible to glitch through the locked door using a plate, or other items it is almost impossible to complete without the Golden Claw as the symbols are needed to unlock the final door and obtain the Dragonstone. The Dragonstone is essential for progressing the main questline.

6. Who is Arvel the Swift, and what is his role in the quest?

   Arvel the Swift is a thief who stole the Golden Claw from Lucan Valerius. He is found trapped in a spider web within Bleak Falls Barrow. Killing Arvel or freeing him only to have him killed allows you to acquire the claw and continue the quest.

7. What reward do I get for completing “The Golden Claw” quest?

   Lucan Valerius rewards you with a sum of gold and his gratitude for returning the claw. This gold helps with the early-game economy, allowing you to purchase better equipment or supplies.

8. Is Bleak Falls Barrow the only place to find claw puzzles in Skyrim?

   No, claw puzzles are common in Nordic ruins throughout Skyrim. They are usually found at the end of dungeons or in treasure rooms, requiring you to find a claw and match its symbols to unlock a door.

9. Are there any other claws besides the Golden Claw?

   Yes, there are several other claws in Skyrim, each with unique symbols and used to solve puzzles in different dungeons. Examples include the Ebony Claw, Diamond Claw, and Ivory Claw.

10. What happens if I enter the wrong combination on the claw puzzle door?

    Entering the wrong combination on the claw puzzle door will trigger a trap, typically involving poison darts or swinging blades. You will then need to reset the puzzle and try again with the correct sequence.

11. Does the difficulty level affect the “The Golden Claw” quest?

    The difficulty level in Skyrim primarily affects combat encounters. The “The Golden Claw” quest itself remains the same regardless of the difficulty setting. The enemies within Bleak Falls Barrow will be more challenging on higher difficulties, but the puzzles and quest objectives remain consistent.

12. Can I complete the Golden Claw quest before even starting the main quest line?

    Yes, you can complete “The Golden Claw” quest before being sent to Bleak Falls Barrow by Farengar Secret-Fire as it is one of the first things that are mentioned when entering Riverwood. Doing so will allow you to deliver the Dragonstone immediately upon receiving the instruction.

13. Is there a level requirement for the quest “The Golden Claw”?

    There is no level requirement for “The Golden Claw” quest. It is designed to be accessible to low-level characters, making it an ideal early-game quest. However, the enemies within Bleak Falls Barrow can be challenging for very weak characters.

14. Where is Lucan Valerius located in Riverwood?

    Lucan Valerius owns and operates the Riverwood Trader, the general store in Riverwood. It’s located prominently near the center of the village.

15. Is the Golden Claw unique, or are there more than one in the game?

    The Golden Claw used in the quest is unique and cannot be duplicated. While there are other types of claws in the game, the specific Golden Claw from Bleak Falls Barrow is a singular item tied to that quest.

By following this guide and considering these FAQs, you should have a thorough understanding of how to find the owner of the Golden Claw in Skyrim and how this quest fits into the larger game world. Good luck, Dragonborn!