The Dragonborn expansion for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim introduced players to Solstheim and the mysterious realm of Apocrypha ruled by Hermaeus Mora. Central to this realm are the ancient eldritch tomes known as Black Books, which grant powerful bonuses and abilities upon completion. Many players exploring the island often wonder exactly how many of these arcane volumes exist throughout the game.
Total Number of Black Books in Solstheim
There are a total of seven Black Books available in Skyrim through the Dragonborn expansion. Each book transports the Last Dragonborn directly into a distinct chapter of Apocrypha filled with unique challenges and environmental hazards. Collecting all seven allows players to unlock incredible passive powers that significantly alter combat and crafting capabilities.
Two of these books are tied directly to the main storyline of the expansion. The remaining five books require players to explore dungeons, complete side quests, and defeat powerful foes across Solstheim. Tracking down each volume demands careful navigation of both the physical island and the alien landscapes within Apocrypha.
Main Questline Black Books
The first book players typically encounter is Waking Dreams, which plays a pivotal role in the final confrontation with Miraak. Reading this tome allows you to reset spent perk points in exchange for dragon souls after completing its realm. It serves as both a story milestone and an essential endgame utility for character specialization.
The second story-related volume is The Epistolary Compendiums, uncovered during your investigations alongside Neloth at Nchardak. Navigating its corridors grants access to specialized Dragon Shouts bonuses that enhance combat effectiveness. These two books ensure that every player pursuing the narrative experiences the core mechanics of Apocrypha.
Optional Black Books Scattered Across the Island
Five additional Black Books reside in isolated locations across Solstheim, waiting for ambitious adventurers to discover them. For example, Filament and Filigree is hidden deep within Kolbjorn Barrow and requires funding a lengthy excavation project. Meanwhile, The Sallow Regent is located inside White Ridge Barrow and offers substantial boosts to combat, magic, or stealth skills.
Other volumes like The Winds of Change and Untold Legends are tucked inside Raven Rock Mine and Benkongerike respectively. The Hidden Twilight can be accessed in Tel Mithryn after assisting Neloth with his local research tasks. Each location presents its own set of puzzles and deadly Lurkers or Seekers guarding the prize.
Rewards and Power Customization in Apocrypha
Reaching the end of any Black Book questline presents the player with a glowing pedestal offering three distinct passive rewards. Players can choose only one active reward per book at a time, though returning to Apocrypha allows you to swap powers freely. This flexible system encourages experimentation to complement various playstyles and character builds.
Understanding where to find all seven books ensures you do not miss out on top-tier abilities like passive damage reduction or crafting boosts. Completing the entire collection represents one of the most rewarding achievements for completionists in Solstheim. Taking the time to conquer every chapter unlocks the full power of Hermaeus Mora's vast library.