Unearthed (Dragonborn)

 is a quest located in Kolbjorn Barrow and the quest is given to the Dragonborn by Ralis Sedarys. Ralis Sedarys requires multiple investments in order for an excavation of Kolbjorn Barrow to be completed and the relics of Ahzidal to be found.

Background
''Outside Kolbjorn Barrow, I met Ralis Sedarys, an explorer who came to Solstheim in search of relics within the barrow. But when he arrived, he found it buried by the ash. He had all but given up on excavating it, but if I can supply the funds, he offered to make me a partner in his expedition.''

Walkthrough
The quest can be activated by speaking to Ralis Sedarys, who can be found at the ruins of Kolbjorn Barrow.

First Investment
After speaking with Ralis, he will ask to help funding his excavation. This will cost 1,000 gold. After a few days a letter from Ralis will be delivered by a courier asking help back at the ruins. Speaking with Ralis will reveal that Draugr have been awakened and the workers have been killed.

In order to continue the excavation, all Draugr must be dealt with. Ralis also requests scouting for a passage deeper into the ruins. This is possible by removing a strangely marked skull from the sacrificial table on the center of the room. This activates a mechanism which opens a large chamber filled with dust. On this chamber Ahzidal's Boots of Waterwalking can be found on a pedestal.

Second Investment
After the ruin has been cleared, Ralis will request another donation. This time he will ask for 2,000 gold. After some time has passed, a courier will deliver another letter asking the Dragonborn to return to the ruin. It turns out all the miners were again killed as they dug deeper into the mine. Ralis requires the Draugr to be killed so that the expedition can continue.

Head into the mine and defeat any remaining Draugr. In addition search for the missing miners. The corpses of Bradyn and Mireli, among the other miners, can be found. In the last section of the mine near the corpse of Mireli is a handle that can be turned to reveal a secret area. Ahzidal's Ring of Necromancy is here on a pedestal. There is also a doorway blocked by two portculis with four handles on the right hand side. Pulling the second releases a dart trap. Pulling the first opens the first only, pull the third and fourth as well opens both. The faint chanting of a nearby Word Wall can be heard, but it is buried under the rubble in the main room and cannot be reached yet.

Third Investment
Once the search is complete, return to Ralis and inform him the miners are dead. He will mention that the next step of investment will cost 3,000 gold as he plans to hire some mercenaries to watch over the miners.

After some time has passed, a courier will deliver a third letter asking the Dragonborn to return to the ruin. Much like last time, several Draugr awakened as the miners dug deeper into the mine. Ralis requires the Draugr to be killed so that the digging can continue.

Head into the mine and defeat any remaining Draugr. Much more of the mine has been dug out at this point and in the north east section a chain can be pulled to reveal a hidden room where the Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding are on a pedestal. Head down a stairway past a falling rock trap and into a large chamber where the last few Draugr are found. In addition several dead miners and Kolbjorn guards are here too. In the center of the room is a strange series of pressure pads that emit a blue glow when stood upon, however the light fades after a few seconds. Lighting all of the plates at once will open the gate on the left, where Ahzidal's Ring of Arcana lies on a pedestal. This can be done by running across all the plates quickly before their lights go out. The Slow Time shout can be helpful here. Telekinesis can be used to grab the ring without opening the gate.

Fourth Investment
Once the Draugr are defeated, return to Ralis and inform him of the situation. He will mention that the next step of investment will cost 5,000 as they have gained quite a reputation. He plans to hire some stronger mercenaries this time.

After some time has passed, a courier will deliver a final letter asking to return to the ruin. Upon arrival at the campsite outside the ruin it appears there has been some sort of massacre as the corpses of several miners are strewn about. Reading Ralis's Journals, volumes 19-23, found on a table in a tent, reveals the chilling fate of the miners and Ralis' true intention all along; Ralys has been manipulated by the voice of Ahzidal since the beginning. Ahzidal has been talking to Ralys, controlling him, driving him to madness and forcing him to sacrifice the miners in order to resurrect Ahzidal.

Head into the mine to find it has been heavily excavated. The once buried Word Wall is now fully visible and a word of the Cyclone shout can be learned from it. Proceed deeper into the mine defeating the various Draugr along the way. Once the room with the pressure plates has been reached, a staircase can be seen on the north west side leading down.

This next room contains three sleeping Draugr on thrones and a pillar puzzle. Once the Draugr are defeated, there are two options: either open the gate in the middle of the room or the gate on the right. The chains on opposite side of the wall reveal a clue to the puzzle. To open the gate, align both pillars behind the throne to the whale totem. The gate will raise to reveal Ahzidal's Armor of Retribution sitting on a pedestal.

To open the gate, align both pillars to the hawk and head down the spiral stairway. Down here are more Draugr and another pillar puzzle. Pulling the chain with the incorrect symbols will send flames out of the wall that may ignite the oil on the floor. The correct alignment is two snake symbols. The gate will open to reveal Ahzidal's Helm of Vision sitting on a pedestal. Taking the helm will cause the pedestal to shoot out a powerful jet of fire. Head back along the caves, past a sarcophagus containing Stalhrim into the final area where Ralis is located.

A Rude Awakening
Ralis will be found in the middle of a large room. He is standing on top of a circular stone structure, which is inscribed with similar runes as seen in the room where the Bloodskal Blade is found. The edges of the structure are filled with a large pool of blood, and the area is littered with sacrificed miners. Ralis is attempting to summon the Dragon Priest Ahzidal using the "energy" from the miner's blood. He is successful; the ground shakes and he is flung to one side of the room. Ralis is knocked unconscious as Ahzidal emerges and battle begins.

During the battle several Draugr burst out of the surrounding sarcophagi to aid Ahzidal. If the Draugr are killed, others will awaken to take their place. He may also raise the corpses of defeated Draugr and miners found lying dead in the chamber. Ahzidal primarily uses fire based Destruction spells including a unique pulse of fire similar to Fire Breath that cause large amounts of damage. Once he has been defeated his ash pile can be searched for his mask.

Ralis will wake up at this point and seems confused by what has happened:

"Oh, gods... what happened? What have I done?"

What's going on here?: "I...I don't remember. Ever since I got here... to Kolbjorn... I've heard whispers. Voices. Thoughts. Imaginings. They've only gotten louder since I've stayed. Pounding, driving. A couple of times I blacked out. It was... It was just before the draugr woke up."

Did you... kill the miners?: "I don't know. I... maybe? It's what he wanted. He just needed their energy. I don't know! I hope I didn't. But... maybe I... please, you have to believe me?"
 * I believe you. Just... don't come back here: "Of course. I don't even want to hear the word "barrow" again. Ever. I'll go to Raven Rock and you... you won't mention this to anyone. If you see me there, just... give a nod and I'll lend a hand if you need it. It's... it's the least I can do. Just... keep this quiet."
 * I can't let you go unpunished: "What? No! You can't... I have his will on my side! He will command all of us!"

Choosing to kill Ralis will result in him becoming hostile and fighting back. Choosing to spare Ralis will cause him to run out of the ruin and back to The Retching Netch in Raven Rock. Either option completes the quest. Upon exiting the ruins, the entire campsite will be gone.

The Black Book Filament and Filigree is available after going through a tunnel that opens up in the back of the room where Azhidal is fought.

Continuing on the path past the room with the Black Book, at the end of the short tunnel, there is a Stalhrim deposit in a sarcophagus behind the passage opened by the lever (which is to the right as the Dragonborn enters; the deposit is to the left).

Reward
Other than finding a word for the Cyclone Dragon Shout, and obtaining the Ahzidal's Armor set and Ahzidal's mask, if Ralis is spared he will offer his services as a follower.

If he is killed, the only notable item he carries is a unique Ancient Nordic Pickaxe called Hoarfrost, however this can be taken from his inventory if he is spared anyway.

This quest will cost 11,000 gold altogether.

Bugs

 * If you leave the cave in the middle of the quest, you will not be able  to clear it competely.
 * The gate in front of the Ahzidal's Armor of Retribution may not open if the spiral stairway is open. Fixed by saving and exiting the game and then reloading.
 * After making the 2nd investment and receiving the letter to return to Kolbjorn Barrow the game freezes when getting close to the area. Clearing the System Cache fixes the problem.
 * After the 1st investment, if the skull is moved (e.g. shouted) off the table while fighting the draugr, you will be unable to open the door in the room.
 * Possible solution: Move anything else on the table.
 * If you enter the black book and step on any of the shadowed areas, the hissing sound will continue after you left the book.
 * fast travel to a random location, then reload a save, this should stop the hissing.
 * Sneak attacking Ahzidal with a bow before he is "fully awake" can cause his body to fall through the floor rendering the mask unattainable.
 * Sometimes after you kill Ahzidal, Ralis will attack you for no reason.
 * Sometimes when you remove the skull from the pedestal the door doesn't open. This can be fixed by making sure there are no miners dead on top of the altar.
 * Sometimes when you get the last letter, Ralis will be swimming underwater. If you go where he is and try to talk to him, he will say "Ugh...".
 * Solution: Reload the game at the point when you go the letter and wait for one hour in-game time. After you do that, then it should be fixed.