Arvel the Swift

Arvel the Swift is a Dunmer thief found trapped in a spider web at Bleak Falls Barrow. Arvel wears Hide Armor and has a raspy voice.

Quotes
"[I know] everything. The markings, the key to the Hall of Stories - I know how it all fits together!"

"Now cut me down!!"

Interactions
The Dragonborn finds Arvel trapped in a spider's web, and he asks to be freed. After killing the spider, the Dragonborn hacks away at the web constraining Arvel. As soon as he is freed, he attempts to escape through the dungeon. The Dragonborn must then chase after Arvel, kill him, and retrieve the Golden Claw.
 * You can also use the Flames spell to burn the webs and it will not harm Arvel.

Upon searching Arvel's corpse, Arvel's Journal can be found. This journal is useful in the quest The Golden Claw.

If the Dragonborn chooses not to kill him, however, he is killed by the Draugr or triggers a trap in the adjoining room. This trap usually kills him, but he can be protected by the Dragonborn and escorted out of the Barrows.

Sometimes after killing the first few Draugr in the room with the spike wall trap, he may become hostile for no reason.

Quests

 * The Golden Claw

Behind the scenes

 * When the Dragonborn approaches, Arvel mistakes them for a member of his gang. He calls out to Harknir, Bjorn, and Soling, the three bandits the Dragonborn killed in order to reach Arvel.
 * Arvel is one of the few NPCs with a non-common voice actor, which is rare considering how he has a small role in the game and is quickly killed off.