User blog comment:Dandywierdo/Did you kill Ralis or spare him during unearthed? dragonborn dlc./@comment-120.145.24.150-20121225111333

Well if you spare him he becomes a follower. You can then open his inventory to get his unique ancient nord pickaxe without having to pickpocket it from him. (I haven't killed him yet so I don't now if you can still get it from his body).