Where Is the Sapphire Claw in Skyrim? A Definitive Guide

The Sapphire Claw in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a quest item obtained during the quest “The Taste of Death,” given by Eola in Reachcliff Cave. Unlike other notable claws like the Golden Claw or the Ebony Claw, the Sapphire Claw isn’t found in a static location at the beginning of the game. You receive it from Eola during the quest and use it to unlock a door within Reachcliff Cave. After that, its primary purpose is served and the claw is no longer needed, and can be sold or kept as a unique item.

Decoding the Sapphire Claw: A Deep Dive

While the location of most other claws in Skyrim is tied to specific dungeons and puzzles encountered early in the game, the Sapphire Claw is different. It’s intrinsically linked to a specific Daedric quest, “The Taste of Death”, centering around cannibalism and the Ring of Namira. Understanding the quest context is key to understanding the claw’s relevance. Let’s break down its significance:

• Quest-Specific Item: The Sapphire Claw exists solely for the purpose of unlocking a specific stone door within Reachcliff Cave. Once this door is opened, the claw’s mechanical purpose is fulfilled.
• Unique Acquisition: You don’t stumble upon the Sapphire Claw through exploration or defeating enemies. You receive it directly from Eola, a cannibalistic priestess, as part of her plan to lure victims to Reachcliff Cave.
• Symbolism: While not explicitly stated, the Sapphire Claw can be seen as a symbolic key, unlocking not just a physical door, but also the player character’s potential acceptance of cannibalism and the dark gifts offered by Namira.

The Taste of Death Quest Walkthrough

To find the Sapphire Claw, you must follow the steps of “The Taste of Death” quest:

1. Locating Reachcliff Cave: Reachcliff Cave is located in The Reach, west of Markarth and northeast of Dushnikh Yal. It’s a relatively small cave easily identifiable on the map.
2. Meeting Eola: Upon entering Reachcliff Cave, you’ll encounter Eola attempting to eat a corpse. Initiate a conversation with her to begin the quest.
3. Clearing Reachcliff Cave: Eola will task you with clearing the cave of draugr, which have infested the area. Proceed through the cave, defeating the undead until you reach a large chamber.
4. Receiving the Sapphire Claw: After defeating the draugr, return to Eola. She will then give you the Sapphire Claw and instruct you to find a suitable victim to bring to Reachcliff Cave.
5. Unlocking the Door: Use the claw to open the stone door in the chamber that Eola is in. The correct sequence to use on the door is Ghoul, Crow, Wolf, Bat.
6. Completing the Quest: Bringing a victim to the cave, participating in the ritual, and acquiring the Ring of Namira.

Sapphire Claw: Beyond the Quest

Although its primary function is tied to the “The Taste of Death” quest, the Sapphire Claw has other considerations:

• Value: The claw has a weight of 1 and a value of 500 gold.
• Selling: Once you’ve unlocked the door, the claw serves no further practical purpose. You can sell it to any vendor for gold.
• Collection: Some players choose to keep the Sapphire Claw as a unique item, a memento of their involvement in the Daedric quest and the difficult choices it presented.

FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Sapphire Claw

1. Can I miss getting the Sapphire Claw?

Yes, if you kill Eola before she gives you the quest or the claw, you will not be able to acquire the Sapphire Claw. It is important to initiate and follow the “The Taste of Death” questline.

2. What is the correct claw sequence for the Sapphire Claw door?

The correct sequence for the Sapphire Claw door in Reachcliff Cave is Ghoul, Crow, Wolf, Bat.

3. Is the Sapphire Claw essential for completing Skyrim’s main questline?

No, the Sapphire Claw and the “The Taste of Death” quest are entirely optional and are not connected to the main questline or the Dragonborn DLC quest.

4. Can I use the Sapphire Claw to open other doors in Skyrim?

No, the Sapphire Claw is specifically designed for the stone door within Reachcliff Cave and will not work on other claw doors found throughout Skyrim. Each claw is linked to a specific dungeon and puzzle.

5. What happens if I refuse Eola’s quest?

If you refuse to participate in Eola’s plans or kill her, you will not receive the Sapphire Claw or be able to complete the “The Taste of Death” quest.

6. Is the Ring of Namira worth the moral cost?

The Ring of Namira allows the wearer to feast on corpses to restore health and provides a bonus to health and stamina. Whether it’s “worth it” depends on your character’s roleplaying and your tolerance for cannibalism. From a gameplay perspective, it can be useful for certain character builds, particularly those focused on melee combat and survival.

7. Can I get the Sapphire Claw again if I lose it?

No, there is only one Sapphire Claw in the game. Once you lose it (by selling it, dropping it, etc.), it cannot be reacquired through normal gameplay.

8. Are there any glitches associated with the Sapphire Claw?

Occasionally, players report minor glitches related to the “The Taste of Death” quest, such as the quest not progressing correctly. These are rare but can usually be resolved by reloading a previous save or using console commands (if playing on PC).

9. How does the Sapphire Claw compare to other claws in Skyrim?

The Sapphire Claw is unique in that it’s not found as part of dungeon exploration but is instead given as part of a Daedric quest. Other claws, like the Golden Claw and the Ebony Claw, are more commonly associated with specific dungeon puzzles.

10. Does the Sapphire Claw have any special enchantments?

No, the Sapphire Claw does not have any enchantments. It is a key item used to unlock a door.

11. What level should I be before attempting “The Taste of Death” quest?

It’s recommended to be at least level 10 before attempting “The Taste of Death” quest. The draugr in Reachcliff Cave can be challenging at lower levels, and the moral implications of the quest might be better appreciated with a more experienced character.

12. Can I use a follower as the sacrifice in “The Taste of Death”?

No, you cannot use a standard follower as the sacrifice in “The Taste of Death”. The quest requires a non-essential NPC. There are a few specifically-coded NPC options that can be used.

The Sapphire Claw is a key, both literal and metaphorical, to a dark and morally ambiguous quest in Skyrim. Understanding its context within “The Taste of Death” illuminates its true significance. While easily overlooked once the door is unlocked, its acquisition and use are integral to experiencing one of Skyrim’s more unsettling storylines.