A Daedra's Best Friend in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

“A Daedra's Best Friend” is a Daedric Faction Quest in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

There are 2 rewards for this quest. The Rueful Axe will not count toward the Oblivion Walker achievement while Masque of Clavicus Vile does count toward the achievement.

This quest requires you to be Level 10 or higher.

Locations

Walkthrough

Beginning the quest

Talk with Lod in Falkreath. He will tell you that he is curious about a local dog. He will ask you to track down the dog and bring it to him. He can offer you gold for your efforts if you ask for it. Accept it and he will give you some Fresh Meat.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Find the Dog outside Falkreath

Travel along the road a short distance to the Southwest of Falkreath, to the marker you can see on the road. You will find encounter the dog who simply approaches and addresses you.

A Daedra's Best Friend

He will explain that he needs help dealing with someone. If pressed for answers, he will reveal himself to be Barbas. He has had a falling out with his master, the Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile. He will tell you that one of the shrines where he can manifest is nearby at Haemar's Shame.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Travel with Barbas to the Shine of Clavicus Vile

You can either simply follow Barbas to the location, which will take a few minutes, Fast Travel if you happen to have found it or Fast Travel to one of the points nearby the destination. The shrine, found in Haemar's Shame, is quite a ways from Falkreath, being located nearby the Throat of the World, close to Helgen. If the marker does not update after you have traveled there, Wait 1 hour. It should appear and start tracking properly again.

A Daedra's Best Friend

If you opt to travel by road be ready for some combat. Along the way, be sure to check the marker to monitor your progress Barbas is an AI and can get lost. There will be a few instances of fighting against Bandits on your trip so be ready.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Once you arrive, just head inside Haemar's Shame. You will need to deal with a number of Vampires and a few Vampire's Thralls so be ready. Head on down the slope into the first portion of the cave. You will find a Thrall on the wooden walkway above you. Quickly deal with them. If you investigate the walkway they were on you can find barrels with food in them. Head to the West downhill to continue. There is a Vampire at the base of the ramp you pass over. Be careful because there is also a pressure plate that will trigger a Spike Wall trap at the top of the ramp.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Follow the passage as its makes its way to the West. This to the next chamber, eventually. You will find another Thrall at the table in front of you which is covered in human remains. There is Charred Skeever on a cooking spit over the fire which you can harvest. You will also find a Cooking Pot with a cupboard next to it. Go up the nearby ramp to find more useful items. On that cupboard is a Filled Petty Soul Gem and a number of books. You can also find an unlocked chest nearby this cupboard. Nearby that is an Alchemy Lab you can use with what ingredients you have on hand. Head to the West to continue forward.

A Daedra's Best Friend

You will find another large chamber with more Vampires inside it.

A Daedra's Best Friend

To the South is a small room with some useful potions, a Goat Cheese Wedge, a bottle of Wine and the books The Real Barenziah, Vol 3 and Vol 4. There is also a small table with an Iron Dagger on it and a Locked Chest (Adept Level) can be found here.

A Daedra's Best Friend

In the main room, the pit has a few levels. Going down it will lead to the next section. On the top level of it you will find a few dead bandits and another Vampire at the table to the South, if the Vampire has not been drawn out from any obvious fighting earlier. On the table you can find find some Health Potions, some lore books but also the Destruction Skill book: Response to Bero's Speech. On the shelves past the table are more lore books.

A Daedra's Best Friend

You will want to head down down the ramp to the North to continue forward.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Continue forward in the deeper portion of the cave. You have more Thralls and Vampires to deal with yet. Head around the first corner to engage a Thrall. Turn to the South as soon as a you can after that. Follow that passage deeper.

A Daedra's Best Friend

In the tight corners of this passage you can encounter more Vampires. Deal with them and press forward to the chamber beyond.

A Daedra's Best Friend

In here you will find a statue to the Daedric Prince Calvicus Vile. Talk with him about returning Barbas to his side. He will be somewhat against it, but he does see a way the dog can regain his place. He will send you to get an Axe from Rimerock Burrow.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Retrieve the Rueful Axe with Barbas

Take the stairs on either side of the statue to find your way outside. Just pull the chain on the wall behind the statue. Head on through the door to the South.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Make your way to the location marked. Inside you will find a Flame Atronach waiting for you.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Head to the South and take the ramp up. You will find Sebastian Lort at the Arcane Enchanter.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Look on the table to find the Rueful Axe. Collect it and head on out of the small cave.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Return to the Shrine of Clavicus Vile with Barbas and the Rueful Axe

Make your way back to Haemar's Shame just run on through to the Shrine in the back of it. Talk with Clavicus Vile and he will make an offer. He will let you keep the axe if you kill Barbas with it. Barbas will chime in with another offer for the Masque of Clavicus Vile. Or you can use the Rueful Axe to kill Barbas

A Daedra's Best Friend

Equip the Rueful Axe and kill Barbas

To kill Barbas, just equip the Rueful Axe and attack the dog.

A Daedra's Best Friend

Speak to Clavicus Vile (and return the Rueful Axe)

Whether you kill the dog or not return to the statue and talk with it. His power will be restored and you will get your reward.

A Daedra's Best Friend

If you did not kill Barbas, Clavicus Vile will give you the Masque of Clavicus Vile.

A Daedra's Best Friend