Words of Power: Locations and Information

Introduction

One of the most prominent additions to the Skyrim experience is the addition of dragon shouts, each one composed of three words of power. While collecting them is completely optional, they provide one with a huge advantage in combat, stealth, and general survival. Besides the obvious perks of collecting these shouts, they are also an intricate part of being Dragonborn, if that means anything to you. When all is said and done, while tracking down and fighting to every word will take you size-able amount of time, having access to these shouts provide you with a distinct advantage in all aspects of your adventure. Getting 20 shouts is also a requirement for a trophy/achievement, if that is your sort of thing.

Words of Power

Foreword

Your average Word Wall.

Here is where you'll learn your shouts.

Each shout section will contain a short description on the shout, where you can find each word, and my opinion on each. Although the words are numbered in this guide, you can discover them in any order. There are some cases where this isn't possible though, such as with Unrelenting Force. Lastly, most Words of Power are guarded by a dragon, dragon priest, an assortment of dreugh, or some other monster. That being said, saving before approaching each Word Wall is recommended.

Acquired Through The Main Quest

The following are examples of shouts that are given to you at various stages during Skyrim's main quest. Don't worry about tracking them down, you just have to complete the main questline!

Unrelenting Force

Turns your shout into a poweful force that staggers or knocks back your opponent. Each word adds to its knocking back potential.

• Word Wall #1 - In Bleak Falls Barrow, west of Riverwood in the mountains. You are sent there on the first real main story mission from Whiterun, Bleak Falls Barrow or for The Golden Claw side quest from Lucan in Riverwood.
• Word Location #2 - Given to you by Arngeir in the main quest The Way of the Voice when you get to High Hrothgar.
• Word Location #3 - Given to you by Arngeir after you take back the horn to him in the main quest, Horn of Jurgen Windcaller.

Opinion - One of the few shouts you are forced to acquire. Also, one of the few shouts I really can't live without. With a full powered Unrelenting Force, you can stagger dragons, send most NPC's flying backward, and escape death by blowing your attacker backwards.

Clear Skies

Your shout forces all bad weather to cease, causing either a sunny day or a still, quiet night. Must shout all three words to achieve this affect.

• Word Locations #1, #2, #3 - During the quest Throat of the World Arngeir will give you all three words for this shout when you get to High Hrothgar.

Opinion - You'll get the full set during the main quest. Fun little shout, but only seriously used for getting to the Throat of the World. Could be used to improve your view of the landscape.

Dragonrend-your shout introduces mortality to a dragon, forcing it to land. Must shout all three words to achieve this affect.

• Word Locations #1, #2, #3 - Learnt during the main quest Alduin’s Bane.

Opinion - Another one you'll be forced to learn and use. Very useful for dragon killing if you aren't the magic or archery type.

Call Dragon

Your shout summons a dragon to help you fight. Must shout all three words to summon him.

• Word Locations #1, #2, #3 - Received in the quest The Fallen.

Opinion - Nothing cooler than summoning a dragon to lend you a hand. Sticks around until it gets weakened enough.

Call of Valor

Your shouts calls a hero from Sovengarde to aid you in a fight. Must use all three words to summon the hero.

• Word Locations #1, #2, #3 - Received for completing the main quest, “Dragonslayer.â€

Opinion - Any ally is a good ally. The hero will use shouts, which can prove to be very useful. Doesn't last long though, so the practicality of this is debatable.

Independently Acquired

The following shouts are not obtained during the main questline, and therefore require independent adventuring on your part. Note that some of them are associated with their own individual quests.

Whirlwind Sprint

Your shout makes you sprint forward suddenly and quickly. Each word adds to the distance traveled.

• Word Location #1 - Given to you by Borri in the quest The Way of the Voice when you get to High Hrothgar, after you get the second word in Unrelenting Force.
• Word Wall #2 - Volskygge, high in the mountains in the corner of the map of Skyrim, west of Solitude in a Nordic tomb. The actual Word Wall is to the northwest, up the closest mountain, but can be accessed by going through the dungeon. Guarded by Volsung, a dragon priest, so use precaution when approaching.
• Word Wall #3 - Dead Man's Respite, southwest of Morthal. You'll visit this in the sidequest Tending the Flames, which you can get from the Bard's College in Solitude.

Opinion - Not entirely useful, but still one of my favorites. Useful for getting out of inclosed areas if you are stuck, escaping a fight, general traveling, and "gliding" over gaps.

Become Etheral

Your shout turns you invincible, unable to take or do damage. Each added word adds to the length of immortality.

• Word Wall #1 - Ustengrav, the Nordic tomb explored during The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. When you reach the main cavern room, the room where you start seeing skeletons, head down as far as you can. Where the waterfall is with the green trees you’ll see the Word Wall. I can't tell you how many times I passed this.
• Word Wall #2 - Lost Valley Redoubt, in between Markarth and Falkreath. Features a Forsword camp, so look for large stone structures and small tents. At the top you'll see the source of the waterfall. From there, head left to the Hagravens. Fight the Hagravens and get the word from the wall behind them. At the end of the river is Bard’s Leap Summit point. If you jump from that and survive, you get a cool little Easter Egg.
• Word Wall #3 - Ironbind Barrow, southwest of Winterhold and north of the Nightgate Inn. Your standard draugh infested tomb.

Opinion - The only real sure fire way of getting out of a guranteed death. Not a huge fan of the shout, but I can't deny that it is potentially a life saver.

Ice Form

Your shout freezes the target, immobilizing them and doing a small amount of frost damage per second. Each word adds to the duration of being frozen.

• Word Wall #1 - Mount Anthor, the middle mountain in the range to the northwest of Windhelm. Home to a dragon.
• Word Wall #2 - Saarthal, ruins eplored during Under Saarthal, the second quest in the College of Winterhold quest line. Found at the end of the dungeon.
• Word Wall #3 - Frostmere Crypt, between Morthal and Dawnstar. Associated with the quest The Pale Lady.

Opinion - Not a fan of this shout. Although it is good at immobilizing targets without sending them flying backwards, it only works on small targets. Opponents unfreeze when you hit them with an attack afterwards, so this shout is useful when surrounded and need to get rid of some of the pressure.

Kyne’s Peace

Your shout calms aggressive animals for a short period of time. Each word adds to the amount of pain the animal will put up with.

• Word Wall #1 - Rannveig's Fast, north-east of Rorikstead. As you approach the Word Wall, please refrain from falling into the trap door infront of it. After getting the word of power, feel free to hop into the trap door for one of my favorite moments in the game.
• Word Wall #2 - Shroud Hearth Barrow, located in Ivarstead. Talk to the innkeeper Wilheim for a quest to check out the barrow. After killing the "spirit" in the barrow, you will get a Sapphire Dragon Claw from Wilheim as a reward and can now gain access to the previously locked door inside the barrow. Fight your way to the end to get to the Word Wall.
• Word Wall #3 - Ragnavald Temple. north of Markarth in the mountains. When inside, you'll have to find both keys to unlock the door to the wall. After unlocking the doors, immediately prepare to fight Otar the Mad, a dragon priest that awakens as soon as the doors unlock.

Opinion - Kind of a useful shout. Doesn't work on Frost Trolls or Mammoths, the only animals I might want to calm down. Potential use when it comes to bears or sabre cats though.

Aura Whisper

Your shout is a whisper that shows the location of all NPC's; living, undead, machines, and daedra. Each word adds to the duration.

• Word Wall #1 - Northwind Summit, in the mountains between Windhelm and Riften, north-west of Shor's Stone. It's a dragon lair, so be prepared for a fight.
• Word Wall #2 - Valthume, just southeast of Markarth. Upon arrival, you can start the side quest Evil in Waiting. Must fight the dragon priest Hevnoraak.
• Word Wall #3 - Volunruud, a Nordic tomb visited during the Dark Brotherhood quest The Silence has been Broken.

Opinion - Contrary to it's name, NPC's will still hear you if you use it while they are near bye. Still more useful than Detect Life. Find myself using it all the time.

Animal Allegiance

Your shout calls nearbye animals to your aid. Each word adds to the lenght of time the animals obey you.

• Word Wall #1 - Ancient's Ascent. Head to Helgen, go south-west through Bonechill Passage, and then the Dragon Shout is at the other end protected by a dragon.
• Word Wall #2 - Angarvunde, far to the west of Riften and southeast of Ivarstead.
• Word Wall #3 - Ysgramor's Tomb. You'll travel here in the final quest for the Companions, Glory of the Dead

Opinion - Very useless. Potentially useful for turning a mammoth against their giants, but most of the time, you'll just summon a couple of deer, which will be slayed quickly.

Fire Breath

Your shout is fire, dealing both immediate and after-burn fire damage. Each word makes the shout stronger.

• Word Wall #1 - Dustman’s Cairn, but only after you’ve done/are doing the Proving Honor quest from The Companions as it opens up a new area of this dungeon.
• Word Wall #2 - Learnt during the main mission, Throat of the World.
• Word Wall #3 - Sunderstone Gorge, west of Riverwood and northwest of Falkreath.

Opinion - While only doing 90 damage at full power, good against opponents weak to fire, such as vampires, frost trolls, or frost dragons. Not the best fire spell, but if you aren't a magic character, not bad to add to your arsenal.

Marked for Death

Your shout is a curse on the enemy, lowering their armor rating and draining there hp at a fixed rate per second for one minute. Each added word raises the amount of armor rating lowered and the amount of hp drained per second.

• Word Wall #1 - Autumnwatch Tower, south of Ivarstad. You’ll find a couple of towers in the mountains. There’s also a dragon here, but it’s at the top of the farthest tower to the south, so it can be avoided.
• Word Wall #2 - Forsaken Cave, west of Windhelm and east of Nightgate Inn. Explored during the quest The White Phial, which can be started by talking to the alchemy shop owner in Windhelm.
• Word Wall #3 - Inside the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. Start With Friends Like These.... to access it.

Opinion - Highly useful, no matter the situation. At full power, the -75 armor rating and 3hp/s drain isn't that bad.

Frost Breath

Your shout sends a blast of cold air at your opponent. Each word adds to the intensity of the freeze.

• Word Wall #1 - Bonestrewn Crest, directly south of Windhelm in the middle of the swampland. Up on the top of a big large hill. Guarded by a dragon.
• Word Wall #2 - Skyborn Altar. It's at the south-western end of the large mountain due east of Morthal. Guarded by a dragon.
• Word Wall #3 - Folgunthur, southeast of Solitude, not too far away, on the way to Morthal.

Opinion - Less useful than Fire Breath as less things in Skyrim are weak to Frost. Still a keeper against fire dragons.

Dismay

Weaker enemies will be sent running away at this shout. Each word raises the level of opponents that will be affected by this shout.

• Word Wall #1 - Lost Tongue Overlook. Get a bounty letter from Wilheim in Ivarstead's Inn to find this shrine. Guarded by a dragon.
• Word Wall #2 - Dead Crone Rock. You'll have to go through all the keeps that surround it. Involved with the quest Mehrunes Dagon.
• Word Wall #3 - Labyrinthian, more specifically Shalidor's Maze. You'll head here during the quest Staff of Magnus.

Opinion - Don't see the purpose of scaring off weak enemies. Even at full power, it is useless.

Elemental Fury

Your shout allows you to attack at an impressive speed. Each word adds to the duration of this effect.

• Word Wall #1 - Dragontooth Crater, which is in between Solitude and Markarth in the northwest of Skyrim. The large mountain range there.
• Word Wall #2 - Directly north of the Statue of Meridia, which is in the mountains west of Solitude. Guarded by the dragon priest Volsung.
• Word Wall #3 - Shriekwood Bastion, just north of Falkreath and west of Pinewatch.

Opinion - Definitely one of my favorite shouts. Dual wielding is very deadly when using this shout.

Throw Voice

Your shout is a whisper that fools the enemy into thinking you are somewhere else. Added words decrease the recharge time of this shout.

• Word Locations #1, #2, #3 - Shearpoint, directly west of Windhelm and northeast of Whiterun.Guarded by both a dragon and Krosis, a dragon priest.

Opinion - Made for the sneaking player in mind. I find whispering insults hilarious, but I find myself just sneaking normally. Also, the same effect can be achieved by shooting an arrow at a distant wall. Still, the 5 second cool down time for a full powered Throw Voice is really cool.

Disarm

Your shout rips the weapon from your enemies' hand. Added words increase the level the shout will affect.

• Word Wall #1 - Eldersblood Peak, top of a mountain south-west of Morthal. Guarded by a dragon.
• Word Wall #2 - Snow Veil Sanctum, visited during the Thieves' Guild quest Speaking With Silence. In the draugh ambush area.
• Word Wall #3 - Silverdrift Lair, west of Windhelm, halfway between Dawnstar and Winterhold, but to the south and just northwest of Nightgate Inn.

Opinion - Full powered Disarm affects level 30 and below. Potentially useful, but you may find yourself just ripping through anything that low.

Slow Time

Your shout slows down time, allowing you to dodge and deliver attacks more effectively. Each word slows down time even more.

• Word Wall #1 - Labyrinthian, explored during the College of Winterhold quest The Staff of Magnus.
• Word Wall #2 - Korvanjund, north-east of Whiterun, Will come here during the civil war mission for the Jagged Crown.
• Word Wall #3 - Hag's End, The witch den to the west of Solitude. You can skip the dungeon entirely, if you're able to scale the rocks next to the waterfall near the entrance to this dungeon.

Opinion - Another must have. Great for rushing unsuspecting enemies and ko-ing them before they have a chance to respond.

Storm Call

Your shout calls forth a lighting storm to strike at all nearby people. Each word increases the power and duration of the storm.

• Word Wall #1 - High Gate Ruins, east of Solitude. A huge structure and set of ruins. Guarded by Vokun, a dragon priest.
• Word Wall #2 - Skuldafn Temple, found in the main quest The World-Eater’s Eyrie at the Skuldafn Temple level.
• Word Wall #3 - Forelhost, south-east of Riften, up in the mountains.Explored during Siege on the Dragon Cult. Guarded by the dragon priest Rahgot.

Opinion - Very fun and powerful shout to use. Very effective against dragons as you can just shout and hide. A word of caution though, lighting strikes everything it can hit, so only use when you are certain there aren't friendly NPC's around.

Map? Map.

Probably could have included this and nothing else, but here we are anyway.

Well, there you have it. All 60 Words of Power and where to find them. While not necessary, I always feel kind of obligated to track down every shout and use it when I can. Whether you are collecting them to as a true Dragonborn, only getting the useful ones, or just getting the achievement, I hope this guide aids you in tracking them all down.