You’ve probably seen the loading screens. They talk about the highest-ranking Dragon Priests in ancient Skyrim and the "strange artifacts that defy the laws of time." Most players stumble onto one by accident—usually getting blasted by a high-level Fireball at Shearpoint—and then realize there is a whole set of these masks to track down. Honestly, it’s one of the best "hidden" quests in the game because the game doesn't actually give you a quest marker for it until the very, very end.
Tracking down Skyrim all dragon priest locations is basically a tour of the most dangerous, high-level ruins in the province. These aren't your average draugr. They are liches. They fly. They use high-level Destruction magic and summon Storm Atronachs. If you’re under level 20, you’re probably going to have a bad time. But the reward? It’s arguably the best headgear in the game, especially once you unlock the final secret.
The Eight Priests of the Mainland
You have to find eight specific named priests across the base game map before you can even think about the "final" reward. Most are tucked away at the end of massive Nordic ruins that have their own side stories.
Krosis is the one most people find first. He’s out in the open at Shearpoint, which is a dragon lair in the mountains between Whiterun and Windhelm. You have to fight a dragon and the priest at the same time. It's a chaotic mess. The mask gives you a 20% boost to Lockpicking, Archery, and Alchemy. It's a thief’s dream.
Volsung sits at the summit of Volskygge, way out west of Solitude. The climb is a pain, but the mask is worth it for the utility alone. It gives you Waterbreathing, 20 extra carry weight, and better prices. I usually keep this one in my inventory just for selling loot to Belethor.
Hevnoraak is deep in Valthume, southwest of Rorikstead. You’ll meet a ghost named Valdar who gives you a quest called "Evil in Waiting." Follow it. The mask makes you 100% immune to disease and poison. If you hate Vampirism or getting sick from traps, this is the one.
Otar the Mad is in Ragnvald, north of Markarth. You have to find two skull keys to reach him. His mask, Otar, is incredible for tanks because it adds 30% resistance to Fire, Frost, and Shock.
Vokun is found in High Gate Ruins, west of Dawnstar. You’ll run into a woman named Anska who wants help finding a scroll. The mask reduces the cost of Conjuration, Illusion, and Alteration spells by 20%.
Rahgot is probably the most annoying to get. He’s in Forelhost, southeast of Riften. The ruin is huge, filled with high-level Draugr Deathlords. The mask gives a massive +70 to Stamina.
The Quest-Locked Priests
Two of the mainland priests are impossible to find unless you are doing specific questlines.
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Morokei is at the end of Labyrinthian. You can only access his chamber during the College of Winterhold quest "The Staff of Magnus." He has 100% Magicka regeneration on his mask, which is basically mandatory for pure mage builds.
Nahkriin is the "missable" one. He guards the portal to Sovngarde in Skuldafn. You only go here during the main quest "The World-Eater's Eyrie." If you don't loot him before jumping into the portal, you can never go back. He gives +50 Magicka and 20% cost reduction for Destruction and Restoration.
The Secret Tenth Mask: Konahrik
Once you have all eight, you have to head back to Labyrinthian. Don't go into the main dungeon. Look for a small circular stone building on the outskirts—the Bromjunaar Sanctuary. Inside, you’ll find a skeleton and a Wooden Mask.
This is where it gets weird. You have to put the Wooden Mask on while standing in that room. It transports you back in time. You’ll see the shrine in its prime. Place all eight masks on the busts, and the dragon’s mouth opens to reveal Konahrik.
This mask is wild. When your health is low, it has a chance to heal you, give you a Flame Cloak, or even summon a spectral Dragon Priest to fight for you. It’s the ultimate "I refuse to die" item.
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Skyrim All Dragon Priest Locations in the Dragonborn DLC
If you have the Dragonborn expansion, there are five more priests on the island of Solstheim. These masks are a bit different; three of them focus purely on elemental damage.
- Ahzidal: Found in Kolbjorn Barrow. You have to fund an excavation quest called "Unearthed." It costs about 11,000 gold total and takes several in-game days. The mask gives 50% Fire Resistance and boosts your Fire damage by 25%.
- Dukaan: Located in White Ridge Barrow. This mask gives 50% Frost Resistance and 25% Frost damage.
- Zahkriisos: Found in Bloodskal Barrow during the quest "The Final Descent." This one is for the shock mages: 50% Shock Resistance and 25% Shock damage.
- Vahlok the Jailor: He’s in Vahlok's Tomb. Interestingly, he doesn't have a mask. He’s just a cool boss fight you find during a quest for the Skaal village.
- Miraak: The big bad of the DLC. You get his mask at the end of the DLC main quest at the Summit of Apocrypha. Its stats depend on what level you are when you kill him, but it always boosts Magicka.
Making the Most of Your Hunt
Don't just rush in. Dragon Priests are smart. They will kite you. They will back away while throwing AoE spells that linger on the ground. If you’re playing on Legendary difficulty, a single "Wall of Storms" from a priest can end your run in seconds.
Bring Resist Magic potions. Or better yet, get the Spellbreaker shield.
The biggest mistake players make is forgetting to loot the body. I know it sounds stupid, but in the heat of a dragon fight at Shearpoint, it’s easy to lose track of where the ash pile ended up. If you lose the mask, you lose the chance at Konahrik. There is no "lost and found" in Skyrim.
To wrap this up, the most efficient way to handle this is to start the College of Winterhold and the Main Quest simultaneously. That gets Morokei and Nahkriin out of the way. The rest you can pick off as you explore. Just make sure you keep that Wooden Mask safe; without it, the other eight are just heavy decorations for your house in Whiterun.
Check your inventory for any masks you might have tucked away in a chest. If you've sold one to a merchant, pray they still have it, or you might be looking at a very long trek back through your save files. Once you have Konahrik, though, the game changes. You're not just a hero; you're the new high priest.