The Elder Scrolls: Tamriel

The first threshold beyond the outer gates, the Entrance Hall of Castle Volkihar is a vast, foreboding chamber of cold stone and silence. Massive double doors, engraved with faded sigils and sealed with rusted iron, mark the entry from the courtyard. Inside, the air is damp and heavy, thick with the scent of old blood and decaying fabric. Flickering torches cast long shadows across the vaulted ceiling and ancient tapestries depicting grim Volkihar victories. Dust hangs in the air, undisturbed save for the occasional shuffling of a thrall or the soft click of claws on stone. A crumbling stairway at the rear leads deeper into the heart of the fortress, while side alcoves house cracked statues and discarded armor. The hall serves both as a barrier and a warning—a place where intruders often hesitate, sensing that they are no longer guests, but prey.