Message to Whiterun

Dilemma at Whiterun

Immediately after congratulating you on locating the Bone Crown, General Tullius explains that reports indicate Ulfric Stormcloak has raised enough men to attack the city of Whiterun. However, the headstrong Jarl is refusing Imperial support. Tullius hands you a missive, with information that ought to convince the Jarl to receive Imperial help. He requests that you don’t read the missive but hand it over to the Jarl as soon as possible.

• Imperial Documents

Make your way past the Whiterun Stables and then up the long, slow climb, over the drawbridge, and to the main Whiterun gate. As you approach, a guard stops you; the city is closed, with the news of the dragons spreading faster than you can travel. You can:

• Tell the guard that Riverwood calls for the Jarl’s aid. This is the optimal plan and is available only if Main Quest: Before the Storm is active.
• (Persuade) Or you can tell the guard you have news from Helgen about the dragon attack.
• (Bribe) Or bribe the guard with a proportion of your collected gold.
• (Intimidate) Or order the guard to stand aside.

Once you’re inside the walls of Whiterun, head north, to the top of the hill on which the city sits, past the Gildergreen tree and the Shrine to Talos. Climb the stone steps to discover Dragonsreach, home of the Jarl. Walk toward the huge central fire on either side of the banqueting tables. Irileth, Jarl Balgruuf’s Housecarl, meets you. Explain that you have a message from General Tullius, and she immediately lets you past. You can converse with her at length if you wish, or offer other responses with the Main Quest active, but mentioning the General’s name allows you to progress more quickly.

Approach the Jarl and inform him that you have a message from General Tullius. His responses are dictated by the current situation regarding the dragons returning to Skyrim and how far through the Main Quest you have progressed.

At this point, you must have completed both Main Quest: Bleak Falls Barrow and Main Quest: Dragon Rising, then returned to the Jarl, heard the call of the Greybeards, and received your Housecarl, Lydia.

If you have not completed these two quests, you must do so. Refer to the Main Quest for all relevant information.

You can deliver the Imperial Documents before beginning Main Quest: Bleak Falls Barrow. The Jarl pockets the documents and ponders them while you finish your Main Quests.

Once the joviality over the dragon’s defeat at the Western Watchtower has subsided, approach the Jarl and ask him about the message from the General. He asks for his steward, Proventus Avenicci, and his Housecarl, Irileth, to comment on these matters.

Avenicci recommends a wait-and-see approach to the perceived threat of Ulfric. Irileth believes it is time to act, while the Jarl wishes to challenge Ulfric to face him as a man and declare his intentions. Avenicci favors a garrison of Imperials, while Irileth deems this to be cowardly. You can interrupt this back-and-forth or let the Jarl conclude. The results are the same: The Jarl has a message for you to deliver to the Jarl of Windhelm, Ulfric Stormcloak. He gives you an axe. Ulfric will get the symbology, although you can ask the Jarl for more information.

• Balgruuf’s War Axe

Axed

Journey east to the magnificent stone city of Windhelm, the stronghold for the Stormcloaks. Enter the massive city gates and head north to the Palace of the Kings. Pass the huge banquet table and find Ulfric Stormcloak. He is usually sitting on his throne or strategizing in his war room (to the west) with his trusted brethren Galmar Stone-Fist. Tell Ulfric you bring a message from the Jarl of Whiterun. You have many other conversations you can attempt with Ulfric that bring you up to speed with the Stormcloaks’ plans and wishes for the Civil War. But more important is Ulfric’s response. He deems you brave to carry such a message and says it is a pity you’ve chosen the wrong side. You are to return to the Jarl of Whiterun and tell him to prepare to entertain...visitors.

Atop the steps behind the Jarl’s throne is a conference of war planning. A second Legate, named Quentin Cipius, has received information from a soldier that the enemy has catapults and intends to arm them with fire and take the city with the walls intact. As you approach the Jarl, he suspected Ulfric’s response and sent word to General Tullius, who lent a detachment of troops and Legate Cipius. The Jarl turns you over to the Legion for your next orders.

Quest Conclusion

Speak with Legate Cipius. The forces of both Imperials and Stormcloaks are gathering at the gates. You are to move there and hold this city!

Postquest Activities

This prompts the immediate commencement of Civil War Quests: Defense of Whiterun.