Reunification of Skyrim (continued) – Compelling Tribute

Anuriel’s Gold

Legate Rikke has set up a hidden Imperial Camp on the southwestern edge of the Rift (below the snowline), which has the same benefits as the one in the Pale, including one, two, or three wounded soldiers inside the hospital tent. Report in with Legate Rikke, and she orders you to Riften. Her spies are reporting that the Jarl’s Steward, Anuriel, has arrangements with the Thieves Guild that could be embarrassing if they were made public. You must try to find evidence of this and present it to her, using it to gain cooperation. This requires both stealth and discretion.

Journey to Riften and locate the mighty Mistveil Keep at the city’s southern end. Step through the front doors into the Jarl’s chamber, complete with a splendid banqueting table and a variety of foodstuffs. Approach the Jarl. Unmid Snow-Shod immediately requests that you maintain a respectable distance from the Jarl. If you’re simply wandering the Keep, it is not necessary to speak with those surrounding the Jarl, including Anuriel or Laila Law-Giver. Finding evidence is your top priority.

The evidence is located in Anuriel’s bedroom, which is behind the Jarl’s throne and to the right (northeast). The doors are unlocked, and the information is hidden inside a dresser. You can reach this area without drawing attention to yourself in a few different ways:

• (Sneak) You can sneak into the chamber, preferably after dark when the banqueting hall is empty.
• (Spells) You can cast Invisibility, or some other spell that diminishes the chances of you being seen.
• Or you can slowly, and without weapons drawn, enter the banqueting hall and head immediately to Anuriel’s bedroom.

Once you reach the dresser, extricate the following:

• Incriminating Letter

Locate Anuriel within the Keep, and show her the incriminating letter. She quickly requests that you meet her in private. Stay close to her so the guards don’t stop you. She takes you into her chamber, where she asks what kind of extortion racket you’re running. Ask her what would happen if the letter was made public, and Anuriel folds, explaining Jarl Laila is a simple and easily manipulatable woman, and she can’t risk the backlash. She asks to come to some agreement, wondering if both of you could prosper. Ask her what agreement she has in mind, and she mentions a large shipment of gold and weapons the Stormcloaks are transporting. You can:

• (Persuade) Ask about receiving some additional payment for yourself.
• Agree to the deal and ask where this shipment is.

If your persuasion works, you receive a large purse of coins. Either way, you must confirm the agreement. She reveals the Stormcloaks are taking this booty by wagon to Windhelm. If you hurry, you can catch them before they get too far.

• Leveled gold pieces

Head back to the hidden camp and tell Rikke about the shipment of coin. Coincidentally, she already has a small group of scouts on the same road that the enemy caravan is traveling. You are to meet up with them and try to overpower the wagon’s guards.

Hadvar’s Heroes

Judging by your world map, the scouts are waiting on the road just below Shor’s Watchtower, in the Rift’s northeast corner. Travel there, watching out if you’re approaching from the north, or you’ll run into the Stormcloak caravan without any help from the scouts. Approach along the road from the south, heading north past Shor’s Stone. Meet an old friend as the path winds through the trees. Hadvar greets you. At this point, you have two choices to make.

Plan A: Hadvar’s Help

Chat with Hadvar, answering any way you wish. Steer the conversation back to your mission and explain the enemy wagon loaded with coin and weapons is farther down this slope. As luck would have it, Hadvar has been tracking the wagon, which has lost an axle and is stranded. Although you’re outnumbered (there are six foes), Hadvar has a plan: His troops will remove the enemy sentry, then situate themselves overlooking the camp. Afterward, you’ll infiltrate their position, gain their attention, and Hadvar’s troops will unleash a volley of arrows, winning the day tactically. Agree to this plan.

Crouch and follow Hadvar, watching as his bowmen drop the enemy scout. Wait for them to reach the rise overlooking the broken-down caravan below, and then walk toward the enemies. Sneaking, firing from range, or rushing to attack are all excellent ideas, while your brethren shoot arrows down on them from above.

Plan B: Hadvar’s a Hindrance

Chat with Hadvar, then either refuse to go along with his plan or ignore him altogether.

Head down the hill and begin to battle the six Stormcloaks guarding the caravan of gold. Begin with the sentry atop the rocks overlooking the caravan. Then rain death from above with ranged attacks, or swarm the foes with melee weapons. A couple of enemy soldiers may be sleeping, so carve them up before they fully wake.

Quest Conclusion

With the caravan’s guards removed, Hadvar remains here to guard the gold. Speak to him to end the quest. Loot any weapons and gold you wish from the wagon.

• Spoils of War

Postquest Activities

Civil War Quests: Reunification of Skyrim is still ongoing. Civil War Quests: The Battle for Fort Greenwall begins shortly.