Liberation of Skyrim (concludes) – Battle for Solitude

The Fall of Solitude

Maneuver back to the Haafingar Stormcloak Camp and speak with Galmar Stone-Fist. He is extremely proud of your accomplishments and rewards you accordingly. Then he tells you that the Brothers of Skyrim are gathering to attack Solitude, and you’re part of it!

• 150 gold pieces

Travel up the road toward the large entrance gate to Solitude, which the Stormcloaks have already razed. The flame catapults are bombarding the embattled city in great plumes of flame, and the air is thick with smoke and Imperial fear.

Rush forward (east) through the wreckage, to the towering gate, where Ulfric Stormcloak is yelling words of encouragement to his forces. This is the time to deliver the final blow to the hated Imperials! Fear neither pain nor darkness, for Sovngarde awaits those who die with weapons in their hands and courage in their hearts!

The stronghold for the Imperials is on fire, and the chaos of fighting General Tullius’s remaining men and navigating the various barriers can be confusing. Learn the various locations you must fight through:

• Initial courtyard: The Winking Skeever and other merchant stores are closed, and the ground is littered with fire. Push forward on either side of the flaming obstacles.
• East to market: The stone ramp up to the forge area is blocked by debris, forcing you to head east, passing the market stalls to your right and heading for a barricade under the arched parapet bridge.
• The Hall of the Dead: You can scramble along the rocks to the left, or hack the barricade and head along the left side of the Hall of the Dead building. Debris and enemy troops are everywhere.
• Castle courtyard: The eventual fight continues with a left (north) turn up the main avenue and into the flaming courtyard outside Castle Dour.

A Little More Than a Rebellion

Push into Castle Dour with Galmar Stone-Fist and Ulfric Stormcloak. Both General Tullius and Legate Rikke are cornered in this castle. Ulfric turns to his old friend and tells you war always comes down to a single truth-laden moment. Rikke won’t stand down, so you’re forced to kill her. Race forward and begin attacking Tullius or Rikke, choosing the foe your allies aren’t fighting so you can bring the Imperial leaders to their knees more quickly. Step back if you’re being wounded too severely.

Tullius splutters through mouthfuls of blood that the Thalmor are to blame; they stirred up the trouble here and forced him to divert resources, quelling this rebellion. Galmar and Ulfric smile, as this is more than a rebellion now! Before Galmar runs Tullius through, Ulfric stops him and asks you to execute the General; it’ll make for a better story. You can:

• Agree, and plunge Ulfric’s sword into the bowed form of General Tullius. Equip the sword first if you wish.
• Or refuse, leaving Galmar to do the job.

Quest Conclusion

With the Imperials firmly routed and their leadership bleeding across the Castle floor, Ulfric tells Galmar that he’ll step out and give a speech to his surviving Brothers and Sisters and will take care of Jarl Elisif. He has a final gift for you as a tribute to your valor; you may keep his sword.

• Leveled Weapon

Postquest Activities

Ulfric and Galmar leave the castle to address the troops to raucous cheers. Afterward, if you ask Ulfric for any other tasks, he tells you to watch for remaining Imperial camps across Skyrim. Defeat the remnants of the Empire in Skyrim as you please. The Sons and Daughers of Skyrim will rejoice once more...with the Thalmor looking on from the shadows....