Main Quest: Before the Storm

A Wander Down to Riverwood

You emerge into the bright light of Falkreath Hold, north of the still-shouldering ruin of Helgen. You and your companion watch as the dragon responsible for disrupting your execution flies away to the north.

This is Hadvar. You will follow him if you befriended this Imperial soldier while escaping Helgen.

This is Ralof. You will follow him if you befriended this Stormcloak operative while escaping Helgen.

Speak to him so the objective updates. At this point, you can:

• Follow him down the hillside, which is advisable if you want to complete this quest.
• Head off alone, ignoring him: To continue this quest, simply meet up with Hadvar’s or Ralof’s contact in Riverwood, or journey to Whiterun and speak to the Jarl there.

Follow your friend down the hillside. He points out the ominous ruins on the river’s opposite side: Bleak Falls Barrow. Continue to the edge of the White River, which flows from Lake Ilinalta to the west. Your friend is talking about the current situation regarding your chosen Faction when a couple of wolves interrupt him. Join in the attack, or watch your friend defeat them. Then follow the path along the riverbank and into Riverwood, which is on the edge of Whiterun Hold.

Imperials: Alvor and Sigrid

Enter Riverwood, where Hadvar beckons you to meet his uncle. Head to the blacksmith’s, where Uncle Alvor is hammering away in his forge. He seems confused and troubled by his nephew’s appearance and is convinced to head inside his house to talk. Sigrid (Alvor’s wife) will prepare some vittles; it looks like you could use some sustenance.

Head inside Alvor and Sigrid’s House. Hadvar tells of his assignment to General Tullius’s guard and the dragon attack in Helgen. Alvor accuses Hadvar of being drunk, saying the dragons were wiped out long ago. Hadvar finishes the story, telling Alvor that he owes his life to you. Hadvar wishes to leave for Solitude, but you both need food and a place to stay. Alvor offers you a gift, while his daughter Dorthe watches silently. You can take any or all of the items offered. Then Alvor turns to you: Riverwood needs your help. Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun needs to know if there’s a dragon on the loose, as Riverwood is defenseless against it. Soldiers must be sent here. Your Quest Objective updates, along with your map, and you can ask Alvor, Sigrid, or anyone else further questions before you leave.

• Gift

Stormcloaks: Gerdur and Hod

Enter Riverood, where Ralof walks around the left (northern) side of the Blacksmith’s to meet his sister. Sven and his mother, Hilde, can be heard arguing about the dragon she saw. Ralof shouts a greeting to his sister Gerdur, who is delighted to see him. She seems concerned, especially after learning that Ulfric Stormcloak had been captured. She is convinced to move to a quieter area away from eavesdroppers. She yells for her husband, Hod.

By the river, Hod and Gerdur (and later, Gerdur’s son Frodnar) listens to Ralof as he recalls the ambush by the Imperials outside Darkwater Crossing. It was as if they knew the Stormcloaks were there. After narrowly escaping the headsman’s block, and after a mistrial for Ulfric, a dragon appeared over Helgen and inadvertently saved them! Now you both need food and a place to say. Gerdur offers you a key to her home, and a gift. Then she tells you that Riverwood is defenseless, and Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun needs to know if there’s a dragon on the loose. While Ralof and his relatives head back to Gerdur’s home, you can follow them or set off. Your Quest Objective updates, along with your map. You may also ask Gerdur, Hod, or anyone else further questions before you leave.

• Key to Gerdur’s House
• Gift

The Fortress-City of Whiterun

You must now make your way to Whiterun, the capital to the north. The optimal route is to cross the bridge as you exit Riverwood, follow the path with the waterfall rapids to your right (east), and begin a hill descent. You may have a World Encounter on the way down. Take the left (west) path at the two bridges, on the opposite side of the stream to Chillfurrow Farm, and pass the Honningbrew Meadery. You may hear the sounds of combat coming from the outskirts of Pelagia Farm; a giant has lumbered into this area, and a group of fighters called The Companions is fighting it.

Make your way past the Whiterun Stables and then up the hill, 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 only available with this quest active.
• (Persuade) Or you can tell the guard you have news from Helgen about the dragon attack.
• (Bribe) Or bribe the guard with a portion of your collected gold.
• (Intimidate) Or order the guard to stand aside.

Once you’re inside the walls of Whiterun, there is much to do and see. Don’t worry about roaming this city, entering buildings, and interacting with the locals. But once you decide to complete this quest, head north, up to the hilltop that the city sits on, past the Gildergreen Tree (part of the Kynareth Temple), 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 banquet tables. The inhabitants of Dragonsreach are a little on edge. As you step forward, you are met by Irileth, Jarl Balgruuf’s Housecarl. Explain to her that you’re here to see the Jarl; you can be as forthright or secretive with the information, depending on how annoyed you wish Irileth to be. After a stare-down, the Jarl requests your presence. Speak to him about the dragon that destroyed Helgen.

Begin to tell the Jarl your tale; your responses result in the same course of action (assuming you don’t go mad and launch into an attack inside Dragonsreach):

• If you mention Alvor, Jarl Balgruuf notes that he’s a reliable, solid fellow and not prone to flights of fancy.
• If you mention Gerdur, Jarl Balgruuf says that she’s a pillar of the community and not prone to flights of fancy.

This gives more credence to your story. You can give the Jarl as many personal details as you wish in the course of his questioning and your story. After a discussion in which Irileth wisely asks for troops to be sent to Riverwood immediately, Proventus Avenicci (the Jarl’s steward) warns that the Jarl of Falkreath may see this as provocation.

Quest Conclusion

After Avenicci slinks off to tend to other duties, Jarl Balgruuf thanks you for your initiative and gives you a small token of his esteem, based on whichever Armor Skill (Light or Heavy) is higher.

• Leveled Armor

Postquest Activities

Main Quest: Bleak Falls Barrow begins immediately.