Main Quest: Diplomatic Immunity

The Thinking Schemer

When you are ready to continue prying into the secretive and powerful Thalmor faction, return to Riverwood and seek out Delphine in her usual resting spot—the cellar of the Sleeping Giant Inn. She has crafted a plan to infiltrate you into the Thalmor Embassy, mainly because you’re unknown to their organization, while Delphine would stand out like a Stormcloak in Solitude. She tells you that the Thalmor ambassador, Elenwen, is renowned for throwing parties where the rich and connected hobnob with the Thalmor. Once you inflitrate the Embassy, you’ll excuse yourself from the glad-handing and attempt to find any of Elenwen’s secret files. Delphine has a contact—a Wood Elf named Malborn—inside the Embassy who can help but who doesn’t want any exposure. You’re to meet him at the Winking Skeever. You can bombard Delphine with several questions about the contact, how you’ll get into the party, and other matters if you wish.

Journey to Solitude, and locate the Winking Skeever tavern, close to the main gates. Step inside and find the shifty-looking character, Malborn. Tell him that a mutual friend sent you, and he says that he can smuggle some equipment into the Embassy that you can pick up once you’re inside, just in case you need a weapon or two if you’re accidentally discovered or if the plan becomes problematic. He tells you to hand over what you can’t live without, and he’ll have it ready to grab once you’re inside.

If you stink at sneaking, simply load Malborn up with your favorite weapons, some potions, and a full suit of armor. You can hand over anything you wish to him.

After you hand over your preferred equipment to Malborn, he tells you that he’ll seek you out at the party, and says to meet up with Delphine, who has some appropriate attire and an invitation to the event.

Travel to Katla’s Farm, halfway up the hill on which Solitude sits. As the Thalmor Guards will notice an adventuring type who’s armed to the teeth, Delphine gives you more suitable attire for socializing with the noblemen of Skyrim. She also hands you an Invitation to Elenwen’s Reception and says that she’ll keep the rest of your gear safe until you return. When you’re inside, you’ll have only what Malborn smuggled in and whatever there is to hand in the Embassy. Don the outfit that Delphine gave you; remove any gauntlets, helmets, or shields you’re carrying (although amulets and rings are fine to wear). Delphine gives you a quick once-over and asks if you’re ready to take the carriage to the Thalmor Embassy. Agree when you wish to continue. The remaining equipment is now removed.

• Party Clothes
• Party Boots
• Invitation to Elenwen’s Reception

You disembark from the carriage in the snowy courtyard within the walls of the Thalmor Embassy compound. As you’re heading toward the steps and a Thalmor Guard, you hear a man murmuring behind you. Optionally turn and listen to Razelan, who’s late for the party and in a slightly rambunctious mood. He’s certain there’s not enough drinking going on in the world today. Politely leave him, and amble over to talk with the Thalmor Guard and show him your invitation. You have other conversation options, but you can’t proceed until the invitation is shown. Head up the steps, past the guard and into the Embassy.

Scene, Not Heard

Elenwen greets you as you enter. Make small talk for a few moments (your conversation topics range from asking for a drink to other pleasantries), and before Elenwen’s suspicions are raised by any strange or mistaken answers you give her, Malborn calls her from the bar counter, saying that he’s run out of the Alto Wine. You now know where Malborn is stationed and can quickly slip away from Elenwen as she says she’ll catch up to you later and greets Razelan. Mingle in the main chamber. Here, you’ll bump into several important dignitaries from across Skyrim:

Erikur, the conniving, greedy, and vain owner of the lumber mill in Solitude.

General Tullius, the right hand of the Emperor in charge of Skyrim’s Imperials.

Jarl Balgruuf, the key Imperial ally and Nord leader of Whiterun.

Jarl Elisif the Fair, the naive and patriotic new Jarl of Solitude.

Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone, the odd, hunched crone and leader of Morthal.

Jarl Igmund, the leader of Markarth and staunch supporter of the Imperials.

Jarl Siddgeir, the self-assured, entitled bully of a leader of Falkreath.

Maven Black-Briar, the shrewd family matriarch and meadery owner in Riften.

Ondolemar, the haughty Thalmor liasion to the Imperial Justicars in Markath.

Orthus Endario, who runs the East Empire Company’s office in Windhelm.

Proventus Avenicci, the political and inept steward for the Jarl of Whiterun.

Vittoria Vici, the owner of the East Empire Company and cousin of the Emperor.

Brelas, a respectful and self-effacing Embassy servant who works the other bar.

Illdi, the hired bard, offering timid and underwhelming performances.

With the party already under way, you have a few different options to try when attempting a disturbance:

Razing a Ruckus

The loudmouthed fellow you met outside is usually sitting down, away from the mingling. Strike up a conversation with the reprobate, and he’ll ask for a drink. Return to Malborn or head over to Brelas and order a drink; then return to Razelan and hand the drink over. He thanks you for it; you then ask if he can cause a distraction. Sure enough, he wanders into the throng and commences a ruckus. Head to Malborn quickly!

• Colovian Brandy

A Fractious Favor

You may spot a good friend among the assembled guests. Possible friendships include Vittoria Vici, Maven Black-Briar, Ondolemar, or any of the Jarls, depending on your previous interactions with them. Begin a quiet chat with one of them and ask if they would cause a small disturbance. When they agree, back away toward Malborn, and watch your friend cause a scene with Razelan, despite the drunkard’s innocence. Head to Malborn quickly!

You Can’t Get the Staff These Days

Speak to Erikur at the party, and you’ll see that he has his eye on Brelas, one of the waitstaff. Speak to Erikur and offer to talk to Brelas to see whether she’s interested in a clandestine rendezvous with Erikur. Brelas, being of high morals (and taste), declines the offer. Return to Erikur and tell him:

• (Lie) That she’s interested, or
• That she isn’t interested at all.

Either response makes Erikur accost Brelas, causing a distraction and allowing you to head to Malborn, and quickly!

During any of these distractions, Malborn heads to the door leading into the kitchens and waits for you to approach. He’ll then open the door and close it behind you.

Embassy Evidence

Enter the kitchens, now that no one saw you slip away. While Malborn preoccupies Tsavani the cook, open the next door on the left side of the kitchen and enter the larder. The wooden chest on the left has the equipment you gave Malborn back at the Winking Skeever. Take the exit door opposite the chest and begin a clandestine sweep of the Embassy chambers.

• Smuggled Equipment

In reality, the sweep doesn’t have to be that sneaky, as long as you’re prepared for a fight with the well-armed Thalmor Soldiers patrolling the building. From the first corridor, face south, and check the room to your left (east), into a long hallway with two Thalmor Guards. You may engage them in combat, or stay out of sight (behind the doorway, or via a spell or sneaking) and wait for them to leave so you can sneak past them, or shut the door and easily sneak by. Use the small storage room or the room divider to hide behind, if necessary.

• Thalmor Robes

From the long hallway, you can head east and open the door to the exterior courtyard (western side). Or you can maneuver around the bar, up the stairs to the upper floor, and creep past (or bludgeon) the guard patrolling this area. To your right (east) is a corridor leading to a dining area (with wine, poisons, and potions to pilfer). To the left (west) is a bedroom, which is on your right (north) and an office to the left (south), which also has a door leading to the exterior courtyard (eastern side). Pick either of the exits and head outside.

Creep through the snow, along the perimeter of the Thalmor Embassy grounds, taking care not to be seen by the patrolling guards (or rush in and attack them if you don’t believe in the element of surprise). Either perimeter path allows you access into the snow-laden garden, and the door into Elenwen’s Solar. Enter that door as soon as you can.

(Sneak) If you’re disguised or sneaking, there’s usually a Thalmor Mage guarding this door.

(High Elf) If you’re a High Elf and wearing Thalmor Robes, you can actually trick the guard into leaving his post with a quick conversation!

When you enter the solar, you hear a Thalmor called Rulindil (one of the spymasters responsible for receiving and utilizing clandestine chatter) talking to one of his spies, a weasely man named Gissur. They mention an interrogation room below. Beware of a patrolling guard here as you move quietly to the bar and storage room (if you’re hiding), or into the withdrawing room that has multiple exits.

Upstairs are two bedrooms and a small storage area. Aside from a variety of expensive items (that aren’t critical to your quest), there’s nothing to take up here. Instead, remain on the ground floor and sneak (or rush) into the northwest office, next to Rulindil’s study. There are books to check out, and a small chest holds some evidence: a Dragon Investigation document (which notes a prisoner in the cellar dungeon who is the key to unlocking the dragon phenomenon), the Interrogation Chamber Key, and two dossiers—one on Delphine and the other on Ulfric Stormcloak. It all makes for some very interesting reading. If you’re just considering the prisoner, you can also head west and challenge Rulindil in his study. You can spring into an attack or try to pickpocket Rulindil (which is difficult) for the Interrogation Chamber Key.

• Interrogation Chamber Key (2)
• Dragon Investigation: Current Status
• Thalmor Dossier: Delphine
• Thalmor Dossier: Ulfric Stormcloak

There are two staircases leading down; both lead to a similar-looking door to the Embassy Dungeon (which can also be picked [Expert]). You can head through either door, but the stairs and door to the northeast place you on a balcony where you can see a single guard patrolling.

If you entered this area via Elenwen’s Study (the one farthest from Rulindil), then you can sneak down here and watch Rulindil descend the steps from his office and begin a rather unpleasant interrogation. Otherwise, he is likely to have attacked you, or been killed already, along with his spy, Gissur.

Fewer guards make it easier to sneak down the steps, move past the rack, and execute the guard with a sneak attack. Before you investigate that moaning, check the small chest by the table with the rolls of paper on it; there’s another dossier, this one on a gentleman named Esbern. Now read all the materials you’ve gathered (the Dragon Investigation and all three dossiers) to complete your objective.

• Thalmor Dossier: Esbern

You may talk to the prisoner moaning in the first cell (and Brelas if you used her as a party distraction). The prisoner’s name is Etienne Rarnis, and if you speak to him, he reveals that he may have mentioned the location of a man named Esbern who may shed some light on the resurrected dragons returning to Skyrim. The Thalmor are certainly interested in him. As you release the prisoner, two Thalmor Soldiers and Malborn appear, so fight off the Thalmor if they attack. Take down any guards and search them for the Trap Door Key (there are two available); otherwise you won’t be able to escape.

• Trap Door Key (2)

Drop through the trapdoor—with Malborn, Etienne, and Brelas by your side if they are alive and freed—and enter the Reeking Cave (so named because of the stench of the Frost Troll who lives here who slaughters travelers and brings them back here to consume). You can attack the troll before dropping down so he can’t strike you back. Watch out; Etienne or Brelas can die fighting or fleeing from this creature. The cave itself is small; locate the exit, where Malborn, Etienne, and Brelas all flee. You don’t need to follow them.

Quest Conclusion

Delphine is waiting for you in the secret cellar downstairs in the Sleeping Giant Inn. Return here and locate the large chest on the left (north) wall to obtain all the equipment you gave her before visiting the Embassy. Delphine wants to know if you’ve found out anything useful. Mention that the Thalmor are looking for someone named Esbern. Delphine seems to instantly know who this “crazy old man” is. She reveals Esbern is a Blade archivist who is an expert on the ancient dragonlore of the Blades. From your earned knowledge, it seems Esbern is hiding out somewhere in the city of Riften. Perhaps a well-connected man named Brynjolf can help. To get him to trust you, ask him to remember the 30th of Frostfall.

Postquest Activities

Time is racing; you must now hunt down Esbern, convince him to help your cause, and hope the Thalmor don’t get there first! Main Quest: A Cornered Rat begins now. If you visit Windhelm, and Malborn is still alive, you can find him inside the Gnisis Corner Club and begin Miscellaneous OBJECTIVE: Malborn’s Long Shadow.