Hold Capital: Dawnstar

Related Quests

• Civil War Quests: Reunification of Skyrim
• Civil War Quests: A False Front
• Daedric Quests: Pieces of the Past
• Daedric Quests: Waking Nightmare
• Side Quests: Rise in the East
• Dark Brotherhood Quests: Side Contracts: Beitild
• Miscellaneous Objectives: Innkeeper Rumors (Windpeak Inn)
• Miscellaneous Objectives: Salt of the Seas* (Captain Leif Wayfinder)
• Favor (Activity): Mining Ore* (Beitild)
• Favor (Activity): Mining Ore* (Leigelf)
• Favor (Activity): A Drunk’s Drink* (Karl)
• Favor: Rare Item Hunt* (Rustleif)
• Favor: Item Retrieval (Cave)* (Frida)
• Favor: Jobs for the Jarls* (Jarl Skald the Elder)
• Thane Quests: Thane of The Pale*

Habitation: Hold Capital (Minor)

Crafting

• Alchemy Lab
• Arcane Enchanter
• Blacksmith Forge
• Grindstone
• Smelters (2)
• Tanning Rack

Services

• Trader (Apothecary): Frida [4/14]
• Trader (Blacksmith): Rustleif [5/33]
• Trader (Blacksmith): Seren [6/33]
• Trader (Innkeeper): Thoring [4/18]
• Trader (Spells Vendor): Madena [3/12]

Special Objects

• Civil War: Map of Skyrim

Collectibles

• Skill Book [Conjuration]: 2920, Hearth Fire, v9 [B2/10]
• Skill Book [Destruction]: Response to Bero’s Speech [D1/10]
• Skill Book [Destruction]: The Art of War Magic [E2/10]
• Skill Book [Enchanting]: Catalogue of Weapon Enchantments [C1/10]
• Skill Book [Lockpicking]: The Wolf Queen, v1 [E1/10]
• Skill Book [Smithing]: Cherim’s Heart [A1/10]
• Chest(s)
• Potions aplenty
• Loose gear
• Mineable ore (Iron, Quicksilver)

Lore: City Overview

Dawnstar, capital of the Pale Hold, sits on Skyrim’s northern coastline, halfway between Winterhold and Solitude. Because of the glacial icefields just to the east, it is the last port before Windhelm that is not icebound. Dawnstar’s economy is driven by its two mines, and the people of Dawnstar often find meaning in the stones. Like their leader, Jarl Skald the Elder, they stand unbreakable and firm despite all their troubles. Residents of the city fight the weather, the beasts, and raiders every day in order to keep goods and ore flowing into and out of their port and market.

Important Areas of Interest

Main Thoroughfare

The main road (packed with snow and dirt) is in two tiers, with the structures built around the inlet to the Sea of Ghosts. The upper track houses the main structures, while the lower road connects all the buildings owned by individuals. East and west of the roadways are the two mines that help bolster Dawnstar’s economy. To the north, farther along the shoreline, is the entrance to an old, abandoned sanctuary. Dominating the town is the Nightcaller Temple, perched and ever watching over the rugged rocks.

Northstar Port (and the Sea Squall)

Captain Lief Wayfinder

Located at the base of the cliffs under the Nightcaller Temple, these docks host incoming trade ships. The vessel currently docked in these frigid waters is the Sea Squall.

Harlaug (Ferryman) [2/3]

The White Hall

The following leaders of Dawnstar are loyal to the Stormcloaks at the start of the Civil War.

Jarl Skald the Elder

Skald has ruled Dawnstar since his father’s death on the battlefield 35 years ago. He came into his rule in his teenage years and has never really lost the arrogance and sense of invincibility that comes with that age. He is quick to judge and doesn’t change his mind once he has decided something.

Jod (Housecarl)

Jod is Captain of the Dawnstar’s Guard. He takes his duty and his loyalty to the town seriously. He served on a ship in the Great War, and because of his experiences, he is not anxious to fight the Empire. Skald’s fervent animosity toward the Empire has made Jod doubt him.

Bulfrek

Bulfrek’s family has served the Jarls of Dawnstar for generations. He is not pleased with being born into a life that he considers to be without honor. Although he would never speak it out loud, he would do almost anything to be free of his duty.

Madena (Court Wizard)

Madena is far from home. She is a Breton who served as a battle-mage in the Imperial Legion during the Great War. After seeing the horrors of a large war firsthand, she moved to Dawnstar, hoping that being a court mage in a small hold would be free of complication. She refuses to take sides, insisting that her job is to help the people of Dawnstar. She will support whoever is in power.

Frorkmar Banner-Torn

The following residents of Dawnstar arrive to take control of the capital, once this Hold has fallen during the Civil War.

Jarl Brina Merilis

Brina was once renowned throughout the Legion for her leadership and her tactical ability. She is a stern woman who tolerates no foolishness from those under her command. She does have a warm side that sometimes shows through, although it is rarely seen since the start of the war.

Horik Halfhand (Housecarl)

Horik has served with Brina nearly his whole life. With no command ambitions of his own, he is content to serve as her bodyguard. Horik has nothing but respect and admiration for his commander, and there are few things that would shake his loyalty to her.

The White Hall keep serves as both the Jarl’s residence and the place where he holds court. The keep’s main feature is the large combined throne room, mead hall, and council chamber that dominates the largest portion of the main floor. To the right are the Jarl’s Bedchambers, while Madena, the Jarl’s advisor (and excellent spell vendor), resides on the upper floor, along with his manservant Bulfrek. Madena’s spell shop has been partly turned over to the Stormcloaks as a war room, with the blessing of Jarl Skald. Find a Skill Book on a small table upstairs and another tucked between a barrel and pony keg in the room with the training dummy.

• Crafting: Arcane Enchanter
• Trader (Spells Vendor): Madena [3/12]
• Scrolls, Books, Misc
• Skill Book [Destruction]: The Art of War Magic [E2/10]
• Skill Book [Enchanting]: Catalogue of Weapon Enchantments [C1/10]
• Civil War: Map of Skyrim
• Chest
• Potions aplenty

Dawnstar Barracks

Jarl Skald’s guards rest here after their patrols, murmuring about the nightmares all the inhabitants are suffering from. The Barracks has a main floor (where most of the drinking occurs) and an upper sleeping quarters leading to a balcony overlooking the shoreline. Down the stairs is the Dawnstar Jail. Remarkably, a Skill Book is tucked away in one corner of the jail.

• Skill Book [Lockpicking]: The Wolf Queen, v1 [E1/10]
• Evidence Chest
• Prisoner Belongings Chest
• Chest (3)
• Potions aplenty
• Loose gear

Windpeak Inn

• Alesan
• Thoring
• Karita
• Stig Salt-Plank
• Erandur

Windpeak Inn is Dawnstar’s only tavern and is run by Thoring and his young daughter Karita, who both live in the building. Karita serves as a bard, and their servant Abelone handles most of the menial chores, chopping wood or using the grindstone in the pen outside. Currently, the place is a meeting spot where anxious townsfolk (such as Fruki and Irgnir the miners) gather to gossip and worry about the strange nightmares that have been keeping them from their beds.

• Crafting: Grindstone
• Trader (Innkeeper): Thoring [4/15]
• Room for the Night, Food, Innkeeper Rumors
• Chest (2)

Rustleif’s House

• Rustleif
• Seren

Located overlooking the shoreline of Dawnstar, Rustleif has his smithy and home set up facing the main road. Rustleif is a renowned weaponsmith, and he is often called upon to arm and outfit the Jarl’s men. His Redguard wife, Seren, assists him and is currently with child. Inside, their home is comfortable but a little spartan.

• Crafting: Blacksmith Forge, Tanning Rack
• Trader (Blacksmith): Rustleif [5/33]
• Weapons, Apparel, and Misc
• Trader (Blacksmith): Seren [6/33]
• Weapons, Apparel, and Misc.
• Chest

Leigelf’s House

Leigelf Quicksilver

Because Leigelf manages Quicksilver Mine and spends most of his time obsessing about his work and his wife, his living arrangements are somewhat sparse.

• Chest

Brina’s House

Brina (a respected Legion commander) retired to Dawnstar and has been living here for several years. She shares her dwelling with her bodyguard and friend Horik. Recently, when the Jarl of Dawnstar seceded from the Empire, she attempted to talk sense into him, but to no avail. Inside, their dwelling is where they sleep (in separate beds) and collect (rather than consume) a large amount of wine. Search the basket near the chest to discover a hidden Skill Book.

• Skill Book [One-Handed]: The Importance of Where
• Chest (2)

The Mortar and Pestle

Frida

The old widow Frida runs her modest alchemy shop from this building on the main road. A Skill Book is kept behind the counter.

• Crafting: Alchemy Lab
• Trader (Apothecary): Frida [3/12]
• Potions, Food, Ingredients
• Skill Book [Conjuration]: 2920, Hearth Fire, v9 [B2/10]
• Unique Item: Ring of Pure Mixtures
• Chest (2)
• Potions aplenty

Beitild’s House

Beitild Iron-Breaker

Beitild Iron-Breaker manages Iron-Breaker Mine. She’s in constant competition with Leigelf Quicksilver, the owner of Quicksilver Mine and her former husband. Beitild lives in the house she used to share with her husband. She refuses to do much else but tend to her mine, eat, and sleep.

• Chest

Silus Vesuius’s House (Locked: Requires Key)

Silus Vesuius

Also known as the Museum of the Mythic Dawn, the building is dedicated to the cult in Dawnstar. This is Silus’s vain attempt to capture some attention and infamy for his family’s past deeds. The pride of the collection is his impressive assortment of Mythic Dawn memorabilia, as well as a piece of Mehrunes’ Razor that is kept in a secured display case. This building is only accessible once Daedric Quests: Pieces of the Past begins.

• Mehrunes’ Razor Scabbard
• Mythic Dawn Commentaries 1, 2, 3, 4
• Mysterium Xarxes (Fragment; cannot be taken)
• Mythic Dawn Boots, Gloves, and Robes
• The Keepers of the Razor

Irgnir’s House

Irgnir

Karl

Karl and Irgnir, the workers of Iron-Breaker Mine, live here in this modest dwelling. They have finally saved up enough gold to purchase from Beitild. They sometimes board with Gjak and Bodil, who take the other shifts to keep the mine constantly productive.

• Chest

Iron-Breaker Mine

This mine is located on the outskirts of town to the east. Karl, Irgnir, Gjak, and Bodil work here. This mine produces iron and has a smelter for extracting steel from the iron. Under the watchful (some might say, stern and overbearing) gaze of Beitild, the mine is producing a large amount of ore and is a boon to the local economy. Find a Skill Book resting atop a barrel near the firepit.

• Crafting: Smelter
• Skill Book [Destruction]: Response to Bero’s Speech [D1/10]
• Mineable ore (Iron)

Fruki’s House

Fruki

Lond Northstrider

Fruki and Lond, the miners working the Quicksilver veins, live here in this small structure in which Fruki was raised. They occasionally speak with Borgny and Edith, who take the other shifts to keep the mine productive—when Leigelf isn’t running the operation into the ground.

• Chest

Quicksilver Mine

This mine is located on the outskirts of town to the west. Fruki, Lond, Borgny, and Edith work here. This is the only Quicksilver mine inside Skyrim’s borders, but despite this, the mine is suffering—from marauders and falling production. In fact, it is practically shut down as Leigelf spends his time obsessing over his wife and the competing mine. More proud than sensible, Leigelf’s negligence is causing all of his workers to consider quitting in frustration or fear of attack. The mine holds a Skill Book. Find it inside the small crate on the ground floor of the farthest cavern.

• Crafting: Smelter
• Skill Book [Smithing]: Cherim’s Heart [A1/10]
• Mineable ore (Quicksilver)