Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Guide The Atlas Hold 8: Falkreath Hold

[8.32] Helgen

Related Quests

Main Quest: Unbound
Main Quest: Before the Storm
Civil War Quest: Joining the Legion
Civil War Quest: Joining the Stormcloaks

Habitation: Town

Animal
Gunjar
Hadvar
Imperial Captain
Imperial Soldier
Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak
Priestess of Arkay
Ralof
Stormcloak Soldier
General Tullius
Torturer

Dangers

Oil Pool Trap

Collectibles

Chests
Potions
Loose gear

The village of Helgen is the very first location that you visit in Skyrim—you’re brought here to be executed at the adventure’s onset. Things don’t go as planned, however, and you’re soon making a frantic run through Helgen Keep. The soldier you choose to follow through the keep determines the enemies you face within.

After your escape from Helgen, the village remains in ruins for the rest of the game. Bandits will eventually move in; you can return here and wipe them out if you choose.

Exit to Skyrim

Northwest Entry

This is the room you enter if you choose to enter the keep with Hadvar. Allow him to free you from your bonds, then loot two chests in this first room to obtain vital gear. Grab the weapons that are scattered about as well, and be sure to equip everything you’ve just claimed. A special key rests within the Warden’s Chest as well.

Warden’s Chest
Helgen Keep Key (Warden’s Chest)
Chest
Loose gear

North Entry

This is where you enter the keep if you choose to follow Ralof. Let him untie your bonds, then loot the body of a fallen Stormcloak Soldier named Gunjar to obtain vital gear. Take cover and slay the Imperial Captain and Soldier who storm the room after a few moments; then loot their bodies for improved arms. Stop by [1] to raid the place before following Ralof to [3].

Kitchen

A sudden cave-in, courtesy of the attacking dragon, forces you to take a detour through the kitchen. Dispatch a few more enemy soldiers here, then search the barrel that your comrade indicates to discover valuable potions. Additional potions can be found around the room.

Potions aplenty

Torture Room

Secure this frightening chamber, then search around to obtain more gear. If the Torturer encountered here is slain, claim his unique hood. Find some lockpicks on the counter and more in a knapsack on the central table and use them to open the cages. This improves your Lockpicking skill and lets you claim the goods within, including a spell tome that grants you a new spell once examined. Take the interesting book near the knapsack as well for future reference.

Book: The Book of the Dragonborn
Knapsack
Potion
Loose gear

Waterfall Chamber

Open some jail cells to discover a coin purse on your way to this wide chamber, where more enemy soldiers await. See if you can ignite the oily floor beneath the distant archers’ feet to burn them up. Relieve them of their bows and arrows after the fight.

Danger! Oil Pool Trap

Drawbridge Cavern

The raging dragon attacks again as you enter this cavern, sealing off the drawbridge passage that you took to get here. Your ally rushes off to the south, but follow the east stream first to locate a potion and coin purse near a skeleton.

Potion

Spider Nest

A pack of ravenous Frostbite Spiders descend on you in this webby cavern. Slaughter them without mercy.

Bear Den

Sneak past the wild bear here by crouching and moving very slowly along the east wall. Or take aim and try and slay the dangerous animal with your newfound bow before it can close in.