Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Guide World Interactions and Encounters

World Encounters

World Encounter	Description	Moving Encounter or a Scene?	Prerequisites
01. Bandit Battle	Two bandits and a bandit leader are about to kill another bandit.	Scene	None
02. Elk Hunters	Two hunters chase after an elk. Once the elk has been slain, they patrol the area.	Moving	None
03. Dragon versus Giant	A giant and a dragon engage in an epic fight.	Moving	Main Quest: Dragon Rising must be completed. Occurs only in the Pale or Whiterun Holds.
04. Dragon Attack!	A dragon attacks you.	Moving	Main Quest: Dragon Rising must be completed.
05. Orcs versus Forsworn	Five Forsworn are battling against three Orcs.	Moving	Occurs only in the Reach.
06. Animals versus Bandit	A bandit is battling against a wild animal.	Scene	None
07. Giant versus Bandits	Four bandits are battling against two giants and a mammoth.	Moving	Occurs only in the Pale and Whiterun Holds.
08. Dragon Flight	A dragon flies past you without attacking, unless you provoke it.	Moving	Main Quest: Dragon Rising must be completed.
09. Imperials and Captured Stormcloak	Three Imperial Soldiers lead a Stormcloak prisoner along the road.	Moving	Roads only
10. Alduin’s Emissary	A dragon flies to the nearest dragon lair and surveys the landscape.	Moving	Main Quest: Dragon Rising must be completed.
11. Sabre Cats Hunting Mammoths	Two Sabre Cats prowl and attack a single mammoth	Moving	Occurs only in the Pale or Whiterun Holds.
12. Wolves Hunting Elk	Two wolves prowl and attack two elk	Moving	None
13. Spriggans versus Trolls	Two Spriggans are battling against one troll.	Moving	You must be Level 12 or higher. Occurs only in the Pale, Winterhold, or Eastmarch Holds.
14. Skeevers versus Dogs	Four Skeever and three dogs fight each other.	Moving	None
15. Atronach Mis-summoned	A [random] Atronach is seen wandering the landscape.	Moving	None
16. Orcs Elk Hunters	Two Orc Hunters chase after an elk. Once the elk has been slain, they patrol the area.	Moving	None
17. Imperial Impersonators	Three bandits are wearing the armor of three dead soldiers close by.	Scene	None
18. Witch versus Atronach	One [random] Atronach is battling against a Witch	Moving.	You must be Level 5 or higher.
19. Warlock versus Bandits	A conjurer is battling against three bandits.	Moving	You must be Level 5 or higher.
20. Imperials versus Stormcloaks	Three Imperial Soldiers are battling against three Stormcloak Soldiers	Moving	None
21. The Scavenger	A scavenger loots from the corpses of dead soldiers in a battlefield	Scene	None
22. A Good Death	An old Orc is looking for an honorable death, to be slain by you.	Scene	None
23. Hey You There! Take This!	A fugitive approaches you, shoves an item at you, and runs. Moments later a hunter approaches and asks about the fugitive. You can lie, tell the truth, keep the item, or return it to the hunter.	Moving	None
24. Imperial Scout Patrol	Imperial Soldiers are marching to an Imperial camp.	Moving	None
25. Stormcloak Scout Patrol	Stormcloak Soldiers are marching to a Stormcloak camp.	Moving	None
26. Courier on the Run	A courier is spotted dashing between settlements.	Moving	Roads only
27. College Application Denied	A despondent young mage gives you his Staff of Resurrection and Black Soul Gem after speaking to you, dejected that he couldn’t join the College of Winterhold.	Scene	You must be Level 15 or higher.
28. Thalmor and Captured Prisoner	Three Thalmor lead a prisoner along the road.	Moving	Roads only
29. Thalmor versus Stormcloaks	Three Thalmor are battling against three Stormcloak Soldiers	Moving	None
30. Thalmor versus You	Three Thalmor attack you. Search the corpses for a note giving an order to look for you.	Moving	None
31. M’aiq the Liar	You encounter a Khajiit named M’aiq the Liar and converse with him. You may have spoken with him elsewhere in Tamriel (see conversations in the separate section of this guide, on page 684). He’ll say a few different things each time you find him.	Moving	None
32. Bounty Hunters versus You	Three bounty hunters attack you. Search the corpses for a note giving an order to look for you.	Moving	None
33. Hidden Treasure Hunt	You find the corpse of a dead treasure hunter with a letter leading you to a nearby [random] dungeon, and a valuable item inside a large treasure chest to find.	Scene	Side Quests: Treasure Maps is unrelated to this.
34. Bard at Rest	Talsgar the Wanderer has stopped for a rest somewhere in the wilderness. You can request a song from him.	Scene	None
35. Bard Attacked by Bandits	Talsgar the Wanderer is being attacked by bandits somewhere in the wilderness. Help if you wish.	Scene	None
36. Bard Traveling	Talsgar the wanderer is walking along the road to the nearest settlement. If Talsgar dies, none of his specific encounters occur again.	Moving	Roads only
37. On the Way to a Wedding	A pair of guests are traveling with a bodyguard to Vittoria Vici’s wedding in Solitude.	Moving	Dark Brotherhood Quest: Bound Until Death not completed yet. Roads only.
38. Lost After the Wedding	A pair of guests have become lost while returning home from the wedding in Solitude.	Moving	Dark Brotherhood Quest: Bound Until Death completed. Roads only.
39. The Revenge of Louis Letrush	A thug sent by Louis Letrush attacks you.	Moving	Side Quests: Promises to Keep completed, and you decided to steal Frost the horse for yourself.
40. The End of Louis Letrush	A thug and Louis Letrush are fighting in the wilderness.	Moving	Side Quests: Promises to Keep completed, and you decided to deliver Frost the horse but tell Maven about it.
41. Ramblings of a Mad Woman	A madwoman approaches you, mumbling nonsense. She mentions the Blue Palace. If you’ve completed the quest indicated, she also talks about something called a “Wabbajack.”	Scene	Daedric Quest: The Mind of Madness complete (for different conversation topic)
42. The Drunken Dare	Somebody from your drunken night with Sanguine approaches and asks you for money you owe them. Pay, flee, or fight.	Scene	Daedric Quest: A Night to Remember completed
43. Spriggans versus Lumberjacks	Two Spriggan are battling against two hunters in the wilderness.	Moving	You must be Level 8 or higher.
44. Pain in the Neck	A hunter has been bitten by a vampire and asks for help. You can cure this disease, or ask where the [nearest] vampire den is.	Moving	None
45. Looking to Join the Imperials	A farmer is on his way to sign up with the Imperials in Solitude.	Moving	None
46. Looking to Join the Stormcloaks	A farmer is on his way to sign up with the Stormcloaks in Windhelm.	Moving	None
47. Vigilants versus Atronach	Three Vigilants of Stendarr are battling against an Atronach.	Scene	None
48. Vigilants versus Vampire	Two Vigilants of Stendarr are battling against a vampire.	Scene	Only occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
49. Vigilant versus Skeletons	A Vigilant of Stendarr is battling against three skeletons.	Scene	None
50. Vigilants on Patrol	Two Vigilants of Stendarr are en route to the Hall of the Vigilant.	Moving	None
51. Dead Woman’s Pendant	A woman’s corpse on the ground has a note mentioning a stolen pendant. The item in question can be found on one of the two nearby bandits.	Scene	None
52. Finding the Gourmet	A traveler named Balbus is seeking the most famous chef in all of Skyrim. If you’ve completed the associated quest, you can pose as the Gourmet (with the correct identification papers taken from the quest) and receive a reward: a Daedra Heart, Troll Fat, a Spider Egg, and Balbus’s prized fork!	Scene	Dark Brotherhood Quest: Recipe for Disaster completed (for reward only)
53. Forsworn versus Merchant	Three Forsworn are battling against a merchant and a horse. If you defeat the Forsworn and the peddler survives, you can barter goods with him.	Moving	Occurs only in the Reach
54. Forsworn versus Soldiers	Three Forsworn are battling against two Imperial Soldiers.	Moving.	Occurs only in The Reach.
55. Bandits versus Traveling Merchant	Two bandits are battling against a merchant and a horse. If you defeat the bandits and the merchant survives, you can barter goods with him.	Moving	None
56. Faldrus the Pilgrim	A Dark Elf named Faldrus is encountered on a pilgrimage to Azura’s Shrine. Speak to Faldrus, and you receive an objective to travel to the shrine, as an introduction to Daedric Quest: The Black Star.	Moving	None
57. Sharing a Bite to Eat	A beggar is close to a corpse. If you’ve completed Daedric Quest: The Taste of Death, you recognize the beggar as a Namira cultist, who offers you a bite on this found feast.	Scene	Share the meal only after Daedric Quest: The Taste of Death is complete.
58. Necromancers versus You	Two necromancers attack and attempt to kill you. If you’ve completed Daedric Quest: The Black Star, one of them has a note ordering them to avenge the death of Malyn Varen.	Scene	Note found only after Daedric Quest: The Black Star is complete.
59. Kynareth’s Pilgrim	Once the Gildergreen has been restored, pilgrims begin to travel to Whiterun to see it. You pass one on your travels.	Moving	Complete Temple Quest: The Blessings of Nature.
60. Peryite’s Pilgrim	Before you start Daedric Quest: The Only Cure, you may encounter an Afflicted, a refugee with a pox fleeing from Bthardamz. You receive an objective to travel to Peryite’s Shrine.	Scene	You must be Level 10 or higher. This does not happen once Daedric Quest: The Only Cure has started.
61. The Afflicted versus You	Afflicted refugees spot and attack you for what you did.	Scene	You must be Level 10 or higher. Daedric Quest: The Only Cure must be completed.
62. A Disturbed Spriggan	The corpse of a hunter is close to a live Spriggan, who attacks you.	Scene	You must be Level 8 or higher.
63. Dragon Attack Aftermath	You stumble upon a cart and three charred corpses after a dragon attack.	Scene	Main Quest: Dragon Rising must be completed.
64. Roaming Ice Wraiths	Ice Wraiths are winding through the air, back and forth. They attack as you near them.	Scene	You must be Level 10 or higher. Occurs only in Haafingar, the Pale, and Winterhold Holds.
65. Spriggan versus Hagraven	A Spriggan is battling against a Hagraven in the wilderness.	Scene	You must be Level 20 or higher.
66. A Hunter’s Best Friend	You meet a Hunter and his dog wandering in the wilderness.	Scene	None
67. Ice Wraiths verses Bandits	Ice Wraiths are battling against bandits in the snow.	Moving	You must be Level 10 or higher. Occurs only in Haafingar, the Pale, and Winterhold Holds.
68. Dog versus Wolves	A dog is battling against two wolves. If you kill the wolves and the dog survives, it can become a Follower.	Moving	None
69. Dead Bandit. Live Horse	A bandit corpse is lying on the ground, and a horse is wandering nearby. You can utilize this horse as a steed if you wish.	Scene	None
70. Dueling Wizards	A Frost Mage and a Fire Mage are battling in the wilderness.	Scene	None
71. Mistwatch Escapee	A prisoner has escaped from Mistwatch; he informs you where this fortification is.	Scene	Mistwatch must not already have been discovered.
72. Thieves Guild Holdup	A member of the Thieves Guild holds you up for some gold. You can avoid this if you’re already a member of this Guild.	Scene	Thieves Guild Quest: Taking Care of Business complete to avoid the holdup.
73. Alik’r Accusation	Two Alik’r Warriors are accosting a woman.	Scene	This can occur before or during Side Quests: In My Time of Need, but not after it is completed.
74. Dwemer Junk Peddlers	Two children offer to sell you some Dwemer artifacts. They also point you to a Dwemer Point of Interest (Secondary Location).	Scene	Occurs only in the Reach
75. Blood Horkers’ Revenge	The Blood Horkers from Side Quests: Rise in the East attack you in revenge.	Scene	Side Quests: Rise in the East completed
76. Drinking Companions	Three drunks are reveling in the wilderness and offer you a drink. Offer them a bottle of Honningbrew mead; you receive a Gold Necklace.	Scene	None
77. Vampire’s Trick	You see a vampire attacking an innocent. Approach, and the “victim” is actually the vampire’s thrall; both attack.	Scene	Only occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. Occurs anytime prior to Side Quests: Laid to Rest. Afterward, occurs anywhere except Hjaalmarch Hold.
78. Vampires versus You	Two vampires attack you.	Scene	Only occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. Occurs anywhere prior to Side Quests: Laid to Rest. Afterward, occurs anywhere except Hjaalmarch Hold.
79. The Companions Hunt (I)	Vilkas and Ria (members of the Companions) are out hunting Sabre Cats.	Moving	Occurs only prior to beginning or after completing all of the Companion Quests. Does not occur in Whiterun Hold.
80. The Companions Hunt (II)	Skjor, Aela, and Njada (members of the Companions) are out hunting a mammoth.	Moving	Occurs only prior to beginning or after completing all of the Companion Quests. Does not occur in Whiterun Hold.
81. The Companions Hunt (III)	Falkas, Athis, and Torvar (members of the Companions) are out hunting bears.	Moving	Occurs only prior to beginning or after completing all of the Companion Quests. Does not occur in Whiterun Hold.
82. Wolf Hunt	A fellow from Cragslane Cavern in Eastmarch was attempting to retrieve pit wolves that have bolted from their pens. He is found dead, with the pit wolves nearby. The note reveals the location of Cragslane Cavern.	Scene	Cragslane Cavern can already have been discovered.
83. Bounty Killer	A Bounty Collector approaches you in the wilderness and offers you a chance to pay off your Bounty for a raised price “(the actual price depends on your bounty). Choose to pay, flee, or kill.	Scene	You must have a Bounty of 1,000+ in any Hold.
84. Burned Crops	You meet two farmers displaced after a recent dragon attack. You can give them gold if you wish.	Moving	You must be at least Level 4. Roads only.
85. The Nobles	Two noblemen are walking along the road escorted by two soldiers.	Moving	Roads only
86. The Thalmor	Three Thalmor are walking along the road, eventually reaching the Thalmor Embassy.	Moving	Roads only
87. The Stormcloaks	Three Stormcloaks are walking along the road, eventually reaching the nearest city.	Moving	Roads only. The Hold you see them in must be in Stormcloaks’ control.
88. The Imperials	Three Imperials are walking along the road, eventually reaching the nearest city.	Moving	Roads only. The Hold you see them in must be in Imperial control.
89. The Adventurer	A mercenary adventurer is walking toward a nearby dungeon. You can speak to the adventurer and get them to reveal the location of the dungeon, which appears on your world map.	Moving	You must be at least Level 5. Roads only.
90. The Taunting Adventurer	An adventurer taunts you on the road, spoiling for a fight. You can oblige, or talk your way out of it.	Moving	Roads only
91. Not Your Courier	A courier is on the road, traveling to a nearby inn to deliver a message. You can steal the note (or kill the courier), which hints at [random] treasure inside a [random] nearby dungeon.	Moving	Roads only
92. Skooma Dealer	A Skooma dealer offers you some of his stock. You can purchase or use intimidation to get your fix.	Moving	Roads only
93. A Giant’s Painted Cow	A giant is walking along the road with a painted cow close by. He heads to the nearest [random] giant’s camp.	Moving	Roads only
94. A Farmer’s Painted Cow	A farmer is leading a painted cow along the road to a [random] giant’s camp. This is part of a ritual so the giants and farmers live harmoniously together.	Moving	Roads only
95. The Headless Horseman	Did you see a headless ghost riding a horse to Hamvir’s Rest? You cannot stop or interact with this specter, as it appears to be on a different plane of existence than you. Perhaps the head of the horseman lies (attached to his helmet) within this graveyard?	Moving	Only occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.