The Thalmor Embassy is the headquarters of the Third Aldmeri Dominion in Skyrim, a guarded compound in the mountains northwest of Solitude. You can’t just walk in: outside the main quest the main building is effectively locked, and no guard carries the key. Your ticket is an invitation to Elenwen‘s party – and a willingness to cause a scene.
What you’ll find
- The main hall where Elenwen entertains guests such as Idgrod Ravencrone, Maven Black-Briar, Erikur and Razelan.
- Malborn, the bartender who smuggles your gear in, plus Brelas the waitress and Tsavani in the kitchen.
- Elenwen’s Solar, packed with dossiers and letters about the Civil War.
- A dungeon where Etienne Rarnis is being interrogated, and Reeking Cave as the escape route.
- Barracks and courtyards full of Thalmor soldiers and wizards, plus Ondolemar and Rulindil.
Quests
In Diplomatic Immunity, Delphine sends you to the party in disguise to learn what the Thalmor know about the dragons. You find nothing on the dragons themselves, but you do learn that the Blades loremaster Esbern is alive in Skyrim and wanted. On the way out you can free Etienne, who returns to the Thieves Guild. Later, the barracks remain a handy source of Altmer blood for Discerning the Transmundane, for Septimus Signus‘s Dwemer lock. Since Patch 1.4, the Unusual Gem for No Stone Unturned sits in Reeking Cave next to a dead conjurer.
Notable items
- Before the Ages of Man (Illusion) – in Reeking Cave.
- Stone of Barenziah.
- Gold and Emerald Circlet, Gold and Ruby Circlet and two Elven Daggers in locked display cases.
- Elven or Glass armor, depending on your level.
- Colovian Brandy from Malborn or Brelas.
Tips
Hand Malborn only what you need – valuable items given to him, like a dragon priest mask or piles of gold, can vanish from the larder for good. Grab the Stone of Barenziah while you are inside. Players have found ways to sneak back in later, such as jumping a horse over the fence left of the main building, but expect fiddly physics rather than a clean door.
Good to know
Nothing inside the compound is marked as stolen, so you can clear out the pantry, potions and display cases without a fence. Elves, it turns out, do not label their stuff.
Nearby
Closest places covered on TamrielSaga: Ironback Hideout, Shadowgreen Cavern, Katla’s Farm, Solitude Military Camp, The Steed Stone.
Location data (hold, map position, editor ID) read from the Skyrim game files; details checked against community wiki articles and summarised in our own words.
