Avulstein Gray-Mane is a Nord of the Gray-Mane clan, one of the old families of Whiterun. He is the son of Eorlund and Fralia, brother of Olfina and nephew of Vignar. His other brother, Thorald, went missing while fighting for the Stormcloaks, and Avulstein refuses to believe he is dead.
Where to find them
He holes up in one of the bedrooms of the Gray-Mane family house, too afraid to step outside. Open the door and he will likely greet you by accusing you of working for the Battle-Borns and threatening to put you in the ground. Calm him down and he starts talking.
Quests
Missing in Action: Avulstein is sure the Imperials captured Thorald, and equally sure the Battle-Born clan knows where he is being held. He won’t risk leaving the house himself, so he asks you to sneak into the Battle-Born home and find proof. The trail leads to Northwatch Keep. If you agree to go in together, Avulstein brings along two men who owe the Gray-Manes a life debt, Geirlund and Vidrald, and the group storms the keep to free Thorald. Afterwards Thorald decides Whiterun is too dangerous with the Thalmor after him, and the two brothers head off to Windhelm to join the rebellion.
Getting caught stealing in the Battle-Born house can earn you a visit from hired thugs, so tread carefully.
Personality & relationships
Avulstein is jumpy, suspicious and fiercely loyal to his family. Before you earn his trust he insists his identity is not important, yet he can’t stop himself from praising Skyrim as supreme among nations and predicting that its true sons will one day inherit the land. His hatred of the Battle-Borns runs deep: if Idolaf Battle-Born dies by your hand, a courier brings a note from Avulstein thanking you and promising to keep quiet about it.
Good to know
He fights with a Skyforge steel battleaxe and wears scaled armor. Even if the Stormcloaks take Whiterun and Vignar becomes Jarl, Avulstein stays in hiding. He is essential, so he can’t be killed.
Quick facts
- Race: Nord
- Gender: Male
- Level: levels with you (x1.1)
- Class: Warrior
- Status: Essential
- Found in: Whiterun
- Base ID: 00013B9A
Also in Whiterun
Bergritte Battle-Born, Braith, Brenuin, Brill, Carlotta Valentia, Commander Caius, Dagny, Danica Pure-Spring, Elrindir, Fianna, Fralia Gray-Mane, Frothar.
Race, level, class and factions read from the Skyrim game files; story details checked against community wiki articles and written in our own words.