Jordis the Sword-Maiden is a Nord warrior and the housecarl you get in Solitude. Jarl Elisif the Fair assigns her to you when you become Thane, which means helping five people around the city with their small tasks, completing the Jarl’s personal request, and buying Proudspire Manor for 25,000 gold. Pricey, but you get a bodyguard thrown in. Unlike many followers, she is protected rather than essential, so only you can actually kill her.
Where to find them
Once appointed she stays at Proudspire Manor until you ask her to come along. If she ever vanishes, check there first – she tends to be waiting at home in her original gear.
Follower & marriage
Jordis is a classic tank. Her best skills are Heavy Armor, One-Handed, Block and Archery, all of which climb very high as she levels, so she does well in the front line with a sword and shield and can switch to a bow when needed. She seems to prefer Ancient Nord bows and may ignore some better ones – she will use the Gauldur Blackbow, but not the Nightingale Bow. Check out our list of the best followers in Skyrim to see how she compares.
Like other housecarls, she can be married: wear the Amulet of Mara and talk to her, then hold the wedding at the Temple of Mara in Riften, run by Maramal. When she asks whether to live in your home or hers, either answer leads to your house. Once married, she also acts as a shopkeeper.
Services
(Hearthfire) She can be named steward of a home you build on purchased land. Take away any gear you gave her first, or she keeps wearing her standard armour on the job. She can also be brought into the Blades.
Personality & relationships
Jordis is the loyal, by-the-book kind of housecarl: she greets you as her Thane, promises to be your sword and shield, and carries your loot without a word of complaint. If your spouse needs more bite, (Dawnguard) players who sided with the Volkihar clan can eventually get the quest The Gift from Vingalmo to turn their wife into a vampire.
Good to know
- Her name is said to come from the Old Norse hjordis, meaning ‘sword’ – fitting for a Sword-Maiden.
- She may strip off all her clothes; hand her any piece of apparel and take it back to fix it.
- If she treats you as a trespasser in Proudspire Manor, leave and come back in.
- If she disappears during the wedding ceremony, travel away from Riften, wait a few days and return to the temple – she should be there.
Also in Solitude
JornKKatlaKKaydKKnudLLisetteLLodiMMelaranCourt WizardMMinette ViniusNNobleman (Imperial)NNobleman (Redguard)NNoster Eagle-EyeQuest GiverOOctieve SanMarriage CandidateRace, level, class and factions read from the Skyrim game files; story details checked against community wiki articles and written in our own words.
