Atar

Atar is a Nord sellsword hired by the Silver-Blood family to occupy Sanuarach Mine in Karthwasten until Ainethach sells it.
“Our business is done here.”

Atar is a Nord mercenary who has set up shop in Sanuarach Mine in Karthwasten. The Silver-Blood family sent him and his men after the Forsworn attacked the mine, supposedly to clear things up. The catch: they’ll only leave once Ainethach hands over the mine as payment for this “generous” protection.

Where to find them

On your first visit to Karthwasten, he’s usually in the middle of an argument with Ainethach. If you talk to Ainethach first, Atar is inside the mine instead. Once the dispute is settled and he’s still alive, he normally moves on to the Silver-Blood Inn in Markarth – unless the Forsworn in Kolskeggr Mine are still around, in which case his journey may be cut short.

Quests

Sanuarach Mine – Atar offers you a cut if you talk Ainethach into selling, and pays up when you do. Side with Ainethach instead and you can push Atar out by persuasion, by outbidding the Silver-Bloods with a bribe, by intimidation, or with your weapon.

Personality & relationships

Atar is a sellsword through and through: he doesn’t pretend to care about Karthwasten and makes it clear he’s here on Silver-Blood coin. He’s dismissive of Ainethach, calls the mine a pile of dirt and isn’t shy about threatening violence. Still, he folds quickly if you scare him enough, and backs off if keeping the job starts to look worse for his purse than leaving. Walk away from him and he’ll call you a milk drinker on the way out.

Good to know

  • If Ainethach dies before the quest begins, Atar and his men simply pack up and leave.
  • Atar can sometimes turn hostile during the quest, even if you only use non-aggressive spells.

Also in Karthwasten

Race, level, class and factions read from the Skyrim game files; story details checked against community wiki articles and written in our own words.

Quests featuring this character

Side Quest
Settle the standoff in Karthwasten between mine owner Ainethach and Atar’s Silver-Blood mercenaries, either by driving the sellswords off or by persuading Ainethach to sell.
Side Quest
Earn the title of Thane of the Reach: win the Jarl’s favour, help five people of the Reach and buy Vlindrel Hall in Markarth.

Places connected to this character

Karthwasten in Skyrim: silver-mining town on the Karth River near Markarth – residents, the Sanuarach Mine dispute, The Heart of Dibella and Orc access.
Kolskeggr Mine in Skyrim: Forsworn-held gold mine near Markarth with 17 gold ore veins, gold ingots and a quest from Pavo Attius at Left Hand Mine.
Markarth is the stone city of the Reach, carved into the cliffs by the Dwemer – home of the Silver-Blood family, Cidhna Mine and the Forsworn conspiracy.

Factions

Weapons connected to this character

Armor connected to this character

Mentioned on these locations

Sanuarach Mine in Skyrim: unmarked silver mine in Karthwasten – seven silver ore veins, a smelter outside, Atar’s Silver-Blood mercenaries and the quest.
Sources checked: Skyrim game files (NPC records, factions, read 2026-10-11); Elder Scrolls Fandom character articles