Tova Shatter-Shield is the matron of Clan Shatter-Shield in Windhelm. She and her husband Torbjorn Shatter-Shield had twin daughters, Nilsine and Friga, and Friga’s murder by the Butcher has left Tova lost in grief. Nearly everything she says comes back to her daughter.
Where to find them
During the day she may be at the market in the Stone Quarter, at Candlehearth Hall, or strolling nearby, though she also spends daytime at home. At night she goes back to the House of Clan Shatter-Shield. She is essential.
Quests
In Blood on the Ice, Tova holds the key to Hjerim, Friga’s old house. She’d rather not talk about her daughter, but once you insist that you’re trying to find the killer she lets you take the key and look around. The quest has a much darker side in Mourning Never Comes: if you assassinate Nilsine for Muiri, Tova takes her own life, and she is later found upstairs in the family home with a farewell note. The Hjerim key can then be taken from her body.
Personality & relationships
Muiri used to be close to the family and visited after Friga died. Alain Dufont, a bandit, used Muiri’s affection to get near the Shatter-Shields, robbed them of the heirloom Aegisbane, and let Muiri take the blame, which ended her friendship with the clan. In one quiet scene Tova asks Aval Atheron whether he’d buy some of Friga’s belongings, since she won’t be needing them anymore. Her husband, meanwhile, is searching for an Amulet of Arkay to bring her some comfort.
Good to know
If Nilsine dies some other way, outside the Dark Brotherhood contract, Tova stays alive. Guards will tell you she has the key to Hjerim, or that the family is cursed if she’s gone. Taking the key from her body may not start Blood on the Ice properly.
Quick facts
- Race: Nord
- Gender: Female
- Level: 4
- Class: Citizen
- Status: Essential
- Found in: Windhelm
- Base ID: 00014125
Also in Windhelm
Tulvur, Ulundil, Viola Giordano, Voldsea Giryon, Wuunferth the Unliving, Adelaisa Vendicci, Adisla, Adonato Leotelli, Ambarys Rendar, Angrenor Once-Honored, Arivanya, Aval Atheron.
Race, level, class and factions read from the Skyrim game files; story details checked against community wiki articles and written in our own words.