Finn’s Lute is one of the errands you can pick up after joining the Bards College in Solitude, the capital of Haafingar. Lute teacher Inge Six Fingers lost her prized instrument to thieves more than a year ago, and she would very much like it back. The trail leads all the way across Skyrim to a bandit hideout in Eastmarch.
How to start
Complete Tending the Flames to become a member of the Bards College. After that, talk to Inge Six Fingers at the College and ask whether she needs help. She explains that thieves broke into the College, took gold and silver, and also made off with Finn’s Lute, which she says was the first eight-course lute ever made.
Walkthrough
Travel to Stony Creek Cave
The thieves’ stronghold is Stony Creek Cave in the south-east of Eastmarch. Outside you will find a small, peaceful pond with a dock, a fishing pole and a boat, which is about the last peaceful thing you will see for a while.
Through the cave
Just inside, a dead Breton hangs over a railing and two skeletons lie in the water, a clear sign the residents do not welcome visitors. Follow the stream upward and deal with the bandits guarding the lair.
Where the path splits, a door guard sits at a desk keeping an eye on the stream entrance. Sneak past him or take him out. Upstream, another bandit is busy working a moonstone ore vein, and there is a modest chest nearby. The route past the door guard leads on towards the bandit leader and the main treasure.
Watch for the trap
Right before the final room there is a swinging mace trap. Move carefully, especially if you are low on health or have a follower who likes to charge ahead.
Loot the lute
Defeat the bandit leader and open the chest in the last room. Alongside random loot it holds Finn’s Lute, a Stone of Barenziah, the Illusion skill book Mystery of Talara, Part 4, some ingredients and Treasure Map X.
Return to Inge
Bring the lute back to Inge Six Fingers in Solitude. She is overjoyed, but has no money to give you, so instead she passes on a few tricks she picked up on the road in her younger days.
Rewards
- +1 Light Armor
- +1 Sneak
- +1 Lockpicking
- +1 Pickpocket
- +1 Speech
- +1 Alchemy
In other words, one point in each skill of the Thief group.
Tips and notes
- This quest overlaps with a job from Kjar in Windhelm: when you kill the bandit guarding the lute chest, you may also receive an objective to return to Kjar. Two rewards for one trip is good value.
- Stony Creek Cave is a long way from Solitude. If you have not yet discovered anything near Eastmarch, consider combining the trip with other quests in the region.
- Remember to pick up the Treasure Map from the chest if you are following the treasure map hunt.
