Unbound

Unbound is the first quest in Skyrim and the prologue to the whole game. You wake up with your hands tied on a cart heading to Helgen, sentenced to death alongside a group of Stormcloak rebels. Then Alduin, a huge black dragon, lands on the watchtower – and the execution is very much cancelled.

Walkthrough

The cart ride to Helgen

The game opens with the famous line from Ralof: “Hey, you. You’re finally awake.” Sitting with you are Ralof, the gagged Ulfric Stormcloak and Lokir, a horse thief who is very keen to tell everyone he should not be there. Just listen and enjoy the ride – nothing here can be skipped.

Character creation

In Helgen the Imperial soldier Hadvar reads out the prisoners’ names. When he gets to you, you create your character – race, looks and name. Take your time: the race you choose here gives you starting skill bonuses and a racial power, and you cannot change it later without console commands.

The dragon attacks

You are led to the headsman’s block, and just as the axe is raised, Alduin attacks. In the chaos you need to make your way to the keep. Ralof calls you to follow him into one tower, Hadvar into another – and this is the big choice of the quest.

Hadvar or Ralof?

Whoever you follow frees your hands and guides you through Helgen Keep. The route is almost the same either way, but it decides who helps you afterwards in Riverwood. It does not lock you into a side in the civil war – you can still join either the Imperial Legion or the Stormcloaks later.

Through the keep

Grab the armor and weapons you find (with Hadvar you search a chest, with Ralof you loot a fallen Stormcloak named Gunjar). Inside the keep you will find a barrel with potions and a locked cage – the cage is a nice chance to practice lockpicking. The torture room has a spellbook and a little gold. Further on you pass through caves with frostbite spiders and a sleeping bear – sneak past it, or fight it with your guide’s help.

Out into Skyrim

The tunnel leads out into the open, just in time to see Alduin fly off to the north. Your companion suggests heading to Riverwood, which starts Before the Storm.

Tips

• Pick up everything that is not nailed down in the keep – early potions and gear are worth a lot.
• Near the exit you will see the three Guardian Stones on the road to Riverwood. Choose the Warrior, Mage or Thief Stone depending on how you want to play.
• You can follow either guide; nothing important is lost with either choice.