Riften

Riften is the capital of The Rift, built on the shore of Lake Honrich in Skyrim’s south-east, surrounded by golden autumn forests. It is a beautiful city at first glance – canals, wooden walkways and fishing boats – but look a little closer and you will find corruption, crime and the headquarters of the Thieves Guild right beneath your feet.

Highlights

• Mistveil Keep – the seat of Jarl Laila Law-Giver.
• The Bee and Barb – the city’s inn, run by the Argonian Keerava.
• The Temple of Mara – where you buy the Amulet of Mara and get married.
• The Black-Briar Meadery – the business of the powerful and ruthless Black-Briar family.
• The Ratway and the Ragged Flagon – Riften’s sewers and the Thieves Guild’s hideout.
• The marketplace, where Brynjolf will offer you a job sooner or later.

Role in the story

In A Cornered Rat you come to Riften to find Esbern, who is hiding deep in the Ratway Warrens beneath the city. Riften is also the starting point for the Thieves Guild questline.

Good to know

• Honeyside, a house with its own lakeside entrance, can be bought here once you have helped the jarl and the people of Riften.
• Guard your pockets. Seriously.