Brina Merilis is a retired Imperial Legion officer living out her retirement in Dawnstar alongside her longtime man-at-arms Horik Halfhand. She is a Nord, but she says herself that she wasn’t born in Skyrim – this land became her home while she served in the Legion. In her army days she was famous for her leadership and tactical skill, and the townsfolk still turn to her when something needs sorting out.
That popularity does not sit well with the current Jarl, Skald the Elder, a staunch supporter of Ulfric Stormcloak who suspects her of spying for the Empire. If the Legion wins the Civil War in this part of Skyrim, Brina takes his seat as Jarl.
Where to find them
Around Dawnstar, usually with Horik close by. If she becomes Jarl, she rules from the White Hall. Should the Stormcloaks later retake the town, she and Horik are exiled to Solitude, where they end up at the Winking Skeever.
Quests
- Hired Muscle – a radiant Companions job in which Brina can be the person you have to intimidate in a fistfight.
- The Battle for Fort Dunstad – take the fort for the Legion and Skald is thrown out, with Brina as the natural replacement.
- Season Unending – Dawnstar can also be handed to the Empire at the peace talks, making her Jarl.
- Rescue – she is also linked to this radiant quest.
She loses her seat again if Dawnstar falls during Liberation of Skyrim; she takes it as part of Reunification of Skyrim.
Services
As Jarl she has no steward, so if you want the plot of land for Heljarchen Hall you buy the deed directly from her (Hearthfire).
Personality & relationships
Brina is stern and takes no nonsense from anyone under her command, but there is real warmth underneath when the war lets it show. Unlike Skald, who thinks the dragons will vanish as soon as the Empire leaves, she takes the threat seriously – she points to the attack on Helgen as proof that Dawnstar needs the Empire. As Jarl she openly admits the town is wide open to dragon fire and has her guards ready to run water buckets from the harbour.
She is also refreshingly honest about her own side: she grumbles that the Empire has stretched itself too thin, then remembers she’s “a soldier first”. She politely persuades the court mage Madena, who refuses to do battle magic, to tend to injured townsfolk instead.
Her bond with Horik is the heart of her story. He has been at her side for some thirty years, and she teases him about his stiffness and confesses she barely knows his past, even as he calls her “Legate” and promises nobody will get past him. Old townswoman Frida and miner Leigelf both think she makes a better ruler than Skald.
Good to know
- She is essential and can’t be killed.
- Frida talks about Brina as if she grew up in Dawnstar, which doesn’t match Brina’s own account.
- Finishing the Legion questline before starting Hired Muscle can leave that quest impossible to complete.
Quick facts
- Race: Nord
- Gender: Female
- Level: levels with you (x1)
- Class: Warrior
- Status: Essential
- Found in: Dawnstar
- Services: As Jarl: sells the Heljarchen Hall land deed (Hearthfire)
- Base ID: 0001A6B7
Also in Dawnstar
Bulfrek, Captain Wayfinder, Edith, Frida, Fruki, Gjak, Gjuk, Griefstricken Chef, Guthrum, Horik Halfhand, Irgnir, Irlof.
Race, level, class and factions read from the Skyrim game files; story details checked against community wiki articles and written in our own words.