Dirge is an Imperial muscleman and Thieves Guild associate who works as the bouncer at The Ragged Flagon, the Guild’s tavern hideout under Riften. His idea of hospitality is to remind you what happened to the last person who caused trouble for Vekel the Man.
Where to find them
He stands near the front of the bar by the sign on the bridge, or sits at a table eating, usually bread. He never sleeps, so he is always on duty.
Quests
In A Cornered Rat you need to find Esbern, and Dirge knows where he is. Persuade him, bribe him or intimidate him (or win a brawl) and he tells you the old man lives in the Ratway Warrens. If you’re already in the Thieves Guild or on good terms with Dirge, he spills it without a fight, warning you that you’re not the first to come asking.
He also takes a leaflet in Spread the Love, and announces he has more of those stuffing his mattress.
Personality & relationships
Dirge is rude, blunt and proud of his name, which he says is the last thing you hear before they bury you. Laugh at it and he wants to know if you have a problem; talk him round and he may hand over a bottle of Black-Briar Mead. His brother Maul works for Maven Black-Briar, which Dirge resents, though he admits Maul is better at the talking side of things. He is loyal to Vekel, does favours for Tonilia, and is buying a dwarven hammer through Delvin Mallory, who keeps raising the price.
Good to know
If you lead pursuers or guards into the Flagon, the Guild turns on them. Unlike most members, who just get knocked down, Dirge can actually die in that fight. He carries leather armour and a steel war axe.
Quick facts
- Race: Imperial
- Gender: Male
- Level: 15
- Class: Food Vendor
- Status: Killable
- Found in: Riften
- Factions: Thieves Guild
- Base ID: 0001336D
Also in Riften
Drahff, Drifa, Edda, Elgrim, Francois Beaufort, From-Deepest-Fathoms, Grelka, Grelod the Kind, Haelga, Hafjorg, Harrald, Hefid the Deaf.
Race, level, class and factions read from the Skyrim game files; story details checked against community wiki articles and written in our own words.