Hod is a Nord lumberjack in Riverwood who reckons he is the best log splitter between there and Riften. He works the village lumber mill with his wife Gerdur, is father to the little troublemaker Frodnar and brother-in-law to Ralof.
Where to find them
At the mill during working hours, or at home in Hod and Gerdur’s House.
Quests
If you escaped Helgen with Ralof in Unbound, he leads you to his sister Gerdur in Riverwood during Before the Storm, and Hod comes down from the mill to hear the news. He is curious about the dragon, but would very much prefer it stays away from his village.
Services
Hod buys any firewood you bring him – chop it yourself at a wood chopping block for easy early gold. With Hearthfire installed he also sells sawn logs for building your home: a stack of 20 costs 200 gold and is delivered straight to your plot. After you’ve sold him firewood, he also lets you saw your own timber at the mill.
Personality & relationships
Hod is a simple man: his axe, his wife and his boy are all he needs, and he stays out of the war. He is also a shameless flirt and fond of comparing tree trunks to body parts. He talks shop with Alvor about planks for shields and timber for catapults, discusses a dull saw blade with Gerdur, and tells Camilla Valerius she should finally choose between Sven and Faendal. When Embry tries to cadge drinks, Hod offers him a day’s honest work instead.
As a dad, he is less strict than you might hope: he cheerfully quizzes Frodnar about his latest pranks and praises him for every one.
Good to know
- If you sided with Ralof at the start, you inherit 100 gold by courier if Hod dies.
- He is known to sometimes get stuck at home. Walking into the house and back out can make him and Gerdur follow you outside.
- Steal from him and he may send hired thugs after you.
Quick facts
- Race: Nord
- Gender: Male
- Level: 8
- Class: Lumberjack
- Status: Killable
- Found in: Riverwood
- Services: Buys firewood; sells sawn logs (Hearthfire)
- Base ID: 0001347D
Also in Riverwood
Lucan Valerius, Orgnar, Sigrid, Dorthe, Embry, Frodnar, Hilde.
Race, level, class and factions read from the Skyrim game files; story details checked against community wiki articles and written in our own words.