Elgrim’s Elixirs

Alchemy shop on Riften’s lower canal walkway, run by Elgrim and Hafjorg, with a free alchemy lab and Ingun Black-Briar’s ingredient quest.

Elgrim’s Elixirs is the apothecary of Riften, tucked away at the western end of the canal on the city’s lower walkway. Even the guards warn you to stay sharp down there, but anyone serious about potions will want to make the trip: the shop sells alchemy goods, has a free lab and hosts a rather ambitious apprentice.

What you’ll find

  • Elgrim and his wife Hafjorg, who run the shop together.
  • Ingun Black-Briar, Elgrim’s apprentice, who spends her time on her own alchemical research.
  • A counter of potions and ingredients for sale – including, at least sometimes, a Briar Heart.
  • An alchemy lab in the corner, free for you to use, so you can brew and sell in a single visit.
  • A homely back room where the couple live, with a coin purse under the bed and a strongbox next to it holding gold and an ingot.

Quests

  • Ingun’s Task – Ingun needs twenty nirnroot, twenty nightshade and twenty deathbell. Deliver them and she gives you the key to a chest in the back room, where she keeps leaving new potions for you.

Tips

Ingun’s shopping list is long, so collect as you go rather than farming it all at once – nirnroot hums, so listen near rivers. Once you have the chest key, swing by whenever you’re in Riften for free restocks. The lower walkway is a good shortcut to the canal side of the city, but keep an eye out for the kind of people the guard was warning you about. One reported bug: buying a Briar Heart here may crash the game on Xbox 360, so save first.

Good to know

Ingun is a Black-Briar, so yes, she’s related to the most influential family in town – and her chosen hobby is mixing poisonous plants. Make of that what you will.

Details checked against community wiki articles and the Skyrim game files, summarised in our own words.

Characters found here

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Sources checked: Elder Scrolls Fandom location articles (export 2026-10-13); Skyrim game files