The Skyforge towers over the Wind District of Whiterun, right next to Jorrvaskr. It is an ancient forge said to be older than the Elves themselves, and it’s where the weapons of The Companions are made. Climb the steps for the view, a skill book and some of the finest steel in Skyrim.
What you’ll find
- Eorlund Gray-Mane, the resident blacksmith, whose clan has worked the forge since the first Gray-Manes came to Whiterun. He sells various Skyforge weapons.
- A forge you can use like any other, carved into a great stone monument of a bird.
- No tanning rack, workbench or smelter – for those, walk down to Warmaiden’s.
- Directly beneath lies The Underforge, where the Circle meets.
History
Nobody knows who built the Skyforge. Jeek of the River and his crew, heading south from Hsaarik Head to settle, found a strange monument of a bird with flaming eyes and beak. The native Elves feared it, which convinced Jeek it held real power, so his people built Jorrvaskr at its foot to supply their steel – and that is how the Companions came to be.
Quests
- Proving Honor – finish it and Eorlund crafts you a free Skyforged weapon of your choice. Skyforge Steel also becomes available to buy from him, though you can’t forge it yourself.
- Glory of the Dead – after the Companions’ finale you can forge Nord Hero weapons (under the Draugr section) and Ancient Nord Armor (under Daedric) at the Skyforge.
- Below in the Underforge, the Circle’s blood ritual with Aela the Huntress and Skjor turns you into a werewolf.
Notable items
- Smithing skill book The Armorer’s Challenge next to the forge, among iron weapons and gear.
Tips
Grab the skill book on your first visit; it’s sitting out in the open. If you’re levelling Smithing, combine the Skyforge with Warmaiden’s tanning rack and smelter just downhill. Once the Companions are done, the Nord Hero recipes give you a solid weapon set without a single dungeon crawl.
Details checked against community wiki articles and the Skyrim game files, summarised in our own words.
