Windhelm

Windhelm is the capital of Eastmarch and one of the oldest cities in Skyrim, said to have been founded by the legendary Ysgramor himself. Built of dark grey stone and wrapped in snow, it guards a great bridge over the White River. Today it is the heart of the Stormcloak rebellion and the seat of Ulfric Stormcloak.

Highlights

• The Palace of the Kings – Ulfric’s cold stone hall and the headquarters of the Stormcloaks.
• The Gray Quarter – the run-down district where the city’s Dunmer live, treated poorly by many Nords.
• The docks – where Argonian dockworkers are not even allowed inside the city walls.
• Candlehearth Hall – the city’s inn, where Stenvar waits for work.
• Hjerim – a large house you can buy once you have helped the city.

Quests

Windhelm is the setting of “Blood on the Ice”, a murder mystery that only starts if you wander the city’s streets at the right time. It is also the final target of the civil war if you side with the Empire.

Good to know

Windhelm is a great place to see the darker side of the Stormcloaks’ Skyrim – listen to how the locals talk about the Dunmer and Argonians, and you will understand why many people are uneasy about Ulfric’s cause.