Before the Storm

Before the Storm is the second main quest in Skyrim and your first real step into the open world. Fresh out of Helgen, you head to the village of Riverwood for help, and then on to Whiterun to warn the jarl that a dragon is loose in his hold.

Walkthrough

Riverwood

Follow the road downhill from Helgen. On the way you pass the three Guardian Stones – a good moment to pick the Warrior, Mage or Thief Stone. In Riverwood, who you talk to depends on who you escaped with in Unbound:

• With Hadvar: talk to his uncle Alvor, the village blacksmith.
• With Ralof: talk to his sister Gerdur at the lumber mill.

Either way you get some supplies, and you are asked to go to Whiterun and ask Jarl Balgruuf to send soldiers to protect Riverwood.

On to Whiterun

Follow the river north-east out of Riverwood. Near the road you will likely run into Companions fighting a giant at a farm – lending a hand is a nice introduction to that faction. At the city gate the guards will not let you in at first; tell them about the dragon at Helgen and the gates open.

Dragonsreach

Walk up through the city to Dragonsreach, the jarl’s palace at the top of Whiterun. Talk to Jarl Balgruuf the Greater about Helgen. He agrees to send troops to Riverwood, gives you a reward and asks you to help his court wizard, Farengar Secret-Fire. That starts Bleak Falls Barrow.

Rewards

• Items from Alvor or Gerdur
• A leveled piece of light or heavy armor from Jarl Balgruuf

Tips

• Riverwood has a blacksmith, a trader and the Sleeping Giant Inn run by Delphine – good to know for later.
• Lucan Valerius at the Riverwood Trader will mention a stolen golden claw. Taking that job lines up nicely with your trip to Bleak Falls Barrow.