Thane of the Reach is the miscellaneous quest for becoming an honorary noble of the Reach, the rugged western hold ruled from Markarth. The Jarl calls it a mostly ceremonial title, but it comes with a house, a sworn housecarl and a hold weapon. The usual Jarl is Igmund; if the hold changes hands, Thongvor Silver-Blood takes over the role.
How to start
The quest has three parts that can be done in any order once they are unlocked:
- Befriend the Jarl by doing work for him and his steward.
- Assist five citizens of the Reach.
- Own Vlindrel Hall, the house for sale in Markarth.
Any one of these routes counts as winning the Jarl over: completing Recover Hrolfdir’s Shield, taking the Reach for the Stormcloaks in The Battle for Fort Sungard, or having Markarth handed over during Season Unending.
Walkthrough
Earn the Jarl’s favour
Under Igmund, the steward (Raerek) and the Jarl hand out jobs clearing out groups of Forsworn. After that, the Jarl asks you to recover Hrolfdir’s Shield; this task is only offered once you reach level 20. Completing it earns the Jarl’s friendship and permission to buy property in the city.
If you instead conquer the Reach for the Stormcloaks, or it is traded to them at the peace council, Thongvor Silver-Blood becomes Jarl and lets you buy property straight away.
Assist five citizens of the Reach
Help any five people in the hold. Many favours are quick:
| Who | Favour | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Ainethach or Atar | Sanuarach Mine (pick one side) | Karthwasten |
| Banning | Deliver spiced beef to Voada | Markarth |
| Brother Verulus | The Taste of Death | Hall of the Dead |
| Calcelmo | Nimhe, the Poisoned One | Understone Keep, Nchuand-Zel |
| Cosnach | Win a brawl, or give him a drink | Markarth |
| Degaine | Give a gold coin, give a drink, or steal a Dibella statue | Markarth |
| Eydis | The Ghost of Old Hroldan | Old Hroldan |
| Ghorza gra-Bagol | Find a copy of Last Scabbard of Akrash | Markarth |
| Kerah | Deliver a ring to Calcelmo | Markarth |
| Lisbet | Recover her lost shipment | Markarth |
| Moth gro-Bagol | Bring him a Daedra heart | Understone Keep |
| Omluag | Talk to Mulush about him | Markarth |
| Ondolemar | Search and Seizure (evidence on Ogmund) | Markarth |
| Pavo Attius | Kolskeggr Mine | Kolskeggr Mine |
| Perth | Soljund’s Sinkhole | Soljund’s Sinkhole |
| Rogatus Salvius | Deliver a letter to Leontius Salvius | Salvius Farm, Old Hroldan |
| Skaggi Scar-Face | Mine iron ore | Left Hand Mine |
| Vigdis Salvius | Gather crops | Salvius Farm |
Buy Vlindrel Hall
Once the Jarl allows it, the steward sells you Vlindrel Hall in Markarth. The journal then asks you to purchase a house in Markarth.
Return to the Jarl
With the Jarl’s favour, five favours done and the house in your name, speak to the Jarl again to be named Thane.
Rewards
- Title of Thane of the Reach
- Blade of the Reach
- Argis the Bulwark as your housecarl, stationed at Vlindrel Hall
- The right to own Vlindrel Hall in Markarth
Tips and notes
- The favours can be done before you meet the Jarl; they are remembered.
- Siding with the Forsworn in No One Escapes Cidhna Mine before starting the Jarl’s tasks can stop the steward from offering them, closing off that route. The Stormcloak or Season Unending routes still work.
- If you were already Thane before Season Unending changes the Jarl, you may need to help five citizens again.
- Occasionally the Jarl grants the title at the first conversation, skipping the tasks entirely.
