Region Skyrim

The northernmost province of Tamriel, homeland of the Nords, divided into nine holds.

All charactersNPC RoleBlacksmith 3Blades 2Court Wizard 1Faction Leader 9Follower 36Greybeard 2Housecarl 3Innkeeper 1Jarl 9Marriage Candidate 23Mercenary 7Merchant 11Quest Giver 42Soldier 5Thief 5Trainer 18RaceAltmer 2Argonian 2Bosmer 2Breton 6Daedra 1Dog 1Dragon 4Dunmer 10Imperial 14Khajiit 2Nord 50Orsimer 4Redguard 3

Helgen

Helgen is the fortified town where Skyrim begins – and where Alduin returns, burning it to the ground during your execution.

Riverwood

Riverwood is the small lumber village where most Skyrim adventures really begin – blacksmith, inn, trader and the road up to Bleak Falls Barrow.

Whiterun

Whiterun is the trading heart of Skyrim, a hilltop city on the central plains crowned by Dragonsreach. Districts, shops, quests and characters.

Dragon Rising

Dragon Rising: fight your first dragon at the Western Watchtower, absorb its soul and discover you are Dragonborn. Walkthrough, tips and rewards.

Bleak Falls Barrow

Bleak Falls Barrow: Farengar sends you into a draugr-filled Nordic tomb to retrieve the Dragonstone. Full walkthrough including the claw door and the Word Wall.

Before the Storm

Before the Storm sends you to Riverwood and then to Jarl Balgruuf in Whiterun to warn him about the dragon. Walkthrough, rewards and tips.

Unbound

Unbound is Skyrim's opening quest: a prisoner cart, an execution in Helgen, and a black dragon that ruins everyone's day. Full walkthrough, choices and tips.

Delphine

Delphine runs the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood – but she is secretly one of the last members of the Blades, hunting the truth behind the return of the dragons.

Ralof

Ralof of Riverwood is the Stormcloak soldier who wakes you up on the prisoner cart – "Hey, you. You're finally awake." – and can help you escape Helgen.

Hadvar

Hadvar is the Imperial Legion soldier from Riverwood who helps you escape Helgen if you follow him in the opening quest Unbound.