Conquer Skyrim: A Comprehensive Guide to Beating the Main Quest

Skyrim, the fifth installment in the Elder Scrolls series, is a sprawling open-world RPG renowned for its immense scale, intricate lore, and unparalleled freedom. While the game encourages exploration and side quests aplenty, the central narrative revolves around the Dragonborn’s destiny to defeat Alduin, the World-Eater. This comprehensive guide will provide a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough on how to beat Skyrim’s main quest, ensuring you experience the epic story to its fullest. Note that this guide focuses solely on the main questline; optional quests, guild storylines, and exploration are not covered in detail.

Before You Begin: Character Creation and Early Game Considerations

Before embarking on your Dragonborn journey, carefully consider your character’s race and skills. While Skyrim allows you to play any way you want, certain choices can make the early game significantly easier.

* **Race:** Nords are naturally resistant to frost and make excellent warriors due to their initial skill bonuses in Two-Handed, One-Handed, and Block. Bretons possess magical resistance and bonuses in Conjuration, Illusion, and Restoration, making them suitable for mage builds. High Elves (Altmer) have the highest magicka pool and initial bonuses in Illusion, Conjuration, Destruction, Alteration, and Restoration, excelling as pure mages. Orcs are formidable warriors with a powerful Berserker rage ability, and initial bonuses in Heavy Armor, One-Handed, Smithing, and Enchanting. Imperials find more gold and pacify humanoids, with bonuses in Restoration, One-Handed, Block, and Heavy Armor. Redguards are skilled warriors and boast poison resistance along with bonuses in One-Handed, Alteration, Archery, and Block. Dark Elves (Dunmer) are resistant to fire and have bonuses in Destruction, Illusion, Alteration, Light Armor, and Alchemy, and can be good for either mage, warrior, or stealth builds. Wood Elves (Bosmer) excel at archery and have disease and poison resistance along with bonuses in Archery, Sneak, Light Armor, Alchemy, and Lockpicking. Khajiit and Argonians offer stealth-oriented bonuses, Khajiit with a stealth and unarmed bonus while Argonians find potions and resist disease.

* **Skills:** Focus on developing skills relevant to your chosen playstyle. For warriors, prioritize One-Handed, Two-Handed, Archery, Heavy Armor, Block, and Smithing. For mages, concentrate on Destruction, Conjuration, Restoration, Alteration, and Enchanting. For stealth-based characters, invest in Sneak, Archery, Light Armor, Lockpicking, and Alchemy. Alchemy is useful for all character types for creating healing and buffing potions.

* **Early Game:** Upon escaping Helgen, follow Hadvar (Imperial) or Ralof (Stormcloak) to Riverwood. Complete the initial quests in Riverwood, such as helping the blacksmith Alvor or Lucan Valerius at the Riverwood Trader, to gain valuable experience and equipment. Follow the road towards Whiterun, avoiding dangerous creatures and bandits.

Walkthrough: The Main Questline

Now, let’s delve into the main questline, providing detailed instructions for each quest.

1. Bleak Falls Barrow

* **Starting the Quest:** After arriving in Whiterun, speak to the Jarl, Balgruuf the Greater. He will task you with investigating dragon sightings near Riverwood. This leads you to Farengar Secret-Fire, the court mage, who asks you to retrieve the Dragonstone from Bleak Falls Barrow.

* **Objective:** Retrieve the Dragonstone from Bleak Falls Barrow.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Travel to Bleak Falls Barrow, located west of Riverwood. The entrance is guarded by bandits.
* Inside, navigate the dungeon, battling skeletons, draugr, and giant spiders. Solve simple puzzles involving rotating pillars and levers.
* A notable puzzle involves matching symbols on rotating pillars to the symbols above the gate. The correct sequence is Snake, Snake, Whale.
* Defeat the Golden Claw thief, Arvel the Swift, and take the Golden Claw from his corpse. Examine the claw closely; the palm is etched with the correct sequence to open the final door.
* Use the Golden Claw on the final door by selecting the correct symbols on the three rotating rings. The sequence (from top to bottom) is Bear, Moth, Owl.
* Defeat the Draugr Overlord and claim the Dragonstone from the chest behind him. Also, you will learn the first word of the Unrelenting Force shout.

* **Reward:** The Dragonstone and the first word of the Unrelenting Force shout.

2. Dragon Rising

* **Starting the Quest:** Return to Farengar Secret-Fire in Whiterun and give him the Dragonstone.

* **Objective:** Help defend Whiterun from a dragon attack.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Farengar tasks you with informing the Jarl about the Dragonstone’s information.
* Speak to Jarl Balgruuf; he will order Irileth and you to defend Whiterun from the dragon, Mirmulnir.
* Head to the Western Watchtower outside Whiterun. Fight Mirmulnir alongside the guards. Utilize ranged attacks or take cover to avoid his fire breath.
* Once Mirmulnir is defeated, you will absorb its soul, revealing your Dragonborn nature. You will learn the second word of Unrelenting Force.

* **Reward:** Recognition as Dragonborn, the ability to absorb dragon souls, and the second word of the Unrelenting Force shout.

3. The Way of the Voice

* **Starting the Quest:** The Greybeards of High Hrothgar summon you after learning of your Dragonborn status.

* **Objective:** Travel to High Hrothgar and learn about your destiny as Dragonborn.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Travel to Ivarstead, located at the foot of the Throat of the World. From Ivarstead, climb the 7,000 Steps to High Hrothgar. Be mindful of frost trolls and wolves along the path.
* At High Hrothgar, speak to Arngeir, the leader of the Greybeards. He will test your knowledge of the Voice.
* Arngeir will teach you the third word of the Unrelenting Force shout and explain its power.
* You will then complete three trials:
* Demonstrate the Unrelenting Force shout on targets.
* Use the Whirlwind Sprint shout to pass through a gate.
* Retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller from Ustengrav.

4. The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller

* **Starting the Quest:** This quest begins upon receiving it from Arngeir in High Hrothgar.

* **Objective:** Retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller from Ustengrav.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Travel to Ustengrav, located northeast of Morthal. The dungeon is filled with necromancers, skeletons, and draugr.
* Navigate through the dungeon, solving puzzles involving pressure plates and timed gates.
* In one section, you’ll need to use Whirlwind Sprint to quickly pass through three gates that close rapidly.
* Reach Jurgen Windcaller’s tomb, but find that the Horn is missing. Instead, you’ll find a note from “A Friend” asking you to meet them in Riverwood’s Sleeping Giant Inn.

5. A Blade in the Dark

* **Starting the Quest:** This quest automatically starts after reading the note in Ustengrav.

* **Objective:** Meet Delphine in Riverwood and investigate dragon activity.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Travel to Riverwood and speak to Delphine at the Sleeping Giant Inn. Ask her about the Horn.
* She reveals that she is one of the last Blades, an ancient order dedicated to dragon hunting.
* Delphine wants to investigate a dragon burial site near Kynesgrove. Meet her there.
* Witness the dragon, Sahloknir, being resurrected by Alduin. Fight and defeat Sahloknir alongside Delphine.

* **Reward:** Delphine’s trust and the confirmation of Alduin’s return.

6. Diplomatic Immunity

* **Starting the Quest:** After defeating Sahloknir, Delphine asks you to infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy.

* **Objective:** Infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy and gather information about the dragons.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Delphine will arrange for you to meet Malborn in Solitude. Give Malborn any equipment you’ll need inside the Embassy, as you won’t be able to carry it yourself.
* Attend the party at the Thalmor Embassy. While distracting Razelan, the Thalmor, by giving him some alcohol, Malborn will create a distraction allowing you to sneak away.
* Once you’re clear of the party area, enter the storage area, where Malborn awaits you.
* Search the Embassy for information about the dragons. You’ll find documents suggesting that the Thalmor are interested in a Dragonborn named Esbern. You may also find documents about other things, such as a torture report.
* Escape the Embassy through the Reeking Cave. You will need to fight your way out.

* **Reward:** Information about Esbern and the Thalmor’s interest in the dragons.

7. A Cornered Rat

* **Starting the Quest:** After escaping the Thalmor Embassy, return to Delphine in Riverwood.

* **Objective:** Find Esbern in Riften.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Travel to Riften and speak to Brynjolf in the marketplace. He’s a member of the Thieves Guild.
* Brynjolf directs you to speak to a man named Keerava at the Bee and Barb inn.
* Keerava will give you some options for how to approach the situation. Persuading her works, paying her works, and intimidating her works. All of these end with her telling you to speak to a man named Rorlak.
* Rorlak lives in the Ratway, a series of tunnels beneath Riften. Navigate through the Ratway, battling bandits and hostile creatures.
* Find Esbern hiding in the Ratway Warrens, behind a locked door. You’ll need to persuade him that you are there to help him.

* **Reward:** Esbern’s knowledge and expertise.

8. Alduin’s Wall

* **Starting the Quest:** After finding Esbern in Riften.

* **Objective:** Travel to Sky Haven Temple with Esbern and Delphine and learn how to defeat Alduin.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Escort Esbern and Delphine to Riverwood and then to Karthspire. This is a dangerous journey, so be prepared for combat.
* Enter Karthspire, battling Forsworn and traps. Esbern knows the way and will help you navigate the temple.
* Reach Sky Haven Temple, the ancient headquarters of the Blades. Esbern will unlock the gate using his blood.
* Examine Alduin’s Wall, a mural depicting the Dragon War and the secret to defeating Alduin: the Dragonrend shout.

* **Reward:** The discovery of Alduin’s Wall and the knowledge of the Dragonrend shout.

9. The Throat of the World

* **Starting the Quest:** After discovering Alduin’s Wall.

* **Objective:** Speak to Paarthurnax atop the Throat of the World and learn the Dragonrend shout.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Return to High Hrothgar and speak to Arngeir. He will guide you to Paarthurnax, a dragon living at the summit of the Throat of the World.
* Climb to the Throat of the World, battling strong winds and frost creatures. Use the Clear Skies shout to dispel the blizzards.
* Meet Paarthurnax and learn about his past. He was once Alduin’s lieutenant but now seeks redemption.
* Paarthurnax will teach you the Dragonrend shout through a vision of the past. Experience the battle between the ancient Nords and Alduin.

* **Reward:** The Dragonrend shout.

10. Alduin’s Bane

* **Starting the Quest:** After learning the Dragonrend shout from Paarthurnax.

* **Objective:** Use the Dragonrend shout against Alduin at the Throat of the World and weaken him enough to send him away.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Summon Alduin to the Throat of the World using the Elder Scroll provided by Paarthurnax.
* Engage Alduin in combat. Use the Dragonrend shout to force him to land, making him vulnerable to your attacks.
* After taking significant damage, Alduin will retreat to Sovngarde.

* **Reward:** The knowledge of Alduin’s destination.

11. Season Unending (Optional but Recommended)

* **Starting the Quest:** This quest is optional but highly recommended, especially if the civil war questline is not yet completed.

* **Objective:** Negotiate a truce between the Stormcloaks and the Imperials to secure their aid against Alduin.

* **Walkthrough:**
* Speak to Arngeir at High Hrothgar to arrange a peace conference.
* Attend the conference and mediate the negotiations between the Stormcloaks and the Imperials. This involves carefully selecting dialogue options to satisfy both sides.
* Consider the needs of each side when making decisions, such as territory control and the release of prisoners.
* The success of the negotiation depends on your choices. A successful truce will allow you to proceed to the next quest with the support of both factions.

* **Reward:** A temporary truce between the Stormcloaks and the Imperials, allowing you to proceed with the main quest.

12. Sovngarde

* **Starting the Quest:** After learning that Alduin has fled to Sovngarde.

* **Objective:** Enter Sovngarde and defeat Alduin.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Travel to Dragonsreach in Whiterun and speak to the Jarl. He will allow you to use his dragon to travel to Sovngarde.
* Speak to Odahviing, the dragon, and he will agree to fly you to Skuldafn.
* Fly to Skuldafn, an ancient Nordic ruin located in the mountains. The location becomes accessible on the map after you have Odahviing to take you there.
* Fight your way through the Draugr and dragons at Skuldafn.
* Enter the portal to Sovngarde, the Nordic afterlife.
* In Sovngarde, navigate through the mist to find the Hall of Valor. Use the Clear Skies shout to dispel the mist.
* Speak to Ysgramor, the leader of the ancient Nords. He will allow you to enter the Hall of Valor after confirming that you are Dragonborn.
* Gather the ancient heroes Felldir the Old, Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, and Hakon One-Eye. They will help you defeat Alduin.

* **Reward:** Access to the final battle against Alduin.

13. Dragonslayer

* **Starting the Quest:** This quest begins within Sovngarde.

* **Objective:** Defeat Alduin in Sovngarde.

* **Walkthrough:**

* Find Alduin devouring the souls of the dead in Sovngarde. The heroes will assist you.
* Use the Dragonrend shout to force Alduin to land.
* Fight Alduin alongside the heroes. Coordinate your attacks and use your most powerful abilities.
* Once Alduin’s health is depleted, he will be defeated, and his soul will be destroyed.

* **Reward:** The defeat of Alduin and the salvation of Skyrim.

Congratulations! You Have Beaten Skyrim’s Main Quest

By following this comprehensive guide, you have successfully completed Skyrim’s main questline and vanquished Alduin, the World-Eater. You have proven yourself as the Dragonborn and saved Skyrim from destruction. However, remember that this is only one aspect of Skyrim’s vast world. Explore the numerous side quests, join guilds, discover hidden locations, and continue your adventure in the land of the Nords.

Tips and Tricks for Dragonborn Success

* **Leveling Up:** Focus on leveling skills that complement your playstyle. Use trainers to quickly improve specific skills.
* **Crafting:** Invest in Smithing, Enchanting, and Alchemy to create powerful equipment and potions. Experiment with different combinations to discover new recipes.
* **Shouts:** Utilize shouts strategically in combat. Unrelenting Force can stagger enemies, Whirlwind Sprint allows for quick escapes, and Dragonrend forces dragons to land.
* **Companions:** Recruit companions to aid you in battle. Each companion has unique skills and abilities.
* **Exploration:** Explore the world thoroughly to discover hidden treasures, quests, and locations. Skyrim is filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered.
* **Saving:** Save frequently, especially before entering dangerous areas or making important decisions. This allows you to reload if things go wrong.
* **Quests:** Be aware that quest markers can sometimes be misleading. Make sure to read the quest text carefully and follow the instructions. If you’re still stuck, search online for help.

By mastering these tips and tricks, you’ll be well-equipped to face any challenge Skyrim throws your way and continue your journey as the Dragonborn. Remember that the true beauty of Skyrim lies in its freedom and exploration, so take your time, discover its secrets, and create your own unique adventure.