From Novice to Noble: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting Hearthfire in Skyrim

Embark on a fulfilling journey beyond dragon slaying and dungeon delving in Skyrim with the Hearthfire DLC! This expansion allows you to build your own home, adopt children, and experience a different side of life in the province. While acquiring your dream home might seem daunting, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring a smooth and rewarding experience. Whether you’re a seasoned Dragonborn or a fresh-faced adventurer, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to become a homeowner and a parent in the world of Skyrim.

What is Hearthfire?

Hearthfire is the second downloadable content (DLC) for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Unlike Dawnguard, which focuses on a vampire conflict, Hearthfire shifts the gameplay towards construction, crafting, and family life. It allows you to:

* **Purchase Land:** Acquire plots of land in three different holds: The Pale (near Dawnstar), Hjaalmarch (near Morthal), and Falkreath Hold (near Falkreath).
* **Build a Home:** Construct your dream home from the ground up, starting with a small house and expanding it with wings and additions to customize it to your liking.
* **Craft Furniture:** Create a wide variety of furniture, decorations, and other items to furnish your home and make it feel like your own.
* **Hire a Steward:** Employ a steward to manage your property, acquire resources, and protect your home from threats.
* **Adopt Children:** Provide a home for orphaned children and experience the joys (and challenges) of parenthood in Skyrim.

Getting Started: Initial Requirements

Before you can start building your dream home, you need to meet a few basic requirements:

* **Purchase the Hearthfire DLC:** This is the most obvious requirement. Ensure you have purchased and installed the Hearthfire DLC on your platform of choice (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch).
* **Become Thaned of at least one hold:** This is crucial. You need to earn the title of Thane in one of the holds where land is available: The Pale, Hjaalmarch, or Falkreath Hold. Being a Thane demonstrates your loyalty and service to the Jarl, making them willing to sell you a plot of land.

Becoming Thane: A Step-by-Step Guide

Becoming Thane usually involves completing quests for the Jarl and assisting the citizens of the hold. The specific quests vary from hold to hold, but the general process remains the same. Here’s a breakdown for each of the three holds where you can purchase land:

1. Becoming Thane of The Pale (Dawnstar)

* **Talk to Jarl Skald the Elder (or Brina Merilis after the Imperial Legion takes control of Dawnstar):** You’ll find the Jarl in the White Hall in Dawnstar. Speak to them to receive your initial task.
* **Complete “Waking Nightmare” Quest (Optional but Recommended):** While not strictly required, completing the “Waking Nightmare” quest for Erandur in Dawnstar significantly improves your standing in the hold and earns you favor with the citizens. This quest involves investigating nightmares plaguing the town and dealing with a Daedric artifact.
* **Assist the People of The Pale:** You need to perform five favors for the citizens of The Pale. These favors can include:
* Chopping wood for the mill owner, Leigelf.
* Delivering items to other towns or locations within the hold.
* Mining ore for Rustleif and Seren.
* Completing simple fetch quests for various NPCs.
* **Kill the Giant (Radiant Quest):** After assisting the citizens, the Jarl will ask you to eliminate a giant threatening the hold. Accept the quest and travel to the giant’s camp, defeat the giant, and report back to the Jarl.
* **Purchase a House (Optional):** If you haven’t already, you can purchase a house in Dawnstar, further solidifying your position in the hold.
* **Be Awarded Thane:** Once you’ve completed these tasks, speak to the Jarl. They will recognize your service to the hold and grant you the title of Thane of The Pale. They will also award you with a Blade of The Pale and assign a Housecarl, Gregor, to protect you.

2. Becoming Thane of Hjaalmarch (Morthal)

* **Talk to Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone (or Sorli the Builder after the Imperial Legion takes control of Morthal):** Locate the Jarl in the Highmoon Hall in Morthal. Speak to them to initiate the Thane questline.
* **Complete “Laid to Rest” Quest:** This is a mandatory quest for becoming Thane of Hjaalmarch. The Jarl will ask you to investigate a burned-down house and uncover the secrets behind the tragic event. This quest involves investigating the ruins, exploring a vampire lair, and confronting the vampire master Movarth Piquine. Completing this quest is essential for gaining the Jarl’s trust and respect.
* **Assist the People of Hjaalmarch:** You need to assist five residents of Hjaalmarch with various tasks. Some examples include:
* Delivering goods to other towns or locations within the hold.
* Gathering ingredients for Lami, the apothecary.
* Chopping wood for the lumber mill owner.
* Helping Benor with a brawl (if he’s still alive).
* **Purchase a House (Optional):** While not required, owning a house in Morthal will further demonstrate your commitment to the hold.
* **Be Awarded Thane:** After completing the “Laid to Rest” quest and assisting the citizens of Morthal, speak to the Jarl. They will acknowledge your contributions and bestow upon you the title of Thane of Hjaalmarch. You will receive the Blade of Hjaalmarch and a Housecarl, Valdimar, to protect you.

3. Becoming Thane of Falkreath Hold (Falkreath)

* **Talk to Jarl Siddgeir (or Dengeir of Stuhn after the Imperial Legion takes control of Falkreath):** Find the Jarl in the Falkreath Longhouse. Speak to them to start the Thane quest.
* **Chop Wood for Helvard (If Needed):** Sometimes, the Jarl will require you to chop wood for his steward, Helvard, before offering any other quests. This is a simple task, but it’s a necessary step in earning the Jarl’s favor.
* **Complete “Kill the Bandit Leader” Quest:** The Jarl will task you with eliminating a bandit leader who is causing trouble in the hold. Travel to the designated bandit camp, defeat the bandit leader, and return to the Jarl for your reward.
* **Assist the People of Falkreath Hold:** You need to help five residents of Falkreath Hold. Possible tasks include:
* Delivering items to other towns or locations within the hold.
* Gathering ingredients for the apothecary, Zaria.
* Helping Runil find his lost journal fragments.
* Chopping wood for the lumber mill owner.
* **Be Awarded Thane:** Once you’ve completed the bandit leader quest and assisted the citizens of Falkreath, speak to the Jarl. They will recognize your efforts and declare you Thane of Falkreath. You will receive the Blade of Falkreath and a Housecarl, Rayya, to protect you.

Purchasing Land

Once you are Thane of one of the relevant holds, you can purchase a plot of land from the Jarl’s steward. Here’s how:

* **Talk to the Steward:** Locate the Jarl’s steward in the hold’s main hall (usually the same building as the Jarl). The stewards are:
* **The Pale (Dawnstar):** Unmid Snow-Shod (or Seren after the Imperial Legion takes control)
* **Hjaalmarch (Morthal):** Aslfur (or Gorm after the Imperial Legion takes control)
* **Falkreath Hold (Falkreath):** Nenya (or Helvard after the Imperial Legion takes control)
* **Ask to Purchase Land:** Initiate a conversation with the steward and inquire about purchasing property in the hold. If you are Thane, they will offer you a plot of land for 5,000 gold.
* **Pay the Purchase Price:** Hand over the 5,000 gold to the steward to purchase the land. They will give you a deed to the property, which you should keep safe. You will also receive a drafting table and a small chest containing basic building materials near the plot of land.

Locating Your Land

Each plot of land is located in a different area of its respective hold. Here’s where you can find each property:

* **The Pale (Windstad Manor):** Located northeast of Dawnstar, near the coast. It’s a scenic area with views of the Sea of Ghosts.
* **Hjaalmarch (Lakeview Manor):** Situated near Pinewatch, overlooking a beautiful lake. It’s a picturesque location but prone to bandit attacks.
* **Falkreath Hold (Heljarchen Hall):** Located east of Falkreath, near the mountains. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Building Your Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now comes the exciting part: building your home! Here’s a detailed guide to the construction process:

1. Using the Drafting Table

* **Locate the Drafting Table:** The drafting table is located near the small chest on your newly purchased land. It’s a wooden table with blueprints on it.
* **Interact with the Drafting Table:** Activate the drafting table to open the building menu. This menu allows you to choose which structures to build.
* **Start with a Small House:** The first option available is to build a small house. This is the foundation of your home. Select the small house blueprint and confirm your choice.

2. Constructing the Foundation

* **Head to the Carpenter’s Workbench:** After selecting the small house, a carpenter’s workbench will appear nearby. This workbench is where you will actually construct the house using materials.
* **Interact with the Workbench:** Activate the carpenter’s workbench to open the construction menu.
* **Gather Materials:** The construction menu will show you a list of materials needed to build each part of the house. Common materials include:
* **Sawn Logs:** Obtained from lumber mills (e.g., Anga’s Mill, Dragon Bridge) or by having your steward purchase them.
* **Stone:** Mined from stone quarries near your property or purchased from merchants.
* **Clay:** Dug from clay deposits near your property or purchased from merchants.
* **Iron Ingots:** Smelted from iron ore found in mines or purchased from merchants.
* **Corundum Ingots:** Smelted from corundum ore found in mines or purchased from merchants. This is needed later for upgrades.
* **Build the Foundation:** Using the workbench, construct the foundation of the small house. This will require sawn logs.
* **Build the Walls:** Once the foundation is complete, build the walls of the small house. This also requires sawn logs.
* **Build the Roof:** Finally, construct the roof of the small house. This will complete the basic structure.

3. Expanding Your Home

Once the small house is built, you can start expanding it by adding wings and additions. Return to the drafting table to choose which additions you want to build.

* **Choose Additions:** The drafting table offers several options for additions, including:
* **Main Hall:** A larger living area that connects to the small house.
* **Bedrooms:** Additional rooms for you, your spouse, and your adopted children.
* **Enchanting Tower:** A tower dedicated to enchanting items.
* **Alchemy Laboratory:** A laboratory for brewing potions.
* **Library:** A room for storing books and conducting research.
* **Kitchen:** A room for cooking and preparing meals.
* **Armory:** A room for storing weapons and armor.
* **Storage Room:** A room for storing general supplies.
* **Trophy Room:** A room for displaying your trophies and achievements.
* **Greenhouse:** A glass-enclosed structure for growing plants.
* **Apiary:** A structure for beekeeping and honey production.
* **Construct the Additions:** Select the addition you want to build from the drafting table, then return to the carpenter’s workbench and gather the necessary materials. Build the foundation, walls, and roof for each addition, just like you did with the small house.

4. Furnishing Your Home

Once the basic structure of your home is complete, you can start furnishing it with furniture, decorations, and other items. This is where you can truly personalize your home and make it your own.

* **Crafting Furniture:** You can craft furniture using the carpenter’s workbench or other crafting stations, such as the forge and cooking pot. Common furniture items include:
* **Beds:** Essential for sleeping and restoring health.
* **Tables and Chairs:** For dining and relaxing.
* **Chests and Cabinets:** For storing items.
* **Bookshelves:** For storing books.
* **Weapon Racks and Display Cases:** For displaying weapons and armor.
* **Cooking Pots and Ovens:** For cooking meals.
* **Rugs and Tapestries:** For decorating the floors and walls.
* **Lighting:** Candles, sconces, and lanterns to illuminate your home.
* **Purchasing Furniture:** You can also purchase furniture from merchants in various towns and cities. This is a convenient way to acquire items that you may not be able to craft yourself.
* **Decorating Your Home:** Place furniture, decorations, and other items throughout your home to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Experiment with different arrangements and styles to find what you like best.

Hiring a Steward

A steward can be a valuable asset for managing your property. They can gather resources, purchase materials, defend your home, and even provide companionship. Here’s how to hire a steward:

* **Choose a Follower:** Select a follower who you trust and respect. Any follower can be appointed as a steward, but it’s best to choose someone with relevant skills, such as combat or crafting.
* **Travel to Your Home:** Take your chosen follower to your newly built home.
* **Speak to Your Follower:** Initiate a conversation with your follower. If you have completed the construction of at least the small house, a new dialogue option will appear: “I need you to manage this place.”
* **Confirm Your Choice:** Select the dialogue option to appoint your follower as your steward. They will accept the position and begin managing your property.

Steward Responsibilities

Your steward can perform a variety of tasks to help manage your home, including:

* **Purchasing Building Materials:** Your steward can purchase sawn logs, stone, clay, and other materials needed for construction and furnishing.
* **Gathering Resources:** Your steward can gather resources from the surrounding area, such as firewood and crops.
* **Hiring a Carriage Driver:** Your steward can hire a carriage driver to transport you between your home and other locations.
* **Hiring a Bard:** Your steward can hire a bard to entertain you and your family.
* **Defending Your Home:** Your steward will defend your home from bandits, wild animals, and other threats.
* **Purchasing Livestock:** Your steward can purchase livestock such as cows, chickens, and goats.

Adopting Children

One of the most rewarding aspects of Hearthfire is the ability to adopt children. Here’s how to adopt children in Skyrim:

* **Build Bedrooms:** You need to have at least two beds available in your home for adopted children. This can be achieved by building a bedroom addition or adding beds to other rooms.
* **Visit Honorhall Orphanage:** Travel to Riften and visit the Honorhall Orphanage. This is where many of Skyrim’s orphaned children reside.
* **Speak to Constance Michel:** Talk to Constance Michel, the headmistress of the orphanage. She will tell you about the children and their stories.
* **Choose a Child:** Select a child whom you wish to adopt. You can learn about their personalities and backgrounds by speaking to them.
* **Confirm Adoption:** If Constance Michel approves of your choice, she will allow you to adopt the child. You will need to have enough gold to cover the adoption fee (although this is usually waived).
* **Take the Child Home:** After completing the adoption process, the child will move to your home. You can interact with them, give them gifts, and provide them with food and shelter.

Finding Children Outside Honorhall Orphanage

While Honorhall Orphanage is the most common place to find children for adoption, you can also find orphans in other locations throughout Skyrim. For example:

* **Lucia in Whiterun:** You can find Lucia begging in Whiterun. If you give her a gold coin, she will tell you about her situation.
* **Alesan in Dawnstar:** Alesan works at the mine in Dawnstar. He dreams of becoming an adventurer.

These children can also be adopted if you meet the requirements.

Tips and Tricks for Hearthfire

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the Hearthfire DLC:

* **Plan Your Home:** Before you start building, plan out the layout of your home on paper or in your mind. This will help you avoid making mistakes and ensure that your home is functional and aesthetically pleasing.
* **Gather Resources in Advance:** Start gathering sawn logs, stone, clay, and other materials before you even purchase land. This will save you time and effort later on.
* **Use a Follower to Carry Materials:** Enlist a follower to help you carry heavy materials, such as stone and sawn logs. This will make the construction process much easier.
* **Take Advantage of Fast Travel:** Use fast travel to quickly transport materials between lumber mills, mines, and your home.
* **Protect Your Home:** Your home can be attacked by bandits, wild animals, and other threats. Be sure to install defenses, such as walls and fences, to protect your property.
* **Keep Your Children Happy:** Spend time with your adopted children, give them gifts, and provide them with a comfortable home. This will make them happy and strengthen your bond with them.
* **Experiment with Different Designs:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different designs and layouts for your home. The Hearthfire DLC offers a wide range of customization options, so you can create a home that is truly unique.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

While Hearthfire is generally a stable DLC, you may encounter some issues during the building process. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

* **Materials Not Appearing:** If you are unable to find the materials needed for construction, try waiting for a few days or visiting a merchant to purchase them. Sometimes, materials take time to respawn.
* **Building Not Progressing:** If you are unable to progress with the building process, make sure you have all the required materials and that you are interacting with the correct workbench or drafting table. Sometimes, a simple reload of the game can fix minor glitches.
* **Steward Not Performing Tasks:** If your steward is not performing the tasks you assigned them, try dismissing them and re-appointing them. This can sometimes reset their behavior.
* **Adoption Not Working:** If you are unable to adopt children, make sure you have at least two beds available in your home and that you have completed the necessary quests.

Conclusion

The Hearthfire DLC offers a unique and rewarding experience for Skyrim players. By following this comprehensive guide, you can build your dream home, adopt children, and experience a different side of life in the province. So, embark on your journey from novice to noble and create a lasting legacy in the world of Skyrim! Happy building!