Thane of the Reach

The Dragonborn can gain the title of Thane of The Reach.

Objectives

 * Befriend the Jarl of The Reach.
 * Assist five citizens of The Reach.
 * purchase Vlindrel Hall
 * Return to the Jarl.

Walkthrough
To become a Thane of The Reach, the Dragonborn needs to kill groups of Forsworn for the Jarl and his Steward. Then they must retrieve Hrolfdir's Shield (this quest is only given when at level 20 or higher). The Dragonborn must then help five citizens of Markarth and own Vlindrel Hall to become a Thane.

There are several easy ways to assist the people of The Reach: Alternatively, the Dragonborn can side with the Stormcloaks and take The Reach by force through the Civil War quests. This will change the Jarl to Thongvor Silver-Blood and the Dragonborn will immediately be granted the permission to purchase property and become a Thane without doing anything else.

The above is also possible if the Dragonborn negotiated the exchange of Markarth during "Season Unending". The Blade of the Reach is awarded along with the title.

Bugs

 * Occasionally when first speaking to the Jarl, instead of offering quests he will immediately grant the title of Thane of the Reach, and allow the purchase of property and assign a housecarl.
 * If the Forsworn were aided in the quest "No One Escapes Cidhna Mine" before starting the quest chain to become a Thane, the steward may no longer offer the quests required, making that route to becoming Thane inaccessible.
 * This can be fixed on the PC by using the console command "SetStage Favor157 10" to force start the quest to obtain the shield. Pressing M while the quest is highlighted on the log will cause the map give directions. Once given the shield, the Jarl will offer to let the Dragonborn buy a house, and the steward will have the dialogue to sell it.
 * Argis the Bulwark may not be appointed as housecarl and never appear in Vlindrel Hall.
 * May be fixed by buying all the upgrades to Vlindrel hall.
 * If already a Thane before the quest "Season Unending", the citizens of The Reach may need to be helped again.