Retaking Thirsk

It is one of two side quests that involves the Thirsk Mead Hall, the other being The Chief of Thirsk Hall. This quest will be marked as failed if The Chief of Thirsk Hall is accepted.

Background
''I met a group of Nords from Thirsk Mead Hall, which has recently been overrun by Rieklings. They're camped on the eastern shore of the island, waiting for an opportunity to attack and take back their home.''

Walkthrough
Upon arrival at Bujold's Retreat, Bujold the Unworthy will be in the middle of a conversation with her husband, Kuvar.

Bujold the Unworthy: "It won't be that easy to get rid of the Rieklings, Kuvar." Kuvar: "I never said it would be. But either way, we have to try. Whether we succeed or not, it'll stir up some of the old blood in this crowd." Bujold the Unworthy: "I'm not going to lead them to their deaths if they aren't ready." Kuvar: "Then train them. What are we doing here? We should either get used to staying here, or be preparing to retake the hall. You're having us do neither, and I can't stomach it." Bujold the Unworthy: "Your stomach isn't my problem. We'll act when I say we do and not before." Kuvar: "Well, you'd better say something. And soon."

Speaking to Bujold she will explain the situation. Choosing the first dialogue option will start the quest by volunteering to help eradicate the Rieklings. Helping the Rieklings prior to this quest will warrant the time spent with them voided.

Bujold will then begin a speech to the rest of the camp:

Hey, you lazy milk-drinkers, get over here! I know you're all starting the setting in here, and keep up the fat lives you got used up to in the hall. But look here. This outsider has more fire than any of you. All I had to do was mention our little infestation, and he/she volunteered in a second! I don't want to have my spirit outstripped by some wanderer. So let's get up there and kill us some Rieklings!

The quest will initiate and the objective is to kill 18 Rieklings including the Chief.

After retaking Thirsk Mead Hall, Bujold will ask the player to become her second. Two options will be available indicating Bujold to go on ahead or to go with her. (Bujold will disappear even with either options selected, so don't be alarmed when you don't find her). She will then ask the player to go to Hrothmund's Barrow to acquire Hrothmund's Blessing.

Head towards Hrothmund's Barrow and Bujold will be there. She will ask the player if she/he is ready and will venture upon the cave.

Note* if she is not near the entrance of the Barrow, wait for an hour until she arrives.

Upon descending inside, the player will come across a hall submerged in water. The water will subside as you walk along to the side and upon Bujold's approach.

She will run towards the altar, indicating that she has found the axe, "There it is!"

Note* there will be two chests that will be opened near the altar that can be looted.

Holding the effigy, Hrothmund's voice will speak to Bujold. She will be left with disappointment only to be scorned by Hrothmund. Hrothmond mentions that Bujold had become soft that led to the group to be overwhelmed, and rejected the blessing of leadership upon Bujold.

Bujold will talk to the player, in which the player has with two dialogue options:

"How are you feeling about that?"

"What are you going to do now?"

Choosing either options will lead to the player asking, "You'll go against Hrothmund's wishes?"

Bujold confers that the Thirsk Mead Hall needs a new tradition and asks the player to keep what happened to be a secret.

Bujold will give the player two options:

"I'll keep this quiet."

"I can't let you lead Thirsk."

The player can choose the first option to render a peaceful solution or the second and will adhere Bujold to become hostile. Ignoring either options will default to the first option.

Note* Returning to the hall, Thirsk Mead Hall will be returned to its original stature. opening the smithing area and new beds at the end of the hallway.

When returning to Thirsk Mead Hall, Kuvar will approach you asking of the situation at the Barrow.

If the player killed Bujold, he/she can choose to the tell the truth or lie.

By telling the truth, he asks if that was the reason the player killed Bujold. Kuvar will then informs the player that he will keep the Hall open for the one who is worthy. Because the player killed Bujold, he warns the player that he will overlook the player killing his wife and warns the player never to show his/her face.

If the player chose the peaceful solution, he/she can tell Kuvar that Bujold was worthy (lie) or tell him the truth.

By telling the truth, he is appalled that it is a bold and dangerous thing to accuse. Telling Kuvar the truth, he will turn to Bujold to confirm this accusation. This action will make him exile his wife, Bujold, to the wilds to redeem her honor.

After the situation has been handled, new dialogue will open among all the members. And fetching quests will be available.

Note* Telling the truth on both situations will make Kuvar dislike the player.

Bugs

 * There is a possibility if you by-pass the Rieklings outside and rush to the interior of Thirsk Mead Hall to cease the insides first, that only 17/18 Rieklings may be eliminated. This will cause Bujold's Nordic entourage to stand around the hall as if still in combat, only to have no enemy in the vicinity. This will result in the quest being unable to proceed towards completion.
 * This may also happen if you initiate the posse towards the hall and fast travel else-where. This will cause the outside Rieklings to be disposed of and may possibly be the only trigger for this bug. Solution would simply be to reload to an earlier save and make sure that you follow through this quest without deviating.

Trivia
In conclusion of this quest, her name is changed to "Bujold the Intrepid."

Journal

 * Kill the Rieklings
 * Speak to Bujold
 * Meet Bujold at Hrothmund's Barrow
 * Commune with Hrothmund's Spirit