- "The Jarl is not to be disturbed with common affairs of court. You direct those concerns to me."
- ―Falk Firebeard[src]
Falk Firebeard is a Nord steward serving and advising Jarl Elisif of Solitude. His duties keep him in the Blue Palace.
Interactions
The Man Who Cried Wolf
Traveling to the Blue Palace, the Dragonborn learns that Wolfskull Cave is plagued with creatures. While the Jarl is not overly concerned about this, Falk promises to pay the Dragonborn to purge the cave of its denizens.
The Wolf Queen Awakened
A short time after the cave has been cleared, Falk sends a Courier with a letter expressing his concern about the Necromancers at Wolfskull Cave and requesting a meeting. At the meeting, he directs the Dragonborn to Styrr who says that Potema must be destroyed in her catacombs.
Purchasing property
Falk, as steward, is also responsible for selling the home in Solitude, Proudspire Manor, and all related decorations and upgrades.
Conversations
Does General Tullius respect Elisif?
'Of course he does. What sort of a question is that? Maybe you've been listening to Erikur. There's been loose talk among the Thanes, and I suspect he's the cause of it. You'll pay those rumors no heed if you wish to retain your welcome in this city. She may be young but Elisif is the Jarl by right. And here in Skyrim, if nothing else, we respect the traditions of our father's fathers. You'll do well to remember that.'
Elisif seems to rely on you a great deal. "She still mourns greatly for her husband, High King Torygg. So she leaves many of the courtly details to me."
Post-Civil War
If the Dragonborn sides with the Stormcloaks during the Civil War and conquers Solitude, the following dialogue options will appear:
What will happen to Elisif now that Ulfric has won the war? "Well... by rights, she had a legitimate claim as High Queen of Skyrim. But now Skyrim is at Ulfric's mercy. The moot will meet and choose Ulfric as High King. With his troops in most of the cities, they have little choice."
Why did Ulfric let Elisif live? "Because killing her would yield no political advantage. By leaving Elisif alive, Ulfric completes the separation of the Empire and Skyrim. With Ulfric's troops here, Elisif will be forced to support his bid for High King. He secures the position and appears above reproach. What's more, Ulfric's refusal to execute his enemy's wife will be portrayed as the ultimate act of compassion. Hmph. It's genius, really."
The Wolf Queen
Elisif: "Then we will immediately send out a legion to scour the cave and secure the town. Haafingar's people will always be safe under my rule."
Varnius: "Th... thank you, my Jarl. Thank you."
Sybille: "Your eminence, my scrying has suggested nothing in the area. Dragon Bridge is under imperial control. This is likely superstitious nonsense."
Falk: "Perhaps a more... tempered reaction... might be called for?"
Elisif: "Oh. Yes, of course you are right. Falk, tell Captain Aldis I said to assign a few extra soldiers to Dragon Bridge."
Varnius: "Thank you, Jarl Elisif. But about the cave..."
Falk: "I will have someone take care of the cave as well Varnius, you can rest easy. You're dismissed."
Imperial parade
Falk: "What a... fine idea, my Jarl. However, I would suggest we wait until the war has ended. After all, the General needs his soldiers out in the field, fighting battles against the Stormcloaks."
Bolgier: "I must protest, my Jarl. A parade would make you an easy target for a Stormcloak assassin. You're safer here in the palace."
Elisif: "Oh, very well. I can see there's no changing your stubborn Nord minds. But when this war is won, I will have my parade!"
Falk: "Yes, my Jarl."
Siege preparations
Falk: "A wise course of action, my Jarl. However, we have little food or water to spare."
Erikur: "General Tullius will never allow that. He's ordered all surplus food to be given over for the war effort."
Falk: "General Tullius does not run this city, Thane Erikur. Or have you forgotten your oaths of fealty?"
Erikur: "My apologies, Jarl Elisif. I was thinking only of the importance of the war effort."
Elisif: "There's no need for an apology, and you're right about the war. Perhaps this is a matter best discussed with the general in person."
Falk: "I will make the arrangements, my Jarl."
Meeting reschedule
Falk: "I'm afraid he's had to reschedule, my grace. By all accounts, waging war takes his every moment."
Elisif: "Again? He can't simply cancel an appointment with the Jarl! He serves in my capital city!"
Falk: "I'm afraid he can. His authority comes from the emperor, whom you also serve, technically."
Elisif: "He uses all of Haafingar's resources, and doesn't answer to me in the slightest? This hardly seems fair."
Falk: ""Fair" is a word rarely applied to politics, my grace. I'm afraid you must learn to accept this."
Trading fees
Falk: "General Tullius needs more money for the war effort. We need the funds to arm and provision more troops."
Erikur: "Then let's increase the taxes on the farms and merchants. We can't afford to lose the loyalty of the ship captains."
Falk: "We know full well about your investment in shipping ventures, Erikur. I've also heard troubling rumors about dealings between you and the crew of that pirate ship, the Red Wave. Thankfully, Jarl Elisif cares far less about your lost profits than she does about winning the war!"
Erikur: "The Jarl would be wise to remember that it is her Thanes―and my profits―that are paying for this war."
Expensive experiments
Falk: "Miss Stentor, these are quite expensive. I trust you know how limited the Hold's funds are at this time?"
Sybille: "Yes, and I'm also aware of how necessary my divinations and wards have been in the city's defense. My experiments are all I ask for in return."
Falk: "Very well. But I suspect her grace will not be pleased."
Sybille: "And? I've seen Jarls come and go. This one only became Jarl because her husband died. She'll be replaced in a matter of months."
Falk: "Miss Stentor, watch your tongue in the Jarl's court!"
Sybille: "On threat of what, exactly? This city wouldn't run without me! Now if you'll excuse me, my work awaits."
Choosing sides
Falk: "Speak your mind, Bryling. You're among friends here."
Bryling: "You know that I support the Empire, as we all do. However, I fear General Tullius is underestimating the Stormcloaks. Too often the general has lost good soldiers because he did not take Ulfric and his men seriously. If this continues, and the worst comes to pass, Solitude will pay the price. The Empire is headquartered here, after all."
Falk: "We don't have the luxury of hanging back to see who wins before choosing our friends, Bryling. You know this. And besides, no Nord with a shred of honor would consider it. We're no cowards. Have faith, Bryling. When this war is over and Ulfric is dead, you'll see that you were jumping at shadows, and nothing more."
Tax collecting
Bryling: "Is it that time again already? Very well, let's meet this evening and make the arrangements."
Sybille: "Oh, well done. Very subtle."
Bryling: "I beg your pardon?"
Sybille: "Oh, I'm sorry, did I imply that you'd be meeting for purposes other than court business? You must forgive me."
Falk: "Hold your tongue, wizard, or you're likely to lose it."
Sybille: "I should very much like to see you try it, my dear steward."
Bryling: "Stop it, both of you. You're acting like children."
Love and politics
Falk: "I know, my lady. I just needed to see you outside of court, away from all of the politics."
Bryling: "I'm serious. If Erikur knew about us, he'd force you to resign from your position. And without you, he'd have the Jarl bent around his little finger."
Falk: "You're right, of course. But when this war is over, I'll gladly resign and we can stop sneaking around like this."
Bryling: "One more reason to pray for the fighting to end then, my love."
Quotes
- "Do you have business with the court?"
- "The Jarl is not to be disturbed with common affairs of court. You direct those concerns to me."
- "Anyone with a stout heart like yours is welcome here."
- "I won't forget what you've done for Solitude."
Trivia
- After receiving the side quest "The Man Who Cried Wolf", the Dragonborn can Pickpocket the "Letter from Falk Firebeard" from Falk; it describes the summoning and binding ritual the Dragonborn interrupted at the Wolfskull Cave. This implies that Falk wrote the letter before the Dragonborn was ever sent to Wolfskull, foreseeing the events that unfolded before they took place. However if this letter is pickpocketed it can cause the second part of the quest to malfunction and not allow it to be started.
- Once the Jarl's favor has been completed, property may be purchased from Falk. Stand on the small end table just behind him and Sybille Stentor, (able to engage the conversation as well as turn around and reach the cupboard on the back wall). This allows the Dragonborn, as soon as they choose to purchase the very expensive Proudspire Manor, (25,000 septims), and Falk states that he is handing over the key, to cancel the conversation and place all of their gold in the cupboard. Exit the cupboard inventory menu and wait for confirmation of having the key and the decoration guide. Activate the cupboard once more and take back the gold. In order for this to work, one must first have at least 25,000 septims when initiating the conversation.
- He may be called "Firebeard" because of the color of his facial hair.
- Falk is in a secret relationship with Bryling. He says after the war that he will resign as steward for Elisif and not keep their relationship a secret.
- Prior to becoming Elisif's steward, Falk was a member of the Companions.