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- For other uses, see Quest.
Quests are tasks the Dragonborn can perform in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Various actions, such as talking to people, reading books, etc., can initiate quests, allowing for rewards to be gained by completing them. Rewards may include gold, items, increases of skill levels. Successfully completing a quest for a person makes them friendly to the Dragonborn, opening opportunities in many cases to recruit followers or make marriage proposals.
The "main quest" denotes tasks the Dragonborn is compelled to complete as part of the game's main story. Other quests can be performed for a guild or faction, while others are considered side quests, which skirt on the periphery of the game's plotlines. Not all the quests are visible in the Journal; some of them, such as selling crops or chopping wood, are hidden.
As with most of The Elder Scrolls titles, there are quests for each of the Daedric Princes of Tamriel, excluding Jyggalag. Unique to Skyrim are Radiant Quests, quests which are initiated as part of the radiant story artificial intelligence system. These quests can be repeated an infinite number of times, allowing for never-ending gameplay. These quests can be useful for leveling up faster and/or getting gold or loot.
Two separate questlines were added to the game with the official plug-ins, Dawnguard and Dragonborn. For coverage of these quests, see Quests (Dawnguard) and Quests (Dragonborn).
Interface
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The list of active and completed quests can be viewed through the journal in the menu.
The interface listing all quests can be activated through the map menu or by accessing the Journal directly. The PC versions of the game allow the journal (pressing "J") to be accessed directly, while consoles open the journal, game settings, etc. through the same button. Quests are listed by faction and relevance to the main quest first, and alphabetically second. Thus, quests in the main quest appear first, but quests involving the Thieves Guild appear later. Miscellaneous quests are grouped together on a separate menu, accessible from the very bottom of the list of quests.
Most quests can be completed in any order, upon activation. However, quests markers will not appear on the world map, on the compass, or in-game unless they are marked as active in the interface. Simply selecting the affirmation button activates the quests, once it has been highlighted in the list. Completed lists are listed at the bottom of the quest menu, below a divider. The names are greyed out, and the bullets next to the objectives are filled, indicating successful completion, or marked with a red cross, indicating failure. Some quests are mutually exclusive (e.g., the Dragonborn cannot join the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks at the same time), so failure is not uncommon. In the menu, quests that are partially completed also have their objectives greyed out or ticked off. Optional tasks within the quest are labeled as such in the list as well.Main quest
- Main article: Main Quest (Skyrim)
The main quest of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim involves the investigation and resolution of the Dragon Crisis, as foretold by the Elder Scrolls. Two factions must be joined in order to progress the main quest, the Blades and the College of Winterhold. "Paarthurnax" is completely optional and can be completed after the main quest. "Season Unending" operates under special conditions; completing it halts the Civil War questline, while completing the Civil War questline causes this quest not to appear, since it is no longer necessary.
Act I
- Unbound
- Before the Storm
- Bleak Falls Barrow
- Dragon Rising
- The Way of the Voice
- The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller
Act II
- A Blade in the Dark
- Diplomatic Immunity
- A Cornered Rat
- Alduin's Wall
- The Throat of the World
- Elder Knowledge
- Alduin's Bane
Act III
Faction quests
Quests performed for the various factions are not considered part of the main questline. Choices made during faction quests are non-canonical, lore-wise. Each faction contains several radiant quests which can be completed an innumerable amount of times.
Dark Brotherhood
- Delayed Burial
- Innocence Lost
- With Friends Like These...
- Sanctuary
- Mourning Never Comes
- Whispers in the Dark
- The Silence Has Been Broken
- Bound Until Death
- Breaching Security
- The Cure for Madness
- Recipe for Disaster
- To Kill an Empire
- Death Incarnate
- Hail Sithis!
Contracts
- Contract: Kill Beitild
- Contract: Kill Narfi
- Contract: Kill Ennodius Papius
- Contract: Kill Lurbuk
- Contract: Kill Hern
- Contract: Kill Deekus
- Contract: Kill Ma'randru-jo
- Contract: Kill Anoriath
- Contract: Kill Agnis
- Contract: Kill Maluril
- Contract: Kill Helvard
- Contract: Kill Safia
Side quests
Other quests
College of Winterhold
- First Lessons
- Under Saarthal
- Hitting the Books
- Good Intentions
- Revealing the Unseen
- Containment
- The Staff of Magnus
- The Eye of Magnus
Side quests
- Arniel's Endeavor
- Out of Balance
- J'zargo's Experiment
- Onmund's Request
- Brelyna's Practice
- Rejoining the College
- Forgotten Names
- Tolfdir the Absent-Minded
Radiant quests
Broken quests
Master-level spell quests
- Alteration Ritual Spell
- Conjuration Ritual Spell
- Destruction Ritual Spell
- Illusion Ritual Spell
- Restoration Ritual Spell
The Companions
Side quests
Radiant quests
- Animal Extermination
- Hired Muscle
- Trouble in Skyrim
- Family Heirloom
- Escaped Criminal
- Rescue Mission
- Dragon Seekers
Thieves Guild
- A Chance Arrangement
- Taking Care of Business
- Loud and Clear
- Dampened Spirits
- Scoundrel's Folly
- Speaking With Silence
- Hard Answers
- The Pursuit
- Trinity Restored
- Blindsighted
- Darkness Returns
- Under New Management
Side quests
Radiant quests
- The Bedlam Job
- The Fishing Job
- The Numbers Job
- The Burglary Job
- The Heist Job
- The Shill Job
- The Sweep Job
The Blades
Bards College
Civil War
- Main article: Civil War Quests
Imperial Legion
Stormcloaks
- Joining the Stormcloaks
- The Jagged Crown
- Message to Whiterun
- Battle for Whiterun
- Liberation of Skyrim
Daedric quests
- Main article: Daedric Quests (Skyrim)
To earn Oblivion Walker 15 Daedric artifacts must be collected. These can be collected during the above quests, although some outcomes of the quest do not yield artifacts. This is based solely on choices made during quests.
- * Does not count towards Oblivion Walker achievement.
Dungeon quests
The following 24 quests relate to specific dungeons and maps. Quests listed with "*" appear as Miscellaneous Quests in the Quest Journal, and are named according to the Official Skyrim Game Guide.[1]
Miscellaneous quests
Sorted by place of acquisition: hold, city, or place. Some are actual side quests and have their own quest lines which count towards the "Sideways" achievement. Others are miscellaneous objectives and count toward the "Hero of the People" trophy and achievement.
Eastmarch
Windhelm
Side quests
Miscellaneous quests
- Harsh Master
- Find the Thalmor Assassin
- Argonian Dock Workers
- Shahvee's Amulet
- Dungeon Delving
- That Was Always There
Narzulbur
Miscellaneous quests
Kynesgrove
Miscellaneous quests
Falkreath Hold
Falkreath
Miscellaneous quests
- Dark Ancestor
- Find Runil's Journal
- Hunter and Hunted
- Kill the Bandit Leader
- Speak to Lod
- Steal the Private Letter for Dengeir
Angi's Camp
Miscellaneous quests
Haafingar
Solitude
Side quests
Miscellaneous quests
Dragon Bridge
Miscellaneous quests
Hjaalmarch
Morthal
Side quests
Folgunthur
Side quests
The Pale
Dawnstar
Miscellaneous quests
The Reach
Markarth
Side quests
Miscellaneous quests
- Buy Dwarven artifact
- Coated in Blood
- Delivery to Calcelmo
- Dibella's Shine
- Nimhe, the Poisoned One
- Recover Hrolfdir's Shield
- Search and Seizure
- Skilled Apprenticeship
- The Steward's Potion
Karthwasten
Miscellaneous Quests
Soljund's Sinkhole
Miscellaneous quests
Left Hand Mine
Miscellaneous quests
Salvius Farm
Miscellaneous quests
Old Hroldan Inn
Miscellaneous quests
Dushnikh Yal
Miscellaneous quests
The Rift
Riften
Side quests
Miscellaneous quests
- Retrieve Grimsever
- The Lover's Requital
- Truth Ore Consequences
- Ingun's Task
- The Raid
- Supply and Demand
- Sealing the Deal
- Stoking the Flames
- Ice Cold
- Hunt and Gather
- Caught Red Handed
- Ringmaker
- Special Delivery
- Pilgrimage
Froki's Shack
Side quests
Heartwood Mill
Miscellaneous quests
Ivarstead
Miscellaneous quests
Last Vigil
Side Quests
Merryfair Farm
Miscellaneous quests
Sarethi Farm
Miscellaneous quests
Shor's Stone
Miscellaneous quests
Whiterun Hold
Whiterun
Side quests
Miscellaneous quests
- Andurs' Arkay Amulet
- Greatsword for a Great Man
- Dungeon Delving
- Bullying Braith
- Argonian Ale Extraction
- Salt For Arcadia
Riverwood
Side quests
Miscellaneous quests
Rorikstead
Miscellaneous quests
Winterhold Hold
Winterhold
Miscellaneous quests
Bounty quests
These can be given by innkeepers when asked about work or rumors. Any of the Jarls or stewards can give these when asked for work. The Bounty Note identifies the type and location of the bounty.
Forsworn
- Kill the leader of Bilegulch Mine
- Kill the leader of Bruca's Leap Redoubt
- Kill the leader of Dragon Bridge Overlook
- Kill the leader of Druadach Redoubt
- Kill the leader of Lost Knife Hideout
- Kill the leader of Pinemoon Cave
- Kill the leader of Red Eagle Redoubt
- Kill the leader of Stony Creek Cave
- Kill the leader of Deepwood Redoubt
Bandits
- Kill the bandit leader at Broken Oar Grotto
- Kill the bandit leader at Four Skull Lookout
- Kill the bandit leader at Halted Stream Camp
- Kill the bandit leader at Nilheim
- Kill the bandit leader at Redoran's Retreat
- Kill the bandit leader at Rift Watchtower
- Kill the bandit leader at Silent Moons Camp
- Kill the bandit leader at Winter War
- Kill the bandit leader at Valtheim Towers
Giants
- Kill the giant at Bleakwind Basin
- Kill the giant at Broken Limb Camp
- Kill the giant at Cradlecrush Rock
- Kill the giant at Secunda's Kiss
- Kill the giant at Sleeping Tree Camp
- Kill the giant at Guldun Rock
- Kill the giant at Steamcrag Camp
- Kill the giant at Blizzard Rest
Dragons
- Kill the dragon at Ancient's Ascent
- Kill the dragon at Autumnwatch Tower
- Kill the dragon at Bonestrewn Crest
- Kill the dragon at Dragontooth Crater
- Kill the dragon at Eldersblood Peak
- Kill the dragon at Lost Tongue Overlook
- Kill the dragon at Mount Anthor
- Kill the dragon at Northwind Summit
- Kill the dragon at Shearpoint
- Kill the dragon at Skyborn Altar
Global quests
A Few Words with You
- Convince Mikael to Stop Bothering Carlotta
- Convince Ranmir to Pay His Debts
- Convince Roggi Knot-Beard to Forget His Debts
- Convince Irnskar to Let Octieve San Off His Debts
- Convince Mulush to Treat the Smelting Workers with More Respect
- Convince Torbjorn to Raise the Argonians' Wages
Chop Wood
- Anga's Mill
- Dragon Bridge
- Half-Moon Mill
- Heartwood Mill
- Ivarstead
- Mixwater Mill
- Morthal
- Riverwood
- Solitude Sawmill
- Steamscorch Mine
- Whiterun
Delivery
- Deliver Adonato's Book to Giraud
- Deliver Aeri's Note to Skald
- Deliver Berit's Ashes to Runil
- Deliver Idgrod's Note to Danica
- Deliver Nightshade Extact to Wuunferth [sic] [Do not change this to Deliver Nightshade Extract to Wuunferth. This misspelled word is how it appears in-game.]
- Deliver Sondas's Note to Quintus
- Deliver Spiced Beef to Voada
- Deliver Stros M'Kai Rum to Falk
Fight! Fight!
Gather Wheat
- Battle-Born Farm
- Brandy-Mug Farm
- Corpselight Farm
- Cowflop Farm
- Dragon Bridge
- Fellstar Farm
- Hlaalu Farm
- Hollyfrost Farm
- Katla's Farm
- Lemkil's Farm
- Merryfair Farm
- Pelagia Farm
- Salvius Farm
- Sarethi Farm
- Snow-Shod Farm
Mine Ore
- Dushnikh Mine
- Gloombound Mine
- Goldenrock Mine
- Iron-Breaker Mine
- Kolskeggr Mine
- Left Hand Mine
- Mor Khazgur Mine
- Quicksilver Mine
- Redbelly Mine
- Rockwallow Mine
- Soljund's Sinkhole
- Steamscorch Mine
- Whistling Mine
Quest all Beggars Have
- Angrenor Once-Honored
- Brenuin
- Degaine
- Dervenin
- Edda
- Lucia HF
- Narfi
- Noster Eagle-Eye
- Silda the Unseen
- Snilf
- Svari
Quest all Drunks Have
Rare Gifts
Some Light Theft
Creation Club quests
- Main article: Quests (Skyrim Creation Club)
Conflicting quests
- Conflicting quests involve those that prevent other quests from being completed, and those which prevent the full reward from another quest from being acquired.
| First quest | Second quest | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| The Forgemaster's Fingers | Any quest granting Blood-Kin status | The Forgemaster's Fingers is only offered to players lacking blood-kin status. Most quests completed for any orc grants blood-kin status, rendering this quest unable to be completed. |
| The Straw that Broke | Dark Brotherhood contract: Kill Narfi | As soon as you start Kill Narfi, you will be unable to start or complete The Straw that Broke. |
| Hearthfire: Build your Falkreath home | Dark Brotherhood contract: Kill Helvard | Killing Helvard may make it impossible to raise Siddgeir's disposition enough to sell you a plot of land in Falkreath. This can be overcome if at any time the Stormcloaks take over and replace Siddgeir as Jarl, otherwise you miss out on a house and some achievements/trophies. You must side with the Stormcloaks to trigger this, for more details see the Civil War article. |
| The Spiced Wine | Bound Until Death | Initiating quest 2 will render it impossible to complete quest 1. |
| Blood on the Ice | Mourning Never Comes | During quest 2, you are given an extra reward for killing Nilsine Shatter Shield. Doing this will cause her mother to kill herself. This can cause a fair amount of problems with quest progression, so it is best to complete quest 1 first. |
| Mourning Never Comes | Lost to the Ages | During quest 2 you are required to trek through Raldbthar, where Alain Dufont lives. If you kill him before starting quest 1, you cannot obtain the bonus reward in that quest. Fortunately, he is never hostile, unless provoked, so you can simply bypass him. |
| Kill the Bandit Leader for Ahtar | Lights Out! | During quest 2 you are required to trek through Broken Oar Grotto, where Captain Hargar lives. If you kill him before starting quest 1, you will never be able to start that quest and be unable to recruit a potential follower. |
| The Taste of Death | Civil War | If Markarth is handed to the Stormcloaks, quest 1 is nullified. |
| Compelling Tribute (Stormcloaks) | Civil War | If Markarth is handed to the Stormcloaks, quest 1 is nullified. |
| Delayed Burial | With Friends Like These... | Completing quest 2 will nullify quest 1. |
| Season Unending | Civil War | Completing the Civil War questline for either side (Imperial or Stormcloak) will nullify quest 2. |
See also
- Daedric Quests
- Side Quests
- Radiant Quests
- Quest Items
- Quest Rewards
- Quests in Dawnguard
- Quests in Dragonborn