- For other uses, see Solitude.
Solitude is the capital city of both Haafingar Hold, and the province of Skyrim. Currently ruled by Jarl Elisif the Fair, widow of the late High King Torygg, it is the headquarters of the Imperial Legion stationed in Skyrim. General Tullius commands the Imperial army from the stone-walled Castle Dour with his second-in-command, Legate Rikke, while Solitude's Jarl, Elisif, resides in the Blue Palace. The Thalmor have an embassy hidden in the nearby mountains.
Part of the reason for this is the eminently defensible nature of Solitude itself. Set upon a great stone arch that towers above the mouth of the Karth River, the city is surrounded by the soaring peaks of the nearby mountains. Solitude is both a reinforced and breathtaking stronghold. It is also protected from attack from the west by the still-largely intact Fort Hraggstad overlooking the Sea of Ghosts.
Solitude is also a major shipping port and important Imperial supply line. Solitude sits on a natural arch, giving its port much needed shelter from the strong winds of the Ghost Sea. Most of the shipping in Solitude is run by the Imperial-financed East Empire Company, who have a large storage warehouse built into the rock beneath Solitude.[1]
Civil War
During 4E 201, as the Skyrim Civil War rages on, Skyrim becomes a nation divided, with three of its nine holds, The Pale, Winterhold, and The Rift, allying with Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Eastmarch Hold and Windhelm, and his Stormcloak rebels, while The Reach, Falkreath, and Hjaalmarch remain a part of the Empire, leaving Whiterun Hold neutral and middle ground between the two sides until the Battle for Whiterun to decide its allegiance, and Solitude serves as the center of Imperial power in Skyrim.[1] Much of Solitude's coffers and supplies have been diminished and its security is becoming increasingly vulnerable with many of its Hold Guards conscripted to serve in the Legion's army, leaving very few to patrol the settlements within Haafingar Hold to keep them safe from threats. Jarl Elisif considers these sacrifices necessary in order to quell the rebellion and defeat Ulfric and is resigned in her belief that General Tullius will do what is best since they are so dependent on him.[2]
Geography
Solitude is located on the eastern coast of a peninsula in Haafingar, in the far northwest of Skyrim. The city is built on a cape on the mouth of the Karth River and has a port on the river itself. A large percent of Haafingar's population lives within Solitude's walls. It is also one of the northernmost cities on the mainland of Tamriel, second only to Dawnstar.
Bards College
Founded during Skyrim's long Alessian flirtation, the Bards College continues to flaunt a heretical streak, and its students are famous carousers, fittingly enough given their chosen trade. Students yearly invade the marketplace for a week of revelry, the climax of which is the famous burning of "King Olaf" in effigy, possibly a now-forgotten contender in the War of Succession. Graduates have no trouble finding employment in noble households across Tamriel, including the restored Imperial Court in Cyrodiil, but many still choose to follow in the wandering footsteps of illustrious alumni such as Callisos and Morachellis. Students may apply at any time, but should have a good knowledge of Speech.
Points of interest
The banner of Solitude.
Inns
Shops
Houses
- Addvar's House
- Bryling's House
- Erikur's House
- Evette San's House
- Jala's House
- Proudspire Manor (for sale)
- Vittoria Vici's House
Jarl's residence
Other
- Bards College
- Castle Dour
- East Empire Company Warehouse
- Hall of the Dead
- Katla's Farm
- Solitude Sawmill
- Solitude Stables
- Temple of the Divines
- Thalmor Headquarters
Purchasable property
Proudspire Manor.
Proudspire Manor, Solitude's only available home, costs 25,000 
. The Dragonborn can buy it from Falk Firebeard after becoming a Thane of Haafingar. When the Dragonborn has purchased Proudspire Manor, Jordis the Sword-Maiden, the Dragonborn's personal housecarl, stays there.
Characters
Castle Dour |
|---|
| General Tullius |
| Legate Rikke |
| Captain Aldis |
| Ahtar |
| Gianna |
| Legate Adventus Caesennius |
Bards College |
| Aia Arria |
| Ataf |
| Bendt |
| Giraud Gemane |
| Illdi |
| Inge Six Fingers |
| Jorn |
| Pantea Ateia |
| Viarmo |
Quests
- Battle for Solitude: The final quest in the Liberation of Skyrim quest line.
- Lights Out!: Extinguish the light in the Solitude Lighthouse for Jaree-Ra.
- The Jagged Crown: Retrieve the The Jagged Crown for the Empire or the Stormcloaks.
- The Man Who Cried Wolf: Check Wolfskull Cave for Falk Firebeard.
- The Mind of Madness: Enter the Pelagius Wing of the Blue Palace for Dervenin.
- This quest does not count toward the miscellaneous quest assist the people of Haafingar.
- The Wolf Queen Awakened: Kill Potema Septim. Given by Falk Firebeard via courier.
- Fit for a Jarl: Model some clothes for the Jarl. Given by Taarie by speaking to her.
Miscellaneous quests
- Ask Captain Aldis for information about Angeline's daughter. Given by Angeline Morrard in Angeline's Aromatics.
- Deliver the Stros M'Kai Rum to Falk Firebeard: deliver rum to Falk Firebeard from Sorex Vinius, who can either be found in The Winking Skeever or walking around town.
- Find Noster's Helmet in a radiant location: given by Noster Eagle-Eye, who can be found outside Radiant Raiment.
- Kill the leader of Broken Oar Grotto: given by Ahtar, who can be found in Jala's house at night.
- This quest does not count toward the miscellaneous quest assist the people of Haafingar.
- Kill the leader of Pinemoon Cave: given by Sybille Stentor in the Blue Palace.
- Take Torygg's War Horn to the Shrine of Talos in the White River Valley: given by Jarl Elisif the Fair.
- Talk to the innkeeper about letting Belrand off his debts.
- Talk to Irnskar about Octieve's debts.
Map
Achievements
 |
Hero of Skyrim Capture Solitude or Windhelm |
|---|---|
| Points | 30 
|
| Trophy |  |
Gallery
.png "Solitude - Water Arch (Skyrim).png (3.07 MB)")
.png "Solitude - Main Street (Skyrim).png (3.6 MB)")
.png "Solitude - Blue Palace (Skyrim).png (3.02 MB)")
Trivia
- Solitude was originally designed as the seat of the Imperials in the province of Skyrim. As a result, the architecture was created to reflect the Imperial style from past Elder Scrolls games. The idea of building it on a land bridge came in early on production.
- Guards can go into the sewers through the manholes.
- An unlimited number of steel arrows may be taken from the soldiers training by the Temple of the Divines (they shoot the targets repeatedly). Alternatively, the Dragonborn may pickpocket the guards when they are sleeping, take their steel arrows, and replace them with any kind of arrow of which duplicates are desired.
- There are six healing potions (three standard, two plentiful, and one minor) that can be found at certain points around the city. All of the aforementioned potions can be taken freely, and they all respawn every 10 in-game days.
- There are hawks circling the sky above Solitude which can be killed for their beaks and feathers, both of which are alchemical ingredients that can be used to brew potions.
- With Dawnguard installed, a man named Jolf will appear at the end of the Solitude Docks and will take the Dragonborn in his boat to Castle Volkihar, Windhelm, or Dawnstar.
- Getting arrested while in Haafingar and sent to Castle Dour Dungeon is an easy way to gain the achievement "Wanted" as there is an easy escape route; the wall at the back of the cell is crumbling. There is another hole in the wall slightly further along with access to the prisoner's belongings chest.
- It is possible to access the Castle Dour Dungeon by slipping underneath Solitude.
- If the Battle for Solitude is completed before ever entering the city, Stormcloak Guards will say that it is a shame that Roggvir was executed before they captured the city.[3]
Bugs
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This section contains bugs related to Solitude (Skyrim). Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following:
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Appearances
- The Elder Scrolls: Arena
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- The Elder Scrolls Online (mentioned only)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Loading Screens in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- ↑ Dialogue with Elisif the Fair in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- ↑ Quotes from Stormcloak Soldiers after "Battle for Solitude" in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
| Skyrim Locations | |
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| Cities | |
| Holds | |