- For other uses, see The Rift.
The Rift is one of the nine Holds of Skyrim, located in the southeast of the province and is one of the four Old Holds in The Elder Scrolls Online. Major settlements include Riften, Nimalten and Shor's Stone, among many other settlements dotted throughout the hold such as Ivarstead.
Background[]
- "Skyrim's southernmost hold has a relatively temperate climate, thanks to northern mountains that block the frigid gales of the Sea of Ghosts, and warming volcanoes in the Velothi Mountains to the east. Its capital is Riften, on the shores of broad Lake Honrich."
- ―The Rift Loading Screen[src]
The Rift is a relatively temperate, autumnal region, protected from the frigid gales of the Sea of Ghosts by the northern mountains and is warmed by the Velothi Mountains to the east. Its capital is Riften, on the eastern shore of broad Lake Honrich. Many crafters and traders frequently visit the city due to its compactness and the fact that most trading facilities are in close proximity to each other.[1][2]
The Rift is located in the southeastern corner of Skyrim and borders Stonefalls in Morrowind to the east, Cyrodiil to the south, Eastmarch and Whiterun to the north and northwest, and Falkreath to the west.[1]

Two sabre cats blend in to their environment, waiting for unwary prey to ambush.
Most of the Rift is composed of lush, autumnal valleys and river basins, surrounded by mountains to the south, east, west and northeast. The hold itself is located atop a large vertical ridge that separates it from Eastmarch, and the western mountain range south of Throat of the World goes along its border with Falkreath, making it one of the most isolated holds in Skyrim. In fact, there are only two known roads that lead into other zones: the one at Fort Virak in Stonefalls and the one in Eastmarch.[1]
The Rift is teeming with wildlife, both docile and hostile. It serves as an excellent hunting ground due to the presence of so much wildlife. Bears, sabre cats and wolves are common in the wilderness, and mammoths and giants also appear regularly.[1][3]
Locations[]
- Main article: Locations (Online)
The following are locations accessible in the Rift and, with the exception of unmarked locations, are discoverable on the map. Points of Interest serve as locations with unique side quests, while cities serve as the centralised areas with multiple sublocations and act as a hub for services and merchants. Explanations of the types of locations are provided in the main locations page.
Cities[]
Dark Anchors[]
Dungeons[]
- Avanchnzel (delve)
- Blessed Crucible (group dungeon)
- Broken Helm Hollow (delve)
- Faldar's Tooth (delve)
- Fort Greenwall (delve)
- Lion's Den (public dungeon)
- Shroud Hearth Barrow (delve)
- Snapleg Cave (delve)
Housing[]
Mundus Stones[]
Points of Interest[]
- Boulderfall Pass (keep)
- Fallowstone Hall (keep)
- Forelhost (crypt)
- Frostmoon Farmstead (farm)
- Fullhelm Fort (keep)
- Geirmund's Hall (town)
- Honrich Tower (ruin)
- Ivarstead (town)
- Lost Prospect (battlefield)
- Nimalten (town)
- Northwind Mine (mine)
- Pinepeak Cavern (cave)
- Shor's Stone (town)
- Skald's Retreat (estate)
- Taarengrav (ruin)
- Treva's Farm (farm)
- Trolhetta (battlefield)
- Vernim Woods (grove)
Set Stations[]
- Eldbjorg's Hideaway – Night Mother's Gaze set
- Smokefrost Vigil – Willow's Path set
- Trollslayer's Gully – Hunding's Rage set
Striking Locales[]
- Autumnshade Clearing
- Grethel's Vigil
- Honeystrand Hill
- Jenedusil's Claw
- Linele Skullcarver's Camp
- Mammoth Ridge
- Three Tribes Camp
Unmarked locations[]
- Arcwind Point
- Nimalten Barrow
- Shor's Stone Mine
- Shrine to Hircine
Wayshrines[]
- Fallowstone Hall Wayshrine
- Fullhelm Fort Wayshrine
- Geirmund's Hall Wayshrine
- Honrich Tower Wayshrine
- Nimalten Wayshrine
- Northwind Mine Wayshrine
- Ragged Hills Wayshrine
- Riften Wayshrine
- Skald's Retreat Wayshrine
- Taarengrav Wayshrine
- Trolhetta Summit Wayshrine
- Trolhetta Wayshrine
World bosses[]
Traveling merchants[]
- Main article: Traveling Merchant
Traveling merchants are characters who walk specific routes in the zone who offer merchant services. The Vestige can buy general merchant items, sell any sellable item, and repair damaged armor for a fee.
- Aluri – Road between Honrich Tower Wayshrine and Trollslayer Gully
- Balynor – Road between Ragged Hills Wayshrine and Angarvunde Mound
- Dratholar – Road between Autumn's-Gate and Eldbjorg's Hideaway
- Greca – Road between Lost Prospect and Fullhelm Fort
- Walks-with-Bargains – Road between Hunter Camp and Fallowstone Hall Wayshrine
Quests[]
- Main article: Quests (Online)
The Rift features a series of zone story quests and unrelated side quests. The zone story quests tie into the Ebonheart Pact's overarching storyline and carries on from Eastmarch. It is not necessary to complete the story quests for zones prior to those in the Rift. Side quests are non-sequential and can be completed in any order, except where one carries on from another.
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Items Sets[]
- Main article: Item Sets
Overland[]
Pieces from overland sets are acquired from bosses, Dark Anchor chests, locked chests and as quest rewards. Public dungeon bosses drop a shoulder or hand piece, or a weapon; delve bosses drop a waist or foot item; world bosses drop a head, chest or leg piece, or weapon; and Dark Anchor chests drop a jewelry piece. Locked chests can give any random set item.
Set | Effects | Type |
---|---|---|
Ysgramor's Birthright |
2 Items: Adds 15 (Base Value) Spell Critical. |
Light Armor |
Witchman's Armor |
2 Items: Adds 3 (Base Value) Stamina Recovery. |
Medium Armor |
Draugr's Heritage |
2 Items: Adds 4% Healing Taken. |
Heavy Armor |
Dungeon[]
Dungeon sets are acquired from loot drops in the zone's group dungeons. Head pieces of monster helm sets can only be acquired from completing the corresponding group dungeon on veteran difficulty. There is no guarantee that the piece will be of the preferred weight class (heavy, medium or light). Shoulder pieces of monster helm sets can only be acquired at Undaunted Enclaves in exchange for keys earned from pledges.
Set | Effects | Dungeon | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Noble Duelist's Silks |
2 Items: Adds 3 (Base Value) Stamina Recovery. |
Blessed Crucible | Light Armor |
Sword Dancer |
2 Items: Adds 15 (Base Value) Weapon Critical. |
Blessed Crucible | Medium Armor |
Nikulas' Heavy Armor |
2 Items: Adds 34 (Base Value) Armor. |
Blessed Crucible | Heavy Armor |
Crafted[]
Crafted sets are obtained by crafting them at the appropriate location. Crafted sets require a minimum number of traits researched into an item to craft it as a part of the set.
Set | Effects | Traits needed | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Hunding's Rage |
2 Items: Adds 15 (Base Value) Weapon Critical. |
6 | Trollslayer's Gully |
Night Mother's Gaze |
2 Items: Adds 15 (Base Value) Weapon Critical. |
6 | Eldbjorg's Hideaway |
Willow's Path |
2 Items: Adds 3 (Base Value) Magicka Recovery. |
6 | Smokefrost Vigil |
Skyshards[]
- Main article: Skyshards (Online)
Sixteen Skyshards can be found in the Rift totalling in five skill points with one left over. The zone guide provides clues as to the location of each Skyshard, but many can be found simply by exploring and watching for the distinctive pillar of light they emit.
# | Description | Location |
---|---|---|
1 | Braced against wind near the mine. | By the exit of Northwind Mine. |
2 | Be Shor to search all over the stone. | Above Shor's Stone Mine. |
3 | Nearly discovered by a mauled stablehand. | North of Trevor's Farm. |
4 | Cultists' prize near Ragged Hills. | Between Ragged Hills Wayshrine and Angarvunde Mound, east past the ritual site. |
5 | Scour the crags near Avanchnzel. | Northeast of the entrance to Avanchnzel. |
6 | South where worms swarm the barrow. | Southwest of Taarengrav. |
7 | A prospect found. | North of the entrance to Lost Prospect Sanctum. |
8 | Walk above the clouds. | South to the clif's edge at Forelhost after exiting the Dragon Cult Temple during the relevant quest. |
9 | Stay alert between Riften and Greenwall. | Between Riften and Fort Greenwall. |
10 | Clank of gears and hiss of steam. | Westmost section of Avanchnzel. |
11 | Guarded by bears in the hollow. | Eastmost alove in Broken Helm Hollow |
12 | Deep in the roots of the tooth. | Down the left-side hall after entering Faldar's Tooth. |
13 | Where green grows in the fort's wall. | Down a hole leading to the lower floor in the center of Fort Greenwall. |
14 | Take a shrouded approach. | Eastmost chamber of Shroud Hearth Barrow. |
15 | Tread carefully; don't break a leg. | Eastmost area at the top of an elevated section of Snapleg Cave. |
16 | Protected by wraiths in a beast's den. | By the southmost entrance to Giant's Crush in the Lion's Den. |
Achievements[]
- Main article: Achievements (Online)
Achievements can be earned by completing specific tasks include quests and finding locations. Achievements are separated into categories and their progress is viewable from the journal. Earning achievement provides the Vestige some amount of points. Points earned only apply to the character that earned the achievement. Some achievements unlock unique rewards such as trophies or dyes.
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† For the purposes of this achievement, a Gladiator is any non-boss humanoid opponent in the Blessed Crucible. |
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Shalidor's Library[]
- Main article: Shalidor's Library
Twenty-nine books that are a part of Shalidor's Library can be found in the Rift and added to the collection. Books that have already been found in other zones will already be marked as completed in the zone tracker.
- 16 Accords of Madness, Vol. VI
- Ancient Scrolls of the Dwemer IV
- Clans of the Reach: A Guide
- Crow and Raven: Three Short Fables
- Dwemer Inquiries Volume I
- Dwemer Inquiries Volume II
- Dwemer Inquiries Volume III
- Josef the Intolerant
- Myths of Sheogorath, Volume 1
- Myths of Sheogorath, Volume 2
- Proper-Life: Three Chants
- Rivers of Profit in Riften
- Song of the Askelde Men
- Songs of the Return, Volume 27
- Songs of the Return, Volume 49
- Songs of the Return, Volume 5
- The Homilies of Blessed Almalexia
- The Legendary Scourge
- The Lusty Argonian Maid, Volume 1
- The Lusty Argonian Maid, Volume 2
- The Red Book of Riddles
- The Road to Sovngarde
- The Wandering Skald
- The Warrior's Charge
- Thenephan's Mysteries of Mead
- Touch of the Worm's Tongue
- Unexpected Allies
- Wabbajack
- Words of the Wind
Fish[]
- Main article: Fishing (Online)
Fish can be caught from fishing hotspots, ideally with the correct bait. Common fish will be caught most often while rare fish and alternative bait are rare catches. Each zone has unique rare fish than can be caught from hotspots. Slaughterfish and trodh can be caught from foul hotspots, dhufish and longfin can be caught from saltwater hotspots, silverside perch and spadetail can be caught from lake hotspots, and salmon and river betty can be caught from river hotspots. Chub, minnow, shad and fish roe can be caught and used as bait from foul, saltwater, lake and river hotspots, respectively.
Fish | Source | Quality |
---|---|---|
Bream | Foul water | Fine |
Grouper | Rivers | Fine |
Ice Koi | Lakes | Fine |
Ilinalta Trout | Lakes | Superior |
Jarl Salmon | Lakes | Fine |
Muskellunge | Rivers | Superior |
Skate | Foul water | Fine |
Skorrn | Foul water | Fine |
Sockeye Salmon | Rivers | Fine |
Sulfursucker | Foul water | Superior |
White Roughy | Rivers | Superior |
Zebra Oto | Lakes | Fine |
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
References[]
Online Locations | |
---|---|
Provinces | Black Marsh • Cyrodiil • Elsweyr • Hammerfell • High Rock • Morrowind • Skyrim • Summerset Isles • Valenwood |
Aldmeri Dominion Zones | Auridon (Iluvamir, Calambar, Vafe) Grahtwood (Long Coast, Green Hall, Tarlain Heights) Greenshade (Wilderking Court, Drowned Coast, Green's Marrow) Malabal Tor (Broken Coast, Silvenar Vale, Xylo River Basin) Reaper's March (Northern Woods, Jodewood, Dawnmead) Khenarthi's Roost |
Daggerfall Covenant Zones | Glenumbra (Daenia, Cambray Hills, King's Guard) Stormhaven (Alcaire, Menevia, Gavaudon) Rivenspire (Eyebright Feld, Westmark Moor, Boralis) Alik'r Desert (Myrkwasa, Hollow Wastes, Tigonus) Bangkorai (Mournoth, Ephesus, Fallen Wastes) Stros M'Kai • Betnikh |
Ebonheart Pact Zones | Stonefalls (Daen Seeth, Zabamat, Varanis) Deshaan (Redolent Loam, Lagomere, Siltreen) Shadowfen (Reticulated Spine, Leafwater, Venomous Fens) Eastmarch (Giant's Run, Frostwater Tundra, Icewind Peaks) The Rift (Stony Basin, Ragged Hills, Smokefrost Peaks) Bleakrock Isle • Bal Foyen |
Other Zones | Coldharbour (Black Garrison, Fist of Stone, Shrouded Plain) Craglorn (Belkarth Region, Elinhir Region, Upper Craglorn) Cyrodiil (Covenant Territory, Dominion Territory, Pact Territory) |
Chapter and DLC Zones | Wrothgar (Western Wrothgar, Central Wrothgar, Eastern Wrothgar) Vvardenfell (Ascadian Isles, Ashlands, Azura's Coast, Bitter Coast, Grazelands, Molag Amur, West Gash) Summerset • Artaeum Murkmire • Norg-Tzel Northern Elsweyr (Anequina) Southern Elsweyr (Pellitine) Western Skyrim • Blackreach Blackwood Imperial City • Hew's Bane • Gold Coast • Clockwork City • The Reach • Spiral Skein |