1. Skyrim Quests To Do Before Civil War Movie
2. Skyrim Quests To Do Before Civil War List

Skyrim Civil War

Major Battles

Been playing Skyrim since early February. Anyway, I've started the Stormcloak Civil War Quest only up to the Jagged Crown. I'm also at the point in the Main Quest where Season Unending takes place. For those of you who have gotten this far or further, do you recommend completing the Civil War Quests before continuing the Main Quest? Seeing as some cities are controlled by the empire and others by the Stormcloak, I wouldn't be surprised if doing the civil war before the main quest altered some quests in some small ways. I am currently blazing through the main quest right now, and I haven't done anything else.

• The Siege of Whiterun (defending)

If the Dragonborn sides with the Stormcloaks

• The Siege of Whiterun (attacking)

Era

Concurrent

• Forsworn Rebellion^[1]

[Source]

The Skyrim Civil War, called the Stormcloak Rebellion^[5] by the Empire, and frequently shortened to simply the Civil War^[6] is an ongoing civil war in the province of Skyrim. It began several years prior to the death of High KingTorygg,^[7][8] but worsened after he was slain by the Jarl of Windhelm, Ulfric Stormcloak.^[9][10] According to Igmund, the Jarl of Markarth, the war 'truly started' after Ulfric and his militia (the Stormcloaks) were imprisoned.^[11]

Prelude

During the Great War against the Aldmeri Dominion, Ulfric was taken captive by the Dominion, and interrogated, after which he was listed as an asset to Elenwen. During this interrogation, Ulfric was made to believe that he divulged information which led to the fall of the Imperial City before being allowed to escape. Thalmor sources imply that they kept some degree of contact with Ulfric following his escape.^[12]

At the end of the war in 4E 175, Emperor Titus Mede II signed the White-Gold Concordat. The terms of the treaty included banning Talos worship.^[13] After the Great War ended, the Thalmor established contact with Ulfric, believing that he could be a valuable asset. The Markarth Incident proved his worth to them, although the Thalmor later forcibly imprisoned him.^[12]

Following the signing of the treaty, Ulfric led a force of militia to retake The Reach, which had declared independence under the Forsworn during the Great War. Ulfric held the city and refused to surrender it to the Imperial Legion until they agreed to allow Talos worship once again.^[14] Following the Imperial acceptance of Ulfric's demands, the Aldmeri Dominion forced Ulfric and his militia to be arrested, and established a presence in Skyrim to oversee enforcement of the ban on Talos worship, which had up until that point been largely ignored.^[11][15] After the Markarth Incident, Ulfric refused direct contact with the Thalmor.^[12]

Belligerents

Stormcloaks

The Stormcloak uprising was initiated by JarlUlfric Stormcloak of Eastmarch after the Markarth Incident,^[2] and aims to remove the Imperial Legion from Skyrim and turn the province into an independent kingdom. The rebels' stated goals include lifting the ban on Talos worship across Skyrim, expelling or executing all the Thalmor Justiciars^[16] who have been granted the authority by the Empire to enforce the White-Gold Concordat within the province, crown Ulfric Stormcloak the High King of Skyrim,^[17] and to independently prepare Skyrim for a future war with the Aldmeri Dominion.^[16][17]

Besides stemming from deep discontentment with the ban on Talos worship, a secondary motivation behind the Stormcloak uprising is the belief that the Mede Dynasty and the Empire of Cyrodiil have become a puppet state of the Thalmor in all but name, and no longer has the legitimacy to rule over Skyrim. The Stormcloaks claim to hold fast to old Nord customs and values and recruit from those who share their principles. They consider themselves the 'true sons and daughters of Skyrim' since they are the only force in Skyrim who have not capitulated to the Aldmeri Dominion and are openly revolting against their influence.^[16] The Stormcloaks see the Empire's Thalmor influenced laws as a threat to their Nordic way of life.^[9] They believe once they have consolidated their control over Skyrim, they can set to reforming the autonomous kingdom into a strong and fearless nation capable of finishing the war with Aldmeri Dominion and not be hindered by the Empire's harmful policies.^[18][19]

The Stormcloak rebellion represents a large enough portion of Skyrim's population to have triggered a civil war. Some Nords, notably Jarl Laila Law-Giver of Riften, do not entirely trust or support Ulfric but back the Stormcloaks as they share the common goal of independence from the Empire,^[20] while others feel the civil war bleeds Skyrim dry and will leave the Thalmor as the sole beneficiaries.^[5]

The name 'Stormcloaks' was created by the Empire in an attempt to belittle the uprising, by implying that its supporters are Ulfric's personal lackeys in his bid for power. However, the rebels have since defiantly taken the name and made it their own, to honor the common cause of Skyrim's independence they are fighting for.^[19] Others state the name was created by Ulfric himself to show his lust for power.^[21]

Their base of operations is the Palace of the Kings in the city of Windhelm, with Galmar Stone-Fist serving as their field commander.

Imperial Legion

The Imperial Legion is the military arm of the Empire, which, prior to its Great War with the Aldmeri Dominion, ruled over most of Tamriel. The Legion is attempting to quell the rebellion led by Ulfric Stormcloak, with the goal of restoring the peace and keeping Skyrim in the Empire.^[5]

The Imperial Legion believes that as a province of the Empire, Skyrim must abide by its laws and customs.^[9] Though most do not approve of the White-Gold Concordat, the Imperials are forced to allow the Thalmor to uphold it in order to preserve the peace between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion.^[22][23][24] If any legionaries keep faith in Talos, as it is implied Legate Rikke or Hadvar do, they keep their religion to themselves and pray to Talos discreetly and out of earshot. Though the Empire has appeased the Aldmeri Dominion's demands, Vittoria Vici, the cousin of Emperor Titus Mede II, states that the Empire has little love for the Dominion.^[25] Even so, high ranking Imperials do acknowledge that Ulfric is not wrong that the Thalmor hold influence over the Empire.^[26] Some Imperial loyal Jarls and lords recognize the power of the Thalmor and seek to ingratiate themselves with them if it serves their interests.^[27][28][29] These people state that the times of war between the Empire and Aldmeri Dominion should be over^[29] and that peace and prosperity is good for everyone.^[27] At the same time, Maven Black-Briar respects the Thalmor due to them holding power.^[28]

The majority of Skyrim's more affluent populace are supportive of the Empire, as they feel Ulfric's speeches amount to political posturing and that his underlying motive is to become Skyrim's new High King.^[30] Furthermore, some of the Imperial supporters cling to the prosperous trade they have had with Cyrodiil,^[31] while others simply believe they have a better chance of defending against the Aldmeri Dominion if they are united with the Empire.^[32]

General Tullius is the military governor of Skyrim and the commander of the Legion in the province. He leads the Imperial war effort.^[9] Tullius has only been around for a few months, but has really turned things around for the Empire.^[33] A noteworthy event is him directing the ambush, and capturing Ulfric Stormcloak and his top lieutenants at Darkwater Crossing.^[33] In Skyrim, the Legion is headquartered at Castle Dour in the city of Solitude,^[9] with Legate Rikke serving as their field commander.^[34]

Events occuring prior to 4E 201

• Several years prior to 4E 201, there were clashes between the Imperial Legion and Stormcloaks in Eastmarch Hold, the outcome of this skirmish is unknown.^[35] However, due to Solaf being a survivor, it is possible that the Stormcloaks won
• Many years ago the daughter of Vulwulf Snow-Shod joined the Stormcloaks as a battle maiden.^[36] Lilija, however, was killed by the Imperials, implying that the Stormcloaks lost this skirmish. There are conflicting accounts by both her parents as to how she died. Vulwulf, her father, claims that she was 'killed like a dog and left to rot in the mud', while her mother, Nura Snow-Shod, claims that she was 'never found' because the 'Imperials burned all the dead.'^[37]
• Ulfric Stormcloak killed High King Torygg with the help of the Thu'um. According to Torygg's own account, it is the shout itself that killed him,^[38] although Ulfric claims the shout merely knocked him to the ground.^[17] Some claim that this was murder in an attempted coup,^[5] while Ulfric states it was an honorable duel in keeping with Nordic tradition.^[17]

Current events

• At Giant's Gap, a group of Stormcloaks were ambushed. They used their shield walls to defend and attack. By dawn, the Legion's ranks wavered. The outcome of this ambush is unknown, as the Stormcloak who gives the information got shot by an archer and went to Sovngarde before the battle was over.
• Imperial forces are stationed on the border between the Rift and Eastmarch, threatening the southern flank of Eastmarch.^[17]
• Imperial troops are trying to conqeur Winterhold, but are thus far not succesful.^[17]
• Minor skirmishes between Stormcloak and Imperial forces on the roads and in the wilderness.^[39]
• A skirmish took place outside of Stony Creek Cave while The Forgotten Hero was searching for Sotha Sil's replica of Keening. It is unknown who won this battle.^[40]

Initial territories

Initially, both the Empire and the Stormcloak Rebellion control four Holds. The Empire controls Falkreath, Haafingar, Hjaalmarch, and the Reach, while the Stormcloaks control Eastmarch, the Pale, the Rift and Winterhold. Balgruuf the Greater, Jarl of the central Whiterun Hold, remains uneasily neutral, but he will eventually side with the Empire once the war is joined, regardless of which side the Dragonborn chooses.

Thalmor influence

The Thalmor plays a role in the Skyrim civil war, certain sources indicate that they are the (indirect) cause of the Civil War in Skyrim. Prior to the Markarth Incident, everyone still had their shrines of Talos.^[15] However, when the Thalmor found out about the Empire breaking the terms of the White-Gold Concordat, they demanded the arrest of Ulfric Stormcloak and his millitia,^[2] at this point the Emperor was also forced to grant the Thalmor access^[23] to Skyrim and give them the rights to 'drag people from their houses' if they worshiped Talos.^[15] Ultimately, this is where the Civil War truly started.^[2] They also played a role at the execution in Helgen, where they tried to save Ulfric Stormcloak from execution, in order to keep the war going.^[41] While the Thalmor themselves were unsuccesful in stopping the execution, Alduin's attack on the town allowed Ulfric to escape.^[42]

The Imperial Legion has sent Legate Fasendil to Skyrim to keep an eye on the Thalmor, who suspects that they are behind the unrest in Skyrim.^[43] The Thalmor dossier on Ulfric Stormcloak states than an Imperial victory harms the Thalmor's overall position in Skyrim and that a Stormcloak victory should also be avoided. The Thalmor state that they benefit the most from a long war in which neither the Empire, nor the Stormcloaks 'wins'.^[41]

Major battles

Battle for Whiterun

Whiterun Hold had been neutral territory during the Skyrim Civil War,^[44] with skirmishes on both sides^[45] taking place in the Hold and Fort Greymoor switching hands between the Empire and Stormcloaks on a regular basis.^[46] Jarl Balgruuf refused the Legion's right to garrison troops in Whiterun city, on the other hand he also refused to acknowledge Ulfric's claim.^[47] After an unknown period of time, Ulfric started planning an attack on Whiterun.^{[48][47][44][49]} Shortly after Balgruuf got to know of this news, he declared his allegiance to the Empire.^[50]

In Skyrim

If the Dragonborn sides with the Imperials

• The Siege of Whiterun (defending)

If the Dragonborn sides with the Stormcloaks

• The Siege of Whiterun (attacking)

(Note that depending on choices made during 'Season Unending,' Fort Dunstad, Fort Greenwall, and Fort Kastav will have to be conquered in place of the previously mentioned three.)

Trivia

• The starting hold positions for those that support the Stormcloaks and those who support the Empire are similar to the split between East and West Skyrim which occurred during the War of Succession.
• The Dragonborn sometimes will encounter an Imperial citizen on the roads who is heading to Windhelm to join the Stormcloak uprising, stating that 'The Empire is in shambles,' and that 'Ulfric has the right of it.' Contrarily, they can also encounter a Dunmer citizen heading to Solitude to join the Legion, stating that 'A united Empire is best for everyone,' or 'I was born and raised in Skyrim, but the Nords treat us like dirt.'
  • ​The Dunmer farmer going to join the Legion can later be found in the Blue Palace in Solitude, however the Imperial going to join the Stormcloaks is never seen in the Palace of the Kings in Windhelm.
• Depending on the order in which they are completed, the Civil War can have an effect on the Main Quest, and vice versa. In the main quest 'Season Unending,' a meeting is held between the Stormcloaks, the Legion, the Blades, the Thalmor, and the Greybeards to negotiate a truce, which temporarily pauses the Civil War.
  • If the Civil War is completed before 'Season Unending,' the peace conference will not be held, and the later quest will not occur.
  • If 'Season Unending' is completed before the Civil War ends, it will change territories under the control of both the Imperials and the Stormcloaks.
  • If 'Season Unending' is completed before the Civil War ends, the Dragonborn will not be able to continue until after Alduin has been slain.
• A bounty may be cleared when the relevant Hold is liberated or reunified during the Civil War.
• Even though they play a major part in the tension between the Stormcloaks and the Imperial Legion, the Thalmor play no major part in the war itself, although Thalmor Justiciars may occasionally be found fighting Stormcloak Soldiers.

Gallery

See also

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls: Legends

References

1. ↑An Explorer's Guide to Skyrim
2. ↑ ^2.02.12.22.3Dialogue with Igmund
3. ↑Civil War questline in Skyrim
4. ↑Intro of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
5. ↑ ^5.05.15.25.3Dialogue with General Tullius
6. ↑Dialogue with Hadvar
7. ↑Dialogue with Solaf
8. ↑Dialogue with Vulwulf Snow-Shod
9. ↑ ^{9.09.19.29.39.4}Loading Screens (Skyrim)
10. ↑Dialogue with Elisif the Fair
11. ↑ ^11.011.1Dialogue with Igmund
12. ↑ ^12.012.112.2Thalmor Dossier: Ulfric Stormcloak
13. ↑The Great War — Legate Justianus Quintius
14. ↑The Bear of Markarth — Arrianus Arius
15. ↑ ^15.015.115.2Dialogue with Alvor
16. ↑ ^16.016.116.2Dialogue with Galmar Stone-Fist
17. ↑ ^{17.017.117.217.317.417.5}Dialogue with Ulfric Stormcloak
18. ↑Dialogue between Ulfric Stormcloak and Galmar Stone-Fist
19. ↑ ^19.019.1Dialogue with Stormcloak Commanders
20. ↑Dialogue with Jarl Laila Law-Giver
21. ↑Dialogue with Legate Rikke
22. ↑The Talos Mistake
23. ↑ ^23.023.1Dialogue with Thalmor Justiciars
24. ↑Dialogue with Ondolemar
25. ↑Dialogue with Vittoria Vici
26. ↑Dialogue with Razelan during 'Diplomatic Immunity'
27. ↑ ^27.027.1Dialogue with Erikur during 'Diplomatic Immunity'
28. ↑ ^28.028.1Dialogue with Maven Black-Briar during 'Diplomatic Immunity'
29. ↑ ^29.029.1Dialogue with Siddgeir during 'Diplomatic Immunity'
30. ↑Dialogue with Saerlund
31. ↑Dialogue with Balgruuf the Greater
32. ↑Dialogue between Legate Rikke and Ulfric Stormcloak during the Battle for Solitude
33. ↑ ^33.033.1Dialogue with Hadvar
34. ↑Dialogue with Imperial Legates
35. ↑Dialogue with Solaf
36. ↑Dialogue with Vulwulf Snow-Shod
37. ↑Dialogue with Nura Snow-Shod
38. ↑Dialogue with Torygg
39. ↑Random Encounters in Skyrim
40. ↑Events of Episode 6: Heart of the City, act II, Stony Creek, Return to Clockwork City
41. ↑ ^41.041.1Thalmor Dossier: Ulfric Stormcloak
42. ↑Events of Unbound
43. ↑Dialogue with Legate Fasendil
44. ↑ ^44.044.1Dialogue between Balgruuf the Greater, Proventus Avenicci and Irileth
45. ↑Dialogue with Captain Aldis
46. ↑Dialogue with Agnis
47. ↑ ^47.047.1Dialogue between Legate Rikke and General Tullius
48. ↑Dialogue of the Last Dragonborn during Message to Whiterun (Imperial)
49. ↑Dialogue with Balgruuf the Greater
50. ↑Events of Message to Whiterun

Discussions about Skyrim Civil War

• How do you justify going against Jarl Balgruuf in the Stormcloak questline?

  • 2A02:2149:8871:E400:ACA8:3335:691D:581D wrote: I do not wish the Thalmor killing my compatriots and family, with the empire's allowance..
  • Unjustifiable. The Stormcloaks suck.

• Is is better helping the Imperials or the Stormcloaks in the Civil War?

  • 2A02:2149:8871:E400:ACA8:3335:691D:581D wrote:Aegis013 wrote:I personally believe that the Empire are the 'good guys,' after all ..
  • 2A02:2149:8871:E400:ACA8:3335:691D:581D wrote:Busiao No Laughs wrote:Personally I think a united Tamriel under the Dragonborn is the way to ..

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

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

Act II

Act III

• Dragonslayer

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

Contracts

Side quests

Other quests

College of Winterhold

Side quests

Radiant quests

Broken quests

Master-level spell quests

The Companions

Side quests

Thieves Guild

Side quests

Radiant quests

The Blades

Bards College

Civil War

The brewing Civil War in Skyrim is between two main factions, the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks. Both sides have the same tasks, with plenty of individuals throughout the region relaying the deeds of both sides. Minor factions, especially in Whiterun between the Battle-Born and Grey-Mane families, exist throughout the empire. Siding with either side impacts gameplay.

Imperial Legion

• Reunification of Skyrim
  • ​A False Front

Stormcloaks

• 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

Narzulbur

Kynesgrove

Darkwater Crossing

Falkreath Hold

Falkreath

Other

Haafingar

Solitude

Dragon Bridge

Hjaalmarch

Morthal

Folgunthur

The Pale

Dawnstar

The Reach

Soljund's Sinkhole

Left Hand Mine

Markarth

Forsworn

Salvius Farm

Old Hroldan Inn

The Rift

Froki's Shack

Heartwood Mill

Ivarstead

Merryfair Farm

Riften

Sarethi Farm

Shor's Stone

Whiterun Hold

Whiterun

Riverwood

Winterhold Hold

Skyrim Quests To Do Before Civil War Movie

Winterhold

Septimus Signus' Outpost

Blackreach

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

Skyrim Quests To Do Before Civil War List

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

Trivia

Conflicting quests

• Conflicting quests involve those that prevent other quests from being cleared, and those which bar you from acquiring a full reward from another quest.

See also

References

1. ↑The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Game Guide

Discussions about Quests (Skyrim)

• Maybe the saddest quest in the game?

  • The story of the guy who the king in rags tells you to go talk to in no-one escapes chidna mine is sad. I think the whole of Skyrim is one ..
  • For me it's the Dark Brotherhood quest.

• Best Quest In Skyrim

  • infallible depths i like 2 can't,dat it right cuz auto correct
  • No one escapes chidna mine was great I also enjoyed a night to remember a lot. My favourite deadric quest has to be The cannibal one too as it..