The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Post-Game Content

Continue your adventure in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim after the main quest. This guide covers post-game content, challenges, and opportunities for further leg.

Post-Game Content

Congratulations, Dragonborn! You've faced Alduin, saved Skyrim, and etched your name into legend. But the journey doesn't end there. Skyrim is a vast land brimming with secrets, challenges, and opportunities for further adventure. This section will guide you through the wealth of content available after the main quest concludes, ensuring your legend continues to grow.

Expanding Your Influence: Faction Questlines

If you haven't already, diving into the various faction questlines is an excellent way to experience new stories, gain powerful gear, and unlock unique abilities. Each faction offers a distinct playstyle and narrative.

The Companions (Whiterun)

  • Location: Jorrvaskr, Whiterun.
  • Overview: Join a guild of honorable warriors, embracing the beastblood of werewolves.
  • Key Quests:
    • Take Up Arms: Speak to Kodlak Whitemane or any Companion in Jorrvaskr to begin.
    • Purity: After completing the main questline, you can help Kodlak find peace.
  • Rewards: Access to Werewolf form, powerful unique weapons like Wuuthrad, and the ability to become a Harbinger.

The College of Winterhold (Winterhold)

  • Location: College of Winterhold, Winterhold.
  • Overview: Master the arcane arts and uncover ancient magical secrets.
  • Key Quests:
    • First Lessons: Speak to Faralda at the bridge leading to the College.
    • The Eye of Magnus: The climactic quest of the College storyline.
  • Rewards: Arch-Mage's Robes, access to powerful spells, and the Staff of Magnus.

The Thieves Guild (Riften)

  • Location: The Ragged Flagon, Riften (accessed via the Ratway).
  • Overview: Become a master of shadows, stealth, and subterfuge.
  • Key Quests:
    • A Chance Arrangement: Speak to Brynjolf in the Riften marketplace.
    • Darkness Returns: Restore the Thieves Guild to its former glory.
  • Rewards: Nightingale Armor, Nightingale Bow, Nightingale Blade, and the ability to choose a power from the Skeleton Key.

The Dark Brotherhood (Falkreath)

  • Location: Dawnstar (start quest by hearing rumors or sleeping in a bed after committing a murder).
  • Overview: Join a secretive order of assassins, fulfilling contracts for the Night Mother.
  • Key Quests:
    • With Friends Like These...: After completing "Delayed Burial" or simply killing Grelod the Kind in Riften's Honorhall Orphanage, sleep in any bed to be abducted.
    • Hail Sithis!: The final contract for the Dark Brotherhood.
  • Rewards: Shrouded Armor, Blade of Woe, and the ability to summon the spectral assassin, Lucien Lachance.

Uncovering Daedric Artifacts

The Daedric Princes offer some of the most unique and powerful items in Skyrim. Many of these quests can be initiated at any point, but some are best tackled with a higher-level character due to the challenges involved.

Notable Daedric Quests & Artifacts:

  • Azura's Star / The Black Star:
    • Quest: The Black Star
    • Location: Shrine of Azura, south of Winterhold. Speak to Aranea Ienith.
    • Reward: A reusable soul gem (Azura's Star for white souls, The Black Star for black souls).
  • Ebony Blade:
    • Quest: The Whispering Door
    • Location: Dragonsreach, Whiterun. Speak to Hulda (the innkeeper) about Jarl Balgruuf's children.
    • Reward: A powerful two-handed sword that absorbs health and grows stronger with betrayal.
  • Mace of Molag Bal:
    • Quest: The House of Horrors
    • Location: Markarth. Speak to Vigilant Tyranus in front of the Abandoned House.
    • Reward: A mace that deals stamina and magicka damage, and fills a soul gem on killing blows.
  • Wabbajack:
    • Quest: The Mind of Madness
    • Location: Solitude. Speak to Dervenin near the Bards College.
    • Reward: A staff that casts a random, often chaotic, effect on its target.

Exploring the Expansions

If you own the Dawnguard, Hearthfire, or Dragonborn DLCs, these offer massive amounts of post-game content, new regions, and unique gameplay mechanics.

Dawnguard DLC

  • Overview: Engage in a war between the Dawnguard, a group of vampire hunters, and the Volkihar Clan of vampires.
  • How to Start: At level 10 or higher, a Dawnguard Orc will approach you in a major city, or you can simply travel to Fort Dawnguard southeast of Riften.
  • Key Features:
    • Vampire Lord or Werewolf: Choose to become a powerful Vampire Lord or enhance your Werewolf abilities.
    • New Locations: Soul Cairn, Castle Volkihar, Fort Dawnguard.
    • Unique Gear: Auriel's Bow, Harkon's Sword, Dawnguard Rune Axe.

Hearthfire DLC

  • Overview: Build your own custom homes from the ground up, adopt children, and hire stewards.
  • How to Start: Purchase land plots from Jarls or their stewards after completing specific quests.
    • Falkreath: Speak to Jarl Siddgeir or Nenya after becoming Thane. Purchase Lakeview Manor for 5000 gold.
    • Morthal: Speak to Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone or Aslfur after completing "Laid to Rest." Purchase Windstad Manor for 5000 gold.
    • Dawnstar: Speak to Jarl Skald the Elder or Bulfrek after completing "Waking Nightmare" and a favor. Purchase Heljarchen Hall for 5000 gold.
  • Key Features: Custom house wings (armory, library, kitchen, etc.), farming, and a more personal home experience.

Dragonborn DLC

  • Overview: Travel to the island of Solstheim and confront the first Dragonborn, Miraak.
  • How to Start: After completing "The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller" in the main quest, two Cultists will attack you in any major city. Read the "Cultists' Orders" on their bodies.
  • Key Features:
    • New Continent: Solstheim, a unique land with Morrowind-inspired architecture and creatures.
    • Dragon Riding: Learn the Bend Will Shout to ride dragons.
    • New Shouts & Powers: Dragon Aspect, Cyclone, and various Black Book powers.
    • Unique Gear: Miraak's Staff, Miraak's Sword, Stalhrim armor and weapons.

Endless Exploration & Miscellaneous Quests

Skyrim is designed for continuous exploration. Even after completing all major questlines, there's always something new to discover.

  • Uncharted Dungeons: Many caves, ruins, and forts remain unexplored. Each often holds unique loot, challenging enemies, and sometimes even mini-quests.
  • Bounties: Visit Jarls or their stewards in any hold to pick up bounties for clearing bandit camps, killing giants, or hunting dragons. A great way to earn gold and clear your map.
  • Radiant Quests: Many NPCs offer repeatable quests, such as delivering items, clearing dungeons, or finding lost treasures. These are excellent for leveling up skills and earning extra coin.
  • Word Walls: Continue to seek out Word Walls across Skyrim to unlock new Dragon Shouts. Use the "Clear Skies" Shout to easily find them in the wilderness.
  • Skill Training: Max out all your skills! Seek out trainers, read skill books, and consistently use your preferred skills to reach legendary status.
  • Collectibles: Hunt for unique items like the Stones of Barenziah (for the Crown of Barenziah and the Prowler's Profit perk), unique weapons and armor, or rare ingredients.

The world of Skyrim is your oyster, Dragonborn. Continue your adventures, forge new legends, and truly make your mark on the land!