Prerequisites: Quest "The Fallen" is active + Civil War is still undecided. Quest Giver: Jarl of Whiterun Region: Whiterun, High Hrothgar, Palace of the Kings/Windhelm, Castle Dour/Solitude Reward: (Progression of the main quest + level-dependent equipment from Ulfric if applicable)
Summary: In order to use Dragonsreach as a trap for a dragon, you need the support of the Jarl of Whiterun. However, he will only give his consent once the Civil War is interrupted. Therefore, you must bring both warring factions to the table and negotiate a truce.
Quest Description
This is an intermediate quest that must be completed depending on the political situation.
The quest is activated if the Civil War is still ongoing and undecided.
The quest is not activated if one of the sides holds at most one hold or if the Civil War has ended.
Speak with Arngeir
With the goal of securing the Greybeards as hosts for a peace conference, you head to High Hrothgar. Master Arngeir initially argues that the Greybeards have never meddled in political matters. However, since the player has the support of Paarthurnax, this is the path that must be taken. He wants you to notify General Tullius and Ulfric Stormcloak that the Greybeards wish to speak with them, and he promises to do his utmost to reach an agreement.
Speak with Ulfric Stormcloak
You meet Ulfric Stormcloak in the Palace of the Kings in Windhelm, where he is discussing the next combat steps with his grizzled Housecarl, Galmar Stone-Fist. When you address him, he will recall Helgen. Depending on the progress of the Civil War, you have various dialogue options to work with. Ulfric has the utmost respect for the Greybeards, and the dragon attacks are becoming more and more of a plague. In the end, he is willing to attend the peace conference, provided that Tullius is also present. He then turns his short-tempered attention back to further war plans.
Ulfric Stormcloak in Windhelm drafting war plans.
Speak with General Tullius
General Tullius, the supreme commander of the Imperial forces in Skyrim, is discussing the situation with Legate Rikke at Castle Dour. Impatient and dismissive of Nord traditions and principles, he is looking for a quick path to victory. You will be greeted accordingly depending on the progress of the war and the faction you have chosen. The General also still remembers Helgen and the player. Initially, he wants nothing to do with the Greybeards and explains that he was not sent to Skyrim to fight dragons. However, he admits that troop movements are becoming increasingly difficult due to the dragon attacks and recognizes that the Stormcloaks are suffering just as much. Ultimately, he agrees to come to the council of the Greybeards.
General Tullius with Legate Rikke in Solitude.
Speak with Arngeir
Upon arriving at the monastery, you are received by the four monks in the entrance hall. You quickly notice that they are displeased with the current situation. Master Arngeir almost regrets agreeing to host the conference, stating that men of violence have no business in halls dedicated to peace. You can promise him to do everything you can to ensure peace is made. The Greybeards doubt this but ask you to take your seat with the others.
Take your seat
If you do not head into the conference room immediately, you can witness the arrival of the Blades. Delphine and Esbern are not welcome in High Hrothgar, and you can feel how deeply hardened the factions' stances are. Before Delphine fights for her right to be present at the council, Esbern steps in and reminds everyone that Alduin must be stopped. He states that the Blades know more than most about the situation and the threat, and that their presence is required at this council. Master Arngeir gives in and asks them to enter. The player has the honor of being the first to sit in their designated seat.
Arrival of the Blades at High Hrothgar.
Negotiate a truce
At the round table to the left of the player sit Legate Rikke, Jarl Elisif the Fair, General Tullius, Jarl Balgruuf the Greater (if applicable), and Elenwen, the scheming Thalmor Ambassador. Master Arngeir takes his seat opposite the player. To the right of the player sit Esbern, Delphine, Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, Galmar Stone-Fist, and Jarl Vignar the Revered (if applicable).
Before the negotiations even begin, the short-tempered Ulfric threatens to walk out if he is forced to sit at the same table as that Thalmor snake. He views it as a deliberate provocation by the Imperials. Tullius's explanation that she is part of the Imperial delegation does not calm Ulfric, forcing the player to put their foot down.
Peace negotiations with all participants at the round table in High Hrothgar.
The presence of Elenwen has no actual impact on the negotiations. The Imperial side will view it as a disadvantage but will be unable to prevent Elenwen's dismissal. You can therefore decide as you wish. In fact, a few choices now lay ahead where all eyes are fixed upon the player. If you intend to participate in the Civil War soon, or are already doing so, this is a unique opportunity to shift the balance of power in the war toward your preferred side. The warring factions are arguing over ownership claims of several holds. Since they cannot reach an agreement, the Dragonborn must make the decision. No matter how often you favor or disadvantage one side, everyone will accept and implement the decisions. If you are not interested in the Civil War, you can also provide more or less impartial answers.
Master Arngeir implores everyone once more to respect the spirit of High Hrothgar and do their best to take the first step toward lasting peace in Skyrim.
The power shifts function by trading control over a minor hold for a major hold. To make the right choice for your side, you need to know which holds are major and which are minor. Here is the comparison based on the capital cities:
Major & Important: Solitude (HQ), Markarth, Whiterun, Windhelm (HQ), Riften
Minor & Less Important: Falkreath, Dawnstar, Morthal, Winterhold
At some point during the negotiations, the side that feels disadvantaged will threaten to leave the bargaining table. Esbern saves the situation by appealing to everyone to stand together in the face of the dragon threat. Discussion continues, and after further demands and concessions, the council is concluded.
With this, this intermediate quest ends, and the still-active quest "The Fallen" resumes.
Known Bugs
Several inconsistencies and bugs have been reported regarding this complicated quest. Many of them are said to have been fixed with Patch 1.4.
Tips & Notes
As soon as you have convinced the second warlord (Ulfric or Tullius) to attend the peace negotiations, several individuals set off for High Hrothgar unnoticed by the player. Jarl Elisif stands up as if in a trance, walks out of the Blue Palace, and leaves the city. Simultaneously, the first warlord and his companion do the same, and the current Jarl of Whiterun also sets off. The fact that the Thalmor Ambassador Elenwen sets herself in motion at the exact same time is just barely comprehensible. However, who informed Delphine and Esbern in the distant Sky Haven Temple is something only Bethesda knows.
Before you sit down at the bargaining table, you can speak to each participant and hear interesting, and in some cases unique, dialogue.
Elenwen sits at the table on the Empire's side, but that is mere political-diplomatic window dressing. Her motives as a Thalmor are far more complex, and she craftily pulls her strings on a different level. Her few remarks are chosen with corresponding cleverness.
If you are unsure about the answers at the negotiating table, you can simply choose the options marked as 'Persuade'. That way, you will have achieved something in any case.
If the Civil War has not progressed very far yet, a solution that serves peace would be, for example: Elenwen stays / Markarth changes sides / Dawnstar changes sides / compensations are paid.
If you have a follower with you, their remarks could make it difficult to follow the discussion at the table. It is best to attend the conference alone or have your follower wait in the antechamber - highly recommended in Mjoll's case.
As soon as the conference is over, hostilities are suspended until further notice, and Civil War quests will temporarily no longer be given out.
Under certain circumstances (if you joined the Stormcloaks before the negotiations and favored their side during the proceedings), you will receive a gift from Ulfric after the council.
by the four monks in the entrance hall. You quickly notice that they are displeased with the current situation. Master Arngeir almost regrets agreeing to host the conference, stating that men of violence have no business in halls dedicated to peace. You can promise him to do everything you can to ensure peace is made. The Greybeards doubt this but ask you to take your seat with the others.
sit Legate Rikke, Jarl Elisif the Fair, General Tullius, Jarl Balgruuf the Greater (if applicable), and Elenwen, the scheming Thalmor Ambassador. Master Arngeir takes his seat opposite the player. To the right of the player
sit Esbern, Delphine, Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, Galmar Stone-Fist, and Jarl Vignar the Revered (if applicable).
by the four monks in the entrance hall. You quickly notice that they are displeased with the current situation. Master Arngeir almost regrets agreeing to host the conference, stating that men of violence have no business in halls dedicated to peace. You can promise him to do everything you can to ensure peace is made. The Greybeards doubt this but ask you to take your seat with the others.
sit Legate Rikke, Jarl Elisif the Fair, General Tullius, Jarl Balgruuf the Greater (if applicable), and Elenwen, the scheming Thalmor Ambassador. Master Arngeir takes his seat opposite the player. To the right of the player
sit Esbern, Delphine, Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, Galmar Stone-Fist, and Jarl Vignar the Revered (if applicable).