Becoming Thane - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Wiki Guide - IGN

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New ChecklistAll ListsMy ChecklistsAllAll ListsMy ChecklistsHow creative can you get with your first free checklist?Create a free accountAll Interactive Maps and LocationsBecoming ThaneBy Stephanie Lee, Hector Madrigal, Brendan Graeber, +162.5k moreUpdated: Aug 22, 2022 9:23pm UTC

After you kill the Dragon in the Main Quest Dragon Rising, Jarl Balgruuf the Greater decides to give you the title of Thane of Whiterun, giving you a housecarl (Lydia), and allowing you to purchase property in the city. Guards will also think twice before arresting you if you inform them you are the Thane.

Whiterun is not the only Hold where you can become Thane. This page is here to help you if you decide to take your lust for power to the other holds in Skyrim.

Jarl's Castles

• Dragonsreach (Whiterun)
• Blue Palace (Solitude)
• Mistveil Keep (Riften)
• Palace of the Kings (Windhelm)
• Understone Keep (Markarth)

Note: If the Jarl of a hold changes due to civil war events, you will lose your title as Thane for that hold. Fortunately, getting back the title is usually simply just asking the new Jarl for it.

Become Thane of Whiterun

The Jarl of Whiterun reighs in his perch on Dragonsreach. You become the Thane of Whiterun during one of the earliest main quests. Simply kill the dragon, discover that you're Dragonborn, and the Jarl will practically trip over himself in his eagerness to make you a Thane.

Become Thane of Morthal

Becoming Thane of Morthal is fairly straightforward. First, you investigate the house that burned down and complete the subsequent quests. The grateful Jarl will tell you that she'd be happy to make you Thane as long as you are "known through her Hold." This translates into helping three different people, all of which can be found in the limited square mileage of Morthal.

Become Thane of Markarth

The politics of Markarth are quite complicated, and thus becoming Thane is as well. The idea is to complete enough quests for both the Jarl and his Steward, driving out the Forsworn from their city and their hills, as well as completing the Civil War Quests. The Jarl will then make you Thane of Markarth and appoint you a housecarl, Argis the Bulwark.

Kill Forsworn for the Jarl and his Steward. Help five citizens of Markarth and he'll make you Thane.

Become Thane of Solitude

Talk to Falk Firebeard in the Blue Palace, and he will give you a quest summoning you to investigate lights and sounds coming out of Wolf Skull Cave which is located in the mountains west of Solitude. After completing the quest, talk to Falk again and he will reward you. You may now speak directly to the Jarl herself, and she will thank you and give you one more task.

After you have completed this task go back and talk to the Jarl. She will invite you to be a thane of hers but in order to be a Thane, you must first own property in Solitude. This property can be purchased from Falk for 25,000 gold pieces. Once you buy the property, go and talk to her, and she will appoint you to be a Thane of Solitude.

Become Thane of Falkreath

This Hold is as straightforward as Morthal: obtain a drink for the Jarl, then kill the assigned Bandit Leader. Complete three quests for locals and you're set. This is the standard formula for the smaller Holds (that is, Holds like Morthal, Windhelm, and Falkreath).

Tip: Helping a local can be as simple as helping a farmer collect his crop.

Become Thane of Riften

For Riften you must go to the Riften Fishery and look for a lady that has a Skooma addiction.  You then give her some coin and ask her where she gets her skooma.  Afterwards, you talk to the jarl and complete the skooma dealer quests.  Then, you must buy a house in Riften and you will be presented with the your title as thane.  

Become Thane of Windhelm

The option to become Thane will only become avaliable from Ulfric after you have liberated Falkreath. If you joined the imperials, you can only become thane when you've completed the imperial's Civil War quest line.

The objectives you need to complete here are as simple as is Morthal. Obtain the Helm for the Jarl, and then help out five people in his Hold, and purchase a piece of property for 15000. The home in Windhelm however will not be avaliable for purchase until you've completed 'Blood on the Ice' side quest (which is triggered at night at the cemetry after you've visited Windhelm a few times).

Note: If you've finished the Civil War quest and have sided with the Imperials -- and if for some reason you have not started the "Blood on the Ice" sidequest -- the Windhelm home can be acquired on your way to becoming thane. Upon opening the door and discovering the bloody lair of the Windhelm Ripper the Blood on The Ice quest will immediately start. You can later request the Steward to clean up the bloody lair...for a price.

Become Thane of Dawnstar

Connected to the Dark Brotherhood Quests.

Become Thane of Winterhold

The Jarl will request you to bring him the helm of Winterhold in order to make you Thane.

Up Next: Blood on the Ice

PreviousAncestral WorshipNextBlood on the Ice

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The Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimBethesda Game StudiosInitial Release: Nov 10, 2011+4Learn moreGo to comments