Prerequisites: Enter and exit the Whiterun buildings around the market.

Intersecting Quests: None

Locations: Northwatch Keep, Whiterun, Arcadia’s Cauldron, The Bannered Mare, House of Clan Battle-Born, House Gray-Mane

Characters: Avulstein Gray-Mane, Fralia Gray-Mane, Idolaf Battle-Born, Jon Battle-Born, Olfina the Golden, Thorald Gray-Mane

Enemies: Northwatch Archer, Northwatch Guard, Northwatch Interrogator, Northwatch Mage

Objectives: Meet Fralia in her home, Find evidence of Thorald’s fate, Deliver proof to Avulstein, Find a way to release Thorald from Thalmor custody, Rescue Thorald from Northwatch Keep, Lead Thorald to safety, Return to Fralia Gray-Mane

Gray-Mane Grief

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The first or second time you leave one of the buildings around Whiterun’s market area, you witness the verbal wrath of an old woman named Fralia Gray-Mane, the matriarch of a powerful family in Whiterun. She shouts in an accusatory tone at Olfrid and Idolaf Battle-Born, who are from a rival family also living in this settlement.

Fralia blames them for the disappearance of her son, Thorald. Most of the inhabitants believe Thorald died in a Civil War battle fighting the Imperials. If you speak with Fralia, she blames the Battle-Borns again, calling them liars. Call her on this point, and she quiets slightly, telling you that if you truly wish to help her, you should meet her at her home.

Objective: Meet Fralia in her home
Target: House Gray-Mane, in Whiterun

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Either follow Fralia to her house and enter or head there yourself, wait an hour if Fralia hasn’t arrived, and step inside.

A large man carrying an equally immense axe growls at your trespassing, until Fralia tells her other son to put the weapon away, as you’re here to help. Talk with Avulstein and answer that you’re here to help or that you need more information on what is going on.

He explains his brother’s disappearance; the family believes Thorald is still alive, captured by the Imperials and held in a location that the Battle-Borns are aware of. Without proof, the family has nothing. You’re going to find the proof.

Objective: Find evidence of Thorald’s fate
Target: House of Clan Battle-Born, in Whiterun

At this point, you have three main ways to prove what the Grey-Manes have suspected:

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House Hunt: You can locate the House of Clan Battle-Born (ideally while you’re not being seen or when no one is at home, or you risk a Bounty increase), locate the ground-floor bedroom on the northwest side of the dwelling, enter it, and pry open the door (Expert).

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Idolaf’s Key: You can find Idolaf Battle-Born and attempt one of the following:

(Persuasion) Speak to him and get him to tell you what he knows.
(Pickpocket) Stealthily extricate the key from his person. This opens the door in the northwest bedroom.

Items gained:
Key to House Battle-Born

Once inside the small study, look for the Imperial Missive on the table. It reveals the Gray-Mane family’s suspicions: Thorald has been moved to a Thalmor stronghold called Northwatch Keep. This is the evidence Avulstein has been hoping for...