Prerequisites: Complete Main Quest: Dragon Rising

Intersecting Quests: Main Quest: Dragon Rising, Main Quest: The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller

Locations: High Hrothgar, Ivarstead, High Hrothgar Courtyard, Whiterun, Dragonsreach

Characters: Hrongar, Jarl Balgruuf the Greater, Lydia, Master Arngeir, Master Borri, Master Einarth, Master Wulfgar, Proventus Avenicci

Enemies: Bandit, Frost Troll, Sabre Cat, Wolf

Objectives: Speak to the Greybeards, Demonstrate your “Unrelenting Force” Shout, Speak to Arngeir, Learn the Word of Power from Einarth, Demonstrate your “Unrelenting Force” Shout (3), Learn the Word of Power from Borri, Demonstrate your “Whirlwind Sprint” Shout, Speak to Arngeir for further training

Arise, Thane of Whiterun

Objective: Speak to the Greybeards

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Continue to speak with Jarl Balgruuf about the Greybeards. He informs you that these venerable monks live in secluded isolation high on the slopes of the Throat of the World (the largest mountain in Skyrim).

They have the ability to focus your vital essence into a Thu’um, or Shout, and they give you the location of their monastery in High Hrothgar—atop a 7,000-step climb! After a verbal altercation between Hrongar and Proventus Avenicci over Nordic sacred traditions, Jarl Balgruuf grants you the greatest honor within his power: You are named Thane of Whiterun. You also receive a weapon from the Jarl’s armory and a Housecarl of your own.

Items Gained:
Axe of Whiterun
Follower: Lydia (Housecarl)

Journeying to Ivarstead

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The route to High Hrothgar involves a lengthy, spiraling journey clockwise around the base of the throat of the World. the first stop along this path is at the base of the 7,000 steps, in the town of Ivarstead.

Exit Whiterun and trek east, passing the Honningbrew Meadery. Cross the stone bridge over the White River, and follow the marked signpost to ivarstead. Continue along this stone path past a few encounters with wolves to a fork in the paths. At this point, you can choose one of two recommended routes to Ivarstead: the long and winding road or the short and steep trail.

The Long and Winding Road

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You may continue along the marked path, ignoring the track up to the Giants of Guldun Rock. Prepare to pay a toll (or fight) at the bandit-infested Valtheim Towers. Then descend past the waterfall, along the same path past some drystone walls and the stone trilithon at the base of a stepped side path indicating the entrance to Hillgrund’s Tomb...