Prerequisites: Complete Civil War Quest: The Jagged Crown

Intersecting Quests: Civil War Quest: The Jagged Crown, Main Quest: Bleak Falls Barrow, Main Quest: Dragon Rising, Civil War Quest: Defense of Whiterun

Locations: Solitude, Castle Dour, Whiterun, Dragonsreach, Windhelm, Palace of the Kings

Characters: General Tullius, Hrongar, Imperial Soldier, Irileth, Jarl Balgruuf the Greater, Legate Quentin Cipius, Lydia, Proventus Avenicci, Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, Galmar Stone-Fist

Enemies: None

Objectives: Deliver message to the Jarl of Whiterun, Assist Jarl Balgruuf with the dragon threat, Wait for the Jarl’s response, Deliver axe to Jarl Ulfric, Return to Whiterun and warn the Jarl, Report to Legate Quentin Cipius

Dilemma at Whiterun

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Immediately after congratulating you on locating the Bone Crown, General Tullius explains that reports indicate Ulfric Stormcloak has raised enough men to attack the city of Whiterun. However, the headstrong Jarl is refusing Imperial support. Tullius hands you a missive, with information that ought to convince the Jarl to receive Imperial help. He requests that you don’t read the missive but hand it over to the Jarl as soon as possible.

Items recieved:
Imperial Documents

Objective: Deliver message to the Jarl of Whiterun
Target: Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun, in Dragonsreach

Make your way past the Whiterun Stables and then up the long, slow climb, over the drawbridge, and to the main Whiterun gate. As you approach, a guard stops you; the city is closed, with the news of the dragons spreading faster than you can travel. You can:

Tell the guard that Riverwood calls for the Jarl’s aid. This is the optimal plan and is available only if Main Quest: Before the Storm is active.

(Persuade) Or you can tell the guard you have news from Helgen about the dragon attack.

(Bribe) Or bribe the guard with a proportion of your collected gold.

(Intimidate) Or order the guard to stand aside.

Once you’re inside the walls of Whiterun, head north, to the top of the hill on which the city sits, past the Gildergreen tree and the Shrine to Talos. Climb the stone steps to discover Dragonsreach, home of the Jarl. Walk toward the huge central fire on either side of the banqueting tables. Irileth, Jarl Balgruuf’s Housecarl, meets you.

Explain that you have a message from General Tullius, and she immediately lets you past. You can converse with her at length if you wish, or offer other responses with the Main Quest active, but mentioning the General’s name allows you to progress more quickly...