Skyrim:Winterhold (region)

This article is about the hold. For the city, seeWinterhold.

Hold: Winterhold (lore page)
Capital	Winterhold(map)
Jarl's Residence	Jarl's Longhouse
Military Fort	Fort Kastav
Initial Affiliation	Stormcloaks
ImperialGovernment
Jarl	Kraldar
Steward	Malur Seloth
Housecarl	Thonjolf
StormcloaksGovernment
Jarl	Korir
Steward	Malur Seloth
Housecarl	Thaena
Location
Northeast part ofSkyrim

The Winterhold region in the northeast corner of Skyrim

Winterholdis aholdin northeastSkyrim,with its capital in the city ofWinterhold.It is initially affiliated with theStormcloaks,but can be captured by theImperialsafter completingRescue from Fort Kastav.

Winterhold is the northernmost hold in Skyrim, and has weather to match. TheSea of Ghostsis off the northern coast,Eastmarchis to the southeast, andthe Paleis to the south and west.

Perhaps the most notable feature of Winterhold is theCollege of Winterhold,a fortress-like school for mages which was spared on a rocky outcropping even though theGreat Collapsetore down most of the capital around it. All that remains of the once-great city are four still-standing buildings (and the collapsed remains of several others) near the entrance to the College.

Map of Winterhold

Winterhold, the hold capital

Topographical Overview

Winterhold consists of snowy coasts and even snowier mountains. To the west and southwest is the Winterhold mountain range, which marks the border between Winterhold andthe Pale,and some of the northern border withEastmarch.Between the mountains and the sea to the east lies a tundra, where the elements have rendered the landscape barren and lifeless. Rock and ice shelves, and occasionally shingle beaches, form the barrier between Winterhold and the sea to the north and east. To the north the tundra stretches out into the Sea of Ghosts, forming one of the most inhospitable environments in Skyrim.

Flora and Fauna

Not many plants or creatures can survive Winterhold's harsh continental climate, and the hold is generally devoid of life as a result. The only plants that make their home in the mountains are thesnowberrybush and someblue mountain flowers.By the coast,Nordic barnacles,clamsandspiky grassthrive. The area around theWreck of the Winter Waris known to be rich infishanddragonfliesand a large, isolated population ofsalmoncan be found by the coast.

As for large fauna, only the hardiest of creatures make their home in Winterhold, such aswolves,ice wolves,snow bears,snowy sabre cats,andhorkers.Occasionally, an unlucky traveler might also stumble upon anice wraith,or worse, awispmother.

Routes and Pathways

There is only one main road running through Winterhold. It originates as a branch of theWhiterun-Windhelmroad. It runs northward through the eastern side of the hold right to the city ofWinterhold.Another smaller and less used road runs from Winterhold to the ancient ruins ofSaarthal.

Places

All locations in Winterhold with individual map markers are listed. There are a few places without map markers listed for their significance.

Hold Capital

• Winterhold— A city on the northeast coast of Skyrim, and the capital ofWinterholdhold.(map)
• College of Winterhold— A school of the arcane arts.(map)

Farms, Towns, and SettlementsincludingOrc StrongholdsandInns

• The Chill— ThejailforWinterhold,located on an island north-northeast of theCollege of Winterholdand northeast ofSeptimus Signus's Outpost,across the sea.(map)
• Japhet's Folly— A self-containedworldspacefar northeast ofSkyrimcontainingBlood Horkersand their leaderHaldyn.(map)

Camps,includingGiant CampsandMilitary Camps

• Winterhold Imperial Camp— AnImperialcampinWinterhold Hold,located southeast ofDawnstarand northwest ofFrostflow Lighthouse.(map)
• Winterhold Stormcloak Camp— AStormcloakcampinWinterhold Hold,located northeast ofWindhelmand south ofSnow Veil Sanctum.(map)

Caves

• Bleakcoast Cave— A smallcavesoutheast ofWinterholdand directly east of theShrine of Azuraoccupied byfrost trolls.(map)
• Bloodchill Cavern^CC— A small cave southwest ofWinterholdcontaining a subterranean vampiric playerhome.(map)
• Giant's Tooth^CC— A small island in theSea of Ghosts.(map)
• Hob's Fall Cave— A smallcaveon the coast betweenWinterholdandDawnstarinhabited by leveledwarlocksandskeletons.(map)
• Septimus Signus's Outpost— A smallcaveon a small remote icy island off the north coast of Skyrim, whereSeptimus Signushas made his home.(map)
• Sightless Pit— A medium-sizedcavesouth-southwest ofWinterholdcontainingFalmerandchaurus.(map)
• Stillborn Cave— A smallcavenorth-northwest ofWindhelm,on the other side of the mountains from the city which is occupied byfalmer,chaurus,andchaurus hunters.(map)
• Yngvild— A medium-sizedcaveeast-northeast ofDawnstarcontainingdraugrandYngvild ghosts.(map)

Dragon Lairs

Mount Anthor, the highest peak in Winterhold

• Mount Anthor— A mountaintopdragon lairsouth-southwest ofWinterhold.(map)

Mines

• Whistling Mine— A smallironmineandsettlementsoutheast ofWinterhold.(map)

RuinsincludingDwarvenandNordic

• Alftand— A largeDwarven ruinsouthwest ofWinterholdcontainingDwarven automatons,Falmer,frostbite spiders,andskeevers.(map)
• Blackreach— An immense, naturally litcaverninhabited by hordes ofFalmerand containing the ruins of aDwemercity.(map)
• Ironbind Barrow— A smallNordic ruinsouthwest ofWinterholdcontainingdraugrand the tomb ofWarlord Gathrik.(map)
• Journeyman's Nook— A small outdoor Nordicruinsoutheast ofWinterholdcontaining abandit.(map)
• Saarthal— A medium-sizedNordic ruinsouthwest ofWinterhold.(map)
• Sightless Pit— A medium-sizedcavesouth-southwest ofWinterholdcontainingFalmerandchaurus.(map)
• Sivdur's Respite^CC— A Nordic ruin located north ofWindhelm.(map)
• Skytemple Ruins— A small outdoor Nordicruinnorth of theCollege of Winterhold.(map)
• Snow Veil Sanctum— A medium-sizedNordic ruinnorth-northeast ofWindhelmcontainingdraugr.(map)
• Yngol Barrow— A smallNordic ruinnortheast ofWindhelmcontaining theshadeof an ancient Nord warrior.(map)
• Ysgramor's Tomb— A smallNordic ruinnorthwest ofWinterholdcontainingCompanion ghosts,frostbite spiders,andskeevers.(map)

Standing StonesandDaedric Shrines

• The Serpent Stone— One of the thirteenStanding Stonesscattered across Skyrim.(map)
• Shrine of Azura— Theshrineto theDaedric PrinceAzura.(map)
• The Tower Stone— One of the thirteenStanding Stonesscattered across Skyrim.(map)

TowersandForts

• Driftshade Refuge— A medium-sizedfortsoutheast ofDawnstarcontainingSilver Hands.(map)
• Fort Fellhammer— A medium-sizedfortandironminesouth ofDawnstarcontainingbandits.(map)
• Fort Kastav— A medium-sizedfortsouth ofWinterholdinitially occupied bywarlocksandskeletons.(map)
• Snowpoint Beacon— A smalltowersouthwest ofWinterholdcontainingbandits.(map)

Landmarks,includingBodies of Water,Clearings,Ships and Shipwrecks

• Frostflow Lighthouse— A lighthouse located west of Winterhold in the north of Skyrim.(map)
• Great Lift at Alftand— A Dwarven lift toBlackreachlocated northeast ofNightgate Innand southeast ofWayward Pass.(map)
• Hela's Folly— Ashipwrecknortheast ofDawnstar.(map)
• Pilgrim's Trench— Aship graveyardnorthwest ofWinterhold.(map)
• Sea of Ghosts— A vast ocean to the north of Skyrim.(map)
• Wayward Pass— Apassthrough the mountains in the southwest ofWinterhold.(map)
• Wreck of The Pride of Tel Vos— Ashipwreckon a small island east ofWinterhold.(map)
• Wreck of the Winter War— Ashipwreckeast-southeast ofSnow Veil Sanctumand far northeast ofWindhelm.(map)

Unmarked Places

• There are fourShrinesin Winterhold.
  • AShrine of Arkaynear theWinterhold Stormcloak Camp.
  • ThreeShrines of Talos:
    • East ofHob's Fall Cave.
    • East ofthe Tower Stone.
    • Northeast ofYsgramor's Tomb.

Winterhold Quests

All quests that are started in or are related to Winterhold (except for radiant quests begun in other holds) are listed here:

Main Quest

• Elder Knowledge:Recover anElder Scrollto learn anAncient Secret.

Imperial LegionCivil War Quests

• Reunification of Skyrim:Reunite Skyrim under the leadership of the Empire. (radiant)
• Rescue from Fort Kastav:TakeFort Kastavfor theImperialsand rescue the prisoners within. (radiant)

StormcloaksCivil War Quests

• Liberation of Skyrim:Drive the Imperials from Skyrim. (radiant)
• The Battle for Fort Kastav:Reclaimthis fortfor theStormcloaks.(radiant)

Daedric Quests

• The Black Star:Help find and repairAzura's Star.
• Discerning the Transmundane:Uncover the secrets of the mysterious Dwemer lockbox.

College of WinterholdQuests

• All theCollege of Winterhold questsare related to Winterhold.

CompanionsQuests

• Purity of Revenge:Retrieve the Fragments of Wuuthrad and wipe out theSilver Hand.
• Glory of the Dead:CureKodlak's spirit and become Harbinger of theCompanions.

Dark BrotherhoodQuests

• Kill Deekus:Slay anArgonianlooting a shipwreck.

Thieves GuildQuests

• Speaking With Silence:Track down theDunmerbehind the Guild's misfortunes.
• Hard Answers:Help translateGallus's journal.
• The Litany of Larceny:Find items forDelvin Mallorythroughout thequestline.
• No Stone Unturned:Find the24 gemsto restore the Crown of Barenziah.
• Toying With The Dead:Retrieve anecromancer's journals for an interested buyer.

Side Quests

• Kyne's Sacred Trials:Participate inKyne's Sacred Trials by hunting the guardian beasts ofSkyrim.

Dawnguard Quests

• Seeking Disclosure^DG:Bring the Elder Scrolls toDexion.
• Scroll Scouting^DG:Obtain information on the Dragon Elder Scroll.

Creation Club Quests

• The Arms of Chaos^CC:Complete a mage's quest to reassemble two powerful staves.
• Balance of Power^CC:Put a stop to two bandit gangs wielding strange otherworldly equipment.
• Creature of Legend^CC:Track down and tame the last livingUnicorn.
• A Dying Wish^CC:Make a bitter choice.
• Guests for Dinner^CC:Attend a feast.
• The Lost Library^CC:Locate a huge collection of powerful spell tomes.
• A Matter of Pride^CC:Obtain the legendary katanaGoldbrand.
• Swift as an Arrow^CC:Learn how to craft and useTelekinesis Arrows.

Other

In addition, many miscellaneous quests are located in Winterhold. They are listedhere.

Notes

• Winterhold is the only Hold that doesn't have a plot of land for sale ifHearthfireis installed, makingbuilding a housethere impossible. It doesn't matter if you helpedKoriror not.