Retaking Thirsk | Side missions - Thirsk Hall and Bujold's Retreat TES V: Skyrim - Dragonborn Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Notice! This mission will be cancelled if you accept The Chief of Thirsk Hall!

In Bujold's Retreat, speak with the warrior who's walking around the camp - that's Bujold. She will tell you that the former Nord settlement on Solstheim - Thirsk Hall - has been taken over by Rieklings. The exiled villagers found shelter in the makeshift camp in which you're standing. Even though they want revenge, they lack the battle spirit. If you could help them in their fight, perhaps they could return to their homes.

Approach Thirsk Mead Hall

After heading out the Bujold's encouraging speech, head together to the Thirsk Hall (a bit to the west). Prepare yourself for a fight on your way - the enemies are very high in numbers, so they can cause you some trouble. If you have some potions increasing resistance to physical damage, you should use them. It's also a good time to save your game - there won't be time for that later on.

Kill the Rieklings

There's a total of nineteen enemies, which makes for a rather big pack. The Nords from the camp will help you in the fight, but let's face the truth - they're not good warriors. Their only advantage is the fact that they're immortal - after receiving otherwise deadly damage, they will be temporarily put out of the fight and start regenerating their life. Therefore, you will most likely have to fight with most of the enemies on your own (even though Bujold's group will eventually win even without your participation).

Speak to Bujold

With the commotion over and all the Rieklings killed, Bujold will approach you and start a conversation. The woman will make you her deputy and ask for help in an ancient ritual - as a leader who has covered her honor with shame, she has to erase the stain. It can only be done by contacting her ancestors - only then the burden of defeat will be taken away.

Meet Bujold at Hrothmund's Barrow

Head out of Thirsk Hall and follow Bujold. If you don't want to run to Hrotmund's Barrow on your own feet, use the fast travel option and wait for an hour or two there by setting a camp. When the warrior arrived at the destination, you will learn that you will meet with the ghost-guardian of Thirsk inside the tomb. Don't worry, you don't have to fight anyone - just witness the ceremony.

Commune with Hrotmund's Spirit

Head into Hrotmund's Barrow together with Bujold and go to the other side of the room (the water will move away from your feet as you move). After the warrior calls in the spirit, the Thirsk guardian will deny giving her his blessing - regardless of the Hall being recaptured. The woman will be mad and decide to keep the position, despite what her ancestors think.

You will have to choose which side to support. You can agree with Bujold and tell her that you will lie to the villagers in Thirsk Hall (see: further part of this chapter) or... oppose her and follow the will of the ghost (see: Defeat Bujold). In the latter case, the woman will turn on you and attack - her death will be inevitable (you will be able to kill her without any problems).

Agreeing with the leader will end the current mission, but will not mark the end of your adventure. Return to Thirsk Hall and speak with Kuvar - Bujold's husband. You will have to make an uneasy decision - if you tell the truth (i.e. admit that the spirit rejected her as the leader), you will cause Bujold to be exiles from the village. If you lie, everything will return to normal and the Nord woman will keep her position. One way or another, you won't receive any prize.

Regardless of your choice, you still can complete side mission for the villagers in the Hall:

• Bring Elmus some Juniper Berries;
• Bring 10 Stalhrim Ore and 15 Ebony Ingots to Halbarn;
• Bring 50 Riekling Spears to Hilund.

Defeat Bujold

If you have opposed Bujold and decided to follow the will of the Thirsk spirit, you will have to kill the warrior. The fight itself won't be hard - her weapon (a common axe) doesn't inflict large damage and she's rather weak herself. A couple attacks should be enough to bring her down. Don't let her begging for mercy fool you - it's just a trick (she will turn on you even if you decide not to kill her). Only her death will end the mission.

After returning to Thirsk Hall, you will have to explain yourself. Kuvar will ask why you didn't bring Bujold back. There are two possibilities: if you tell the truth, you will be exiled from the Thirsk (but despite the Nord's threat, you will be able to return there and complete side missions). If you tell the man that you don't know what happened with his wife, you won't face any consequences.

Regardless of your choices, you can still complete side missions for the villagers of the Hall:

• Bring Elmus some Juniper Berries;
• Bring 10 Stalhrim Ore and 15 Ebony Ingots to Halbarn;
• Bring 50 Riekling Spears to Hilund.