Skyrim:Whiterun Hold

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This article is about the hold. For the city, see Whiterun.

Hold:
Whiterun Hold
(lore page)
Capital Whiterun (map)
Jarl's Residence Dragonsreach
Initial Affiliation Neutral (Imperial)
Imperial Government
Jarl Balgruuf the Greater
Steward Proventus Avenicci
Housecarl Irileth
Stormcloaks Government
Jarl Vignar Gray-Mane
Steward Brill
Housecarl Olfina Gray-Mane
Location
Central Skyrim
Whiterun Hold tundra

Whiterun Hold is a hold in central Skyrim, with its capital in Whiterun. It is initially neutral in Skyrim's Civil War, but both sides are actively competing to gain control of Whiterun. As a result, it is the site of the first battle of the war, Battle for Whiterun (Imperial or Stormcloaks). The Imperial Legion will secure the allegiance of the incumbent Jarl Balgruuf, who seeks reinforcements in the face of an imminent Stormcloak siege, and Balgruuf's government, now aligned with the Empire, will accordingly remain in control of the hold should the Imperial Legion successfully defend the city; otherwise, the victorious Stormcloaks will put Vignar Gray-Mane in power.

Map of Whiterun Hold
Whiterun, the hold capital

Topographical Overview[edit]

The hold borders six of the other eight holds in Skyrim, all but Winterhold and Haafingar.

Whiterun Hold is mostly covered in tundra and bordered by two major rivers—the White River to the south, and the River Hjaal to the north—which makes the land fertile and well suited to farming.

Flora and Fauna[edit]

The tundra is home to all manner of animals and creatures, from the large—giants and mammoths—to the small—foxes and goats. The White River, flowing down from Lake Ilinalta, is home to a large population of salmon.

The tundra is rich in lavender, tundra cotton and butterflies. At night the butterflies are replaced by torchbugs and luna moths. Another location of interest is Riverwood, where the pine forest stretching up from Falkreath Hold takes by. Here are forest plants like mora tapinella and thistle more common than on the tundra. All types of mountain flowers, except the yellow variant, can be found throughout the hold. The frail red variant however seems to thrive best around the rivers by Whiterun. The snowy parts, like Throat of the World, are only home to the humble snowberry.

Routes and Pathways[edit]

As the central hold in Skyrim, its main roads are in good condition, but a few of the more remote roads are not as well maintained. There are main roads heading southward to Falkreath Hold through Riverwood and Helgen, eastward into Eastmarch and the Rift, northward to Hjaalmarch, and westward to Haafingar through Rorikstead, and to the Reach. Travelers should be encouraged to see that the main roads are regularly patrolled by Whiterun Guards.

Places[edit]

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

Hold Capital[edit]

Farms, Towns, and Settlements including Orc Strongholds and Inns[edit]

Camps, including Giant Camps and Military Camps[edit]

Caves[edit]

Ruins including Dwarven and Nordic[edit]

Technically located in the Reach.

Standing Stones and Daedric Shrines[edit]

Towers and Forts[edit]

Landmarks, including Bodies of Water, Clearings, Ships and Shipwrecks[edit]

Unmarked Places[edit]

Whiterun Hold Quests[edit]

Quests that are started in or related to Whiterun Hold (except for radiant quests begun in other holds) are listed here:

Main Quest[edit]

Imperial Legion Civil War Quests[edit]

Stormcloaks Civil War Quests[edit]

College of Winterhold Quests[edit]

Companions Quests[edit]

Daedric and Divine Quests[edit]

Dark Brotherhood Quests[edit]

Thieves Guild Quests[edit]

Side Quests[edit]

Creation Club Quests[edit]

Other[edit]

In addition, many miscellaneous quests are located in Whiterun Hold. They are listed here.