Online:Svana

Svana; (lore page)
Home City	Solitude
Location	The Lonely Troll, Blue Palace, Understone Keep
Health	15,000; 31,364/40,000 (Follower)
Reaction	Friendly
Other Information
Follower	During Danger in the Holds, The Gray Host

Svana

Svana is a Nord and the daughter of High King Svargrim and Queen Gerhyld though she chafes at the role that "she didn't ask for". She can often be found with her friend Maugh at the Lonely Troll in Solitude, where the pair try to mooch free drinks from visitors.

Related QuestsEdit

The Gathering Storm: Investigate a threat to Solitude and its king.
Dark Clouds Over Solitude: In light of a tragedy, hunt down the creature responsible.
Danger in the Holds: Work with Svana to warn the Holds of Western Skyrim of a coming threat.
The Vampire Scholar: Find Fennorian in Blackreach and bring him back.
The Gray Host: Create a defense against the Harrowstorms and learn the Gray Host's plans.
Greymoor Rising: Prevent a Harrowstorm from being unleashed on Solitude.
Daughter of the Wolf: Check in with Solitude's survivors after the Harrowstorm.
Second Chances : Receive your accolades in Understone Keep.

Quest-Related EventsEdit

The Gathering StormEdit

After an audience with the queen, you and Lyris will need to question some people around Solitude for your investigation. One of your targets is Maugh at the Lonely Troll:

Lyris Titanborn: "You must be Maugh. I have questions."

Maugh: "Questions? Happy to oblige. Buy a few rounds and let's chat!"

Lyris Titanborn: "You're going to answer me, Orc, or …."

Svana: "Hey! Nobody intimidates my friends!"

Lyris Titanborn: "Princess Svana?"

It will be up to you to intervene and talk with Svana. When you speak with her she will be swaying slightly but is fully able to answer your questions about the fliers.

"Who gave you the right to walk in here and bully my friend? Did my father send you?"

Why would your father send someone to bully Maugh?

"Because he doesn't like Maugh. But I like Maugh. Maugh doesn't care that I'm a princess, and it doesn't matter to me that Maugh's a scoundrel.
If my father didn't send you, why are you threatening my friend?"

We wanted to ask if he saw the people putting up the job postings.

"Smelly bastards. Cheap, too. Wouldn't buy us a drink! They hung their fliers and left without saying a word.
Then a different smelly bastard showed up to sign on workers. He was a charmer, though!"

You remember anything else about this charmer?

"His breeches fit well! And he was handsome. Not a Nord. Breton, maybe?
I didn't really listen to what he was saying. A half-dozen workers left with him, off to the Druadach Mountains or someplace. He hasn't been back since."

Thank you, your highness.

Afterwards, Lyris will ask to meet you outside. Before you leave, you can speak to Svana some more but as soon as you broach the topic of her parents and responsibilities, she will quickly be annoyed.

"Since we're all friends now, why don't you sit down and buy me a drink? It isn't often you get to consort with royalty."

Are you really High King Svargrim's daughter?

"What, I don't look royal enough to you?
I'm the high king's daughter, whether I like it or not. I didn't ask for the position. It was thrust upon me by an accident of birth, and I don't much care for all the associated decorum and responsibility."

What do you want to do then?

"Anything! As long as it's what I want. Not what I'm supposed to do.
Everybody acts like my parents are in charge, but they're just slaves to their crowns! They barely exist aside from their roles as king and queen. I refuse to wind up like that."

Doesn't someone have to be in charge?

"You're so interested, then you do it!
Go on. Get out of here. You're spoiling my good mood."

Dark Clouds Over SolitudeEdit

"Mother—no! You can't die! Mother?"

When you return to the Blue Palace to report to Queen Gerhyld about what you learnt at Kilkreath Temple, you will instead witness her final moments as she speaks to her daughter who was right next to her when the assassin attacked.

Queen Gerhyld: "Be strong, Svana."

Svana: "Mother! No, no …."

Queen Gerhyld: "Svana … your father … the kingdom … watch over them …."

Svana: "Mother—no! You can't die! Mother?"

High King Svargrim is furious at you and Lyris' presence.

High King Svargrim: "Have Jorunn's lackeys come to gloat?"

Lyris Titanborn: "We came here to warn you, your highness."

High King Svargrim: "And yet my wife lies dead!"

Lyris Titanborn: "If you had listened to us …."

High King Svargrim: "Like she did? If I determine Jorunn had a hand in this, there will be war! Someone take care of my wife!"

Svana: "Father, please!"

Soon after you will have an audience with Svargrim, who will refuse to listen to your warnings. Once you leave his chamber, Svana will approach you and Lyris with questions.

Svana: "Is it true? Mother told me you were working for her before she …."

Lyris Titanborn: "I … I'm sorry, Svana. I would have saved her if I could."

You can then answer Svana and tell her what you discovered.

"My mother … she told me she gave the mighty Lyris Titanborn an important task.
Tell me. What were you doing for my mother?"

We were gathering evidence to convince the high king of the threat to your kingdom.

"Threat? What threat? And do you think this is why someone came into the palace and killed her?"

The Icereach Coven has come to Western Skyrim. It looks like they killed the queen.

"And did you tell my father all this? Is he rallying the soldiers? Alerting the other holds?"

The high king won't listen to us. He thinks this is all some plot of the Skald-King.

"My father sees Jorunn's plots everywhere, even in his spicy venison stew.
Well, I won't let my mother's death be for nothing. She trusted you and so will I, my father be damned. Please. Find whoever did this and stop them."

We'll do what we can, your highness.

"I saw the assassin. He moved fast … unbelievably fast. He leaped through the window after stabbing my mother. By that time the guards had gathered, so I guess he decided to flee.
Try to follow his trail. Someone outside must have seen something."

Continuing to speak with her she will describe what she saw and can be ask some questions.

Did you get a good look at the assassin?

"He was fast, that's for certain. Here and gone before the guards could even draw their swords.
Other than that, I didn't get a good look. The inside of his hood was nothing but shadows."

Are you going to be all right?

"No. My mother …. The last time we spoke, I hurled a mug at her. But I came when she summoned me, just in time to see her murdered.
I—I need to pull myself together. She asked me to watch over my father … the kingdom. I can't let her down."

Could you talk to the high king about this threat? He might listen to you.

"My father, listen to me? When horkers fly, maybe, but probably not even then. He gave up on me a long time ago.
I'm sorry. I'm no use to you. No use to anyone."

I heard what your mother told you. She didn't believe that and neither should you.

"I'm not my mother. Never will be. But I swear I'll do whatever I can to help you. You have my word on that."

After speaking with Lyris, she will take Svana to the Lonely Troll.

Lyris Titanborn: "Come on, princess. Let's get you somewhere safe."

Svana: "Don't call me princess. Just Svana. There's nothing noble about me."

Svana will be waiting for news

Tracking the assassin will lead you across Western Skyrim and down into Blackreach: Greymoor Caverns. After you slay Pentarch Khorb and his Coven associate Sister Tharda, you can return to Svana in the Lonely Troll where she will be sitting on a bench with her head down. As you approach, she'll stand and Maugh will come in to see how she is.

"Finally! Waiting in a tavern without a drink is maddening! How do other people do it? And Maugh hasn't been helpful. His solution to every problem involves a great amount of alcohol.
What news of the bastard who murdered my mother? Did you find him?"

We tracked down and killed the queen's assassin.

"I would have preferred to see him dragged back here for a proper trial and execution, but at least justice has been served.
Were you able to determine who was behind the murder? Was it connected to the threat you came to warn my father about?"

Yes. The assassin was a vampire who was working with the Icereach Coven.

"Damn those Reach witches! And damn my father for being so … so … obstinate!
But what does the coven want? Are they planning to kill my father? What else can you tell me about this threat to our kingdom?"

The coven can summon devastating storms that wipe people's minds and turn them into monsters.

"That's horrible! But there must be more to this than simply turning my people into monsters.
Well, I'll do what I can to help you. Mother would have wanted me to. What you've done and discovered will be enough to convince my father. It has to be."

Danger in the HoldsEdit

SolitudeEdit

You can either continuing speaking with Svana or Maugh will direct you to the inn to talk to her if you leave for other business. If you approach her, you may hear her say, "I … I have something to talk to you about." Svana is now prepared to speak to her father on your behalf.

"Thank the gods! If I had to sit in here one more moment without a drink in my hand, I'd lose my mind!
But I promised myself I wouldn't touch the stuff. Not a drop until this Icereach Coven business is finished."

I was told you wanted to talk to me.

"I do. I know you and Lyris risked your lives for my kingdom and have been met with nothing but suspicion. You counted on my mother to be your advocate, to convince my father of the coven's threat. Now she's gone.
I'm no substitute, but … I'll speak for you."

Will the high king listen to you?

"My father hasn't heard a word I've said since I was old enough to talk. But with mother gone, someone has to make him see reason.
You know, she tried to teach me, but I never listened. I guess maybe I'm more like my father than I care to admit."

The coven isn't acting alone. Someone called the Ashen Lord commands vampires and werewolves.

"That makes it even more imperative that he heeds your warning and takes action. All of the holds are in danger. Haafingar, Hjaalmarch, Karthald … my father needs to do something before another storm strikes.
Meet me at the Blue Palace, all right?"

I'll meet you at the Blue Palace.

Before you leave you can see how she is. Svana isn't sure if she up to the task of speaking with Svargrim.

"I—I just need a moment to think about how to approach this. Consider the words to use. My courtly manners are a bit rusty and I've never been much for diplomacy and fancy speeches.
Shor's bones, I could use a drink!"

Are you sure you're up to talking to the high king?

"I'm not sure of anything. If I don't do this, though, I'll never forgive myself if something terrible befalls the kingdom."

Just get the high king to hear us out and we'll take care of the rest.

"Right. Easy as honey-baked pie. It's not like you came here at the behest of his most-hated rival or anything.
Look, I'll do my best to get him to listen. You have my word on that."

Your mother would be proud of you, no matter what happens.

"That's nice of you to say, but I'm not sure I believe that. I hope she's watching all this from Sovngarde. Bet she hates it there.
Look, I'll do my best to get my father to listen to you. You have my word on that."

Watching your mother die in front of you must have been devastating. Do you need some time?

"It feels like I've been shattered into a thousand pieces and swept under a rug, but I don't have time to mourn right now. Not with the kingdom in danger.
Now let's go talk to my father before I change my mind."

As you leave, you can overhear Svana talk to Maugh.

Svana: "Wish me luck, Maugh."

Maugh: "Forget luck. I suggest a slug of kindlepitch whiskey. You'll need it to stand up to your father."

The audience doesn't go well at all

When you enter the Blue Palace and go to the throne room upstairs, you will witness the end of the meeting between father and daughter. It does not go well at all.

High King Svargrim: "You would have me spread my forces across the realm to search for nightmares you dredged up from a bottle?"

Svana: "It's not—"

High King Svargrim: "Or should I say the whispers of eastern vipers tickling your ears?"

Svana: "But mother—"

High King Svargrim: "Enough! When next you come before me to vomit up your counsel, make sure it doesn't stink of treason."

After Svargrim and his guard leave, you can talk to Svana. She will decide to take a cue from Queen Gerhyld and take the matter into her own hands.

"Damn the man! He wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise!
Mother always knew how to talk to him. Me? Not so much."

Tell me how your mother would have handled that.

"Mother had a way with father, but she could be just as stubborn. If she wanted something done and he wouldn't oblige, she'd do it herself.
Time to take her lessons to heart, I guess. If my father won't take a stand, then I suppose it's up to me."

What do you have in mind?

"Our kingdom consists of three holds. Haafingar, Hjaalmarch, and Karthald. I need to warn them.
The jarls might listen, even if my father won't. I'm the daughter of the high king, after all. Time to start acting like one. Will you come with me?"

I'll accompany you to see the jarls.

"We should visit Jarl Reddharn of Hjaalmarch first. If we can convince him of the threat, at least his hold can take steps to protect itself. We'll find him in his hall in Morthal.
I'll leave word for Lyris with Maugh so she'll know where to find us."

You can then ask her about the Jarl of Morthal and her relationship with her father.

Do you think you can get Jarl Reddharn to listen to us?

"Honestly? I don't know. But Jarl Reddharn tempers his warrior nature with a kindness not often seen in people of his stature.
Besides, he's always had a soft spot for me, ever since his daughter and I played together at moots and other gatherings."

Have you and your father never gotten along?

"I remember a time when we were all happy together, him and mother and I. Seems like a long time ago.
At some point, he became more and more involved with the trappings of power. He was more interested in being the high king than my father."

But you got along with your mother?

"I tried, but interaction with my father made it difficult. She wanted us to be a family, but the high king wanted a queen and a princess.
Eventually, he stopped ordering me to attend royal functions. It was my one victory in our relationship."

MorthalEdit

When you arrive in Morthal, Svana and Lyris will be waiting outside Jarl Reddharn's Hall, they will enter once they see you.

The Jarl will want to know why the princess of Solitude has come to Morthal.

Jarl Reddharn: "Why does the princess of Solitude grace my humble hall with her royal presence? Are you here on behalf of the high king?"

Svana: "I've come to warn you, Jarl Reddharn."

Jarl Reddharn: "Warn me? I already received orders from your father. What more is there to say?"

Svana: "Orders? Right … but you need to prepare the hold's defenses."

Jarl Reddharn: "And what must we defend ourselves against this time? More urns and fetishes?"

Svana: "Please, Jarl Reddharn. Let my friend explain. The threat to our holds is worse than you can imagine."

If you talk to Svana, she will reflect that it is going better than with her father.

"Well, that didn't go too badly. Tell the jarl what we're facing. Hopefully, he's willing to listen."

After explaining the situation to the Jarl, he will ask you to investigate the Morthal Barrow where his soldiers found Reachmen and strange "witch sticks".

"I knew the jarl would be reasonable. And it was good to hear my father has finally taken action. If he sent orders about the witch pikes, he at least heard some of what I said.
Go check on the barrow. I need to tell the jarl about my mother."

While you investigate with Lyris, Svana will stay behind to talk to the Jarl. In the barrow you will find a singular witch pike and dead Morthal Soldiers. When you return to the hall, you walk in on Svana in the middle of telling a story to Reddharn.

Svana: "And then Maugh threw up, all over the swordthane's boots!"

Jarl Reddharn: "Hah! This Orc friend of yours sounds—ah, your companions return."

After you have reported what you found in the barrow, Svana will stand before the Jarl to ask him to come to Solitude.

Svana: "Jarl Reddharn, prepare your forces as you say, but we need you in Solitude."

Jarl Reddharn: "Solitude? I have troubles here in Hjaalmarch. Why should I leave when my hold needs me?"

Svana: "High King Svargrim won't listen to us, but he might listen to you."

Jarl Reddharn: "Get up, princess. If you think it will help, I'll talk to your father."

Svana: "Lyris, please escort the jarl to Solitude."

Lyris Titanborn: "Of course. What about you?"

Svana: "We need to warn Jarl Olfwenn, so we're going to Karthald."

Speaking with her afterwards.

"With you and Lyris's help, we've gained the trust of Jarl Reddharn. My father respects the jarl. That will go a long way in convincing the high king to take the coven's threat seriously.
Now we need to do the same thing at Karthald."

Tell me about Karthald.

"Jarl Olfwenn rules the hold, which was established to provide a defensible border against the Reach. If any of the western holds can deal with this threat, it's Karthald.
But first, I have one more thing to discuss with Jarl Reddharn …."

Of course, princess.

"I want to discuss a few details with the jarl before he heads to Solitude.
I'll meet you near Karthwatch, the major settlement in Karthald. There's an inn southeast of town. The Eversnow. Let's meet there."

Normal response:	Completed The Blood of Old Karth
What are we going to do in Karthwatch? "Gain an audience with Jarl Olfwenn and convince her that the harrowstorm threat is real. Her and mother never got along, so I don't expect a warm welcome. But she's a pragmatic woman. I hope she'll take our warning seriously."	I've been to Karthwatch, princess. We're too late. A harrowstorm has already destroyed the town. "Damn, the coven's moving faster than I expected. We still need to go there. Assess the damage. Talk to Jarl Olfwenn or whoever's left that's still in charge. I need at least one more jarl to talk to my father. Like a moot. He's always enjoyed moots."

KarthwatchEdit

"These people. They're from Karthwatch. They … might be all that's left of the town."

When you arrive at the Eversnow Inn, it will be filled with refugees. Svana will be talking with Luthin.

Luthin: "They tore each other apart, right in front of me!"

Svana: "Stay inside. Stick together. We'll … we'll take care of this."

"These people. They're from Karthwatch. They … might be all that's left of the town."

Normal response:	Completed The Blood of Old Karth
What happened to Karthwatch? "They say it was a storm. Powerful, devastating. It engulfed the entire town. It had to be a harrowstorm. That's the only explanation. There could be other survivors. Maybe even Jarl Olfwenn. We need to make a search." All right. Let's head into Karthwatch.	The harrowstorm. It destroyed most of Karthwatch. "When you told me, I didn't quite believe it. But seeing these people, it makes it all too real. There could be other survivors out there. Maybe even Jarl Olfwenn. We need to make a search of the town." All right, let's head into Karthwatch.

Svana will become your follower:

Svana: "Let's hurry. Every second we waste could be the difference between life or death."

Talking with her before you leave the inn:

"I hope that Jarl Olfwenn got somewhere safe."

As you walk up the road to Karthwatch, the coven witch—Sister Elra—who you saw in the Morthal Barrow will keep reappearing on the ledge adjacent to road and taunt you.

Sister Elra: "You escaped the barrow? No matter."

Sister Elra: "This time we'll harvest all of the gray reliquaries!"

Svana: "That coven witch, is she the one that escaped from the barrow?"

"That witch … what did she mean about the gray reliquaries?
Come on, we should hurry."

When you arrive at Karthwatch it will be filled with a red haze, like when a harrowstorm ritual site is active. Nearby will be a Grey Reliquary which Svana will want you to destroy.

"The witch wants to keep us away from the gray reliquary. I say we can't let them have it.
Smash that damn thing into a thousand pieces!"

Once you have smashed the urn, Svana will be overcome and will need a moment.

Svana: "I need a moment. Let's talk over there."

Svana: "Gods … did all this death serve some dark purpose?"

Talk with her, Svana will have an epiphany about the link between the reliquaries and harrowstorms.

"Sorry. Guess I'm not completely used to the fighting and all. That urn, though. The gray reliquary. The witch was adamant about protecting it. Gathering it up. She said something about our life energy.
Oh gods, I think I know what they're doing!"

Tell me what you think you figured out.

"Remember what the witch said as we approached the town. This time we'll harvest all the gray reliquaries, she said. That our life energy would have fit perfectly in the urns.
I think the harrowstorm steals life energy and puts it in the reliquaries!"

So what do you want to do, princess?

"If the jarl is still alive, she can take care of herself for a while longer.
The witch hasn't gathered all the reliquaries yet. I say we get to them first and destroy them. I won't let these bastards profit off the destruction of Karthwatch."

All right. Let's destroy any gray reliquaries we can find.

You then search the town and break any Gray Reliquaries you find.

"Let's find the rest of the gray reliquaries before that coven witch can harvest them.
Even if I'm wrong about their purpose, it's obvious the reliquaries are important to the coven. For that reason alone, we need to destroy them."

She may comment as you destroy them:

Svana: "Breaking these things won't bring my people back, but the same goes for the Gray Host."

After destroying all the reqularies you can find, she'll want to find the Jarl.

Svana: "That's done. Now let's check on the jarl. Her hall is right up the hill."

"We denied the coven those gray reliquaries, but the harrowstorm … gods, look what it did to Karthwatch!
Come on. The jarl's hall isn't far. It's up on the hill. I hope she's all right."

When you enter the hall you will find it filled with corpses and one survivor, who almost fires a spell at you before she recognizes Svana. Svana will recognize her as well.

"Gods, what happened in here? It looks like a massacre!
That's Magister Fridelja, Jarl Olfwenn's court wizard. Talk to her and find out about the jarl."

Fridelja will mention the Jarl went down into the cellar. Svana will be hopeful she lives.

"The court wizard survived, so there's still hope that the jarl did, too, right? Let's check the cellar."

However when you reach the bottom, Jarl Olfwenn will have transformed into a harrowfiend and kneels, fixated on the Karthwald Crown.

Svana: "Jarl Olfwenn! No! I—I need to get some air. Please, recover the crown of Karthald. We can't leave it down here."

If you talk to her she can only say:

"I … I hoped we would have been in time to save her."

Once you have retrieved the crown and put Jarl Olfwenn out of her misery, you can return upstairs to where Svana is telling Magister Fridelja the news.

Svana: "I'm sorry, Fridelja. Jarl Olfwenn. She's …."

"Give me a moment. Speak to Magister Fridelja, if you would."

After speaking with Fridelja, you all learn that she managed to survive because she had one of the medallion on her person. You can then ask Svana what the plan is.

"Karthwatch is gone. No people. No jarl. The seat of the entire hold. Wiped out, just like that.
I have to get my father to take action!"

What should we do now, Svana?

"I need to get back to the Eversnow and gather the survivors. Take them to Solitude. Where they'll be safe. At least, as safe as we can make them.
Then I have to have a serious talk with my father. I'll make him listen to me, damn it, no matter what."

What do you want me to do?

"Return to Solitude. Find Lyris and meet me in the Blue Palace. I have a room upstairs that we can use.
We need to come up with a plan. Something that will help me convince my father to act."

I'll find Lyris and meet you in the Blue Palace.

Once you have spoken to her, she will turn to Magister Fridelja.

Svana: "Magister Fridelja, as the highest-ranking official remaining from the court of Karthald, I need you to come to Solitude."

Magister Fridelja: "Of course, Princess Svana. I'll help you convince the high king."

Speaking with her afterwards.

"I'll see you and Lyris at the Blue Palace as soon as I can."

Svana's ChamberEdit

When you arrive in Solitude, Lyris can be found watching the guards herd the Harrowed to the Temple of the Divines. The pair of you can then head to the Blue Palace where Svana will be waiting for you in her chamber.

Inside, Maugh will be trying to get Svana to come to the Lonely Troll.

Maugh: "The Svana I know would leave all this bother behind. Come back to the Troll and let the royalty deal with this."

Svana: "I am the royalty, Maugh. It's time I started acting like it."

After he is gone, you can talk to Svana.

"Welcome to the princess's chamber, my friend. I don't remember the last time I spent more than a few moments in here.
Anyway, Jarl Reddharn and Magister Fridelja are here, giving my father an ear full. Thanks for helping me at the holds."

We weren't able to save Karthwatch.

"No, but we saved Morthal and stopped the coven from getting the gray reliquaries at Karthwatch. And we brought the hold leaders here. All of that matters.
Take this. My royal allowance. I was going to buy wine, but you can make better use of it."

The Vampire ScholarEdit

If come by her room later to begin the quest, Svana will tease you, "First time in a princess's chamber, my friend?" See what she plans to do now that the hold leaders are on her side.

"We returned to find that my father is finally doing something about the coven threat, but it's not enough.
Extra patrols and rounding up the harrowed is all well and good, but what we really need is a defense against the harrowstorms."

What about the Icereach Coven medallions? They seemed to protect Fridelja in Karthwatch.

"If we had more of the medallions, maybe. Even then, Magister Fridelja hasn't determined what enchantment the medallions use to provide their protection.
We need a different solution."

Lyris and I know a scholar of sorts who's trying to understand the harrowstorm ritual.

"Yes, Lyris mentioned that. As a matter of fact, you received a message. A courier brought it from Dusktown. I never heard of the place, but it was sent by someone named Fennorian. Is that your scholar?
Read the message and then see if he'll help us."

I'll read Fennorian's message.

"Take the message from the table, then see if you can convince Fennorian to join us. Maybe with his help, we can devise a defense against the storms.
I'll stay here and continue to annoy my father until he gives this threat the attention it deserves."

You can bring up her father and what she'll do now.

How are you going to make your father listen?

"You forget that I have help now. My father might be able to ignore me, but he'll have a harder time dismissing a jarl and a court mage.
It's funny. I would have thought he'd be happy to see me finally take an interest in politics."

Maybe this is how you prove yourself to him.

'I don't care about his approval, but I'd like to earn his respect.
With mother gone, we're both going to have to work harder to keep our kingdom running. It will be easier if we find a way to get along."

After you read the letter, you'll find out Fennorian is currently staying at Dusktown in Blackreach. Before you leave, you can ask Svana about the harrowed you saw in the city.

"I hope this scholar-friend of yours has learned something that can help us.
Go find him and bring him back here."

Lyris and I saw soldiers herding the harrowed toward the Temple of the Divines.

"My father's attempt to show that the high king isn't shirking his responsibilities. He's locked in his damn tower again, but his steward explained that the priests and healers have been commanded to do what they can for the poor souls."

You said the high king is locked in his tower?

"Well, not literally. His Tower of the Wolf has been under construction for as long as I can remember.
He won't let anyone inside except the builders until it's completely finished. Claims it would be bad luck to show it off early."

Did Solitude need another tower?

"Some would say no. That the Tower of the Wolf is nothing more than a vanity project for the high king. My father says it's necessary for our ultimate security. A last line of defense against the Skald-King's forces.
Me? I think it's an eye sore."

Tell me more about your relationship with Maugh.

"What's to tell? He's my friend. For all his faults, he's always dealt straight with me. He is, in his own way, honest. He doesn't care that I'm royalty. In fact, I think he'd prefer it if I weren't.
I needed someone like that for a while."

How did you and Maugh meet?

"I was a young fool. After the thousandth argument with my father, I ran away. There was a lot of drinking involved in the decision, as I recall.
Maugh found me outside the city, led me back to the Lonely Troll, and we've been friends ever since."

What happens to Karthald now that Jarl Olfwenn is dead?

"Karthald's problems go deeper than the loss of their jarl. The main settlement was destroyed. I'm not sure the hold can recover from that.
What happens next depends on the high king and the next moot. That's where such decisions are made."

Once you have found and rescued Fennorian from Tzinghalis's Tower and uncovered information from his sanctum, you can return to Svana. Lyris and Fennorian will have arrived before you.

Svana: "You are welcome here, Fennorian of House Ravenwatch."

Fennorian: "I … I don't know what to say …."

Svana: "You're back! Lyris was just making introductions and was about to give her report. Why don't you tell me what happened."

You can then summarize what happened and what you discovered.

"By all the mead in Sovngarde, it's good to see you and the others. Your vampire scholar seems … out of sorts … but I'm glad to make his acquaintance.
Lyris tells me you ran into a bit of trouble. Care to explain?"

Fenn was captured and we killed a vampire leader. We also recovered a map and documents.

"And I can't wait to hear all the details. In the meantime, let's take a look at what you found and try to devise a plan. Lyris didn't say much, but she indicated that time is short.
Here, take this. You deserve a lot more, but it's all I can spare."

Svana will then hand you a lot of gold, a fire staff, the Karthwatch Sigil Shield Style and a pet wolf.

The Gray HostEdit

As Svana feels her father isn't dealing with the threat, she's ready to do it herself, "My father won't act, so I will!"

"The information you brought back from Blackreach might give us a fighting chance.
Let's put our heads together and figure out how to use what you learned—my father be damned!"

We killed Tzinghalis and brought back a map and a communique. The enemy calls itself the Gray Host.

Unknown Trigger:	Unknown Trigger:
"The Gray Host? Where have I heard that name? Meanwhile, my father rounded up the harrowed and moved his soldiers to the outer walls. Then he ordered the quartermaster to stockpile Castle Dour. He's preparing Solitude to withstand a long siege."	"The Gray Host? I've heard that name before …. Meanwhile, my father rounded up the harrowed and moved his soldiers to the city walls. Then he ordered the quartermaster to stockpile Castle Dour. He's preparing Solitude to withstand a long siege."

And you don't agree with that approach?

"That might work against a mob of Reachmen, but thick walls can't stop a harrowstorm. Any war we try to wage will be over before it starts if we don't find a way to stop them.
Fenn knows more about the storms than anyone. See what he suggests."

I'll talk to Fenn about countering the harrowstorms.

You can continue talking to her after this:

"Talk to Fenn. If he has any bright ideas, I'd love to hear them.
Magister Fridelja has been studying the Icereach Coven medallion, but she hasn't had a lot of success. She seems even less confident about reproducing their protective enchantment now."

Did Magister Fridelja learn anything that might help us?

"She identified necromantic components as part of the enchantment, as well as Reach rituals, but she isn't an expert on either type of magic.
Frankly, I think she's exhausted the scope of her knowledge."

Were you able to accomplish anything while we were rescuing Fenn?

"You mean other than hounding my father and serving as go-between for the Jarl of Morthal and the Magister of Karthald?
I wrangled promises out of my father and showed our allies that someone in Solitude still cares."

What kind of promises?

"I got High King Svargrim to promise to dispatch soldiers to reinforce Morthal's defenses and send aid to Karthwatch.
It's a start, but he hasn't actually issued the orders yet. I need to follow up with him after we're finished."

So the high king has finally acknowledged the threat to his kingdom?

"Sort of? He admits he might have been wrong about the Icereach Coven, as far as that goes, but he still glares daggers whenever anyone mentions you or Lyris.
So, let's not bring up Fenn, all right?"

If you speak to her before putting the map on the table for Lyris:

"I can't wait to hear what Lyris has planned for these bastards. Go ahead and put the map on the table."

Once you put the map on the table, Svana will move closer as Lyris points out the Gray Hosts camps across Western Skyrim.

"The Gray Host is more widespread than we imagined! Talk to Lyris and let's determine our next move … while we still have one to make."

After Lyris puts together a plan to investigate three of the camps, Svana will elect to travel to the Blackreach Camp within the Dark Moon Grotto.

"Blackreach. To think such a dark and dangerous place has always existed right beneath our feet ….
I want to see it for myself. And I want to determine what the Gray Host is planning. You'll meet me there, though, right? I … could use the help."

She can be found to the south of the camp as she fruitlessly tries help the harrowed.

Svana: "You're free, gods damn it! Run!"

Svana: "Damn these harrowstorms and what they do to my people!"

"I came here to learn what the Gray Host has planned and what did I find? Good citizens of the holds, afflicted by the harrowstorms and kept prisoner for some ungodly purpose.
No matter how many I set free, the harrowed will not leave this place."

Have you had an opportunity to scout out the Gray Host camp?

"That's all I've been doing. And trying to get these afflicted people to leave this place. The harrowed … the storm robs them of their will … their minds.
I wasn't able to slip deeper into the camp, though."

We need to try to find out about the big storm the Gray Host is planning.

"Agreed. There appear to be a number of Gray Host warlords in the camp, so discovering their plans should be possible.
We need to be careful, though. I don't want us to wind up like the harrowed, serving as food for these bastards."

Tell me what you noticed while scouting around the camp.

"Messages have been coming and going since I arrived. I've heard the name Rada al-Saran, the Ashen Lord, spoken in hushed and revered tones. His name was on the communique you found, remember?
We need to get down there and see what else we can learn."

While she follows, you can ask questions.

I wonder what the Gray Host is doing down here.

"Hiding. Building their forces. Digging. Undermining. That's the correct term, I think.
Plus, they're collecting the harrowed. Herding them like cattle. It's monstrous what they're doing to these poor people."

Are you sure you should be down here, princess?

"The only thing I'm sure of is I have to try. If my father won't act, then it falls on me to get things done.
It's … it's what my mother would want me to do."

When you enter the camp, Svana will point out some Gray Host to eavesdrop on:

Svana: "Look, on the scaffold! Let's eavesdrop on those werewolves."

Once you hide behind some crates, Pentarch Slasif and Courier Ograh will continue to talk.

Pentarch Slasif: '"I left the orders in my tent, but the Ashen Lord was clear. We need more netherroot. See to the Undergrove immediately."

Courier Ograh: "As you command, pentarch."

Svana: "The Undergrove? That sounds important."

While climbing the scaffolding on the western side of the camp, Svana will notice a Coven witch and another pentarch.

Svana: "There, on the lift! Let's listen in."

After hiding, they can be heard to talk about Rada al-Sharan.

Pentarch Bervard: "Exarch Tzinghalis has fallen. I have never seen Rada al-Saran, our Ashen Lord, so filled with sorrow. Or such rage."

Matron Denfira: "Does the loss of the exarch alter our plans?"

Pentarch Bervard: "Not in the least. The strike on Solitude will occur as planned, after Exarch Ulfra tests the improved ritual in the Undergrove."

Svana: "An attack on Solitude? We need to move quickly!"

Once you heard both conversations, Svana will want to find those orders.

Svana: "The Gray Host definitely has something big planned. Let's search the tents for a copy of those orders!"

"We heard them talking about orders. Something about getting more netherroot from a place called the Undergrove. And something about an attack on Solitude.
We need to acquire a copy of the orders. Let's check in the command tents."

Why do we need a copy of the orders?

"What we heard around the camp is all well and good, but my father won't be able to deny written proof. Plus, there may be more details to uncover in the actual orders.
Let's check the tents and find one of those messages."

You can find the orders on a table within one of the tents.

Svana: "That's what we were looking for. Let's talk over there."

Talk with her about what you found.

"Orders from Rada al-Saran. His words send a chill down my spine. Their plan for Solitude, it might even be more dreadful than an all-out attack.
We need to get back and determine the exact location of this Undergrove place."

You really think Solitude is in danger?

"You saw what happened at Kilkreath and Karthwatch. Whatever they have planned for Solitude, it sounds a whole lot worse.
I wish we knew more about this Rada al-Saran and what drives him."

He makes it sound like he considers his army to be his family.

"A family of monsters. Who could imagine vampires and werewolves working together? Let alone talking about one another like brothers and sisters. It's not natural."

Hopefully the orders we found will give us an advantage.

After this, she will be ready to head back to Solitude, your response will depend on who else you have already helped.

Unknown Trigger:	Unknown Trigger:
"Fennorian has the right idea. Come up with a defense against the harrowstorms. After that, we can take the fight directly to the Gray Host. Thanks for assisting me. I'll see you back in Solitude."	"I'm glad I got to look around Blackreach, but I can't wait to see the sun and sky again. No matter how big these caverns are, it still feels like we're buried alive down here."

What else do I need to do?

"We came down here to find out what the Gray Host has planned, but Fenn still needs information about how the medallions are created and a sample of the refined netherroot brew.
Help Fenn and Lyris at the other camps, then meet me in Solitude."

Already helped Lyris and Fennorian:	Already Helped Lyris:	Already Helped Fennorian:
We got the medallion information and the netherroot brew. Fenn and Lyris will meet us in Solitude. "Then we're done here. I hope we found enough to end the threat of the Gray Host. I'll meet you back at the Blue Palace. Good luck, my friend."	We got a sample of the refined netherroot brew. Lyris is bringing it to the Blue Palace. "That's great news. I knew you and Lyris could do it. Now, head to the coastal camp and help Fenn learn something about how the coven medallions are created."	We learned more about the medallions at the coastal camp. Fenn's on his way back to the Blue Palace. "Good. Hopefully that information will help Fenn with the elixir he's working on. I suggest you get to the midland camp and find a sample of the refined netherroot brew with Lyris."

When you arrive back at the palace, Svana will have already returned along with Fennorian and Lyris. They can be heard discussing an elixir while Old Mjolen and Maugh look on.

"It's all kind of Dwarven to me, but I think Fenn and the clever woman have figured out the elixir.
Talk to Fenn. See if I understand them correctly. And tell him the sooner the elixir is ready, the better."

Remind me, what are we doing here again?

"We gathered the information Fenn needs to make an elixir. If it works as he hopes, it will protect my people from the harrowstorms.
Talk to Fenn. Let's find out what else he requires to finish his work."

After you have spoken with Fennorian about the reagents he needs for his elixir, Svana will send Maugh to collect most of them. In the meantime, she will go with you to the Hall of the Dead for Arkay's Sacred Oil.

Svana: "You'll need my help. I'll meet you at the Hall of the Dead."

Svana: "Maugh, put away the tankard and get the supplies Fenn requires."

Maugh: "Yes, your royal ladyness. But I'm keeping the tankard."

"Knowing the orders my father has been issuing of late, you might need my help to acquire Arkay's sacred oil. I'll meet you at the Hall of the Dead."

When you enter the Hall of the Dead, she will introduce you to High Priest Ingurt.

High Priest Ingurt: "Princess Svana? What can I do for you, your highness?"

Svana: "Listen to my friend, high priest. We need your help."

Talking with her before the priest:

"I came here after my mother's death. Someone had to handle … arrangements.
Talk to the high priest and ask about the sacred oil. I … I need a moment."

The High Priest will tell you his supplies have all been taken to Castle Dour by order of the High King.

"Has my father found a way to use the sacred oil against the Gray Host? Perhaps he's doing more than I thought.
The swordthane has helped me in the past. He'll be reasonable. He has to be. Let's let him know what we need."

Swordthane Uthlet can be found outside the doors of the castle with the crates of oil. Svana will approach him.

Swordthane Uthlet: "Hold! Castle Dour is—Princess Svana?"

Svana: "Swordthane, our business is urgent. My friend will explain."

The swordthane will allow you to let you take one flask, Svana will be happy that you succeeded.

"Swordthane Uthlet … what a good soldier. I'll remember what he's done for us this day."

When you take the oil, the High King will arrive wanting to know why progress has slowed:

Svana: "A single flask? Fenn will have to make do. Let's get it back to—"

High King Svargrim: "Swordthane! Why has work—?"

High King Svargrim: "I gave strict orders, yet my daughter freely enters the castle grounds. What do they want, swordthane?"

Swordthane Uthlet: "They, um …"

Svana: "We came to offer our assistance, father. Swordthane, how can we help?"

High King Svargrim: "Uthlet has everything well in hand, child. Despite your intentions, you would only hinder our efforts."

High King Svargrim: "Go. The swordthane doesn't need my daughter or her wastrel underfoot."

She can be found outside the castle gates, you have the option of talking to her before returning to the palace.

"My father's never been what I'd call a warm and caring parent, but this crisis has made him even more distant.
Let's get the sacred oil to Fenn. My father will certainly change his attitude once we present the protective elixir to him."

Why doesn't your father want us in Castle Dour?

"He's trying to protect me. It's what he does. And leave me out. Though I suppose that's mostly my own fault. I know mother's death weighs on him. As does this entire crisis.
That's why we have to help. This elixir is going to work. It has to."

But why seal off this old fortress?

"It's not that unusual. Castle Dour is the most defensible part of the city. In the past, we'd gather the people inside the walls. Now my father is using the fortress to house the harrowed. They need to go somewhere, right?
Come on. Let's go."

Speaking to her again before you return to the palace.

"Let's hurry back to the Blue Palace. The sooner Fenn creates this elixir, the sooner we can distribute it."

When you return to the palace, Fennorian and Lyris will be discussing testing the elixir. Fennorian will then ask you to add the oil to the mixture.

"Go ahead. Do as Fenn asked and pour the oil into the cauldron. We need to find out if this protective elixir is going to work."

Though it appears to be a success, you will still need to test it.

"There's only one way to know if the elixir actually works. We have to test it.
Talk to Fenn and see how he wants to proceed."

After talking about it with Fennorian, you will find the Deepgrove in the Midnight Barrow and have Lyris test the elixir there while stopping the test harrowstorm.

"This has to work. The safety of my people depends on it.
Besides, I don't want to see Lyris get hurt."

When you arrive in the Midnight Barrow, Lyris will have Svana and Fenn stay behind while the two of you clear a path to the Deepgrove.

Lyris Titanborn: "You and Fenn stay put until we clear a path to the Undergrove."

Svana: "Fine. Just don't take all day."

Lyris Titanborn: "This is it. Look lively and let's get on with it."

"I hate being treated like I need protection … but Lyris is right. Fenn and I will just get in the way if a battle breaks out.
Clear us a path to the Undergrove. Then we'll catch up with you."

When you reach the entrance to the Deepgrove, you will find out that Svana and Fenn were following you:

Lyris Titanborn: "This must be the place. I'll go back and get—"

Svana: "No need, we're here."

Fennorian: "The princess insisted …."

Svana: "We followed at a safe distance and only advanced after you cleared the way."

Svana: "From this point on, we stay together. And that's an order."

Fennorian: "Um, yes. What she said. Now let's enter the Undergrove."

You can talk to her about the test before entering the Deepgrove.

"I know this is our best course of action, but I can't help worrying about Lyris. I'm not sure I can forgive myself if something happens to her."

Do you want to put a stop to the test?

"No. We need to test the elixir. Lyris volunteered without hesitation. She's a true hero.
Still, to know she might die to help my homeland. That's not easy for me to live with."

A leader has to make the hard decisions.

"I know that! My parents have been pounding that into my head since I was a little girl. But I never want to take those kinds of decision lightly.
Let's get moving."

Do you want to make someone else test the elixir?

"What? No! I … I didn't even consider that.
No, Lyris wants to do this. And it isn't like we have a whole lot of options. Let's get moving."

After you enter the Deepgrove you'll need to head to the center.

Fennorian: "We need to find where they're experimenting with the harrowstorms."

Exarch Ulfra: "You honor me with your presence, my king."

Lyris Titanborn: "Gray Host! Stay quiet and listen!"

Rada al-Saran: "This harrowstorm must be the biggest we have ever wrought, my sister-in-arms."

Svana: "That's the leader of the Gray Host!"

Exarch Ulfra: "Have we heard from Solitude? Is everything in place?"

Rada al-Saran: "I have been assured city is ripe for harvest"

Fennorian: "Rada al-Saran and Exarch Ulfra? Should we postpone the test?"

Svana: "Certainly not! The holds are counting on us! Besides, we might be able to end this threat right here and now."

You can speak with Svana before going in. She'll believe that you need to take the chance.

"We need to test the elixir, but maybe we can put an end to the Gray Host here and now by taking out two more of its leaders.
It's a long shot, I know, but we have to try."

When you enter, Rada al-Saran will recognize you.

Rada al-Saran: "Who dares intrude—you! The murderers who killed our beloved Tzinghalis!"

Lyris Titanborn: "And you're about to join him."

Rada al-Saran: "Impudent mortal! You will pay for your crime!"

Lyris Titanborn: "Argh!"

Rada al-Saran: "Now for the rest of these curs!"

Exarch Ulfra: "My king, allow me the honor of spilling their blood!"

Rada al-Saran: "Very well, sweet sister. Join me in Greymoor Keep when the task is done."

Exarch Ulfra: "Let this harrowstorm flay the flesh from your bones!"

Fennorian: "We need to leave—Svana, no!"

Svana: "See to Lyris, Fenn. And pray your elixir works!"

Fennorian: "Protect Svana! She needs time for the elixir to do its job!"

You will need to protect Svana by destroying the Witch Pike and slaying Exarch Ulfra when she jumps down from the ledge. Once the werewolf is dead, Svana will have survived the storm:

Svana: "The elixir … it worked!"

Talk with her to see how she is.

"I think … I think it worked! I stood in a harrowstorm and … nothing happened!
Fenn's elixir is a success. And we took out another one of the Gray Host leaders. We've done good, my friend."

Are you sure you're all right?

"Never better. We need to create as much of the elixir as possible and distribute it throughout Solitude before Rada al-Saran's massive harrowstorm hits. I also want to find out who in the city is helping him.
Let's meet back at the Blue Palace."

I'll meet you at the Blue Palace.

You ask for her thoughts on what you just experienced.

"Once my father understands that we have a way to protect against the harrowstorms, he'll have to take us seriously.
Let's get back to the city as fast as we can."

What just happened here?

"I know, right? It happened so quickly. When we confronted Rada al-Saran and Exarch Ulfra, the vampire lord blasted Lyris with his magic.
When I saw her fall, I knew I had to act."

The Ashen Lord took down Lyris in an instant. Leaving the rest to the werewolf worked in our favor.

"It certainly gave us a fighting chance. When she called forth the harrowstorm, I grabbed the elixir from Lyris and barely thought about what I was doing.
I just drank it down and walked into the storm."

That was risky.

"I don't disagree, but somebody had to do it. There wasn't any other option.
And I'd do it again. My people are counting on me."

When you arrive back at the Blue Palace you can tell that convincing Svargrim hasn't been going well. Svana will ask if you can talk to him.

"He's my father, but he never listens to a word I say.
Maybe you can get through to him. You have to try."

After you fail, Svana will make a last ditch attempt to convince her father.

High King Svargrim: "Help? I need no help from the likes of you."

Svana: "Don't be a fool, father! This elixir will save our people!"

High King Svargrim: "I didn't think you had it in you, daughter. You have actually surpassed my expectations. More's the pity."

High King Svargrim: "And I'll hear no more talk of this miracle elixir."

Svana: "Father, no!"

High King Svargrim: "The Gray Host is my true ally! Once the harrowstorm engulfs Solitude, my kingdom will endure for all eternity!"

Fennorian: "I should have sensed it … Svargrim's a vampire!"

Lyris Titanborn: "Svana …."

Svana: "Not now, Lyris. I … I need to think about this."

If you try and talk to her, she can only numbly say:

"I thought he was grieving, but it was all a ruse. My father, high king of Western Skyrim, in league with the Gray Host!
Please, talk to Lyris. I need to consider what happens next."

Greymoor RisingEdit

After you have spoken to Lyris, Svana can be heard from her seat, "Father, how could you?" Talk with her to see what she wants to do, Svana has no idea.

"My father … working with the Gray Host. How long has he been a part of this? Did he have a hand in mother's death? And what has he told them?
It's almost too much to bear … and then there's the harrowstorm. My friend, I don't know what to do."

We can do this, Svana. We have to at least try.

"You're right. I know you're right. It's just—he's my father!
No, I have to focus. The harrowstorm. It's coming. We have to save the city. There's nothing more important than that right now."

How do we stop the harrowstorm?

"I—I'm not sure we can. But we can make more of Fenn's elixir. Distribute it to the people. We need more of Arkay's sacred oil, though.
We'll have to take it from the supply stockpiled at the Temple of the Divines."

I'll get Arkay's sacred oil from the temple stockpile.

At this, an injured Solitude Soldier will run up the stairs with a report from Castle Dour.

Solitude Warrior: "They've taken it! By the gods, it's fallen!"

Lyris Titanborn: "Fallen? What are you talking about?"

Solitude Soldier: "The Gray Host, they came out of nowhere! Captured the temple and the Tower of the Wolf! We're locked out!"

Fennorian: "Then the sacred oil …."

Swordthane Uthlet: "Damn it all! I need to get down there!"

Svana: "Follow him! Now, soldier, tell me exactly what happened."

Speaking with her before you leave.

"Get to the temple and evaluate the situation. We'll join you shortly, after I get a more detailed report out of my soldier."

We can't make more elixir without the sacred oil, right?

"I don't think so. Fenn says it's a key component. Let's see what we're up against at the temple.
Every locked door in Solitude can be circumvented, if you know your way around the city. We'll get the sacred oil, one way or another."

Are you all right? Your father's revelation seemed to hit you pretty hard.

"It was … surprising, to say the least.
But my father and his treachery will have to wait. We need to protect the people of Solitude from the approaching harrowstorm. That's our priority."

When you arrive at the door to the temple, it will be covered by a red barrier as soldiers futilely bash at it with their fists. Uthlet will be with one of the bodies.

Swordthane Uthlet: "We're done. The Gray Host has found a foothold … now the city's lost …."

Svana: "Not yet it isn't. On your feet, swordthane. We have work to do!"

Swordthane Uthlet: "I … yes, Princess Svana."

Before you speak with Uthlet, you can ask Svana about his trustworthiness.

"The swordthane. He was a constant presence when I was growing up. Always so strong and brave at my father's side. I've never seen him this distraught."

Do you think we can we trust Svargrim's swordthane?

"I don't think Uthlet was involved in my father's treachery, at least not knowingly. If he can pull himself together, I believe his loyalty is to Solitude, not my father.
Regardless, find out what he knows about the situation inside the temple."

After you talk to the swordthane, Svana will disagree with what he said. Listen to the group's discussion.

Svana: "That's unacceptable, swordthane. If we can't get the sacred oil to make more elixir, then we have to stop the harrowstorm."

Swordthane Uthlet: "Princess, we've kept watch. There aren't any witch pikes around the city."

Svana: "Then you missed something. They needed the witch pikes for every other harrowstorm they summoned."

Fennorian: "Of course! Blackreach! The Gray Host must have gained access to the temple from beneath the city!"

Lyris Titanborn: "They could easily hide the witch pikes underneath our feet."

Fennorian: "We know the Gray Host has been using Blackreach to clandestinely move around Western Skyrim. Why not launch their attacks from there?"

Svana: "Then we're going back to Blackreach. If the witch pikes are there, we'll destroy them."

Before you leave for Blackreach, you have the option of speaking with your companions. Svana will want your honest opinion.

"My father … a vampire! He sat on his throne, pretended to mourn for my mother, and said he had a plan. But all the while he was preparing the city for the Gray Host!
He's worse than a monster … he's a traitor and a liar!"

We're going to have to face your father.

"I … I know. It's just … look, we were never close. Not really. But he's my father … my king.
What about you? Could you do it? Could you confront and maybe even kill one of your parents?"

Yes, if I had to.

"Such confidence … as sharp and as cold as my dagger's blade.
Lives hang in the balance, but I'm conflicted about committing … patricide."

No, I don't think I could.

"I find that surprising. I thought you adventuring types were decisive and willing to do whatever was required to succeed.
I … I need to think about this. Let's stop the harrowstorm. Then I can decide about my father."

I'm not sure what I'd do.

"An honest answer … and so much like my own.
But does my indecision put the people I'm sworn to protect in even more jeopardy? I need to think about that."

All replies will lead to the next question:

So what are you going to do?

"I'm going to do whatever I can to stop the harrowstorm and save Solitude and its people.
After that …? After that, we decide what needs to be done about Svargrim."

Any idea where we're going to find the ritual site?

"It muse be right beneath our feet, or close to it. From what we've seen, the witch pikes need to be in close proximity to the locations where the harrowstorms strike.
Of course, finding our way underground … it won't be easy."

Speaking to her once again after talking to all your companions:

"Enough talk. Let's enter Blackreach and find the ritual site. I won't let my father and the Gray Host destroy Solitude. I simply won't!"

To find the group in Blackreach, you'll need to head to Greymoor Cavern where you will find Svana and the others staring at Greymoor Keep with awe.

"Did you know there was a castle down here? Right underneath Solitude? It's disconcerting to think about, to say the least!
Lyris has been scouting while we waited for you and she just got back. Talk to her and see what she found out."

Once you have spoken with Lyris, you will have a choice of how you want to enter the keep. Meanwhile, Svana and Fennorian will be protected by Lyris as they make their own way in.

"Lyris takes command of a situation so easily. I wonder if she can teach me how to do that?
Anyway, do be careful. We'll stick close to Lyris and meet you inside."

When you arrive at the side entrance, the trio will be waiting for you. Fennorian will have handed Svana some potions and is telling her about them.

Lyris Titanborn: "Nice of you to join us."

Svana: "I don't understand. What am I supposed to do with these flasks?"

Fennorian: "If we run into trouble, throw one of them at the source. Then get out of the way."

Svana has been given very stringent rules for handling the potions.

"I'm not sure what's in these flasks, but Fenn told me not to shake them. Or drop them. Or breathe on them too hard.
Let's get inside and find the ritual site before the harrowstorm begins."

Once inside, the group will split up but you can talk to Svana before she leaves with Lyris.

"Kyne's breath, this place … nothing in the Blue Palace even comes close! Who built it and why? The wealth alone! Is that how they tempted my father?"

Do you really need to know why your father betrayed his kingdom?

"How can you ask such a question? I need to understand why my father betrayed my mother and our people … why he turned away from me.
If we don't figure that out, it could happen again. Any one of us could be swayed by promises of wealth and power."

After searching the keep with Fennorian he will find some notes before you meet with the others once more.

Svana: "There they are!"

Fennorian: "Lyris, Svana! I think this entire tower functions as a witch pike!"

Lyris Titanborn: "What? Fenn, how is that even possible?"

<Svargrim's voice can be heard as he cries out in pain.>

High King Svargrim: "Argh! The energy … it burns!"

Svana: "That's my father. This way!"

They will stop when they reach a balcony overlooking a massive witch pike, a beam of red energy shoots from the top while Svargrim and Rada al-Saran stand facing each other.

Rada al-Saran: "Pain is part of the process, Svargrim."

High King Svargrim: "It's … exquisite … my master!"

Rada al-Saran: "Once you are attuned to Greymoor, the storm will be yours to command."

Rada al-Saran: "Rise, Svargrim, and unleash my storm upon Solitude! Then the last of the Gray Host shall be reborn!"

Fennorian: "The Ashen Lord, he turned Svargrim into the heart of his harrowstorm!"

Svana: "They're moving higher up the tower! We need to follow them!"

Talking to Svana after what you witnessed.

"This place … it makes my skin crawl.
But we need to keep going. We need to find my father and stop the harrowstorm."

Fenn found Tzinghalis's notes. They turned the entire keep into a witch pike.

"You mean, we're running around inside one of those awful things? That's deeply disturbing. And also kind of brilliant.
All the more reason to find my father and put an end to this threat once and for all."

The group will split once more as you climb higher in the tower looking for Svargrim. Soon you will meet with Svana and Lyris again.

Svana: "Lyris, we found them!"

Lyris Titanborn: "Good. This whole place—the Gray Host is preparing to go to war!"

Once you enter the Central Overlook, you'll find Rada al-Saran himself doing something while within a red barrier.

Rada al-Saran: "And so the thorns arrive to once more prick my thumbs …."

Fennorian: "A barrier …."

Svana: "And—Rada al-Saran?"

Before you speak to Rada, she will say:

"That's Rada al-Saran, but where's my father?"

After you have spoken with Rada, he'll leave afterwards. Svana will stay with Fenn to break the barrier.

Rada al-Saran: "Bold words, but futile. Svargrim rises, and the harrowstorm with him. Once the attunement is finished, they will be unstoppable!"

Lyris Titanborn: "What happened? What did that damned vampire do?"

Fennorian: "He's merging the power flowing through the keep with Svargrim, giving him control of the harrowstorm."

Svana: "Then you must undo it. I'll stay and help. Lyris, you and our friend keep going up and find my father."

Speaking with her before you leave.

"I'll stay with Fenn. Help him break the Ashen Lord's spell. It may not stop the harrowstorm, but we have to try.
You and Lyris search for my father. If we fail, you need to be in position to do … whatever is necessary."

Whatever is necessary? Are you sure about that?

"Am I …? I'm not sure of one damn thing at this particular moment in time! But we need to do whatever it takes, risk anything, to save Solitude.
Now go, and may Kyne go with you."

Lyris and you will need to find your way through the Stone Husk gallery before you meet with Svana and Fenn. Svana will explain what happened after you left.

Lyris Titanborn: "A dead end? Damn!"

Svana: "We weren't able to stop the attunement spell. It's just getting stronger!"

Fennorian: "That tower! It must lead to the upper levels. I need time to get that door open."

Svana: "Everyone, protect Fenn!"

After fighting off a few waves of Stone Husks, the door will be unlocked.

Fennorian: "Got it!"

Svana: "Good job! Through the door and to the upper levels now, hurry!"

Once inside the upper keep, there will be signs of the attunement process reaching completion.

Fennorian: "Now we just—"

Fennorian: "The whole keep … the shaking is getting worse!"

Lyris Titanborn: "Damn magic! Give me something to hit!"

Fennorian: "The magic, it's al-Saran! The attunement is almost complete!"

Svana: "We need to find my father. Lyris, take Fenn that way. We'll go the other."

Talking to Svana while she follows you:

"Do you feel that? The hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end.
We're getting closer to my father, but the harrowstorm is coming."

Svana, about your father ….

"I know, I know. He probably had a hand in my mother's death. And he apparently willingly sided with the Gray Host and became a vampire.
We're going to have to kill him … but that's not something I ever thought I'd need to contemplate. Patricide."

If you need us to ….

"Thank you, but … let's see what happens when we get there. I won't shirk my duty, my responsibility. But he's still my father. You understand that, right?
Enough of this. We need to find him, now."

When you enter one of the rooms, there will be another wave of red light.

Rada al-Saran: "The attunement is complete, Svargrim. You and Greymoor Keep are one."

High King Svargrim: "The power! I am unstoppable!"

Svana: "We need to hurry!"

You will see Svargrim and Rada through a window as they continue to ascend the harrowstorm energy.

Rada al-Saran: "I leave the harrowing of Solitude to you, little king. Remember your oath to me."

Svana: "Rada al-Saran is leaving? Why?"

Once on the parapets, you will need to climb a flight of stairs.

Svana: "So high up, but still far beneath the ground …."

As you get higher, you will see the end of the harrowstorm structure. There is another wave of red light as a suspicious Svargrim questions Rada.

High King Svargrim: "You abandon me, in our moment of triumph? What game do you play, Rada al-Saran?"

Rada al-Saran: "Game? I gave you power. If you can't conquer Skyrim, the fault is your own."

Svana: "This place is connected to Castle Dour! How long has my father been planning this?"

Rada al-Saran: "Now ascend to your Tower of the Wolf and unleash my most potent harrowstorm! The Gray Host is counting on you, little king."

When you reach the top of the keep, Lyris and Fennorian will catch up.

Lyris Titanborn: "Hold, friends!"

Lyris Titanborn: "We followed the booming voices. Where's Svargrim?"

Svana: "My father's ascended into Solitude. But Rada al-Saran, I think he's leaving."

Fennorian: "Interesting. Lyris assumed the Gray Host was preparing to attack, but it's just as possible they're relocating their forces."

Svana: "We'll figure that out later, after we stop my father!"

Lyris Titanborn: "Fair enough. Friend, lead the way."

Svana will have no time to talk to you.

"There's no time to lose. We must stop my father!"

After the crossing the bridge from the keep, you'll find yourself in the tunnels beneath Solitude. You will soon find the cages where corralled harrowed turn harrowfiends have been kept.

"These tunnels … how long have they been here? Is this why my father sealed off his precious tower? To hide them?
Svargrim has much to answer for. Much to answer for, indeed."

I don't understand why Svargrim hasn't unleashed the harrowstorm yet.

"Rada al-Saran not only turned my father into a vampire, he merged him with Greymoor Keep. We should be thankful that the process has taken as long as it has.
I don't think we have much longer, though. We need to reach him before the storm breaks."

At the end of the tunnels, Svana will recognize the location through the hole in the masonry.

Svana: "Up ahead, that's the temple's undercroft!"

When you reach the Temple of the Divines, there will be harrowfiends feeding and a distinct red tint to the lighting. Svana will gasp when she sees the defacement done to Arkay's shrine.

Svana: "What did they do to this place?"

If you speak to her here, she says:

"Mother loved this temple. It was her favorite place in the city. To see it so abused …."

After you the enter the courtyard of Castle Dour, you will be too late to stop the storm.

Solitude Warrior: "Is that—? Princess Svana!"

Lyris Titanborn: "The harrowstorm, it's begun!"

Fennorian: "Look, above the Tower of the Wolf. The storm's only partially formed."

Svana: "My father's up there. Open the gates and let's go."

Fennorian: "But the harrowfiends below the temple! If they escape into the streets—"

Lyris Titanborn: "You and I will keep that from happening. Take the Princess and deal with Svargrim, partner."

Svana: "I—yes … it's the only option. Let's go."

When you enter the city proper, howling can be heard from inside Castle Dour.

Lyris Titanborn: "Behind us!"

Fennorian: "The harrowfiends, they've broken loose!"

Lyris Titanborn: "Get to the tower and stop Svargrim. We'll hold the gate."

Svana: "I'm with you, my friend. Up the stairs!"

You can ask Svana about how to reach the tower.

"My father is at the top of the Tower of the Wolf. That's where he's calling the storm. We need to get up there!"

What's the quickest way up there?

"There's a door in the wall below the tower. We need to reach that door … and fight through any harrowfiends and Gray Host that try to get in our way!"

When you reach the top of the tower, Svargrim will transform into a Vampire Lord as he mockingly welcomes Svana to his ascension. Talking with her before fighting, she will only say:

"My father really has become a monster. Let's end this, one way or another."

As he comes close to dying, he'll become a cloud of bats and harrowstorm energy.

High King Svargrim: "No … how is this possible?"

Svana: "Father! Why did it have to come to this?"

You can then motion for her to toss the potions Fenn gave her at the cloud. Svargrim will be forced to reform and he'll be dazed and unable to attack. Once he is dead, Svana will stare out over the tower as she talks to her dead father.

Svana: "That—that was for mother. For Solitude. And for every soul in Skyrim."

Svana: "Your ambition, your greed. Look what it led to."

Svana: "We need to hurry!"

You can talk to her before you leave the top of the tower:

"We … we shouldn't remain here.
You go on ahead. I—I just need a moment."

By the time you have left the tower, the top will have collapse into a smoking ruin. Svana will being looking up at the smoke as she speaks.

Svana: "My father betrayed everything to aid the Gray Host. With his death, Solitude is saved."

You can then talk with her about Svargrim's death.

"It's done. We killed my father and ended the harrowstorm. The city still stands. Skyrim still stands.
Although the Tower of the Wolf may have been damaged beyond repair."

Are you all right with all this, Svana?

"No, of course not. My father was the high king of Western Skyrim. I always thought he had the best interests of our holds and our people in his heart.
But there was a darkness there. Jealousy. Bitterness. He wanted to control all of Skyrim."

So, joining the Gray Host was just about power?

"For Svargrim, yes, I think it was. As for Rada al-Saran and the Gray Host … I'm not entirely sure what they're after.
Enough of this. I need to get to work. With my father gone, someone has to pick up the pieces and restore the holds."

Is there something you need me to do?

"First, on behalf of Western Skyrim, take this with my thanks. We would have been lost without you. Then rest. Check on our friends. Injuries must be tended to, buildings repaired. Other wounds … will take longer.
We'll have more to do soon enough."

Daughter of the WolfEdit

If you leave her and come back, she can still be found staring at the tower and will mutter, "The Tower of the Wolf … I think we should let it crumble." If you talk with Maugh, he'll want you to talk to her as well.

"Whatever Rada al-Saran and the Gray Host were planning, I think the worst is behind us as far as Western Skyrim is concerned.
With my fa—with Svargrim—dead, their grip on the holds comes to an end."

Are you in charge of Solitude now?

"Not officially … at least I don't think I am. I feel like the whole world's falling down around me. But the city still stands. That's something.
I'm worried about Lyris and Fenn. The last we saw, they were holding off a horde of harrowfiends."

I remember.

"Hopefully they were able to hold the courtyard and keep those monsters out of the city. You go and check on them. I need to collect myself.
Solitude needs Princess Svana now, and I'm not quite ready to be her."

I'll find Lyris and Fenn.

Before you go and find out what happened to Lyris and Fenn.

"Thank you. Help them and anyone else as best you can. I'll do the same. Once you're done with them, I'll find you and we can figure out what to do next."

Do you think the danger has passed?

"Gods, I hope so! Haven't we dealt with enough already?
I need to see what happened firsthand. All the suffering and pain my father caused, I can't undo it. But I can make amends. Or at least try to."

When you find yourself checking up on Jarl Reddharn and Swordthane Uthlet, they will get a message from a Solitude Warrior that Jorunn the Skald-King and a force of warriors are at the gates of Solitude. Once you arrive at the gates to see what's going on, you'll need to do some talking with Jorunn to try and keep tensions down.

After hearing Jorunn's offer of assistance for Solitude, Jarl Reddharn will reject it just as Svana arrives.

Jarl Reddharn: "We have no need of help that involves welcoming your soldiers within our walls."

Svana: "My walls, jarl."

Svana: "My father may have been willing to slap aside a helping hand, but I'm not. Permit me a word with your envoy, Skald-King."

You then talk to Svana, who will thank you for stalling.

"Thank you. For holding the line, I mean.
I'm ready to do what I should have done a long time ago, to do what my father never could. I'll speak with the Skald-King. There's one more thing I'd like you to do while I entertain our guests."

What do you need?

"We saved Solitude, but our war with the Gray Host is far from over. We need Fenn's elixir more than ever. With that, and King Jorunn's help, we might just push these monsters back into their grave for good.
Check on Fenn's progress, please."

Anything else?

"That depends on Fenn. If there's anything standing in his way, let me know and I'll do everything in my power to get him what he needs."

I'll speak with Fenn.

Before you leave you can ask about the guests from Eastern Skyrim.

"Fenn is with Old Mjolen at the Mages Guild. When you're finished with him, join me in the courtyard of the Blue Palace. I'm going to hold a moment of remembrance for this city. We all need a moment to mourn what we lost."

What about your guests?

"I'm going to invite the Skald-King to join us. If the people of Solitude see him bow his head along with the rest of us, they may not care about the divide between the east and west."

After talking with Fennorian about the status of the elixir, you can find Svana on the far side of the courtyard which is filled with guests there to mourn the lost.

Svana: "I was hoping you'd return before we began. Tell me you've got good news."

Tell her what Fenn told you before the wake starts.

"I'll feel a lot better delivering a speech about healing and hope knowing that we're on the road to recovery. What did Fenn have to say about the elixir?"

They're making it as we speak, but he says they'll need more netherroot soon.

"Not the best news, but I'll take it. So long as we have enough to protect our soldiers, we have a fighting chance against the Gray Host. I'll go to the Undergrove myself if that's what it takes."

Fenn also believes he can make a cure for the harrowed.

"Now that would be cause for celebration. If he can really bring back even a fraction of those we lost to the harrowstorms, I'm willing to try.
That's all I needed to hear. We should begin the ceremony before the crowd grows more restless."

What do you have planned?

"Nothing fancy, just a traditional Nord wake. To mourn and celebrate those we've lost, and cherish the lives we still have.
I'd like you to join us."

Very well.

"None of us would be here to sing dirges for the dead or celebrate the living if not for you. I certainly wouldn't be here, ready to lead my hold.
You've supported me since I started down this path. I'm honored to have you here at the end."

She will stand on the stone rostrum and address the crowd to lead them in the mourning dirge. While the subtitles only mention a single voice, in actuality the crowd will also be speaking or singing the words with them.

Svana: "Sons and daughters of Skyrim. We have the honor today of remembering the dead."

Lyris Titanborn + Crowd: "Honor to the fallen!"

Svana: "Sons and daughters of Skyrim, our trials were fierce, but we are still here."

Lyris Titanborn + Crowd: "We stand and we remain!"

Svana: "Now we raise our voices—to tell Sovngarde of the coming of the worthy dead, and to tell the world that the Nords are still here! We are still standing!"

Svana + Crowd: "The fallen now march home to hallowed halls."

Svana + Crowd: "To join our ancestors in boundless drink, and song, and brawls."

Svana + Crowd: "Let sound the horns! Let peal the bells! Let loose the ancient hymn!"

Svana + Crowd: "We will remain until time ends! We children of Skyrim!"

You can then talk to Svana afterwards.

"I can't think of a more fitting send off for my father than Nords of both kingdoms mourning side-by-side. Skyrim may be divided, but at least our honored dead are united in Sovngarde."

What are your plans going forward?

"Jorunn, Reddharn, and I need to form a plan to distribute Fenn's elixir and push back against the Gray Host. And acquire more netherroot, it seems.
There's a lot to be done, but I'm surrounded by good people. I trust we'll get through this together."

Anything I can help with?

"I can't leave everything to you, you know. Well, I probably could, but even Ysgramor took a rest now and again. Let us shoulder the burden for a while. I'm sure I'll need to call on you again soon enough."

Will you take over as High Queen?

"I—I don't know. It's not important, not right now. What matters is rallying the people against the enemy, our real enemy. If that means seeking the crown, then I'll do what needs to be done."

Do you think Svargrim passed on to Sovngarde?

"Sovngarde is a place for the honored dead. Svargrim gave up his seat in the Hall of Valor when he made his pact with the Ashen Lord. Wherever he is, I hope he regrets how he got there."

Second ChancesEdit

Svana in her Jarl attire

Svana, now Jarl Svana, will be present at the moot with Ard Caddach, Jorunn the Skald-King, and Prince Irnskar at Understone Keep.

"You seem more comfortable standing among kings and jarls than I do. Then again, you always did. It's good to see you again."

What brings you to the Reach?

"Western Skyrim has begun to recover. With Fenn's elixir, our soldiers have been able to push back the Gray Host. I know the Reach has not been so fortunate. I persuaded Prince Irnskar, and the Skald-King, to offer our support."

What do you plan to do?

"I expected we'd be sending soldiers, but by the time we arrived the people were dancing in the streets. I always heard stories of the city of stone being a dark place where flint-hearted Reachmen worship strange gods. It's not so different from home."

How are things in Western Skyrim?

"The people seem happier than I've ever seen, in spite of all our hardships. I wasn't the only one living under my father's shadow, apparently. I can't come and go as I please, but the Blue Palace is lively as any tavern with Maugh around."

You brought Maugh to the palace?

"Made him my royal taster. I don't think the thought of being poisoned even crossed his mind, but he seems happy so long as the food and drink keeps coming.
Unofficially, he's also the jester, but don't tell him I said so."

My lips are sealed.

If you speak to her again, she'll say:

"We've reminisced enough, there are more pressing matters that require your attention. Like Ard Caddach's dwindling patience.
We'll catch up later—in fact, I demand it."

Later in the Announcement Hall, if you speak to her before speaking to Arana, she'll say:

"The Ard's eager to announce our peace agreement. Don't keep him waiting any longer, his patience is already wearing thin."

After speaking to Arana and the ard, the speeches will begin:

Ard Caddach: "Freehands of Markarth! You long suffering lot I call my kin! We've survived another long night. Darker than we've ever known."

Ard Caddach: "But we didn't endure it alone. Against the Gray Host we found unlikely allies and put aside old grudges. Together we not only survived, we flourished."

Jarl Svana: "We owe these miracles to the efforts of all kinds: Reachman, Nord, vampire, outlander. Heroes of every stripe."

Jarl Svana: "Let us follow their example. We have warred together, we celebrate together, let us rebuild together!"

Prince Irnskar: "From this day forward we clash mugs instead of swords! Peace and prosperity to all our kingdoms! Cheers to the heroes of Skyrim!"

Jorunn the Skald-King: "Let us remember them with song and drink!"

Jorunn the Skald-King: "We, the children of Skyrim! We shall endure!"

After you can speak to her again:

"It still doesn't feel real to me. So much has happened since we first met that it feels like a lifetime ago. The nightmare is finally over though. I know I won't wake up to find everything as it was, but there's a new dawn at least."

What comes next now that you've declared peace?

"Prince Irnskar is eager to lay out the terms of our new accord, but that's tomorrow's work.
After this, my only order of business is to get out of this damned finery. It may be good for impressing folk, but it's like wearing a mountain goat."

NotesEdit

A Meet the Character article was written about her.

GalleryEdit

Promotional render
Promotional render

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