Clearing Your Name: How to Get Rid of a 1000 Gold Bounty in Skyrim
Yes, you absolutely can get rid of a 1000 gold bounty in Skyrim! The game offers multiple avenues for dealing with your misdeeds, ranging from the straightforward to the slightly more… adventurous. The choice is yours, Dragonborn!
Understanding Bounties in Skyrim
Before diving into the solutions, it’s important to understand how bounties work in Skyrim. Every hold (region) in Skyrim operates independently. Committing a crime in one hold doesn’t automatically make you wanted in another. Bounties are accumulated for various offenses, from petty theft to outright murder. Once a bounty reaches a certain threshold, guards will actively attempt to arrest you upon sight. This is where things get interesting!
Methods for Erasing Your 1000 Gold Bounty
Here are the primary methods for dealing with that pesky 1000 gold price on your head:
1. Paying the Fine
This is the most direct and, often, the least exciting option. When approached by a guard who recognizes your crimes, they will give you the option to pay the fine. Simply agree, and the gold will be deducted from your inventory, clearing your bounty in that hold.
- Pros: Quick, easy, and instantly restores your reputation with the hold.
- Cons: Can be expensive, especially for players early in the game.
2. Serving Jail Time
Choosing to serve your sentence will land you in the hold’s jail. The duration of your sentence depends on the size of your bounty and your skills. While imprisoned, you’ll lose progress in some of your skills – a penalty representing the atrophy from lack of practice.
- Pros: Cheaper than paying the fine. Can grant the “Jail Break” achievement if you successfully escape.
- Cons: Loss of skill progress. Any stolen items in your inventory will be confiscated.
3. The Thieves Guild Bribe
If you’re a member of the Thieves Guild, you have a unique advantage. You can attempt to bribe the guard, clearing your bounty for a smaller fee than the original amount. This also raises your Speech skill!
- Pros: Cheaper than paying the full bounty. Skill increase. Avoid jail time.
- Cons: Requires membership in the Thieves Guild.
4. Thane Status
If you’ve become a Thane of the hold where you have the bounty, you can use your position to avoid arrest. This option only works once per hold, so use it wisely.
- Pros: Free. Immediate.
- Cons: Limited to one use per hold. Requires you to become a Thane, which involves completing specific quests.
5. Sneak and Wait
Sometimes, if you are careful and hide or fast travel to a location, you can wait for the heat to die down. Guards will still be more alert, but they won’t immediately arrest you on sight. This approach doesn’t actually clear your bounty, but it allows you to move more freely within the hold, potentially giving you an opportunity to complete quests or sell stolen goods elsewhere without being apprehended.
- Pros: Free. Allows continued play within the region.
- Cons: Doesn’t truly remove the bounty. Guards remain suspicious. Could be arrested at any time.
Avoiding Bounties in the First Place
Of course, the best way to avoid dealing with bounties is to prevent them in the first place. This requires careful planning and execution.
- Sneak: Stay hidden when committing crimes.
- Eliminate Witnesses: If someone sees you, take them out before they can report you. (Dark, I know, but hey, it’s Skyrim!)
- Focus on Less Risky Crimes: Pickpocketing is less likely to result in a high bounty than murder.
FAQs: Skyrim Bounty Edition
1. Do bounties disappear on their own?
No, bounties in Skyrim do not disappear on their own. They remain active until you take steps to clear them.
2. What happens to stolen items if I go to jail?
Any stolen items in your possession will be confiscated when you serve jail time. It’s always wise to stash your ill-gotten gains before surrendering to the authorities.
3. Can I get arrested in one hold for crimes committed in another?
No, bounties are specific to each hold. You’re only wanted in the hold where you committed the crime.
4. How do I become a Thane?
Becoming a Thane requires completing quests for the Jarl of the hold and generally assisting the citizens. The specific requirements vary depending on the hold.
5. Is there a way to pay off my bounty anonymously?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to anonymously pay off your bounty in the base game. You must interact with a guard or Jarl. Some mods may offer this functionality.
6. What happens if I resist arrest?
Resisting arrest will result in the guards attacking you. If you manage to defeat them, your bounty will likely increase, and more guards will come after you. It’s generally not a recommended strategy.
7. Can my Companions or Housecarls get me out of trouble?
No, your followers cannot directly pay off your bounty or prevent you from being arrested.
8. Does my bounty affect my ability to complete quests?
Yes, having a high bounty can significantly impact your ability to complete quests. NPCs may refuse to interact with you, and guards will constantly try to arrest you.
9. What is the maximum bounty I can have in a hold?
There is no maximum bounty limit coded into the game engine. Practically speaking, however, the guards will come after you at a value exceeding 3000, and additional crimes beyond that won’t have much further practical effect beyond roleplaying implications.
10. How long do I have to stay in jail to clear a 1000 gold bounty?
The length of your jail sentence depends on the severity of the crime and your character’s skills. A 1000 gold bounty will typically result in a few days in game. Also, note that you can break out of the prisons to get a way out without losing skill points.
11. Can I bribe a guard even if I’m not a member of the Thieves Guild?
No, bribing guards is an exclusive perk for members of the Thieves Guild.
12. Is there an achievement related to bounties?
Yes, the “Master Criminal” achievement/trophy requires you to have a bounty of 1000 gold in all nine holds of Skyrim simultaneously. “Jail Break” can also be earned, by escaping from any jail.
13. Will guards stop chasing me if I leave the hold?
Yes, guards will typically stop chasing you once you leave the borders of the hold where you have a bounty. However, the bounty remains active, and you’ll be apprehended if you return.
14. Can I fast travel if I have a bounty?
Yes, you can fast travel even if you have a bounty. However, if you fast travel to a location within the hold where you’re wanted, you’ll likely be confronted by guards upon arrival.
15. What happens if I die while having a bounty?
Dying doesn’t clear your bounty. When you reload your game, the bounty will still be active.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Path
Dealing with a 1000 gold bounty in Skyrim is a matter of choice. Whether you opt for the easy route of paying the fine, the riskier path of jail time, or the cunning approach of bribery, the decision is yours. Remember to weigh the pros and cons of each method and choose the one that best suits your playstyle and character. And if you find yourself fascinated by the intricate systems and emergent narratives of games like Skyrim, consider exploring the work of the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, where researchers delve into the educational potential and cultural impact of gaming.