Can You Save Hroggar in Skyrim? A Deep Dive into Morthal’s Enthrallment
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Yes, you can “save” Hroggar in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but not in the traditional sense. You cannot completely alter his fate or personality. However, you can influence his future and arguably improve his situation within the confines of the “Laid to Rest” questline. This involves understanding his role, Alva’s influence, and the limited options available to the Dragonborn. Ultimately, whether you consider him “saved” depends on your definition and interpretation of events.
Understanding Hroggar’s Predicament
Hroggar is a Nord lumberjack residing in Morthal. He’s deeply affected by the recent death of his wife and daughter in a tragic house fire. This grief, coupled with the insidious influence of Alva, a vampire, makes him vulnerable. Alva has enthralled Hroggar, essentially turning him into her protector during the daylight hours. He is hostile to the player if you enter Alva’s house while he is present, highlighting his state of thrall.
His dialogue during and after the quest “Laid to Rest” further illuminates his condition. Even after Alva is dealt with, he may still exhibit traces of her control, uttering lines from when he was completely under her sway. This underscores the lingering psychological impact of vampiric enthrallment. He will thank you for saving him from Alva, but his disposition towards you suffers a slight hit, a curious detail indicating the complex ramifications of your actions.
The “Laid to Rest” Quest: Choices and Consequences
The quest “Laid to Rest” centers around investigating the fire that claimed Hroggar’s family and the subsequent disappearances plaguing Morthal. As you delve deeper, you uncover Alva’s vampiric nature and her plans to seize control of the town with the help of Movarth, a master vampire.
The key choices affecting Hroggar revolve around how you handle Alva:
- Killing Alva: This is the most common outcome. If Alva is present in her house when you break in to retrieve her journal (necessary to progress the quest), you’ll likely engage in combat and kill her. Hroggar will thank you afterward, though his disposition towards you is affected.
- Avoiding Killing Alva: It is possible to avoid killing her. If you break into her house at a time when she is not present (she spends her nights at Movarth’s Lair), you can obtain the journal without bloodshed. Alva will later be encountered in Movarth’s Lair. Whether you kill her there is up to you.
Regardless of whether you kill her in Morthal, Alva is generally killed at Movarth’s lair during the final confrontation of the quest.
The Aftermath: Hroggar’s Future
Even if you spare Alva initially, her ultimate demise at Movarth’s Lair is almost inevitable for quest completion. Therefore, Hroggar is essentially freed from her influence in either scenario. The more pertinent question is: what happens to him afterward?
- Reduced Hostility: With Alva gone, Hroggar is no longer hostile to the player.
- Gratitude: He expresses gratitude for saving him from Alva.
- Lingering Effects: As mentioned earlier, he may still exhibit remnants of Alva’s control through his dialogue.
- Life Goes On: He returns to his routine as a lumberjack, working at the sawmill.
Whether this constitutes “saving” Hroggar is subjective. He is freed from vampiric control, but he remains a grieving widower and father. The Dragonborn’s actions alleviate one aspect of his suffering but cannot erase the tragedy he has endured.
Can You Improve Hroggar’s Situation?
While you cannot drastically alter Hroggar’s fate, some actions might offer minor improvements:
- Investigate Thoroughly: Completing the “Laid to Rest” quest thoroughly, uncovering the truth about the fire and Alva’s machinations, brings closure to the people of Morthal, including Hroggar.
- Moral Choices: Playing a morally upright character and acting with compassion can provide a sense of satisfaction in dealing with the situation.
- Roleplaying: Roleplaying as a compassionate Dragonborn who sympathizes with Hroggar’s plight can enhance the narrative experience and create a deeper connection with the character.
Ultimately, Hroggar’s fate is intertwined with the dark events of Morthal. While the Dragonborn can remove the immediate threat of vampiric control, they cannot undo the past or completely heal the emotional wounds he carries. “Saving” Hroggar is more about mitigating his suffering and ensuring a future free from Alva’s direct influence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hroggar
1. What time does Hroggar wake up and leave for work?
Hroggar wakes up around 7 AM and spends the next two hours safeguarding Alva’s house. He starts his work at the lumber mill around 9 AM. This provides players a short window of opportunity to investigate their home.
2. Is Hroggar essential? Can I kill him myself?
No, Hroggar is not an essential character. You can kill him, but there’s no real benefit to doing so. It will likely result in a bounty and negative consequences with the townsfolk.
3. Does Hroggar sleep?
Yes, Hroggar gets about three hours of sleep at night while Alva is out hunting. He works at the sawmill during the night to maintain his job.
4. Will Hroggar remain hostile to me after I kill Alva?
No, once Alva is dead, Hroggar will no longer be hostile. He will even thank you for saving him, although his disposition will take a slight hit.
5. What happens if I don’t kill Alva in her house?
If Alva is not in her house when you break in for the journal, you won’t have to kill her there. She will be found at Movarth’s Lair later in the quest.
6. Can I marry Hroggar?
No, Hroggar is not a marriage candidate in Skyrim.
7. Why is Hroggar hostile to me?
Hroggar is hostile because he is enthralled by Alva, a vampire, and is compelled to protect her.
8. Can I pickpocket the key to Alva’s house from Hroggar?
Yes, you can pickpocket the key to Alva’s house from either Alva or Hroggar. This is an alternative to lockpicking.
9. Does killing Alva affect my relationship with other NPCs in Morthal?
Killing Alva as part of the “Laid to Rest” quest generally improves your standing with the people of Morthal, as you are ridding them of a dangerous threat.
10. What are the alternatives to killing Alva to complete the quest?
The primary alternative is to avoid confronting her in her house. Break in when she is at Movarth’s Lair. You will then encounter her later, where her death is almost unavoidable for quest completion.
11. What happens if I refuse to help the Jarl of Morthal with the “Laid to Rest” quest?
If you refuse to start the “Laid to Rest” quest, the mysteries of Morthal remain unsolved. The disappearances continue, and Alva’s plans proceed unchecked.
12. Is there a way to cure Hroggar of his grief after his family’s death?
Unfortunately, Skyrim does not offer any in-game mechanics to directly address or cure Hroggar’s grief.
13. Is there any connection between Hroggar’s plight and other quests in Skyrim?
No, Hroggar’s situation is largely self-contained within the “Laid to Rest” quest and doesn’t directly intersect with other major questlines in the game.
14. What happens if I kill Hroggar after completing the “Laid to Rest” quest?
Killing Hroggar after completing the quest will be considered a crime, and you will incur a bounty in the hold of Hjaalmarch.
15. Does the game offer any dialogue options to express sympathy for Hroggar’s loss?
While some dialogue options acknowledge the tragedy, Skyrim generally lacks extensive emotional interactions. The dialogue is often functional rather than deeply empathetic.
Conclusion
Hroggar’s fate in Skyrim is a somber reminder of the harsh realities within the game world. While the Dragonborn cannot completely erase his suffering, their actions during the “Laid to Rest” quest can liberate him from Alva’s control, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. Whether this constitutes “saving” him is a matter of perspective. For more insights into the intersection of gaming and learning, explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society, a community dedicated to understanding how games can transform education and beyond. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.