Table of Contents

Should I Become Thane of Riften? A Skyrim Expert’s Guide

Absolutely! Becoming Thane of Riften is well worth the effort for most Skyrim players. The rewards, including a unique weapon, a loyal housecarl, and the prestige of the title itself, make it a desirable goal. However, the questline is relatively involved, so let’s delve into the details to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your Dragonborn.

What’s So Special About Being Thane?

Being a Thane in Skyrim is more than just a fancy title. It’s a sign of respect and influence within a hold. While it doesn’t come with sweeping political power, it does offer tangible benefits and opens up new gameplay possibilities.

Benefits of Thaneship in Riften

Blade of the Rift: Jarl Laila Law-Giver bestows this unique, enchanted weapon upon you when you become Thane. While its stats may not be endgame-level, it’s a cool, lore-significant item to add to your collection.
Housecarl Iona: Iona is your personal bodyguard and follower. She’s a capable warrior who will accompany you on your adventures and defend your property.
Legal Advantages: While not explicitly stated, being a Thane can sometimes smooth things over with the local guard. They might be more lenient towards you (though don’t expect to get away with murder).
Roleplaying Opportunities: Being a Thane unlocks new roleplaying potential. You’re a person of importance in Riften, and you can leverage that status in various quests and interactions.
Honeyside: Access to Honeyside, a charming house with a back door that leads right into the water outside of Riften.

The Quest for Thaneship: A Step-by-Step Guide

Becoming Thane of Riften requires a bit of work, but it’s a straightforward process. Here’s what you need to do:

Gain the Jarl’s Favor: Speak to Jarl Laila Law-Giver. She’ll task you with aiding the citizens of Riften.
Help Five Citizens: This is the most time-consuming part. You need to complete five miscellaneous quests for the people of Riften. These can range from delivering items to clearing out bandit camps.
Purchase a House (Honeyside): Owning property in Riften is a requirement. You can purchase Honeyside from the Jarl’s steward.
Report Back to the Jarl: Once you’ve completed the previous steps, return to Jarl Laila Law-Giver. She’ll declare you Thane of the Rift!

Tips for Completing the “Help the People of Riften” Quest

Focus on Quick Quests: Look for simple fetch quests or tasks that can be completed quickly.
Talk to Everyone: Engage in conversations with the citizens of Riften to uncover potential quests.
Check the Bee and Barb: The inn is a great place to find quests and rumors.
Don’t Neglect the Black-Briars (Carefully): While morally questionable, quests from the Black-Briar family count towards your total. Be mindful of the ethical implications.
Wujeeta’s Skooma Addiction: Wujeeta is a vital character for becoming Thane and is not an ‘essential’ NPC. So, make sure you find her before she dies.

Why You Might Not Want to Become Thane

While the benefits are appealing, there are a few reasons why you might choose to forgo Thaneship in Riften:

Moral Concerns: Riften is a city steeped in corruption and intrigue. Supporting the Black-Briars to gain favor might conflict with your character’s moral alignment.
Time Commitment: Helping five citizens can take a significant amount of time, especially if you’re pursuing other quests or storylines.
Roleplaying a Criminal: If you’re playing a character who thrives in the shadows, the responsibilities of Thaneship might clash with your chosen playstyle.

Making Your Decision

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to become Thane of Riften is a personal one. Weigh the benefits against the drawbacks and consider your character’s motivations and playstyle. For most players, the rewards outweigh the challenges, making Thaneship in Riften a worthwhile pursuit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do you get for becoming Thane of Riften? You receive the Blade of the Rift, a housecarl named Iona, the title of Thane, and the respect of the Jarl.
Where should I become a Thane in Skyrim? You can become Thane in any of the nine holds in Skyrim, each with its own requirements and rewards. Solitude requires you to own property before you can become Thane.
Can you clean up Riften in Skyrim? Certain parts of Riften are cleanable, but the Thieves Guild and Black-Briars are entrenched and cannot be completely eradicated.
Can you lose your Thane title in Skyrim? Yes, if the Jarl who named you Thane is replaced due to the Civil War, you will lose the title. However, you can regain it by speaking to the new Jarl and fulfilling their requirements.
Can you play Skyrim without leaving Riften? Yes, you can confine your gameplay to Riften and its surrounding areas, focusing on quests within the city and the Rift hold.
Can a Thane become a king? The game doesn’t allow the player to become High King or Queen through thaneship.
How many Thanes can you be in Skyrim? You can become Thane of every hold in Skyrim, regardless of your Civil War allegiance.
What happens if I give Riften to the Imperials? If you give Riften to the Imperials during the Season Unending quest, the Stormcloaks will be forced to cede control of the city to the Empire. Maven Black-Briar then becomes Jarl.
Should I give up Riften or Winterhold? This decision depends on your allegiance in the Civil War. There’s no major gameplay consequence either way.
Can you marry Jarl Elisif? Normally, you cannot marry Jarl Elisif without using mods, and these mods are often buggy.
Which Skyrim house is the best? This is subjective, but Lakeview Manor, Arch-Mage’s Quarters and Proudspire Manor are commonly considered among the best due to their customizability, location, and unique features. Honeyside can be great, too, due to its back door.
Can I be Thane of all holds in Skyrim? Yes, it is possible to become Thane of all holds.
Who to marry in Riften? Mjoll the Lioness is a popular choice for marriage in Riften due to her strong moral compass and dislike of corruption.
Can you become Thane of Riften without Wujeeta? No. If Wujeeta dies, it becomes impossible to become Thane of Riften without cheating.
Who becomes Jarl of Riften if Imperials win? If the Imperials win the Civil War, Maven Black-Briar will become Jarl of Riften.

There are many ways for people of all ages to learn through playing video games. The Games Learning Society is one such example of an organization devoted to understanding this educational approach to games. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

Should I become Thane of Riften?