Should I Give Up Riften or Dawnstar in Skyrim? A Strategic Guide
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The burning question on many a Dragonborn’s mind during the “Season Unending” questline in Skyrim: Should you hand over Riften or Dawnstar to the Imperial Legion to broker a temporary peace treaty? The short answer? Dawnstar is the better choice for the majority of players. While neither option significantly alters the overarching storyline, the long-term ramifications, particularly concerning the Jarls and the associated Thieves Guild implications in Riften, make Dawnstar the more strategically sound sacrifice. Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of this decision and explore why.
The Lesser of Two Evils: Weighing the Options
Both Riften and Dawnstar hold unique appeals within Skyrim. Riften, nestled in the southeastern corner, is a bustling hub of commerce, shadowed intrigue, and home to the infamous Thieves Guild. Dawnstar, a more isolated port town in the Pale, is known for its fishing industry, mining operations, and its own share of dark secrets (the Dawnstar Sanctuary, for example). When choosing which city to cede, consider these factors:
1. The Impact on the Jarls
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Riften: Handing Riften to the Imperials effectively places the manipulative Maven Black-Briar on the throne. Maven’s influence permeates every aspect of Riften’s society, and she is notoriously ruthless. This decision solidifies her power, further entrenching the Black-Briar family’s criminal enterprise within the city. If you value a relatively “clean” (and I use that term loosely in Skyrim) government, giving Riften to the Empire is a step in the wrong direction.
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Dawnstar: Ceding Dawnstar typically means Skald the Elder will be replaced if the Stormcloaks controlled it before. This, generally, has less of an impact on the overall atmosphere of the hold. The new jarl will still manage the city and offer quests, but doesn’t have the far-reaching, impactful consequences of Maven taking control in Riften.
2. The Thieves Guild Factor
The Thieves Guild, headquartered in Riften’s Ragged Flagon, plays a significant role in numerous questlines. Maven Black-Briar’s involvement with the Guild is integral to their operations. Giving her Riften essentially ensures the Guild’s continued, and possibly amplified, influence, which can affect future quests and interactions with the city.
3. Strategic Importance
Neither Riften nor Dawnstar boasts critical strategic importance in the grand scheme of the game. Neither holds a unique quest that is irreplacable. This really boils down to personal preference and which city you’d prefer to return to, knowing that your choice has affected its leadership.
4. Personal Preference
Ultimately, the decision hinges on your personal preference and role-playing choices. Are you role-playing a character who dislikes the Thieves Guild and wants to undermine their power? Then sacrificing Dawnstar might not be so bad. If you’re willing to trade control over the Thieves Guild for potential control over the region, that should be considered.
Conclusion
Because there is no significant impact in regards to the general story, there really isn’t a “wrong” choice. Each choice will impact each area in similar ways; however, some players would prefer to not make Maven Black-Briar even more powerful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is the “Season Unending” quest?
The “Season Unending” quest is part of the main storyline in Skyrim. It involves negotiating a temporary truce between the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks at the High Hrothgar monastery. This truce is necessary to secure their cooperation in fighting the dragon menace. Part of the negotiation involves ceding control of a hold.
2. Does giving up Riften or Dawnstar permanently affect gameplay?
Not in a dramatically significant way. The main storyline proceeds regardless of your choice. However, the change in Jarl can affect minor quests, dialogue options, and the overall atmosphere of the hold.
3. Will the Jarls ever change back to their original state after the truce?
No. The change in Jarls during “Season Unending” is permanent, unless you later complete the Civil War questline and conquer the hold for the opposing faction, at which point, the original jarl will return to power.
4. Can I prevent giving up either Riften or Dawnstar?
No, surrendering one of these locations is necessary for the “Season Unending” quest. There is no way to progress the main quest without it.
5. What are the potential benefits of having Maven Black-Briar as Jarl of Riften?
Honestly, there are few genuine benefits. As a Jarl, she remains a contact for the Thieves Guild, and her control can streamline some of their operations. However, her corrupt nature often outweighs any advantages.
6. Can I become Thane of Riften if Maven Black-Briar is Jarl?
Yes, you can still become Thane of Riften under Maven Black-Briar. The process involves completing tasks and earning her favor, similar to becoming Thane in other holds.
7. Does the Civil War questline affect my choice during “Season Unending”?
Not directly. However, your choice during “Season Unending” can influence how you approach the Civil War questline. For example, if you gave Riften to the Imperials and then decide to join the Stormcloaks, you will eventually have to conquer Riften and remove Maven from power.
8. What happens if I side with the Stormcloaks and give up Dawnstar?
If you side with the Stormcloaks and surrender Dawnstar, the Imperials will place a new Jarl in charge, often someone loyal to the Empire. This can impact the local economy and the types of quests available in Dawnstar.
9. Are there any unique items or quests tied to either Riften or Dawnstar that I should consider?
Riften is heavily tied to the Thieves Guild questline, which offers unique armor, weapons, and abilities. Dawnstar is connected to the Dark Brotherhood through the Dawnstar Sanctuary. Consider which of these questlines you prioritize when making your decision.
10. Does my race or character build influence whether I should give up Riften or Dawnstar?
Not significantly. While role-playing considerations might lean you one way or another (e.g., a Nord might be more inclined to side with the Stormcloaks and protect Dawnstar), the mechanical impact is minimal.
11. What happens to the citizens of Riften/Dawnstar after the change of ownership?
The citizens of Riften and Dawnstar will generally continue their lives as normal. Some may express dissatisfaction with the new Jarl, but there are no large-scale displacements or significant changes to their daily routines.
12. Where can I learn more about the lore and political intricacies of Skyrim?
The Games Learning Society is a great resource! Additionally, the Elder Scrolls Wiki is an expansive, fan-maintained resource with pages on every character, location, and event in the Elder Scrolls universe. You can also search for articles about the characters and factions in Skyrim, like the Stormcloaks, on the GamesLearningSociety.org website.
13. Is there any way to reverse my decision after completing “Season Unending”?
The only way to truly reverse your decision is to complete the Civil War questline. If you gave Riften to the Empire, for instance, joining the Stormcloaks and conquering Riften will remove Maven Black-Briar from power and restore the original Jarl.
14. Should I give Winterhold to Tullius?
When Tullius asks for Riften or Dawnstar/Winterhold (either one of this, normally it is Dawnstar) in return, don’t give him Riften (major hold), give him Dawnstar/Winterhold (minor hold).
15. What happens to the economy of Riften/Dawnstar after the change of ownership?
The economy of each hold may be subtly affected by the change in leadership. However, these effects are generally minor and do not significantly impact gameplay or your ability to trade and acquire resources. Overall, you can look at it as something that provides an additional layer to your game but shouldnt heavily influence your decision.
Ultimately, choosing between Riften and Dawnstar is a nuanced decision based on personal preference, role-playing considerations, and a weighing of the long-term consequences. By carefully considering the factors outlined above, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your Dragonborn’s journey. Happy adventuring!