Who Pays the Best in Skyrim? A Merchant’s Guide to Maximizing Your Septims
Alright, adventurer, so you’ve plundered dungeons, slain dragons, and amassed a hoard worthy of a Jarl. But now what? Lugging around all that loot is slowing you down, and those Septims aren’t going to magically multiply. The burning question is: Who in Skyrim is going to give you the most bang for your buck? The simple answer is… it’s complicated. There’s no single “best” merchant in all situations. Several factors influence the prices you’ll get for your goods. This article is going to break down the various merchants, skills, and perks that will help you squeeze every last Septim out of those dragon bones.
Understanding the Skyrim Economy
Before diving into specific NPCs, it’s crucial to grasp the basics of Skyrim’s economy. The prices you see are influenced by a combination of your Speech skill, any bartering enchantments you might have, and the inherent base prices of items. Each vendor also has a speech skill that will affect how much you can buy or sell items for. Fences (merchants who buy stolen goods) generally offer the worst prices, but they’re essential for offloading ill-gotten gains. Regular merchants adhere to a more predictable price structure.
Key Players in the Skyrim Marketplace
Riverwood Trader: Early Game Savior
For those just starting their adventure, the Riverwood Trader is a solid early choice. While they might not always have the most gold initially, they are the only vendor in the game that will have more than 4k gold. If you are trying to sell big ticket items, and don’t want to settle for only getting a small percentage of what it is valued at, they are your only option. That means you have to work on building up their gold, and that might involve selling them smaller-ticket items initially.
Warmaiden’s: Weapon and Armor Central
In Whiterun, Warmaiden’s, run by Adriane Avenicci and Ulfberth War-Bear, is an excellent choice for selling weapons and armor. A common trick is to sell to Adriane outside, then immediately duck inside and sell to Ulfberth, essentially doubling your selling capacity in a short period. In a single visit you can sell each of them 1100+ worth of goods.
Traveling Khajiit Caravans: Mobile Merchants
Keep an eye out for the Khajiit caravans. Specifically, look for Ma’dran or Ri’saad, who both possess a respectable 750 gold each. Ma’dran frequents the route between Solitude and Windhelm, while Ri’saad travels between Whiterun and Markarth. These general merchants offer convenience and decent prices.
Thieves Guild Fences: For Your Illicit Goods
If your inventory is filled with stolen goods, your best bet is a Thieves Guild fence such as Tonilia in the Ragged Flagon. It’s important to note that fences do offer less gold compared to legitimate merchants, but it’s the only way to legally sell stolen items without accumulating a bounty.
Maximizing Your Profits
Leveling Speech
Investing in the Speech skill is arguably the most important factor for getting better prices. Each level improves your bartering ability, resulting in more Septims in your pocket. Specific perks within the Speech tree, such as “Allies” or “Merchant”, can further enhance your buying and selling rates.
Bartering Enchantments
Enchanting gear with Fortify Barter effects is another effective strategy. Enchantments can significantly improve your selling prices, especially when combined with a high Speech skill.
Investing in Merchants
As you increase your Speech skill, you will gain perks that allow you to invest 500 gold, giving the vendor 500 more base gold, and at level 100 all shops have 1000 more gold. Most vendors that you use more than a few times will increase their gold by a few hundred at least.
Utilize Smithing and Enchanting
Instead of selling raw materials like ingots, ores, leather, or dragon bones, consider using them to craft items. Smithing weapons and armor and then enchanting them significantly increases their value, resulting in far greater profits when sold.
Gender Based Prices
Your speech skill, the NPC’s speech skill, and perhaps perks (10% price difference on opposite sex) could have an impact on price, but I don’t think its enough to actually make any kind of impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of Skyrim’s merchant system:
1. Do all vendors pay the same in Skyrim?
No. Each vendor has a unique base gold amount and skill level. Factors such as your Speech skill, bartering enchantments, and the merchant’s disposition affect the final price.
2. What should I not sell in Skyrim?
Consider avoiding selling raw materials such as ingots, ores, leather, dragon bones, scales, and gems early on. These items are more valuable when used for crafting and enchanting.
3. Can you marry Tonilia?
Unfortunately, Tonilia is not a marriage candidate in Skyrim. She is associated with the Thieves Guild and has a complex relationship with other members.
4. Should I sell dragon bones in Skyrim?
Early game, yes. If your Smithing skill is low, selling dragon bones is a good way to make quick cash. However, once you’re investing in Smithing, use them for crafting dragon armor.
5. Do vendors get more money in Skyrim?
Yes, with perks in the Speech tree, you can invest 500 gold in a merchant, permanently increasing their available gold.
6. Who is the best to sell gems to in Skyrim?
All general goods vendors should buy them, like Belethor in Whiterun, and the ones in Riverwood and Markath.
7. Do all wives in Skyrim make money?
Yes, all spouses will generate around 100 gold per day. However, marrying a shopkeeper means they will open a shop in your home and continue making money as well.
8. Where is the most gold located in Skyrim?
Kolskeggr Mine is packed with gold ore veins. Darkshade and Lost Prospect Mine also have significant gold ore deposits. Mining these and selling the refined gold can be profitable.
9. Should I keep gems in Skyrim?
Yes, gems are essential for smithing jewelry, which is an excellent way to level up both Smithing and Enchanting.
10. Who buys dragon bones for the most?
The trader in the Grey Quarter in Windhelm, is your best bet, early game as well as Arcadia in Whiterun because they offer training.
11. Can we marry Vex Skyrim?
No, Vex is not a possible marriage option.
12. Can I marry a Jarl in Skyrim?
No, you cannot marry a Jarl.
13. Can I marry a man Skyrim?
Yes, you can marry either a man or woman in Skyrim. You must have completed the quest, then you can ask them to marry you.
14. Who buys stolen stuff Skyrim?
Sell them to Tonilia in the Ragged Flagon (You should at least be a member of the Thieves’ Guild), or Enthir at the College of Winterhold.
15. What is the most valuable thing in Skyrim?
The most expensive item you can purchase is the Proudspire Manor at 25,000 Septims.
The Importance of Skills and Knowledge
Ultimately, maximizing your profits in Skyrim comes down to a combination of skills, knowledge, and strategy. By leveling your Speech skill, utilizing enchantments, and knowing which merchants offer the best prices for specific goods, you can transform that dragon-slain loot into a mountain of Septims. Remember, knowledge is power, and a well-informed adventurer is a wealthy adventurer.
And if you want to delve deeper into the fascinating world of game-based learning, be sure to check out the GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society is dedicated to exploring the educational potential of video games.