Skyrim: Best Quests To Do First + Walkthrough

Skyrim is a big place with lots of objectives. It can be confusing when you start. Even if you know the map well, you might wonder which quests to do first. Whether you’re new or a pro, knowing the Skyrim best quests to do first will help you get going and find exciting stories and rewards as you explore the land of the Dragonborn. 

Best Quests To Do First In Skyrim Summary

Skyrim has many quests, but choosing the right ones early can bring valuable rewards and skills. Here, I will summarize the 8 best quests to start Skyrim with:

1. The House of Horrors

“The House of Horrors” is considered one of the “Skyrim best quests to do first.” This distinctive Daedric quest in Skyrim is introduced in Markarth and initiated by Vigilant Tyranus’s plea for help investigating an Abandoned House. The quest takes players on a dark journey as they uncover the malevolent presence of Molag Bal, a Daedric Prince, and assist in his pursuit of revenge against a priest of Boethiah.

Here, I will mention the objectives of the quest:

• Investigate the Abandoned House in Markarth.
• Collaborate with Vigilant Tyranus and confront a mysterious voice.
• Receive a task from Molag Bal to find the priest of Boethiah and liberate Logrolf the Willful.
• Return to the Abandoned House, use the Rusty Mace to subdue Logrolf, and execute him as per Molag Bal’s directive.
• Obtain the Mace of Molag Bal as your reward for completing the quest.

2. Tending the Flames

In “Tending the Flames” quest, which is a part of the Bards College storyline in Skyrim, the Dragonborn undertakes a journey to retrieve King Olaf’s Verse, a piece of historical literature. To begin the quest, the Dragonborn must speak to Viarmo, the headmaster of the Bards College in Solitude.

This meeting initiates a series of objectives, including:

• Get the old book from Dead Man’s Respite to find King Olaf’s Verse.
• Help Viarmo fix King Olaf’s epic by finishing the missing parts and making Olaf’s verse complete.
• Go to the Blue Palace and join the court event where Viarmo shows the restored verse to the Jarl of Solitude and meet Viarmo there.
• Observe Court’s reaction.
• Talk to Jorn, an important character in the festival preparations.
• End the quest by participating in the Solitude festival called the Burning of King Olaf.

3. The Taste of Death

“The Taste of Death” is considered one of the “Skyrim best quests to do first.” This Daedric quest in Skyrim unfolds in the city of Markarth and Reachcliff Cave. It involves assisting a cult of Namira’s cannibalistic followers in their dark rituals and feasts.

Objectives of the quest include:

• Talk to Brother Verulus to discuss the closed Hall of the Dead.
• Explore the Hall of the Dead to uncover the issue.
• Convince Verulus to accompany you to the Shrine of Namira.
• Offer Verulus as a sacrifice at the shrine.
• Participate in a cannibalistic feast to please Namira and receive the Ring of Namira, boosting your health and strength when consuming the deceased’s flesh.

4. The Forsworn Conspiracy

“The Forsworn Conspiracy,” is a thrilling quest set in Skyrim’s city of Markarth, where players begin with a dramatic murder attempt and are soon enlisted by Eltrys to investigate a complex conspiracy involving the Forsworn.

In the quest I had to go through following series of objectives:

• Investigate Nepos the Nose and his ties to the Forsworn.
• Be prepared for potential combat in Nepos’ house if necessary.
• Examine important journals and documents to uncover the full story.
• Share your findings with Eltrys at the Shrine of Talos.
• Depending on your choices, face the consequences that may lead to the “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine” quest.

5. No News Is Good News

In the middle of the big war happening in Skyrim, there’s a quest called “No News is Good News” that tells a sad story. You meet a lady named Angeline Morrard in Solitude. She’s really worried about her daughter, Fura, who is a soldier in Whiterun. The quest is all about trying to find out if Fura is okay or not in the middle of this war.

Players have to complete the following objectives:

• Begin the quest by talking to Angeline and hearing her concerns.
• Locate Captain Aldis in Castle Dour’s courtyard and inquire about Fura.
• Persuade Captain Aldis to disclose details about Fura through conversation.
• Once you’ve learned the information from Aldis, return to Angeline and update her on her daughter.
• You won’t receive any items, but Angeline will appreciate your assistance.

6. The Mind of Madness

In “The Mind of Madness,” one of the interesting quests I found in the early game of Skyrim. You’ll encounter a beggar named Dervenin in Solitude. He pleads for your help in convincing his master, Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness, to return from vacation in the mind of the late Emperor Pelagius III.

To aid Dervenin, you must access the Pelagius Wing of the Blue Palace, solve Pelagius’ mental dilemmas, and make Sheogorath return. Your primary reward for this venture is the unpredictable Daedric artifact, the Wabbajack.

Objectives of the quest include:

• Enter the Pelagius Wing of the Blue Palace.
• Look for Dervenin’s master inside the Pelagius Wing.
• Use the Wabbajack to get out of Pelagius’ mind.

7. Argonian Ale Extraction

I find “Argonian Ale Extraction” one of the easiest quests in Skyrim in which you’re tasked with helping Brenuin, a resident of Whiterun, acquire a prized bottle of Argonian Ale from the Bannered Mare. This particular ale is known for its rarity and location, making the quest a bit more interesting.

The objectives for the mission are as follows:

• First, steal the coveted Argonian Ale from the Bannered Mare.
• Next, deliver the stolen Ale to Brenuin.

8. The Book of Love

In the quest “The Book of Love” in Skyrim, you’ll embark on a heartwarming journey to assist Mara, the Goddess of Love and Marriage, by mending troubled romances and spreading love throughout the land.

The objectives for the quest are as follows:

• Start by talking to Dinya Balu in Riften.
• Help Fastred in Ivarstead with her love issue, choosing between Klimmek and Bassianus.
• Report back to Dinya Balu in Riften.
• Assist Calcelmo in Markarth with expressing his feelings to Faleen, delivering her letter.
• Reunite long-dead lovers Ruki and Fenrig with an Amulet of Mara, finding them and witnessing their heartwarming reunion at Gjukar’s Monument.

The Best Quest In My Opinion

I recommend doing the “House of Horrors” quest. In this quest, you’ll get the “Mace of Molag Bal,” a strong weapon that can be super helpful, especially at the beginning of the game. The mace has a special power that can weaken your enemies by draining their stamina and magic. So, if you prefer close combat, this quest can be a good choice for you. Give it a try!

While playing Skyrim, don’t forget to explore our guide on the ideal field of view for all weapons, ensuring a more immersive experience. If you want to enhance your visuals, our top eye mods guide is a must-read. For those who favor two-handed weapons, our list of the 25 best options in Skyrim will help you dominate in combat. Also, here is a beginner’s guide for you if you have just started playing Skyrim.

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