Skyrim Missing In Action Quest [Walkthrough]

Missing In Action is one of the interesting side quests in Skyrim. The quest involves looking for a Gray-Mane and rescuing him.

Skyrim has Main Questlines, but they aren’t as immersive as it is in other games. That is why, Skyrim has tons of interesting Side quests. These quests help players better understand the world of Skyrim and its people. One such quest is the Skyrim Missing in Action, which is a morally conflicting questline that often ends in fights between Gray-Mane and Battle-Born clans of Whiterun.

Important: The Northwatch Keep, where Thorald is located, will be filled with Thalmor soldiers. It is better to go there with Avulstein.
Key Takeaways
  • The Skyrim Missing in Action quest is one of various Side Quests found in the game.
  • Players can receive the quest from Fralia Gray-Mane in Whiterun.
  • During the quest, players have to find and rescue Thorald Gray-Mane.
  • Find the Proof of Thorald’s captivity at the Battle-Born clan’shouse.
  • Locate Thorald in Northwatch Keep and rescue him from the Thalmor.
  • Northwatch Keep is located to the South-West of Solitude, in the mountains.
  • Players can take Avulstein Gray-Mane with them to rescue Thorald.
  • In reward for completing the quest, Fralia Gray-Mane will reward the players with an enchanted weapon.

Starting The Missing In Action Quest

Missing in action skyrim starting.
Fralia Gray-Mane, a Merchant in Whiterun, will tell you about her son to start the Quest. [Screenshot by eXputer]
  • Start the “Missing in Action” quest in Skyrim by going to Whiterun Market.
  • Witness the argument between Fralia Grey-Mane and Idolaf and Olfrid Battle-Born.
  • Learn about the Battle-Borns taunting Fralia about her son Thorald being locked up or dead.
  • Talk to Fralia, who believes her son is alive, and she directs you to her home in The Wind District.
  • Inside the house, meet Avulstein Grey-Mane, another son, who believes Thorald is being hidden by the Battle-Borns.
  • Receive the task to gather evidence from the Battle-Born’s house regarding Thorald’s whereabouts

Finding Evidence

To find the evidence, you will have to go to their house, where they will be hiding it. Now there are a few methods that you can use to acquire the Evidence.

proof of misisng in action skyrim.
Avulstein will ask you to look for proof in the Battle-Born clan’s house. [Screenshot by eXputer]
Lockpicking:

  • Enter the Battle-Born home when they’re not present.
  • Lockpick the main door for access.

Confronting:

  • Need Level 75 Speech or higher.
  • Confront Idolaf Battle-Born about Thorald.
  • Receive Imperial Missive as proof.

Pickpocketing:

  • Target Jon Battle-Born.
  • Pickpocket his letter.
  • Confront Jon, show the letter, and obtain Imperial Missive.

Befriending:

  • Help Lars Battle-Born or buy crops from Alfhild Battle-Born.
  • Answer Idolaf’s question favorably for home access

Once you’re inside their house, then go to the small office to the left. It also will be locked. Unlock it and there will be the Imperial Missive lying on the table. It will tell you where Thorald is held captive. Bring it back to Avulstein.

Proof of captivity.
The letter from General Tullius telling the location of Thorald. [Screenshot by eXputer]

Rescuing Thorald

When you show proof of transfer to Avulstein, he will then say that he would like to go himself to rescue his brother. But you will have a few different options to persuade him to stay at home. You can either go with him to rescue his brother, find a peaceful method, or go there all by yourself. Whatever method you choose will have the same result, with Thorald rescued.

Going with Avulstein:

  • Face Thalmor Soldiers with help.
  • Avulstein and mercenaries assist.
  • Easier fights against powerful Thalmor.

Without Bloodshed:

  • Dragonborn at Legate rank.
  • Visit General Tullius at Castle Dour.
  • Obtain a letter of release for Thorald.
  • Present the letter at Northwatch Keep for Thorald’s release.

Going Alone:

  • Hardest method, confront Thalmor alone.
  • Deal with all Thalmor at Northwatch.
  • Suitable for higher-level characters or those confident in stealth.
  • Recommended to go with Avulstein for support

Northwatch Keep

If you decide to go with Avulstein Gray-Mane, you will find him behind some rocks near the Northwatch Keep. He will be there with two other warriors. You will barge into the Keep and fight with any Thalmor that you come across. We recommend that you keep your distance as they can deal high damage to you.

Northwatch keep location.
The location of the Northwatch Keep where Thorald is held captive. [Screenshot by eXputer]
Go inside the Keep and the way is pretty straightforward. Make sure that you get rid of every elf that you come across before going into the next section. That will allow you to clear the Keep fairly easily.

In the last area, you will come across the Thalmor Interrogator. He is a powerful foe. That’s why you should again let your comrades take his damage while you deal the damage from behind using Bow and Arrow. Once he is dead, you can then loot his body for the Northwatch Keep key. That will come in handy in setting Thorald free. There is a Chest filled with loot in the area. Take care of that before you head on to rescuing Thalmor.

rescuing Thorald
Thorald is located deep inside the Northwatch Keep. [Screenshot by eXputer]
Once you’re done with everything, you can set Thorald free and get out of the Keep. He will then tell you that he can’t go back home as Thalmor will come looking for him there. But instead, he will go and join the ranks of Stormclocks against Thalmor. He will then give you a message to give to his mother Fralia.

When you go to Fralia back in Whiterun, she will then ask if you’re telling the truth or not. Tell her the phrase that Thorald said. She will complete it and understand his purpose.

Missing in action quest completion skyrim.
Once the quest is completed, you will be rewarded by Fralia Gray-Mane. [Screenshot by eXputer]

Rewards

Now the quest itself isn’t that much rewarding. When you go to Fralia, she will give you an enchanted weapon as a reward. It isn’t worth much. The real reward is what you’ll get off of each Thalmor that you kill. They wear powerful Armor that you can then sell to get Gold. If you have that goal in your mind, then you can take a follower with you to carry all the weight. That will end in a bigger reward than what you’ll get.

Final Words

Although the Skyrim Missing in Action quest is one of the aspects of Skyrim Civil War, according to this Subreddit Post, it has no role in that. So you can go and get your anger out on a few Thalmor Soldiers for ruining Skyrim, and go back to fight for them. But for that, you’ll need the best Swords, Two-Handed weapons, and the Best Build you can have in Skyrim.

Apart from that, there are some other interesting quests in the game. Check out Blood on The Ice and In My Time of Need. Apart from that, you can head to Raven Rock where there are interesting Quests. Or you can go on a hunting spree to discover all Standing Stones in Skyrim.

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Huzaifa is eXputer's Review Editor, who’s all about RPG games. He’s got several years of experience critically judging games and writing his unbiased thoughts on them. You can also find his content published on sites like Twinfinite & GearNuke. Huzaifa has been gaming for 23+ years, during which he managed to amass 400+ hours on Elden Ring! You can follow his gaming activity on his Xbox and Steam Profiles.

Experience: 5+ years || Previously Worked At GearNuke & Twinfinite || Mainly Covers RPG Guides & Latest Games Reviews || Education: Bachelors in Hospitality.

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