Whiterun Hold

The open tundra at the heart of Skyrim, ringed by farms, giant camps and old barrows. Its capital stands on a hill in the middle and most roads lead back to it.

Ruled by: Jarl Balgruuf the Greater
Capital: Whiterun

Places

Battle-Born Farm – Farm: A farm just outside Whiterun's walls, owned by the Battle-Born clan and worked by Alfhild.
Bleakwind Basin – Giant camp: A giant camp in the plains west of Whiterun, with two giants and their mammoths.
Broken Fang Cave – Cave: A small vampire den west of Whiterun, with an alchemy lab and an arcane enchanter inside.
Chillfurrow Farm – Farm: A farm east of Whiterun owned by Nazeem and worked by Wilmuth. A One-handed skill book lies inside.
Dragonsreach – Landmark: The Jarl's great hall at the top of Whiterun, with the court wizard's study, the dungeon and a porch built long ago to hold a dragon.
Drelas' Cottage – Shack: The cottage of a hostile mage in the plains north-west of Whiterun, with an alchemy lab and an arcane enchanter.
Dustman's Cairn – Nordic ruin: A barrow north-west of Whiterun where the Companions send you for a fragment of Wuuthrad. A word wall for Fire Breath stands in the last chamber.
Fellglow Keep – Fort: A ruined keep north-east of Whiterun taken over by renegade mages. The College quest Hitting the Books sends you into its dungeons.
Fort Greymoor – Fort: A fort west of Whiterun held by bandits until the Civil War garrisons it. The old maid Agnis lives in its kitchen.
Gjukar's Monument – Landmark: A standing pillar in the plains east of Rorikstead, marking where a warrior and his men were ambushed and killed.
Goldenhills Plantation (Anniversary Edition) – Farm: A large farm east of Rorikstead that becomes yours to run after its quest, added by the Farming creation.
Graywinter Watch – Cave: A troll den in the cliffs east of Whiterun, directly below the Ritual Stone.
Greenspring Hollow – Cave: A small animal den north-east of Whiterun, near the road to Dawnstar.
Guldun Rock – Giant camp: A giant camp east of Whiterun, with a small cave behind the bonfire.
Halted Stream Camp – Bandit camp: A bandit camp north of Whiterun around an iron mine. The spell tome for Transmute Mineral Ore sits on a table inside.
Hamvir's Rest – Nordic ruin: A graveyard in the hills north-west of Whiterun, haunted by skeletons and a draugr, with a small crypt beneath.
High Hrothgar – Temple: The monastery of the Greybeards, high on the Throat of the World, at the top of the Seven Thousand Steps from Ivarstead.
Honningbrew Meadery – Settlement: Sabjorn's meadery south-east of Whiterun, the rival of Black-Briar. The Thieves Guild job Dampened Spirits takes place here.
Lund's Hut – Shack: A lonely hut north-west of Rorikstead. Its owner is dead in his bed and skeevers have moved in.
Moldering Ruins – Ruin: The broken shell of a tower north-east of Whiterun, the lair of a single vampire.
North Brittleshin Pass – Pass: The northern mouth of Brittleshin Pass, south-west of Whiterun. It counts as its own discovery.
North Cold Rock Pass – Pass: The northern mouth of Cold Rock Pass, on the Hjaalmarch side of the hills south of Morthal. It counts as its own discovery.
Pelagia Farm – Farm: Severio Pelagia's farm south of Whiterun. On your first visit, three Companions are fighting a giant in its fields.
Rannveig's Fast – Nordic ruin: A haunted barrow east of Rorikstead with a word wall for Kyne's Peace. The floor in front of the wall is a trapdoor into a warlock's cage.
Redoran's Retreat – Cave: A small bandit cave north-west of Whiterun, a common target for bounty work from the Jarl's steward.
Riverwood – Town: A mill village on the White River, the first settlement on the road from Helgen. Delphine's inn and the Riverwood Trader are here.
Rorikstead – Town: A farming village on the western edge of the hold, on the road to Markarth. Erik at the Frostfruit Inn wants to become an adventurer.
Serpent's Bluff Redoubt – Forsworn camp: A Forsworn camp in a ruin south of Rorikstead, with a small crypt holding a treasure chest.
Shimmermist Cave – Cave: A glowing cave north-east of Whiterun full of Falmer, ending in a Dwemer chamber guarded by a Centurion.
Silent Moons Camp – Bandit camp: Bandits in a small ruin north-west of Whiterun. Weapons made at its Lunar Forge at night carry a unique enchantment.
Sleeping Tree Camp – Giant camp: A giant camp west of Whiterun around a glowing tree in a pool. Its sap is a valued drug, and a smuggler hides in the cave behind.
South Cold Rock Pass – Pass: The southern mouth of Cold Rock Pass, north-east of Rorikstead above Rannveig's Fast. A troll lives in the short cave between the two entrances.
Swindler's Den – Cave: A bandit hideout in the plains west of Whiterun. The Alik'r warriors of In My Time of Need wait at the back, behind a waterfall.
The Ritual Stone – Standing stone: A Standing Stone on a hilltop east of Whiterun. Once a day it raises every corpse around you to fight for you.
Throat of the World – Landmark: The summit of the tallest mountain in Tamriel, above High Hrothgar. The path opens during the main quest once you learn Clear Skies.
Tundra Homestead (Anniversary Edition) – Homestead: A small furnished house east of Whiterun, bought from the Jarl's steward and added by its own creation.
Valtheim Towers – Tower: Twin towers joined by a bridge over the White River, east of Whiterun, where bandits demand a toll from travellers.
Western Watchtower – Tower: A half-ruined watchtower west of Whiterun. The first dragon of the main quest attacks it, and it only shows on the map once Dragon Rising begins.
White River Watch – Cave: A bandit cave overlooking the river east of Whiterun, led by Hajvarr Iron-Hand.
Whiterun – City: The trading city at the heart of Skyrim, built in three tiers below the hall of Dragonsreach. Home of the Companions and the first city most travellers reach.
Whiterun Imperial Camp – Military camp: The Legion's camp in the hold, in the hills west of Whiterun, used while the Stormcloaks hold the city.
Whiterun Military Camp – Military camp: The Stormcloaks' siege camp south of Whiterun. It only exists during the Battle for Whiterun, and only when you fight for the Stormcloaks.
Whiterun Stables – Stable: Stables outside the city gate. A horse is for sale here, and a carriage runs to every hold capital.
Whiterun Stormcloak Camp – Military camp: The Stormcloak camp in the hold, north of Whiterun near the border with the Pale, used while the Empire holds the city.
Whitewatch Tower – Tower: A guard tower north-east of Whiterun. Bandits are attacking it the first time you pass.

Quests

Before the Storm: Begins when you leave Helgen; Hadvar or Ralof, whichever you fled with, sends you on towards Riverwood and Whiterun. Reward: Levelled armour.
Dragon Rising: Begins when Irileth interrupts Farengar with news of a dragon and Jarl Balgruuf sends you to the Western Watchtower. Reward: Thane of Whiterun, Lydia as housecarl, the Axe of Whiterun and the use of Shouts.
The Way of the Voice: Begins after Dragon Rising, when the Greybeards call you to High Hrothgar and Balgruuf advises you to go at once. Reward: Words of Unrelenting Force and Whirlwind Sprint.
The Throat of the World: Delphine sends you to the Greybeards at High Hrothgar once Alduin's Wall has been read; the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller must already be returned. Reward: A word of Fire Breath and the Clear Skies shout.
Alduin's Bane: Starts by itself when you claim the Elder Scroll; return to the Throat of the World, where Paarthurnax waits. Reward: The Dragonrend shout.
The Fallen: After Alduin flees, speak to Paarthurnax, Arngeir or Esbern, then take the news to the Jarl of Whiterun at Dragonsreach. Reward: All words of Call Dragon.
Season Unending: Starts when the Jarl of Whiterun refuses to help during The Fallen; Arngeir at High Hrothgar then agrees to host the talks. Reward: A levelled enchanted weapon if the treaty favours the side you joined.
Message to Whiterun: Starts when you give Ulfric Stormcloak the Jagged Crown in Windhelm and he hands you his war axe to deliver.
Battle for Whiterun: Starts when Ulfric Stormcloak orders you to help take the city; Galmar Stone-Fist then sends you to the Whiterun Military Camp. Reward: The title Ice-Veins and a levelled enchanted weapon.
Message to Whiterun: Starts when you give General Tullius the Jagged Crown in Solitude and he hands you a message for Jarl Balgruuf.
Battle for Whiterun: Report to Legate Quentin Cipius when Message to Whiterun ends; he sends you to the front line. Reward: Quaestor rank and a levelled enchanted weapon.
Take Up Arms: Speak to Kodlak Whitemane in the living quarters under Jorrvaskr, the mead hall in Whiterun's Wind District. Reward: Membership of the Companions and a bed in Jorrvaskr.
Proving Honor: Skjor calls for you once you have finished a job for one of the Companions. Reward: A Skyforge Steel weapon of your choice from Eorlund.
Animal Extermination: Ask Aela for work at Jorrvaskr. Reward: Gold.
Hired Muscle: Ask Farkas for work at Jorrvaskr. Reward: Gold.
Trouble in Skyrim: Ask Farkas or Vilkas for work at Jorrvaskr. Reward: Gold.
Family Heirloom: Ask Skjor or Vilkas for work at Jorrvaskr. Reward: Gold.
Escaped Criminal: Ask Skjor or Vilkas for work at Jorrvaskr. Reward: Gold.
Rescue Mission: Ask Skjor or Vilkas for work at Jorrvaskr. Reward: Gold.
Striking the Heart: Ask Aela for work after The Silver Hand. Reward: Gold.
Stealing Plans: Ask Aela for work after The Silver Hand. Reward: Gold.
Retrieval: Ask Aela for work after The Silver Hand. Reward: Gold.
Totems of Hircine: Ask Aela for work once you are Harbinger and still a werewolf.
Dragon Seekers: Ask Farkas or Vilkas for work once you are Harbinger and dragons have returned. Reward: Gold.
Hitting the Books: Report to Arch-Mage Savos Aren, then ask Urag gro-Shub in the Arcanaeum about the orb. Reward: Several books from Urag.
Dampened Spirits: Brynjolf sends you to Maven Black-Briar, upstairs in the Bee and Barb. Reward: A levelled enchanted weapon.
Imitation Amnesty: Finish five small jobs for Delvin or Vex in Whiterun Hold, then ask Delvin about the special job in Whiterun. Reward: A merchant in the Ragged Flagon and influence in Whiterun.
Contract: Kill Ma'randru-jo: Ask Nazir for a contract in the Sanctuary. Reward: Gold.
Contract: Kill Anoriath: Ask Nazir for a contract in the Sanctuary. Reward: Gold.
Contract: Kill Agnis: Ask Nazir for a contract in the Sanctuary. Reward: Gold.
The Whispering Door: Finish Dragon Rising and reach level 20, then ask Hulda at the Bannered Mare in Whiterun for rumours. Asking Jarl Balgruuf about his children does not start it. Reward: Ebony Blade.
The Blessings of Nature: Speak to Danica Pure-Spring at the Temple of Kynareth in Whiterun about the dying Gildergreen tree.
The Golden Claw: Talk to Lucan Valerius or his sister Camilla at the Riverwood Trader, or simply come across the claw inside Bleak Falls Barrow. Reward: Levelled gold.
In My Time Of Need: After Dragon Rising, Alik'r warriors at the gates of Whiterun ask after a Redguard woman. She is Saadia, who serves at the Bannered Mare. Reward: 500 gold either way.
Missing In Action: Come across the Battle-Borns arguing with Fralia Gray-Mane in the Whiterun market, then meet her son Avulstein at the House of Gray-Mane. Reward: An enchanted weapon.
Sleeping Tree Cave: Read Ysolda's Message on the body of the Orc Ulag in the cave at Sleeping Tree Camp, west of Whiterun. Reward: Ysolda buys sleeping tree sap at a good price.
Dungeon Delving: Overhear Amren arguing with his wife Saffir in the street in Whiterun, then offer to help. Reward: A level each in One-handed and Block.
A Few Words with You: Speak to Carlotta Valentia at her stall in the Whiterun market.
Salt for Arcadia: Ask the court wizard Farengar in Dragonsreach whether he needs anything.
Andurs' Arkay Amulet: Speak to the priest Andurs in Whiterun's Hall of the Dead. Reward: 15 gold.
Bullying Braith: Speak to the boy Lars Battle-Born in Whiterun. Reward: 2 gold and a welcome at the House of Clan Battle-Born.
Argonian Ale Extraction: Speak to the beggar Brenuin near the Whiterun market. Reward: A Potion of Vigorous Healing.
Greatsword for a Great Man: Speak to Adrianne Avenicci at Warmaiden's, just inside the gates of Whiterun.
Fight! Fight!: Talk to Uthgerd the Unbroken in the Bannered Mare and take her bet. Reward: 100 gold; Uthgerd becomes a follower.
Rare Gifts: Speak to Ysolda in the Whiterun market. Reward: A level in Speech.
A Lovely Letter: Talk to Sven or Faendal in Riverwood about Camilla Valerius. Reward: Whoever comes out ahead becomes a follower.
Erik the Slayer: Speak to Erik, who works the fields and the inn at Rorikstead. Reward: Erik the Slayer becomes a follower for hire.
The Words of Power: After The Way of the Voice, ask Arngeir whether the Greybeards have sensed a Word of Power.

Collectibles

Ironhand Gauntlets – Heavy armor: Worn by the bandit chief Hajvarr Iron-Hand on the summit of White River Watch.
Ebony Blade: Taken from behind the whispering door in the basement of Dragonsreach during The Whispering Door.
Stone of Barenziah: Jorrvaskr – Whiterun Hold: On the bookshelf in Kodlak Whitemane's room, in the living quarters under Jorrvaskr.
Stone of Barenziah: Dragonsreach – Whiterun Hold: On the right-hand bedside table in the Jarl's bedroom, upstairs in Dragonsreach.
Stone of Barenziah: Hall of the Dead – Whiterun Hold: In the catacombs under Whiterun's Hall of the Dead: down the left-hand stairs and to your left, beside a skeleton.
Stone of Barenziah: Fellglow Keep – Whiterun Hold: Inside the keep proper: straight up the first stairs and to the right.
Stone of Barenziah: Rannveig's Fast – Whiterun Hold: In the cell block below the word wall: let the trapdoor in front of the wall drop you, and look beside the alchemy lab and chest.
Honningbrew Decanter: In a locked room on the upper floor of Honningbrew Meadery, behind an expert lock, during Dampened Spirits.
Herbalist's Guide to Skyrim – Alchemy: In Arcadia's Cauldron in Whiterun, on the shelf under the counter of the Hag's Cure in Markarth, in Boulderfall Cave and in Journeyman's Nook.
Vernaccus and Bourlor – Archery: On a barrel in Graywinter Watch, in the Treasury House in Markarth, near the forge at Knifepoint Ridge, in Clearspring Cave and in Froki's Shack.
The Doors of Oblivion – Conjuration: On a podium in the far west room of Fellglow Keep, in Falkreath's Hall of the Dead, in Ilinalta's Deep and in Reachcliff Cave.
The Warrior's Charge – Conjuration: Near the arcane enchanter in Brittleshin Pass, in an alcove of Stillborn Cave and in the Jarl's quarters of Understone Keep.
Twin Secrets – Enchanting: On the arcane enchanter in the ruins under Serpent's Bluff Redoubt, in Calcelmo's Laboratory in Understone Keep, in the Jarl's Longhouse in Winterhold and in the bandit chief's room of Treva's Watch.
Hallgerd's Tale – Heavy Armor: On an end table in the main hall of Jorrvaskr, in the East Tower of Mistwatch and at the top of Rift Watchtower.
The Knights of the Nine – Heavy Armor: In Guldun Rock, in Mauhulakh's Longhouse at Narzulbur, upstairs in the Palace of the Kings and downstairs in the Hall of the Vigilant.
Mystery of Talara, Part 4 – Illusion: In Broken Fang Cave, in Hag's End, in Blind Cliff Bastion above Blind Cliff Cave and in Nepos's house in Markarth.
Rislav The Righteous – Light Armor: In the training room on the upper floor of Fort Greymoor and in the vaults under Cracked Tusk Keep.
Night Falls on Sentinel – One-handed: In Swindler's Den, in the large chest at the end of Volunruud and in the tent of the small bandit camp south of the Guardian Stones.
The Importance of Where – One-handed: At Chillfurrow Farm outside Whiterun, in Gallows Rock, in Brina's house in Dawnstar and in the Markarth Guard Tower.
The Armorer's Challenge – Smithing: At the Skyforge in Whiterun, near the forge at Mor Khazgur, at Bilegulch Mine and in the Scorched Hammer in Riften.
2920, Last Seed, v8 – Sneak: In Redoran's Retreat, in the ruin at Hag Rock Redoubt and close to where Alain Dufont waits in Raldbthar.
2920, Second Seed, v5 – Speech: At the shrine of Zenithar east of Gjukar's Monument, under the counter of Sadri's Used Wares in Windhelm and in the master vampire's chamber of Shriekwind Bastion.
Biography of the Wolf Queen – Speech: In Belethor's General Goods in Whiterun, in the Jarl's bedroom of the Blue Palace, in Bthardamz and in Liar's Retreat.
Battle of Sancre Tor – Two-handed: On a table in the first room of Dustman's Cairn, in Bleakcoast Cave, in Broken Helm Hollow and in the House of Clan Battle-Born in Whiterun.
Transmute – Alteration: Not sold anywhere. One copy lies in Halted Stream Camp and another in the Burial Chambers of Ansilvund.
Poacher's Axe – War axe: In Halted Stream Camp, the bandit mine north of Whiterun.
Notched Pickaxe – Pickaxe: Stuck in the rock at the very peak of the Throat of the World, above Paarthurnax's perch.
Froki's Bow – Bow: On a barrel in Graywinter Watch, the troll cave east of Whiterun visited in Kyne's Sacred Trials. Froki lets you keep it.