Many a Dragonborn scattered among the land of Skryim have earned their claims to fame. Some through saving the world, others through winning a civil war, and others still, from pursuing nobility.
Indeed, each of Skyrim’s nine holds can allow players to pursue a title of nobility called the “Thane.” Thanehood usually comes with benefits that are universal across all holds such as a personal servant/housecarl, a radiantly leveled weapon, and (moderate) immunity from being punished for crimes. But the path to this title varies from hold to hold, some more difficult, while others easy. And this is how to become Thane of the Pale.
7 Engage A Waking Nightmare
Upon first setting foot in the small capital of Dawnstar, players will find many a townsfolk bemoaning and lamenting their sleep or lack thereof. Recently, the whole of the town has been plagued by strange yet horrifying nightmares. Many speculate the source of these nightmares, yet few have any solid answers, not even the Jarl.
Fortunately, though, there is one solid lead on this mysterious ordeal, in the form of a humble monk staying at the Windpeak Inn: Erandur. This dark elf seems rather knowledgeable as to what’s behind the nightly terrors plaguing people’s minds and will request players accompany him to the nearby, abandoned Nightcaller Temple.
6 End the Nightmare
The Waking Nightmare quest, aside from being necessary to opening the Pale’s path to thanehood, is also one of many Daedric quests in the game. Fortunately, it’s not among the longest, but it’ll still be a lengthier trek than the usual dungeon delving. Still, the particular Daedric Prince players will be going up against this time around is Vaermina, the god of dreams and nightmares (and subsequently, the cause of Dawnstar’s recent slew of ceaseless night terrors).
The dungeon was once the center of her worship in Skyrim, and during the quest’s plot, Erandur reveals himself to be a reformed, former follower of the Prince. The specific cause of the nightmares stems from the waning power of a spell, which set the other cultists and her Daedric artifact – the Skull of Corruption – into a comatose stasis. After battling their way to the bottom of this dungeon, players will be faced with a choice: let Erandur cleanse the temple and destroy the artifact or kill Erandur and claim the Skull, taking up the mantle of Vaermina’s champion. The choice, ultimately, depends on what players are seeking most throughout their game; either way, the path to Thane will then be unlocked for the Pale.
5 Remove A Nearby Giant
Once Dawnstar has been freed from its plague of nightmares, players will have to be slightly proactive in seeking out thanehood. They’ll need to approach the Jarl, Skald the Elder, and he’ll point to a nearby giant camp that’s recently been set up in the Pale (and coincidentally, just down the road from Dawnstar).
Skald the Elder obviously wants them dealt with, and it’s an easy enough quest…at higher levels, that is. For those going into the hold and questline earlier in the game, be sure to stock up on some of the bulkiest armors, weapons, and potions around Dawnstar. Otherwise, Skyrim’s space program is always recruiting new members.
4 Or Retake The Hold
Now, the above guidelines are given under the assumption that players either haven’t finished Skyrim’s Civil War questline or they finished it in favor of the Stormcloak rebellion. As, indeed, the Pale is Stormcloak-loyal territory, and so, should players side with the Empire in the Civil War, the steps taken to become thane will change. Firstly, the biggest change will be that, for a pro-Imperial player, they will be soft-locked from earning thanehood in the Pale, and all other pro-Stormcloak territories, until the entire questline is completed.
Secondly, once the war is over, the new Jarl, Brina Merilis, will be far more willing to grant the coveted title to players. Indeed, should they complete a pro-Imperial Civil War questline, players won’t have to complete Waking Nightmares or slay that specific giant to earn the title. The quests will still, obviously, be available to finish at the Dragonborn’s discretion, but for Imperial soldiers, their loyalty to the Empire will be enough for this new Jarl. But, of course, there’s just one tiny thing left to do before she’ll officially bequeath it…
3 Do Three Small Things
As is tradition with becoming Thane in any hold, Jarls will require players to show a sign of loyalty to said hold and its people. And this proof of loyalty will come in the form of doing varying, minuscule tasks for the citizens scattered about the region. For bigger, more populated holds – like Morthal or Riften – players will need to assist five people. For smaller holds like the Pale, though, this requirement is reduced to three.
These small quests can be completed in a variety of ways. For those with high-enough Speech skills and the right perks, they can invest in either (or both) of Dawnstar’s two shops, which will count to the quests. Mining and selling ore to either of the hold’s mines will also count to completing these quests, so technically, this part of earning thanehood can be done without ever setting foot outside Dawnstar. And there are, of course, a variety of other methods to complete these tasks: chopping and selling firewood, completing dungeon-delving/fetching quests, giving alcohol to drunkards, and more. Easy, right?
2 Claim The Title
Once these three tiny quests are complete, players can report back to the Jarl. Whether Skald or Brina, the hold’s ruler will finally, gladly, grant the position Thane to the Dragonborn. This position comes with the usual perks: partial immunity when committing crimes, a radiant, and a personal housecarl (if Hearthfire is installed).
For the latter two, players will specifically receive the Blade of the Pale and a Nord warrior named Gregor. A decent reward for a decent title, in such a sparse hold.
1 Build A House?
Being among the smallest holds in the nation, the Pale is one of the base-game regions that does not have a house for sale, and by extension, doesn’t require players purchase land to become Thane. With the release of the Hearthfire DLC, though, the Pale was one of three holds given the option to purchase land and build a custom house. Like Gregor, the housecarl, this hold’s specific homestead – Heljarchen Hall – is locked behind seeking thanehood.
Technically speaking, players also don’t have to finish becoming Thane to purchase the land. Indeed, simply completing Waking Nightmares and killing the giant – or finishing an entire pro-Imperial Civil War – will unlock the option to buy the home from the Jarl’s steward. It’s still not a necessary step to earning thanehood, and even if players choose to buy the land, they don’t have to build anything on it at all. However, what better way to wrap up earning thanehood in yet another region of Skyrim than by building a luxurious new home?
