"Before the Storm" is one of the most completed quests in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. In it, the Dragonborn passes through Riverwood on the way to Whiterun to warn the Jarl of Helgen's dragon attack. While it's set fairly early in the game, "Before the Storm" has some points of interest that players may easily miss, including opportunities to gather coins, equipment and experience.
Depending on whether the player chose Hadvar or Ralof to accompany them, they will emerge together from a cave after the Unbound quest. Quickly ducking to hide from Alduin, who is flying away after causing the destruction of Helgen, you will be pointed towards Riverwood to speak to your companion's relatives and seek further advice and assistance.
After emerging from Helgen, you will be facing a north or northwest. Talking to Ralof or Hadvar will begin the quest and provide some background information on the civil war and dragons. A stone path leads down from Helgen's north gate towards Riverwood; stay on this path, as the forest can be quite dense. The companion will head towards Riverwood and may run ahead, but if you get separated, they will be waiting in Riverwood.
Continue down the stone path until you reach a fork. Just off the west of the fork in the forest is a bandit camp with three enemies the use different weapons styles: archer, heavy weaponist, and sword and shield. They are relatively low level, so players who increased their weaponry and potions in the previous mission should have no trouble. However, the bandit with the battleaxe deals high close-range damage, so players might want to either avoid it or try to take him out from a distance. When defeated, these bandits can be looted for steel weapons, armor, food, coins and Treasure Map I. Read the book "Night Falls on Sentinel" located in one of the tents to increase One-Handed damage.
Rejoin the stone path and head North to work your way down to the Guardian Stones. You will be offered three of the 13 ancient stones of Skyrim, and selecting one to watch over you will grant a 20 percent skill bonus. The Warrior Stone grants allows players to improve their combat skills 20 percent faster, while the Thief Stone and Mage Stones do the same for their respective skills. Choose one based on your playstyle and character build, though keep in mind that you'll mostly be using fighting skills for now, and the active stone as be switched.
From here, players can make it to Riverwood either by continuing on the path or crossing the river. Following the stone path will lead you past Embershard Mine. This isn't associated with any quests, but is a good place to loot early on. There is an axe outside and a pickaxe inside, which is useful for gathering materials. Continue past the mine, and you'll find two wolves blocking the path to Riverwood. They can be seen and heard from a distance, so it's a good opportunity to test your skills with a bow. After dealing the wolves, the path to Riverwood should be clear.
Alternatively, players can cross a shallow part of the river just behind the Guardian Stones. Here, they will find a hunter's camp and be able to trade goods. There's also a chest that can be opened with a lockpick. Head north after crossing the river to find Anise's Cabin. Taking anything from here will be seen as stealing, and she will attack you. She has a trapdoor that can be lockpicked, and inside, there is an alchemy table, enchantment table and a letter revealing she is a conjurer.
Even if the player can pick the lock and enter unseen, Anise will still be hostile when they return to the surface. After killing Anise, continue in northeast. You'll see Riverwood East, but stay on this side of the river and look for a large fallen tree. There's a chest inside the hollow stump -- the one from Treasure Map I. Loot this chest, then cross the river into Riverwood.
Upon arriving in Riverwood, speak to your companion's relatives -- either Gerdur or Alvor. Regardless of who you talk to, the conversation is similar; they will tell you about the town, give you supplies and send you on your way to the Jarl. Before leaving Riverwood, though, you should visit the Riverwood Trader to sell any unnecessary items you have gathered and to speak to Lucan Valerius. He will explain that a prized possession, a Golden Claw, has gone missing. The player will offer to retrieve it, which coincides with a later quest at Bleak Falls Burrow.
Leave the Trader and head northeast, following the stone path out of Riverwood and across the bridge. A sign will post you east towards Whiterun; follow the path over a hilled area. This will lead to outside Honningbrew Meadery, which will the the focus of later quests. You will eventually find members of the Companions fighting a giant. Regardless of whether you help or not, Aela will approach you about joining the Companions. To do this, you will need to speak to Kodlak Whitemane in Whiterun; it's best to do this after "Before the Storm."
Continuing on, you will reach Whiterun stables just outside the town. You'll likely find Uthgerd the Unbroken speaking to Skulvar Sable-Hilt, and overhearing their conversation will add the quest "Delayed Burial." If you speak to Uthgerd, she will ask if you want to fight. Uthgerd is wearing full Steel Heavy armor and will be difficult to defeat unless you are playing on a lower difficulty, so remember to use healing spells and potions if you accept. If defeated, she will be available as a follower later on. Bjorlam is at the stable and will take you to the other capitals for a small fee. You can also purchase a horse from Skulvar.
Continue past the stable, and enter the outer wall of Whiterun. Cross a drawbridge to get to the Whiterun gate. Here, a guard will approach you and tell you the city is closed. You reply saying you have news of the Helgen attack, gaining access to Whiterun.
The first shop you'll see in Whiterun is Warmaiden's, which is run by Adrianne Avenicci. Adrianne is talking to an Imperial soldier about supplying more for the war effort and will teach you about the Smithing skill later on. You can buy and sell weapons or armor here, and her husband usually supplies different stock at the counter. There is also an archer, tavern, alchemist and general store at the lower level of Whiterun. Taking either set of steps will lead you to houses, the Companions hall and the Gildergreen tree. Behind the Gildergreen are the steps leading up to Dragonsreach, where the player will find the Jarl.
Entering Dragonsreach and attempting to walk up to the Jarl Balgruuf will cause his Housecarl Irileth to stop you. Sword drawn, he will ask why you are here. Regardless of your answer, you will end up talking to the Jarl, who seems in disbelief about the news of the dragons. Balgruuf talks to Proventus and Irileth about how to protect the city, and he will reward the player with weapons or armor for warning him about the dragon.
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