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Riften

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition guide · Seeking information on Esbern
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You arrive in Riften tracking down the Blades scholar Esbern during the main quest "A Cornered Rat." You must question locals or Thieves Guild members to uncover his hiding spot beneath the city. The search leads you through the canal level into the Ratway and deeper into the Ratway Warrens.

Region
The Rift
Getting there
East of Ivarstead, following the road east through The Rift
Connects to
The Ratway, The Rift
Related quests
A Cornered Rat
Services and people
Brynjolf · Keerava · Vekel the Man

Achievements here
Taking Care of BusinessCollect the debts from Keerava, Bersi Honey-Hand, and Haelga for Brynjolf in Riften to formally join the Thieves Guild.
Darkness ReturnsComplete the Thieves Guild quest "Darkness Returns" by traversing the Pilgrim's Path and returning the Skeleton Key to the Ebonmere.
MarriedSpeak with Maramal at the Temple of Mara or The Bee and Barb in Riften to buy and equip an Amulet of Mara, propose to an eligible NPC, and attend your wedding ceremony at the temple.
A New YouTravel to The Ragged Flagon in Riften's Ratway and pay the face sculptor Galathil 1,000 gold to modify your character's appearance.
One with the ShadowsComplete five small radiant jobs for Delvin or Vex in Whiterun, Windhelm, Markarth, and Solitude, finish each city's special influence quest, and attend the ceremony to become Guild Master in Riften.

Achievement guide and roadmap →

Items

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Secrets

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Key fights
The Ratway Ambush

Enemies: Drahff and Hewnon Black-Skeever

Threats: Melee attacks (Drahff wields a leveled one-handed weapon, Hewnon uses a dagger), close-quarters rush

Weaknesses and resistances: Susceptible to all standard damage, paralysis, and kiting

Tactics: Maintain distance using the narrow, linear tunnels to prevent them from flanking, or strike first from stealth when they finish their dialogue near the wooden bridge chokepoint

Rewards: Leveled gold, lockpicks, basic weapons and armor, and clear passage deeper into the Ratway

The Ratway Vaults Ambush

Enemies: Shavari (Thalmor spy)

Threats: Stealth melee attacks with daggers, rapid movement, close-quarters ambush tactics

Weaknesses and resistances: Vulnerable to frost damage (slows her movement), staggering attacks, and poison; no special resistances

Tactics: Position near the stairs or entrance to force her into a chokepoint, keeping her at range with ranged attacks or using a shield/power attacks to interrupt her fast dagger strikes

Rewards: Shavari's Note (identifies her mission and Thalmor plans), leveled gold, and misc loot

Enemies
Gian the Fist
Weak to FrostSteal / drop Gloves of the Pugilist

An aggressive, unarmed hostile found guarding the Ratway.

Lowlife

Hostile cutthroats roaming the corridors of the Ratway.

Thalmor Justiciar
Weak to ShockSteal / drop Elven armor and weapons

Thalmor agents scouring the Ratway Warrens to silence Esbern.

Shops and people
  • Keerava: Rents rooms, sells food and basic tavern drinks, and provides rumors about Esbern
  • Brynjolf: Sells miscellaneous stolen goods after progression, or points you toward the Ratway for a price or task
  • Tonilia: Thieves Guild fence who buys stolen goods, offers lockpicks, and upgrades your Thieves Guild Armor

Tips
  • If you do not want to help Brynjolf with his market distraction to gain information, you can persuade or brawl with Dirge or Keerava to learn where Esbern is hiding.
  • Listen carefully through the reinforced door in the Ratway Warrens; Esbern will not open it until you mention Delphine or the Dragonborn prophecy.
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The Rift
Next →
Windhelm

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