Guides / The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

Riverwood

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition guide · Arriving after escaping Helgen

Riverwood is the first peaceful settlement reached after escaping Helgen and following Ralof or Hadvar. It introduces core mechanics such as trading, crafting stations, speechcraft, and hiring followers. Players can progress the main questline by speaking to Alvor or Gerdur, or pick up local side quests like retrieving the Golden Claw.

Region: Whiterun Hold
Getting there: North of the Guardian Stones along the main road descending from Helgen, crossing the bridge over the White River
Connects to: Helgen, Embershard Mine, Bleak Falls Barrow, Whiterun
Related quests: Before the Storm · The Golden Claw · A Lovely Letter
Services and people: Alvor · Gerdur · Lucan Valerius · Camilla Valerius · Faendal · Sven · Delphine · Orgnar

Achievements here

BlessedActivate any Standing Stone across Skyrim to receive its blessing, such as the Guardian Stones situated along the path southwest of Riverwood.

Hard WorkerChop wood at a wood chopping block, mine any ore vein with a pickaxe, and cook a meal at a cooking pot.

Achievement guide and roadmap →

Items

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Outside Alvor and Sigrid's House on or: Iron Ingot, Steel IngotOutside Alvor and Sigrid's House on or near the blacksmith workbenchesThief Skill Book (Beggar): Inside the Sleeping Giant Inn on a counter behind the front desk

Secrets

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Delphine's Hidden Room | Activated by using the false wardrobe in the sleeping quarters of the Sleeping Giant Inn (accessible during or after the main quest "A Blade in the Dark")

Shops and people

Riverwood Trader (Lucan Valerius): Buys and sells general goods, weapons, armor, and spell tomes; gives the quest "The Golden Claw"
Alvor: Sells smithing supplies, ingots, weapons, and heavy armor; offers basic blacksmithing training
Sleeping Giant Inn (Orgnar / Delphine): Sells food, drinks, alchemy ingredients, and rents beds

Tips

Chop firewood at the local mill and sell it to Hod to earn early gold and win his favor.
Helping either Sven or Faendal resolve their love dispute gives you access to that NPC as a free early-game follower.
Siding with Faendal allows him to train you in Archery up to level 50, after which you can take the gold back from his inventory while he is your follower.
Following Ralof grants access to Gerdur's house and free early supplies, while following Hadvar grants access to Alvor's house and blacksmithing supplies.

Not listed for this area: enemies.

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Helgen

Embershard Mine

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