Guides / The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

Thalmor Embassy

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition guide · Infiltrating the party to find information on dragons

During the quest "Diplomatic Immunity", the Dragonborn infiltrates an elite reception hosted by Ambassador Elenwen to investigate the Thalmor's connection to the returning dragons. With the help of Malborn inside, you sneak away from the party to recover your smuggled equipment, eliminate Thalmor guards, and search the embassy's private chambers and dungeon. After obtaining documents implicating Esbern, you escape the compound through the Reeking Cave below the dungeon.

Region: Haafingar
Getting there: north-west of Solitude, reachable via carriage from the Katla's Farm stables during Diplomatic Immunity
Connects to: Elenwen's Reception, Thalmor Embassy, Barracks, Thalmor Embassy, Elenwen's Salon, Thalmor Embassy, Dungeon, Reeking Cave
Related quests: Diplomatic Immunity · No Stone Unturned
Services and people: Elenwen · Malborn · Brelas · Razelan · Etienne Rarnis · Delphine
Enemy types: Thalmor Soldier · Thalmor Wizard · Frost Troll

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From Elenwen's Salon: Dossier: Delphine, Dossier: Esbern, Dossier: Ulfric StormcloakFrom Elenwen's Salon, go through the exterior courtyard into the Thalmor Embassy, descend the stairs into the Dungeon, and locate the chest sitting next to the torture rack holding Etienne RarnisHow: Open the chest and take the dossierMissable because: The Thalmor Embassy interior and dungeon become completely inaccessible once you complete the quest Diplomatic Immunity and exit through Reeking CaveTrapdoor Key: In the Thalmor Embassy Dungeon, carried by one of the two Thalmor soldiers who enter through the upper doorway after you inspect the interrogation chestHow: Kill or pickpocket the Thalmor soldier to retrieve the key from his inventoryMissable because: The Thalmor Embassy interior and dungeon become completely inaccessible once you complete the quest Diplomatic Immunity and exit through Reeking Cave

Achievements here

Diplomatic ImmunityInfiltrate Elenwen's party at the Thalmor Embassy, search for information on the returning dragons, and escape through the tunnels.

Achievement guide and roadmap →

Items

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Unusual Gem: On a table in Elenwen's Salon (moved to Reeking Cave in later patches if missed)

Key fights

Dungeon Trapdoor Ambush

Enemies: Rulindil's relief squad consisting of two Thalmor Soldiers accompanied by Malborn or a Thalmor Soldier escorting a captive Malborn

Threats: Heavy armor melee strikes, Elven sword slashes, and coordinated close-quarters weapon pressure in a tight subterranean corridor

Weaknesses and resistances: Susceptible to stealth sneak attacks from the balcony, paralyze poisons, and Frost damage against their Stamina

Tactics: Take cover on the elevated stone walkway above the pit, hit them with ranged spells or arrows before they ascend the stairs, or bottleneck them in the narrow doorway beneath the trapdoor

Rewards: Trapdoor Key to the Reeking Cave, Thalmor armor sets, Elven weaponry, and saving Malborn (and Brelas, if previously framed) as a surviving ally

Enemies

Thalmor Soldier

Weak to Shock, physical damageSteal / drop Elven Armor, Elven Weapons

Guarding the interior and courtyard; can be distracted or avoided with stealth

Thalmor Wizard

Weak to Shock, physical damageSteal / drop Thalmor Robes

Uses destructive elemental magic from range

Frost Troll

Weak to FireSteal / drop Troll Fat

Lurks inside the Reeking Cave exit tunnel beneath the embassy

Tips

Give Malborn all necessary combat gear, lockpicks, and potions in Solitude before the party, as you will have no access to the rest of your inventory until the quest ends.
If playing as an Altmer (High Elf), wearing a set of Hooded Thalmor Robes found inside the facility allows you to walk past several Thalmor guards without initiating combat from a distance.
You can cause a distraction at the party by giving a drink to Razelan or talking to Erikur, allowing Malborn to lead you to the kitchen unnoticed.

Not listed for this area: secrets, shops and people.

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