Summary

Brought to the Headblock in Helgen, the Dragonborn’s execution is interrupted by Alduin. Siding with either Hadvar or Ralof, they are lead out of Helgen. They escape through a cave and begin their exploration of Skyrim.

Walkthrough

Avoiding the Axe

After the lengthy cart ride to Helgen, the Dragonborn is faced with the Legionaries. You are called on to choose your character for the playthrough. Once you do, you are prompted to follow _. She will lead you over to the left. Watch the execution of the Stormcloak. Now, it’s your turn. The Headsman will raise his axe, but it will never fall on you. A massive dragon (Alduin) will appear, invoking the Dragon tongue and scattering the Legion forces.

As the chaos begins, head forward and into the building directly in front of you. Inside, follow Ralof and Ulfric. They will tell you to head on up the stairs. Go to the right and take the stairs on upward. Be careful as you head up the stairs. Reaching the first platform, you will encounter Alduin who looses a blast a flame. Continue upwards after Alduin leaves.

Go to the hole in the wall. You need to jump across the gap into the opening in the rooftop of the building across from you. Drop through the opening to reach ground level. Turn to the North and get out of the remains of the building. Turn to the East as you leave the building.

You will see Hadvar calling to his son as Helgen burns around you. Wait fpr Alduin to depart again and head over to the East and Hadvar. He has a bit to say. Go to the East after that, following Hadvar.

Following Hadvar, you will need to crouch and sneak forward that has Alduin looming over you. Weave to the North through the remains of the building. Going to the East, you will reach the gate of Helgen, which has some of the remaining Imperial Forces. Turn to the North.

Keep after Hadvar as he follows the trail to the West. This will bring you to the next choice. Either you can follow either Ralof or Hadvar.

Follow Hadvar into the Keep

Go over to the Southern entrance to find Hadvar, Head over to the door and just approach it. When it’s time, you will be able to just step inside.

• If the door won’t let you in, approach and interact with Hadvar.

Escape Helgen Keep

Inside Helgen Keep, you will have Hadvar to the right. Just approach him. He’ll cut the binds on your hands. Head to the South to the Chest sitting against the wall. This is the Warden’s Chest. You will find some Imperial Armor, the Helgen Keep Key, an Iron Sword. You can look around the room to find a few more Iron Swords.

Take a moment to go into your Inventory and equip the Armor and Sword. Check the chest by the middle bed on the East to find a little more useful items (likely gold, possibly more armor). Go to the Southern gate and Hadvar will open the gate. Go through the gateway and down the hallway to the next gate. Use the Pull chain to the right of the door to open the next Gate and give you access to the next chamber.

This next chamber has a few Stormcloaks on the right that will come after you. This works a combat tutorial, explaining the normal and power attacks. Take a little time to loot the bodies to collect the weapons (and expand what’s available to you) and armor. Go over to the West through the door that Hadvar opens.

Go through the door and take the stairs down. Head to the South inside the next corridor. As you get into the corridor, the ceiling will collapse. Head over to the East and the door. You will enter a kitchen. Head to the South in here to find a few more Stormcloaks. Quickly take them out then grab their equipment.

Now, it’s time to collect the various potions that are present. Look tot he Eastern side of the room to find the Marked Barrel that has a few potions inside. Turn to the South and go to the Southern wall to find some shelving that has a few more potions on it. Take a little time to search the shelves to find more Potions. Go to the West to meet with Hadvar again.

Follow Hadvar through the door and turn to the left. Follow him down the stairs. This will bring you down to the Torture Room. Help them defeat more Stormcloaks. You will encounter the Torturer (who will be an essential NPC) who will help Hadvar. Listen to the two talking. There’s an optional objective now.

Hadvar will give the Dragonborn a set of Lockpicks. The Torturer explains there’s a cage with a dead prison you can pick the lock of. Go through the Lock (Very Easy). This gives a tutorial on Lockpicking. Inside the cage, you can collect a few coins, a Magicka Potion, as well as the Spell Tome: Sparks. Collect the Spell Tome. With the Spell Tome in hand, go into your inventory into Items to learn Sparks. With all that, head to the Northwest to leave the room.

Go down the corridor to the West and follow Hadvar to the left. Take the stairs down into the next corridor. This brings you into another jail room. Head to the Southwest in this room. Hadvar will bring you to a break in the wall. Follow him through it and down into a cavern.

You will find a few more Stormcloaks spread through the room. Carefully get over to the small bridge. Clear out the room with that. Go to the Southern side of the room. If you look at the floor here, you will see Oil there. You can use Flames to light the oil, burning any Stormcloaks that are in the effected area.

Go to the West and down the hallway here. Hadvar will bring you to a lever nearby a raised bridge. He will interact with the nearby lever. This will lower the bridge, giving access to the next part of the area. Follow the path down. When you reach the stream, head to the South, following the stream. Go down the path, and take the first right that you can. Be sure to look on the ledge that sits on the left-hand wall. You can collect some Coins there in a Purse sitting on it.

Getting to this next chamber, you will find a large chamber. This one is has a number of Frostbite Spiders. Clear them out. After that, you will need to go to the left (East). Follow the path. Go to the right and into the next chamber. This is the last one before you leave the cave.

This final chamber has a bear sleeping in the Southern portion. After that, go to the South and out of the cave.

You are now outside. You will now the option to turn on Survival Mode. Here, Hadvar will explain that he has family, his uncle, in nearby Riverwood. He will head there separately. You are now loose upon Skyrim itself. So, let’s start making your way to Riverwood.

Video Walkthrough