Tentative plotline Bjaknir rescue quest (for non-Sjadbek characters
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---WORK IN PROGRESS!---
NPCs added:
Sjadbek
- found at Whiterun Stormcloak Camp (neutral Whiterun), Fort Greymoor (Stormcloak Whiterun, Imperial Solitude), or Sjadbek's Hut (house addon in Kynesgrove) (Stormcloak Solitude)
- will disappear from game after Defense of Whiterun (Imperial), auto-failing the quest if active - assumed he died attacking whiterun
- wears stormcloak gear, scaled helmet, steel sword and carries Nord Mead x8 & Yrsarald's Letter to Sjadbek
Bjaknir
- found in a "requires key" level locked adjunct cell to Fort Snowhawk Prison (Imperial Hjaalmarch), Fort Greymoor (Stormcloak Hjaalmarch & Whiterun, Imperial Solitude), Whiterun Stormcloak Camp (Stormcloak Hjaalmarch, neutral Whiterun [Season Unending]) or Sjadbek's Hut (Stormcloak Solitude)
- wears prisoner's gear and is bound
Rodavius Randilus
- found in Fort Snowhawk upon initiation of quest
- wears imperial heavy armor, carries 1-10 gold and "Bjaknir's Cell Key"
Items/Locations added:
- Bjaknir's Cell Key
- an additional prisoners chest in fort snowhawk and possibly a new annex
Quest objectives:
STAGE 0
You start the quest by talking to Sjadbek before the Stormcloaks take Hjaalmarch (by any means, including Season Unending).
--
Dialogue sequence, player has not talked with Sjadbek before --
Sjadbek (
Player Not In Stormcloaks): "You're an adventurer, aren't you? Would you mind helping me out?" (Choices: A1, A2)
Sjadbek (
Player In Stormcloaks [has killed ice wraith]): "Hey, $PlayerStormcloakRank. Mind helping a fellow son of Skyrim out?" (Choices: A1, A2)
Choice A1: "I might. What is it you want?"
Choice A2: "I'm sorry, I can't."
Sjad Response A1: "My brother Bjaknir - the Imperials have kept him locked up in Fort Snowhawk up in Hjaalmarch for two years now. I can't leave my post, and I want you to spring him." (Choices: A3, A4, A2)
Sjad Response A2: "Well, come see me if you change your mind." (terminate conversation)
Choice A3: "I'll do it."
Choice A4: "What's in it for me?"
Sjad Response A3: "Great. Let me show you where you'll need to go." (start quest, add Fort Snowhawk to map, update quest to
stage 10)
Sjad Response A4 (
Player Not in Stormcloaks): "Oh, you'll be rewarded. Don't worry about that. Here, let me show you where you'll need to go." (start quest, add Fort Snowhawk to map, update quest to
stage 10)
Sjad Response A4 (
Player In Stormcloaks): "A few more Legion heads mounted on your wall, another comrade... and perhaps a bit of gold from me. Here, let me show you where you'll need to go." (start quest, add Fort Snowhawk to map, update quest to
stage 10)
--
Dialogue sequence, player has rebuffed Sjadbek's quest --
Sjadbek: "Change your mind, {$PlayerStormcloakRank if player in stormcloaks, $PlayerRace if not}?" (Choices: B1, B2)
Choice B1: "Yeah, I'll do it." (Sjad Response A3)
Choice B2: "What did you want again?" (Sjad Response A1)
Choice B3: "No, sorry." (Sjad Response A2)
STAGE 10
Journal Entry: "I will help Sjadbek liberate Bjaknir from Imperial control." (heh)
Objective: Find Bjaknir
Quest Marker: Bjaknir
--
If you talk to Sjadbek while this stage is active --
Sjadbek: "Best of luck in your quest. Talos guide you."
As soon as this stage is triggered, the bandit necromancers who normally occupy Fort Snowhawk will be replaced by Imperial soldiers (as though the Fort Snowhawk battle has concluded for the
Imperials). Rodavius Randilus will spawn in the Fort Snowhawk interior (
not Fort Snowhawk Prison).
You talk to Bjaknir, at the front of his cell (conversation auto-triggered upon approach).
Bjaknir: "Who are you? Are you one of us?" (Choices: C1)
Choice C1 (
player not in Stormcloaks): "I'm a friend. Sjadbek sent me to rescue you."
Choice C1 (
player in Stormcloaks): "Ulfric calls me $PlayerStormcloakTitle. Sjadbek sent me to rescue you."
Bjaknir Response C1: "Good. But... this isn't the type of lock that can be picked. Believe me, I've tried. You're going to need the key for that." (Choices: C2)
Choice C2: "Do you know where the key is?"
Bjaknir Response C2: "
[said angrily and mockingly] Rodavius Randilus, Praefect of the Legion,
[said normally] - The fort commander. I know he has a key to this cell, because he loves to come in and beat me up all the time." (IF YOU HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN THE KEY by pickpocketing or killing Rodavius before talking to Bjaknir, Choice C3; otherwise, C4)
Choice C3: "Is this the key?"
Choice C4: "I'll get the key from him."
Bjaknir Response C3 (
player not in Stormcloaks): "
[pleased] Hah, you already got it? You're definitely Stormcloak material, friend. Let's hurry and get me out of here." (update quest to
stage 40)
Bjaknir Response C3 (
player in Stormcloaks): "
[pleased] Hah, you already got it? I can see why Galmar let you in. Let's hurry and get me out of here. (update quest to
stage 40)
Bjaknir Response C4: "All right.
[exasperated] Not like I'm going anywhere." (update quest to
stage 20)
STAGE 20
Journal Entry: "I found Bjaknir, but he can't escape without the cell key, held by Rodavius Randilus the fort commander."
Objective: Acquire the cell key from Rodavius Randilus
Quest Marker: Rodavius Randilus
The key is on Rodavius's person, in his inventory. It can be acquired in one of three ways:
- Pickpocketing
- Killing and looting
- Passing a persuade/bribe/intimidate check
If you are a Stormcloak, Rodavius and the other Imperials are likely to be hostile, so pickpocket/speech check is unlikely. Rodavius will not follow you outside the interior of Fort Snowhawk.
If you pickpocket the key from him, the quest updates to
stage 34.
If you kill and loot him, the quest updates to
stage 35.
If you do the speech check, the conversation is as follows:
Rodavius: "I'm a bit busy running the fort. What do you want?" (Choice: D1)
Choice D1: "I want the key to Bjaknir's cell."
Rodavius Response D1: "Do you really think the Legion is in the habit of just giving any smelly adventurer the keys to our prisoners' cells?" (Choices: D2, D3, D4, D5)
Choice D2: "General Tullius's orders. (Lie) (Persuade)" (should require speech ~75)
Choice D3: "Maybe a bit of gold would help? (Bribe)"
Choice D4: "Then make an exception. (Intimidate)" (should require speech ~65)
Choice D5: "Right. Forget I asked." (terminate conversation)
Rodavius Response D2 Success: "Well, if he insists... Here you are. Put in a good word with the General for me, will you?" (Rodavius gives player Bjaknir's Cell Key, update quest to
stage 21)
Rodavius Response D2 Failure: "Hah. You really think I'd believe that? Nice try." (terminate conversation)
Rodavius Response D3 Success: "Yes, yes it would. Here you are. I'll have a good meal tomorrow, that's for sure." (Rodavius gives player Bjaknir's Cell Key, update quest to
stage 32)
Rodavius Response D3 Failure: "Not enough gold to persuade me to hand it over, I'm afraid." (terminate conversation)
Rodavius Response D4 Success: "Okay, there is no need for that. But
only Bjaknir's cell." (Rodavius gives player Bjaknir's Cell Key, update quest to
stage 33)
Rodavius Response D4 Failure: "I have an entire fort of soldiers at my disposal. You do not scare me." (terminate conversation)
STAGE 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
The only difference between these three stages is how you actually got the key.
Journal Entry: - 31: "I successfully persuaded Rodavius Randilus into giving me Bjaknir's cell key."
- 32: "I successfully bribed Rodavius Randilus into giving me Bjaknir's cell key."
- 33: "I successfully intimidated Rodavius Randilus into giving me Bjaknir's cell key."
- 34: "I successfully pickpocketed Bjaknir's cell key from Rodavius Randilus."
- 35: "I killed Rodavius Randilus and looted Bjaknir's cell key from his corpse."
Objective: Release Bjaknir
Quest Marker: Bjaknir's cell door.
Return to Bjaknir. If you talk to him before opening the cell door, he will simply say "Rodavius has the key."
Unlock the cell door with the key; this updates the quest to
stage 40 and Bjaknir will auto-start conversation.
STAGE 40
Journal Entry: "I have freed Bjaknir from his cell, but must still get him out of Fort Snowhawk."
Objective: Lead Bjaknir to safety
Quest Marker: None
Auto-started conversation:
Bjaknir: "Thanks for getting me out of the cell. I'd much rather be fighting with my brothers than sitting here to rot. But we've got to get out of the fort first." (Choices: E1, E2)
Choice E1: "Let's go." (Bjaknir starts following you as a quest-specific follower a la Thorald Gray-Mane)
Choice E2: "Hang on, I'm not done yet here."
If you chose choice E2, when you come back to Bjaknir he will say:
Bjaknir: "We've got to get out of here." (Choices: E1, E2)
Another conversation will auto-start as soon as fast travel is enabled (i.e. once the player and Bjaknir are safe, which may be as quickly as exiting the Fort Snowhawk interior)
OR as soon as the player is out of the five exterior cells that comprise the "FortSnowhawkLocation" in the "Tamriel" worldspace AND there are no enemies around (this is to ensure compatibility with mods that disable fast travel situationally or globally).
Auto-started conversation 2:
Bjaknir: "Great work. You really saved my hide; I wasn't looking forward to another beating. It looks like we're safe now. I can make it from here. Best of luck and Talos guide you." (update quest to
stage 50)
STAGE 50, 51, 52
Stage 50 occurs if you do the quest normally.
Journal Entry: "I have rescued Bjaknir from Fort Snowhawk, and must return to Sjadbek with the news."
Objective: "Return to Sjadbek"
Quest Marker: Sjadbek
Stage 51 occurs if the player liberates Hjaalmarch through battle while the quest is active.
Journal Entry: "By taking over Fort Snowhawk, I have rescued Sjadbek's brother Bjaknir, and must return to Sjadbek for my reward."
Objective: "Return to Sjadbek"
Quest Marker: Sjadbek
Stage 52 occurs if Hjaalmarch falls into Stormcloak custody via negotiation in "Season Unending."
Journal Entry: "The exchange of Hjaalmarch in the armistice at High Hrothgar means that Fort Snowhawk is now controlled by Stormcloak forces. As such, I have rescued Sjadbek's brother Bjaknir, and must return to Sjadbek for my reward."
Objective: "Return to Sjadbek"
Quest Marker: Sjadbek
Return to wherever Sjadbek is and talk to him.
Sjadbek: "Best of luck in your quest. Talos guide you." (Choice: F1)
Choice F1: "Bjaknir is free."
Sjadbek: "Is he really? By Stuhn, you did it! I can't wait to see him again. Here, let me give you something in return. Got these off an Imperial I killed last month." (Player Light Armor skill increases by 1, player receives a leveled set of light-armor bracers and boots.) (update quest to
stage (50+current stage))
STAGE 100, 101, 102 - COMPLETION STAGES
Stage 100 is attained by completing the quest normally.
Journal Entry: "I have rescued Sjadbek's brother Bjaknir from Fort Snowhawk, and have been rewarded for my troubles."
Objective: [Finishes Quest]
Stage 101 is achieved if the player liberates Hjaalmarch through battle while the quest is active.
Journal Entry: "By taking over Fort Snowhawk with the Stormcloaks, I have rescued Sjadbek's brother Bjaknir from Fort Snowhawk, have been rewarded for my troubles.
Stage 102 is achieved if Hjaalmarch falls into Stormcloak custody via negotiation in "Season Unending."
"The exchange of Hjaalmarch in the armistice at High Hrothgar means that Fort Snowhawk is now controlled by Stormcloak forces. As such, I have rescued Sjadbek's brother Bjaknir, and have been rewarded for my troubles."
Bjaknir will now start walking to wherever his AI tells him he should be (i.e. with Sjadbek).
STAGE 199 - FAILURE STAGE
It is possible to start the quest and then take the Imperial side in the war. If you do this and complete the Battle for Whiterun on the Imperial side, Sjadbek will disappear from the game and cause this quest to fail.
Journal Entry: "Sjadbek has died in the Stormcloaks' failed assault on Whiterun, possibly by my hand. To free Bjaknir would now be a breach of my oath to the Legion, and at any rate I can no longer obtain Sjadbek's reward."
SJADBEK AND BJAKNIR'S BEHAVIOR AFTER THE WAR
After completing the war for the Stormcloaks, both Sjadbek and Bjaknir will become potential followers and spouses. They will, however, lose their essential status upon completion of the questline, with it replaced by a protected status.
It is possible to start
and complete the quest as a neutral character, then join the Legion with Bjaknir already freed. Owing to considerable maltreatment by the guards at Fort Snowhawk, Bjaknir is much more bitter about the Legion than Sjadbek is, and will be resentful of you even though you freed him.
When the Imperials take Whiterun, a freed Bjaknir will retreat to Sjadbek's Hut in Eastmarch and will become non-responsive unfriendly ("What do you want, milk-drinker?").
When the Imperials take Windhelm, Bjaknir will obtain a new dialogue tree as follows:
Bjaknir: "Are you happy now, milk-drinker?" (Choices: G1, G2, G3)
Choice G1: "You bet I am."
Choice G2: "About what?"
Choice G3: "Not really..."
Bjaknir Response G1 (
player is not Nord): "Figures you would be. Now you and your little Thalmor friends will get to dominate us forever. You here to mock me, $PlayerRace? Extort money from me? Arrest me on trumped up charges?" (Choices: G4, G5)
Bjaknir Response G1 (
player is Nord): "Figures you would be. Betraying your own people for the cause of an Empire that's already dead. You here to mock me, 'kinsman'? Extort money from me? Arrest me on trumped up charges?" (Choices: G4, G5)
Bjaknir Response G2: "The war, you fool. You won. Ulfric's dead. Are you happy?" (Choices: G1, G3)
Bjaknir Response G3: "Feeling a bit regretful, are you? You should. You just handed Skyrim to the Thalmor on a silver platter. Leave me now - before I do something I might regret." (Terminate conversation)
Choice G4: "Nothing of that sort!"
Choice G5: "Actually, I am."
Bjaknir Response G4: "Then leave me now, before I do something I might regret." (Terminate conversation)
Bjaknir Response G5: "Over my dead body you are!" (Terminate conversation, Bjaknir ATTACKS)