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High King of Skyrim

King of the barbarian horde
I'm interested to here what people's favourite Hold in Skyrim is to explore and also a little bit about why. Mine is the Pale. It is one of the harshest Holds in terms of climate but my barbarian has no trouble exploring in his fur armour. The house you can build there Heljarchen Hall is my favourite out of the three, due to the amazing views from my balcony that runs the whole length of the house. The forts that run up the middle are among my favourite to explore and in between quests I noticed that I just tend to wander around the Pale killing Frost Trolls and hunting game.
 

Daelon DuLac

How do you backstab a Dragon?
Not sure of the "Holds" but I personally like:

1) Markath - just love that city of stone (and they have 2 smith's! Both Orcs). All that up and down and their government is SOOOO corrupt. Besides, I like the foreswarn. Sure, they're tryinig to kill me all the time, but at least they've got a reason (just finished Foreswarn Conspiracy and it was quite enlightening). Plus I've got my house, the abandoned house and plenty of cannabilistic friends about. Of course it helps that there's Dwemer ruins as well for me to have fun in.

2) Windhelm - my all time favorite. I love owning the murder house and had fun solving the crime (I did it 3 different ways and I do love my variety), plus I get a private, hidden lab & enchanting area. I luv the weather (cold is my thing) and it's close enough to the see that I can get my blubber, meat and tusks when I need. Good access to Solitude, Dawnstar and the southeastern holds. The people are a hoot and I can always visit Ulfric. I don't know why people dislike him so much. A pompous, self important blowhard that thinks he's better than everyone else is my kind of guy. Plus I like the dark elves. Sure, they may live in crapville, but their hangouts are a whole lot more fun than Candlehearth Hall.
 

Chadonraz

Well-Known Member
Falkreath Hold. Its nature (the Pine Forest part) is so very similar to my homeland that it feels really homey. I also love forests. The entire Hold is very beautiful. :)
The capital is my second favourite town, right after Solitude and just before Whiterun. Haafingar and Whiterun are my other favourite Holds, as well.

The Rift would be really lovely, if there weren't so damn many bears there. The autumn colours are wonderful, however the constant roaring is everything but.
 

Daelon DuLac

How do you backstab a Dragon?
Falkreath Hold. Its nature (the Pine Forest part) is so very similar to my homeland that it feels really homey. I also love forests. The entire Hold is very beautiful. :)
The capital is my second favourite town, right after Solitude and just before Whiterun. Haafingar and Whiterun are my other favourite Holds, as well.

The Rift would be really lovely, if there weren't so damn many bears there. The autumn colours are wonderful, however the constant roaring is everything but.

Maybe that's why I like Markarth and Windhelm so much. I'm a city boy, so the stone and crowded building kind of make me feel secure. I do have to agree that Falkreath is indeed a beautiful area. The forest, the animals. If I was outdoorsey at all, it would really be the place for me. Me, I need the shopping, so even Solitude is a good one for me, although I'll feel bad once I have to take down that poor girl. Solitude will never be the same to me without the pompous Imperials there.

It's not just the bears in the rift, there are also a lot of sabre cats. I don't mind them so much anymore since I got Kyne's Peace. Now I shout and they wander away all happy. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy until I can find my next person to kill.
 

orca45

What we do in life, echoes in the eternity !
I always liked Solitude, Whiterun and Windhelm. However, the view you get from the Markarth’s house is so beautiful and nothing tops that in my opinion. But probably, if I had to choose only one, I will pick Solitude; better market, a lot of people to do business with, very organized, you are on a hill practically and you have fast access to Morthal, Dawnstar and Winterhold. ;)
 

Jarrad

Member
I like Falkreath and Whiterun holds the most, so much space for hunting, and falkreath just looks really nice.
 

mr noname

Member
whiterun; nice calm city, a good central location making easy access to all other holds (except for the rift),
welcoming people (despite the Brat children and Nazeem) and it always feels more homely than the other holds.

markarth; the city is as, if not more corrupt than Maven Blackbrair herself. so i hate the city (almost made me want to go stormcloak when i heard they were imperial) , but outside the city, the landscape is the most beautiful I've seen in any TES game I've played (yet to play morrowind). and the dwarven ruins are quite extravagant.

i would like solitude but the people there are annoying
 

ShadowHunter

Active Member
Not sure of the "Holds" but I personally like:

1) Markath - just love that city of stone (and they have 2 smith's! Both Orcs). All that up and down and their government is SOOOO corrupt. Besides, I like the foreswarn. Sure, they're tryinig to kill me all the time, but at least they've got a reason (just finished Foreswarn Conspiracy and it was quite enlightening). Plus I've got my house, the abandoned house and plenty of cannabilistic friends about. Of course it helps that there's Dwemer ruins as well for me to have fun in.

2) Windhelm - my all time favorite. I love owning the murder house and had fun solving the crime (I did it 3 different ways and I do love my variety), plus I get a private, hidden lab & enchanting area. I luv the weather (cold is my thing) and it's close enough to the see that I can get my blubber, meat and tusks when I need. Good access to Solitude, Dawnstar and the southeastern holds. The people are a hoot and I can always visit Ulfric. I don't know why people dislike him so much. A pompous, self important blowhard that thinks he's better than everyone else is my kind of guy. Plus I like the dark elves. Sure, they may live in crapville, but their hangouts are a whole lot more fun than Candlehearth Hall.
I am the opposite, I can't stand Markarth and Windhelm
 

Kalin of High Rock

Faal Lun Vahdin
I like Whiterun.

It was the first hold I encountered. Much as a duckling imprints on the first thing it sees after hatching, Whiterun is my mother..I mean. Favorite hold. Quack.
 

The Wanderer

Young Heritic
The Rift is beautiful as well as Falkreath, On hunters i always camp around those areas, With warriors I'm usually in the Hills of the Reach battling the Mad men haha, Mages I usually don't stray Far from the college Unless I'm in search of some Dwemer Tech or somethign of that nature. On my Current Character A non combat Nord Merchant I've been sticking around Whiterun for now, buying and Selling wares with the Cats as well as with the Merchants in the City, especially Ysolda buying all of my Sleeping Tree sap haha she game me 600 gold for 4 bottles earlier. So I guess It depends on my Character haha.
 

DrunkenMage

Intoxicated Arch-Mage
Solitude, it's ordered, civilized, buildings are in a good state. Unlike Windhelm which is a wreck, I was once excited to visit Windhelm, the once great Capital of Skyrim during the First Empire of the Nords, Ysgramor's city... Ulfric has let that once great city become a plops hole. A skeever den is in a better state than Windhelm.
 

Daelon DuLac

How do you backstab a Dragon?
I am the opposite, I can't stand Markarth and Windhelm
Why? Just curious. I'm also really getting to like Riften. Me, I loathe Whiterun, Morthal and Falkreath. It's like being in hinksville to me, although, at least Whiterun has good shopping and I do like the blacksmith and snarky ole Belethor.
 

Fiiralmo

2nd Aldmeri Emissary to Skyrim
Haafingar is definitely my favorite. Both the Hold itself and Solitude are quite beautiful. With the port and the East Empire Company's presence, it's definitely the most civilized hold. Perfect for classy Thalmor such as myself.

I also love Falkreath hold. The peaceful, dense green forests and charming town are a wonderful escape from lifes troubles. The lake, the hills, and the proximity to Cyrodiil all make Falkreath the ideal Skyrim vacation spot for me.
 

Daelon DuLac

How do you backstab a Dragon?
Solitude, it's ordered, civilized, buildings are in a good state. Unlike Windhelm which is a wreck, I was once excited to visit Windhelm, the once great Capital of Skyrim during the First Empire of the Nords, Ysgramor's city... Ulfric has let that once great city become a pl*** hole. A skeever den is in a better state than Windhelm.
Okay, so it's not perfect, but a Skeever Den? I kind of like the warren of alleys and paths. Sure it's not in the greatest condition, but it certainly strikes me as one of the most authentic ones. While I luv Solitude and my manor there, I rarely go. It's all about the military and frankly, the winking skeever is just friggin' boring. On the plus side, the chances of a dragon actually attacking inside Solitude is pretty slim. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever encountered a dragon anywhere near Solitude (with the exception of on the other side of the lake by the barrow). Hmmm... maybe even the dragons respect Solitude. I wonder if the palace would let me take over that unused wing where the Daedric Prince was. Sure it's dusty, but it sure is pretty.
 

DrunkenMage

Intoxicated Arch-Mage
Okay, so it's not perfect, but a Skeever Den? I kind of like the warren of alleys and paths. Sure it's not in the greatest condition, but it certainly strikes me as one of the most authentic ones. While I luv Solitude and my manor there, I rarely go. It's all about the military and frankly, the winking skeever is just friggin' boring. On the plus side, the chances of a dragon actually attacking inside Solitude is pretty slim. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever encountered a dragon anywhere near Solitude (with the exception of on the other side of the lake by the barrow). Hmmm... maybe even the dragons respect Solitude. I wonder if the palace would let me take over that unused wing where the Daedric Prince was. Sure it's dusty, but it sure is pretty.

Windhelm was once the greatest city in Skyrim. Just like once Whiterun used to be called the 'Imperial City' of Skyrim. Now Solitude is the base of Imperial authority and it shows. Clean streets, well maintained buildings, shops and houses are in prime condition.

Windhelm broke my heart :sadface: When I heard Skyrim would be the next game, I wanted to visit the Great city of Windhelm and the amazing Winterhold. After seeing both, I died a little inside. I was once a full Stormcloak supporter in the early stages, especially when I heard Ulfric was the Jarl of Windhelm. After seeing Windhelm though, my gods what have you done to this once proud city.
 

Daelon DuLac

How do you backstab a Dragon?
Windhelm was once the greatest city in Skyrim. Just like once Whiterun used to be called the 'Imperial City' of Skyrim. Now Solitude is the base of Imperial authority and it shows. Clean streets, well maintained buildings, shops and houses are in prime condition.

Windhelm broke my heart :sadface: When I heard Skyrim would be the next game, I wanted to visit the Great city of Windhelm and the amazing Winterhold. After seeing both, I died a little inside. I was once a full Stormcloak supporter in the early stages, especially when I heard Ulfric was the Jarl of Windhelm. After seeing Windhelm though, my gods what have you done to this once proud city.
As I had no context, I was actually surprised at what a dump the city was. You'd think, of all the cities, at least Windhelm would have some maintenance, but it is the most poorly maintained as far as I'm concerned. There are still the many things I luv about it and I don't blame Ulfrich completely for it's condition as obviously it wasn't something that happened overnight. Winterhold was a dissappointment too. I realize that 1/2 of it fell in to the sea, but, even if it was twice the size it is now, it would still only be a village.
 

DrunkenMage

Intoxicated Arch-Mage
There is no effort to even repair Windhelm, only person who speaks of restoring it is Free-Winter when he becomes Jarl. Same with Winterhold, the Empire supporting Jarl speaks of restoring the city with Imperial aid and also reestablishing good relations with the College of Winterhold.
 

Daelon DuLac

How do you backstab a Dragon?
There is no effort to even repair Windhelm, only person who speaks of restoring it is Free-Winter when he becomes Jarl. Same with Winterhold, the Empire supporting Jarl speaks of restoring the city with Imperial aid and also reestablishing good relations with the College of Winterhold.
Then I suppose it probably wasn't a good idea to side with the Stormcloaks, win and then proceed to kill all the Legionaires that I can find and the Emperor. I don't think anyone is getting any Imperial aid for a LONNNGGGG time in my game. Oops...
 

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