Every region, or “hold,“inThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimhas a capital, but they also have several smaller farms and settlements. Some of these settlements are orc strongholds, and these strongholds operate on their own unique set of rules.
Unless the Dragonborn is an orc, they won’t get access to orc strongholds right away. Instead, players must become Blood-Kin to get permission to enter these strongholds and speak to the orcs who live there. This guide will explain both where to find the four strongholds inSkyrimand what players have to do to become Blood-Kin.
RELATED:The Elder Scrolls: History of Tamriel Through the Eyes of the Orcs
Every Orc Stronghold Location
Dushnikh Yalis a stronghold in the Reach, the western part ofSkyrim. Head southeast from Markarth to find it.
Largashburis a stronghold in the Rift, the southeast corner ofSkyrim. To find it, follow the road south of the lake by Riften until the orc stronghold icon appears on the compass. Be ready for a fight against giants, because one will be attacking the stronghold when the player arrives.
Mor Khazguris on the border between the Reach and Haafingar. Players can reach it by following the mountains north of Markarth or traveling far to the west of Solitude.
Narzulburis in Eastmarch.It’s on the eastern edge of the map, but it’s a short trip southeast of Windhelm.
RELATED:Skyrim: 8 Best Mods For Orcs
How to Become Blood-Kin of the Orcs
When players first encounter an orc stronghold, the inhabitants will be unfriendly. Players can enter the stronghold without getting attacked, but most of the orcs will refuse to talk to the Dragonborn and any merchants will refuse to trade. However, this only applies to non-orc Dragonborn. Orcs are perfectly friendly to their own kind.
To get around this problem, players must become Blood-Kin of the Orcs. The way to do this is to complete a quest provided to players by an orc. There aren’t many orc quest-givers inSkyrim, but most of them can make sure players are welcome in orc strongholds.
Complete “Prophet” for the Dawnguard
Gat gro-Shargakh
Ghorza gra-Bagol
Markarth
Ask Ghorza about her apprentice and offer to find a book for her
Grogmar gro-Burzag
Deliver some iron ore to Grogmar
Speak to the stronghold mystic after killing the giant
Lash gra-Dushnikh
Karthwasten, northeast of Markarth
Speak to Ainethach and agree to help him with his mercenary problem
Moth gro-Bagol
Give a daedra heart to Moth
Urag gro-Shub
The Library in the College of Winterhold
Offer to find a book for Urag
Some of the quests are much easier than others. The cheapest option is to visit Shor’s Stone, mine some iron ore, and give it to Grogmar, while the fastest option is to help Moth (assuming players can find a daedra heart). The most direct option is Gularzob, since players will always get this quest as soon as they kill the giant threatening Largashbur and then approach the main gate.
RELATED:The Elder Scrolls: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Mighty Orcs
What to Do in an Orc Stronghold
Orc strongholds are smaller than hold capitals, but they have a fair share of merchants and other useful NPCs. Dushnikh Yal, Mor Khazgur, and Narzulbur each have an apothecary and a blacksmith, and while Largashbur has no merchantsit has three potential followers. Largashbur also has an Illusion trainer, while Dushnikh Yal has One-Handed and Heavy Armor trainers and Mor Khazgur has a Block trainer.
Something else to do is mine orichalcum, the ore needed tocraft orc weapons and armor. Mor Khazgur has a mine area in the stone mountain behind the stronghold, and players can access the Gloombound Mine by crossing a rope bridge behind Narzulbur. Players can give the orichalcum ore to an orc for money, or they can use the forges in town to craft their own items.
Another activity available in most strongholds is brawling with the local chieftain. The stake is always 100 gold, and players must fight with their bare fists only. Players get to keep wearing their armor and can drink healing potions, so brawls can be very easy to win. And even if players lose, running out of hit points during a brawl will end the fight but not the game.
Players should keep in mind that orcs have their own views on crime and punishment. The bounty values are the same in orc strongholds as they are in regular towns, but any orc can catch the player; they don’t need to report to a guard. After that, if an orc confronts the player, the only options available are to pay the fine or attack the orc. Once an orc in a stronghold goes hostile, every orc in every stronghold will turn hostile. Players can try to sheathe their weapons to surrender, just like with guards, but this doesn’t always work. The best bet for players is to avoid harming any stronghold orcs andpay any bounties they demand.
Also, keep in mind that the orc bounty is separate from any hold bounty. Players can hide out in Largashbur even if they have a bounty in the Rift, but if players steal from Largashbur orcs, then every orc in every stronghold will demand payment in gold or blood.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis available now on PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
