Skyrim:Idgrod Ravencrone

Idgrod Ravencrone (RefID: 0001AA66) (lore page)
Home City	Morthal
Location	Highmoon Hall
Race	Elder	Gender	Female
Level	4	Class	Mystic
RefID	0001AA66	BaseID	000135EB
Other Information
Health	75	Magicka	65
Stamina	55
Primary Skills	Alteration, Illusion, Conjuration, Sneak
Morality	No Crime	Aggression	Unaggressive
Essential	Yes
Voice Type	FemaleOldGrumpy
Faction(s)	CrimeFactionHjaalmarch; Favor255QuestGiverFaction; Imperial Government; MQ201PartyGuestUnhappy; Morthal Longhouse Faction; MorthalJarlFaction; NPCs the Player cannot marry; Ruling Government; TownMorthalFaction; faction for party guests

Idgrod Ravencrone

Idgrod Ravencrone is an elderly Nord mystic. She is the Jarl of Hjaalmarch and runs the administration with her husband, Aslfur, who serves as her steward. Her housecarl is Gorm. She is the mother of Idgrod the Younger and Joric. According to the townsfolk, Gorm, and Idgrod herself, she sees visions granted to her by the Eight, and seems to rely on these more than the opinions of her people, as evidenced in her dialogue about the resident wizard, whom she trusts even if nobody else does.

Although Idgrod is unwilling to reveal which side she is allied with in the civil war—stating that she stands with Morthal—she remains aligned with the Imperial Legion in practice. If Morthal ends up under control of the Stormcloaks, through your actions actions in either the civil war or Season Unending, Idgrod will be replaced as Jarl by Sorli the Builder. If Hjaalmarch is captured by the Stormcloaks, Idgrod, her court and her children will be exiled to the Blue Palace in Solitude like most of the Imperial-aligned Jarls, and stay there for the rest of the game (unless given over during the main quest and later retaken if you're Imperial-aligned, at which point she will resume her post as if nothing ever happened).

She wears a rare assortment of upper-class attire, consisting of a fur-trimmed cloak, pleated shoes, and a pair of fine armguards. She is equipped with a steel dagger and also carries a selection of common items and gold.

Related Quests

• Laid to Rest: Investigate a tragic house fire, and discover an insidious plot against the town.
• Thane of Hjaalmarch: Gain the title of Thane of Hjaalmarch. (radiant)
• Assist the people of Hjaalmarch: Assist the people of the hold. (radiant)
• Falion's Secret: Investigate Falion's curious activities.
• Diplomatic Immunity: Infiltrate a party at the Thalmor Embassy.

Dialogue

"Dark times, indeed."

When you first speak to Idgrod, she will offer the following greeting:

"So, life has brought you to Morthal, and to me. What purpose this serves, we will no doubt see. Welcome."

Her standard greetings:

"Tamriel is full of wisdom and magic, if one is willing to look for it. Few have their eyes open."

"I speak, and others hear. It is my hope that instead they listen."

"In Morthal, there is little to rule. But there is much to teach. And so, I am Jarl."

"All this talk of rebellion and strife. Too many are focused on what might be instead of what is. It tires me to talk about it."

"There is too much to learn in the world, too much to know, to fight over 'laws' that have no real purpose."

When spoken to:

Is there some kind of trouble in Morthal?

"That which is unknown can cause unease, even fear. It is to be expected. Some fear our new resident wizard. As they grow to know him, they will accept him. Time will prove me right."

Where do you stand on the war?

"I stand where I have always stood. Here in Morthal. Now is not the time to fight amongst ourselves. I fear dark days approach and all of Skyrim's strength will be needed."

I understand you have visions.

"The Divines reveal things to me at times, yes. I do not hide this. It is a gift. Anyone who believes otherwise does not and cannot understand it."

While she is living in the Blue Palace basement, she will not be nearly as hostile as the other Jarls, and in fact take a more optimistic tone:

"It is my hope that I will one day return to Hjaalmarch. But the Divines have not shown this to me."

"I try and take comfort in knowing that when all is lost, there is much to be gained."

"Dark times, indeed. I fear the worst for Morthal and my people."

Conversations

Like most Jarls of Skyrim, Idgrod will spend almost all of her time indoors. She will only leave Highmoon Hall on two occasions, unlike her children. While within the Hall, she may have conversations with her daughter, her housecarl, or her husband.

Idgrod the Younger has only inherited a bit of her mother's gift. She has been tasked with taking care of her younger brother, Joric, who apparently inherited all his mother's talent and more. While not outside hanging around the Thaumaturgist's Hut, she may have one of two conversations with her mother inside the Hall:

Idgrod Ravencrone: "You are looking after your brother, yes?"
Idgrod the Younger: "Yes, mother."
Idgrod Ravencrone: "Good. He must be kept safe from harm."
Idgrod the Younger: "What sort of harm? Have you had a vision?"
Idgrod Ravencrone: "No, no. Just watch over him."

Idgrod the Younger: "I will be Jarl someday, mother?"
Idgrod Ravencrone: "That is what the Divines have planned for you, yes."
Idgrod the Younger: "Have you... Do you see that future? Will I be a good leader?"
Idgrod Ravencrone: "All things are possible, my child. But I believe it is within you to succeed."

Gorm is Idgrod's housecarl. He appears overprotective of his Jarl, as well as a bit nervous when her visions are mentioned:

Idgrod Ravencrone: "You are troubled, Gorm."
Gorm: "No, no. I'm fine. Is there something you need?"
Idgrod Ravencrone: "No, Gorm. I am simply telling you what I see."
Gorm: "Yes, okay. Well thank you."

Gorm: "How are you feeling, Jarl Idgrod?"
Idgrod Ravencrone: "The visions continue to hold me in balance, Gorm."
Gorm: "So, the same then."
Idgrod Ravencrone: "Do not worry, my friend. All is well."

Aslfur is both Idgrod's husband and her steward, and is protective of his wife in conversations with you, the reasons for which come to light in one conversation:

Idgrod Ravencrone: "The people still doubt me, don't they."
Aslfur: "No, not at all. It's just..."
Idgrod Ravencrone: "It does not surprise me. They do not share in what I see, and I cannot explain it to them."
Aslfur: "Just guide them well, and all will work out."
Idgrod Ravencrone: "I have never doubted that, husband."

Aslfur: "Have you made a decision about Falion?"
Idgrod Ravencrone: "What decision is there to be made? I allowed him to live here. I stand by that."
Aslfur: "Yes, but there are concerns. Rumors that he's up to something."
Idgrod Ravencrone: "We are all up to something, my dear. All is as it should be."

Idgrod Ravencrone: "What troubles you, husband?"
Aslfur: "What? Oh, nothing. All is well."

The following conversation is set to only happen while Idgrod, Aslfur and the children are in exile in the Blue Palace:

Idgrod Ravencrone: "What troubles you, husband?"
Aslfur: "It's Joric. I fear his condition is worse. He calls out in his sleep sometimes. I've heard Falion's name. What does it mean?"
Idgrod Ravencrone: "Joric will be what Joric will be. Give it time."

Quest-Related Events

Falion's Secret

Up to something...

Though previously confident that Falion would be accepted by the residents of Morthal, when you inform her of more strange happenings in Morthal, she will be less tolerant herself. Telling her that Falion is up to something will result in the response:

I thought you should know Falion's up to something.

"Ah, Falion. Always looking where he shouldn't for things he doesn't need. What has he done now?"

Never mind. It's not important.

"I see. If something does happen, you know where I am."

He's casting spells out in the marsh in the middle of the night.

"Ah, so it is not just dreams then. I have seen this. I will see that it is dealt with. Thank you for bringing clarity."

She then rises from her throne, exits the building altogether for the first time in the game, and proceeds directly to Falion's location, wherever that may be. She will proceed to scold him for his actions:

Idgrod Ravencrone: "Falion, I am disappointed."

Falion: "What is the meaning of this?"

Idgrod: "You've been exploring places you shouldn't, and you know it."

Idgrod: "It stops at once, or else there will be consequences of an unpleasant nature. Do you understand?"

Falion: "I... Yes, I understand."

However, due to a bug, she may not actually speak, but instead follow Falion around indefinitely.

Laid to Rest

The first selection of dialogue will vary slightly depending on whether you have heard rumors about Hroggar and his burned down house from Jonna or a guard:

Is there a story behind that burned down house? or I hear you want someone to look into that house fire.

"Hroggar's house? He lost his wife and daughter in the blaze. My people believe it to be cursed now. Who am I to gainsay them?"

How did the fire start?

"Hroggar blames his wife for spilling bear fat in the fire. Many folk think he set the fire himself."

With his own wife and child inside?

"Lust can make a man do the unthinkable. The ashes were still warm when he pledged himself to Alva."

So why haven't you arrested him?

"On rumor and gossip? No. But you, a stranger, might find the truth for us. Sift through the ashes that others are too fearful to touch. See what they tell you. Should you prove him guilty or innocent, I will reward you."

The quest Laid to Rest will then begin. Once the quest has started, speaking to Idgrod before finding Helgi inside the house will cause her to scold you for not finding anything yet:

Uh... I haven't found anything yet.

"Then stop wasting my time."

After meeting the ghost, you may return to Jarl Idgrod to inform her that Helgi's ghost asked you to find her. Idgrod's response is more evidence of her "difference":

I saw Helgi's Ghost.

"The spirit world is strong in this place. Look to the graveyard. That is where you'll find her."

When you have broken into Alva's house and found the necessary evidence, report back to Idgrod. When you tell her that Alva is responsible for the fire and murder, Idgrod will, at first, be disbelieving:

Alva set the fire. She's the murderer.

"Alva? Didn't think she had it in her."

Actually, she's a vampire. She planned to enslave the town.

"I assume you have proof? Can't go making accusations like that without proof."

I have Alva's journal.

"So it's true. That traitorous bitch! Morthal owes you a debt. Here. You were promised a reward for solving the crime, but I need one more favor from you. Morthal is still in danger. The journal mentions Movarth, a master vampire I thought was destroyed a century ago. I'll gather together some able-bodied warriors to clean out Movarth's lair. They'll be waiting outside for you to lead them."

When you have returned:

The master vampire Movarth is dead.

"By the Eight, I didn't think you could do it! Now maybe we can put all this behind us. Take this as a token of our gratitude."

Diplomatic Immunity

Among adders

Idgrod will only attend the party if she is Jarl and you are not in the process of becoming thane (i.e., before or after the thane quest).

She is understandably wary of the Thalmor, as shown by her dialogue during the party:

"Be about your business, while I'm about mine."

"Now here is a face I did not expect to see. Be mindful, for you walk among adders." (Relationship >= 1, i.e. completed Laid to Rest)

"It is not eyes that reveal another's true nature. It is the heart."

"If your eyes and your ears are open and your mind is free of judgement and expectation, you might learn much in this chamber."

"There are words spoken, and words unspoken. Beware these Thalmor, for they are adept in both languages."

If you speak to her:

Having a good time?

"Fair faces and fine food are well and good, but honesty is rarely so pleasing."

Do you visit the embassy often?

"There are words spoken, and words unspoken. Beware these Thalmor, for they are adept in both languages. For this reason, I avoid them when I can."

When exiting conversation:

"May wisdom light your path."

The distraction dialogue will only be available if you have completed Laid to Rest, but if this requirement is met, she will be more than happy to make some mischief on your behalf:

I need your help with something.

"My ears are always open to a friend's request."

I need you to cause a scene. Get everyone's attention for a few minutes.

"Nothing would please me more. I'll keep their eyes away while you do what you came here for."

"An old woman can get away with almost anything."

Her distraction involves approaching Razelan, another guest at the party:

Idgrod:	"An old woman can get away with almost anything."
Idgrod:	"No harm is meant to you happy fool. Right here! I see it in your face! The snakes writhe behind your eyes! Get away, get away from me!"
Razelan:	"Hmm? Did you say snakes? Where? I hate them, always slithering the way they do... what? Are they on me?"'
Idgrod:	"Begone, serpent! Begone from this house and trouble it no more! Beware of the serpent in your midst! Beware, oh people of Skyrim!"
Elenwen:	"Razelan. And you promised to behave yourself this time. Remove him. He's disturbing the other guests."
Razelan:	"I protest! This is an insult to the dignity of my person! This time I'm completely innocent!" or "This is preposterous. Disrespect... insulting! I am tired of being hounded from all sides!" or "Madame Ambassador, you know that I would never have behaved... that is to say... well I swear I'm innocent this time!"
Idgrod:	"Dear me. All this trouble over me? I think I was confused. There's no harm in him. Please, let him go."
Razelan:	"Absolutely not! I protest... uh, that is, yes, of course. I still don't understand what just... oh never mind." or "That is absolutely untrue! Uh, that is, yes, of course. What... I don't understand why everyone... never mind."

This is an earlier line for when handing the jarl Alva's journal, confirming the existence of Movarth Piquine in the final game. Although the line indicates that at this point, the resident vampire master would've been someone named Morgus Ghoruun, who resided in Ghoruun Hall instead.

Notes

• In the Prima Official Game Guide, the summary for her reads:

"Idgrod Ravencrone is unlike the other Jarls of Skyrim: She is a hunched old woman, who speaks in riddles and parables and rarely ever directly. However, her wisdom is sometimes misunderstood as the ramblings of an old woman, and some are beginning to lose faith in her. Idgrod spent her younger years wandering Tamriel in search of wisdom. Some say that she returned from her trip "touched." Gorm is actively plotting to remove her."

• She will not attack you if you are a stage four vampire.
• Idgrod was supposed to have a sister named Argi Farseer residing in Stonehills, but the latter was not implemented in the final game.
• Jarl Idgrod is the only jarl in the final game that doesn't have a unique jarl outfit assigned to her. She instead uses a default template outfit (noticeable due to the lack of a circlet). Meanwhile, there is one person that does have a unique jarl outfit without actually being a jarl, this being thane Bryling of Solitude.