Falkreath Hold is one of the nine holds in Skyrim, located in the southwestern region of the province. Its liberation is a key part of the Civil War questline in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, specifically if you side with the Stormcloaks. Knowing how to liberate Falkreath Hold involves understanding quest progression, key locations, battle strategies, and the political structure of Skyrim during the war. Completing this objective brings you one step closer to reclaiming Skyrim for the Stormcloaks and altering the power balance in the region. This guide will walk you through everything needed to liberate Falkreath Hold successfully.
Joining the Stormcloaks
Prerequisites Before Liberation
You cannot jump directly into the liberation of Falkreath Hold. First, you need to join the Stormcloaks and begin their side of the Civil War storyline. To do this, travel to Windhelm and speak with Ulfric Stormcloak inside the Palace of the Kings. You’ll undergo a few initiation tasks before being formally accepted into the rebellion.
Once you prove your loyalty through initial quests like Joining the Stormcloaks and The Jagged Crown, you will be tasked with liberating different holds across Skyrim. Falkreath Hold is typically one of the later objectives, depending on your progress and any choices made during the Season Unending peace council if you’ve already started the main quest.
Starting the Liberation of Falkreath Hold
After completing a series of liberation quests (such as for Whiterun or The Reach), Ulfric Stormcloak or Galmar Stone-Fist will assign you the next target: liberating Falkreath Hold. The quest itself will be labeled as Liberate Falkreath Hold in your journal.
Meet Galmar Stone-Fist
To begin, you will be told to report to Galmar Stone-Fist at a Stormcloak camp located near Falkreath. You can find the Falkreath Stormcloak Camp on your map once the objective becomes active. Fast travel or ride there and speak with Galmar to receive your specific assignment related to Falkreath’s liberation.
Galmar will usually give you a mission that involves sabotage or direct assault. This mission is typically titled Compelling Tribute or The Battle for Fort Neugrad, depending on how the Civil War has unfolded in your game. The goal is to weaken Imperial forces and allow the Stormcloaks to take control of the region.
Compelling Tribute Quest (Optional Step)
In some playthroughs, before attacking Fort Neugrad, you may need to complete Compelling Tribute. This quest involves intimidating an Imperial-supporting noble or seizing supplies meant for the Imperial army.
- Speak to the Stormcloak officer for detailed instructions.
- Travel to the target location and either persuade, bribe, or intimidate the contact.
- Retrieve or redirect the supplies to the Stormcloaks.
Once completed, the Stormcloaks gain a strategic advantage, and the path is cleared for the next phase: a full assault on Fort Neugrad.
Battle for Fort Neugrad
Main Objective to Liberate Falkreath Hold
The critical battle that determines the fate of Falkreath Hold is the siege of Fort Neugrad. This is the stronghold that must be captured to complete the liberation. After reporting back to Galmar, he will instruct you to either infiltrate the fort or join the main assault.
- You may be told to sneak inside and free Stormcloak prisoners to aid in the battle.
- Alternatively, you might launch a direct attack with other soldiers.
The infiltration route involves sneaking in through a side entrance or a hidden passage. Freeing the prisoners inside gives you reinforcements once the battle begins. If you’re detected early, the fight will begin prematurely, but the mission can still be completed.
Fighting Through the Fort
Once the battle begins, you must eliminate all Imperial soldiers inside and outside the fort. Fort Neugrad has multiple towers, ramparts, and open courtyards, so use cover, potions, and shouts wisely. Enemies can spawn in waves, and melee combatants often charge in groups.
Stormcloak soldiers will aid you, but you’ll still need to carry much of the effort yourself. Archers may be positioned on higher ground, so be prepared to deal with ranged enemies first. Destruction spells, a strong bow, or Dragon Shouts like Unrelenting Force can help you clear rooms quickly.
Finishing the Battle
After defeating all enemies, a message will appear indicating that Fort Neugrad has been captured. You’ll receive a journal update, and the Liberate Falkreath Hold quest will be marked as completed. You can now return to Galmar or Ulfric to receive your next assignment.
After the Liberation
Once Falkreath Hold is under Stormcloak control, the area will reflect the change in ownership. Stormcloak soldiers will replace the Imperial guards, and local citizens may comment on the shift in power. The new Jarl of Falkreath, if replaced, will be a Stormcloak supporter aligned with Ulfric’s vision for Skyrim.
In gameplay terms, this change affects who you can interact with, what side quests may be available, and how other holds perceive your progress in the war. If you’re working toward the full Stormcloak victory, liberating Falkreath Hold is one major milestone.
Tips for Success
- Stock Up on Healing Items: The siege battles are intense. Make sure to carry enough healing potions and stamina potions.
- Use Allies Wisely: Free prisoners if possible to gain extra support during the battle.
- Bring a Follower: A strong follower like Lydia or Aela the Huntress can turn the tide of battle in your favor.
- Improve Your Gear: Before attacking Fort Neugrad, upgrade your weapons and armor at a blacksmith or with enchantments.
- Level Up Beforehand: Don’t enter the mission underpowered. At least level 1520 is recommended for a balanced challenge.
Common Issues and Workarounds
Sometimes, players encounter bugs during the Civil War quests, including the liberation of Falkreath Hold. If the quest doesn’t update or objectives fail to appear, try the following:
- Save and reload your game before entering Fort Neugrad.
- Ensure you’re not skipping any prerequisite quests like Compelling Tribute.
- Use console commands (PC only) to manually advance the quest if necessary.
Always make manual saves before starting large quest battles. This gives you a backup in case anything breaks or doesn’t trigger properly.
Successfully liberating Falkreath Hold in Skyrim is a rewarding step in the Stormcloak Civil War questline. From meeting with Galmar to storming Fort Neugrad, each phase offers challenges that test your combat readiness and strategic thinking. Whether you prefer stealth, magic, or brute strength, the mission allows for a variety of playstyles. Once the hold is liberated, you not only gain territory for the Stormcloaks but also push the narrative closer to Ulfric’s ultimate goal of reclaiming Skyrim’s independence. Mastering this quest is essential for anyone committed to seeing the Stormcloak rebellion succeed.