Are you ready to embark on a journey of architectural wonder and rural serenity? Skyrim’s Hearthfire expansion invites you to become not just a dragonborn hero but also a master builder and homesteader. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of your own customizable abode, where the rugged beauty of Skyrim’s wilderness meets the comforts of home. Whether you seek a cozy retreat, a bustling farm, or a fortress to defend, Hearthfire offers a multitude of options to cater to your unique playstyle.
To begin your journey, you must first acquire the Hearthfire DLC. Once installed, initiate the quest by reading the letter “Letter from the Jarl” on the desk in your house in Whiterun or the Jarl’s Longhouse in any hold. This letter will assign you a plot of land where you can build your homestead. With your plot secured, you can now embark on the thrilling task of designing and constructing your dream home. Gather materials, craft furniture, and let your creativity soar as you shape the walls and interiors of your abode.
Remember, building a homestead is more than just erecting walls and placing furniture. It’s about creating a space that reflects your character’s personality and ambitions. Choose from a vast selection of building materials, from simple logs to intricate stonework, to give your home a unique aesthetic. Customize each room with a variety of furniture and decorations, from cozy beds to enchanting fireplaces. As your wealth and influence grow, you can expand your homestead, adding gardens, stables, and even a beehive. With every addition, your home will become more than just a shelter; it will become a testament to your hard work, creativity, and the indomitable spirit of Skyrim’s true sons and daughters.
Building a Home: Choosing a Location
Hearthfire, an expansion for Skyrim, introduces the ability to build your own home from scratch. Choosing the right location for your new abode is an important decision, as it will determine where you live, work, and defend yourself. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a location for your homestead:
Climate
Skyrim’s harsh climate should be a major factor in your decision. If you prefer a warm and sunny home, avoid locations in the frozen north or mountainous regions. Conversely, if you relish the challenge of a chilly home, consider locations with cold temperatures and frequent snowfall.
Resources
The area where you build your home should have access to essential resources, such as food, water, and building materials. Consider locations near rivers, lakes, or forests for ample food and water sources. Also, ensure access to mines or quarries for building materials.
Defense
Your homestead may become a target for bandits or hostile creatures. Choose a location that is easy to defend, such as a hilltop or a spot surrounded by natural barriers like forests or rivers. Consider building defensive structures like walls, watchtowers, or traps to protect your homestead.
Accessibility
The location of your homestead should provide easy access to towns and villages for trading, questing, and supplies. Consider locations near major roads or waterways for convenient travel. Additionally, ensure that the path to your homestead is relatively safe and free of obstacles.
Visual Appeal
While function is paramount, you may also want to consider the visual appeal of the location. Choose a spot with scenic views, lush vegetation, or unique geological features. Create a home that blends seamlessly with its surroundings and enhances its beauty.
| Factor | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Climate | Temperature, sunshine, snowfall |
| Resources | Food, water, building materials |
| Defense | Elevation, natural barriers, defensive structures |
| Accessibility | Proximity to towns, ease of travel |
| Visual Appeal | Scenic views, vegetation, geological features |
Gathering Essential Resources
To begin constructing a home in Hearthfire, gather the necessary resources. These include:
- Iron Ingots: Found at blacksmiths, mines, or smelted from iron ore.
- Corundum Ingots: Found at blacksmiths or mined from corundum veins.
- Glass: Found at general stores or created using a glassblower’s bench.
- Leather: Looted from animals or purchased from general stores.
- Wood: Collected from chopping trees or purchased from sawmills.
Location-Specific Resources
In addition to the general resources, each homestead location requires specific materials for construction. These are:
| Homestead | Specific Resources |
|---|---|
| Heljarchen Hall | Clay |
| Lakeview Manor | Stone |
| Windstad Manor | Quartz |
These specific resources can be found near each homestead site. Clay, for example, can be found near bodies of water, while stone and quartz are found in rocky areas.
With these essential resources gathered, you can begin constructing your custom home in Hearthfire.
Crafting Building Materials
To craft building materials in Hearthfire, you’ll need to collect resources and use them at the appropriate workstations. Here are the steps:
Gathering Resources
The resources you need depend on the material you’re trying to craft. For example, to craft stone, you’ll need to mine stone from ore veins. To craft wood, you’ll need to chop down trees. You can find these resources throughout Skyrim.
Using Workstations
Once you have the necessary resources, you can use them at the appropriate workstations. There are three types of workstations in Hearthfire: the forge, the sawmill, and the workbench. The forge is used to craft metal items, the sawmill is used to craft wood items, and the workbench is used to craft miscellaneous items.
Crafting Stone
To craft stone, you’ll need to use the forge. First, place the ore you want to use in the forge. Then, use the bellows to heat the ore. Once the ore is hot enough, you can use the hammer to forge it into stone. You can also use the grindstone to shape the stone into the desired shape.
| Resource | Workstation | Item Crafted |
|---|---|---|
| Ore | Forge | Stone |
| Logs | Sawmill | Wood |
| Hides | Workbench | Leather |
Laying the Foundation
Once you’ve acquired the Hearthfire DLC and spoken to the Jarl of any hold, you’ll be directed to purchase land. After doing so, you’ll need to select a building type and lay the foundation. To lay the foundation:
- Select the “Build” option from the dialogue menu.
- Choose the “House” or “Hall” option.
- Place the foundation template on the ground.
- Use a pickaxe to gather stone and mine it into squared stone.
- Return to the foundation template and click “Craft” to lay the foundation using the squared stone.
Building the Walls
With the foundation in place, it’s time to build the walls. The process is similar to laying the foundation:
- Select the “Build” option from the dialogue menu.
- Choose the “House” or “Hall” option.
- Select the wall type you want to build.
- Place the wall template on the foundation.
- Return to the wall template and click “Craft” to build the wall using the appropriate materials, such as quarried stone or logs.
Materials for Building the Walls
| Wall Type | Materials |
|---|---|
| Stone | Squared stone |
| Log | Sawn logs |
| Clay | Clay bricks |
Constructing the Roof and Doors
Building the Roof
To begin constructing the roof, gather the necessary materials: wooden beams, wooden shingles, and iron nails. Align the wooden beams across the top of the walls to create the framework of the roof. Once the beams are in place, attach the wooden shingles to the beams, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Secure the shingles with iron nails.
Fortifying the Roof
To strengthen the roof, add wooden buttresses and iron braces to the beams. Buttresses provide additional support from the outside, while braces reinforce the beams from within. This will ensure that the roof can withstand the elements and the weight of snow and debris.
Installing the Doors
To complete your home, install doors to the front and rear entrances. Choose a door type that complements the style of your home. Once the doors are in place, hang them on hinges and attach door handles. You can also add locks to provide security for your abode.
Materials Required for Roof and Doors
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Wooden beams | 20 |
| Wooden shingles | 100 |
| Iron nails | 50 |
| Wooden buttresses | 4 |
| Iron braces | 6 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Hinges | 4 |
| Door handles | 2 |
| Locks (optional) | 2 |
Interior Design and Furnishing
Layout and Expansion
Once you’ve built the three main rooms of your house, you can begin expanding and customizing its layout. Additions include a library, armory, kitchen, alchemy lab, trophy room, kid’s room, and greenhouse.
Decorating
The color scheme and furniture style of your home can be tailored to your preferences. Choose from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and stone.
Lighting
Natural light can be maximized through skylights and windows. Additionally, candles, torches, and lanterns create a warm and inviting ambiance.
Storage
Keep your belongings organized with chests, drawers, and shelves. Display shelves can also be used to showcase your treasures and artifacts.
Trophies and Relics
For the victorious adventurer, display cases and weapon racks allow you to showcase your hard-earned trophies and rare relics.
Living Quarters
Each house comes equipped with a bedroom, living room, and dining area. Upgrade your living quarters with beds, chairs, tables, and other furniture.
Garden and Greenhouse
Cultivate your own plants in the greenhouse, or create a beautiful garden outside your home. Plant fruits, vegetables, and flowers to enhance the aesthetics and provide resources.
Selecting a Steward and Housecarl
Once you choose a plot of land, you’ll need to appoint a steward. They’ll manage your household, collect rent, and provide you with various services. You can select a steward from several qualified candidates found in your hold’s major cities.
Choosing a Steward
To appoint a steward, approach them and select the “I’m looking for a steward” dialogue option. If they’re available and qualified, you can hire them. The following table lists potential stewards and their locations:
| Steward | Location |
|---|---|
| Faendal | Riverwood Trader |
| Iona | Proudspire Manor (Solitude) |
| Jordis the Sword-Maiden | Housecarl for Jarl Elisif (Solitude) |
Choosing a Housecarl
In addition to a steward, you can also appoint a housecarl, a personal bodyguard who will defend your home and accompany you on adventures. Housecarls are typically loyal and skilled warriors.
To appoint a housecarl, speak to the jarl of your hold. They will offer you a qualified candidate from their personal guard. The following table lists the housecarls available in each hold:
| Hold | Housecarl |
|---|---|
| Whiterun | Lydia |
| Riften | Iona |
| Falkreath | Rayya |
Upgrading and Expanding Your Home
Building a new home
To start building a home, you need to purchase land from the Jarl of a hold. Once you have purchased the land, you will need to speak to the Jarl’s steward to begin building your home. The steward will give you a list of materials that you will need to gather to build your home.
Gathering materials
The materials that you will need to gather to build your home vary depending on the type of home that you choose to build. The following table lists the materials that you will need to gather for each type of home:
| Home type | Materials |
|---|---|
| Small house | 100 logs, 50 iron ingots, 20 glass panes, 10 goat horns |
| Medium house | 150 logs, 75 iron ingots, 30 glass panes, 15 goat horns |
| Large house | 200 logs, 100 iron ingots, 40 glass panes, 20 goat horns |
Building your home
Once you have gathered all of the materials that you need, you can begin building your home. To build your home, you will need to use the carpenter’s workbench. The carpenter’s workbench can be found in the basement of your home. Once you have found the carpenter’s workbench, you can interact with it to begin building your home.
Upgrading your home
Once you have built your home, you can upgrade it by adding new rooms and features. To upgrade your home, you will need to use the architect’s table. The architect’s table can be found in the basement of your home. Once you have found the architect’s table, you can interact with it to begin upgrading your home.
Expanding your home
If you want to expand your home, you will need to purchase additional land from the Jarl of the hold. Once you have purchased the additional land, you can speak to the Jarl’s steward to begin expanding your home. The steward will give you a list of materials that you will need to gather to expand your home.
Enjoying Your New Homestead
Building and Upgrading
Once your hearthfire has been built and furnished, you can begin expanding and upgrading your homestead. Each homestead has unique expansion options, such as stables, gardens, and mills. You can also hire a steward to manage your property and assist with construction projects.
Farming and Livestock
Your homestead comes equipped with a garden, where you can grow vegetables and ingredients for cooking. You can also raise livestock, such as chickens, cows, and goats, to provide food and resources. Farming and livestock management add an exciting layer of self-sufficiency to your homestead experience.
Crafting and Smithing
Your homestead features a forge and an alchemy lab, allowing you to craft weapons, armor, and potions. You can also collect materials from your surroundings to create a variety of useful items.
Decorating and Personalizing
Make your homestead a reflection of your personality by decorating it with furniture, tapestries, and other items. You can also add personal touches, such as your own weapons and armor, to enhance the ambiance of your home.
Adopting Children
If you wish to start a family, you can adopt children at any of the orphanages in Skyrim. Children will add life and joy to your homestead and can even assist with chores and tasks around the property.
Storing Your Treasures
Your homestead provides ample storage space for your loot and belongings. You can place chests and wardrobes in various locations to organize your items and prevent clutter.
Hosting Events and Feasts
Invite friends and family to your homestead for gatherings and feasts. You can prepare meals, play games, and enjoy the company of others in the comfort of your own home.
Relaxing and Enjoying the Scenery
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Skyrim and relax in the tranquility of your homestead. Enjoy the scenic views, tend to your garden, or simply bask in the warmth of your hearthfire.
Hiring Servants
To further enhance your homestead experience, you can hire servants to assist with household tasks and maintenance. Servents can cook, clean, and perform various other chores to keep your property running smoothly.
Creating a Sense of Community
Your homestead can serve as a hub for socializing and interacting with the people of Skyrim. Invite neighbors and travelers to visit, trade goods, and share stories around your hearthfire. By fostering a sense of community, you can make your homestead a truly memorable and enriching experience.
| Homestead | Expansion Options |
|---|---|
| Heljarchen Hall | Stables, greenhouse, beehives |
| Lakeview Manor | Gardens, mill, fishery |
| Windstad Manor | Smithy, alchemy lab, mine |
Skyrim How To Start Hearthfire
Hearthfire is the third official downloadable content pack for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It was released on September 4, 2012, for Xbox 360 and PC, and on November 13, 2012 for PlayStation 3. Hearthfire allows the player to purchase land and build their own homes in three different locations: Falkreath Hold, The Pale, and Hjaalmarch. To start Hearthfire, the player must first speak to the Jarl of one of the three holds and purchase a plot of land. Once the land has been purchased, the player can begin building their home. There are a variety of different building materials and styles to choose from, and the player can customize their home to their liking. Hearthfire also introduces a new gameplay mechanic called adoption, which allows the player to adopt children and raise them in their home.
People Also Ask About Skyrim How To Start Hearthfire
What are the requirements to start Hearthfire?
The player must have completed the Dragon Rising quest and be level 5 or higher. The player must also have enough gold to purchase a plot of land, which costs 5,000 gold.
Where can I find the Jarls to purchase land?
The Jarls can be found in their respective holds: Falkreath Hold (Jarl Siddgeir), The Pale (Jarl Skald), and Hjaalmarch (Jarl Igmund).
How do I build my home?
Once you have purchased a plot of land, you can begin building your home. There are a variety of different building materials and styles to choose from. You can also customize your home to your liking, such as adding furniture, decorations, and lighting.
