Hjertesten Hall Guide
1. Starting the Quest
The quest starts when you talk to any female guard with the femalenord voice or male guard with the maleguard voice in the Rift territory. The guard will talk about a property for sale or about a Lord who needs people to work on the site. You will be directed to Ivarstead for more information about Hjertesten Hall. There, Wilhelm will inform you about Torben, the former Steward of Hjertesten, and ask the player for information about his friend's whereabouts.
2. Gameplay Lines
You can choose whether to work on the property and investigate Torben's whereabouts or simply buy the property from the current owner and start your journey as the Lord of Hjertesten. Depending on your choices, you can get better prices when acquiring Hjertesten Hall. Upon arriving at Hjertesten, you will be approached by Kjartan, who will direct you to the options and take you to Hemme, the current owner of the place. (you will not be able to buy the property without talking to Kjartan first)
2.1 Working for Hemme
If you decide to work for Hemme, you can live in the farmer's house while exploring the property more freely and discovering clues about Torben's whereabouts. You will be able to collect 300 septims weekly from Hemme for your "work." If you find the cave while working, you will be approached by Kjartan again, who will try to steal the treasure from you. Here you can choose whether to kill him, share the money, or follow the plan he suggests. From this point, you can buy the house in this game line. Once you buy the property, the quest ends, and you become the new owner of Hjertesten. If you have located Torben, you can still inform Wilhelm about his whereabouts.
2.2 Buying the Property (without working for Hemme)
After talking to Kjartan upon arriving at Hjertesten, he will escort you to Hemme, who will tell you the price of the property. Depending on your speech level or if you have the Amulet of Articulation equipped, you can buy the house for a price lower than Hemme's asking price. Once you buy the property, the quest ends, and you become the new owner of Hjertesten. If you have located Torben, you can still inform Wilhelm about his whereabouts.
2.3 Acquiring Hjertesten without Buying or Working on the Property
Just arrive at the location and kill Hemme. Of course, you will also have to deal with Kjartan :)
3. Hiring NPCs
To hire NPCs and manage the property, you will use the dialogue About Hjertesten... and then select the desired options. The requirement for this dialogue to become available is to have at least one Hjertesten Hall key in your inventory. If you don't want this dialogue to appear, you just need to store all the Hjertesten Hall keys you have somewhere you can retrieve them if you need to use the dialogue again. If you lose the key, you can find copies in the apiary to the left, located on the property.
List of NPCs that can be hired/invited
1 Steward
1 Steward's Assistant
1 Housecarl
1 Priest
1 Alchemist
1 Tavern Keeper
12 Guards
8 Warriors
1 Blacksmith
1 Farmer
5 Guests
1 Spouse
6 Adopted children
1 Prisoner
3.1 Hiring the Steward
The Steward is the most important employee on the property. Through them, you can manage the place, collect resources, make changes to the decoration, offer banquets to residents and guests, and summon warriors for adventures. They will also manage the lights and meals on the tables according to the in-game time. Any NPC can be hired for this role as long as they have a friendship level with the player equal to or greater than 1.
Talk to the NPC and go to About Hjertesten > Would you like to work and live at one of the residences? > Would you like to be my steward?
You will pay a small fee and the NPC will be directed to your home.
3.2 Hiring the Steward Assistant
Any NPC can be hired for this role as long as you have hired a steward and have a friendship level with the NPC equal to or greater than 1.
Talk to the NPC and go to About Hjertesten > Would you like to work and live at one of the residences? > I need someone to assist the steward. It's a big place to take care of alone.
You will pay a small fee and the NPC will be directed to your home.
3.3 Hiring the Housecarl
Any NPC with the PotentialFollowerFaction and a friendship level with the player equal to or greater than 1 can be hired.
Talk to the NPC and go to About Hjertesten > Would you like to work and live at one of the residences? > I need someone to be my Housecarl. Would you be interested?
You will pay a small fee and the NPC will be directed to your home.
3.4 Hiring the Priest
The Priest is the NPC responsible for taking care of the chapel. Since it is a chapel dedicated to Mara, only the NPCs Erandur, Briehl, and Dinya Balu can be hired.
Talk to the NPC and go to About Hjertesten > Priest, our chapel could use a dedicated guardian. How about you take charge?
After a short dialogue, the NPC will be directed to your home.
3.5 Hiring the Alchemist
The alchemist is the NPC responsible for selling potions and ingredients. Any NPC can be hired for this role as long as they have a friendship level with the player equal to or greater than 1.
3.6 Hiring the Tavern Keeper
The tavern keeper is the NPC responsible for taking care of the property's tavern. Any NPC can be hired for this role as long as they have a friendship level with the player equal to or greater than 1.
3.7 Hiring the Guards
The guards will protect the walls and perimeter of the property. They will also open the gates for the player when you get close enough to the gate. You can hire up to 12 guards, who work in 12-hour shifts (6 during the day and 6 at night). The guards also frequent the tavern during their off-hours.
Any NPC can be hired for this role as long as they have a friendship level with the player equal to or greater than 1 and the property's wall has been built.
Talk to the NPC and go to About Hjertesten > Would you like to work and live at one of the residences? I need you to guard my property.
3.8 Hiring the Warriors
The Warriors are the followers closest to the player, who will accompany the Dragonborn on adventures if summoned. You can hire up to 8 warriors who will perform some tasks on the property, train, and attend the tavern.
Any NPC can be hired for this role as long as they have a friendship level with the player equal to or greater than 1.
Talk to the NPC and go to About Hjertesten > Would you like to work and live at one of the residences? I need strong and capable warriors to protect the place. You can be one of them.
3.9 Hiring the Blacksmith
The blacksmith is responsible for the forge and will sell or buy items from the player. You can also ask them to make changes to the altar in the garden at the back of the property, as well as provide armor that you can give to the warriors and guards. The armors you can withdraw for free are: Leather Set, Iron Set, Steel Set, Elven Set, Orcish Set, and Studded Set. Depending on the NPC, they may bring their family to the property (see item 3.9.1).
Any NPC can be hired for this role as long as they have a friendship level with the player equal to or greater than 1.
Talk to the NPC and go to About Hjertesten > Would you like to work and live at one of the residences? I need a blacksmith to keep the warriors well equipped.
3.9.1 Blacksmiths who can bring their families
Only the blacksmiths listed here are available.
Alvor
Adrienne Avenicci
Beirand
Oengul
Rustleif
Ulfberth
Baldor Iron-Shaper - Added in v13.2
You will need to talk to the hired blacksmith and ask about their family and then invite them to live on the property.About Hjertesten > Tell me, do you have a family? > you can bring them to live with you.
3.10 Hiring the Farmer
The farmer will take care of the crops and stables and can also provide resources to the player.
Any NPC can be hired for this role as long as they have a friendship level with the player equal to or greater than 1.
Talk to the NPC and go to About Hjertesten > Would you like to work and live at one of the residences? I need someone to take care of the farm. Would you be interested?
3.10.1 Farmers who can bring their families
Grosta
Klimmek
Bassianus Axius
Camilla Valerius (will bring Sven and Faendal)Avrusa Sarethi Changed to Jon Battle-Born in 13.1 update
Ahlam
Jofthor
Azzada Lylvieve/Michel Lylvieve
Katla/Sniling
Greta
Addvar
Saffir
Amren
Daighre
Tormir
Oslaf
Finna
Froki
Carlotta Valentia
You will need to talk to the hired farmer and ask about their family and then invite them to live on the property.About Hjertesten > Tell me, do you have a family? > you can bring them to live with you.
3.11 Hiring a Bard
To ensure that the hired Bard will perform correctly in the hall and tavern, you will need to download the mod Thay's Bards for Skyrim through the links below:
Special/Anniversary Edition: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/64340
Legendary Edition: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/111134
Xbox: https://creations.bethesda.net/en/skyrim/details/2a367851-2b9a-470f-9ba4-c5fee1167645/DT___New_Bards_for_Skyrim
After installing the mod Thay's Bards for Skyrim, talk to the bard you want to hire using the dialogue
About Hjertesten > Would you like to work as a bard for me?
Note that only NPCs with the Bard class can be hired, regardless of whether they are friends with the player or not.
3.12 Having a Prisoner
You can imprison any NPC in a cage inside the hall, which can be released through dialogue or using the business ledger. Note that by imprisoning an NPC, they will become your enemy and will behave accordingly.
4. Inviting NPCs
The player can invite up to 5 NPCs to spend a few days at the property. The first NPC is the only one who needs to have a friendship level with the player, and it's a requirement to be able to invite the other 4.
Talk to the NPC using About Hjertesten > Would you like to spend a few days at my hall?
This NPC will sleep in the guest room inside the hall, while the others will sleep in the guest house near the chapel.
After inviting the main guest, talk to any NPC using the dialogue About Hjertesten > You are welcome to join my guest.
5. Managing the Property
You can make changes to the property and collect resources through dialogues with the Steward or workers.
5.1 Obtaining resources with the Steward
Every Morndas, you will be able to collect 10000 septims from your steward. Just use the dialogue About Hjertesten > Steward, do you have any income for me?
5.2 Obtaining resources with NPCs
You can talk to warriors and farmers to collect items related to their work on the property. Warriors will give items like skins and animals from hunting, while farmers will give items like milk, honey, fruits...
5.3 Available Decoration Changes
The mod includes some available decoration changes, all made through the Steward or blacksmith. Below are the available decorations and how to acquire them.
5.3.1 Wooden Wall
The Wooden Wall is the main requirement to hire guards for the property. Without it, the dialogue won't be available. The cost is 3500 septims. Talk to the steward and ask for the wall to be built.
5.3.2 Interior Furniture Upgrade
By default, the furniture in the Hall and guest room is basic. However, you can ask the Steward to change the furniture to a more noble one for 5000 septims. Before doing so, make sure you don't have any items stored in cabinets and bedside tables, as all containers will be replaced (except barrels and chests).
5.3.3 Chandelier Decoration
The chandeliers in the hall can be decorated with deer antlers after asking the steward to change some decorations. The cost is 300 septims.
5.3.4 Throne Decoration
The throne can also be decorated through dialogue with the steward. The cost is 100 septims.
5.3.5 Dragon Skeleton Decoration
You can also ask the steward to have a dragon skeleton hanging in the main hall. The cost is 200 septims.
5.3.6 Treehouse for Children
Ask the steward to build a treehouse where children can play and spend their afternoons. The cost is 100 septims.
5.3.7 Removing Mannequins
If you don't like the game's mannequins in the hall, you can ask the steward to get rid of them. The mannequins will be replaced with bookshelves.
5.3.8 Turning the Cave into a Trophy Room
You can ask the steward to turn the cave into a treasure room. If you request this change, a tomb for the former steward, Torben, will be placed next to the chapel.
5.3.9 Changing the Altar in the Back Garden
If you want to change the altar in the backyard of the property, you need to talk to the blacksmith and ask him to arrange the exchange. The cost is 250 septims.
Altars you can acquire:
Akatosh
Arkay
Dibella
Malacath
Mara
Nocturnal
Stendarr
Talos
Ysgramor
5.3.10 Placing banners in the property (version 13 only - special edition)
You can ask your blacksmith to place new banners to the property. If you change your mind, just talk the blacksmith again and tell them you changed your mind. If you asked for the banners before you purchased the wooden wall, you'll have to tell the blacksmith to take the banners off and place again after you build the wall, so the baners at the entrances will appear.
5.3.11 Asking your the warriors to wear the guards outfit (version 13 only - special edition)
You can ask your guards and warriors to wear Hjertesten's armor, as long as you have the banners active.
5.3.12 Crafting Hjertesten's armor (version 13 only - special edition)
You can craft all armor pieces as long as you have the banners active.
5.4 Hosting feats in the Hall
You can offer feasts to guests and villagers during the night. Just talk to the steward from 6am to 6pm. Outside of these hours, the dialogue won't be available.To end the feasts, talk to the steward again during these hours and express your desire to stop offering banquets.
From 8pm, NPCs will gather in the hall and celebrate with the Dragonborn. Don't forget to hire a bard to make the event even more festive.
6. Living with Family at Hjertesten Hall
You can live with your family at Hjertesten, whether you move in with your current family or marry and adopt street children. For this, you need the mod Hearthfire Multiple Adoptions available at the following links:
Special/Anniversary Edition: Link
Legendary Edition: Link
Xbox: Link
After downloading the Multiple Adoptions mod, enter Hjertesten Hall and use the Bless Home spell and say this will be your home. Then talk to your spouse or children and say you're moving, selecting an option that indicates "new home" (this is how Multiple Adoptions identifies non-vanilla homes). After a few hours or even days, your family will be living with you at the property.
You can also directly talk to your spouse using the dialogue About Hjertesten > My love, this will be our new house. Through this dialogue, new routines will be added to your spouse, making them interact more with the property.
6.1 Marriage in the Property Chapel
If you haven't married yet, you can perform your wedding in the chapel at Hjertesten. It's extremely important to follow the instructions below for the quest to work correctly. Note that this quest does not replace the standard marriage quest and is only optional to marry at the property.
6.1.1 Starting the Marriage Quest
The marriage quest operates separately from the game's standard quest but requires you to take the initial steps of the standard quest. To do this, equip the Amulet of Mara and talk to the NPC you wish to marry. Use the standard dialogue "Interested in me, are you?" and propose to your future spouse.
6.1.2 Talking to the Future Spouse
Talk to your future spouse again, but this time use the dialogue "About the wedding..." > "I was thinking of having the ceremony at the chapel in my property." After this, the NPC will agree, and you can talk to the priest.
6.1.3 Talking to the Priest
You can talk to the priest hired for the chapel or directly to Maramal to arrange the wedding at the chapel. Use the dialogue "About the wedding..." > "I'd like to perform my wedding at the chapel. Could you send a word to Maramal?"
or "About the wedding..." > "Maramal, I'd like you to perform my wedding at Hjertesten Hall." if you're talking to Maramal.
After these steps, IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO SAVE THE GAME AND LOAD IT AGAIN FROM THIS SAVE. This ensures that the wedding takes place at the chapel. Wait until the next day, when you will receive a notification to attend the wedding. If you don't attend within 24 hours, the quest will be canceled, and your future spouse will dislike you.
6.1.4 Finalizing the Wedding Scene
After attending the wedding and exchanging vows, the ceremony will conclude, and your future spouse will move to the hall. Speak with them before they leave the chapel to ensure the banquet begins and they move to Hjertesten. For some reason I couldn't prevent them from leaving the chapel before talking to them, so you'll need to act quickly :)
6.1.5 Attending the Wedding Feast
The wedding banquet starts at 1pm and lasts until 12am. During the banquet, NPCs will congratulate you and give wedding gifts. To end the wedding banquet (and the dialogues), the steward needs to stop serving meals at the table during the night (this is done automatically by default, so just wait).
7. Other Features
In addition to hiring NPCs and collecting resources from them, you can use hidden activators to set some configurations, manage the property, or even go on adventures with your companions or be transported home by city carriages. Below are some of these functionalities.
7.1 General Activators
7.1.1 Hidden Activators for Meals
By default, the steward manages the meals placed on the tables. If you want to manually activate meals, go to the table on the left, next to the throne, and look at the bottom of it. You'll have the option to activate dinner or breakfast through invisible activators.
7.1.2 Lighting Activator
Also by default, the steward manages the lighting in the hall, but you can use the button located in the Housecarl's office/bedroom to activate or deactivate the lighting. There's also an invisible activator in front of the hall's fireplace that will light the fire.
7.1.3 Banquet Table Decoration Activator
If the banquet has started and the steward hasn't placed the food on the table, you can look at the banquet table in the center and find an invisible activator to set the food on the tables.
7.1.4 Boat Placement Activator
If you approach the boat at the back of the property, you'll see a button. If the boat is there, it will be positioned in the water, allowing you to travel to Ivarstead or Riften. If the boat isn't there, it will be placed back.
7.2 Traveling by Boat
You can position the boat in the water using the activator on the property, by asking the steward to position it, or by speaking to any of the warriors. When the boat is in the water, look at its center for an invisible activator that allows you to travel (via fast travel) to Riften, Ivarstead, or back to Hjertesten (if you're in another city). To return the boat to the property, ask the steward or the warriors, or use the activator near the boat's original position.
7.3 Traveling with Carriage Drivers
You can also ask Skyrim's carriage drivers to take you home. Just approach the NPC and ask to be taken to Hjertesten Hall.
7.4 Divorcing Your Spouse to Remarry
If you're married and want to divorce to marry at the property or marry again, remove the wedding ring from your inventory and talk to your spouse. If your spouse has died and you want to remarry, talk to the hired priest and indicate your intention to marry. This will reset the marriage quests.
7.5 Summoning Warriors to Accompany You on Quests
When you hire warriors to stay at the property, you can also ask them to accompany you on your adventures. To do this, use the dialogue "About Hjertesten > Get the warriors ready. We are going to battle." with the steward or any hired warrior. This will make all warriors contracted as NPCs follow you until you tell them to return to Hjertesten using the dialogue "About Hjertesten > Thank you for your help. Take the warriors back to Hjertesten." with one of the warriors. If you want them to wait at a specific location, use the dialogue "About Hjertesten > Tell the warriors to relax here" and to depart again, use the dialogue "About Hjertesten > Tell the warriors we're leaving."
7.6 Opening NPC Inventory
This feature allows you to open the NPC's inventory and give them items such as armor, weapons, etc.
Just use the dialogue "About Hjertesten > I have something for you"
8. Dismissing NPCs
8.1 Dismissing NPCs and Guests via Dialogue
You can dismiss NPCs through the dialogue "About Hjertesten... > Thank you for your services, I won't need them anymore."You can send your guests back home using the dialogue "About Hjertesten > Thank you for coming in, but now I think it's time for you to go home."
Doing this through dialogues allows you to choose which NPCs will be dismissed or sent away.
8.2 Dismissing NPCs via Business Ledger
If you need to manually reset any worker or guest, you can use the business ledger in the property's office and select which positions you want to reset. Note that resetting the positions Guest, Family, Warriors, and Guards will dismiss all NPCs assigned to these roles without allowing you to choose who stays and who leaves.
9. Moving with the Family
9.1 Moving the Spouse to a New Home
If you used the dialogue "About Hjertesten > My love this will be our new house" or got married in the property's chapel, you'll need to use the dialogue "About Hjertesten > My love, time to leave." and then use the standard dialogue to move to a new home. If you don't use the mod's dialogue to move, your spouse will continue to reside at the property. You can also use the business ledger to reset your spouse and move.
9.2 Moving the Children to a New Home
Simply use the standard dialogue to move to a new home.
10. Uninstalling the Mod
Because it involves a large number of NPCs, it's advisable to follow these steps to uninstall the mod without errors.
First, clear all planters outside the hall. This is because when you plant an ingredient, it's associated with the game rather than the mod. If you uninstall the mod without clearing the planters, the ingredients will remain planted and cannot be cleared later.After that, go to the Jarl of Riften and sell the property using the dialogue "About Hjertesten > Jarl, I'd like to sell my property." This will reset all invited and hired NPCs, and you'll receive 70000 septims for selling the property to the Jarl.
Well, that was long, but I hope I managed to explain all the functionalities and requirements so that you can have the best experience with the mod. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on Nexus via the link: https://next.nexusmods.com/profile/Dovahkiinathay/about-me
Have fun!
4 comments
Imagine you can tell to some khajiit caravan leader to stop at your hall and had some food and drink, make a business and me your guest for some time...