Skyrim Wiki
Advertisement
Missing in Action
No image yet
Type
Side
Quest Giver
Fralia Gray-Mane
Location
Whiterun
Northwatch Keep
Rewards
an enchanted weapon
e.g. Steel Warhammer of Shocks
ID
MS09
Quest Objectives

Fralia Gray-Mane in Whiterun is convinced that her missing son, Thorald, is still alive and being held captive. She's asked me to visit her at her home to speak privately about the matter.

— Dragonborn

Walkthrough[]

Meet Fralia in her home[]

Fralia Gray-Mane
Avulstein, put that down! She's here to help us find Thorald!
Avulstein Gray-Mane
How do we know she's not spying for the Battle-Born? This was foolish!
We can't trust anyone! Who knows what they'll do if they find me here.
Fralia Gray-Mane
I can't take any more of this. No weapons, please. Let's just talk.
Dragonborn
Are you pleased to see the Stormcloaks in charge?
Fralia Gray-Mane
Pleased enough, I suppose. At least they appreciate the ways and traditions of the Nord people.
Can't say I ever much liked the idea of the Empire telling us what to do an' how to do it.
Dragonborn
Can you tell me anything else about what's going on?
Fralia Gray-Mane
Thorald's disappearance has been hard on all of us, but Avulstein has taken it badly.
He's afraid of being taken as well, so he hasn't left the house. All he talks about is Thorald.
Please, help Avulstein if you can. Something has to be done, or we're all going to lose our minds.


Avulstein Gray-Mane believes his brother Thorald has been taken prisoner, and that the Battle-Borns of Whiterun have proof. I need to find it and bring to Avulstein.

— Dragonborn

Find evidence of Thorald's fate[]

Go to the house of the Battle-Born clan to find what you need. The evidence will be in the form of a book called Imperial Missive, and you will find it behind the first door on the left on the desk of the locked room (expert).

Deliver proof to Avulstein[]

Head back to the house of the Gray-Manes and give the proof to Avulstein. The proof discloses that Thorald is at Northwatch Keep.

Meet Avulstein at Northwatch Keep[]

At this point, you are given three different choices to take on the rest of the side quest. You make your decision when you talk to Avulstein about the proof. Your decisions are:

1. Join Avulstein to assault the keep
Choice: "Of course I'll join you"
2. Bring back Thorald in a peaceful manner
Choice: "Let me see if I can bring him back on my own. Without bloodshed."
3. Assault the keep by yourself
Choice: "You stay hidden. I'll take care of this."

Then, no matter what choice you make, you need to go to Northwatch keep to continue.

Find a way to release Thorald from Thalmor custody[]

Should the Dragonborn decide to release Thorald without the help of Avulstein, and choose to go the peaceful path then some form of Thalmor convincing would need to be done.

Bug: Alas this is not possible due to a bug and the Dragonborn will have to take out the Northwatch Keep the violent way.

Rescue Thorald from Northwatch Keep[]

Assault the Northwatch Keep and take out all the Northwatch Guards (×4) and Archers (×3) outside, then enter the keep and continue the job on more Northwatch Guards (×6), Archers (×3), Mages (×2) and one Interrogator. One mage has the Northwatch Captain's Key on him.

Lead Thorald to safety[]

Finally the Dragonborn should have found Thorald Gray-Mane and freed him. If the clean-up was already done, accompanying Thorald to the outside of the keep (there are two exists) should be a breeze.

Speak to Thorald Gray-Mane[]

Once outside, Thorald will thank the Dragonborn for saving him, but decide not to return to his family in Whiterun, because that is where his captors would look first. Instead Thorald will join the Stormcloaks, leaving the Dragonborn with a message for his mother.

Return to Fralia Gray-Mane[]

Return to Whiterun and bring Fralia Gray-Mane the good news. She will reward the Dragonborn with a weapon forged by her husband initially intended for Thorald.

Advertisement