Skyrim:Jorleif

Jorleif (RefID: 0001B134)
Home City	Windhelm
Location	Palace of the Kings
Race	Nord	Gender	Male
Level	1	Class	Citizen
RefID	0001B134	BaseID	00014135
Other Information
Health	50	Magicka	50
Stamina	50
Morality	No Crime	Aggression	Unaggressive
Essential	Yes
Voice Type	MaleNordCommander
Faction(s)	CrimeFactionEastmarch; During sieges, staff and family hide.; Imperial Government; Ruling Government; Sons of Skyrim Government; TownWindhelmFaction; WindhelmSteward

Jorleif

Jorleif is a Nord citizen employed as a steward to Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak of Windhelm. He resides in the Palace of the Kings. After successfully taking the Imperial Fort Neugrad for the Stormcloak rebellion, Jarl Ulfric will offer you the ability to purchase Hjerim, a house in Windhelm, which Jorleif will sell to you for 12,000 gold, but will accept as low as 8,000 if that's all you have, as well as offering you upgrades for the house. Like other stewards, he will also provide bounty notices for his hold and will pay you after completing these bounties.

Jorleif begins his day at 5am by getting out of his bed in the upstairs area of the Palace of the Kings, and going downstairs to the throne room to attend to his duties. He will stand at his post besides the throne until 11am, at which point he will take a seat at the long table in the center of the room to have a lengthy lunch. He will then return to his post at 2pm for the rest of the day. Jorleif will finally retire from his duties for the day at 10pm, returning to his bed so that he may repeat his schedule the next day.

Jorleif wears a set of merchant clothes along with a hat and a pair of boots. He also keeps a belted tunic on his person. Besides those items, he wields an iron dagger to defend himself and carries a selection of upper-class loot and gold.

Related Quests

• Blood on the Ice: Windhelm is plagued by a shadowy killer.

• This NPC is one of many potential quest givers or quest targets for one or more of the Radiant quests.

Dialogue

While the Stormcloaks still control Windhelm, he may greet visitors by claiming that the Stormcloaks are going steady. He will also admit his own inability to adequately assist with the tactical side of the war effort. Jorleif will additionally direct you to talk to Ulfric if you have any information pertinent to the ongoing conflict.

"The Stormcloaks are finding victory across the land."

"I'm not much of a strategist, but Lord Ulfric listens to my counsel all the same."

"If you have any news of the western holds, take it to Ulfric immediately."

Should the Imperial Legion take control of the city, he will admit that while he misses Ulfric, he was a harsh taskmaster. Furthermore, he will claim that he is just happy the rebellion is finished.

"Serving as Steward to Ulfric Stormcloak was a great honor, but I don't miss his temper."

"I don't care that we lost, I'm just glad the war is over."

While a serial killer is running rampant through the city, he may remorsefully comment on the victims.

"Terrible shame, what happened to those women."

You can ask Jorleif what duties he performs for the jarl while Ulfric controls the city. Likewise, you can also ask him about Windhelm in general while the civil war is ongoing.

What do you do for the Jarl?

"For Ulfric? Oh, nothing official. Known him for years. He seems to value my thoughts, and I'm grateful for that. I don't really have a mind for war, and I think he likes having an untrained opinion from time to time."

What can you tell me about Windhelm?

"Grew up here. Colder [sic] as Atmora, but that just grows the beards thicker! Lot of history in these walls. We're trying to make some more. It's a lucky time to be alive."

Attempting to purchase a house here before completing the quest Blood on the Ice will have him deny your request.

"There is an empty home in the city, but there was some... unpleasantness recently. I'm afraid it's not available just yet."

Ending a conversation with Jorleif may have him wish you well. If he is on his lunch break, he may instead tell you as much.

"Travel safely. It's dangerous out there."

"If you'll excuse me, I must return to my duties."

Quest-Related Events

Blood on the Ice

"We're finally going to arrest the Butcher."

"Has the whole city lost their brains?"

After a few visits to Windhelm, you may discover a woman named Susanna the Wicked murdered in the middle of the cemetery. Speaking to the guard handling the scene and offering your assistance will eventually lead to them directing you to speak to the steward: "Look, friend, if you think you can do better than the legion of guards, be my guest. You'll need to talk to Jorleif, though. We can't just let anyone go around claiming to be on official business. If he's willing, then we'll talk."

Following the guard's instructions and talking to Jorleif about the murders will have him allow you the chance to assist the city with this issue.

"These are difficult times indeed, when men stalk their brethren like beasts. My men are stretched thin as it is. If you offer your aid, I gladly accept. The guards will be told to assist you as necessary. I'm happy to lend a hand as much as I can, as well."

You can ask him about Viola's fliers if you have one.

Can you tell me anything about the "Butcher"?

"More of those things. Bah. Viola Giordano's been putting them all around the city.
Frankly, whoever keeps taking them down should get a medal."

The investigation will eventually lead to the evidence pointing to Court Mage, Wuunferth the Unliving. If you decide to tell Jorleif you believe the killer is Wuunferth instead of asking Wuunferth himself, he will ask you for proof, then apprehend Wuunferth.

I believe the killer is Wuunferth the Unliving.

"That's quite an accusation. I assume you have proof?"

We have evidence of necromancy, and found his amulet.

"I don't want to believe it. Wuunferth has been a trusted friend to Ulfric for many years. It pains me to see that the whispers had truth to them. Wuunferth shall be apprehended. I thank you for your diligence in getting to the bottom of this matter. The streets of Windhelm are now safe."

Jorleif will then get one of the guards manning the door to the Palace of the Kings to assist him:

Jorleif: "You. You're coming with me. We're finally going to arrest the Butcher."

Guard: "Yes, sir."

With a guard in tow, Jorleif will confront Wuunferth.

Wuunferth the Unliving: "What is the meaning of this?"

Jorleif: "You're under the arrest, for the Murder [sic] of Susanna of Candlehearth Hall. And Friga Shatter-Shield. And all the rest. We're wise to your scheming, you coward."

Wuunferth the Unliving: "Has the whole city lost their brains? I've been scrying and auguring to find the murderer myself."

Jorleif: (to Wuunferth) "Make your excuses from the Bloodworks, wizard." (to Guard) "Get him out of my sight."

Guard: (to Jorleif) "Yes, sir!" (to Wuunferth) "I'm sorry, sir. But you'll have to come with me."

Wuunferth the Unliving: "This isn't over, Jorleif!"

However, this turns out to be a false trail, with the real killer striking again and murdering Arivanya a few nights later. Once the real killer is apprehended, you can report your success to Jorleif:

Calixto Corrium was the real killer.

"I'm glad you were able to correct your mistake. I'll release Wuunferth immediately. You've done this city a mighty service, friend. I believe you'll find the guards to be a bit more cordial with you in the future."

If you had confronted Wuunferth before, instead of going to Jorleif to have him arrested, you will instead have the chance to report your success in defeating the real murderer.

Calixto Corrium was the real killer.

"Ysmir's beard! The man was always a bit odd, but I wouldn't have expected... You've done this city a mighty service, friend. I believe you'll find the guards to be a bit more cordial with you in the future."

Conversations

Jorleif, attending to his duties as steward

Jorleif will take part in multiple conversations with Ulfric, serving as one of his advisors. In one discussion, Ulfric will ask for his opinion on how to best to deploy their forces:

Ulfric Stormcloak: "Galmar thinks we should double our men in the Reach."

Jorleif: "A reasonable strategy."

Ulfric Stormcloak: "And you, Jorleif?"

Jorleif: "Well, sir, the hold of Falkreath is fairly vulnerable, and blocks the only road from Cyrodiil."

Ulfric Stormcloak: "A good point, old friend."

Jorleif: "To be sure, my lord, I am not skilled in the arts of war or military tactics."

Ulfric Stormcloak: "But you're able to see the whole in the parts, and for that I'm grateful."

Jorleif: "As you wish, sir."

In another conversation, Jorleif will report on the issues with the Dunmer population within the city:

Jorleif: "Sir, there continues to be unrest in the Gray Quarter."

Ulfric Stormcloak: "Blasted dark elves. I don't suppose you could tell them that I presently have larger concerns? Such as all of Skyrim?"

Jorleif: "They don't seem to be very sympathetic to our cause, sir."

Ulfric Stormcloak: "Let me know if you hear anything more substantial?"

Jorleif: "Of course, my lord."

A third interaction between the two has Ulfric give Jorleif an order to send out a message:

Ulfric Stormcloak: "Jorleif, I want you to send a messenger to our western camps."

Jorleif: "And the message, sir?"

Ulfric Stormcloak: "I'm diverting Gar and Haddring's men to join him."

Jorleif: "Is that wise, sir?"

Ulfric Stormcloak: "It will work if we can pull Hran's men from the south. And find a bit of luck."

Jorleif: "Of course. Something that seems to be in short supply these days."

Ulfric Stormcloak: "I'm not seeking advice right now, friend. Just send the message."

Bugs

• After the Imperials take Windhelm, Captain Lonely-Gale is supposed to take over as steward, but never does because Jorleif is never exiled.
  • The Unofficial Skyrim Patch, version 1.3.2, fixes this bug.