Skyrim:Skyforge

Forge: Skyforge (view on map) (lore page)
Respawn Time	10 days
Occupants
Eorlund Gray-Mane
Important Treasure
The Armorer's Challenge
Region
Whiterun
Location
Behind Jorrvaskr
Special Features
# of Forges/Anvils	1
# of Grindstones	1

The Skyforge over Jorrvaskr

The Skyforge is an ancient forge capable of forging unique weapons and armor. It is currently tended by the greatest blacksmith in Skyrim, Eorlund Gray-Mane. Its heat is used to forge powerful weapons and light the funeral pyres of fallen Companions. The Skyforge is often linked to the sun, and the secret Underforge beneath is the metaphorical moon, due to its association with werewolves.

The Skyforge at night

History

Legend tells that the Skyforge has existed since before the area was inhabited. According to the Songs of the Return, the local elves believed it to be a relic of the gods and consequently gave the area a wide berth. Ysgramor and his Companions, however, were quick to claim the Skyforge as their own once they discovered it and they built their headquarters, Jorrvaskr, here. After this, others started settling, eventually forming what is now the city of Whiterun.

Forging

Working at the Skyforge is like working at any other forge. All items that can be crafted at normal forges can also be crafted at the Skyforge, subject to the same Smithing perk restrictions.

However, additional crafting options are added to the Skyforge after completing the quest Glory of the Dead at the end of the Companions questline and talking with Eorlund. "Nord Hero" weapons show up in a new subsection called "Draugr" and "Ancient Nord" armor shows up in the "Daedric" subsection. These items can only be crafted at the Skyforge, but do not require that any Smithing perks be unlocked.

• Version 1.2.7 of the Unofficial Skyrim Patch moves the Ancient Nord armor under the "Steel" category, and makes both weapons and armor require the "Steel Smithing" perk to forge.

Although you cannot craft them, Skyforge Steel weapons are available from Eorlund after joining the Companions in Proving Honor. Eorlund gives you one free weapon, but others can be purchased from him (along with wolf armor) and you will find a Skyforge Steel Dagger and Greatsword by progressing in the Companions questline. Skyforge Steel weapons are elven-tier in damage, but steel-tier in weight and smithing. You can also find Skyforge Steel weapons and Wolf Armor in the Merchant Chest underneath.

Ancient Nord Armor

Ancient Nord armor is low-quality heavy armor, providing the same amount of protection as iron armor with slightly less weight. All items can be tempered using 1 iron ingot, and having the Daedric Smithing perk doubles the quality improvement. It can also be found in some Nordic ruins; in particular, it's commonly available in Forelhost. There is no Ancient Nord Shield.

A male Nord wearing ancient Nord armor

A female Imperial wearing ancient Nord armor

	Name	ID				Raw Materials				Delta		Ratio
						Steel	Iron	Leather	Strips
	Ancient Nord Armor	00018388	28	125	25	5	2	2	4	16.6	-21	2.46	0.86
	Ancient Nord Boots	00056a9d	5	25	10	4	2	2	3	-5.3	-98	0.49	0.20
	Ancient Nord Gauntlets	00056b17	4	25	10	3	2	2	3	-5.3	-78	0.43	0.24
	Ancient Nord Helmet	00056a9e	4	60	15	3	2	2	3	-5.3	-43	0.43	0.58
Totals:			41	235	60	15	8	8	13

†Due to an incorrect keyword being set, these gauntlets do not add their base armor value of 10 to unarmed damage. Instead, they add 18, because they are misclassified as Daedric. The correct setting for 10 damage would be Iron. This is a perk-specific keyword that does not interact with smithing).
With the Unofficial Patch, they add 12, because they are misclassified as Steel for the purposes of the perk.

Nord Hero Weapons

The Skyforge allows you to convert standard draugr weapons ("Ancient Nord" weapons) into improved "Nord Hero" weapons after completing the main Companions questline and speaking to Eorlund. This can only be done using standard Ancient Nord weapons, not the improved honed and supple Ancient Nord weapons that appear at higher levels. Daggers, maces, and warhammers are not available without the Fishing Creation (which adds these missing draugr weapon types). The source weapons can generally be obtained in large quantities in any Nordic ruin or other Draugr Crypt.

The resulting weapons are all medium-quality weapons, with damage identical to elven, Nordic, or Skyforge steel weapons. However, they are also the lightest available weapons (tied with iron), making them the best option of the four due to lower stamina costs for melee weapons and faster draw time with the bow. All of the weapons can be tempered using 1 steel ingot (see bug). Having the Steel Smithing perk doubles the quality improvement. While these weapons can only be made at the Skyforge, they can be improved with any grindstone.

If you've completed the Companions questline and still can't forge Nord Hero weapons, talk to Eorlund. He should mention how "the Skyforge feels more... awake."

	Name (ID)				Crit.	Speed	Reach	Raw Materials			Delta		Ratio
								Draugr Weapon	Steel	Strips
	Nord Hero DaggerCC (xx08A1E4)	2	55	8	2	1.3	0.7	Ancient Nord Dagger	1	1	-2.6	27	0.43	1.96
	Nord Hero Sword (00068c7b)	9	135	11	4	1	1	Ancient Nord Sword	2	2	-5.2	76	0.63	2.29
	Nord Hero War Axe (00068c63)	11	165	12	6	0.9	1	Ancient Nord War Axe	2	2	-5.2	104	0.68	2.70
	Nord Hero MaceCC (xx08A1E5)	13	195	13	5	0.8	1	Ancient Nord Mace	2	2	-5.2	132	0.71	3.1
	Nord Hero Bow (00068c57)	7	200	11	4	0.875	1	Ancient Nord Bow	3	0	-8	95	0.47	1.90
	Nord Hero Greatsword (000a3115)	16	250	20	8	0.75	1.3	Ancient Nord Greatsword	3	3	-5.3	146	0.75	2.40
	Nord Hero Battle Axe (00068c79)	20	300	21	8	0.7	1.3	Ancient Nord Battle Axe	3	3	-9.3	203	0.68	3.09
	Nord Hero WarhammerCC (xx08A1E6)	24	350	23	10	0.6	1.3	Ancient Nord Warhammer	3	3	-2.6	239	0.43	3.15
	Nord Hero Arrow (000eafdf)	0	5	24†	N/A			N/A			N/A

† Nord Hero Arrows are only available in the game if using the Unofficial Dawnguard Patch. They can be created in batches of 24 using an equal number of Ancient Nord Arrows and 1 Steel Ingot. The patch alters their damage to 16 instead of 24.

Related Quests

• Glory of the Dead: Cure Kodlak's spirit and become Harbinger of the Companions.
• Take Up Arms: Prove you are worthy to join the Companions.

Notes

• The All Forge^CC added by the Myrwatch Creation can be used to craft items usually restricted to the Skyforge.
• The Skyforge also appeared in Legends, with the addition of the Heroes of Skyrim card expansion.
• The Ancient Nord Helmet can be used in the Bone Forge from the Gallows Hall Creation to create a Wrathman.
• You can enter the forge interface by activating the shelf where The Armorer's Challenge is sitting, even though it is not strictly the forge itself. The weapons and armor lying there are also free to take, regardless if you're in the Companions or not. The use of the forge is also not restricted to use of Companions members only, though you will only be able to craft regular armor and weapons, not Nord Hero (which is only available after finishing the Companions questline).
• During Kodlak's funeral during Glory of the Dead, you won't be able to use the Skyforge until you finish the quest.
• Unlike regular forges, jumping into this one won't set you on fire, and progress towards your Destruction skill won't improve.

Bugs

• The Nord Hero bow cannot be tempered.
  • The Official Skyrim Patch, version 1.9.26.0.8, fixes this bug.
• Even with the Dawnguard add-on installed, it is still not possible to craft Nord Hero arrows.
  • The Unofficial Dawnguard Patch, version 1.2.3, fixes this bug.
• When playing a female character, the Ancient Nord Helmet has the female appearance outside the inventory. Since the vanilla mannequins are male, the helmet cannot be seen when put on a mannequin.
• Ancient Nord Armor, Boots, Helmet, and Gauntlets were incorrectly flagged as Daedric material when they should be Steel.
  • The Unofficial Skyrim Patch, version 1.2.7, addresses this issue. Tempering Ancient Nord Armor now benefits from Steel Smithing perk.