Table of contents
A Comprehensive Guide to Completing "Hard Answers" in Skyrim
Introduction
In "Skyrim," the quest "Hard Answers" is a pivotal mission within the Thieves Guild questline. Players must infiltrate the hidden headquarters of the Black-Briar family to uncover vital information. This guide will walk you through the quest step-by-step, ensuring you gather all necessary items and complete the objectives without missing a beat.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
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Start the Quest
- After completing "The Pursuit," you will receive the quest from Mercer Frey.
- Speak with him in the Thieves Guild located in Riften.
- He will inform you about the need to acquire a special item from the Black-Briar family vault.
- After completing "The Pursuit," you will receive the quest from Mercer Frey.
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Travel to the Black-Briar Lodge
- Exit the Thieves Guild and head northeast toward the Black-Briar Lodge.
- Make your way through the wilderness, ready for any potential encounters.
- Upon arrival, you’ll find the lodge and should sneak around to assess the situation.
- Exit the Thieves Guild and head northeast toward the Black-Briar Lodge.
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Infiltrate the Lodge
- Use stealth to avoid detection by the guards patrolling the lodge.
- Look for entry points such as doors or windows that provide access.
- You may use a spell like "Invisibility" or a potion to aid in sneaking.
- Use stealth to avoid detection by the guards patrolling the lodge.
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Locate the Vault
- Inside the lodge, navigate to the basement where the vault is located.
- Follow the path, taking care to evade or silently dispatch any enemies.
- Look for a lever or switch that will open the vault door.
- Inside the lodge, navigate to the basement where the vault is located.
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Access the Vault
- Once you find the door to the vault, interact with it to unlock it.
- If you encounter a locked door, you’ll need to pick the lock or find a key from a nearby guard.
- Inside the vault, carefully search for the key item Mercer Frey sent you to retrieve.
- Once you find the door to the vault, interact with it to unlock it.
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Retrieve the Evidence
- Locate the “Evidence” item within the vault.
- Collect all items and ensure you do not alert the guards.
- Keep an eye out for traps or alarms that may trigger if you’re not careful.
- Locate the “Evidence” item within the vault.
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Escape the Lodge
- After gathering the evidence, make your way back out of the lodge.
- Stay low and avoid confrontation; if you are spotted, using the "Sprint" ability to evade may help.
- Head back to the entrance you used to enter the lodge.
- After gathering the evidence, make your way back out of the lodge.
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Return to Mercer Frey
- Fast travel or walk back to the Thieves Guild in Riften.
- Deliver the evidence to Mercer Frey.
- Engage in dialogue with him to complete the quest.
- Fast travel or walk back to the Thieves Guild in Riften.
Conclusion
Completing the "Hard Answers" quest in Skyrim not only advances the story but also enriches your Thieves Guild adventure. By following this detailed guide, players can smoothly navigate through the quest, ensuring they gather important items and evade dangers. Embrace the life of a thief in Skyrim, and enjoy the thrill of unraveling the mysteries that await you!