Skyrim
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Complete Guide to the Hired Muscle Quest in Skyrim

Introduction

In Skyrim, the "Hired Muscle" quest is part of the Companions' storyline, specifically the side missions that introduce players to the mercenary lifestyle in the city of Whiterun. This quest involves dealing with a dispute between two characters, and your choices can affect your reputation and relationships with various NPCs. This guide offers a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough to ensure you complete the quest successfully and efficiently.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

  • Starting the Quest

    • Begin your adventure in Whiterun. Head to Jorrvaskr, the headquarters of the Companions.
    • Speak to Aela the Huntress or Uthgerd the Unbroken; they will inform you to visit Merta, who can be found at the Bannered Mare tavern.

  • Meeting Merta

    • Travel to the Bannered Mare, which is located northwest of Jorrvaskr.
    • Inside the tavern, approach Merta. Initiate conversation, and she will mention that she’s having trouble with a man named Kain.
        • Accept her plea for help, which will officially start the quest.

  • Find Kain

    • Your next task is to track down Kain. He can be found outside of the Bannered Mare, generally around the marketplace or near the stables.
    • Once you locate Kain, engage him in conversation.
        • He may be wary at first but will eventually open up about the issues with Merta.

  • Confronting Kain

    • After speaking with Kain, return to Merta and inform her of what you learned.
    • Merta will ask you to take matters into your own hands. You’ll have a couple of options here:
        • You can threaten Kain to leave Merta alone, or you can choose to resolve the conflicts peacefully.

  • Choosing a Resolution

    • If you decide to threaten Kain:

        • Intimidate him into leaving Merta. Successfully doing so will complete the quest.
        • He might cower off to a distant part of Whiterun, where you will not encounter him again.

    • If you decide to resolve the conflict peacefully:

        • You could arrange a meeting with both parties to come to an understanding. This may involve some persuasion or charm checks, but it can lead to a more amicable resolution.

  • Closing the Quest

    • After resolving the conflict, return to Merta to let her know what transpired.
    • She will thank you and offer you a reward. This marks the successful completion of the Hired Muscle quest.

  • Post-Quest Activities

    • You can choose to further explore relationships within Whiterun, engage with other Companions, or take on additional side quests that tie into the storyline you are developing based from your choices in this quest.

Conclusion

Completing the Hired Muscle quest provides insight into the dynamics of Whiterun’s local conflicts and expands on your interactions with the Companions. The choices you make can lead to various outcomes, enhancing your experience in Skyrim and showcasing the impact of your actions in the game world. Enjoy unraveling more quests and adventures as you delve deeper into the lore of Skyrim!