Complete Guide to the Gardener of Men Quest in Skyrim

Introduction

In the vast expanse of Skyrim, players encounter numerous quests that reveal the rich lore and complex characters of the game. One such quest is "The Gardener of Men," where you delve into the enigmatic realm of Daedric influences. This quest is intertwined with the mysterious Daedra prince, Hircine, and allows players to experience thrilling encounters while acquiring unique rewards. This guide will walk you through each step required to complete this quest successfully.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

• Starting the Quest

  • Visit the city of Falkreath.
  • Speak to a local NPC named Lyncar or visit the Hall of the Dead to hear about someone needing help.
  • Learn about a mysterious man who has been stirring trouble near the area; he will direct you to the next part of the quest.

• Finding the Man in the Woods

  • Exit Falkreath and head to the marked location directly south of the city.
  • You will encounter a group of hunters and track them down to find a mysterious man named Sinding, who will tell you about the Beast Blood curse.
    • • Exhaust his dialogue to learn about his plight and the nature of the curse.
      • Agree to help Sinding, which will mark the next objective on your map.

• The Quest for the Ring

  • Proceed to the nearby area known as the “Gallows Rock” to start tracking Sinding’s prey.
  • Be prepared for a confrontation with werewolves. Engage to test your combat prowess against these foes. * * Cautiously navigate the area, keeping an eye out for Lunar Moons that will provide productively surprising conduits to success. * Upon defeating the werewolves, find the hunter’s journal, which gives insights into Hircine's favor and adds depth to the quest.

• Ascend to the Moonlight Alter

  • After obtaining the journal, locate the Moonlight Altar via the quest marker; be wary as enemies will spawn along the way.
  • At the altar, you will initiate a scene with Hircine, who tests your resolve. You must choose to support Sinding or hunt him yourself. * * Supporting Sinding grants you the ability to obtain the Ring of Hircine. * Opting for Hircine provides a different ending but at the cost of your connection to Sinding.

• The Final Encounter

  • If you choose to side with Sinding, accompany him in the hunt for additional prey. Stealth takes precedence here as you will need to catch deer in a stealthy manner. * * The transformed Sinding will prove useful in combat against the remaining hunters, signalizing that their power is diminished under the full moon. * Once successfully hunted, Sneding will transform back to his human self at the altar, marking the end of this portion of the quest.

• Completing the Quest

  • Speak with Sinding one last time upon completing the hunt. He will grant you the Ring of Hircine as a token of gratitude (if you chose the side of the werewolf).
    • • Note: The ring grants you the ability to transform into a werewolf at will during the night, enhancing your combat capabilities significantly.
      • If you chose to hunt Sinding instead, you would loot his corpse for the same prize but not through allyship.

Conclusion

Successfully completing "The Gardener of Men" quest offers players a deeper understanding of the choices entwined within Skyrim's world. Whether you align with Sinding the werewolf or become the hunter yourself, the quest rewards provide unique powers that enhance gameplay. Make sure to maximize your adventure by exploring every option available to you as you traverse the mystical landscape of Cyrodiil!