Skyrim: Buying Honeyside Manor Guide

Hey fellow adventurers! Are you ready to settle down in the bustling city of Riften in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim? If so, you're probably eyeing Honeyside, that charming little manor nestled within the city walls. Buying a house in Skyrim not only gives you a place to store your loot and rest your weary head, but it also adds a whole new level of immersion to the game. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about how to buy Honeyside in Skyrim, from meeting the requirements to furnishing your new home. So, grab your sweetroll, and let's get started!

Why Choose Honeyside Manor?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's talk about why Honeyside is such a desirable property. Riften, located in the southeastern corner of Skyrim, is a city steeped in intrigue and… well, let's just say it has a unique atmosphere. But beyond its shady reputation, Riften offers a lot to players. The city is a hub for the Thieves Guild questline, making it perfect for sneaky characters. It's also located near the scenic Lake Honrich and offers easy access to the Rift, a region known for its autumnal forests and Dwemer ruins. Honeyside itself boasts several advantages:

• Location, Location, Location: Its central location within Riften puts you right in the heart of the action. Shops, vendors, and quest-givers are just a stone's throw away.
• Cozy and Functional: Honeyside is a well-designed manor that offers ample space for storage, crafting, and relaxation. It's not the biggest house in Skyrim, but it's perfectly sized for a solo adventurer or a couple.
• Scenic Views: Despite being within the city walls, Honeyside offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, including the canal and the forests beyond.
• Optional Upgrades: You can customize Honeyside to your liking with various upgrades, including a crafting area, a children's bedroom, and an enchanting lab. This makes it a versatile home that can adapt to your needs.

Why Honeyside is the Perfect Starter Home

If you're just starting your Skyrim journey, Honeyside is an excellent choice for your first home. It's relatively affordable compared to some of the larger properties in the game, making it accessible even to players who are still building their wealth. Its location in Riften provides easy access to a variety of quests and activities, allowing you to level up your character and earn gold. Plus, having a home base early on in the game can be a huge convenience. You'll have a safe place to store your loot, sleep to gain the Well Rested bonus, and craft essential items. Think of Honeyside as your personal sanctuary in the vast and often dangerous world of Skyrim.

Who Should Consider Buying Honeyside?

Honeyside isn't just for beginners. It's a great option for any player who appreciates a well-located and functional home. If you enjoy playing a stealthy character and engaging with the Thieves Guild, Riften is the perfect city for you. Honeyside's proximity to the city's underworld makes it an ideal base of operations. Even if you're not a thief, Honeyside can be a valuable asset. It's a convenient place to store your treasures, craft potions and weapons, and simply unwind after a long day of adventuring. So, whether you're a seasoned Dragonborn or a fresh-faced novice, Honeyside has something to offer.

Steps to Purchasing Honeyside

Alright, let's get down to business. Buying Honeyside in Skyrim isn't as simple as walking up to the front door and handing over some gold. There are a few prerequisites you'll need to meet before the option to purchase becomes available. But don't worry, guys, the process is pretty straightforward, and we'll guide you through each step.

1. Become a Thane of the Rift: This is the primary requirement for purchasing Honeyside. To become Thane, you'll need to complete a few tasks for the Jarl of Riften, Laila Law-Giver (or Maven Black-Briar, depending on your choices during the Civil War questline). These tasks typically involve helping the citizens of Riften and the surrounding area. Think of it as Skyrim's version of community service, but with potentially more dragons involved.

   • Earning the Jarl's Favor: The first step is to speak with the Jarl and ask if there's anything you can do to help the people of Riften. This will usually trigger a miscellaneous quest to assist a certain number of citizens. These quests can range from delivering items to defeating bandits, so be prepared for a variety of tasks. It's a good idea to focus on quests that are quick and easy to complete, such as chopping wood or selling items.
   • Completing "Helping Hand" Quests: You'll typically need to complete five "Helping Hand" quests to earn the Jarl's favor. These quests involve performing small favors for the citizens of Riften and the surrounding areas. Look for citizens with a quest marker above their heads, and don't hesitate to strike up a conversation. They might need your help with anything from retrieving a lost item to delivering a message. Remember, each quest completed brings you one step closer to owning Honeyside.
   • The Importance of Variety: While completing five quests is the minimum requirement, it's always a good idea to diversify your efforts. Try to help different citizens with different types of tasks. This not only makes the process more engaging, but it also gives you a better understanding of the people and problems in Riften. You might even uncover some hidden quests or opportunities along the way. So, don't be afraid to explore and interact with the world around you. The more you do, the more you'll feel like a true citizen of Riften, and the more rewarding your eventual purchase of Honeyside will be.

2. Complete the "Skooma Trade" Quest: This quest is often a prerequisite for becoming Thane. Speak to the Jarl, and she will ask you to deal with a skooma operation that's causing trouble in Riften. You'll need to investigate the Riften Warehouse and confront the ringleader. This quest can be a bit challenging, especially for lower-level characters, so be sure to come prepared with potions and decent equipment.

   • Investigating the Riften Warehouse: The Riften Warehouse is located on the docks, just outside the city walls. It's a good idea to approach the warehouse cautiously, as it's likely to be guarded by bandits or other unsavory characters. You might want to sneak around the perimeter to scout out the enemy positions before engaging in combat. Remember, stealth is often the best weapon in Skyrim.
   • Confronting the Ringleader: Once you've made your way inside the warehouse, you'll need to find and confront the person in charge of the skooma operation. This might involve fighting through several waves of enemies, so be prepared for a tough battle. Use your skills and abilities wisely, and don't hesitate to use potions or scrolls if you need them. Victory over the ringleader will not only bring you closer to becoming Thane, but it will also help to clean up the streets of Riften.
   • The Moral Dilemma: The "Skooma Trade" quest often presents players with a moral dilemma. You might have the option to handle the situation in different ways, such as by killing the ringleader or by negotiating a peaceful resolution. The choices you make can have consequences, so think carefully about your actions. Remember, your reputation in Skyrim can affect how other characters interact with you, so it's important to consider the long-term implications of your decisions.

3. Speak to the Jarl's Steward: Once you've completed the necessary quests and become Thane of the Rift, the option to purchase Honeyside will become available. Speak to the Jarl's steward, who will typically be found in Mistveil Keep, the Jarl's residence. The steward will offer you the option to purchase Honeyside for 5,000 gold. It's a hefty sum, but well worth it for the convenience and prestige of owning a home in Riften.

   • The Art of Negotiation: While the steward will quote a price of 5,000 gold for Honeyside, there might be ways to reduce the cost. Depending on your skills and abilities, you might be able to persuade the steward to lower the price. This could involve using your Speech skill to haggle, or completing a favor for the steward. It never hurts to try and save a few gold coins, especially when you're planning to furnish your new home.
   • Consider the Long-Term Investment: Even if you can't negotiate a lower price, it's important to remember that Honeyside is a long-term investment. Owning a home in Skyrim offers a variety of benefits, from providing a safe place to store your loot to allowing you to craft essential items. Think of it as an investment in your character's future. The 5,000 gold you spend on Honeyside will be well worth it in the long run.
   • Beyond the Initial Purchase: The initial purchase price of Honeyside is just the beginning. You'll also need to consider the cost of furnishing your new home. Furniture, decorations, and upgrades can add significantly to the overall cost of owning a home. It's a good idea to plan your budget carefully and prioritize the upgrades that are most important to you. You might want to start with the essentials, such as a bed and a storage chest, and then gradually add more luxurious items as you earn more gold.

4. Pay the Price: Hand over the 5,000 gold, and congratulations! You are now the proud owner of Honeyside Manor. The steward will give you the key, and you're free to move in and start making it your own.

Furnishing Your New Home

Okay, you've got the keys to your new manor – time to make it feel like home! Honeyside comes unfurnished, which means you'll need to purchase furniture and decorations separately. This might sound like a hassle, but it's actually a great opportunity to customize your home to your liking. You can choose the style of furniture, the types of decorations, and the overall layout of your living space. Think of it as your chance to become an interior designer in Skyrim!

• Talk to the Steward Again: The Jarl's steward is your go-to person for purchasing furnishings. Talk to them again, and they'll offer you a list of available upgrades for Honeyside. These upgrades are grouped into different categories, such as the living room, the bedroom, and the crafting area. Each upgrade costs a certain amount of gold, so be sure to budget accordingly.
• Choose Your Style: The furniture options for Honeyside are fairly standard, but you still have some choices to make. Do you prefer a rustic, woodsy look, or a more refined, elegant style? Consider your character's personality and your overall aesthetic preferences when making your selections. You might also want to think about the functionality of each item. Do you need a large storage chest to hold your loot, or a comfortable chair to relax in after a long day of adventuring?
• Essential Upgrades: Some upgrades are more essential than others. A bed is a must-have, as it allows you to sleep and gain the Well Rested bonus. A storage chest is also crucial for storing your valuable items. A cooking pot is important for preparing food, and a crafting area can be invaluable for creating weapons, armor, and potions. Prioritize these essential upgrades first, and then add more decorative items as your budget allows.

Available Furnishing Options

Here's a breakdown of the various furnishing options available for Honeyside Manor:

• Living Room: This is the main living area of your home, and it's where you'll likely spend most of your time. Furnishing options include tables, chairs, a fireplace, and various decorations. You can create a cozy and inviting space where you can relax and entertain guests.
• Bedroom: Your bedroom is your personal sanctuary, a place to rest and recharge after a long day of adventuring. Furnishing options include a bed, a dresser, a wardrobe, and a nightstand. You can also add decorative items such as rugs and paintings to make the space feel more comfortable and personalized.
• Crafting Area: If you're a crafter, you'll definitely want to invest in a crafting area. This upgrade adds a workbench, a grindstone, and an alchemy table to your home. These tools will allow you to create weapons, armor, potions, and other essential items.
• Enchanting Lab: For mages and enchanters, an enchanting lab is a must-have. This upgrade adds an enchanting table to your home, allowing you to imbue your weapons and armor with magical properties. Enchanting is a powerful skill that can greatly enhance your character's abilities.
• Children's Bedroom: If you're planning to adopt children in Skyrim, you'll need to add a children's bedroom to your home. This upgrade adds beds and storage chests for your adopted children, as well as various toys and decorations. Building a family in Skyrim can add a whole new dimension to the game.
• Kitchen: A fully equipped kitchen is essential for any serious adventurer. This upgrade adds a cooking pot, a storage chest for ingredients, and various kitchen utensils. Cooking allows you to prepare food that can restore your health and stamina, as well as provide temporary buffs to your stats.

Tips for Furnishing on a Budget

Furnishing Honeyside can be expensive, especially if you're on a tight budget. Here are a few tips for saving gold while still creating a beautiful and functional home:

• Prioritize Essentials: Focus on buying the most essential items first, such as a bed, a storage chest, and a crafting table. You can always add more decorative items later.
• Gather Materials: Some furniture items can be crafted if you have the necessary materials. Gathering wood, iron ore, and other resources can save you a significant amount of gold.
• Check for Sales: Merchants in Skyrim occasionally offer sales on furniture and other items. Keep an eye out for these opportunities to save money.
• Complete Quests: Many quests in Skyrim offer gold as a reward. Completing quests is a great way to earn extra cash to spend on furnishings.
• Explore and Loot: Don't forget to explore dungeons and other locations for loot. You might find valuable items that you can sell or use to decorate your home.

Making Honeyside Your Own

Once you've furnished Honeyside, it's time to truly make it your own. This is where you can let your creativity shine and personalize your home to reflect your character's personality and style. Hang your favorite weapons on the walls, display your most prized possessions, and arrange the furniture to create a space that feels comfortable and inviting.

• Displaying Your Treasures: Honeyside offers plenty of opportunities to display your hard-earned treasures. Use display cases to showcase your unique weapons and armor, and place valuable artifacts on shelves and tables. This is a great way to show off your accomplishments and create a sense of pride in your home.
• Adding Personal Touches: Small personal touches can make a big difference in how your home feels. Place books on the shelves, hang paintings on the walls, and add plants and flowers to bring some life to the space. These small details can help to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
• Organizing Your Loot: A well-organized home is a happy home. Use storage chests to sort your loot into different categories, such as weapons, armor, potions, and ingredients. This will make it easier to find what you're looking for and prevent your home from becoming cluttered.
• Creating a Safe Haven: Honeyside should be a place where you feel safe and secure. Install locks on the doors and windows to deter intruders, and consider hiring a housecarl to protect your property. Knowing that you have a safe haven to return to can make your adventures in Skyrim even more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Buying Honeyside Manor in Skyrim is a rewarding experience that adds a new dimension to your gameplay. It's not just a house; it's a home, a base of operations, and a reflection of your character's journey. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to becoming the proud owner of this charming Riften property. So, go forth, complete those quests, earn that gold, and make Honeyside your own! Happy adventuring, guys!