Skyrim:Before the Storm

Quick Walkthrough
#  (Optional) Speak to Alvor or Gerdur in Riverwood.
# Go to Whiterun.
# Seek out Jarl Balgruuf the Greater.

Detailed Walkthrough
First Steps
thumb|right|"That place always used to give me nightmares." thumb|left|"See that ruin up there? Bleak Falls Barrow."
As you head out from the dungeon with either Hadvar or Ralof, the dragon that attacked Helgen will travel over your head. Hadvar or Ralof will advise you to get down, but you're free to stand up and watch the dragon fly away. Hadvar or Ralof will comment on the dragon and continue on the path. You can now explore the area and advance to Riverwood at your own pace or follow whoever is accompanying you down the path. Following Hadvar or Ralof does not grant any special bonuses, but you do get to listen to your companion comment on the world around you, and they will point out the Guardian Stones and let you pick one that suits you. He will comment differently depending which stone you choose.


A Friend of a Friend
thumb|right|Hadvar recounting the events at Helgen to Alvor's family thumb|left|Ralof telling Gerdur and Hod what happened in Helgen
Once you arrive at the village of Riverwood, you will be directed to speak to Alvor, the local smith (if you chose to follow Hadvar during the flight from Helgen) or Gerdur, the woodmill owner (if you chose to follow Ralof). Explain your situation and he or she will recommend you seek out the jarl of the region, Jarl Balgruuf the Greater at his palace in Whiterun. They will also offer you what assistance they can (in the form of some low level food, potions, and jewelry) to get you started. Only Gerdur will give a key to her house.

If you arrive in Riverwood very late, then the person you're directed to meet won't immediately offer you assistance. If you ask whether you can take any supplies, you will be allowed to take some things, and be directed to see the jarl.
 

To Whiterun
Head out over the bridge out of town and follow the path north to Whiterun. Upon arrival at the main gate, a guard will tell you the city is closed to visitors. Any one of the dialogue options you are presented with will have him let you in the city, except for trying to intimidate the guard. Once inside, follow the path up to Dragonsreach and enter. When you approach Jarl Balgruuf, his housecarl, Irileth, will ask you why you are interrupting the meeting; any dialogue option will gain you an audience. Speak with Jarl Balgruuf to complete the quest and begin the next. He will reward you with a piece of leveled armor. Whether you receive light or heavy is governed by your aptitude in those skills. If they are equal, Balgruuf will give you heavy armor.

Notes
Meeting with Alvor or Gerdur is completely optional as they only direct you to Whiterun and offer you a few items.
If Alvor or Gerdur die before you speak with them, the objective "Talk to Alvor"/"Talk to Gerdur" will fail; however the quest can be continued by visiting Dragonsreach as normal.
If you accompanied Hadvar out of Helgen, you will have free access to the low-value items at Alvor's smithy, including the stacks of ingots (useful for learning smithing), and also the low-value items inside their house. If you accompanied Ralof, you will be able to take low-value items inside Hod and Gerdur's House.
No matter what choice you have made, you can also help Alvor around his shop for some Smithing experience, and Gerdur's husband Hod will pay you for any firewood.
It is possible to enter Whiterun without ever speaking to the gate guard who stops the player by pick-pocketing the key from him, although it is very difficult to get into pick-pocket range without ever speaking to him.
The most consistent way to prevent talking to the guard is to pick-pocket him from behind the gate in out-of-bounds Whiterun, which happens to also be the fastest way to enter Whiterun during this quest.
It is never actually possible to intimidate the Whiterun Guard to let you in to the city.

Bugs
 
Ask Alvor for supplies. After you look through his inventory, he will start by saying "There is something you can do for me, and the people of Whiterun..." Listen to him speak and he will mention that you should inform the jarl. After that, the quest will update.
 
Go to Whiterun and talk to the jarl to advance the quest.
 

Quest Stages