Skyrim:Brunwulf Free-Winter

thumb|''"It's not that simple. Ulfric wants a Skyrim for the Nords."
Brunwulf Free-Winter''' is a Nord warrior who lives on the east side of Windhelm. He is known for standing up for the Dunmer and Argonians in the city and thus openly goes against the opinions of his fellow Nords Rolff Stone-Fist and Angrenor Once-Honored. He'd be happy to reward you for clearing a bandit hideout. Brunwulf is made jarl of Windhelm if Ulfric Stormcloak is deposed by the Imperial Legion, and he enacts a more tolerant administration of the hold.

According to townsfolk and Brunwulf himself, he is a veteran of the Great War against the Aldmeri Dominion's invasion of the empire of Tamriel. However, despite being recognized a war hero by many, Brunwulf explains he is not proud of this title and claims that the war had not given any glory to anyone.

Brunwulf wakes at 7am to eat breakfast for one hour, then heads to the local marketplace at 8am, browsing the stands for four hours. At noon, where he goes to depends on the day: on Morndas, Middas, and Fredas, he heads to the Palace of the Kings, staying there for four hours. On Tirdas and Turdas, he goes back home for a four-hour nap. On Loredas and Sundas, he goes to the Temple of Talos for a four-hour visit. Either way, at 4pm he enters Candlehearth Hall. After four hours, he exits the Hall to patrol the city until midnight, when he returns home to sleep.

When he becomes the jarl of Windhelm, he'll move in to the Palace of the Kings. His schedule will also change: he will sleep from 10pm to 8am, waking up to perform his duties as jarl, sitting in the throne and holding court.

He wears scaled horn armor with matching boots, and carries an iron dagger, a belted tunic, his house key, and some upper-class items and gold.
 

Related Quests
 
 
 

Dialogue
Upon arriving to the Gray Quarter for the first time, Malthyr Elenil can be seen convincing Brunwulf to speak with Ulfric Stormcloak, leader of the Stormcloaks and the current jarl of Windhelm.
:Malthyr Elenil: ''"You're a war hero, Brunwulf. Ulfric will listen to you."
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "It's not that simple. Ulfric wants a Skyrim for the Nords. He doesn't trust what he calls outsiders."
:Malthyr Elenil: "You've seen how we live -- cramped alleys, run-down buildings, few guard patrols. Even the name "Gray Quarter" is an insult."
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "I'll speak to Ulfric soon, but I make no promises that I can change his mind."
:Malthyr Elenil: "That's all I ask. With your help, we have a chance to make a better life for ourselves here. For that, I thank you."''

After the conversation above, Brunwulf will resume his normal schedule. 

Should you approach him, he'll have a few comments on the reality of war:
:''"There's no glory in war. It's just something they tell soldiers so they'll risk their lives."

:"They call me a war hero. I'm no hero, I'm just a soldier who didn't want to die."

He may also comment on the civil war:
:"The sooner this war ends, the sooner we can all get on with our lives."''

He can also be heard remarking about Ulfric's prejudiced views:
:''"If Ulfric had his way, anyone who wasn't a Nord would be shipped right out of Skyrim."

He will usually end conversations by saying "Farewell, then."''

Upon your first time speaking to him when he is not jarl, he'll ask you,
:"You one of those "Skyrim for the Nords" types?"
If you are a Nord, you can reply in two ways:

:'''Yes. Anyone who's not a Nord is a trespasser.
::"Is that so? You ought to join the Stormcloaks, if you haven't already. Seems to me they're a bunch of narrow-minded bigots, just like you. Meantime, you best steer clear of me."
:No. Skyrim's big enough for everyone.
::"Good. Too many Nords in this town have been listening to Ulfric's narrow-minded words. He's tough, loyal to his men and a good leader, but if you're not a Nord, Ulfric will never trust you."

If you are not a Nord, your dialogue options will instead be:
:Yes. Outsiders like me have no place here.
::"That's just what Ulfric wants you to think. If that's what you really believe, then you're a fool. Never had much patience for fools, myself."
:I think all folk should be welcome here.
::"And you're right, at least as far as I'm concerned. Don't let Ulfric or some of these other short-sighted Nords bother you. Most of us are happy to welcome newcomers."''

If you say that you think Skyrim is for everyone, he will start to like you. To reflect this increase in disposition, he may wish you well with the following statement, regardless of your character's gender:
:"Safe journeys, sword-brother."

On the other hand, answering that Skyrim should only be inhabited by Nords will cause him to start to dislike you. Instead of greeting you, he can be found trying to ignore you. He says either of these lines regardless of your character's actual race and gender.
:''"I told you, I've got no patience for fools. Keep walking."

:"Got no time for a Nord who thinks he's better than everyone else. Keep walking."'' 

You can ask him about the Dark Elves, and he'll explain what the conversation between him and Malthyr was about.
:Why help the dark elves?
:''"Help the Dark Elves? Oh, you must have heard me talking to Malthyr. The Dark Elves live in a run-down slum called the Gray Quarter. Ulfric's content to keep it that way. I guess they think I can open Ulfric's eyes to their plight, and get him to lift a finger on their behalf. I'm trying, but Ulfric is set in his ways. For him, there's two kinds of people in this world -- Nords, and the folk beneath them."

You can also mention that Malthyr called him a war hero, and Brunwulf will explain why. It turns out that he has a rather bleak opinion about the Great War.
:That dark elf called you a war hero.
:"I killed a lot of High Elves in the Great War, and I didn't die. I guess that makes me a war hero. The "Great War"- there was nothing great about it. Thousands died on both sides and where did we end up? Did we really save the Empire or did we just plant the seeds for Ulfric's uprising and another war?"

thumb|left|"Being a Jarl isn't something I ever wanted, but if I can help these people, then I will."
After the victory of the siege of Windhelm, General Tullius will give a speech, mentioning why Brunwulf will be appointed to rule the city: "We are turning the city over to Brunwulf Free-Winter, an honorable and faithful man. Many of you will be staying in Windhelm to aid the Jarl in restoring order and stamping out any embers of rebellion that may still smolder here."''

When he becomes the jarl of Windhelm, he'll have new greetings, mostly on working to rebuild the city.
:''"It'll take time to rebuild, but the Nords are no strangers to hard work."

:"The dark elves and Argonians won't soon forget Ulfric's prejudice, but I'm doing what I can to repair that rift."

:"Being a Jarl isn't something I ever wanted, but if I can help these people, then I will."

:"My time is limited, so speak quickly."''

His other dialogue will also be replaced with a new set to better suit his position as jarl. You can ask him how he is settling into his new role, and he'll answer, elaborating on the difficulties of repairing Windhelm. You can also ask about any potential plans to renovate the Gray Quarter, and whether or not the Argonians will ever be allowed into the city.
:How are you settling into your new role?
:''"Every day is a struggle, but a Nord doesn't back down from a fight when the cause is honorable. I just wish things were simpler. In my days as a soldier, I knew who the enemy was, and how to defeat him. Unfortunately, a sword can't repair damaged buildings, feed hungry people or undo years of prejudice."
:Any plans to renovate the Gray Quarter?
:"I've taken the first steps toward doing so already. I met with several of the Dark Elves to discuss improvements in the Gray Quarter, but we have no real plans as of yet. First we'll need to refill our coffers and stockpile stone and wood. The war took a heavy toll on Windhelm's resources. But I swore an oath to our Dunmer friends that, for as long as I sit on the throne of Windhelm, their needs will not be ignored."
:Will you let the Argonians into the city?
:"I'd like to, but it's not as simple as that. Most of the folk in the city believe as Ulfric did, that outsiders should not be trusted. Until those people learn to accept the Argonians, they must remain outside, for their own safety. Old habits don't die easily, and we Nords can be as stubborn as stone."''

It turns out that many of Windhelm's non-Nord citizens are optimistic about the city's conditions improving now that Ulfric is gone. Should you ask Aval Atheron, a Dunmer merchant, if things have changed much with the Empire in charge, he'll first tell you, ''"Well, not yet. The Empire hasn't been in charge for that long, and real change takes time."'' He'll continue, expressing his hopes, "Still, having a just and honorable man like Brunwulf in charge can only be an improvement. Unlike Ulfric, Brunwulf has shown a great willingness to work with the other races and make us feel more at home here." He'll end with a mix of relief and optimism, "For the first time in a long while, I truly believe that there are brighter days ahead."

Quest-Related Events
To start his version of the quest Kill the Bandit Leader, ask him if Ulfric doesn't care about outsiders. He'll explain the situation. If you refuse the quest, the rest of the conversation is very simple:
:'''That's too bad.
:"Yes. It is."

If you accept the quest, Brunwulf will commend you for offering to take care of the bandits.
:Ulfric doesn't care about outsiders?
:"Whenever a group of marauders attack a Nord village, Ulfric is the first to sound the horn and send the men. But a group of Dark Elf refugees gets ambushed? A group of Argonians, or a Khajiit caravan? No troops. No investigation. Nothing. There's a group of cutthroats out there right now that Ulfric doesn't lift a finger to bring to justice, as long as they don't threaten Nord land." 
:"That's a brave offer. I'd be happy to throw in my coin behind that. You deal with them, I'll make sure you get paid. Maybe this old soldier will throw in some lessons as well."''

You'll be given a random dungeon in Eastmarch to clear. If you have accepted the quest, Brunwulf will tell say the following after you exit the conversation:
:"Show those marauders what Windhelm justice tastes like."

Once you've cleared your assigned dungeon of bandits, mention this to Brunwulf. He'll be grateful, and will reward you with leveled gold and a lesson in Heavy Armor.
:  is free of bandits.
:''"Now that's good work. Everyone will be a lot safer with them gone, Dark Elf and Nord alike. Here, some gold as promised, and let me show you a bit about wearing heavy armor. Save you some aches on a long march." 

Conversations
While shopping, Aval Atheron may offer a discount to him for his efforts to help the Dunmer, though Brunwulf will politely refuse:
:Aval Atheron: "Friend Brunwulf, how good to see you! If you see anything you like, just let me know and I'll glad offer you a discount."
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "That's not necessary. I'll pay the same price as anyone else."
:Aval Atheron: "But I insist. and with good reason. Malthyr told me that you've been speaking to Ulfric about our situation. He said you're going to help us. So few Nords have ever offered to help us, a discount is the least I can do."
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "I'm not looking for special treatment, Aval. All I did was talk to Ulfric. For all I know, he's already forgotten the conversation. I wouldn't get your hopes up."
:Aval Atheron: "Oh, I see. Well, I'm sorry to have troubled you about it. Just... know that your efforts are appreciated."''

At Candlehearth Hall, he may chat with his lover, Elda Early-Dawn. She'll mockingly scold him for flirting with her:
:Elda Early-Dawn: "Tell me about the Great War. I hear you were in the battle of..."
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: ''"Elda, honey, let's not talk about the war. It's in the past."
:Elda Early-Dawn: "I'm sorry. What would you like to talk about?"
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "  about we figure out some way to keep warm tonight?"
:Elda Early-Dawn: "Oh! You behave, now!"

Brunwulf may also ask about the inn, and Elda will explain why she is still running the establishment instead of retiring.
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "How long have you run this place, again?"
:Elda Early-Dawn: "Nearly thirty years, now."
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "Just wondering when you'll be ready to give it up and settle down. Seems like you're always working."
:Elda Early-Dawn: "I just feel like if I'm not here, then something could go wrong. Nils is a hard worker, but I wouldn't trust him to run things."
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "One of these days he'll have to learn."
:Elda Early-Dawn: "Perhaps. But not today."

Brunwulf and Elda may also discuss building a cabin near Riften.
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "I've been thinking about building that cabin we talked about."
:Elda Early-Dawn: "Oh? Where?"
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "There's a clear spot just west of Riften. You know the area?"
:Elda Early-Dawn: "I've been there before, but I don't know it well."
:Brunwulf Free-Winter: "Well that's where I want to build. In the fall forest. Give it an easterly view. The sunrise is almost as pretty as you are."
:Elda Early-Dawn: "That sounds lovely. You're very sweet."

Notes
A Dream of Sovngarde'' is written by Skardan Free-Winter. There is no known connection besides a shared surname.
It is also interesting to note that despite his seemingly kind disposition towards non-Nords, he will occasionally use the racial slur "lizard" to Argonians or "cat" to Khajiit when you exhaust his normal dialogue as either race. However, this is purely inherent to his voice type.
Brunwulf's lover is Elda Early-Dawn. She is bigoted against non-Nords in her dialogue towards the player, and is particularly vocal about her distaste for the Dunmer.

Bugs
 
To fix this, use the Unrelenting Force shout on everyone at the dinner table. This will give you a bounty in each of the holds that the jarls are from. Travel out of Windhelm and return.
Using the console, type   and press enter to target Brunwulf Free-Winter. Then move him to your location (preferably the Palace of The Kings) with the command  .
Finishing Blood on the Ice appears to fix this as well. Brunwulf doesn't seem to pick up his jarl duties before this quest is completed.
 
 This can be fixed if you select Ulfric and Galmar's corpses with the console immediately after killing them and type   and  , and/or by disabling them.