Skyrim:Frea

Frea is a Nord living in Skaal Village. She is the daughter of Storn Crag-Strider, the village's shaman, and will replace him after his death. Once you progress far enough into the Dragonborn main questline, you can convince her to be a follower if your Speech is at least 25 (see this section).

Frea wears Nordic carved armor with matching boots and gauntlets, as well as a unique Skaal amulet which protects her from Miraak's influence. She carries two war axes, one stalhrim and the other Nordic, as well as a Nordic bow and 12 Nordic arrows. She knows the Alteration spells Ebonyflesh and Ironflesh, and the Restoration spells Close Wounds, Fast Healing, and Heal Other.

If you talk to her in Skaal Village before killing Miraak, she'll talk about the leaders of the Skaal and her possible aspirations in her village: "For many years now I have attended to Storn, learning his ways.", "Fanari shows what it means to be a leader to the Skaal. In time, perhaps I could lead as well.", and "I have much to learn yet from Storn, if I am to one day become the shaman."

If you ask where her mother is, she'll say: "She died when I was very young. She was caught in a terrible snowstorm while returning home from gathering firewood. You must understand that, for the Skaal, life is a constant hardship. We take nothing for granted. We cannot afford to. Between the wolves, the weather and the threats in the south, even a simple task like gathering wood for the fire can turn deadly in an instant." You can now ask why doesn't she live somewhere else, which will have her explain: "We are bound to this land, like a great pine with roots that run as deep as the tree is tall. I know it must seem strange to you, but for us, the thought of leaving our village is equally strange. The land and the Skaal are one. There is no other way to say it." Or if you say that death comes to everyone eventually, she'll say: "We Skaal do not fear death. We know we will return to the All-Maker and be born anew. Life never truly ends. Death is just a passage from one form to the next."

If you bring up her fighting abilities and ask her who taught her what she knows, she'll bring up her old mentor: "It was Skaf the Giant, our former  , who taught me the ways of battle. He was a great bear of a man, and a fearsome warrior. I used to be terrified of him when I was a little girl. I was a restless and angry child, and Skaf taught me swordplay so that I could, as he used to say, "put that fire to good use." He was a great man and a good leader. I miss him dearly." When  exiting conversation, she'll simply say: "Farewell, outsider." or "All-Maker guide you."

If you use her as a follower throughout the Main Questline, she is one of the few companions that has unique dialog to environments or certain situations. She also makes comments in response to the context of other NPC's dialog.
 
Related Quests





Quest-Related Events
leftright|45px|link=Skyrim:The Temple of Miraak (achievement)
The Temple of Miraak
Trouble in Solstheim
thumb|right|"Oslaf, please!"
As you arrive in Solstheim, its residents will seem dazed and under the influence of a mysterious force. Most people will vaguely mention a temple and point you to the Temple of Miraak. As you arrive, you'll find mindless workers building on the temple and Frea shouting at the ensnared workers: "Oslaf, please! You must fight against what is controlling you!", ''" , can you hear me?  , I'm here to help you!", "You must leave this place! It is not safe here! We must go back to the village!", and "You must listen to me! We must leave this place!"'' When she notices you, she'll approach you: "You there. What brings you to this place? Why are you here?" You can now ask her who she is: "I am Frea of the Skaal. I am here to either save my people, or avenge them." If you ask her what she's saving them from, she'll explain the dire situation: "I am unsure. Something has taken control of most of the people of Solstheim. It makes them forget themselves, and work on these horrible creations that corrupt the Stones, the very land itself. My father Storn, our shaman, says Miraak has returned to Solstheim, but that is impossible." You can now tell her that Miraak tried to have you killed: "Then you and I both have reason to see what lies beneath us. Let us go. There is nothing more I can do here. The Tree Stone and my friends are beyond my help for now. We need to find a way into the temple below." You can now ask her a few questions:

What is the Tree Stone? ''"It is an ancient stone of power, a connection to the All-Maker. It represents one of the aspects of nature, a part of the All-Maker's creation. There are other stones around Solstheim. I fear for what has happened to them..." 
You're here by yourself? "There are few of us left unaffected by this curse. My father Storn, the shaman, protects them in the village. I fashioned an amulet to guard me against whatever has taken hold of the Skaal, but it is the only one of its kind. If I cannot find a way to save them, there is no hope for our people." 
What do you know about Miraak? "His story is as old as Solstheim itself. He served the dragons before their fall from power, as most did. A priest in their order. But unlike most, he turned against them. He made his own path, and his actions cost him dearly. The stories say he sought to claim Solstheim for himself, and the dragons destroyed him for it." 
Tell me of your people, the Skaal. "We have lived on Solstheim for many generations. Our people are tied to the land itself. We try to serve the All-Maker, to live in balance with nature, instead of exploiting it as others would."''
When greeted, she'll now express hope: "If anyone can help us now, it is you." When leaving conversation, she'll say: "We must find out what is at work here."
 
If you learn the first word of Bend Will at Saering's Watch and cleanse the Wind Stone before first meeting Frea, Storn will send you to find her. She will still greet you by asking who you are, to which you can tell her Storn sent you: "I do not understand. Why would he send you, an outsider, to find me when he knows why I have come here? Our people are lost to the madness that infects this island. Perhaps Storn has been lost as well..." You can now tell her everyone is safe: "Truly? Thank the All-Maker! But still, this temple stands. The Tree Stone remains tainted. How can we be sure the Skaal will remain free? I can not return to the village until I have found the source of this evil. Will you come with me, further into this accursed temple?" The quest will then proceed as normal.
 
Temple of Miraak
thumb|right|"I do not wish to imagine the kinds of things that happened in this chamber."
Upon entering the first room of the temple, she'll say: "Are you ready to help me now? We should not delay. We should check these rooms for supplies before heading further into the temple. I shall look around. We can proceed when you are ready." When she is done searching the rooms, she'll say: "Take your time. I shall follow when you are ready." As you press on and leave the first area of the temple and head to the next chamber, she'll say: "We must be careful in these ruins. Traps can be anywhere, and there will likely be many. Miraak was trying to take power here, and protect himself in the process." As you continue on and find a torture chamber, she'll say: ''"I do not wish to imagine the kinds of things that happened in this chamber. Who were the poor souls trapped in these cages? What tortures did they suffer at Miraak's hands? Was it in service to the dragons, or for his own purposes?"'' She'll then look up and say: "Look up there. I think I see something." She'll then walk over to the broken staircase and say: "The stairs are knocked out. I have no doubt you can find a way up. You never know, you may find something of value up there. I shall look around. We can proceed when you are ready." If you make it up to the platform she was referring to, she'll exclaim: "Impressive! Was it worth the effort?" As she reaches the hall full of traps, she'll laugh and say: "I am not going down there. It would be foolish to attempt it. You have a much better chance than I to make it through these traps. I have no doubt that lever turns these blades off. I shall wait here for now." Once you pull the lever, she'll run down the hall and say: "Thank you. Miraak took great pains to make it difficult to reach him, it seems. Let us hope that is the last of these traps."

Temple of Miraak Sanctum
thumb|right|"I do not like this place."
thumb|right|"This book... It seems wrong, somehow."
As you enter the Sanctum, Frea will comment: "I do not know what it is Miraak learned that gave him reason to turn on his masters. But his path seems to have been a cruel one. I wonder if we will find some answers to what happened so long ago." Once you reach the next chamber, she'll notice a side passage and say: "Interesting. This may be worth exploring." She'll then follow the passage to a room with treasure and say: "I suspected there would be something down here. Do you know those spells already?" When you press on further, she'll say: ''"How much deeper can this be? I had been told that Miraak's power was great, but to have built so large a temple... It cannot be much farther now. I feel it in my bones."'' Once you reach the room with the word wall, she'll say: "I had heard Miraak had turned against the Dragon Cult, but to display the remains in such a manner as this... It is no wonder the dragons razed his temple to the ground. Seeing the remains hung up like trophies must have enraged them to no end." She'll then say: "Something feels wrong. Brace yourself!" After you defeat the Gatekeeper and travel to the dining area, she'll say: "Dead end? Impossible. There must be something more! Look around. I will let you know if I find anything in the dining area." Once you uncover the secret passage, she'll exclaim: "I knew it! A secret passage in the dining area just opened up. This must be it. Let us move quickly." When you travel to the next chamber, she'll comment: "I wonder if there is something here that tells the story of Miraak..." She'll then say: "Nothing but ruined books." As she heads to the next chamber, she'll run up to the statue and say: "I do not recognize this statuary. We passed by a few of them earlier, but they are becoming more frequent as we get further in. I do not like this place. It almost looks as if these statues will come to life at any moment." She'll pause and then say: "It looks like there is only one way to proceed. I leave the honor of pulling that handle to you. I do not want to put my hand anywhere near the mouth of that statue." As you proceed, she'll say: "It is eerily quiet. I do not suspect that will be the case the further we go. Be on your guard." As you near the black book, she say: "There are dark magics at work here. Ready yourself. This book... It seems wrong, somehow. Here, yet... not. It may be what we seek." After you read the Black Book, Frea will walk up to you and say: "What happened to you? You read the book and then... It seemed as though you were not really here. I could see you, but also see through you!" You can then tell her that you aren't really sure what happened, but you saw Miraak, to which she'll say: "Where? Where is he? Can we reach him? Can we kill him?" You can then say that the book took you to Miraak, which will have her respond with: "This is a dangerous thing, then. We should return to my village, and show this to my father. Perhaps Storn can make sense of what is going on." The next quest, The Fate of the Skaal, will then start.

The Fate of The Skaal
Frea will then exit conversation and say: "Come, there looks to be a way out through here." She'll then run out of the temple and direct you attention to the Wind Stone: "You see that green light? That comes from the Wind Stone, where my people work against their will. They must be freed soon." She'll then say: "The village is just ahead. Storn has used his magic to raise a barrier around it, protecting the few of us left. That the barrier is still there is a good sign." As she dashes towards Storn, she'll tell him the discovery you made in the temple:
thumb|left|"Frea! What news do you bring?"
Frea: "Father! I have returned! There is yet hope!	" 
Storn: "Frea! What news do you bring? Is there a way to free our people?" or   
Frea: "No, but I have brought someone who has seen things... He/She has confirmed that Miraak is indeed behind the suffering of our people." 
Storn: "I feared that it would be so." 
Frea: "But how is that possible? After all this time..." 
Storn: "I fear there is too much we do not yet know." 
Frea: (to you) "Please, tell Storn what has happened."

Frea will then sit by Storn to assist him with the barrier. When you free the villagers, she will start a new daily routine in the Skaal Village. She now wakes up at 8am and starts her day hanging out in the Shaman's hut for two hours. At 10am, she'll head outside to sit next to Storn on the bench next to their house for three hour and then she will go back into the Shaman's hut and stay there until her bedtime at 10pm. After you free the Skaal from Miraak, she may now greet you with: ''"It's good that our people are now free. We can attempt to restore balance to our home."'' 

The Path of Knowledge
right|45px|link=Skyrim:The Path of Knowledge
Although Frea is not directly involved in this quest, she does have some comments if you have her as follower during the quest. When you initially approach Nchardak, she'll warn you: "The Skaal have always avoided ruins such as these. Nothing of the All-Maker is to be found within." Once she approaches the Black Book inside the reading room, she'll comment: "The dwarves must have feared this book to lock it away like this." As she enters the Great Chamber, she'll muse: "Amazing to think that they built this so long ago, and it still survives." When you see the fire trap in the Workshop, she'll say: "It would be madness to go through there." As you continue through the workshop, she'll comment: "It is rather impressive." When you approach the southern section of the Workshop, she'll warn you: "Be careful." When you collect the fourth cube, she will converse with Neloth:

Frea: "So, we only need one more of these... cubes?" 
Neloth: ''"That's correct. I'm glad to see someone else has been paying attention."

When you enter the Aqueduct, Neloth will complain about the swimming, to which Frea will respond with: "You should leave slogging around in the muck to us youngsters." When you lower all three bridges in the first chamber, Frea will congratulate you with: "I think you did it."'' When Neloth tells you to retrieve the last cube without his help, she'll be relieved: "Finally. We will not have to listen to his complaining." When Neloth warns you of the rising water levels, Frea will sarcastically say: "Thanks for the warning." Once you acquire the fifth cube, Frea will muse: "Now we will see if he knows what he is talking about." When you activate the boilers, she'll detect the Centurion: "Beware! Another of those creatures!" If you drop a cube, she'll say: ''"Bring that cube. We'll need it."

The Gardener of Men
If you had Frea as an active follower during the previous quest, she will then leave your service after you read the Black Book Epistolary Acumen''. If you tell her you need to learn the "secrets of the skaal" to defeat Miraak, she'll direct you to her father: "You must talk to Storn, then. As shaman, he is the keeper of such lore. I have learned some of what he knows, but it is not my place to divulge anything to an outsider." You'll now have two options:
:'''Aren't you his apprentice? He must have taught you his secrets... "You will not convince me to betray Storn's trust. Talk to him. He will decide the matter."
:I understand. I'll talk to Storn. "Good. Although I do not think he will help you. These secrets are sacred to us."''
If you greet her after asking for the secrets, she'll tell you: "Only Storn can reveal the secrets you asked about." If you ask her to follow you, she'll dismiss you: "I am sorry, but my duty is to my people right now." Once Storn agrees to give up his secrets, she'll try to stop him:

Frea: "Father, you must not do this. That book is... wrong. Evil. Against everything that you have taught me my whole life." 
Storn: ''"I must, Frea. It is the only way to free Solstheim forever from Miraak's shadow. There comes a time when everything must change. Nothing that lives remains the same forever. Do not fear for me, my daughter. This is the destiny that the All-Maker has laid out for me." 
Frea: "I stand beside you, father, as always." 
Storn: "I am ready for whatever the foul master of this book has in store for me." 
thumb|right|"I just wish he had seen another way."
When Hermaeus Mora takes control of Storn, Frea will yell to you: "What's happening? You must stop it!"'' She'll then yell: "Father! No, stop!" She'll then once again turn to you and shout: "Do something!" After Storn dies, she'll exclaim: "Father! What have you done!" She will then look directly at you: ''"Go. My father sacrificed himself so that you could destroy Miraak and lift his master's shadow from the land. Go, then. Kill Miraak. Do not fail." She will now only say: "I think he knew what would happen. He saw his death in that book.", "Do not let his death be for nothing. Go and stop Miraak.", "I do not blame you. I know he chose this. I just wish he had seen another way.", and "Leave me to mourn my father. I have no more words for you now."

Aftermath
Once Miraak is defeated, Frea will walk up to you and ask: "I can feel it. The Tree Stone is free again. The Oneness of the land is restored. Does that mean... is it over? Is Miraak defeated?"'' You'll now have three options:
:'''It's over. Miraak is dead. "Then my father's sacrifice... it was not in vain. He died to free us. Tell me... was it the only way? Did he need to die?"
:Storn didn't die for nothing. Miraak will never threaten Solstheim again. "Thank you. Whatever your other reasons for acting, you have done the Skaal a great service. We will not forget what you've done."
:I killed Miraak. But Hermaeus Mora is still out there. "It was Miraak who threatened Solstheim. With him gone, Herma-Mora has been foiled once again. Tell me, though... my father's death... was it necessary? Was there no other way to destroy Miraak?"''
If you chose the first or last option you'll have three more options:
:'''I couldn't have defeated Miraak without Storn's help. "Then... it was the All-Maker's will, as he said. I know I should not doubt it. But it is good to hear, all the same. Thank you."
:Hermaeus Mora killed Storn, remember. Not Miraak. "I know. The Skaal will not forget this. Storn's death will become another of the many tales of Herma-Mora's treachery."
:Hermaeus Mora wouldn't have helped me without Storn's sacrifice. "Yes, his "help" which did not require him to kill my father. Such is the way of Herma-Mora, the eternal enemy of the Skaal."''
Either way, she'll say: "One more thing, Skaal-friend, if you will. I know it is not my place, but... may I offer a word of advice... of warning?" You'll now have two options:
:Sure, what is it? "As shaman of the Skaal, I am charged with the spiritual well-being of my people. While you are not of the Skaal, you are Skaal-friend, and so I give you this warning. Herma-Mora forced you to serve him in order to defeat Miraak. Do not let him lure you further down that path. The All-Maker made you Dragonborn for a higher purpose. Do not forget that. Walk with the All-Maker, Skaal-friend."
:'''I don't need your advice. "I understand. Walk with the All-Maker, Dragonborn."

When you greet her, she will now mention the loss of her father and her new occupation: "My father was a noble man, and a true Skaal.", "My heart is still heavy with the loss of my father.", "I still cannot believe that Storn is gone.", and "It's an honor to serve the Skaal as shaman, but I still miss my father."'' If you ask her if she's ready the be shaman, she'll be skeptical: ''"I have been preparing for it all my life. There is no question that I'm ready, but..."'' When you what, she'll reveal alternate aspirations: ''"It is not right that I should say this, because I must honor my father's wishes, but this is a path I never chose. I always thought that I would be a great hunter, or even the village chieftain."'' When you ask her if that could still happen, she'll say: ''"Hah! Not if Fanari has anything to say about it. When it comes to being chieftain, she is like a wolf with her jaws clamped tight upon a fresh kill. But that's alright. The Skaal need a shaman and I know that is my place."

Combat Dialogue


Follower Dialogue
After completing The Fate of the Skaal, you can tell Frea you fight well with her and she should join you: "Join you? You mean leave the village to journey with you and fight at your side? I'm flattered, but the village is my home. It's very rare for one of the Skaal to leave, and I have responsibilities here." You will now have a few options:

As a follower, she will say the following greetings:
"My thoughts are always with my people."
"Even now, the All-Maker watches over us."
"Where shall we journey next?"
"No matter where the road takes us, my thoughts are of home."
"Is it good to see more of the world, for wisdom is the child of experience."
"Your fearlessness never ceases to impress me."
"You face danger without hesitation."''

thumb|right|Frea's Skyrim:Skaal Amulet|Skaal Amulet
Notes
Since Frea's amulet is part of her default outfit, it is somewhat more difficult to get her to equip necklaces as a follower, since they typically do not have an armor rating which would outclass her default amulet.
Although her default gear is governed by the Heavy Armor skill, Frea is actually more proficient in light armor. 
This issue has been addressed by version 1.0.2 of the Unofficial Dragonborn Patch; it changes her class to favor heavy armor, and adjusts her perks to match.
If you visit the Temple of Miraak before starting Dragonborn, Frea will not be there.
She is one of the few characters that automatically dual wields, the other being Rayya. Even if her war axes are taken away, she will replace them with any other weapons without the need to give her a Forsworn weapon or pickaxe as is the case with most other followers.
Frea is a very strong follower thanks to her dual wield perks and no level cap.

Bugs