Netruk44/uesp-wiki-content huggingface dataset:
Tes5Mod:Save File Format

See File Format Conventions to understand the variables and the data types this specification uses.


FormID
FormIDs in save files are stored as 3 bytes, rather than the usual 4 byte uint32 formID. These will be referred to as RefID.

RefID
The lower 22 bits represent the formID value itself, while the upper 2 bits are the type of formID.



For example, the global variable "DragonsAbsorbed" (0x0001C0F2) becomes the bytes: 41 C0 F2

File


Header


Plugin Info



Light Plugin Info
Note: only found in SE save games


File Location Table


Global Data


Change Form

Note: the layout of the data section is not a Record as it is in a mod file. Work is in progress documenting changeForm structures here: changeFlags



Unknown 3 Table


Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 uses a container for all of its user content. The STFS file system used for the container has been mapped out and files within them can be extracted using tools such as WxPirs or Horizon. 

It is entirely possible to use Xbox 360 game saves on the PC version of Skyrim. The only draw back is that the first time a game save is used on the PC version of the game, the preview screenshot is swizzled. Saving the game again once you have it loaded will fix this.

To get your XBOX 360 save. One would use a tool like Horizon to get your game save off of a Xbox 360 formatted drive (such as a USB drive) and extract the Savegame.dat from the Xbox 360 container and rename it to anything ending in ".ess". After this one would put this new ess file in Documents\My Games\Skyrim\Saves and load it in Skyrim as usual.

It is possible to perform this in the reverse direction as well. Rename your savegame.ess to savegame.dat. Then, use Horizon to reinject the save into the save originally transferred from the Xbox 360. You must then rehash and resign your save so it can be used on your Xbox 360. The only drawback of this is the same as the other: the screenshot is swizzled, but it works. This can be used to fix quest related bugs with the console if you have access to both a PC and Xbox 360 version of the game.
Skyrim:Smelting

thumb|right|A Smelterthumb|right|A Smelting Pot (left)
Skyrim provides the ability to smelt ores that you have mined, transforming ores into ingots.  Smelting is done in a smelter, which is typically in the shape of a very large, dome-shaped oven (see picture at right).  22 smelters in total are found in Skyrim, all of which are shown on  , as well as 5 smelters found on Solstheim . There is also a category listing these locations. If you have Hearthfire installed, it is also possible to construct additional smelters at any homes you have built. You can place one outside and one in the cellar, if it has been constructed.

The Myrwatch, Bloodchill Manor and Shadowfoot Sanctum Creations add a smelting pot, which is stirred like a cooking pot but is in fact a smelter.

Smelter Locations


Recipes
Ingots (bars) of materials are made using single, or combinations of ores at the smelter.




Dwarven Metal Ingots
Dwarven metal ingots are not crafted from any known ores or ingots. Instead, they are made from melted down dwemer metal scraps found in most Dwarven Ruins.  The scraps yield different numbers of ingots, as listed in the following table.  For more information, see Dwarven Metal Ingot.


Bugs
Skyrim:Dragon Seekers

Quick Walkthrough
# Speak to Farkas or Vilkas about work.
# Travel to a dragon lair.
# Kill the dragon.
# Talk to Farkas or Vilkas.

Detailed Walkthrough
After completing the quests Glory of the Dead and Dragon Rising, talk to Farkas or Vilkas and tell him that you're here for work. He will tell you that he doesn't believe in dragon stories and wants to see a dragon for himself. He mentions that he heard there is a dragon at a dragon lair.  The exact location can be any dragon lair and will be randomly selected.
 
Once you reach the predetermined dragon lair, you will find a leveled dragon. Kill the dragon and then talk to the quest-giver. He will thank you and give you a leveled sum of gold. He will then say he wants to stay for a while and honor it.

Reward
 

Notes
Farkas' and Vilkas' dialogue for this quest will express uncertainty that the rumors of the existence of dragons are true, even if they have already faced one during an earlier quest.
You can start this quest even if you have one of Aela the Huntress quests started. You can't turn in Aela's quest though until this one is finished.

Bugs
 
 Setting the quest to stage 20 using the console will fix this.
 
 

Quest Stages
Skyrim:Finn's Lute

Quick Walkthrough
# Talk to Inge Six Fingers.
# Locate Finn's Lute in Stony Creek Cave.
# Return for your reward of a 1-point increase to all Stealth skills.

Detailed Walkthrough
A Unique Lute
Right after the Burning of King Olaf ends the quest Tending the Flames, talking to the otherwise authoritarian Inge Six Fingers will be somewhat wistful. When asked, she will tell you that a year ago, thieves broke into the College and stole her most precious item: the very first eight course lute ever created, namely Finn's Lute. As the Dean of Lute, Inge has been devastated ever since, but recently learned the location of the thieves, specifically Stony Creek Cave, a cave in southeastern Eastmarch. 

Stony Creek Cave
A small pond hides the entrance to the cave, complete with a dock and a boat. Upon entering, the sight of a waterfall and a dead Breton hanging from a tree trunk hints at things to come. Follow the only available path upstream and fight the expected bandits trying to protect their treasure. When the path splits in two, head right and beware of the swinging mace trap right before the chamber with the bandit leader. Pick the fight and search the body for Treasure Map X, then look around the area for interesting items, including a copy of the Illusion skill book Mystery of Talara, Part 4, an unusual gem, along with a few ingredients and an alchemy lab. Finally, open the chest and claim the lute and some valuable loot. 

An Unexpected Lesson
Before exiting the cave, it is possible to investigate the rest of the cave which will net you another fight against a bandit, along with a locked treasure chest, two moonstone veins and a waterfall hiding a shortcut from Kagrenzel. Exit the mine the way you came and return to the Bards College. Back at the College, Inge Six Fingers will be overwhelmed with joy. As she is unable to pay what the lute is worth, she will instead teach you a few tricks she has picked up over the years, and raise each of your Stealth skills by one point. This includes Alchemy, Light Armor, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, Sneak, and Speech.

Bugs
 
 You can remove the quest item using the Console and the following console code:  
 
 
To resolve this, click on the "I've found Finn's Lute" option in dialogue when you speak to Inge, rather than the "Why are you sad?" option. It works out just as if you had accepted the quest and then found it.
 Alternatively, you can use the console code   after accepting the quest, which will update it to telling you to give Inge the lute, allowing the quest to proceed as normal.

Quest Stages
Skyrim:Alteration Ritual Spell

Quick Walkthrough
#Talk to Tolfdir in the College of Winterhold when your Alteration skill is 90 or higher.
#Find Kahvozein's Fang.
#Harvest dragon heartscales.
#Return to Tolfdir.

Detailed Walkthrough
Kahvozein's Fang
To initiate this quest, you must have an Alteration skill of 90 or higher. Speak with Tolfdir and ask if there is anything new that he can teach you. He tells you that he has been working on a new spell but, to complete his research, he needs heartscales. These must be cut from a dragon's skeleton and can only be done using a dagger called Kahvozein's Fang. He asks you to retrieve the blade, which can be found in a radiant dragon priest dungeon.

Possible dungeons are listed below:


The Heartscales
Once you have the dagger, you must either slay a dragon or locate a dragon corpse in order to retrieve the heartscales. If you intend on hunting down a live dragon, it is not necessary to slay it using Kahvozein's Fang. You need only equip the dagger in your right hand (it won't work with your left hand) and loot the creature's corpse. The heartscales will automatically be added to your inventory.

Once you have the scales, bring them back to Tolfdir.  He will reward you with the Dragonhide spell tome, and will now sell the Mass Paralysis spell tome.

Notes
It is possible to find Kahvozein's Fang in a dungeon and collect heartscales from a dragon's corpse before the quest is given.
You can harvest heartscales even if the dragon disintegrates.
Once the quest is complete, you can continue to use the Fang to collect a heartscale from each dragon corpse, in addition to the standard dragon loot.  These scales can't be used for crafting, but are no longer quest items and can be sold to vendors.
While it is not required to complete Dragon Rising to start this quest, completing it is necessary in order to find a dragon suitable for heartscale harvesting. Although the Skeletal Dragon can be found and defeated beforehand, it does not yield scales of any kind. Heartscales cannot be harvested from Krosulhah  either.
An exception to the last point can happen if a Draugr Overlord is lured near one of the Blackreach lifts, using Dread Zombie to get it inside. Once inside, it can be attacked and its Unrelenting Force Shout will release Vulthuryol, whose soul will be absorbed and its heartscales looted.
If you reset your Alteration skill to 15 using the legendary mechanic after starting this quest, you will not be able to turn it in to Tolfdir until you bring your skill back up to at least 90.

Bugs
 
 
 You can complete the quest by using the console command  .
 

Quest Stages
Skyrim:Aftershock

Quick Walkthrough
#Speak with Tolfdir.
#Travel to location where the rupture is and defeat enemies in its vicinity.
#Return for your reward.

Detailed Walkthrough
This quest is initiated from Tolfdir at the College of Winterhold after becoming Archmage.  When asked "Is there anything I should be aware of?" Tolfdir will respond that there is some sort of magical disturbance which seems to be related to the Eye of Magnus, and will provide a quest location. 

Travel to the quest location given.  The map marker will point you to any one of twenty-seven locations in Skyrim (there are three possible locations in each hold). Defeat the Magic Anomalies and return to Tolfdir for a leveled gold reward. However, if the rupture occurred in Winterhold, then you do not receive anything, as the College gets no thanks from the already unhappy citizens.

Reward
 

Possible Locations


Notes
Although Tolfdir suggests that you bring the Staff of Magnus with you, it is not required to complete the mission.
You may encounter Magic Anomalies in the wilderness without accepting the quest from Tolfdir. The Magic Anomalies will never disappear or change its location until you destroy them.
One of the possible sites for a magical rupture to appear is located right next to Windstad Manor. 
Magic Anomalies scale with you and on higher levels will all have grand souls.
This quest may be repeated as many times as you like by asking Tolfdir if there is anything you should be aware of.

Bugs
 
 

Quest Stages
Skyrim:Family Heirloom

Quick Walkthrough
# Speak to Skjor or Vilkas at Jorrvaskr.
# Travel to the randomly-determined location
# Retrieve the heirloom from the location's boss chest.
# Return the heirloom to Skjor or Vilkas for your reward.

Detailed Walkthrough
The Family Heirloom
When you tell Skjor (or Vilkas) you are looking for work, he will say: "We have a bit of a sensitive matter this time. A wealthy family has... misplaced one of their heirlooms." or ''"Just in time. I was worried I'd have to do this myself. Some rich folk had a trinket stolen and they want us to get it back." He will then provide some information on the kind of place you need to go and what you are up against:


The Location
The stolen item is randomly determined, from a list that includes all standard unenchanted weapons in the game.  You are never told the name of the family who lost the item, only the hold in which they live.

thumb|right|A Skyrim:Snowpoint Beacon|fort inhabited by bandits
The target location is randomly chosen from 76 possible locations, amounting to a large fraction of the dungeons that contain boss chests.  The location will be limited to holds that you have previously visited, so early in the game you may only receive destinations within Whiterun Hold, but later in the game there are many more possible destinations.  Possible types of locations are: 
A Bandit Camp or Bandit-Occupied Fort: 23 possible locations (Bandit Camps category)
A Falmer Hive: 12 possible locations (Falmer Hives category)
A Forsworn Camp: 7 possible locations (Forsworn Camps category)
A Giant Camp: 12 possible locations  (Giant Camps category)
A Vampire Lair: 8 possible locations  (Vampire Lairs category)
A Warlock Lair: 15 possible locations (Warlock Lairs category)
(Note that the provided categories list all locations with the given type of occupant, including locations that do not have a boss chest and therefore cannot be possible destinations for this quest).

Find the Heirloom
At the chosen location, the item will always be found in the boss chest, which is typically at the end of the dungeon and guarded by a boss-level monster.  To complete the quest, all that you need to do is retrieve the item — although in the process of exploring the dungeon you may end up collecting other loot and killing various enemies.  Once you have the heirloom, return to the quest-giver (Skjor or Vilkas) and obtain your reward and three different responses: "Give it here. They've asked for the utmost discretion on this matter, so I'll make sure it gets to them. Here's your share of their reward.", "And it looks undamaged. They'll be pleased, I'm sure. And we're pleased with their money." or "Nice work with this one. You make us all proud."''

Reward
 

Notes
The quest-giver for this quest is originally Skjor. However, once Skjor has been slain during The Silver Hand, Vilkas instead becomes the quest giver for this quest.
 

Bugs
 
 

Quest Stages
Skyrim:Brelyna's Practice

Quick Walkthrough
#Talk to Brelyna Maryon.
#Let her cast a spell on you.
#Wait a few in-game hours to let the effects wear off.
#Let Brelyna try again.
#Wait for her to finish.

Detailed Walkthrough
Helping Out A Friend
Brelyna Maryon is a serious student at the College of Winterhold. After completing Under Saarthal, you can find her back at the College (likely in the Hall of Attainment). When you speak to her, she'll request your help: ''"We're all trying to become better mages, right? Well, I need someone I can practice a few spells on. Nothing dangerous, really. Would you be willing to assist me?"'' If you agree to help her for a price, she will offer an amulet in return. Apparently, she has developed a type of Alteration spell that she needs to cast onto someone else, and she will be relieved that she won't have to ask J'zargo for help.

It's Not Easy Being Green
When you are ready, Brelyna will instruct you: ''"Please hold still, and don't move." As the spell is cast, a tiny flaw becomes apparent: your vision is now green. Alarmingly, Brelyna will exclaim, "Oh dear. That wasn't supposed to happen." Then she will ask, "Do you... do you feel all right? You look very, umm, green."''
She will apologize profusely, assuring you that the green effect is temporary. It will fade after a few in-game hours.

Altered States
After the effects of the first attempt fade, and if you are being a good sport about it all, return to Brelyna and she will ask you to help her again. She confidently asserts that she has everything worked out. You can also express your doubts about proceeding, but in the end, agree to her ministrations. She will cast several more spells which will turn you into a horse, a cow, and a dog.

 
 
With each mishap, Brelyna bolsters her resolve: ''"Oh my. That isn't right! Just wait. Just... I can fix this.", "Oh no, that's not it at all. Let me try again...", "This really isn't turning out the way I'd hoped.", and then, "I'll get it right this time, I swear." On her final attempt, you are returned to normal, and she says, "There, all better."

Your Compensation
When all is set to right, Brelyna will reward you with a random, level-dependent Resist Magic necklace, and you both can agree to never speak of this again. Brelyna will also become a potential candidate for marriage, and can be asked to join you as a follower.


The level provided in the table is the minimum level that you must be to obtain that version of the necklace; however, even at higher levels it is still possible to receive the lowest-level necklace. Below level 8, you will not receive any necklace.

Bugs
 
  Using the console command   will manually advance the quest to the next stage.
 
  This issue can be fixed by entering   into the game console. This will force the quest to move to the next stage, when the spell has worn off.
  If the above step doesn't remove the green tint, enter   into console, cast her practice spell on any NPC, wait a few in-game hours, then enter  . The quest will update itself.
 
Use the Become Ethereal shout to fix it.
  This can be fixed by entering   into the console command.

Quest Stages
Skyrim:Onmund's Request

Quick Walkthrough
# Speak with Onmund.
# Speak with Enthir.
# Retrieve the Grand Staff of Charming from a random location.
# Return the staff to Enthir.
# Return the amulet to Onmund.

Detailed Walkthrough
By now, you will have gotten to know Onmund, the friendly and singular Nord at the College of Winterhold. He has traded his family amulet to Enthir but now regrets his decision. Onmund will not tell you what he traded the amulet for, but asks for your help in getting his property back.

Speak with Enthir about this. Enthir offers you a deal: he will trade the amulet if you retrieve the Grand Staff of Charming from a certain location. The randomly selected location will usually include a boss-level caster foe guarding a chest containing the staff.

To complete the quest, retrieve the staff and return it to Enthir, who will in turn give you Onmund's amulet. Return the amulet to Onmund who will be grateful. The only reward for completing the quest is Onmund's friendship; once you return his amulet, he becomes available as a follower, as well as a potential candidate for marriage.

Possible staff locations are:
  

Notes
With a sufficiently high Speech skill or the Amulet of Articulation, Enthir can be persuaded to just return the amulet.

Bugs
 
 
 The console command   will allow you to advance. Also, if you successfully persuade Enthir to give back the amulet and complete the quest, the staff is no longer considered a quest item and can be dropped/stored/sold normally.
If the quest has been taken, equip the staff, open console and type  . The staff will be dropped, and the quest continues as normal.

Quest Stages
Skyrim:Joining the Stormcloaks

Quick Walkthrough
#Head to Windhelm and speak with Ulfric Stormcloak.
#Speak with Galmar Stone-Fist.
#Travel to Serpentstone Isle.
#Kill the Ice Wraith.
#Take the oath.

Detailed Walkthrough
Joining
Proceed to Windhelm and enter the Palace of the Kings. If this is your first time in the palace, then Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak and his lieutenant, Galmar Stone-Fist, will have a long conversation concerning the war. Speak with Ulfric, who recognizes you from Helgen and will direct you to speak with his lieutenant. Galmar will ask you why you want to join, then tell you that to prove yourself worthy of joining the Stormcloaks, you must travel to the Serpentstone Isle and defeat an Ice Wraith. If you are below level 20, he will also give you an Elixir of Resist Cold and three Ice Wraith Banes, both of which can be incredibly helpful on this quest if you are at a low level.

Test Your Mettle
Travel to the Serpentstone Isle, located far north of Windhelm. Once you're there, kill the Ice Wraith. Using a fire spell or adding the Ice Wraith Bane to your weapon will make the fight easier. Remember to use the resist frost potion before you engage if you need it. You can also find the Serpent Stone while there.

The Victorious Return
Travel back to the Palace of Kings to speak with Galmar. When you return, Galmar and Ulfric will be discussing your next mission for the Stormcloaks. Galmar will express his surprise at seeing you return and ask you to take the Stormcloak oath:

:"I do swear my blood and honor to the service of Ulfric Stormcloak..."
:"...Jarl of Windhelm and true High King of Skyrim."
:"As Talos is my witness, may this oath bind me to death and beyond..."
:"...even to my lord as to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms."
:"All hail the Stormcloaks, the true sons and daughters of Skyrim!"

Repeat the oath as Galmar says it and he will reward you with Fur Boots, a Stormcloak Cuirass, Fur Gauntlets and a Hide Helmet. 

Reward
Upon completion of the quest and repeating the oath you will be awarded the following:
Hide Helmet
Fur Gauntlets
Stormcloak Cuirass
Fur Boots
"You're a Stormcloak now, you ought to look the part. "--Galmar Stone-Fist   

Achievements
One achievement is unlocked at the end of this quest:
 

Notes
Taking the oath will cause you to automatically fail the quest Joining the Legion. However, should you still wish to join the Imperial Legion instead, the next quest offers you an opportunity to do so.
The Serpent Stone can be found on Serpentstone Isle.
After this quest, the Stormcloaks will begin to refer to you as "Unblooded".
22px The German version of the quest name is "So jung und schon bei den Sturmmänteln?", which is a take-off of the German translation of Princess Leia's famous Star Wars quote to Luke, "Aren't you a little short for a Stormtrooper?" The word "Sturmmänteln" (Stormcloak) is substituted for the original "Sturmtruppen", however.

Bugs
 

Quest Stages
Skyrim:Message to Whiterun

Message to Whiterun may refer to two different things:
Message to Whiterun (Imperial), the Imperial Legion version of the quest
Message to Whiterun (Stormcloaks), the Stormcloak version of the quest
Skyrim:Rejoining the College

Quick Walkthrough
# Find Tolfdir.
# Pay the fine.

Detailed Walkthrough
This quest will automatically begin after killing another College member. The quest description will inform you that you have been suspended from the College. It is a very short quest, requiring you to only find Tolfdir in the College and speak to him. Tolfdir lectures you about behaviors that the College finds inappropriate, and states that he will have your suspension lifted if you pay a fine. Paying the fine results in immediate reinstatement into the College's ranks and completion of the quest.

Notes
This quest may begin even if you have completed the College of Winterhold questline and became Arch-Mage.
Murder is the only crime that will trigger this quest; lesser crimes, such as pickpocketing and theft, will not.
The fine for the first incident is 250 gold. If you commit another crime and receive the quest again, the fine climbs to 500 gold. It increases to 750 gold for the third incident, and 1,000 gold for each incident thereafter.
Tolfdir increases the amount of the fine according to the number of past incidents, not their severity. Therefore, as long as it's your first such incident, you can murder a non-essential member of the College and only have to pay 250 gold, one quarter of the bounty that would be charged in any hold for murder.
Tolfdir may instead be found in Saarthal if you are between starting Under Saarthal and finishing Hitting the Books.

Bugs
 
 
 
 

Quest Stages