Skyrim:Eorlund Gray-Mane

Eorlund Gray-Mane is a Nord blacksmith in Whiterun in charge of forging weapons and armor for the Companions at the Skyforge, located behind Jorrvaskr. He is married to Fralia Gray-Mane, with whom he has three children: Avulstein, Olfina, and Thorald. He is also the brother of Vignar Gray-Mane. Though Eorlund works closely with the Companions, he does not consider himself one of them, as his main concern is continuing his family's tradition of working the Skyforge. Nevertheless, he is very knowledgeable about their traditions and customs, and provides advice and master Smithing training to new members and veterans alike. During the initiation quest Take Up Arms, Eorlund will ask you for a favor, he will reward you after Proving Honor, and his expertise will prove invaluable during Glory of the Dead.

Eorlund works the Skyforge every day from 8am to 9pm, either forging or using the grindstone. He spends the rest of his time inside House Gray-Mane with his family, either wandering around, eating, relaxing or sleeping in his room on the second floor.

Eorlund wears a set of hide armor with a matching pair of boots. He is equipped with a Skyforge steel sword, and carries a key to House Gray-Mane, as well as a selection of upper-class loot and gold.

Despite his fame in all of Skyrim, Eorlund is a Nord of few words and will, when you enter Whiterun for the first time, only greet you briefly: "Got   lot of steel to shape.", "Hmm?" and ''"I ain't much for talkin'." He will, however, gladly tell you about his forge: "The Skyforge? Aye, my clan-fathers have worked it since the first Gray-Manes came to Whiterun. Skyforge Steel is all the Companions will use, for good reason." He will also tell you about himself, although he will only state the obvious: "You blind, boy/girl? I'm a blacksmith. Any half-wit could see that." When asked about the Companions, he will respond: "By Ysmir, are you thick, or just too new to know better? The Companions are the oldest, most honored band of warriors in Skyrim. Whiterun was built around their hall, Jorrvaskr. Don't reckon they can use you. But stranger things have happened." He will then assure you he is not part of the Companions: "Why? Who says I have to be? Skyforge Steel is my art and honor. The Companions need the best, so they come to me."

Like the majority of Whiterun citizens, Eorlund has an opinion on the ongoing civil war, and like his family, he supports the Stormcloaks, though not as much as the other members of clan Gray-Mane. If the Stormcloaks manage to conquer Whiterun, you can ask him if he is happy: "I'm sure my brother Vignar is, since they made him Jarl after throwing Balgruuf out. Comes the end of the day, Imperials and Stormcloaks ain't much different. Both sides want to tell you how you should live your life. Guess I'd rather hear it from a real Nord than some Emperor down south." However, a new greeting shows his stance: "Whiterun belongs to the true sons of Skyrim now, just as it should."
thumb|right|"Hrm."
 
When Eorlund bumps into his wife Fralia in the evening, they will engage in conversation, although Eorlund will use fewer words than ever before:

Fralia: "Eorlund, dearest, are you hungry? Would you like me to fix you something?" 
Eorlund: "Hrm." 
Fralia: "A venison pie, maybe? With a nice cup of mulled mead?" 
Eorlund: "Hrm."

Fralia: "When will you be makin' some more jewelry, love? Some silver lockets and amulets would fetch a nice price at the stand." 
Eorlund: "Hrm." 
Fralia: "Wonderful, dear. Thank you." 
Eorlund: "Hrm."''

Eorlund's smithing skills are known all over Skyrim, although you will hear Whiterun citizens talk about them the most. At the local weaponry shop, Warmaiden's, Adrianne Avenicci will tell you: ''"I don't claim to be the best blacksmith in Whiterun. Eorlund Gray-Mane's got that honor. Man's steel is legendary. All I ask is a fair chance." When giving you her favor quest, she will mention Eorlund once again: "Aye, that I do. I've got to, if I hope to be as good as Eorlund Gray-Mane some day. In fact, I just finished my best piece of work." Naturally, Fralia Gray-Mane thinks highly of her husband and will tell you: "My husband Eorlund tends the Skyforge up at Jorrvaskr, the Companions mead hall. There's no finer smith in the nine holds. You should ask him about his work. It's the only subject that'll get him talking. Well, that and maybe those stuck-up, dung-sniffing Battle-Borns." When trying to sell her wares at the market, she will shout: "Shiny trinkets for your good lady! All crafted by the great Eorlund Gray-Mane himself!"'' She can also be seen telling Ysolda why she doesn't need to trade with the caravans: ''"Plenty of people here that need Eorlund's craftsmanship, my dear. We've never had any reason to deal with those caravans of theirs." She will also tell Lillith Maiden-Loom that Eorlund will craft a new locket in polished silver: "Ahhh, I see. I think I know just what you need. I don't have anything like that here now, but my Eorlund - he can make you one right quick. When I get home, I'll have him start on it right away." In Jorrvaskr, Njada Stonearm will tell Skjor how to hold his shield: "If Eorlund made it, it's more likely you're gripping it wrong. Find me tomorrow and we can go over it."

When you first enter Whiterun you can overhear Adrianne Avenicci trying to convince Idolaf Battle-Born about asking Eorlund for help: "Why don't you swallow that stubborn pride of yours and ask Eorlund Gray-Mane for help?", to which Idolaf will hatefully reply: "Ha! I'd sooner bend my knee to Ulfric Stormcloak." Due to the feud between the two clans, another Battle-Born, namely Olfrid will say: "Eorlund Gray-Mane's a stubborn fool. Our friendship ended when he turned his back on the Emperor."'' However, most people outside Whiterun recognize Eorlund's skills, even young Dorthe from Riverwood, who will ask her father: "You really think I can be a blacksmith someday, papa? As good as Eorlund Gray-Mane?" In Windhelm, local blacksmith Oengul War-Anvil will prove more bitter, saying: "Everyone says Eorlund Gray-Mane is the best smith in Skyrim. I plan to change a few minds about that." and add: "I respect Eorlund, but he has the good fortune to work the Skyforge. Something about the fires... their steel just holds tighter." The most prominent rumor about Eorlund occurs during the Diplomatic Immunity quest, when most of Skyrim's upper class is gathered for a party inside the Thalmor Embassy. At that occasion, the party guests will discuss Eorlund. One guest will comment: ''"I'm not sure that it's news, but lately it seems like every blacksmith in Skyrim is out to prove that he's the equal of Eorlund Gray-Mane." The other guest will then reply: "It's not really a fair comparison, if you ask me. After all, Eorlund works the Skyforge. How is any smith going to compete with that?"

Related Quests
 
 
 

Quest-Related Events
Take Up Arms
thumb|left|"My name is Eorlund Gray-Mane. I work the Skyforge."
During the quest Take Up Arms, you will find yourself as an errand runner for the Companions. After the sparring session, Vilkas will say: "Here's my sword. Go take it up to Eorlund to have it sharpened. And be careful, it's probably worth more than you are." When you locate Eorlund, he will ask: "What brings you here?"'' When you hand him the sword he will respond: ''"I'm guessing you're the newcomer then?" Two options will be available. If you ask him if Vilkas always sends newcomers on errands, he will comfort you: "Oh, don't worry too much about it. They were all whelps once. They just might not like to talk about it. And don't always just do what you're told. Nobody rules anybody in the Companions." If you tell him that you are just obeying orders, he will advise you: "That attitude would get you far, if you were some stuffy merchant or a Jarl's footstool. Around here, you'll want to learn to live your own life. Remember, nobody rules anybody in the Companions." When confronted with this claim, he will elaborate: "Well, I'm not sure how they've managed it, but they have. No leaders since Ysgramor. Kodlak is the Harbinger, and he's a sort of advisor for the whole group, but every man is his own. Every woman, her own." At this point, you can ask him again if he is part of the Companions and get a different reply: "Not actually a Companion myself, but none of them know how to work a forge properly, and I'm honored to serve them. My name is Eorlund Gray-Mane. I work the Skyforge. Best steel in all of Skyrim. All of Tamriel." Lastly, he will grab the opportunity and use your low rank to his benefit: "I have a favor to ask."'' He will then tell you about a shield he prepared for Aela the Huntress: ''"I've been working on a shield for Aela. My wife is in mourning and I need to get back to her soon. I'd be much obliged if you could take this to Aela for me." If you tell him that he is taking advantage of the newcomer, he will say: "This isn't a command. Just decency. Help out an old blacksmith. I've got to get back to my work." If you accept right away, he will instead say: "That's a good man." He will then return to his duties. Once the quest is completed, Eorlund will offer master training in Smithing with the words: "It's an honorable craft. I'll show you what I can.", and you can ask him again about the Companions, although he will be a bit insulted: "By Ysmir's beard, I ain't one for humor. You know who the Companions are. So quit your asking."

Proving Honor
During the quest Proving Honor, when you are officially initiated into the Companions, Kodlak Whitemane will encourage you to visit Eorlund for a better weapon: "This day is to rejoice in your bravery and speak to Eorlund for a better weapon than... whatever that is." When you visit Eorlund with the request of a new weapon he will say: "Yes, lad, you've been raised into the Companions, I hear. I can fashion whatever kind of weapon you want. Finest forge in Skyrim, right here before you." You can then choose between five weapon types, and five different comments from Eorlund:


Glory of the Dead
When you have started Glory of the Dead and return to Whiterun, you will find several citizens gathered around the Skyforge to pay their respect to deceased Harbinger Kodlak Whitemane. Naturally, Eorlund is present as well, standing next to Kodlak's body which is placed on top of the forge itself. When you arrive, you will witness the ritual, with Eorlund asking the first question: "Who will start?" Aela will volunteer: ''"I'll do it."

After the ritual, Eorlund will watch as Aela ignites the fire under Kodlak, and people will then start to go their separate ways. Aela will gather what is left of The Circle, while Eorlund will seek you out and ask: "Do you have the fragments of Wuuthrad, still? I'll need to prepare them for mounting again." You can choose to give him the fragments in two different ways. If you say you return them with honor, he will comment: "Don't get too flowery on me, lad/lass." If you choose to just hand him the fragments, he will say: "Careful with those. Don't want even more fragments, do we?" He will then make a special request: "Of course, I have a small favor to ask of you. There's another piece, that Kodlak always kept close to himself. Would you go to his chambers and bring it back for me? I'm not sure I'm the best one to go through his things." Once again, you will have two options. The nicer option will make him say: "Thank you. I'll be here.", while the other option makes him respond: "I appreciate it."'' He will then return to his daily routines while you go through Kodlak's end table for the fragment. When you return to Eorlund, he will say: ''"You're back." Hand him the fragment and he will tell you to enter the Underforge: "Thank you. Your Shield-Siblings have withdrawn to the Underforge. I think they're waiting for you." He will then get to work, regardless of the hour, and keep his plans secret for the time being.
thumb|right|"Just because something is, doesn't mean it must be."''
In the Underforge, the members of the Circle will be gathered around the fountain, all of them frustrated and discouraged. They all know that Kodlak died without being granted his only wish, namely to be freed of his lycanthropy so he could spend his afterlife in Sovngarde. While they know of a way to cleanse his soul, it requires them to enter the Ysgramor's Tomb and perform a ceremony. However, Aela will explain: ''"We can't even enter the tomb without Wuuthrad, and it's in pieces, like it has been for a thousand years." At this point, Eorlund will enter the cave with Wuuthrad on his back, saying: "And dragons were just stories. And the elves once ruled Skyrim. Just because something is, doesn't mean it must be. The blade is a weapon. A tool. Tools are meant to be broken. And repaired."  A stunned Vilkas will ask him: "Is that? Did you repair the blade?"  Eorlund will then tell him: "This is the first time I've had all the pieces, thanks to our Shield-Brother/Shield-Sister here." He will then draw the weapon and continue: "'The flames of a hero can reforge the shattered.' The flames of Kodlak shall fuel the rebirth of Wuuthrad. And now it will take you to meet him once more." He will then address you personally: "As the one who bore the fragments, I think you should be the one to carry Wuuthrad into battle." He will then hand you the weapon and speak to the other members: "The rest of you, prepare to journey to the Tomb of Ysgramor. For Kodlak." He will then turn around and leave the Underforge.

When you have completed Glory of the Dead and Kodlak enjoys his afterlife in Sovngarde, a trip up to the Skyforge and Eorlund will make him tell about a strange change he has observed with the forge: "You know, since Kodlak's funeral the Skyforge feels more... awake. It's always been said that the souls of the heroes of old are what give Skyforge steel its strength. But I think the forge knows the greatness of Kodlak's soul. I can't really explain, but it feels like it's... young. I'll wager it could now forge metal the likes of which hasn't been seen since eras long forgotten. I'm eager to try."''

Standard Merchandise
This is the merchandise found in Eorlund's merchant chest. These items are only available if purchased from the merchant. However, you can access his merchant chest with a glitch (see bugs). They are restocked every two days.


Bugs