Jorrvaskr Jorrvaskr is an ancient and honored mead hall that has served as the headquarters of a mercenary company , The Companions , for untold generations . It was built after the discovery of the Skyforge . First visit . On the Dragonborn ' s first visit to Jorrvaskr , the line " " Those two at it again ? " " are the first words they hear when entering . Njada Stonearm and Athis will be in a brawl ( fist fight ) , and the rest of the Companions and other characters will be watching . Njada will eventually win the fight . History . According to local legend , Jorrvaskr is the oldest building in Whiterun . It once existed by itself on the mountain , with the rest of the town springing up around it over the centuries . Jorrvaskr itself was originally a longboat made for the Return of the Five Hundred Companions of Ysgramor . Its captain was Jeek of the River , and its crew consisted of twenty - two men . Upon arrival in Skyrim , Ysgramor commanded that his men go forth and settle in this new land . Jeek of the River and his crew split from the Circle of Captains and traveled southwards towards the area that was later named Whiterun Hold . It was there they discovered a strange monument that later became known as the Skyforge . Jeek and his crew decided that the mysterious Skyforge could be of use to them . The wasteland surrounding the Skyforge was fit for harvest , and so began the labors of Menro and Manwe , whose eager hands again laid to the Atmora n wood which had born them all across the sea , their boat , Jorrvaskr , becoming their shelter . Reverence . Jorrvaskr is a place of honor and courage , and to walk into the hall is to proclaim , " " I am a warrior , and will die as I lived — in glorious battle ! " " It is also the location where the Dragonborn may join the Companions as a Shield - Brother or Sister . Architectural design . Construction . Jorrvaskr was built from the timbers of the ship , which brought some of Ysgramor ' s Five Hundred Companions to Skyrim from Atmora . The design is influenced by this ; the roof resembles the hull of one of their vessels . Layout . The exterior of the building features two front doors and a rear outside dining and training area . Inside , the main floor is dominated by the mead hall and fire pit where the Companions can be found throughout the day . At one end of the hall is a sparring area , and around the sides are various shelves stocked with books and food . Displayed on the wall here are the shards of Wuuthrad , a powerful weapon wielded by their founder , Ysgramor . The door at the north end leads to a bedroom . The stairs at the south end lead down to the living quarters . Upon joining the Companions , the Dragonborn is given a cot in a room shared with the other newest recruits . After completing the quest " Glory of the Dead , " the Harbinger ' s bedroom ( formerly Kodlak ' s living area ) is available for use . The chest and barrel in Kodlak ' s Quarters in Jorrvaskr in Whiterun can reset , thus permanently deleting all items placed within them after a certain period of time . The wardrobe , cupboard and other containers do not , however . Carved out of the living rock behind Jorrvaskr is the Skyforge , where the arms and armor of the Companions are crafted by Eorlund Gray - Mane , and below that is the entrance to The Underforge .