Laila Law-Giver

Laila Law-Giver is a Nord in who, as Jarl of Riften, resides with her court in Mistveil Keep, where she holds court.
==Background==
Laila has two children, Harrald, the older and Saerlund, the younger. Both differ in their opinions on who they should side with in the Civil War.
Because she supports the Stormcloaks, the Jarl believes that Saerlund has lost his mind or is possessed, so she tells her Court Wizard, Wylandriah, to find a reason. She believes she has the Thieves Guild problem under control, and her advisors reinforce her belief. Her housecarl is Unmid Snow-Shod and her steward is Anuriel.
Even though Laila supports the Stormcloaks, she agrees that Ulfric may just want to be crowned High King after having killed the previous one, Torygg, to remove a potential pawn for the Empire with keeping control of Skyrim over having it become independent.
==Interactions==
===Skooma Trade===
She gives the Dragonborn pointers of where to look for the criminals. She later rewards the Dragonborn with the title of Thane if they are known throughout the hold and have purchased Honeyside in Riften.
===The Raid===
A conversation with Wujeeta makes the player aware that she is part of Riften's skooma ring and offers an option to tell Jarl Laila Law-Giver, should she still be in power. If this option is completed, the Jarl reveals that she is already well aware of the skooma dealers in the Riften Warehouse, and offers the task of suppressing the skooma operation. They have been long trying to track down the elusive skooma traders.
===Supply and Demand===
Once the Dragonborn presents evidence of where the skooma operation is originating from in Cragslane Cavern, Laila gives the Dragonborn the go-ahead to eliminate everyone inside and shut down the operation. Doing so will be enough to convince Laila to consider naming the Dragonborn a Thane of Riften and the Rift.
===Civil War===
As a supporter of Ulfric Stormcloak and his rebellion, if she is removed from her position, she is exiled along with the rest of her family from Riften. She is then replaced by Maven Black-Briar, an affluent Nord noble who controls most aspects of the city even before her reign as Jarl. Laila can then be found at the Palace of the Kings in Windhelm. There, she laments on how she failed the people of Riften. Her Hold Guards will also be replaced by Imperial Legionnaires as the new Hold Guards of Riften and other communities in the Rift.
==Dialogue==
"What can I do for you?"
:What's your stance on the war? "While I feel Ulfric's cause is just, my concern is for the people of The Rift. How can they continue to lead their already meager lives with dark clouds looming overhead? My heart goes out to them. If only our coffers were deeper, I could protect them as they were my own family."
::What of Ulfric himself?
::*(Pre-Stormcloak victory) "With the Stormcloaks at his back, Ulfric's posed to rid Skyrim of the Empire's forces and invalidate our involvement with the White-Gold Concordat. Many have died taking up arms for his cause. I fear that the land will be stained with blood for years to come."
::*(Post-Stormcloak victory) "With the Stormcloaks at his back, Ulfric's posed to rid Skyrim of the Empire's forces and invalidate our involvement with the White-Gold Concordat. Between you and I, I think his motivations are a bit more self-serving. He uses this holy war as leverage in order to pursue the throne. If he were to be crowned High King, I'm not so certain it would be the golden age his followers expect."
::::What is the White-Gold Concordat? "Surely you've heard of the Great War between the Imperials and the Elves who called themselves the Aldmeri Dominion? When the smoke cleared, the White-Gold Concordat was signed... it was supposedly a treaty aimed at establishing peace within the Empire. One of the terms of the treaty was the outlawing of worship to Talos. To the Stormcloaks, this was viewed as the moment when the Empire became unworthy of the allegiance of any true Nord."
:Tell me about the Thieves Guild. "We're all eager to see them brought to justice. Maven Black-Briar has assured me that they're being dealt with appropriately. As one of this city's most influential citizens, she's taken it upon herself to oversee their incarceration. Sadly, they're proving elusive but I have confidence that Maven won't give up until this city has been rid of them all."
;The Raid
"Speak, I wish to hear everything my subjects have to say."
:I've discovered a skooma dealer in Riften. "Yes, I'm afraid we're aware of Sarthis's presence in the warehouse. Unfortunately, we're certain he has informants within the city guard. Every time we've made a move to arrest him, he's escaped. However, if you'd take care of this discreetly, you might be able to surprise him without warning."
::Sure, I'll do it. "Excellent. Here, this is the key to the warehouse. See if you can drop in on this dealer of poison and convince him to close down his operation permanently."
::Sorry, sounds dangerous. "Hm. Well, if you change your mind, come see me again."
After killing Sarthis:
Sarthis Idren has been taken care of. "It's nice to receive good news for a change. Did you recover anything else from the warehouse worth mentioning?"
:I've discovered the source of the skooma. "Then there's no time to lose. It won't take long for Sathis's associates to learn of his death. The source of the poison must be destroyed once and for all, otherwise another dealer will simply take his place. Do this task for me and you'll be well on your way to a title in Riften."
::I'll make sure it's done. "Good. Report back to me when your task is complete."
::Perhaps some other time. "I can't say I'm happy with your decision. If you change your mind, let me know."
Upon clearing Cragslane Cavern:
The Cragslane operation has been stopped. "Well done! Your continued efforts have been of great benefit to the people of Riften. Allow me to present you with this compensation for your selfless efforts."
;A Jarl's Justice
"Speak, I wish to hear everything my subjects have to say."
:You are in danger. A vampire has infiltrated your court. "That's quite a bold claim. I'd need proof before I could possibly accept it."
After finding the evidence:
"What can I do for you?"
:You are in danger. A vampire has infiltrated your court. (Give letter) "Well... I trust you'll take care of this unwanted visitor. My guards will not interfere with you carrying out my justice."
==Conversations==
;Anuriel
Laila: "Have our scouts come up with any information on these reports of dragons?"
Anuriel: "Yes, milady. That unpleasantness at Helgen supposedly involved a dragon. It killed several soldiers before it departed."
Laila: "I want you to speak to the city guard. Make sure there's a contingency plan in effect in case Riften falls under attack."
Anuriel: "Yes, milday. I've also taken the liberty in preparing a private carriage... just in case."
Laila: "Good. If Riften should fall, it's only right that its leader be spared."
Laila: "Anuriel, a word please."
Anuriel: "Yes, my lady?"
Laila: "It's been brought to my attention that the poison known as skooma may be present in our city. What do you know of this?"
Anuriel: "I believe it to be a falsehood perpetrated by the Empire in order to weaken the citizen's confidence in your ability to rule."
Laila: "Excellent, then they'll be no need to devote any resources to stopping it. Thank you, Anuriel. That will be all."
Anuriel: "My lady, Maven Black-Briar has sent word that she requires your seal in order to expand her shipments into Morrowind."
Laila: "But of course! Tell her she'll have it. Maven is one of the few people I can trust and I'd be delighted to give her my blessing."
Anuriel: "Yes, my lady. I will pass the good news on to her."
;Harrald
Laila: "Harrald, I have need of you."
Harrald: "Yes mother? What is it?"
Laila: "This situation with the sewers beneath the city. I hear people have entered this place and have gone missing. Do you know of this?"
Harrald: "Yes, I've heard such things. Anuriel assures me they're just fabrications and there's nothing down there save a few stray skeever."
Laila: "Well, make sure we keep the patrols out night and day, just to be certain."
Harrald: "Mother, how long must we put up with Saerlund spouting his nonsense about the Empire?"
Laila: "What would you have me do, send him to the gallows for treason? He's your brother, Harrald."
Harrald: "My only concern is your safety, mother. One can only imagine the sordid types he may be conspiring with to bring about your downfall."
Laila: "I will hear no more of this, Harrald. Do you understand me? No more!"
;Maven Black-Briar
Laila: "Maven! Always a pleasure to receive you. What can I help you with today?"
Maven: "Thank you, Laila. I wanted to discuss the protection of my shipments." OR "I'm certain you're aware of the loss I sustained a fortnight ago."
Laila: "Yes, indeed. An entire caravan shipment of your mead taken by Imperial soldiers. What of it?"
Maven: "Well, I'm also certain you're aware that our own city guard failed to provide the protection required to ensure safe passage of the shipment."
Laila: "Indeed. We lost three soldiers in that attack. A sad day for Riften."
Maven: "I have payments to make you realize. If I can't make them, I can't make Black-Briar Mead." OR "Quite. To be brief, I need compensation for the lost shipment. Since Riften was responsible for it, Riften should pay for it."
Laila: "We... don't have enough to..."
Maven: "Laila, Riften is my home, but if my meadery can't be safe here, I'll just move it elsewhere."
Laila: "No, that won't be necessary. You'll have compensation for your loss."
Maven: "Thank you, Laila."
;Unmid Snow-Shod
Laila: "Unmid, I wish to travel about the city. Prepare an escort please."
Unmid: "Begging your pardon my lady, but I strongly recommend against it."
Laila: "Anuriel seems to think that seeing me on the streets might bolster the city's morale."
Unmid: "My lady, there could be agents of the Empire looking for an opportunity like that to have you killed. Are you willing to take that risk?"
Laila: "No. Of course you're right, Unmid. I'll stay here for now."
;Wylandriah
Wylandriah: "Do you realize how delicate the experiment is you've interrupted by sending for me? I may need to throw out the components and start again."
Laila: "How dare you take that kind of tone. You're in service to me, remember?"
Wylandriah: "I'm sorry my lady. The stresses of all this research... it's becoming more than I can bear."
Laila: "You're forgiven. Now, I want to know if you've made any progress with my son. Is he cursed? Has he been possessed?"
Wylandriah: "Sorry, my lady. I've been looking but I'm convinced Saerlund says truly believes what he is saying."
Laila: "Very well. Keep at it. You may go."
===Unused dialogue===
In an unused quest in the Stormcloak questline, if Riften had been under Imperial control as a result of "Season Unending," it would have been attacked by the rebellion. After Maven's eventual surrender, Laila would have initiated the following conversation:Creation Kit
Laila: "Ahhh... It's good to be home."
Maven: "Welcome back. I've left a few surprises for you to discover."
Laila: "How kind of you. And I've brought an army to give you a going away parade."
Galmar: "If you two are finished with the touching homecoming, there's a city in chaos out there."
Laila: "Indeed. Come, there is much to be done."
Alternatively, in the event of an Imperial victory, a similar conversation will occur, this time between Maven, Laila, and :
Maven: "I think I'll like living here."
Laila: "So enters Maven Black-Briar, the glint of Imperial coin in her eyes. So tell me, what's the price for a woman's integrity these days?"
Maven: "You never were able to see the forest for the trees, were you?"
Laila: "We Nords were proud warriors once. And we still could be. Evidenced by the men and women who fought and died bravely today. You could see that if you had any faith left in that black heart of yours. But no, you're content to snatch scraps falling off the Emperor's table. Fine. Take my home. Take my city. May it burn down around you."
Maven: "A bit melodramatic, even for you Laila. Pack your things and go."
Laila: "One day when you can see past your own interests, you will come to see that we were right. And this... This is all wrong."
Rikke: "If you ladies are finished bickering, there's much to be done. Jarl Black-Briar put your government together. Do it now, or there will be rioting in the streets. We must move quickly to prevent further violence."
Maven: "Jarl Black-Briar. I must admit, I do like the sound of that. And don't worry about any rioting, Legate. I have it under control. We will soon begin publicly executing captured men. That should send a clear message to the people."
Laila: "Yes, but not likely the one you intend."
Maven: "Oh? I don't expect anyone to miss my meaning. Come, Legate. There's much to do."
==Quotes==
*"You have something to say, dog? Something on your mind?" (when in exile)
*"I feel so helpless out here. The people of Riften depended on me, and I failed them." (when in exile)
*"Unmid and Anuriel shouldn't blame themselves for Riften's fall, I am the one who's ultimately responsible." (when in exile)
*"If Riften can be retaken, I will redouble my efforts to ensure the safety of my subjects and the defense of the Rift." (when in exile)
==Trivia==
*She's the only Jarl that uses a unique dialogue line when declaring Dragonborn Thane. She will compare the Dragonborn to Mjoll the Lioness.
*She was voiced by Claudia Christan, who also voiced Aela the Huntress, Adrianne Avenicci, Iona, Sorli the Builder, and Legate Rikke.
==Bugs==
*When attempting to become Thane of Riften and after purchasing Honeyside, upgrading or entering house before returning to the Jarl will remove the dialog options required to complete the quest. This permanently leaves 'Return to Jarl of Riften' in the player's quest journal. This bug applies only if Laila Law-Giver is Jarl of Riften during the aforementioned quest. This bug was not addressed in patch 1.3.10 and there is no known solution for consoles.
**Update: this was addressed and fixed in the latest patch (1.4). However, there is a new bug thus recently discovered. In one case (so far) Laila Law-Giver disappears from sight. According to the player, when she had walked into the building in which Laila Law-Giver dwells, Laila, without moving on her own, lifted into the air, flew back and disappeared into a wall. The player then found her just outside the entrance to that same building with the same effect. As of yet, the developer and forums have not picked up on this bug.
** Workaround: [player.setstage FreeformRiftenThane 200] will grant you the Title Thane of Riften and the Reward for the Quest 'Return to Jarl of Riften'
* Sometimes you do not get the option of buying a house and becoming Thane of Riften from Laila Law-Giver. This may be because you left a previous miscellaneous quest involving the people of Riften incomplete.
*When you become Thane she does not give you a Sword of the Rift, but she does however give you a randomly enchanted weapon without a unique name.
==Appearances==
*
==References==
de:Jarl Laila Recht-Sprecher
es:Laila la Legisladora
fr:Laila Juste-Loi
it:Jarl Laila Dona Legge
pl:Laila Prawo-Dawca
ru:Лайла Рука Закона
Category:Skyrim: Riften Characters
Category:Skyrim: Essential Characters
Category:Skyrim: Quest Givers
Category:Skyrim: Jarls