Helgen

*Not to be confused with Helga or Haelga.*
**Helgen**, referred to as the **Gateway to the North**, is a thriving town that was located east-northeast of the city of Falkreath, south of Riverwood, and north of Pale Pass. It was one of the only heavily inhabited settlements located in Falkreath Hold.

## History

### Fourth Era

The Varian Dynasty had maintained a strong military presence throughout Falkreath Hold, particularly in Helgen, as far back as 4E 180.[*source?*]

In the year 4E 201, on the 15th of Last Seed, during the Stormcloak Rebellion, Ulfric Stormcloak, several of his soldiers, a horse thief, and the unnamed hero was captured outside of Darkwater Crossing by General Tullius and the Imperial Legion, and were carted off to Helgen to be executed. Two days later, the Imperial convoy arrived at Helgen and began the executions, but only to be interrupted by the returning Alduin made his surprise and attack Helgen.

Ulfric, Tullius, and Elenwen managed to escape alive, but every citizen of Helgen perished during the attack, and leaving only a young boy named Haming as the sole survivor of the village. Sometime after the attack, Empress Marcella Varian arrived in Skyrim and went to Helgen to discover Alduin's plans, and planning to prepared to battle the World Eater. Eventually, Marcella managed to defeat Alduin in both battles, at the Throat of the World and Sovngarde respectfully. Though Vilod perished in the attack, his mead made using the native juniper berry and red mountain flowers lived on in Helgen and beyond, truly embodying the spirit of Skyrim.

Days later, a small group of bandits will occupy the ruins of the town.

## Inhabitants

### Residents

* Gunnar Stone-Eye
* Haming
* Ingrid
* Matlara
* Torolf
* Vilod

### Officials

* Marcella Varian
* Elenwen
* General Tullius
* Headsman
* Imperial Captain
* Priestess of Arkay

### Survivors

* Ulfric Stormcloak
* Lokir
* Ralof
* Hadvar
* Gunjar
* Last Dragonborn

a. These people are only in Helgen during the opening quest, Unbound, and upon completion will relocate elsewhere in Skyrim.
b. These people are killed during Alduin's attack on Helgen.
c. Lokir is killed during the opening cutscene while attempting to escape the Imperial Legion.
d. These people return after the attack during the *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim* main questline.
## Trivia

* A location known as North Keep appeared in *The Elder Scrolls: Arena* west of the location of Helgen (on a different road), sharing a similar name to the town's aliases of the "Gateway to the North" and "Helgen Keep". The town of Oakwood in Arena was also found closer to Helgen's location, on the same road between Fort Neugrad and Riverwood. It is unclear that either of them are intended to be the same town as Helgen.
* Helgen appears to be Skyrim's counterpart to *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion'*s Kvatch. Both were destroyed at or near the beginning of the game by the main antagonists of their respective games.

## Appearances

* *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*
* *The Elder Scrolls VI: Invasion* (mentioned only)
	+ *The Elder Scrolls VI: Underworld* (mentioned only)
	+ *The Elder Scrolls VI: Akavir* (mentioned only)

## References

1. ↑ *An Explorer's Guide to Skyrim*
2. ↑ Dialogue with Ralof
3. ↑ Events during "Unbound"
4. ↑ *Visions of Alduin's Return*