Missed the previous day? Find it here: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day Six
Where Am I and What’s a Spellbook?
I set out from Ivarstead with big plans: make it back to Whiterun, restock, maybe actually figure out what I’m doing. Instead, I quickly discovered that I had absolutely no idea where I was going.
Rather than rely on my highly suspect sense of direction, I remembered I’d picked up a spellbook for Clairvoyance at some point. I read it, learned the spell, and just like that, I could now cast Skyrim’s version of GPS. A glowing blue trail lit the way toward my next objective—assuming I had enough magicka to keep it active, which I didn’t, but the principle was there.
A Lonely Cabin, a Note, and a Rabbit Named Thistle
While following the vague trail of clairvoyance (and mild panic), I came across an abandoned alchemist’s shack in the woods. Inside was the usual—alchemy gear, some scattered ingredients—and a rabbit. The note next to the rabbit revealed its name: Thistle. The game then offered me the option to feed Thistle a carrot, which I did.
Now I have a rabbit.
No dramatic bonding scene, no magical contract. Just: “You fed me, I guess we’re friends now.”
I decided to leave Thistle at the cabin for now. They’re safer there than following me through wolf-infested terrain, and I’m not quite ready to explain rabbit-related injuries to guards.
Wolves, Hunters, and the Temptation of Horse Theft
Continuing toward Whiterun, I encountered the usual:
A few wolves, which I dispatched with mild irritation.
A hunter on horseback who offered to trade. I was tempted to take the horse, but noticed they only had 10 gold to their name. Figured they needed it more than me.
Took the high road. The game didn’t reward me for it. Standard Skyrim.
Back to Riverwood and a Missing Torch
I passed through Riverwood and unloaded some gear. Remember the torch I accidentally sold to the Riverwood Trader earlier? Gone. Apparently, it was in high demand. Either that or it spontaneously combusted.
Sold some junk, didn’t freeze to death, counted that as a win.
Thieves and Stable Investments
Just outside Whiterun, a thief jumped me. Bad call on their part. I’m increasingly well-armed and increasingly done with nonsense. They dropped a few coins and a reminder that Skyrim has no shortage of opportunists.
At the Whiterun stables, I finally bought a horse. Cost me a chunk of gold, but now I’m mobile. Then I saw I could buy armor for the horse and, well, I’m not made of stone. Gold well spent. The horse now looks like it could take on a sabre cat solo.
Meet Jenassa: Professional Help for Hire
Instead of chasing down the Companions again, I walked into the Drunken Huntsman and hired Jenassa, a Dunmer mercenary with a very straightforward business model: pay her and she’ll stab things. I like her.
She joined up, and we set off toward Rorikstead, where I figured we could find some peace and maybe not be attacked by anything for five minutes.
Haunted Houses and Unexpected Assassins
On the way, we found a run-down plantation with a ghost standing out front. Naturally, the ghost was hostile—because nothing in Skyrim is just there for atmosphere. I dealt with it and went inside, triggering the Unquiet Dead quest.
That’s when an assassin ambushed me inside the house. Because of course they did.
Turns out the Dark Brotherhood wants me dead. Not sure what I did. Maybe I fed a rabbit that was on their hit list. Either way, they failed. I looted a contract from the assassin’s corpse confirming someone wants me very much gone.
After dealing with the ghost problem, I was handed the keys to the plantation. I now own a haunted house with no furnishings, no heat, and no privacy—but it’s mine.
Day’s End: Horse, Home, Henchwoman, and Homicide
So to recap:
Learned to use Clairvoyance to avoid constant map-checking
Adopted a rabbit
Resisted temptation to steal
Bought a horse and upgraded it
Hired Jenassa as backup
Survived an assassination attempt
Acquired real estate via murder and ghosts
Not exactly restful, but it’s progress.
For more information on this, please check out: The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Survival Hub
Survivor Incognito 