Tag: Skyrim Bounty

Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary – Log 7: The Horse Has Opinions

Cold-Blooded Log 7: The Horse Has Opinions

Difficulty: Survival Mode
Platform: Steam Deck
Build: Argonian Mage
Follower: Lydia

The plan was simple: ride out, grab Nettlebane, come home. Skyrim immediately rewrote it.

This is the horse’s first real outing.
The objective is Nettlebane.
I know the route takes me past Helgen, and that’s about all I know.

To keep things efficient, I bring Clairvoyance.
If there’s a faster or safer path, I want to know about it.

Video Log: Cold-Blooded – Log 7 (No Commentary)

YouTube embed goes here

Clairvoyance Takes Control

About halfway into the ride, confusion sets in.
I’m going in the opposite direction of where I expect to be heading.

I ignore the instinct to turn back and trust Clairvoyance.
This turns out to be a mistake.

A map check confirms it:
I’m near Silent Moon Camp.
The bounty location.

I’m fairly sure it wasn’t my active quest,
but Clairvoyance clearly disagreed and made the decision for me.

Silent Moon Camp, Horse Included

Since I’m already here, I clear the camp.
Leaving would be a waste.

I park the horse a short distance away before the fight.
The horse ignores this suggestion entirely.

The moment combat starts, it charges bandits with enthusiasm.
Between Lydia, my summoned Atronach, and now an aggressive horse,
the fight feels heavily one-sided.

I briefly consider the tactical implications of owning a battle horse.
Then I loot the bodies.

Locks, Potions, and Questionable Planning

Inside, I hit my first real obstacle:
an Adept-level lock.

It costs me a painful number of lockpicks,
but I get it open.

The reward is a pile of potions.
I have no plan for them.
I don’t know if I’ll ever use them,
or if Lydia should carry them and sort it out herself.

That decision is officially a future problem.

Rewards and Reassessment

With the bounty cleared, I return to Whiterun.
Before I can even collect the reward,
I’m handed a sword.

I don’t question it.
Skyrim likes giving me weapons I didn’t ask for.

Back outside the city, the horse gives me options.
I could head for the Greybeards.
I could try for Nettlebane again.

Given Clairvoyance’s earlier betrayal,
I decide not to push my luck.

I stop, reassess, and decide the next move needs to be deliberate.
Skyrim already proved it’s more than happy to choose for me.

Log Summary

  • Horse used in combat, without consent
  • Clairvoyance redirected me to Silent Moon Camp
  • Silent Moon Camp bounty completed
  • Adept lock opened after heavy lockpick losses
  • Large potion stash acquired, purpose unclear
  • Nettlebane postponed again

Continue the Journey

Cold-Blooded Log 6 |
Cold-Blooded Log 7 |
Cold-Blooded Log 8

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Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary Hub

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Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary – Log 6: Bought the Horse, Earned the Target

Cold-Blooded Log 6: Bought the Horse, Earned the Target

Difficulty: Survival Mode
Platform: Steam Deck
Build: Argonian Mage
Follower: Lydia

I set out with one clear objective: get a horse. Skyrim disagreed and added complications.

Today’s goal is simple. I want a horse. Walking everywhere in Skyrim feels like a personal attack,
and I’m tired of arriving late, cold, and already annoyed.

The problem is gold. I’m roughly 200 septims short.
Fortunately, I’ve got a bounty, which means it’s time to earn my transport the traditional way:
clearing out bandits who made poor life choices.

Video Log: Cold-Blooded – Log 6 (No Commentary)

White River Watch: A Field Test

On the way to Valtheim Towers, I pass White River Watch and decide it’s a good opportunity
to test my newest ally: the Flame Atronach.

The verdict is immediate. Between the Atronach and Lydia, the place clears itself.
I mostly supervise and loot.

The bandit leader doesn’t just die — he gets launched halfway down the mountain.
Gravity remains the most reliable damage source in Skyrim.

I find what looks like better armour for Lydia and a few extra weapons.
No idea if she’ll use them. I give options.

By the time the cave is empty, I’ve earned enough gold for a horse.
I still have a bounty to finish, but the pressure is off.

Bad Ideas and Standing Stones

I mountain-goat my way down the terrain instead of taking a sensible route.
This goes about as well as expected.

Another cave appears. Inside: trolls.
I let Lydia and the Atronach try.
I immediately retreat.
Some fights are warnings.

I find the Ritual Stone and briefly consider switching,
but I stick with the Mage Stone.
Consistency wins.

Valtheim Towers and an Unwanted Introduction

Valtheim Towers goes down without too much trouble.

On the way back to Whiterun, I meet my first other Argonian.
He tries to kill me.

A note on his body explains why:
the Dark Brotherhood has taken a contract on me.

I make a mental note to look into this later.
Preferably before they succeed.

The Horse, Finally

At the stables, I buy my horse.
No name yet.
I’m hoping inspiration strikes before tragedy does.

I collect my bounty reward, speak to Farengar about new spells,
and take a room at the Bannered Mare.

I also pick up another bounty at Silent Moon Camp.
It can wait.

Tomorrow’s priority is clear:
retrieving Nettlebane.

Log Summary

  • Flame Atronach tested and confirmed effective
  • White River Watch cleared
  • Valtheim Towers bounty completed
  • Dark Brotherhood contract discovered
  • Horse purchased
  • Next bounty deliberately postponed

Continue the Journey

Cold-Blooded Log 5 |
Cold-Blooded Log 6 |
Cold-Blooded Log 7

More from Cold-Blooded


Cold-Blooded: A Skyrim Survival Diary Hub

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