Missed the previous day? Find it here: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Day 5

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The Great Trek to High Hrothgar (Or Why I’ll Never Trust Klimmek Again)

After a night warming my scales at the inn in Ivarstead, I figured it was time to climb the famed 7,000 Steps to High Hrothgar. Fresh air, spiritual enlightenment, maybe a new shout or two—it sounded downright relaxing.

That illusion shattered when Klimmek asked if I’d kindly lug a crate of supplies up to the Greybeards. Sure, I thought. What’s a little frostbite between friends?

Reader, I barely survived.

About 1,000 steps up, my torch fizzled out, the cold turned vicious, and wolves started popping out like they’d RSVP’d to a “Feast on the Dragonborn” party. Frostbite crept in, my health bar cried for help, and I wondered if Klimmek would refund my soul when this all went horribly wrong.

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High Hrothgar: The Frostbitten Sanctuary

I eventually stumbled into High Hrothgar, shivering and looking like I’d rolled down a glacier—which, to be fair, I nearly had.

The Greybeards greeted me with the social energy of a fog bank. I grunted, they whispered, and before I knew it, I had new words of power: Ro (from Unrelenting Force) and Wuld (from Whirlwind Sprint). Great additions to my skillset, assuming I live long enough to use them.

They then dropped a fresh quest in my lap: go retrieve Jurgen Windcaller’s horn. I nodded sagely while internally screaming, “Can I at least thaw out first?”

Also, side note—where do these guys sleep? There’s no beds, no chairs, not even a suspicious rug. Just stone, fog, and mystery. True minimalist vibes.

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Mountain-Goating for Fun and Survival

Quest in hand, I faced the return journey. I could’ve taken the stairs like a rational being… but no. I turned into a Skyrim-certified mountain goat and launched myself off cliffs like gravity was a suggestion.

Somehow, I survived the descent without a single injury. I don’t know how physics works in Skyrim, but I’m not questioning it. If I can descend a mountain via sheer chaos and dumb luck, then that’s now the official route.

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Cultists, Chickens, and Chaos

Back in Ivarstead, I expected peace and mead. Instead, I got cultists. Hooded weirdos stormed in, shouting about me being a “false Dragonborn.”

Bold of them to assume I had the energy to argue.

Luckily, they made the mistake of attacking in town. Between the guards, the villagers, and—yes—the chickens, it became a bloodbath. Chickens pecked. Guards slashed. I think a goat even got involved. The cultists didn’t stand a chance.

After the dust (and feathers) settled, I looted their robes and found a note. Turns out they’re part of some whole “there can only be one Dragonborn” thing. Neat. Add that to the to-do list—right under “don’t freeze to death.”

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Klimmek’s Generosity and Collapse O’Clock

I reported back to Klimmek, who handed me 500 gold for my troubles. Honestly? Worth it. I delivered your box, fought wolves, scaled a mountain, survived a cultist ambush, and nearly died multiple times.

I crawled back to the inn, got a room, and collapsed into bed. Survival: barely achieved. Muscles: on strike. Brain: frozen.

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Next Time…

Time to track down that horn. Or maybe just follow the Greybeards around to figure out what they do when no one’s looking. Do they nap standing up? Meditate until they astral project? Organise humming contests?

We’ll find out—if I survive another day.

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Want to follow the journey from the beginning? Please check out: Sneak, Snipe, Repeat: Skyrim Survival Hub

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