Skyrimhas entertained RPG fans for over a decade with its large open world and mod support. The 10th Anniversary update added a graphical update to modern consoles andfree Creation Club content. First-timers and veteran Dragonborn alike are sure to find some piece ofSkyrimthey’ve never seen before.
Bethesda RPGs pride themselves on quests with multiple outcomes, and No One Escapes Cidhna Mine is no different. This quest only begins afterThe Forsworn Conspiracy Questhas been completed. Doing so will leave the Dragonborn framed for murder in Markarth, and the only way to clear this bounty is by surrendering to the city guard and being imprisoned in the Cidhna Mine. Follow this guide to escape the prison.
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Ask About Madanach
Players will be stripped of all their items in Cidhna mine. The orc guard will lock the door and tell the Dragonborn they will be mining silver for the rest of their life. Speak to Uraccen to learn that Madanach King of the Forsworn is imprisoned along with you. The only way to speak to him is by getting past his personal guard.
Get Past Borkul the Beast
Borkul the Beast is the orc guarding Madanach’s cell. There are multiple ways to get past him. The Dragonborn can challenge him to a fistfight, and Borkul will allow the player through if they can defeat him. He is very strong, and the player will only have the weak prison garb on with no armor benefits, but it is possible. Attacking him normally will get all the other tough Forsworn prisoners to gang up on the Dragonborn. This is not recommended unless players have powerful spellsor werewolf/vampire abilities.
The other way to get past Borkul is by giving him a shiv. Speak to Grisvar the Unlucky and ask for one. He will demand a bottle of Skooma for trade. Get one from Braig or Duachby persuading, pickpocketing,or fist-fighting with them. Trade the Skooma for a shiv and give it to Borkul to meet Madanach.
Silver-Blood Ending
Speak to Madanach, and he wants the Dragonborn to learn howthe Forsworn are treated. Talk to Braig to hear his tragic story. Return to Madanach and he will demand that the Dragonborn prove their loyalty by killing another prisoner. If the player gave their shiv to Borkul, they can ask for another and Madanach will give them one.
Carefully crouch behind Madanach and do a sneak attack with the shiv to kill him quickly and quietly. If the sneak attack does not kill him there will be a moment where he has to get out of his chair to fight back. Continue attacking him before he can do so. Once he is dead, loot the note from his body. Sneak out the gate on the left side of the tunnel by his cell.
The gate leads to aDwarven ruin underneath Markarth. There are two frostbite spiders and two Dwarven Sphere enemies in this passage. If the Dragonborn is too weak without their weapons and armor they can run past to the exit.
The Dragonborn will be greeted by Thonar Silver-blood at the exit. He will thank the player for killing Madanach by clearing the bounty, returning the Dragonborn’s items, and handing over the Silver-Blood Family Ring, which is enchanted with a 15% Fortify Smithing boost.
Forsworn Ending
To side with the Forsworn, players should follow Madanach’s orders to speak to Braig. Take the shiv from him and kill Grisvar the Unlucky. None of the other Forsworn will assist him. Return when the job is finished, and he will tell the other Forsworn that the escape is on. Follow the Forswornthrough the Dwarven ruins. They will make quick work of the Frostbite Spiders and Dwarven Spheres.
Reach the end of the tunnel and Madanach will reward the Dragonborn with all their items and the Armor of the Old Gods. The Forsworn will meet Thonar after exiting the prison and begin fighting him and the town guards. The player can fast-travel away as the Dragonborn is actually neutral unless they attack someone and pick a side. The Forsworn will lay waste to anyone in their way including civilians as they head to the exit. To preventany ofSkyrim’s NPCs from dying, it’s best to wait until the night before initiating the escape. This way the streets will be empty save for the Markarth Guards. This ending will make all the Forsworn at Druadach Redoubt friendly if the Dragonborn chooses to visit them.
The Armor of the Old Gods is a unique variant of the Forsworn Armor with enchantments.
Increases Magicka by 30 points
Destruction spells cost 15% less to use
Bows are 20% stronger
Sneaking skill is 20% better
How To Receive Both Rewards
It is possible to receive both rewards during the quest. After Madanach gives the player their inventory back and the armor they can attack him before he leaves the cave. Doing so will cause all the Forsworn to re-enter the ruins to fight the Dragonborn. They are all very powerful, but a fully equipped Dragonborn should stand a chance. Defeat all of them and exit the cave. Thonar should thank the player for slaying Madanach and reward them with the ring.
Some of the Forsworn may not re-enter the cave and will confront Thonar. Quickly take care of them otherwise Thonar will be easily killed by them.Skyrimplayers who have high sneaking skillscan also crouch and quickly stealth attack Madanach from behind. If the Dragonborn can silently kill him in one hit they will exit the prison and be greeted by Thonar. Quickly skip his dialogue to receive the ring before he is killed. This may take multiple tries, but if players can pull it off they will receive both rewards plus a friendly Druadach Redoubt.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
