Morthal is a dump. Let’s just be honest about it. It’s a shivering, fog-choked collection of wooden shacks sitting in the middle of the Djaal River delta, and it’s probably the most depressing place in all of Skyrim. But if you want to become the Thane of Hjaalmarch, you don’t have much of a choice. You have to put in the work.
The game tells you that you need to assist the people of Hjaalmarch to earn your title, but it’s surprisingly vague about what that actually entails. You see the counter in your quest log—0/3—and you start wandering around looking for someone, anyone, who needs a hand. Most players get stuck because Morthal doesn’t have the sheer volume of NPCs that places like Whiterun or Solitude do. If you kill the wrong person or miss a specific dialogue window, you’re basically wandering through the marsh forever.
Why Morthal is different from other holds
In places like the Rift, you can just hand out a few pieces of jewelry or chop some wood and call it a day. Hjaalmarch is stingy. The "Assist the People" quest is a prerequisite for becoming Thane, which grants you the Blade of Hjaalmarch and the ability to purchase Windstad Manor (one of the best Hearthfire homes, if you like fish hatcheries).
Most people think you have to complete massive, world-altering quests to count toward this total. You don't. In fact, doing the "big" quest in town—Laid to Rest—is actually a separate requirement from the "assist" count. You have to deal with the vampire menace just to get the Jarl to even look at you, and then you start the favors. It’s a grind.
The fastest ways to assist the people of Hjaalmarch
The easiest way to tick that counter up to three is to look for the simplest manual labor possible. You aren't a hero here; you're a temp worker.
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First, head over to the Hjaalmarch Lumber Mill. Aeri runs the place. She’s usually stressed out and overworked. If you have an axe, chop some wood and sell it to her. If you don't want to sweat, just sell her some logs you’ve already "acquired." That is one point on your counter. Done. It takes thirty seconds if you’re prepared.
Next, find Gorm. He’s the Jarl’s bodyguard, usually hanging out in Highmoon Hall or the Moorside Inn. He’s got a secret. He doesn't trust the Jarl’s visions and wants to send a letter to Captain Aldis in Solitude. This is a "delivery" quest. It’s boring, sure, but it counts. Just don’t read the letter if you want to keep your conscience clean, though Gorm isn’t exactly a master of discretion anyway.
The Falion factor
Falion is the local wizard, and most players know him as the guy who cures vampirism. He’s also a bit of a pariah. If you talk to Agni, his apprentice, she might mention her training. But the real "assist" comes from Falion himself. Sometimes he needs things, or you can simply perform a favor that involves his strange nocturnal activities.
However, a much simpler third option is Benor. He’s the local tough guy who thinks he’s the best warrior in town. He’s usually standing around near the guardhouse or the bridge. Challenge him to a brawl. It costs 100 gold to start, but you get 200 back when you win. Beating him into the dirt somehow counts as "assisting" the people. Skyrim logic is weird like that. Once you win, he’s not only a friend (counting toward your Thane status), but he’s also available as a follower.
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Common bugs that break the quest
Skyrim is, well, Skyrim. This quest breaks a lot.
One of the most frequent issues occurs if you've already completed certain radiant quests for NPCs before being told to "assist" them. For example, if you sell wood to Aeri before Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone officially gives you the quest to become Thane, it might not retroactively count. It’s annoying.
If you find yourself stuck at 2/3 and no one in town is talking to you, check the inn. Sometimes a random delivery quest from the innkeeper, Jonna, can trigger a favor. Also, keep an eye out for Lami, the alchemist at Thaumaturgist's Hut. She often needs a book called Song of the Alchemists. Finding this book for her is a solid way to wrap up the quest, though the book is a random spawn in many locations, making it less reliable than a fistfight with Benor.
The rewards for your labor
Why bother? Beyond the title, becoming Thane of Hjaalmarch gives you a Housecarl named Valdimar. Unlike many of the other Housecarls who are just standard warriors, Valdimar is a combat sorcerer. He uses heavy armor and destruction magic, making him one of the more versatile companions in the base game.
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Then there’s Windstad Manor. If you have the Hearthfire DLC, this is the real prize. The property is located on the coast, overlooking Solitude. It’s the only player home where you can build a Fish Hatchery. If you’re into alchemy, this is a literal gold mine. You can breed Salmon (for Salmon Roe), Histcarp, and Silverside Perch. It’t the most efficient way to level Alchemy in the entire game.
Dealing with Idgrod Ravencrone
The Jarl herself is a polarizing figure. Some players find her "visions" annoying, while others think she’s one of the few competent leaders in the province. Regardless of your opinion, you have to play her game. If the Civil War sees Morthal trade hands to the Stormcloaks, Sorli the Builder becomes Jarl. The quest remains the same, but the vibe of the town changes significantly. Sorli is much more interested in the silver mines than in ancient prophecies.
Essential Next Steps
To get this done efficiently, stop treating it like an epic questline. It’s a checklist.
- Chop wood at Aeri’s mill immediately. It’s the lowest hanging fruit in the hold.
- Brawl Benor. He’s usually outside the guardhouse or the inn. It’s a three-minute fight that guarantees a "point" toward your total.
- Deliver Gorm’s letter. Grab it from him at the Moorside Inn and just drop it off the next time you’re in Solitude.
Once those three are done, head back to Highmoon Hall. The Jarl will name you Thane, give you the axe, and you can finally get out of the swamp. Just watch out for the chaurus on your way out; they’re significantly more dangerous than anything else you’ll face in town. If you’re planning on building Windstad Manor next, start hoarding Sawn Logs and Iron Ingots now, because the swamp doesn't provide much in the way of building materials.