So, you're roaming around Skyrim and thinking, "Man, I need a cozy little house in Riften." Well, look no further, adventurer! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting your hands on Honeyside, one of the more charming player homes in the game. We'll cover the requirements, the steps involved, and even some tips and tricks to make the process smoother. Let's dive in!

Why Honeyside?

Before we get into the how, let's talk about the why. Honeyside is a fantastic choice for a player home for several reasons:

• Location, Location, Location: Riften is a bustling city with plenty to offer. You've got the Thieves Guild for shady dealings, a stable for horses, and plenty of shops and merchants. Plus, it's situated on the edge of Lake Honrich, making for some beautiful scenery.
• Convenience: Honeyside is located just inside the city gates, making it incredibly easy to access. No more trekking across the entire city to get to your house!
• Charm: Let's be honest, Honeyside is just a really nice-looking house. It has a cozy, lived-in feel that some of the other player homes in Skyrim lack. It's got a garden, a porch, and plenty of room for storage and crafting.
• Early Availability: Unlike some of the other player homes that require you to become Thane or complete lengthy questlines, Honeyside can be purchased relatively early in the game.

The Requirements: What You Need Before You Buy

Okay, so you're sold on Honeyside. What do you need to do to actually get it? Here's a breakdown of the requirements:

• Become a Thane of Riften: This is the big one. To purchase Honeyside, you must become a Thane of Riften. This involves completing quests for the Jarl and helping the citizens of Riften.
• Earn the Jarl's Favor: You need to gain the Jarl's trust by completing tasks for them. This usually involves dealing with bandits, giants, or other threats to the hold.
• Help the Citizens of Riften: This is where things get a little more involved. You need to complete a certain number of miscellaneous quests for the people of Riften. This could involve delivering items, clearing out dungeons, or solving disputes.
• Have Enough Gold: Of course, you'll need to be able to afford the house! Honeyside costs 5,000 gold, which is a significant sum early in the game. Start saving those coins!

Step-by-Step: How to Become Thane and Buy Honeyside

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here's a step-by-step guide to becoming Thane of Riften and purchasing Honeyside:

Step 1: Introduce Yourself to the Jarl

Head to Mistveil Keep, the Jarl's palace in Riften, and speak to the Jarl. In many playthroughs, this will be Laila Law-Giver, but it can change depending on the events in your game and choices during the Civil War questline. Start by asking if there's anything you can do to help. This will usually kick off a quest to deal with a nearby threat, such as bandits or wild animals.

Step 2: Complete the "Skooma Trade" Quest (if applicable)

Sometimes, the Jarl will ask you to investigate a skooma operation in Riften. This quest involves talking to a few NPCs and uncovering a conspiracy. It's a relatively simple quest, but it's necessary to progress towards becoming Thane.

Step 3: Help the Citizens of Riften

This is the most time-consuming part of the process. You need to complete five quests for the citizens of Riften to earn the Jarl's favor. Here are some examples of quests you can complete:

• Supply and Demand: Give Tonilia ten gold ore. Tonilia is a member of the Thieves Guild, who can be found in The Ragged Flagon beneath Riften. You must be a member of the guild to do this quest.
• The Fishing Job: Pickpocket a fishing rod from Viriya, a Nord woman who is usually near the docks of Riften, and then place it in Brand-Shei's Strongbox, located inside the Riften Jail. Speak to Brand-Shei to start this quest.
• Mine Ore for Gestur: Gather and deliver iron ore to Gestur Rockbreaker, a Nord man that can usually be found at the Shor's Stone mine, which is located east of Riften.
• Delivery to Ivarstead: Deliver a package to Klimmek in Ivarstead for Fastred. Fastred and Klimmek are Nords. Klimmek can often be found on the steps that go up the Throat of the World, near High Hrothgar. To start this quest, you need to speak to Fastred in Riften, and you can usually find her near the docks.
• Argonian Ale: Deliver three bottles of Argonian Ale to Madesi, an Argonian jeweler that can often be found working near the Riften Marketplace.
• The Litany of Larceny: Complete the Litany of Larceny questline from Delvin Mallory of the Thieves Guild. This quest becomes available after the Thieves Guild is restored.

Remember that radiant quests are generated dynamically, so be sure to look around Riften and interact with the NPCs to find quests.

Step 4: Purchase Honeyside from the Steward

Once you've completed the Jarl's initial request and assisted five citizens of Riften, speak to the Jarl again. They should now offer you the title of Thane of Riften. Accept their offer, and they will bestow upon you a weapon and the title. After you've become Thane, speak to the Jarl's steward. They will offer you the chance to purchase Honeyside for 5,000 gold. Accept their offer, and congratulations! You are now the proud owner of Honeyside.

Step 5: Furnish Your New Home (Optional)

Once you've purchased Honeyside, you can talk to the steward about furnishing the house. There are several upgrades available, including a bedroom, a kitchen, an alchemy lab, and more. These upgrades will cost additional gold, but they will make Honeyside a much more comfortable and functional home. There are a variety of additions that you can purchase from the steward:

• Honeyside - Alchemy Laboratory: Adds an alchemy lab to your home.
• Honeyside - Bedroom: Adds a bedroom to your home.
• Honeyside - Enchanter's Tower: Adds an enchanting table to your home.
• Honeyside - Kitchen: Adds a kitchen to your home.
• Honeyside - Living Room: Adds a living room to your home.
• Honeyside - Porch: Adds a porch to your home.

Tips and Tricks for a Smoother Experience

• Focus on Easy Quests: When helping the citizens of Riften, prioritize the quests that are quick and easy to complete. Delivering items is often faster than clearing out dungeons.
• Join the Thieves Guild: The Thieves Guild questline can provide you with several opportunities to help the citizens of Riften. Plus, it's a fun and engaging storyline.
• Save Your Gold: 5,000 gold is a lot of money early in the game. Avoid unnecessary purchases and focus on saving up for Honeyside.
• Explore Riften Thoroughly: Talk to everyone in Riften and explore every nook and cranny. You never know when you might stumble upon a new quest or opportunity.
• Use the Wait Function: If you're having trouble finding citizens who need help, try using the wait function. This will advance time and may cause new quests to become available.

Other Player Homes in Skyrim

Honeyside isn't the only player home you can acquire in Skyrim. Here are a few other options:

• Breezehome (Whiterun): This is one of the easiest player homes to acquire, as it only requires you to complete a few quests for the Jarl of Whiterun. It's also relatively inexpensive.
• Vlindrel Hall (Markarth): This house is located in Markarth and requires you to become Thane of the Reach. It's a larger and more expensive home than Honeyside.
• Hjerim (Windhelm): This house is located in Windhelm and requires you to complete the "Blood on the Ice" quest and become Thane of Eastmarch. It's a unique and somewhat creepy home with a dark history.
• Proudspire Manor (Solitude): This is the most expensive player home in Skyrim, located in Solitude. It requires you to become Thane of Haafingar and have a significant amount of gold.

Conclusion: Enjoy Your New Home!

So there you have it! A comprehensive guide to getting Honeyside in Riften. With a little bit of effort and some helpful tips, you'll be relaxing by the lake in your new home in no time. Enjoy the peace and quiet of Riften, and happy adventuring, guys! Remember to explore all the features of your new home, and don't forget to decorate to your liking! Honeyside is more than just a house; it's a base of operations, a safe haven, and a place to store all your hard-earned loot. Make it your own, and enjoy everything Riften has to offer.