Farming is one of the new additions that comes with Skyrim Anniversary Edition. It expands the long list of immersive things you can do in Skyrim, and it comes with a whole heap of benefits. If you like the sound of the farmer’s life, then check out this guide on how to get started in farming in Skyrim Anniversary Edition.
Skyrim Farming guide Step One: Buy The Farm
To start farming, you’re going to need a farm. The farm you will be taking up is the Goldenhills Plantation. Running this plantation is not for the faint of heart, as you will soon learn. If you check your map, Goldenhills Plantation should be visible on it. It’s to the southeast of Rorikstead and directly west of Whiterun. Get a horse, or fast travel to your nearest unlocked waypoint and make your way to the farm.
skyrim Farming guide Step Two: Exorcism
As with all new farming ventures, the first thing to do is deal with all the ghosts currently haunting the property. Seriously though, when you reach Goldenhills Plantation you will be quickly attacked by a ghost. You’ll have to deal with him to continue, and when you do you’ll notice there is a body near the front door. This is the corpse of the ghost you just met, and he has a note beside him. According to the note, someone finally did something to him. Poison seems to be the cause here, but let’s head inside to find out more.
Inside the house, you’ll find a relatively normal family farm. On your right as you enter will be the bedroom of a child. Upstairs you find the quarters of the parents and a journal on the desk. Reading the journal reveals this couple had come here to build this farm up with their son, but things have gone wrong. The wife has a secret room in the basement, opened with a button on the wall. This is our next stop.
Down in the basement, press the button on the wall just beside the door you came in and a cupboard will swing open. Don’t take too long inspecting the scene just yet, because the dead body inside can mean only one thing, another ghost. Also, she’s behind you. You’ll learn this for yourself pretty quickly as she begins to blast you with ice magic, so be sure to dispatch this ghost sharpish.
Inside the room, there are all sorts of alchemical ingredients and implements. A note on the table here reveals that the son has run off, determined to help the family he has gone to a nearby well to kill a wolf and bring it home. This can only have gone well.
Farming guide Step Three: It Didn’t Go Well
Head back outside to find this well. The game doesn’t give you a quest marker for it, so you need to locate the well yourself. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy. As soon as you exit the farmhouse, look straight in front of you and you will see a grouping of trees on a small hill. The well is just on the other side of those trees, so head over there.
Reaching the well, you’ll be greeted by some hungry wolves. Beat them back to give yourself room to investigate. By the well you’ll, unfortunately, find a small skeleton. Beside the skeleton, is a toy sword. This is what we’re here for.
Pick up the sword and head back to the house. Enter the child’s room, and place the sword on the table. When you turn around, you will be faced by the three ghosts of the family. They’re friendly ghosts this time, so approach and talk to the son. He won’t fully understand what’s going on, but before they leave together he gives you the key to the farm.
Farming Step Four: It’s Farming Time
Congratulations! You got yourself a farm and helped a tragic family story end in peace. The farm is in pretty poor condition, so the first order of business is to get things working again. You need to plant ten crops to start production, then you need to get yourself a steward.
This person will live at and maintain your farm for you. Certain NPCs can become your steward, many of your companions for example. It’s a similar system to getting married, in that you are essentially assigning a follower to a particular home. In this case, they will also grow your crops and maintain your animals.
From here, the choices of what to do with your farm are yours to make. There are upgrades and repairs to pay for, as well as paying for crops and animals. The farm functions much like owning a home, it has many of the features of a Skyrim home. It comes with crafting and enchanting equipment, as well as your bed and plenty of storage. Your spouse and child can live here with you as well.
So, enjoy your life on the farm, may your crop yields be ever bountiful! Speaking of bountiful, we have a veritable harvest of guides for Skyrim, from character builds and standing stones, to guides on money, weapons and fishing! Be sure to check those out for more tips on how to succeed in Skyrim Anniversary Edition.
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Featured Image Credit: Bethesda