How to Start Hearthfire

Last Updated: September 16, 2022

Hearthfire is an add-on for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim that allows players to adopt orphaned children, and build homes, structures, and other furnishings from scratch. Players can only start Hearthfire after speaking to Jarls located in Morthal, Dawnstar, and Falkreath and completing required quests.

Steps

1
Launch the Hearthfire add-on. A messenger will deliver a letter that informs you of land available for purchase.
2
Travel to the Jarl’s Hall in Dawnstar, Falkreath or Morthal. These cities are home to Jarls who will sell you plots of land.^{[1]
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3
Speak to the Jarl. The Jarl will assign you a quest that must be fulfilled before you can purchase land.^{[2]
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4
Complete the quest assigned by the Jarl. The tasks are different depending on your city. For example, if speaking to the Jarl in Falkreath, you’ll be required to kill the bandit leader at Bilegulch Mine.^{[3]
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5
Return to the Jarl after completing the quest. The Jarl will name you Thane, which gives you rights to purchase land under the Jarl’s jurisdiction.
6
Select the option to ask the Jarl about land for sale. The Jarl will arrange for you to speak with his steward to complete the sale.
7
Inform the steward you want to purchase a house. The cost to buy land is 5,000 gold pieces.
8
Select the option to purchase land. The steward will give you the deed to your land.
9
Use your map to navigate to the plot of land purchased from the Jarl. When you arrive, a set of tools and instructions will be available. You can now build homes and adopt children under the Hearthfire expansion.

Community Q&A

Question

When can I adopt a kid?

Community Answer

You will find different children across the cities of Skyrim, for example if you encounter Lucia in Whiterun (at Bannered Mare or near the large tree), you can speak with her and offer her a home, assuming you have one.
Question

How do I get this quest?

Community Answer

You must become thane of Falkreath or another hold with available land, then you must forge locks and cut wood to construct the home.
Question

What pets can you have?

Sheogorath

Community Answer

The Dragonborn can only have one kind of pet and that is a dog. If you go home with your furry friend, then the child will ask if it is your pet. And if you say yes, you adopt that dog, sending it back to that house instead of wherever you found it. But your children can get foxes, mud crabs, Skeevers, spiders and rabbits.