This page lists all of the books included in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, which was released in 2011. Books released in its expansions, Dawnguard (2012) and Dragonborn (2012), as well as its Creation Club content, are also included here.
Fiction & Narrative
A Dance in Fire - This series of books retells Decumus Scotti's adventures in Valenwood during the 5 years war between it and Elsweyr
A Game at Dinner - A published letter from an anonymous spy about the game Prince Helseth cleverly played at the dinner between him and his Councilors
A Tragedy in Black - A folk tale from the time of the Oblivion Crisis The dremora looked on the young boy with disdain. He looked to be no more than seventeen or eighteen, on the cusp of manhood. “You? You have summoned me?” “Mother says I’m good with spells. Someday I’m gonna be a wizard. Maybe even archmage!” “And […]
Argonian Account - An senior Imperial clerk has a troublesome adventure in Black Marsh. Sequel to A Dance in Fire
Hallgerd’s Tale - As Hallgerd's stated: "This is a story about someone who was more agile and accomplished in his armor than out of it"
Immortal Blood - A tale about a vampire hunter who likes to surprise his enemies by striking the first blow Nothing seems to take him by surprise Well Almost
Incident in Necrom - Four adventurers set out to clear a cemetery from vampires Exults the benefits of illusion magic
Mystery of Princess Talara - The classic story about political intrigue in the royal family of Camlorn
The Armorers’ Challenge - Two armorers compete for the right to design armor for the Imperial troops
The Axe Man - The story of the devlopment of a Morag Tong assassin who exclusively used the axe during business hours Raises your Axe skill
The Exodus - This is the story of a young girl named Vralla When she becomes ill, her parents are told to go to the Mages Guild at Olenveld for help Vralla gets better in the end, sort of
The Gold Ribbon of Merrit - An amusing story of two friends, one a self-centered buffoon and the other a quiet but gifted warrior, reuniting for some idle archery
The Locked Room - Yana is a locksmithing student who is interested in the theory and technique of the craft more than the practical considerations of it. Arthcamu is her impatient, pragmatic, and cruel instructor. By the end of the story, one of their deaths is imminent!
The Marksmanship Lesson - The basic argument against mistreating your Bosmer slaves, especially those with exeptional bow ability
The Rear Guard - An amusing tale of a man trapped in a castle, and the ordeals that he must go through to eat
Trap - The story of someone being captured by the Berne Vampires and being kept as cattle This book raises your sneak skill
Vernaccus and Bourlor - Another book of Hallgerd series, telling about the story of a lesser daedra and a great archer hero
Guilds & Societies
Crypt of the Heart – Draft - Book added by Spell Knight Armor from the Creation Club. When it comes to tales of bravery and valor, few have a greater claim than the Knightly Orders of High Rock. Like the Knights of the Rose in Wayrest, many serve as royal guardians and protectors of the realm. It is through their defense of […]
Fire and Darkness - “Brother, I still call you brother for we share our bonds of blood, tested but unbroken by hatred. Even if I am murdered, which seems inevitable now, know that, brother. You and I are not innocents, so our benedictions of mutual enmity is not tragedy, but horror. This state of silent, shadowed war, of secret […]
The Knights of the Nine - The history of the Knights, from their founding to their decline in the mid 3rd era
Histories & Biographies
2920, Last Year of the First Era - A fascinating drama taking place at the very end of the First Era.
Ahzidal’s Descent - The legend of a Nord mage who trained among elves so he could have his revenge on them
Annals of the Dragonguard - Yearly entries of the Dragonguard at Sky Haven Temple, outlining several important events
Biography of Barenziah - The "official" biography of Queen Barenziah, produced for widespread Imperial distribution
Confessions Of A Khajiit Fur Trader - The biography of a Khajiit who grows wealthy by selling his people's fur
Five Songs of King Wulfharth - Summaries of the Songs of King Wulfharth, which tell of his rise to, and fall from, power Also includes the hidden songs about his involvement at Red Mountain
Ghosts in the Storm - The author's caravan is attacked by unidentified creatures in the middle of a snow storm
History of Raven Rock - Covers the history of Raven Rock, from its founding in the late 3rd era to today, in the 4E200s
Lady Benoch’s Words and Philosophy - An interview with the Wood Elf Imperial Guard Lady Benoch about her life
Life of Uriel Septim VII - A biography of Uriel Septim VII, from the start of his reign to just prior to his death
Nchunak’s Fire and Faith - Tells of Nchunak's journey's amongst the Dwemer and his attempts to understand the teachings of Kagrenac
Nerevar at Red Mountain - A top secret document about the events at Red Mountain from the Ashlander point of view
Olaf and the Dragon - Explores the various legends of the story of King Olaf and his capture of the dragon Numinex
On the Great Collapse - The history of the Great Collapse and its aftermath, through the eyes of the Collge of Winterhold
Rising Threat - Summary of the late 3rd and early 4th eras in Summurset and Cyrodiil, with specific focus on the rise of the Thalmor
Skorm Snow-Strider’s Journal - An early 1st era journal detailing a company's search for Falmer and discovery of Dragon cultists
The Aetherium Wars - Attributes the Dwemer weakness in Skyrim to infighting over a particularly rare ore
The Alik’r - Impressions of a poetic nature who seems to have fallen in love with the Alik'r Desert of Hammerfell
The Arcturian Heresy - An account of Tiber Septim's rise to power that contradicts the accepted Imperial narrative
The Battle of Sancre Tor - A history book about the Battle of Sancre Tor, during which General Talos (Tiber Septim) defeated the army of the allied Nords and Bretons through cunning
The Falmer: A study - A history of the Falmer after the fall of the Snow Prince, explaining their state today
The Great War - A description of the events between 4E 22 to 4E 180, including the resurgence of the Aldmeri Dominion and the decline of the Cyrodiil Empire
The Last King of the Ayleids - The Ayleids, or Heartland High Elves, ruled Cyrodiil in the long ages of Myth before the beginning of recorded history. One of the earliest recorded dates, in fact, is the Fall of White Gold Tower in 1E 243, which is commonly assumed to mark the end of the Ayleids. Although Ayleid rule over all of […]
The Legendary Sancre Tor - A history book about the legendary, but abandoned, and now haunted city of Sancre Tor
The Madness of Pelagius - A story about Emperor Pelagius III Septim Read in conjunction with other historical accounts
The Song of Pelinal - These seven books describe various aspects of the legendary hero, Pelinal Whitestrake
The Tale of Dro’Zira - A Khajiiti account of the battle of Red Moutain Interesting parallels with the Songs of King Wulfharth
Manuals & Instructions
Atronach Forge Manual - Explains how to use a forge that creates atronaches, located in the Midden of the College of Winterhold
Killing – Before You’re Killed - I’ve seen many a man rush headlong into battle only to have their life cut short in an instant. I’ve been a trainer of the warrior arts for many spans – cut from the cloth of a great lineage of knights, Blades and even a distant sellsword or two. It’s with this knowledge that I’ll […]
On Stepping Lightly - Lists various traps, puzzles, and enemies found in Nordic ruins Mostly a gameplay guide
The Art of War Magic - A collection of phrases and thoughts, intended to help the reader become a better tactician and user of War Magic
People & Places
An Explorer’s Guide to Skyrim - Lists the locations of several Stones of Fate (the ones marked with the constalations)
Skyrim’s Rule - An overview of Skyrim's political arrangement, including moots, Jarls, and the High King
The Holds of Skyrim - Descriptions of the Holds, their capitals, and their strategic values in the war
Watcher of Stones - A man's attempts unsuccessful to draw blessings from the star-sign stones of Skyrim
Politics & Propaganda
Religion & Legends
Aevar Stone-Singer - A Skaal legend of a boy who returns the gifts of the All-Maker from the Greedy Man
An Overview of Gods and Worship - The standard introductory religious work Very inquisitive in nature; discusses the very nature of the Gods
Annotated Anuad (A Children’s Anuad) - A version of the creation myth, featuring two brother's love for the same woman
Arkay The Enemy - King of Worms instruction to his people Not sure that this was really written by KoW himself
Heretical Thoughts - The doctrine of the Heretics, one of the rebellious factions in Shivering Isles
Myths of Sheogorath - Stories of Sheogorath's wacky antics, including the invention of music and the murder of a king
Opusculus Lamae Bal ta Mezzamortie - Vampire lore - their creation, and the origin of the Lamae Bal, the Blood Matron
Songs of the Return - This incomplete cycle tells of Ysgramor and his 500 Companion's conquest and settlement of Skyrim
Spirit of the Daedra - A Dremora sheds light into the nature of the Daedra Highly interesting, and gives us a glimpse into their motivations, desires, and fears
The Adabal-a - One of the earliest written accounts to come down to us from the early First Era, said to be the memoirs of Morihaus
The Alduin/Akatosh Dichotomy - Another view on the relationship between Alduin and Akatosh, this time from an Imperial perspective
The Anticipations [Dragonborn] - About the Anticipations of the Tribunal: the Daedra Princes Boethia, Azura, and Mephala
The Doors of the Spirit - A semi-religious text focusing on the tradition of the Dunmer- ancestor worship This book discusses the ways in which spirits, or ancestors, are all around us and how they should be cared for
The Posting of the Hunt - An instruction note of the Ritual of the Innocent Quarry, also called the Wild Hunt (not to be confused with the Bosmer ritual)
Varieties of Faith in the Empire - The compiled listing of Gods of the Empire formerly known as "The Pantheon" Contains lots of interesting information
Where were you when the Dragon Broke? - Comments from various knowledgeable people about the Dragon Break
Yngol and the Sea-Ghosts - An account of the death of Yngol Somewhat different than the version in the Songs of Return
Research
An Accounting of the Elder Scrolls - A Librarian attempts to find information on the number and locations of the Elder Scrolls
Book of the Dragonborn - A Talos priest's explanation of Dragonborn, their history, and the legends associated with them
Dwemer Inquiries [TES5] - A series of texts describing Dwemer history, culture, and architecture, especially away from Vvardenfell
Effects of the Elder Scrolls - Describes the various grades of blindness and understanding granted by the Elder Scrolls to their readers
Herbane’s Bestiary: Hagravens - One Adventurer's experience with Hagravens Also contains a myth about their origin
Liminal Bridges - This document provides "hypothetical" instructions on how to travel between Mundus and Oblivion using sigil stones
Magic from the Sky - A valuable treatise on Ayleid magic This is a great reference source on Welkynd Stones and Varla Stones
Notes on Dimhollow Crypt, Vol. 3 - Notes on Dimhollow Crypt Vol. 3 As written by Adalvald Divines be praised! Here at last is the breakthrough I have been seeking. All the dangers I have escaped, the traps I have eluded and the foul draugr I have avoided have brought me at last to this. In my previous volume of notes and […]
Notes on Racial Phylogeny and Biology - Reasearch on the ability of different Tamrielic groups to have kids with each other
On Oblivion - An introductory guide to Oblivion Lists all Great Daedra Contains a minor gameplay hint
Physicalities of Werewolves - Tracks the changes that a human body undergoes when becoming a werewolf
Response to Bero’s Speech - The author responds to various claims about magicka theory made by illusionist Berevar Bero
Ruminations on the Elder Scroll - A series of puzzling metaphors attempting to describe the elder scrolls
The Dreamstride - Describes the Dreamstride, a unique state associated with Vaernima that lets you experience the lives of other people
Songs & Poems
Book of Life and Service - Obscure mystical pronouncements and prophecies, few of which are comprehensible or relevant
Lord Jornibret’s Last Dance - A narrative ballad of a overly handsy lord and the end that befalls him
Notes on Yngol Barrow - A poem about Atmora, which serves as the solution to a puzzle within Yngol Barrow.
Song of Hrormir - The retelling of the quest of Hrormir to rescue his brother from the Dark Kings of Aelfendor
Song of the Askelde Men - A traditional song about the Askelde Men A Nordic warband covered in the ash of their fallen brothers
Songs of Skyrim - The lyrics of a collection of songs from Skyrim Including Ragnar The Red, The Dragonborn Comes, The Age of Oppression and Dragonborn
Songs of Skyrim – Revised - Revised Edition Compiled by Giraud Gemaine Historian of the Bards College Solitude Ragnar the Red is a traditional song of Whiterun. Despite the grim final image the song is generally regarded as light and rollicking and a favorite in inns across Skyrim. Ragnar The Red There once was a hero named Ragnar the Red, who […]
Jokes & Riddles
Plays
Other
Bounty – Restless Spirits - Bounty By order of [Jarl]: To all able bodied and fearless men and women of Whiterun Hold. Travelers on the road near Golden Hills Plantation are being terrorized by ghosts haunting the nearby farm. Anyone who is able to banish the ghosts permanently will be rewarded with the land rights to Golden Hills Plantation. –[Jarl’s […]
Gourmet’s Writ of Passage - Allows the Gourmet (or rather the player pretending to be the Gourmet) passage into the Emperor's tower
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Announcements & Warnings
Inscriptions & Epitaphs
High Hrothgar Tablets - Inscribed rocks on the way up High Hrothgar, tell the story of the war between Nords and Dragons
Journals
Cicero’s Journal - Journal entries from an assassin in the Cheydinhal Sanctuary of the Dark Brotherhood
Erj’s Note - How foolish to move through this place so quickly. It’s taken me only a few hours to crack the back gate. Maybe I’ll donate a cup or two, but Krag says he knows some private buyers who will pay handsomely for a working trinket. There has to be one in here. * * * * […]
Fisherman’s Journal - 8th of Last Seed, 4E 201 Can you believe our luck? We’ve stumbled onto a gold mine. Or, more accurately, a Dwarven metal mine. A staggering amount of scrap lies along the bottom of this frozen lake. Had we known how lucrative this trip would be, we would have brought wagons, not buckets. Strange machines […]
Gallus’s Encoded Journal - The encoded journal of Gallus Desidenius, former Nightingale guildmaster Implicates Mercer Frey in the author's murder
Hastily Scribbled Note - My scribing tools are lost, and I’ve no time for a lengthy entry, anyway. It’s taken weeks, but I’ve finally found it! The Sanctuary of the Dark Brotherhood! One of them, anyway. In Skyrim, under a forest road. I’ve been watching them, the assassins. Their comings and goings. The fools have no idea they’re being […]
J’zhar’s Journal - Signing up for a Dwemer dig to get your brother off his Skooma addiction turns out to be a bad idea
Kodlak’s Journal - The diary of Kodlak White-Mane, Harbringer of the Companions Speaks of his relationship to the player
Lymdrenn Tenvanni’s Journal - A father's last message to his son. Includes information on the fate of the Telvanni after the Red Year.
Necromancer’s Journal [Plague of the Dead] - Tells of the discovery of the Conjure Zombie spell tome
Note on Strange Arms and Armor - Explains how bandits got their hands on Golden Saint and Seducer Armor
Letters & Notes
Amaund Motierre’s Sealed Letter - Veiled instructions for a series of assassinations to be performed by the Dark Brotherhood
Commander’s Note - Anneas, When I give an order, I expect you to carry it out. We’ve got enough problems around here without your ‘formal complaints’. Get our defenses shored up, soldier, unless you want the rebels just walking over our damn walls.
Courier’s Letter - To our respectable investor, It seems our expedition to [dungeon name] has met with some resistance from its inhabitants. I know this isn’t the first time, but if you would provide us with a few more men and supplies, we are certain the treasure there would yield a return on your investment. This time for […]
Dawnguard Orders – Hakar - Novice Hakar, Your repeated failures are an embarrassment to our entire order. Are you truly so inept you cannot even complete a simple courier mission? You have one last chance to redeem yourself. We recently established a number of wilderness caches to supply our agents in the field. You are to restock the chests listed […]
Dawnguard Orders – Lynoit - Lynoit, We’ve received word of an increase in Vampire activity in western Skyrim. In the coming weeks, we plan to dispatch several more agents to the region, and need to establish a network of wilderness supply drops to support them. You are to plant caches in the following locations: – On the small island south […]
Dawnguard Orders – Saliah - Saliah, In the past several weeks, all of the couriers sent to replenish our supply caches in the northern reaches have gone missing. These drops must be made within the week to ensure our operatives have the provisions they need. You are to restock the following caches: – In Morthal, on the islet due east […]
Dragon Investigation Current Status - Summarizes the Thalmor's investigation into the return of dragons
East Empire Connection - Results of the integation of an East Empire Company officer by the Thieves Guild
Faleen’s Letter to Calcelmo - My Dearest Calcelmo, I always knew you to possess a great mind, but your charming poem revealed a depth of feeling I never suspected. I’ll admit to being a bit surprised at the direction of your feelings, but not unpleasantly so. Let us meet to discuss further. Yours, Faleen
First Letter from Linwe - Author: Linwe Niranye, I’m not pleased that you’re refusing to fence the silver locket I showed you yesterday. If you wish to remain a valuable asset to us, I suggest you quickly change your attitude. Linwe
Frostflow Lighthouse Notes - This series of notes is found in Frostflow Lighthouse, and chronicles the demise of the family living there at the hands of the chaurus
Gorm’s Letter - Aldis, You know what we’ve spoken of in the past. It is time. Change is needed; something must be done. I await your response. Gorm
Gratian’s Letter - The East Empire Company summons Gratian back to Solstheim to investigate a new-found ruin
Idgrod’s Note - Sister Danica, Joric’s mood is still melancholic, but he is otherwise in strong health. The potions you have given me has eased his nightmares, but I am afraid my family’s “gifts” run strong in his veins. Idgrod the Younger
Journal Fragment - Not good enough to live in their stupid keep, am I? Stupid sods don’t realize I’ve moved into the undercroft and started taking control of their own death hounds. I’ll get my revenge.
Letter from Father - A note from Commander Maro to his son, Gaius, about the duties of a Penitus Oculatus officer
Letter from Jarl [Jarl name] of [Capital City] - Invitation to become thane of a hold and gain the associated perks
Letter from Olfina - Jon, I know it’s hard, but please. Try and be patient. We must keep to ourselves for now. You know that both of our families would react so very badly if they knew… if they even suspected. There will be a time when we don’t need to hide. I promise you that. Someday they will […]
Letter from Septimus - Return you quickly to Septimus. The fractals of the universe have opened unto me, and I see now the way clear to render the cube’s aperture. Your most good assistance is needed in the foremost.
List of Arctic Fish - The fish you have brought back are getting along swimmingly. Which makes sense, given they’re fish. But I mean “swimmingly” in the way people say it. I suppose both could be true. The next set of fish I will have you catch will be tough to chew. They swim in frozen waters, and their scales […]
Lists & Records
Guard Dossier – Aerael - Status: Active (Capture or Kill), High Priority Description: Male, High Elf, age unknown Background: A member of the Crimson Dirks, a notorious group of bandits and marauders originally based in Cyrodiil. Little else is known about the target, although some intelligence suggests he was often used as an information gatherer for the bandits. Operational Notes: […]
Interviews With Tapestrists - An interesting interview with a famous Khajiit Tapestrist, focusing on a tapestry immortalizing a battle between Valenwood and Elsweyr during the Five Year War
