Every great hero needs an awe-inspiring base of operations that’ll discourage their enemies and inspire their allies.
Superman has the Fortress of Solitude, Batman has the Batcave, and Dr. Strange has the Sanctum Sanctorum – and the practice isn’t exclusive to fictional characters.
Even historical figures like Louis XIV and the Ming Emperors of China poured silly amounts of resources into glorious palaces like Versailles and the Forbidden City.
With such an extensive history of great people building even greater homes, I see no reason why the Dragonborn would be satisfied with sharing Breezehome with Lydia.
So here’s a collection of incredible home mods that go beyond the norm.
We’re kicking things off with an absolutely over-the-top castle worthy of a warrior with the soul of a dragon – the Sjel Blad, meaning “Soul Blade” in Norwegian.
This colossal castle is located some ways south of the Throat of the World. It sits on the snowy peaks, barely reachable by foot, and guarded by sculptures and skeletons of the Dovah conquered by the Dragonborn.
This castle is full of exciting features too – such as customizable faction banners, your very own personal guard, and all the typical stuff any adventurer needs.
It also includes a forge, an armory, and a sanctuary where you can worship the gods, enchant your weapons, or practice alchemy, among many other surprises.
If a clifftop castle is a bit too menacing and unrefined for your current hero, offer them the delights of the luxurious Rosewood Estate.
This spacious and comfortable player home lies right on top of ancient Dwemer facilities south of Falkreath, and it’s flanked on all sides by a forest of beautiful red trees.
Dark wooden colors and bright red highlights combine to create a gorgeous yet elegant look that makes me think of rich red wines and delicious dark chocolate.
My favorite unique facility is the greenhouse, where my plants can get some sun, and the terrace, where I can.
One of the most famous palaces in gaming is Dracula’s Castle from the Castlevania series.
It’s a shapeshifting castle full of secret passages and fearsome monsters – and now, it has come to cast its corrupting influence over Solitude.
If you want to conquer the castle and keep it as a player home, you’ll have to fight your way up this diabolical building to find the Count and put him down.
You may do so alone, or with the help of Leo Belmont through a custom quest.
Once you’ve taken over the castle you can teleport it back to its original home – Transylvania – so that Solitude returns to its former glory.
As a Dragonborn, it’s hard not to make some enemies.
If your foes ever get it in their heads to take the fight to you rather than wait for your unexpected appearance, you’ll want a home as defensible as the Heartwood Castle.
Located deep in the Rift, this medium-sized castle will protect you (and your valuable artifacts) from anything while you relax on the roof terrace’s warm pool and read through the mod’s lore books.
Instead of acquiring yet another piece of property, a wise Dragonborn may decide to upgrade an existing one – and the Lakeview Manor in Falkreath is a prime candidate.
Originally added with the Hearthfire DLC, Lakeview Manor has an unbeatable location where your hero and their followers may retire whenever adventuring takes a toll on them.
This mod makes some significant architectural changes and renews the manor’s decoration, so it looks natural and lived-in while also showcasing your wealth.
All in all, it feels like a Thane’s summer home – because it technically is.
Some castles are so menacing, they’ll dissuade your enemies from attacking before they even start planning. Shadowstar Castle is one of those.
This imposing structure has a traditional European charm that looks somewhat exotic in Skyrim, where facilities are rarely symmetrical.
Inside you’ll find plenty of bedrooms for your family and followers, a display hall for collectibles like unique weapons and lore books, and a glorious throne room worthy of Skyrim’s greatest hero.
If your Elder Scrolls adventure started with Skyrim and you’ve never taken a look back at Oblivion, you might not know the Ayleids – but that shouldn’t keep you from enjoying this exotic home.
The Ayleids are a precursor race of high elves who ruled over Cyrodiil during the First Era.
They were toppled and ousted after a slave revolt, but their ruins and cultural influence remain all over the Empire.
This Ayleid palace located in the Rift bears all the staples of Ayleid architecture and aesthetics, such as plentiful white marble and luminous malachite-like ornamentation.
It’s a beautiful, ethereal place that looks a bit out of place among Skyrim’s rough-and-tough styles. For sensible souls, it’s an oasis in a sea of violence and strife.
If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway from the violence of the war, the Riverwood Keep is the place to go.
Riverwood is the first place most of us visit after escaping Helgen.
For me, it was an introduction to the natural beauty of Skyrim and the charm of rural life in the cold forests – and it’s the place I’d like to return to after a life of adventure throughout the province.
This reasonably large castle shines for how well it fits into the forest and rocky hills surrounding it. It’s as if it had been there for hundreds of years, housing the elites of Riverwood or serving as the Jarl’s summer home.
Dragonfall Castle isn’t the biggest or the most intricately designed – but it’s regal and imposing like few others.
For me, this majestic castle in the Rift is perfect for the Dragonborn after the war is done, and every single Jarl is somehow indebted to you.
Whoever seeks an audience with the hero of Skyrim will be intimidated by the grandeur of your estate before they come before you.
The castle actually has a full staff of 19 NPCs, plus unique armor for guards, tons of storage and display space, every crafting station you might need, and many other surprises.
The gardens and indoor baths are also just sublime.
Nelson Chitty is a Venezuelan expat living in Argentina. He’s a writer and translator passionate about history and foreign cultures. His ideal weekend is spent between leisurely playing games of Civilization VI and looking for the next seinen anime to marathon.
