There are hundreds of side quests available in Skyrim that reward players to stepping off the beaten path. One of them, the 'Promises to Keep' quest, can be started in Riften and is about, of all things, a horse. While it might seem simple, the quest can be tedious if players don't know what to expect from this part of Skyrim's content.
The Promises to Keep quest is simpler than most, but it pays well and can be difficult if players don't know what to expect. For players who don't have the Persuasion skill, acquiring it is a good idea. In addition, having a companion is great for drawing fire in the later parts of the quest. While it isn't one of Skyrim's most difficult encounters, the enemies players encounter are numerous and can be overwhelming (especially for lower-level players).
Promises to Keep Quest Guide
The quest can be started by speaking to Louis Letrush just inside the Bee and the Barb bar in Riften. Louis will charge players with speaking to a Black-Briar prisoner in the Riften Jail who will reveal the location of the papers that validate the noble birth of a horse named Frost. This is where the Persuasion perk comes in handy. The guard at the jail can either be persuaded or paid, and the payment isn't cheap. After speaking to the prisoner, players will be forced to go to a lodge to the east of Riften to steal both the papers and the horse. One of the best ways to enter the building is to take advantage of Skyrim's stealth abilities.
Having a steward is helpful for this part of the quest. When stealing the papers and Frost, there will be many mercenaries both inside and outside the building. Even if players sneak in through the back of the structure, there will still be plenty of opponents. A companion will draw fire and make the quest much easier. Once players have stolen the papers and the horse, they will simply need to return to Louis to finish the quest and get a 750 coin reward. While not as encapsulating as the end of Skyrim's main quest line, the reward is nothing to scoff at.
All things considered, the Promises to Keep quest is a quick, fun activity for players that is definitely worth its weight in gold. The reward is great, especially considering how quickly players can finish the quest. And, once finished, players are free to enjoy the rest of Skryim's incredible game world.
Skyrim is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.