Entering Falkreath Hold

I traveled south and west to Falkreath. On the way from Helgen to Falkreath, I found a Shrine to Talos that had been destroyed by the Thalmor. This was on the shores of Lake Ilinalta, where I was also able to find a Pine Thrush nest and nearby a clay deposit. On the way, I was also twice beset by vampires! Fortunately, after I killed them, their excellent enchanted armor became mine! Unfortunately, I began to feel ill afterward. I am still trying to decide if I want to experience being a vampire.

The Thalmor orders.

After meeting with the Jarl, I went on two quests to clear out bandit dens - Bilegulch Mine and Knifepoint Ridge. The Jarl, who is a major tool, had a deal going with Bilegulch Mine that they reneged on. Knifepoint Ridge was a bounty, probably set by the more useful Steward even though the Jarl's name was on it. Bilegulch Mine is mined by Orc bandit outlaws. It's an orichalcum mine, and overtop it the orcs have set up a full smithy, with some orc weapons. This could be evidence of an orc settlement in Falkreath?

Knifepoint Ridge was a very well-established camp with a full smithy and alchemy station, set over an iron mine. The bandits made Imperial prisoners work mining rather than doing it themselves, as the orcs did.

Although Falkreath is heavily wooded, there isn't really any interesting flora. There is a higher frequency of stumps, which yield Mora Tapinella, and due to the massive graveyards, skeletons can appear, which yield Bone Meal. There are also numerous Pine Thrush nests sprinkled around, and plentiful fishing. However, the area didn't yield much over the course of my brief survey, so I went back to Whiterun and took a trip north to Solitude. (Meanwhile, Lydia and I both overwent makeovers, presumably due to time spent doing each other's hair.)

I arrived at Solitude, bought a horse, and am currently trying to decide if I want to go in or ride back south to Falkreath before starting quests in the area.

"Yes, it totally makes sense that I look like a model. Hush, you."