After leaving Helgen Keep behind, the next place players will likely go to in Skyrim is the town of Riverwood. Either Halvar or Ralof will guide the Dragonborn to the village. Talk to some characters or ask the tavern owner for some rumors and players will inevitably get the "A Lovely Letter" minor quest.
In this mission, the character will get to decide the fate of Camilla, the love interest, and two competitive suitors, Faendal and Sven. The implications of the decision will have a result that can potentially affect the Dragonborn as well, making it one of the more consequential optional missions in Skyrim.
A Lovely Letter Walkthrough
The following is one recommendation for completing the quest quickly:
- Talk to Faendal in Riverwood
- Deliver his letter to Camilla.
- Return to Faendal and receive 25 coins.
In previous patches, players could pickpocket the letters from Sven and Faendal, exposing both as frauds to Camilla. This is no longer possible as of this writing.
Players can pick up this mission a few ways and that way will impact how they proceed. The game makes the player feel like a warrior on many occasions but this time the character gets to play matchmaker. Gamers who talk to the bartender at the Sleeping Giant Inn and ask for rumors will be told to talk to either Sven or Faendal about their intentions. Likewise, talking directly to Sven or Faendal will start the quest.
Sven is a bard and Faendal is a logger. There isn't a right answer to the quest. In fact, both options aren't very good for Camilla as either option will forge a nasty letter from the other person and ask the Dragonborn to give it to Camilla saying it's from the other individual. Unfortunately, choosing neither isn't an option barring killing one of the targets but this will fail the quest automatically.
Faendal teaches archery while Sven doesn't teach anything, so if players have to anger one, it's best that person be Sven. However, Faendal will still teach archery to players that he is upset with. Whoever the player sides with can be a follower while whoever the Dragonborn does not choose can't.
Camilla can marry the Dragonborn even after the player has taken Sven or Faendal's side. However, the romantic interest will still visit her. For darker players not interested in an open relationship, the character can kill either Sven or Faendal. Camilla is strangely into this and will send a letter actually thanking the Dragonborn for murdering this former interest. She might find a villain who tried to end the world somewhat attractive.
Skyrim is available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.