The cities of Skyrim are a testament to Nord ingenuity and craftmanship. Chief among them are Solitude, seat of the High King and capital of the province; Windhelm, ancient and honored, a jewel in the snow; Markarth, carved into the living rock itself, in ages long since past; Riften, nesteld in the golden shadows of the Fall Forest, whence comes delicious fish and mead; and Whiterun, built around the hall of Jorrvasker, home of the most noble Companions and revered Skyforge.
- Hrothmund Wolf-Heart, Nords of Skyrim