Every great hero needs a base of operations that is so impressive that it scares away enemies and gives hope to friends.
Superman has the Fortress of Solitude, Batman has the Batcave, and Dr. Strange has the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Even famous people in history, like Louis XIV and the Ming Emperors of China, spent a lot of money on beautiful buildings like Versailles and the Forbidden City.
With such a long history of great people making even better homes, I don’t see why the Dragonborn would be happy to share Breezehome with Lydia.
So, here is a list of house improvements that go above and beyond the norm.
12. Moonstone Castle
This is a mod for a video game that adds an elven themed castle player home. The castle is fully detailed and can be purchased for 20,000 in-game currency.
It is located near Whiterun, close to another mod called Skystone Castle. The home features a lot of displays and storage, a pool area for NPCs to undress, and unique item displays for items like Black Books.
The mod is also compatible with the Hearthfire multiple adoptions feature, allowing players to move their in-game family into the castle.
11. Raven Castle
This is a mod for a video game that adds a large player castle home for vampire characters, complete with a cathedral and cemetery.
The mod has been updated to version 1.2.8 and is now available on consoles, although it is still a work in progress.
The person who is providing this information did not create the mod but supports it and is willing to offer technical support. They cannot test the mod themselves because they do not own a console.
10. Sjel Blad Castle
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.
9. Rosewood Estate
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.
8. Dracula’s Castle
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.
7. Haafingar Hall
Another fine custom home in Solitude is the Haafingar Hall, a sizable, highly customizable abode for wealthy heroes.
This player home is barely big enough to count as a “mansion”.
Still, its privileged location next to the coast, elegant architecture, and tasteful décor make it a must-have for discerning heroes.
Plus this mod lets you customize your new home in many ways.
You can change the walls, floors, drapery, lights, display pictures, and much more.
Haafingar Hall is ideal for the Dragonborn who’s thinking about settling down and wants a great home for their family and followers to rest easy.
6. Heartwood Castle
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.
5. Lakeview Manor Overhaul
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.
4. Shadowstar Castle
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.
And wait until you see the indoor bath…
3. Ayleid Palace
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.
2. Riverwood Keep
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.
1. Dragonfall Castle
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.
