Skyrim mod provides the ideal cosy winter castle for modest knights

Modders have put an awful lot of effort into making sure Skyrim has continually evolved and expanded in the years since it was first released into the world.

Many have focused on changing the game by adding their own interesting quests, unique weapons, and incredibly detailed immersion mechanics to it. A few have even gone as far as creating their own cool Dwemer gadgets or giving the Dragonborn some Assassin’s Creed-style climbing skills.

If you’re planning on making a return to Tamriel while you wait out the last couple of weeks before Starfield arrives, a new player home mod might be worth adding to your load order.

Fancy spending your final Starfield-less days relaxing in a cosy fortress?

The mod in question is called ‘ClefJ's Nephrite Castle’ and, as you might have gleaned from the name, is the latest work of modder ClefJ. Some of their previous projects have seen them produce a huge variety of homes aimed at different characters and visually overhaul a number of the game’s existing settlements.

This time, they’ve decided construct a castle that can “serve as keep and fortress to a true Thane of Skyrim,” boasting just enough luxury to fit that title, but without going overboard and offering anything so grandiose it might make the palaces of the province’s actual rulers look like yesterday’s news.

In ClefJ’s own words: “It might not have the tallest towers or thickest walls, but for the Dragonborn? It's home.”

Located on the snowy coast to the north of Solitude, right above the pirate-infested dungeon of Broken Oar Grotto (that won’t be a problem for a hardened warrior like you, right?), Nephrite Castle boasts architecture inspired by the Breton keeps of High Rock.

Inside, you’ll find accommodation for your character and up to two followers decorated in the vanilla game’s trademark style, along with a “modest” amount of storage and display space.

There are also stations to provide for your “basic” crafting needs, meaning you can probably sharpen your sword without leaving home, but might have to venture out if you want to enchant a staff.

In the description, ClefJ reveals: “I may expand this castle into something 'bigger', if enough people would like that,” so if you feel the place lacks just a tiny bit of the opulence you’re used to, you know what to do.

Regardless of whether you’re now yelling at the Blackblood Marauders in the cave directly below your new digs to keep it down before you go down there and sort them out, make sure to follow us for updates on Starfield, The Elder Scrolls 6, and the interesting world of Bethesda game modding.

You can also check out our latest mods of the month.