Skyrim: Yngol Barrow Quest Bug (with Fix)

About the bug.  Note the way around the bug in the Comments below.
http://uk.ign.com/wikis/the-elder-scrolls-5-skyrim/Yngol_Barrow

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Skyrim Horse Mods

If you are finding your horse controls lacking, there are two mods currently available that make your horse come when you whistle or that make your horse run from combat.  Here is the link to Horse Whistle.
http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1767

Here's Cowardly Horses.  There are a ton of mods that change your horse's appearance but I was interested in improving control of the horse when I browsed SkyrimNexus.com.
http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1522

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Skyrim: Leveling Archery

How to quickly advance to level 50 in archery.
http://kotaku.com/5861911/how-to-cheat-your-way-to-level-50-archery-in-skyrim

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Kingdom of Amalur: Reckoning Information

Courtesy of the lead designer on Morrowind and Oblivion, an introduction to the game upcoming in early February.
http://kotaku.com/5831378/you-sell-those-kingdoms-of-amalur-ken-rolston?tag=Kingdoms-of-Amalur%7C-Reckoning

An interview with the Big Huge Games lead designer Ken Rolston.
http://kotaku.com/5862403/fans-say-i-want-something-new-but-clearing-they-want-the-same-thing-with-less-suck


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Read all the Skyrim Books on Your eReader

I'm speechless.  Kotaku points out there are no experience points to be gained by doing this IRL but if you have too much spare time, the books are available in either the Kindle or Nook formats for download.
http://kotaku.com/5862692/want-to-read-all-the-skyrim-books-like-right-now

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Skyrim: Dragon Priest Masks

Here are a list of the dragon priest masks and where to find them.
http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Priest_Mask

One of the dragon priest masks (there are 9 of them) grants underwater breathing.  Here are two videos on where to find them all.

http://www.ps3trophies.com/forums/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/6512-skyrim-dragon-priest-mask-location-guide-including-rare-konahrik-mask.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMIzhJdt3AM

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SkyRim Dragon Shouts

Here is a guide to shouts.  It tells you what each does and then gives a location.  I suggest you choose the shout you are interested in, then look it up at the original Elder Scrolls wiki (second link) for details.
http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/718778/skyrim-dragon-shouts-guide-finding-the-words-of-power-in-the-elder-scrolls-5-fus-ro-dah/

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Dragon_Shouts

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Skyrim: Dogs

You'll run across dogs in Skyrim.  Here is information about both the named and unnamed canines and where to buy a dog.
http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Dog

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Skyrim: Breathing Underwater

First of all, there is no health bar underwater.  Listen for the bubbles and get out of the water to breathe ASAP.  One of the dragon priest masks (there are 9 of them) grants underwater breathing.  Here are two videos on where to find them all.
http://www.ps3trophies.com/forums/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/6512-skyrim-dragon-priest-mask-location-guide-including-rare-konahrik-mask.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMIzhJdt3AM

Here is a list of all the dragon masks with locations, strategies to defeat the dragon priests and take their masks, etc.  The first on the list (Volsung) allows breathing underwater.
http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Priest_Mask

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Skyrim: How to Use the Soul Trap Spell and Soul Gems

How to go about trapping souls, where to get the soul trap spell, how to recharge weapons, etc.  In recharging weapons, watch the bottom of the screen for the prompt to recharge.
http://www.thedailygamereview.com/2011/11/skyrim-basic-enchanting-and-soul-gem.html

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Skyrim: Unlimited Carry Weight UPDATED

Neoseeker is posting cheats and tips, so when The Solo MMO Player wanted to know how to carry more weight in his inventory, I found this posting by Machienzo.
http://www.neoseeker.com/Games/cheats/PC/the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim.html

Machienzo says, "This can only be done through the 'Command Mode'. By commanding your companion to 'Pick Up' stuff that you've left on the ground, you can tell them to pick up an unlimited number of items. It has to be through this way, otherwise they will end up being over-encumbered."

UPDATE:  A video explaining how to use increase carry weight using the console commands in the PC version of the game.  You access the console command using the tilde key ~ on your PC keyboard.  The Solo MMO Player tested this and it works (for now).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBxyJjBgh_Y

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Skyrim: Let the Modding Begin UPDATED WAY TOO OFTEN

All the previous Elder Scrolls games have been modded extensively on the PC.  If you are comfortable tinkering with the settings or using cheats (and don't mind that achievements will be disabled), you can start your own modding with this Kotaku posting.
http://kotaku.com/5860367/your-guide-to-getting-skyrim-looking-and-playing-better

Rock Paper Shotgun talks more about mods in some detail.  Heed the warnings, though.
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/11/16/skyrim-i-want-more-pretties/

Here's a direct link to all the console commands that can be used for cheats.
http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Console_Commands_%28Skyrim%29

Need unlimited dragons?
http://kotaku.com/5861699/unlimited-dragons-in-skyrim-sure-why-not

By the way, if you are afraid of spiders, here's how to handle all those in the game. Thanks, Kotaku!
http://kotaku.com/5860258/skyrim-now-with-more-bears

UPDATE:  An analysis of the game's innards.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/11/21/elder_scrolls_v_skyrim_performance_iq_review/1

UPDATE #2:  PC Gamer's best mods list to date (Nov. 25, 2011)
http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/11/25/skyrim-mods-the-20-best-so-far

UPDATE #3:  Skyrim Nexus is mod central for the game.
http://www.skyrimnexus.com/

UPDATE #4:  Bethesda plans to release the developer kit and support mods via Steam.
http://kotaku.com/5864312/starting-month-you-will-get-the-tools-to-reinvent-skyrim-on-pc

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Skyrim: How to Enchant, Craft Items and Use Alchemy

Basically, enchanting's a three step process.  Disenchant an already enchanted item at an altar of enchanting, destroying it in the process.  Fill a soul gem (these vary in quality).  Enchant the new item with the soul gem, or recharge a depleted enchanted item with the soul gem.
http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Enchanting_(Skyrim)

Note that you have to know the particular type of enchantment spell you want to use.
http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Enchanting

Here's a guide to Alchemy, Crafting and Enchanting
http://segmentnext.com/2011/11/14/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-unique-weapons-location-guide/

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Skyrim: Weapons UPDATED

Here's a list of magic weapons. There are no locations listed, unfortunately.  The long table lists Name/ID#/weight/value/charge cost formula/enchantment on weapon.
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Imperial_Bow_of_Ice#Imperial_Bow_of_Ice

I've found a shorter list with locations here.  The descriptions are geared toward where to find the weapon more than what it does.
http://www.realsg.com/2011/11/guide-skyrim-unique-weapons-detailed.html

UPDATE:  Another list of unique weapons and their locations.
http://segmentnext.com/2011/11/14/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-unique-weapons-location-guide/

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Skyrim: Installing Dragon Shouts (PC)

To collect dragon "shouts" you must first find the words on a wall.  Then you have to kill a dragon and absorb its soul.  Then install the dragon shout by selecting it and clicking R (PC only).

Extra hint:  save immediately after killing a dragon.  Especially in the early parts of the game, you often might be killed immediately after the dragon fight by attacking wild animals when your health is down.

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Skyrim: Storage Commands (PC)

To put an item in storage (a chest or whatever), mouse over it and push R.  To remove an item from the chest, use the left mouse button, i.e., point and click. Remember, these are PC only commands.

The items in a storage chest seem to be listed in alphabetical order.

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Skyrim: Maps UPDATED ALL OVER AGAIN

UPDATE:  A pretty good series of maps.
http://www.realsg.com/2011/11/guide-skyrim-complete-locations-map.html

UPDATE #2:  Annotated map meant to be printed out but clicking any general location brings up a good detailed view of that area.
http://www.gamebanshee.com/skyrim/mapofskyrim.php

UPDATE #3:  An iPhone interactive map.
http://www.dragonshoutapp.com/

This map can't be enlarged to see more detail.
http://gamersdungeon.blogspot.com/2011/11/your-guide-to-skyrim-tips-and-hints.html#skyrimmap

UPDATE #2 - a map mod called UberMap that turns the map into a Google Maps view.  Kotaku has video of how it looks and a link to the SkyrimNexus site hosting the download.
http://kotaku.com/5859945/skyrim-now-has-google-street-view

Prima also sells some sort of online interactive map.  I'm waiting for the uesp.net version myself.
http://www.meoacademy.org/games/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/primaguides/243

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Skyrim: All About Werewolves

If you want to be Stormin' Norman in battle, get yourself turned into a werewolf.
http://www.justpushstart.com/2011/11/10/skyrims-werewolf-detailed-powerful-but-not-unstoppable/

When you start having second thoughts, here's how to cure your Lycantrophy.  Note that once you are cured, you are immune to the disease and can't become a werewolf again.
http://www.justpushstart.com/2011/11/13/skyrim-curing-the-disease-of-lycantrophy-werewolf/

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Skyrim: How To Get Married

If you want to play the game as a married character, here's what to do.
http://www.justpushstart.com/2011/11/11/skyrim-marrying-someone-is-easy-as-1-2-3-the-benefits-of-marriage/

The NPCs available for marriage and where to find them.
http://www.gamefront.com/skyrim-marriage-guide/

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Marriage

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Skyrim: How to Join the Dark Brotherhood and Other Guilds

Five steps to becoming a member of that evil group....
http://www.justpushstart.com/2011/11/11/skyrim-finding-the-dark-brotherhood-its-secrets-revealed/

Guides to joining other guilds and groups (Companions, Thieves Guild, Winterhold College, Civil War quests, etc.)
http://www.justpushstart.com/launchpad/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-ultimate-wiki-guide/

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Skyrim: Using Favorites and Hot Keys (PC Version)

To set up favorites in the PC version of Skyrim, go to the items/spells menu.  Select whatever you want on Favorites and push F.  When in game, push Q and the Favorites menu will appear.  Select the item or items you want to hot key, then press a number from 1-8 to assign the Favorites item to the number.

(Pushing Q also changes point of view, but I'm not clear when this happens and when the Favorites menu opens.)

See the link below for how to set up hot keys for combos (remember, PC only) -- read the comments for further tips on combos, switching items from one hand to another, etc.
http://www.reddit.com/r/skyrim/comments/m8tnk/guide_how_to_use_18_hotkeys_for_items_and_spells/

Note that the shield can only be used on the left hand.  It looks like Favorites assigns items to the left hand by default so if you want something on the right hand, you have to use Shift + number key.
http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/elder-scrolls-v/1212293p1.html

Check Comments for other tips.

Given the popularity of this article, I've put it in a tab for easy reference.

UPDATE:  Since this has been so popular, I did a bit of research to update this article which was written in 2011.  Here is the standard favorite controls layout for each platform.
https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Controls_(Skyrim)

Here's a video on how to assign 8 hot keys on the PC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2Aa_1_QGCQ

If video tutorials drive you nuts, here is a written one.
http://balance-reviews.blogspot.com/2011/12/skyrim-and-favoritehotkey-system-you.html

Here is a quick summary of how hotkeys work for the PC and xBox 360.
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111121135644AAoTVLj

There is a mod for Skyrim's user interface called the SkyUI mod that may be helpful.  This rave review was written by its creator.  I imagine it is PC only.
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/27177

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Skyrim Initial Skill Bonuses by Race

The skill bonuses each race starts out with.
http://www.reddit.com/r/skyrim/comments/m0e2a/complete_list_of_skyrim_race_differences/

A list of all the skills with links to explanations of each.
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Skills

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Skyrim Reviews, Character Creation

While we wait for Skyrim to go on sale (currently 17 hours, 23 minutes and 17 seconds) you may be interested in this video review that shows a great deal of the environment.
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-hd-elder-scrolls/723801

This is the only PC version of the game reviewed I've seen.
http://pc.ign.com/articles/121/1212033p1.html

This xBox 360 review mentions how to best use perks, lockpicking, a tip on two-handed combat, etc. and also covers a great deal of ground.
http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1958/Elder-Scrolls-V-Skyrim/p1/

This video shows a little of the game's beginning and character creation.
http://kotaku.com/5858221/creating-my-dragonborn-identity-in-skyrim-now-pronounced-skrim

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