No joke, me and my friends have been playing it since it first came out. We still are. Hell, I even got it on PC after I got it on the Xbox just because I knew it would be a blast. We've collected a vast plethora of trivia and tricks about the game over the four/three years it's been out. Guess what? You get to learn some of our secrets too! Here's what I know; Beginning[spoiler]When you first have to choose who you have to go into Helgen Keep with you are stuck between Ralof and Hadvar. While neither one will effect the plot (at all) each one has their benefits. Ralof (the Stormcloak who has the first lines of dialogue) fights more enemies on the way through the keep, giving you more opportunities to level up your skills at the start. Hadvar (the Imperial who took your name)doesn't fight has many people while traversing through the keep, however, once you get to Riverwood, you will be able to take useful smithing supplies from the forge. Once you leave Helgen, travel straight and slightly to the left, fall off a very small cliff, and you should encounter a bandit camp. Kill the three bandits and one should drop a treasure map, which you MUST read in order for the chest to spawn. Follow the markers on your waypoint-thingy and you should arrive at the three Gaurdian stones (srry desticles, not those kind). If it's your first play through, I would recommend the Warriors Stone because no matter what you say, that's most likely what your going to wind up doing. There's also a bandit infested mine nearby, clear that out and you'll be rewarded with; a pick axe, Smithing skill book, decent lowleveled weapons, iron bars, 3xChest, and some other assorted look you may find. Once you finally do arrive in Riverwood, make sure to sort out the Sven/Faendel situation that's going on. This can get you your very first follower! Also, DONT KILL TE CHICKANS [/spoiler] After Riverwood, I would recommend just barreling through the main story line until you finally learn the entire Unrelenting force shout, or as most people know it, FUS RO DAH! Once you learn Unrelenting Force I would recommend doing some of the various faction quest lines, and seeing how you're most likely a warrior, I would recommend the Companions in Whiterun. Just remember, you can complete every story line in whatever manner you choose, it's just the some methods may make some NPCs mad and make you lose out on some "loot" (leveled amount of gold). Here's a small over view of each faction Companions[spoiler]The group of fighters in Skyrim. They can provide you with decent armor and weapons at the start, however their real benefit comes from the fact that they make you become a werewolf. Lycanthropy in Skyrim is completely voluntary, random full moon transformations do not occur. If you still don't want to be a werewolf, don't worry you can cure your self later in the story. Probably the biggest payment comers from the axe Wuuthrad, which does extra damage against elves (which will come in handy for Diplomatic Immuntity in the main story line). To join simply talk to the dudes in Whiterun.[/spoiler] Thieves guild[spoiler]What do you think these people do? These guys can get you a ton of gold, mostly through the vendors you can unlock that will buy practically anything. Not to mention the obscene amount of gold they carry. At the end of the story line you get two objects that will both sell for a lofty amount and some cool light armor as well. To join talk to Brynolf in Riften.[/spoiler] College of Winterhold[spoiler]The resident mages guild in Skyrim. Something that I find that nice about Skyrim is that for mages with near maxed out skills, there are quest that give you the Master tier spells. Of course, before you can unlock these quest you have to be a member of the College. There are also various members that will sell you spells and apparel that are linked to certain schools of magic. The big payout is a robe that gives you a bunch of cool magic bonuses. To join just simply talk to the chick at the gate and select the proper dialog options.[/spoiler] The Dark Brotherhood[spoiler]These guys are like the Thieves guild in that they value stealth. However, other methods are completely viable and are even supported too. These are the semi-satanic assassin group in Skyrim. I find this group the most fun personally, as most assassinations you perform often allow multiple avenues of execution. Not to mention the lovable, yet disturbing, characters you meet. The big payout? 20,000 septims. Ballin To join speak to the kid in Windhelm, complete his quest, and sleep in any bed for any amount of time. [/spoiler] Stormcloak/Imperial[spoiler]The war is fun no matter which side you choose, however, there is some structural damage to cities depending on the side you choose. Whiterun will get f*cked up no matter what. Windhelm gets knocked up if you're an imperial Solitude gets its well knocked over if you choose Stormcloak. Either way, you get a leveled sword/armor and other wise you are forgotten.[/spoiler] However, if you want to break the game just look up "fortify restoration glitch" on YouTube. Feel free to ask question!