Okay,

I'm part of the Companions, and at some point I went to the Skyforge and there was no Eorlund Gray-Mane to be found. Oh well. Went to Adrianna (sp.) near the entrance of Whiterun and she tells me something to the effect that Eorlund is dead...

I can't really complain since it's a rare instance where somebody dies and another NPC actually reacts to it. I probably would have been a bit mad normally but earlier I had bought an extra set of Wolf Armor and an extra Skyforge Steel Sword for future enchanting, so I can live with it now (there's no way to craft these yourself).

A few questions though:

1. How, where and when does he die? Is it possible to know and is it possible for us to intervene (in a future playthrouhg, I have no intention of reloading)? Does he just die of old age?

2. I read that after the "Purity of Revenge" Companions quest if you talk to him he will say something and then you can make Ancient Nord armor and weapons at the Skyforge. Now, I finished that quest but did other things and did not speak to him before he died. So, is there another way to craft Ancient Nord armor? It's not a big issue as I guess there are a few places where I could get that armor but I'm just wondering. Can Aela give you some (she's wearing the set, except the helmet AFAIK)? I already have the helmet.

Thanks.

As far as I know he doesnt die. Ive beaten the MQ, the companions, the DB and the thieves guild and he's still chillin at the skyforge.

Did you just do the Wolf quest? It's possible he might've been killed trying to defend you? I know he's one of the people who starts attacking guards once they see you in wolf form.

He can also be killed in a dragon attack or just die mysteriously according to UESP. Hes not marked as essential.

Nah, I'm past the wolf quest. I'm pretty much done with the Companions. I'm now the Harbinger. I only have a few radiant quests left (totems of hircine and stuff like that).

I swear to Talos he's dead. He's nowhere to be found and Adrianna told me he was dead. You know her annoying sentence about how she's not as good as him, well now it says that he used to be better than her, but now he's dead.

And I did not kill him, before anyone asks, because I knew I wanted his special armors and weapons.

Strange that Adrianna has dialogue that refers to it. Clearly it was intented. Perhaps if you don't talk to him soon after the quest I mentionned, then he dies and you can't make those armor/weapons? I don't mind like I said, for once the world evolves in Skyrim. I'm just wondering what happened.

I guess I'll have to look for more info on the UESP for Ancient Nord Armor and how to get it.

Funnily, I've had Adriana die on me once. Her husband still sells stuff, but they're not smithed anymore. He has to buy from Khajiit caravans. lol

Weird. I'd rather have Adriana die than Eorlund when in the Companions though... (I feel bad for saying that).

Found that on UESP:
"Eorlund may die under mysterious circumstances. The Skyforge will be unoccupied, and his wife Fralia will be stricken with grief. If he dies, his burial urn will be located in the Halls of the Dead in Whiterun."

So I guess we don't know why, but he can die sometimes. If his wife and Adriana react, then it was intended by Bethesda. Oh well, good to know for future playthroughs. Dungeoning for Ancient Nord armor, here I come. Or perhaps marrying Aela to see if I can get my hands on the goods (pun intended).

Well he is old, and they dont have the best health care system in skyrim. So who knows, maybe old age, sickness? Sky's the limit

I'm glad this can happen and there's a dialog script by certain NPCs. Should be more of that, especially if they're a vendor and there are multiple options in a single location (like Whiterun with blacksmiths).

Oh I agree. Wouldn't mind seeing more of it, it's just that this particular character offers some weapons and armors that are unique. Like I said, it's a good thing I have an extra set of Wolf Armor because it's important for my RP purposes with this character.

Have you tried using the Skyforge? It may have the extra armor options available for crafting

I was actually kind of sad about it. She's just a humble smith, who knows she isn't that great.. and then she dies young. Even her dad never delivered that sword... just kept it away from Balgruff. Like he was embarassed or something.

I had all kinds of people die in that playthrough. It was depressing.

BY THE GODS!

Hmmm I think I'll go check if he died in my game. Never really visited him besides the Companions questline.

It isn't scripted for him to die, so it must've been a random event such as a dragon attack.

old age maybe, he has to be marked essential up until a certain point of the companions quest line or you would never be able to finish it and all guild quest lines are able to be finished maybe not the radiant quests but the main lines yes.

I've done the Companions plenty of times and I've never seen this. I always try to pick some lines or do things differently, per character, but I guess this was hidden too well.

Just checked at the forge and I can't create Ancient Nord armor myself, so the knowledge dies with him. That's sad, I could have perpetuaded that special Ancient Nord smithing knowledge.

I went to the Hall of the Dead like UESP suggested and in the catacombs, the last room, there's a silver urn with with his name along with some of his personal stuff: a few clothes, rings, and a Skyforge Steel Sword. I didn't take it, out of respect, but if he dies in your game you can go check there if you absolutely want one. It's marked "red" so it is stealing, obviously. No Ancient Nord armor though.

EDIT: And his wife does mention that he has passed away.

Intersting I am going to put an arrow in him and see if I can still craft the armor with him dead the reload as I have been making the armor for some time now.

Edit: Must only effect things if he goes out under certain circumstances

Gods be praised.

Weird.

Thats Weird he never die in my game.

The Ancient nord armor isn't in its own category is it? I haven't crafted any, but isn't it in Daedric or something? Are you sure you can't smith it in the Skyforge?

Should Eorlund die before you talk to him after the quest Purity of revenge, you will not be able to forge Draugr and Nordic items using the Skyforge.

I think there is a chance in Skyrim that an non-essential NPC can die from natural causes. ie nothing caused by a player or dragon attacks. I actualy had an npc in Windhelm die on me, and I didn't even know he died til I received a letter of condolences. Funny enough it was one of the beggars I gave 1 gold coin to.