Hi all,

I have a few questions that I was hoping someone may be able to help me with. I'm looking for quick answers please. In that respect, i'll keep them short and sweet. Thank you in advance.

1. When do random dragon attacks start? I was under the impression that they started after the MQ takes you to Kynesgrove, but some Word Wall dragons appear after the Western Watchtower. I'm almost finished with the MQ again, yet have had no random dragon attacks.

2. I would like to purchase Hjerim in Windhelm with my second character (as my Main Character encountered the bugs and is unable to do so now). I'm worried about all the bugs surrounding the quest needed to purchase said house, as well as all the bugs related to decorating it. Can someone please take the time to tell me step-by-step how I should approach this matter. I have yet to enter Windhelm with my new character so it's a 'fresh play'.

3. Smithing. It takes forever. Recently, i've been looking at exploiting a loop or a potion etc that can help me level it up faster. My Main Character has taken his time to do this 'properly', but with my second character, i'd like to get there faster. Can anyone give me a hint/tip.

I appreciate any and all help/advice/tips you can give me in this matter. Thanks

they start appearing after you kill your first dragon at the broken watch tower.

As far as smithing goes,the smith in Riften will train you to level 75 but if you are not a member of the companions Grey-Mane will not offer the training option,I usually use the Ogmah Infinium book to help level up past 75,do the quest for the Argonian that wanders around the docks in Riften and that will give you a boost to smithing and while in Dwemer ruins collect a bunch of those solid dwemer metal blocks,smelt them into ingots and forge a bunch of Dwarven armor,it will level you really fast.Also use any of the gauntlets that boost smithing skills while you forge stuff. This is the way that works best for me anyway,I really hate having to "grind" to level.

I can help with 3. Smithing gains are based on the value of the item being made. So jewery gives really good gains, and something to do with all those gems your collecting. There are a couple of gold and silver mines, (I forget the names right now), so you can get gold and silver cheaply with alittle effort. Also when you get to perk that allows you to make dwarven items, there's alot of dwarven ingots and dwemer metel just lying around to be easily had. Dwarven items have a high value thus better smithing gains. Mainly its always make the highest value item you can for the better smith gains. Also when you build your house, I found I got pretty good smith gains creating the nails, hinges, fittings and locks.

Thanks all for your answers so far. They are very much appreciated.

Can anyone help with number 2 - Hjerim? It's kinda important for me to get it right this time around ^.^

1. Random dragons as well as dragons at word walls start appearing after you've killed your first dragon during Dragon Rising (well, finished the quest, likely). The random attacks will stop during A Blade in the Dark (Kynesgrove), but start again when that quest is finished.

2. Read about Hjerim http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Hjerim. You have a link to Blood on the Ice there as well, you can read about all the bugs and how to avoid them.

3. Smithing: the more expensive things you smith, the faster you level. But you must have the material as well. An easy way is to clear out either Kolskeggr Mine (goldmine) or mine lots of iron and silver and transmute to gold, then make jewelry. If you have the dwarven smithing perk, get lots of dwarven metal from any dwemer ruin and leather, then make dwarven bows. Once you can make ebony gear, that's an option.
Make sure you have fortify smithing gear (I think you can put that enchantment on four pieces) and with a fortify smithing potion on top if that, it'll be even faster.

@3: there is an ebony mine at a stronghold not far from windhelm - looooots of ebony and also some iron there. worth visiting it once in a while