For the record-----Initially I bought the PS3 version of Skyrim (bad idea) and then replaced it with the 360 version (excellent idea). So for everyone that is on the fence and cannot afford the PC version/setup, get it for the 360 if you can because it is far superior...and that is coming from a huge Sony fan.

With that being said, I have enjoyed over 75 hours of glitch free problems with my new 360 copy and I couldn't be happier. I have been extremely careful about how I play the game and I have come to a point where I need some advice. I was given a quest by some nord in Windhelm to clear out Stony Creek and kill their leader...no problem right? When I got to the end of the cave and I had cleared everything out, there was just like always, a big shiny chest. When I went to open the chest, I noticed there was a strange item that I hadn't seen before.....Finn's lute it was called. Right away something in my brain triggered and I knew it had something to do with the Bard's college and everything I had read about those stupid quests/instrument glitches.

I was so confused. I hadn't even been to Solitude, let alone the Bard's college, why would it give me the option to grab it now during some other random misc quest!? Obviously I did the most logical thing and I left the lute in the chest. The majority of my game has been played after 1.4 was released and it has given me fantastic results. It svcked starting ANOTHER character, but I have to admit it was totally worth it. I did the first 20-30 hours before the patch because I knew that it was generally safe and I purposefully stayed away from quests that I knew could potentially have issues. As soon as the patch was released I went after several problem quests (civil war stuff, blood on the ice, etc) and I am happy to report that there haven't been any glitches......so far ha ha.

So here's the question, if I leave the lute alone until I am given the mission to retrieve it, will it allow me to turn it in without any glitches? Also, do you think that because I came across it, but DID NOT pick it up that it will make a difference in regards to corrupting the quest? I realize that the best thing to do is see for myself, but I don't plan on going to Solitude for about 15-20 hours. I was hoping that someone could give me some feedback that would not only help me with this quest, but also provide some insight in regards to how I approach future quests. Thank you for your time.

Even if you accept the quest and take the lute back to the quest giver, it stiil stays in your inventory. So do the other Bard's quest items..

When you try to drop/sell/store a quest item you should get a pop up message saying "the item you are dropping/selling/storing is a quest item, are you stupid enough to continue?". I REALLY don't like things permanently welded to my inventory, bit of an OCD actually.

I found a post from a few days ago that claimed after starting a new game with 1.4, some guy was able to turn the items in AND complete the quest. That was my point, I started my new game prior to 1.4, but I didn't go anywhere near the bards college or any other broken quests for that matter. So if this kid was right (he was on 360 too) then it should allow me to turn it in without any issues if I wait until I receive the quest. I'll be sure to update this thread when I find out for myself.

In regards to OCD and gaming, I have the same issue. It drives me insane when things get stuck in my inventory or a completed quest will not go away....which is why I created this thread in the first place