Maven Black-Briar
Race	Nord
Gender	Female
Level	PCx1 (10-35)
Class	Nightblade
Faction	Black-Briars Riften
Rank	Leader Jarl
Ref ID	00019DD1
Base ID	0001336A

Maven Black-Briar is a Nord and the matron of the Black-Briars.

Contents 1 Background 2 Routine 3 Family 3.1 Conflicting relations 4 Interactions 4.1 Civil War 4.2 Imprisoning her son 5 Quotes 6 Trivia 7 Quests 8 Bugs 9 Behind the scenes 10 Appearances 11 References

BackgroundEdit

According to Mjoll the Lioness, Maven has strong ties with the Thalmor, the Dark Brotherhood, and the Thieves Guild, making her the most influential person in Riften. When asked about her influence, Maven claims that she has Jarl Laila Law-Giver and the Riften Guard in her pocket. She is able to influence the outcome of any situation with septims or by exploiting the fear that her allies will retaliate.

RoutineEdit

Before becoming Jarl, she can be found in various places about Riften, including the Riften marketplace, the Black-Briar Meadery, the Bee and Barb, and the Black-Briar Manor.

FamilyEdit

See also: Black-Briars

Maven is the mother of Hemming, Ingun, and Sibbi. Maul is her right-hand-man, and enforces her will in the city. He tells the Dragonborn not to stir up trouble with the Black-Briars. Extremely subservient to Maven, Maul will do whatever she asks of him without question.

Conflicting relationsEdit

There is conflicting information about Maven's relationship with the rest of her family. Mjoll refers to Hemming, Ingun, and Sibbi as Maven's children, and Maven has a conversation with Ingun during which each identifies the other by familial relationship. However, Hemming says that Ingun and Sibbi are his children.

In the Skyrim files, Maven's relationship with Ingun and Sibbi is listed as grandparent/grandchild, and Hemming's relationship with Ingun and Sibbi is listed as parent/child, whereas Ingun and Sibbi are listed as siblings to each other. This implies incestuous relationships between Maven and Hemming, thus causing the birth of Ingun and Sibbi to Maven.

InteractionsEdit

Civil WarEdit

Maven becomes Jarl if the Imperial Legion gains control of Riften. She will appoint Hemming as her steward and Maul as her housecarl. If the Dragonborn sided with the Stormcloaks and gave Riften to the Empire in Season Unending, then retakes it for the Stormcloaks later, Maven, Hemming and Maul will not be exiled; they will resume their daily routine. This is likely due to Maven's level of influence in Riften, and because several quests in the Thieves Guild storyline make it necessary for her to be in Riften.

Imprisoning her sonEdit

In Anuriel's chambers, a note from Maven reveals that she had her son Sibbi imprisoned for unknown reasons, writing that it is in his best interest to be kept under lock and key. The Dragonborn discovers that he was arrested for "airing out his family's dirty laundry." Specifically, he killed his ex-fiancee's brother after he was confronted about his affairs with other women.

QuotesEdit

• "I presume you're bothering me for a good reason."
• "What in the name of Oblivion do you want?"
• "Out of my way!"
• "I don't have time for idle chit-chat. What is it?"
• "I believe we're done."
• "Good, more kindling for my hearth." (After giving her a Book of Mara)
• "The Throne suits me, don't you think?" (After becoming Jarl)
• "My title is just a formality. I've always been in charge around here." (After becoming Jarl.)

TriviaEdit

• Maven wrote several notes that can be found scattered throughout Riften. These are the Notice of Cost Increase, Sibbi Black-Briar (Book), To The Brotherhood, and Note from Maven, showing the various connections and power she has there.
• Maven is marked as "essential" and thus cannot be killed. If attacked, she may use Sparks, indicating she is capable of casting spells.
• Maven can be found mingling with the crowd in the party during Diplomatic Immunity. If she has been talked to previously and the Dragonborn speaks with her during the party, she will say to stop talking to her unless they want her to blow their cover. Continuing to speak with her, however, will not cause any ill effects or alert the guards in any manner.
• Lillith Maiden-Loom claims to be friends with Maven. However Maven never mentions her name, so there is no way this can be confirmed.
• If she hasn't been met yet, she will also say that she doesn't know the Dragonborn and will still say to stop talking to her unless they want her to blow their cover.
• The word "maven" means expert or connoisseur.
• If the Dragonborn is a member of the Thieves Guild, attacking her or any other member of the Black-Briar family can trigger the quest Reparations.
• Downstairs in the Black-Briar Manor, there is a (master) locked door. If its lock is picked, (or Maven's Personal Key, pickpocketed from her is used) the Dragonborn will find a skeleton, a human heart, human flesh, and a note To The Brotherhood, indicating she has performed the Black Sacrament.
• Unlike other Jarls, Maven is not exiled to the Blue Palace if Riften is given to the Imperials in Season Unending and then retaken for the Stormcloaks.
• During the quest Scoundrel's Folly, Maven has additional dialogue available, during which she expresses her suspicions about the Thieves Guild, and states that a way to convince her that the Thieves Guild is on her side would be delivering her the deed to Goldenglow Estate, which she would also give considerable compensation for. However, after receiving it from Gulum-Ei, it is not possible to give it to Maven.

QuestsEdit

• Dampened Spirits
• Quill of Gemination
• Promises to Keep

BugsEdit

•  PC   360   PS3  If she becomes Jarl because the Dragonborn gave Riften to the Imperial Legion during the negotiation, but then Riften is taken back by siding with the Stormcloaks, she will no longer be Jarl, but her name will still show as 'Jarl Maven Black-Briar'.
• Sometimes if the Dragoborn is travelling around in Riften, there may be a chance that Maven attacks the Riften guards along with a legion of imperial soldiers. It could mean this an attempt to overthrow the Stormcloak hold on riften and install herself as Jarl. However the failed coup is crushed and Maven will be stuck in an endless loop of being attacked (Due to her being unable to die)

Behind the scenesEdit

• Unless otherwise stated, the information above was obtained from in-game play or from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Creation Kit. ^[1]

AppearancesEdit

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (First appearance)

ReferencesEdit

Start a Discussion Discussions about Maven Black-Briar

You can find discussions about everything related to this wiki on Elder Scrolls Forum!