How to Escape the Thalmor Embassy in Skyrim

Last Updated: January 8, 2016

In the “Diplomatic Immunity” quest, you are required to infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy up in the northwestern-most corner of the map. As part of the objectives, you must exit the embassy alive in order to complete the quest. Although it sounds easy, the tricky part here is that you cannot leave the building the same way you came in, which is through the front gates.

Steps

1
Find the dungeon in Thalmor Embassy. After making a commotion inside the embassy, you should already have the current task, which is to “search for information about the dragons returning.” From the party area, go outside through the front door and head to the back area of the embassy. Here you should find a door leading to Elenwen’s Solar.
- Inside this room, you should find a steel door on the left that leads to the dungeon. Take the key from the Thalmor Mage that’s guarding this door and enter the dungeon.
2
Activate the “Escape the Thalmor Embassy” objective. Inside the dungeon you’ll find a table with a book on top called “Thalmor Dossier: Esbern.” Get this book and read it. This should change your objective to “Escape the Thalmor Embassy.”
3
Get the trapdoor key. After reading the dossier, get back up to Elewen’s Solar. As you open the door this time, two guards will be waiting for you. Using whatever weapon you have, slash and kill these guards. Search their bodies once they’re dead and you should find a trapdoor key.
- Either of the two guards has the key.
4
Find the trapdoor. Once you have the key, go back inside the dungeon and turn left from the staircase. You should be able to find a trapdoor in this area. Approach the door and use the key to unlock it. Once open, jump inside and you’ll find yourself in an underground path.
5
Escape the embassy. Keep on following the underground path towards the exit. Along the way you’ll find a Frost Troll standing in your way—this is your last obstacle. Using whatever weapons you have, attack the Troll and kill it as fast as you can. Once the troll is dead, keep on walking along the underground path until it leads you safely outside the embassy.

Community Q&A

Question

Is there a way to get past the guards without them attacking me?

Community Answer

Take a LOT of invisibility potions, about 50. Use them every time you are spotted. They should chase you around but not be able to find you as long as you have a decent sneak skill and move fast. Some healing potions are also a good idea. There is no way to go through the dungeons without killing the torturer and at least one, maybe three, guards as one of them has the key to the trapdoor which can't be opened without it.
Question

Is there a surefire way to completely infiltrate the embassy as a high elf without alerting anyone?

Community Answer

There is no way to do the whole mission without alerting or killing anyone.
Question

How can I kill the mages and other enemies?

Community Answer

Flame Antioch saved my bacon; I threw one down before going into combat. Also, pick them off one at a time as much as possible. I also upgraded my gear when I looted; the gear chest didn't have anything in it, so I started with a stolen ax from the kitchen and upgraded as I went.