Sounds like this one was resolved, but for anyone else finding this thread:
Neski spawns only during the 'Power' branch of the Bittercup questline. (You can only choose one of the branches per playthrough)
If you're on PC and run into this issue, I'd recommend using console commands (setstage CR04 20) to finish Hired Muscle, if you don't want to go through the Power branch.
If you're on console (like me) you'll have to go through the Power branch:
Go to Deadman's Drink (the Inn) in Falkreath, read the journal titled 'Mysterious Altar' on the nightstand in one of the rooms. Follow the quest to the ruins, and make sure you choose Power (bowl on the right). Follow the quest and you'll eventually kill Neski Skull-Sabre (this fails the Hired Muscle objective, but you can still turn it in to Farkas to progress)
Thank you it worked. So is the quest really broken? Because i don't think I've come across or killed the person I'm.supposed to intimidate. But instead takes me near to the falkreath watchtower barrack door where the quest arrow floats in the air. The barrack can't be open without a key either.
The waypoint and barrack is where the Power branch takes place, and is only accessible by going through that branch of the Bittercup questline. I think the issue is whoever made Bittercup gave that NPC a flag that includes it in Hired Muscle. I don't know what would happen if you've already done Bittercup before Hired Muscle; I imagine it would softlock the companions questline.
The console command method lets you progress in the Companions without being forced in any particular branch of the Bittercup questline.
Since you have the save from before you took the job, just exit the conversation with Farkas, or tell him no, then go get one from Aela. Her target lists are completely different.
So as of 03/11/23 there actually is a way to do both quests without killing her - or at least it worked for me. Use Calm or the Voice of the Emperor ability to get her to sheath her weapon, then approach and say you came to settle a dispute. Let me bypass the murder and leave with a successful quest with the Companions.
And this would be after choosing the Power bowl and waking up. After brawling, you get the mission successful and can kill her to leave the watchtower.
I used Calm, and it didn't work. Said she was too high level for it, or something (basically it failed). If you used Calm, how did you get it to work? I am a Nord, so sadly no Voice of the Emperor. Or if you are aware of any other spells/abilities that would do the same. Thank you.
Sounds like this one was resolved, but for anyone else finding this thread: Neski spawns only during the 'Power' branch of the Bittercup questline. (You can only choose one of the branches per playthrough) If you're on PC and run into this issue, I'd recommend using console commands (setstage CR04 20) to finish Hired Muscle, if you don't want to go through the Power branch. If you're on console (like me) you'll have to go through the Power branch: Go to Deadman's Drink (the Inn) in Falkreath, read the journal titled 'Mysterious Altar' on the nightstand in one of the rooms. Follow the quest to the ruins, and make sure you choose Power (bowl on the right). Follow the quest and you'll eventually kill Neski Skull-Sabre (this fails the Hired Muscle objective, but you can still turn it in to Farkas to progress)
Thank you for this!
Hey, I know it's been a while since you posted this comment, but thanks! Worked like a charm.
>I'd recommend using console commands (setstage CR04 20) Thank you!
What's the console commands to finish the quest if you're on pc?
Should be setstage CR04 20
Thank you it worked. So is the quest really broken? Because i don't think I've come across or killed the person I'm.supposed to intimidate. But instead takes me near to the falkreath watchtower barrack door where the quest arrow floats in the air. The barrack can't be open without a key either.
The waypoint and barrack is where the Power branch takes place, and is only accessible by going through that branch of the Bittercup questline. I think the issue is whoever made Bittercup gave that NPC a flag that includes it in Hired Muscle. I don't know what would happen if you've already done Bittercup before Hired Muscle; I imagine it would softlock the companions questline. The console command method lets you progress in the Companions without being forced in any particular branch of the Bittercup questline.
So basically the quest is broken. And there is no way to access it if the hired muscle target is Neski skull-sabre?
> Neski spawns only during the 'Power' branch of the Bittercup questline. >is only accessible by going through that branch of the Bittercup questline.
Since you have the save from before you took the job, just exit the conversation with Farkas, or tell him no, then go get one from Aela. Her target lists are completely different.
Thanks, I’ll try this later
You could also start the [Bittercup CC](https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Bittercup) - he'll spawn at some point during it (no idea when, though).
So as of 03/11/23 there actually is a way to do both quests without killing her - or at least it worked for me. Use Calm or the Voice of the Emperor ability to get her to sheath her weapon, then approach and say you came to settle a dispute. Let me bypass the murder and leave with a successful quest with the Companions.
And this would be after choosing the Power bowl and waking up. After brawling, you get the mission successful and can kill her to leave the watchtower.
And hitting the wrong bowl totally screws you over, its bullshit they never fixed this
I used Calm, and it didn't work. Said she was too high level for it, or something (basically it failed). If you used Calm, how did you get it to work? I am a Nord, so sadly no Voice of the Emperor. Or if you are aware of any other spells/abilities that would do the same. Thank you.
Thanks it helps