Finding Susanna Alive - A Blood on the Ice Trigger Revision
⚪ Last updated 2020⚠️ Install Order · 5 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview

🔍 Analysis
- 👍 0.3% endorsement rate
- 🏆 #128 of 156 Bug Fixes mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
The Problem: Skyrim decides when to kill Susanna based on a global count of the number of times the player has entered the Windhelm location. When you've entered 4 times, Susanna dies. There's a few problems with this.
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[]The "Windhelm location" extends to the road which passes by Windhelm, which is far outside what a player would reasonably expect "has visited Windhelm" to mean.
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]The count ticks up every time the location is entered, left, and then entered again. The edge of the location cuts through the center of this road in a few places, meaning it's extremely easy to enter and exit the Windhelm location simply by spending time in this area and moving around.[]It is not just common, but almost guaranteed that a single entry into the Windhelm location will be counted more than once. In my tests I noted that crossing the threshold once could have the count jump from 0 to as high as 9, and almost never less than 2.
The Solution: My mod does a few things to solve this.
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[]The script has been gated using states to ensure that it can fire no more than once per day.
[]I changed how the quest is triggered so that it's no longer based on the Windhelm location, but instead as a simple trigger box. This box extends a bit beyond the Windhelm city door and encompasses the docks area. This is less elegant than using the locations, but changing the location data of cells seems too risky.
[]A similar trigger is in the Windhelm worldspace itself so that if you spend four days in Windhelm, it counts as having visited the city four times. (Provided you're entering and exiting interiors.)
For best results, this mod should be installed and active before starting a new game. Though it may have partial functionality on a game in progress, data-mismatch between this mod and your save game may cause unforeseen problems. The same is true for uninstallation. You can try it, but if you don't see the expected results I won't be able to help.
Mod Organizer 2 or Vortex are recommended to install. All plugins are in the ESP-FE format.
Recommendations
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[]If you're going to play Blood on the Ice, you're going to need the USSEP. Finding Susanna Alive forwards all USSEP changes.
Compatibility
- [
- This mod should have identical functionality both with and without Open Cities installed.
Load Order
I am not yet aware of other incompatibilities so I currently have no load order recommendations.
Q. Will you eventually entirely revise Blood on the Ice as you've done with your other Finding mods?
Don't tempt me. >_<
▪ The venerable Creation Ki
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[]If you're going to play Blood on the Ice, you're going to need the USSEP. Finding Susanna Alive forwards all USSEP changes.
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[]The script has been gated using states to ensure that it can fire no more than once per day.
This mod revises the trigger conditions for the Skyrim quest 'Blood on the Ice' so that Susanna the Wicked remains alive in Candlehearth Hall until you meet her. It's a targeted bug fix for players who want to experience the quest without missing her. With 4,305 endorsements and 1.2M downloads, it's a proven fix.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Huge community trust: 4,305 endorsements and 1.2M downloads show it's a go-to fix.
- Directly addresses a frustrating quest-breaking bug that many players encounter.
- Simple, focused design—does one thing and does it well.
⚠️ Cons
- Last updated in 2020, so it may not be tested with the latest Skyrim patches or Anniversary Edition.
- Only affects the trigger; if you're looking for broader quest improvements, this won't help.
For Skyrim players who've had 'Blood on the Ice' bug out and want a reliable fix to meet Susanna before the murder. Also great for completionists who want to experience the quest as intended. Skip if you're on a heavily modded setup and already use a comprehensive quest overhaul.
💡 Beginner Tips
- If you're using a mod manager like Vortex or MO2, install this mod and let it overwrite any conflicting quest mods.
- Load this mod after other quest mods in your load order to ensure its trigger changes take effect.
- If you're on Skyrim Special Edition, check if the mod has an SE version or if the LE version works with your setup.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim Mods
- Author
- SomethingObscure
- Version
- 1.0
- Downloads
- 1,247,440
- Endorsements
- 4,305
- Category
- Bug Fixes
- Created
- 2/16/2020
- Updated
- 2/16/2020
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