Whiterun without Main Quest - Civil War and Thane for Non-Dragonborn

Backported to Legendary Edition by LucioJyggalag

Disconnects the Civil War quest Message to Whiterun from the Main Quests Bleak Falls Barrow and Dragon Rising, and allows you to become Balgruuf's Thane without being Dragonborn. Can only be installed on a New Game. Featuring new, fully-voiced scenes for Farengar if Balgruuf and Irileth are in exile!

Becoming Thane of Whiterun

At any time, you can approach Balgruuf and say "I'm looking for work." This will start an updated version of Bleak Falls Barrow, which is now Balgruuf's Favor Quest for becoming Thane. When you return with the Dragonstone, tell Balgruuf "I'm back from Bleak Falls Barrow." The quest will end, you will be rewarded, Dragon Rising will not start, and you can now ask "My Jarl, is there anything else you need?" This will start a version of the standard Thane quest to Purchase Breezehome and Assist the People of Whiterun.

If Balgruuf has been sent into exile as part of the Civil War, talk to the new Jarl and follow the usual steps to become Thane.

Continuing the Civil War

When you arrive in Dragonsreach during Message to Whiterun, you can now give Balgruuf the message from Ulfric or Tullius and get a response immediately. The Civil War will continue unhindered, Balgruuf will be replaced as Jarl if necessary, and you never need to become Dragonborn. Any dialogue referring to you as the Dragonborn is disabled if you have not completed Dragon Rising.

You may need to complete the final scene of Before the Storm first, for example if you already have that quest and have been sent to talk to the Jarl by someone in Riverwood, or if you have Alternate Start mods that begin the Main Quest with this scene.

Continuing the Main Quest

The Main Quest will not progress automatically after Before the Storm is completed, but it is still of course possible to continue it when you're ready - Dragon Rising is required, but Bleak Falls Barrow is optional. The Way of the Voice will start as soon as Dragon Rising is complete, as normal. Delphine's dialogue mentioning the source of the Map of Dragon Burials is disabled if Bleak Falls Barrow is not completed.

If Balgruuf is still Jarl, once you have completed Before the Storm, ask him "What else can I help you with?" (or "I'm looking for work.") to start Bleak Falls Barrow and progress towards becoming Thane, or "How can you protect Whiterun from the dragons?" to start Dragon Rising immediately. The two quests cannot be done concurrently, but once one is done, you can do the other.

If Balgruuf has been exiled, and you have not completed Before the Storm, Jarl Vignar (or Jarl Hrongar, if you have my other mod) will not believe you when you tell him that a dr