By beforehand, I mean before Farengar gives you the quest to? I just started a character that went straight to Whiterun and received the quest to get the Dragon Stone. This is the FIRST time I've done it this way. When I returned, much to my surprise...


I've never seen that sequence before, haha.

Wow, I thought the rarity was to do the reverse.

I mean, I always got the quest from the Riverwood Trader right out of the gate, so I always already had the stone with me when I got to Dragonsreach.

85% of the time I tend to go in AFTER the quest, from a more "realistic" stand point, why would you even want to go in there in the first place, espeically if you heard rumors that the place is haunted.

I must say though, what happened to you in the spoiler, I don't recall ever happening to me yet, hope it does next time I get to it!

I make sure to get it from the mage first, just because I like the extra stuff you see.

Spoiler

(The Guards getting stationed at Riverwood, and seeing Delphine)

On my first playthrough, I went straight to Bleak Falls Burrow for the dragon claw. Had no idea about the Dragonstone, although I stumbled upon the draugr who was carrying it, on the way out

On the later runs, I'd pick up the dragon claw quest, but head to Whiterun instead. Yes, I know about the scene you described

I've probley did Bleak Falls Burrow 15+ times, and I've never went to whiterun first.

Yes! Come to think of it, I also saw

Give it a try!

More times then not I always went to bleak falls barrow before visiting Whiterun and being sent there.