The non-Civil War factions of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. For the full list of characters, click here.
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The Companions
Jorrvaskr
A group of rough-and-tumble folks who excel at strength-at-arms. Their order traces its origins back to the original Companions of Ysgramor, the harbinger of humanity when they first landed on the shores of Skyrim. As such, they adhere to an honor code that holds them to a higher standard than any old band of thugs. They're headquartered in the mead hall Jorrvaskr, in the Wind district of Whiterun, in front of the legendary Skyforge.
The Companions in General
- Anarchy Is Chaos: Averted. They operate without a defined leader, although the Harbinger comes fairly close to one.
- Ancient Tomb: Ysgramor's Tomb is an ancient tomb where members of the Companions are buried, located on an island northwest of Winterhold; you visit it with the other members of the circle during the companion quest-line "Glory of the Dead" after the death of Kodlak Greymane.
- Also Dustman’s Cairn, another tomb which is a key location in the Companions quest-line "Proving Honor" In which the Dragonborn and Farkas journey into the tomb to collect fragments of Wuuthrad.
- Animal Motifs: Their uniform carries a very heavy wolf motif, and they refer to new recruits as "whelps" (a common term for baby wolves). Given their predicament, this is ironic.. Two of the upper-echelon members, brothers, are named after real-life translations of the word "wolf" as well.
- Anti-Hero: They're good people who protect Whiterun and are noble warriors, but several of them are also werewolves, many of whom embrace the gift and indulge it frequently. Some of them are also not that nice, though they warm up as you prove yourself on quests for them.
- And when it comes down to it, they're really just a group of sellswords and bounty hunters, albeit ones in good standing with the rest of Skyrim.
- Arch-Enemy: The Silver Hand serves as the Companions' primary enemies in their questline.
- Badass Army: Started out as this: 500 warriors that settled Skyrim against all adversities.
- Badass Crew: Later downgraded to this. When the game takes place, there's less than a dozen of them, but they're still some of the finest warriors in Skyrim.
- Boring, but Practical: Their signature Skyforge Steel weapons. Elven-tier note damage, Steel-tier note everything else, and this effectively makes it better than both. Eorlund gives you one freebie once you're past your probationary period, and any subsequent pieces he sells aren't all that expensive either. Plus, they gain the improvement benefits of the entry-level Steel Smithing perk in the Smithing tree. Players may hold on to their Skyforge steel for some time. Nord Hero weapons, which you gain the ability to make after finishing their questline, are the same Elven-tier strength, but are Iron-tier note in weight. And you can easily make it with the plentiful Ancient Nord weapons that you get from Draugr and Skeletons.
- Bystander Syndrome: Their official stance on the civil war is neutral. They refuse to get involved in political disputes because there's no real honor or glory in them.
- Deal with the Devil: As a result of a pact a previous Harbinger made with Hircine, members of the Companions' inner circle have the ability to transform into werewolves, but in return Hircine will claim ownership of their souls when they die. However, if you manage to cure your lycanthropy, the deal is broken, even if you're cured after your death.
- Disc-One Nuke: Joining the Companions gets you access to Skyforge Steel weapons, which are Steel weapons with the stats of Elven weapons, meaning that it'll probably be one of the better weapons you can find early-game.
- Dwindling Party: Non-lethal example, but when you travel with the Circle into Ysgramor's Tomb during the Companions questline Glory of the Dead, not all of them make it to the end. Vilkas backs out in shame of losing control while avenging Kodlak, and Farkas bails halfway due to his fear of Frostbite Spiders.
- Establishing Character Moment: What's the first thing you see when first entering Jorrvaskr? A spat between two members that devolved into a fistfight by the time you enter. And everyone else just sits back and cheers it on - including Circle members, the de facto leaders of the group.
- You might also get your first glimpse of them fighting a giant at a farm just outside Whiterun. You can help them kill it, and they'll gladly talk to you afterwards—Aela will congratulate you if you helped, or criticize you if you didn't.
- Family of Choice: Most if not all of the members consider the Companions to be their true family.
- Friendly Neighborhood Vampire: The Circle members are all werewolves. However, Vilkas and Farkas will eventually request that you help them cure their lycanthropy. The Dovahkiin can cure themselves too, and since both Skjor and Kodlak are dead by this point, doing so leaves Aela as the only remaining werewolf in the Circle (and, by extension, the entire guild).
- Home Base: Jorrvaskr, an ancient mead hall located at the base of the Skyforge on the east side of the Wind District in Whiterun serves as the headquarters for the Companions.
- Infinity +1 Sword: Wuuthrad has the same stats as a Daedric battle-axe, making it one of the most powerful weapons in the game. Its inability to be tempered was actually a bug in the game that was never fixed
... until the Unofficial Patch came along. With that, Wuuthrad becomes perhaps the most powerful battleaxe in the game. However, it does not benefit from crafting specialization (not a bug), so in order to bring it to its maximum potential, a player would need to elevate his Smithing skill beyond 100 via enchanted gear or alchemy potions. Thus, the Companions quest-chain is quite profitable for a two-handed warrior character. Add on top of this the fact that its natural bonus damage to elves is not, in fact, counted as an enchantment, and as such it can be enchanted on top of that with a variety of new features, making it extremely effective. Later Unofficial Patches changed so that it could benefit from smithing perks, but also made it so that it couldn't be enchanted. It also fixed some bugs of its enchantment not affecting some elves like Orcs or elven vampires. - Like Brother and Sister: They refer to one another as "Shield-Brother" and "Shield-Sister." Doesn't stop rumors that some of them are sleeping together, nor does it prevent you from marrying one.
- Manly Man: They're a guild of grizzled Vikings who live in a great mead hall to rival Heorot, who value strength and honor above all else, and who never shy away from battle. And don't forget the whole turning into werewolves thing. Even the few ladies among them are manlier than most people you'll encounter.
- Meaningful Name: Like the name suggests, completing their quests will eventually give you access to seven potential companions. Most of them are even potential candidates for marriage.
- Monster Adventurers: Due to having their lycanthropy bestowed on them by the Glenmoril Witches, the Companions can transform at will and have a far better control over their bestial urges when in werewolf form, unlike regular werewolves. Even whilst in human(oid) form, they can make use of the benefits of their beast blood - for example, it renders them impervious to illness. This aids them in protecting the people of Skyrim.
- Named Weapons: According to the Songs of the Return, 'Wuuthrad' means 'Storm's Tears'.
- Noble Wolf: The companions are a group of honorable warriors who unlike most other people with lycanthropy can both transform at will, and are able to control themselves and won’t harm innocent civilians. However criminals, bandits, and members of the Silver Hand are fair game.
- Our Werewolves Are Different: They were blessed by Hircine with lycanthropy and it's noted that their gift is different than that of normal were-creatures, since they still mostly keep control of themselves while transformed rather than attacking indiscriminately, however only the members of The Circle have Lycanthropy (Kodlak, Skjor, Aela, Farkas and Vilkas).
- Private Military Contractor: What they basically are. However, they have a strict stance on political neutrality and mostly take jobs to deal with criminals (either through violence or intimidation), to kill trespassing dangerous animals in people's homes, or to clear out crypts. Since the two formal military forces in the province are busy bleeding each other in a civil war, this means business is good for the Companions since strong sword-arms are still needed by the populace for some things, and the group's honor is (currently) unimpeachable.
- Protectorate: They are the avowed protectors of Skyrim, especially Whiterun.
- Proud Warrior Race Guy: Nords in general are this, but these guys are more or less the epitome and template standard to which other Nords might aspire. They are not as exclusive as some Nords are seen to be, though; the guild has a history of accepting people of other races into their ranks. Currently, this includes Athis (a Dunmer), Ria (an Imperial), and the Dovahkiin (if playing as anything other than a Nord).
- Further adding to their image as the ultimate Horny Vikings, their ancient mead hall of Jorrvaskr is an upside-down Viking longboat, still bearing the name of that ship amongst the fleet of Ysgramor's Five Hundred Companions.
- Secret Underground Passage: The Underforge, a hidden chamber located underneath the ancient and legendary Skyforge where members of The Circle gather to hold meetings and perform rituals and where the Dragonborn is inducted into The Circle and gains the ability to transform into a werewolf.
- Tribal Facepaint: All the Companions have facial markings, except Torvar and Vignar Gray-Mane.
- True Companions: As well as being part of their name, it's emphasized that the group is essentially like a family and consider each other brothers/sisters in arms. Of course, there are limits to this, such as the case of Arnbjorn, who was kicked out for presumably being too bloodthirsty for the group.
- It's worth noting that, if you get in trouble with the guards after joining the Companions, they will drop whatever they're doing and help you fight the guards.
- Weapon of X-Slaying: Wuuthrad deals bonus damage to elves, though an elven Dragonborn can carry it without any problems.
- Wonderful Werewolf: The Companions are an ancient group of honourable warriors and muscle-for-hire who are in good standing with the majority of Skyrim. The senior members of the Companions, known as The Circle, are also werewolves.
Kodlak Whitemane
"Glory in battle, honor in life."
Voiced by: Michael Donovan (English), Vadim Maksimov (Russian)
The current Harbinger of the group, he's getting a bit world-weary.
- Affectionate Nickname: Several of the companions, Aela in particular, refer to him as "The Old Man." Overlaps with Insult of Endearment.
- But Now I Must Go: After the Dragonborn and remaining Companions enact the ritual to break his curse and defeat his wolf-spirit, he thanks the Dragonborn, declares them the new Harbinger, and announces that he must go, as he plans to wage battle from Sovngarde with the honored dead heroes against Hircine to free the spirits of other Companions who did not get the option to be freed from their curse.
- Cool Old Guy: The guy's a badass father to his men.
- Dreaming of Things to Come: After his death and you are declared the new Harbinger, you can find his journal in his room; reading it will reveal that he dreamed that you would aid him in battling the beast spirit and freeing him to go to Sovngarde some time before he actually met you, and that this dream is largely responsible for the trust he had for you.
- A Father to His Men: His role as Harbinger basically positions him as a father figure to the Companions, dispensing guidance and wisdom on matters of honour. Specifically, however, he's a father figure to the player; he's the only Companion aside from Farkas who starts out warmly receiving you. His journal also sings your praises and he laments that he hasn't had more opportunities to speak with you. And after his death you are told he loved you very much, like a father might.
- Gameplay and Story Segregation: The official game guide states that he has contracted a disease known as "The Rot" and is slowly succumbing to it, hence his weakened state in battle. Werewolves in-game have a 100% natural immunity to disease.
- Handicapped Badass: Despite being a veteran badass in the Companions, he can't go out hunting for the shards of Wuuthrad or on other missions anymore, because he's terminally ill. According to the strategy guide, he contracted "the rot" about a year prior to the game, and is slowly succumbing to it
- Just the First Citizen: Harbingers aren't supposed to be "leaders" of the Companions, per se, so much as senior councilors. Everyone in the group is free to go their own way, and he chides Vilkas for calling him "master" (right before strongly suggesting there'd be no harm in letting the player join, so his word still has some weight).
- Manly Facial Hair: He's a Nord, he leads the Companions, he has the sobriquet "Whitemane". Need we say more?
- Meaningful Name: Like most of the rest of the Companions. Derived from 'vukodlak,' a Balkan word for werewolf/vampire/shapechanger.
- Also, "Whitemane" is a pretty fitting sobriquet for a Cool Old Guy with a tough beard and a head full of long, grey hair.
- The Mentor: To the entire guild, and to you in particular.
- Miles to Go Before I Sleep: He longs for the Nordic afterlife of Sovngarde, but his obligations as Harbinger and his knowledge that werewolves are bound for Hircine's Realm are keeping him from it.
- Old Soldier: His sobriquet isn't "Whitemane" for nothing...
- Proud Warrior Race Guy: Because Nords are. He's also unhappy his illness is keeping him from battle.Kodlak: When you get to be my age, you'll come to miss the smell of blood. Strange, I know.
- Real Men Love Jesus: When sending you off to slaughter the Glenmoril witches to avenge their cursing of the Companions and to help reverse that curse, he gives you a heartfelt "Talos guide you, lad/lass."
- Undying Loyalty: Even in death. He relishes the fact that with his curse broken, he can now seek to raise arms with the honored dead in Sovngarde to free other long dead Companion souls from Hircine's hunt, and thanks the Dragonborn for doing so.
- Viking Funeral: Gets killed in the course of the Companions' main quest by the group's mortal enemies, the werewolf-hunting Silver Hand. His funeral pyre is in the fire pit of the Skyforge, attended by a lot of notables from Whiterun, including the current Jarl. His ashes somehow reinvigorate the Skyforge and allow the player to re-craft the Ancient Nord weapons found in dungeons as Nord Hero weapons, along with Ancient Nord Armor, which cannot be scavenged from the Dragur found in the dungeons and is very rare to find.
- Weapon Specialization: His weapon of choice is a Steel Warhammer. Ironically, this makes him the only Companion who does not use the superior Skyforge Steel weapons, though it is justified in-game by the fact that Skyforge Steel warhammers (and maces) aren't available to begin with.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Gives you a mild one when he finds out about your and Aela's private crusade against the Silver Hand. He points out that you avenged Skjor's death when you killed Krev the Skinner and that should have been the end of it.
Aela the Huntress
"I don't know how those cozy lords manage to draw themselves out of bed every day. Why bother if you're not living?"
Voiced by: Claudia Christian (English), Ramilya Iskander (Russian)
One of the members of the inner Circle of Companions. As a member of the Circle, she's also a werewolf, and is the one that most embraces lycanthropy.
- Ambiguously Evil: Aela has a disturbing amount of Blood Knight traits that go a little bit beyond "Proud Warrior Race Guy" and more into "Psycho for Hire". In her backstory she emphasizes that she and her father hunted everything in the woods near their home in a way that heavily implies that they went after more than just animals. Her only interest in the Civil War is that she's missing out on earning glory, ergo killing an ungodly amount of soldiers in battle. Finally, and most damning of all, her pride in being a werewolf takes on a whole new light once you realize that being a werewolf means indiscriminately attacking and feeding on humans and other mortal races. She even says that she was a bit jealous of your rampage in Whiterun following your first transformation.
- Badass Family: Comes from a long line of former Companions - notably, a line of female Companions. She had an Action Mom, who had an Action Mom of her own, and so on all the way back to Ysgramor's Five Hundred. If you marry her and (with Hearthfire) adopt a child or two, you can make her an Action Mom in her own right.
- Blood Knight: She's the only member of the Companions who's vocal about wanting to fight in the Civil War. However, she doesn't state a preference for either side; she's just worried that others are stealing honor and glory that belongs to the Companions. She also has a lust for hunting.
- She'll fight for your side in the Battle for Whiterun if you're married to her, have her as your follower, and side with the Stormcloaks. She's stationed by the Imperial archers and starts taking them out the moment you get to the gate.
- Cool Big Sis: Certainly has this vibe, especially towards the newer members of the Companions such as Ria and the Dragonborn.
- Cursed with Awesome: She embraces her lycanthropy and views it as a gift instead of a curse. After the Dragonborn becomes Harbinger, she's the only member of the Circle, besides possibly the Dragonborn, who chooses to keep her lycanthropy, as opposed to Vilkas and Farkas, who decide to purge themselves of the condition the same way Kodlak has. Indeed, Aela's personal quest is all about making the werewolf form stronger by tracking down the Totems of Hircine.
- Cynical Mentor: She initially believes the Dragonborn needs to earn the right to be one of the Companions.
- However, once you are a Companion, she accepts your worthiness fully. She agrees to be your "forebear" in the Circle (meaning you drink of her blood to become a werewolf), and after Skjor's death, you are the only one she recruits to participate in her campaign of revenge.
- Did They or Didn't They?: If she's kidnapped as a Dawnguard radiant quest, when rescued, she'll respond by saying "Thank you for saving me, my love," even if you're not married to her. If you've followed through most of the Silver Hand side of the Companions questlines, it could explain a bit more of their relationship.
- Fiery Redhead: Easily one of the livelier members of the Companions, and has deep red hair.
- Gameplay and Story Segregation: Despite how much she enjoys being a werewolf and her devotion to Hircine, Aela only ever actually changes into her werewolf form once, during the scripted event where she acts as the Dragonborn's forebear. Unless you use certain mods, there's no way to make her actually be a werewolf as a companion.
- I Love You, Vampire Son: Is the Dragonborn's forebear (the werewolf who turns them into a werewolf), assuming they become one, and can later be married.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Starts out arrogant and condescending (especially if you're not much help against the Giant if that's where you first encounter her), but she steadily warms up to you as you rise through the ranks.
- May–December Romance: Subverted. There's a rumor going around that she's involved with Skjor, but while they are very close, she states that it is untrue. Their actual reason for heading out alone together at night is to hunt in werewolf form.
- Ms. Fanservice: Her outfit reveals a lot of skin.
- Navel-Deep Neckline: Her default outfit has a split that goes almost to her navel.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Aela ropes the Dragonborn into assisting with her Roaring Rampage of Revenge after Skjor's death, which leads to the Silver Hand retaliating, which in turn leads to Kodlak being killed when they attack Jorrvaskr.
- Not to mention that the Dragonborn, despite being told otherwise, actually has no choice but to become a werewolf if they wish to progress in the Companions' questline. Aela and Skjor's decision to attack a Silver Hand stronghold as the Dragonborn's Rite of Passage is what gets Skjor killed in the first place and kickstarts the chain of events that result in Kodlak's own demise.
- Older Is Better: Apparently believes this, since she wears Ancient Nord Armour as her default outfit.
- Real Men Love Jesus: Being both a huntress and an enthusiastic werewolf, it's unsurprising that Aela seems to gravitate to the worship of Hircine, Daedric Prince of the Hunt, and the Father of Manbeasts. Aela's post-Harbinger personal quest involves her and the Dragonborn hunting down three special Totems of Hircine that enhance the abilities of a werewolf, specifically, its howl. Once a single totem is recovered, Aela will spend much of her time praying to it if she's not the Dragonborn's companion, or spouse (and living away from Jorrvaskr). Kodlak's journal mentions that when he first broached the possibility of the Circle ridding themselves of their beast blood so they might know Sovngarde after death instead of being claimed by Hircine for his Hunting Grounds, Aela apparently implied she'd prefer the Hunting Grounds to Sovngarde as her afterlife of choice.
- Roaring Rampage of Revenge: After the Silver Hand kills Skjor, she enlists the Dovahkiin's help in taking the fight to them.
- Sideboob: Owing to her outfit.
- Sexy Backless Outfit: Her armor shows a lot of her back as well, with only straps and clear lack of a bra.
- Stripperific: If the two above tropes don't clue you in...
- Undying Loyalty: Even if she disagrees with Kodlak about certain matters, she respects his wishes. Any time she challenges him, or mocks him for trying to find a cure to their werewolf curse, she then immediately turns around, realizes what an ass she sounds like for saying such things and apologizes, before clarifying that Kodlak should be free to pursue the afterlife he wishes, but that she prefers the thrill of the hunt in the here and now. She's also the only one who sticks with the Dragonborn all the way through the final major quest for the Companions, to free Kodlak's spirit, long after Vilkas and Farkas have tagged out and chosen to hang back at the entrance to Ysgramor's Tomb
- Applies to the Dragonborn after they become the new Harbinger as well. Regardless of the Dragonborn's stance on the curse, she accepts them as the new Harbinger, and becomes marriageable.
Farkas
"I've never been a smart one. But the Companions welcome anyone with the heart of a warrior."
Voiced by: Michael "Popeye" Vogelsang (English), Viktor Bakin (Russian)
A strong, simple man. Twin brother of Vilkas.
- Beware the Nice Ones: Quite possibly the nicest of the Companions, but pose as a threat to him or his shield-brethren, and he will tear you a new one.
- BFS: His default weapon. However, his skills make him better with one-handed.
- Buffy Speak: In keeping with his Dumb Muscle image, he's not terribly articulate, such as calling Frostbite Spiders "the big crawly ones" and referring to the Silver Hand as "bad people who don't like werewolves". After the Dragonborn becomes the next Harbinger, he refers to you as "The New Kodlak". (However, if the Dragonborn marries him, he stops using this particular terminology, as it gets replaced by the more affectionate spouse dialogue.)
- On the other hand, he becomes quite verbose when swearing you in as a Companion; whether he actually has a bigger vocabulary than he lets on or if he just memorized a traditional speech, it indicates that he's smarter than he lets on, backed by his maxed-out Speech stat.
- Chew Toy: To Aela and Skjor.
- Dumb Is Good: Although not very smart, he's the nicest and friendliest Companion, aside from Kodlak. This is especially true when you compare him to his brother Vilkas, who is more clever and knowledgeable, but rather abrasive most of the time.
- Dumb Muscle: He's aware that he is, though it doesn't faze him much. He's not quite as dumb as everyone (including him) would have you believe, though; see Hidden Depths, below.
- Establishing Character Moment: Likely the first time you'll see him is when Aela and Skjor, who have been giving you a bit of a frosty welcome, summon him to show the new recruit to their sleeping quarters. Aela calls him "ice brain," but he shrugs it off as friendly teasing and offers the Dovahkiin some reassurance, adding, "I hope we keep you."
- Five-Finger Discount: Believe it or not, he has the highest pickpocket stat of any potential follower.
- Follower-in-Law: Can become this if the Dragonborn marries Vilkas.
- Gameplay and Story Segregation: Has gained a little fandom notoriety for his completely misallocated statpoints that absolutely don't fit with his image or even his ambient conversations. This is mostly due to the fact that his class isn't Warrior, as is the case with most of the other Companions, but Blacksmith.
- Despite constantly proclaiming the superiority of large swords over smaller ones, he's much more proficient with one-handed weapons than with two-handed ones.
- Despite wearing a full suit of heavy steel armor and being the Master trainer for Heavy Armor, he has an abysmal Heavy Armor stat (and is, in fact, slightly better with Light armor).
- Despite insisting that his brother is better at talking than he is, and Eorlund remarking that none of the Companions know how to operate the Skyforge, he has extremely high Speech and Smithing stats; he also has extremely high Sneak and Pickpocket stats that aren't even remotely hinted at in-game.
- The Smithing, at least, bears out a little if the Dragonborn marries him, as he can often be found using the anvil if living in a player home which has one. Since he (like the majority of spouses) becomes a merchant to amuse himself while his beloved is away, it could be inferred that he makes a lot of his own merchandise.
- Gentle Giant: A bear of a man, but he's also one of the friendliest Companions, and one of the friendliest NPCs the Dovahkiin encounters in the entire game. He's quick to accept you into the group (especially compared to his brother, who isn't convinced you're good enough) and is in fact the only Companion, apart from Kodlak, to be nice to you from your first meeting.
- Hidden Depths: Everyone, including Farkas himself, talks about how dumb the man is, but there's implied evidence against this if you examine his skills. Although you can't make use of either talent, he's been trained as a blacksmith and actually has a maxed-out Speech level of 100. He's also the Master trainer for the Heavy Armor skill, and the placement of a lute in his Jorrvaskr bedroom suggests that he's musically inclined.
- If he becomes the Dragonborn's spouse and moves into a player home, he'll keep himself busy with pursuits you wouldn't expect. You will frequently come home to find him reading books in your library, using your smithing equipment, cooking, or mixing potions in your alchemy lab.
- Hunk: He's got most of the physical attributes of the trope, particularly the build.
- Informed Flaw: He's supposedly become terrified of Frostbite Spiders after your first mission with him and can't make it through Ysgramor's tomb because of it, but after that one quest, it's never brought up again and he has no problem fighting them.
- However, should you return with him to the tomb later and help Farkas cure his lycanthropy, he mentions that he was too ashamed to enter the tomb the last time he was there, but now he wanted to take some time to explore it, indicating that he might have been lying about fearing spiders the entire time.
- Made of Iron: All of the Companions are flagged as essential until the end of the guild's questline; but Farkas, for some reason, retains the essential flag permanently. His inability to be killed makes him a popular choice for follower.
- It's possible for him to be killed after he's been cured, at least in the Playstation 3 version of the game, so you may want to keep a close eye on that.
- Meaningful Name: Hungarian for "wolf".
- Mr. Fanservice: Has his share of fangirls among the community.
- Nice Guy: One of the friendliest Companions, and among the few to give you a warm welcome after joining. Similarly, the first thing he says to the Dragonborn after they witness him transforming into a werewolf and proceeding to slaughter his way through the Silver Hand mercenaries is indicative of his kind nature.Farkas: I hope I didn't scare you.
- Noodle Incident: Aela mentions that his first transformation gave them a lot of trouble, something only topped when the Dragonborn's first transformation ended with them running through the streets of Whiterun.
- One-Man Army: The Dragonborn's first exposure to lycanthropy is Farkas hulking out when surrounded by eight members of the Silver Hand and ripping them to shreds, all by himself. Otherwise, he's powerful and can't die due to an oversight, but he can be downed by sufficient numbers.
- Orphan's Ordeal: He and Vilkas were brought to Jorrvaskr as young children by Jergen, a member of the Companions. They have no memory of their mother, and aren't entirely certain whether or not Jergen was actually their father, but he more or less filled that role until he left to fight in the Great War, from which he never returned.
- Perma-Stubble: He doesn't have a full beard like many Nords, but neither is he ever clean-shaven.
- Polar Opposite Twins: He's less eloquent but very friendly to the Dragonborn in comparison to his much more cynical and dismissive brother. He's also the stronger of the twins, even regarding his lycanthropy; he can withstand the bloody urges of his bestial nature better than his brother.
- The Quiet One: When taken along as a follower, his remarks on your surroundings are few and far between, and usually rather short and to the point.Farkas: That's... that's... wow.
- Beware the Quiet Ones: He doesn't talk much, but the man can fight.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: Compared to his brother, he appears to be the red, but he's actually the blue.
- The Reveal: The Dragonborn first learns that members of the Companions are also werewolves during the quest Proving Honor while retrieving fragments of Wuuthrad from Dustman’s Cairn, when they become trapped Farkas will transform in front of them to fend off a gang of The Silver Hand.
- Stone Wall: Although he may appear to be a Mighty Glacier, he is actually this; his weapons skills are not that impressive, with his one-handed being average and his two-handed being actually somewhat low. On the other hand, he is - as noted above - the Master trainer for the Heavy Armor skill and the only Companion who remains flagged as essential after the guild's questline is complete, making him a wonderful meat shield.
- Theme Twin Naming: Both Farkas and Vilkas mean the same thing, although in different languages.
- Walking the Earth: In a different vein from Vilkas. According to the Elder Scrolls wiki, Farkas can, for no explained reason, wander into and out of the orc strongholds with perfect impunity. He has no reason to be there; he just opens the gate and strolls through the hold. The orcs don't mind.
- Weaksauce Weakness: His above fear of spiders; if he could just get past the psychological block he has regarding them, he can obviously tear them up (as seen in the above-referenced first mission together). In fact, he never mentions this Weaksauce Weakness again after it forms that small plot point, and if you bring him along as a follower, he will attack the spiders without complaint. If you cure his lycanthropy, he admits that the real reason he stayed behind was out of shame over not being a "true" Nord due to his werewolf curse, and now that he's free of it, he's quite eager to see the tomb for himself.
- Why Does It Have To Be Spiders?: He becomes afraid of Frostbite Spiders after your first mission together, to the point that he doesn't accompany you into the spider-nest at Ysgramor's Tomb during "Glory of the Dead". This later turns out to be a subversion: during "Purity" he mentions that it was shame that kept him from accompanying you any further into the tomb.
Vilkas
" There's been a group called the Companions for over 4000 years. It's been many different things in that time. A conquering army. Ruthless mercenaries. A band of drunken louts. And the esteemed company you see before you. But there's always been a kind of honor to it."
Voiced by: Michael Gough (English), Denis Shvedov (Russian)
Twin brother to Farkas, a more contemplative, thoughtful, and (paradoxically) hot-blooded counterpart to his twin.
- The Berserker: Doesn't look like it at first, but when Kodlak is killed by the Silver Hand, you'll witness it for the first time. Kodlak's journal also indicates as much. Additionally, he's the Master trainer for Two-Handed weapons, the buffing potions of which are tagged as "of the Berserker."
- BFS: His default weapon, like his brother. He's the Master trainer for the Two-Handed Weapon skill. He's also seen lecturing other Companions on the finer points of two-handed weapons.
- The Cynic: He will openly admit that while most others in the guild will mention honour or glory when asked why they joined, he works as a Companion for the coin.
- Cynical Mentor: Unlike his brother, he doesn't think you're Companion material, and says as much outright to Kodlak when you first join. However, if you perform especially well against him (i.e., deal a lot of damage), he compliments your combat prowess greatly. And at the end of the Companions questline, he accepts you as Harbinger, with the knowledge that you're an especially good fighter.
- During your proving fight, he'll restart the bout if you use an enchanted blade, mocking you for resorting to magic.
- Follower-in-Law: Can become this if the Dragonborn marries Farkas.
- Genius Bruiser: He's said to have the intellect of Ysgramor.
- Heroic BSoD: After his Roaring Rampage of Revenge ends, he realizes that it isn't what Kodlak would have wanted, and is so overwhelmed by his guilt and sadness that he can't follow the Dragonborn, Farkas, and Aela into Ysgramor's tomb.
- Hunk: Like his brother, he has many of the attributes.
- Insufferable Genius: Has shades of this. It goes away when the Dragonborn becomes Harbinger.Vilkas: I know our history almost as well as Vignar by now. Except I can remember it.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: A bit rough around the edges, but he's a good man at the end of the day. If you marry him, he actually turns out to be one of the more affectionate male options. He also loves his brother and will say as much if you ask him about something Farkas says to you.
- The Lancer: For you should you join the Companions.
- Meaningful Name: Lithuanian for "wolf". Also Finnish for "lively", ironically.
- The Mentor: Not to you, but to Ria. Ambient dialogue has her frequently conferring with him about her training.
- Number Two: He seems to become your second-in-command when you become Harbinger, since your other responsibilities don't let you stay in Jorrvaskr on any sort of permanent basis.
- Orphan's Ordeal: He and Farkas were brought to Jorrvaskr as young children by Jergen, a member of the Companions. They have no memory of their mother, and aren't entirely certain whether or not Jergen was actually their father, but he more or less filled that role until he left to fight in the Great War, from which he never returned.
- Perma-Stubble: He hasn't grown it out enough to have a beard per se, but it's quite noticeable.
- Polar Opposite Twins: The smarter and less friendly of the twins, but also more prone to and fearful of succumbing to the more savage urges of lycanthropy.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: He initially appears to be the blue in contrast to his brother, but he's actually the red.
- Roaring Rampage of Revenge: After Kodlak is killed by the Silver Hand, he and the Dragonborn set off to their encampment, both to recover the guild's stolen artifacts and to completely wipe out the Silver Hand.
- Theme Twin Naming: Both Farkas and Vilkas mean the same thing, although in different languages.
- Walking the Earth: He seems to do a lot of this. Once the Companions questline is completed, unless he marries the Dragonborn, it's quite common to find him wandering around Skyrim on various errands, often accompanied by Ria.
- What the Hell, Hero?: He will deliver a line of this nature to the Dragonborn when they arrive Late to the Tragedy after the Silver Hand invade Jorrvaskr and kill Kodlak, demanding to know why you weren't there to help. He doesn't really blame the Dragonborn for what happened, though; it's just the grief talking.
Skjor
"I would trust anyone here with my life, which is more than I'd say for the milk-drinkers who raised me."
Voiced by: Brandon Ellison (English), Alexander Barinov (Russian)
One of the members of the inner Circle of Companions.
- All There in the Manual: The official strategy guide lists him with the full title "Skjor the Scarred".
- Back-to-Back Badasses: Not seen, but apparently he and Kodlak once defeated 101 orc berserkers in battle together, according to Ria. He claims it was more like 40, though it's still a good achievement.
- Cursed with Awesome: Like Aela, he embraces his lycanthropy despite Kodlak's concerns, and is looking forward to spending an eternity in Hircine's Hunting Grounds.
- Dropped a Bridge on Him: Kind of inevitable if you run into enemy territory, heavily outnumbered.
- Handicapped Badass: He's blind in one eye.
- Innocent Bigot: He once assured Athis, the only elf in the Companions, that his race wasn't an issue because "even an elf can be born with the heart of a Nord". Athis is clearly well aware of the mildly racist connotations of this, but claims that he knows it was meant to be a compliment and so elected to take it as one. The aforementioned compliment is in fact the same line that was uttered in the first era by a dying Harbinger who named an elf, Henantier, as his successor. Henantier became known as the first Elven Harbinger.
- Jerkass: He'll constantly deride your accomplishments even when you've been inducted - at his invitation - into the Inner Circle of Companions.Skjor: You still need to prove yourself, whelp.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: However, when he leads you to the Underforge, he says he's glad you've joined them, that the Companions have rarely had such a fierce warrior amongst them, and that you are due more honor for your valor than simple feasting.
- Leeroy Jenkins: He dies after charging into a Silver Hand encampment and getting in over his head.
- Meaningful Name: Skjor is Norwegian for 'fragile'. Guess how long he lasts in this quest chain.
- Number Two: Through ambient conversations with Kodlak, it becomes clear that he is not only the Companion with the second-most authority, but that Kodlak is in fact grooming him to become his successor as Harbinger. Unsurprisingly, his death leads promptly to a Succession Crisis.
- Plot-Triggering Death: His murder by the Silver Hand is the point where the Companions questline turns into a much more serious arc.
- Undying Loyalty: The strategy guide notes that he's the Companion with the greatest sense of duty and honor, and that he doesn't really have any ambitions other than to be a steadfast friend to those who have earned his loyalty.
- Unexplained Recovery: Due to an amusing bug, he may eventually reappear alive and well in Jorrvaskr.
Njada Stonearm
"Fight well, don't be a lout, and you'll be fine. You don't need my help."
Voiced by: April Stewart (English), Inna Koroleva (Russian)
- Condescending Compassion: Regards you as having this if you heal her.Njada: I suppose you think that makes you better than me.
- Defrosting Ice Queen: She becomes much nicer toward you once you complete the questline, even going so far as to be a marriage option.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: While not every Companion is thrilled about you joining their ranks, Njada is the only one that's openly hostile, and nearly everything she says to you is some sort of insult. If you listen in on the ambient conversations, though, she's almost always respectful towards members of the Circle, and that extends to you after you become Harbinger... mostly.
- Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me: Favors a sword and shield combo, and trains in the Block skill.Skjor: I'm imagining you just standing your ground and letting them tire themselves out.
Njada: I'm telling you, it works. Let them ring their own ears on my shield, then scoop them up off the ground. - Meaningful Name: "Stonearm." She's a trainer for the Block skill.
- Navel-Deep Neckline: Courtesy of her hide armor, she shows a lot of cleavage via a neckline that plunges to her stomach.
- Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Apparently, she and Athis just don't like each other. When you first enter Jorrvaskr, they start to brawl and she ends up beating the hell out of him. By the comments made by some of the other Companions who are watching, this is a fairly regular occurrence.
- Tsundere: Type A. Her usual reactions to you aren't all that friendly, but every now and then you can spot the nice. This is especially true if you marry her, in which case pretty much all the jerk in her dissolves - for you, at least. She is also always respectful of you once you become Harbinger.
- Unexplained Recovery: Less famous than Skjor, but if she's killed, she can also randomly be found alive again.
Ria
"This group... this family... this band... this is the best thing I've ever been a part of."
Voiced by: Colleen Delaney (English), Maria Ovchinnikova (Russian)
The newest member of the Companions, before the Dragonborn comes along.
- Blood Knight: Downplayed, and almost comes across like she's pretending to be this because she thinks it will help her fit better in the group. One of the lines she may say to the player is, "I killed a bear yesterday, did you kill anything?"
- Gameplay and Story Segregation: One of her recurring lines is that she doesn't mind not being the newest member of the guild anymore because she "can show you the ropes". It's actually not possible for her to teach you anything - unlike most of the other Companions, she isn't a trainer of any kind.
- Naïve Newcomer: Also a Wide-Eyed Idealist. She has quite an idealistic view about the Companions, mostly because she grew up hearing legendary tales about them. She's also the newest member of the group (other than you).
- Nice Girl: If you encounter the group fighting the giant outside of Whiterun, and speak to Ria, she actively encourages you to come and join them.
- Plucky Girl: She doesn't have a whole lot of experience, and is one of the only Companions who can't train you in anything, but she's determined to be part of what's going on around her.
- Token Minority: The only Imperial in the group, unless the Dovahkiin is one.
- Walking the Earth: After the end of the quest chain, she can sometimes be found accompanying Vilkas out in the Skyrim wilderness.
Athis
"Fortune and glory, friend. Fortune and glory."
Voiced by: Keith Szarabajka (English), Vladislav Kopp (Russian)
A Dunmeri bladesman, making him an oddity in the almost entirely Nordic ranks of the Companions.
- Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Fairly subtle about it, but when discussing weapon preferences with Torvar, he claims that with his One-Handed weapon, he could strike the Nord several times before he finished his swing.
- Foreign Culture Fetish: He may seem to be one at a glance, as an elf who joined a mainly-Nord/all-human guild of warriors, but if you talk to him enough you'll realize it's averted. His pride as a Dunmer and son of Morrowind is unwavering. He has respect for the old Nord ways because they align with his culture and traditions, not because they differ. He's praised for having the "heart of a Nord", but he seems more amused by the compliment than anything.
- Fragile Speedster: Favors this fighting style. He's notably the only Companion who gets incapacitated during the Silver Hand attack.
- Glory Seeker: The reason why he joined up, as detailed in his quote above.
- Hidden Depths: Despite being a bit of an Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy, he chides Torvar for thinking the Circle is lording over them, and says that young warriors should listen to the older ones, because they lived.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: While he can be quite passive-aggressive, even to the Dragonborn after they become Harbinger, he's a loyal Companion at the end of the day and never voices any real complaints.
- Pet the Dog: Players accustomed to his standoffish arrogance may be surprised to find he gives fellow Dunmer a warm welcome into the family.
- Proud Warrior Race Guy: He takes great pride in being a Dunmer, and commends the Companions for honoring their warrior traditions. He may be an elf, but he was drawn to Jorrvaskr by their shared love of glory and combat.
- Stealth Insult: One of his default remarks when you are near him is how he hadn't expected the Companions to accept him, but now it seems "they'll let anyone in these days."
- Those Two Guys: He and Torvar are rarely seen apart.
- Token Minority: The only elf currently in the group, unless the Dovahkiin is one. In a bit of irony, the Companions were founded by Ysgramor to fight elves. Athis being a Companion isn't without precedent, however, as there have been Elven members before and some of them even became Harbingers.
- You Are a Credit to Your Race: Getting into a conversation with him will reveal that Athis was once assured by Skjor that his being an elf wasn't an issue - not because all races are equal, but because "anyone can be born with the heart of a Nord". Thankfully, Athis seems more amused by this comment than anything and is well aware that Skjor meant it as a compliment.
Torvar
"...when I'm in trouble, I always have someone on my side. We have Shield-Siblings to keep our backs as dangerous as our fronts. I think."
Voiced by: William Salyers (English), Dmitry Tarnover (Russian)
A junior member of the Companions who is in it more for the mead-drinking than the fighting.
- The Alcoholic: The man loves his mead. If the Dovahkiin heals him, he'll comment, "My hangover's gone!"
- Blood Knight: Despite joining up for no other reason than to pay off his debts, he does enjoy the combat aspect of his provision as much as the next Nord.
- Disorganized Outline Speech: The booze probably has a lot to do with it.
- Let's Get Dangerous!: He has only one stone-cold serious line in the game, and it's spoken while standing over a dead Silver Hand - "Don't leave any of them alive!"
- Properly Paranoid: The strategy guide claims that he's not taking well to the training and is becoming increasingly weary and anxious, because he's afraid of dying in battle. Considering what happens to Skjor and Kodlak during the questline, you can't blame him.
- The Slacker: Conversations show that Torvar hates training and would rather just fight, only to be told by Farkas that fighting isn't enough.
- Those Two Guys: Almost always seen in the company of Athis.
Vignar Gray-Mane
Brill
"I'd be dead if not for Vignar."
Voiced by: Thor Edgell (English), Yaroslav Agikyan (Russian)
A Nord who dwells within Jorrvaskr, but is not actually a member of the Companions. He lives there because he feels he owes a life debt to Vignar Gray-Mane.
- The Alcoholic: He was this when Vignar found him, helped him clean up, and got him a job.
- I Owe You My Life: How he feels about Vignar.
- Number Two: If the Stormcloaks win the Civil War, Vignar becomes Jarl of Whiterun, and Brill becomes his steward. (If he is killed prior, however, Proventus Avenicci keeps the job.)
- Undying Loyalty: To Vignar.
Tilma the Haggard
"Oh, I'm just a servant, dear. You'll want one of the Companions, I'm sure."
Voiced by: Alice Hirson (English), Lyudmila Ilyina (Russian)
The housekeeper for Jorrvaskr for as long as anyone can remember, herself included. Not officially a member of the Companions, but still a close confidante.
- Cool Old Lady: Quite old - the Companions can be heard to joke that they built the mead hall around her - and quite respected and trusted.
- Maid: She keeps Jorrvaskr clean.
- Parental Substitute: Said to be the closest thing Vilkas and Farkas have ever had to a mother.
- Secret-Keeper: "I see everything, hear everything, and know everything." Meaning she knows the Circle are werewolves.
- Welcome to Corneria: Unlike the other residents of Jorrvaskr, it's impossible to have any dialogue with her. And since she never leaves Jorrvaskr (which is a rather cramped building to begin with, meaning you'll be walking past her a lot if your character lives there), expect to hear "I've been tending to the warriors of Jorrvaskr for as long as I can remember" very, very often.
Eorlund Gray-Mane
"And dragons were once a myth, and elves ruled over all of Skyrim. Just because something is, doesn't mean it must be."
Voiced by: Paul Ganus (English), Artyom Kretov (Russian)
The master blacksmith who works the legendary Skyforge, which is capable of creating steel of exquisite quality. Like Tilma and unlike his brother Vignar, he's not an actual member, but a supporter.
- Always Someone Better: A few other smiths throughout Skyrim will note that they've heard that Eorlund is the greatest blacksmith in the land, and they intend to challenge that title with their own work. By contrast, the other Whiterun smith, Adrianne Avenicci, says she has no intention to try and outdo him; she just asks a fair price for her own modest work.
- On the other hand, Oengul War-Anvil offers
the theory that Eorlund's legendary skill is actually the work of the Skyforge itself and could be replicated by anyone working the forge. Of course, as a rival blacksmith, Oengul is obviously somewhat biased. - Eorlund actually is the best smith in Skyrim (he's the only one in the base game with the ability to train the Dragonborn to 90), although there is one master smith who can match him - Gunmar, who smiths for the Dawnguard. Gunmar doesn't have access to the Skyforge, though.
- And then, of course, there is the possibility of a Dragonborn who reaches level 100 in smithing and has access to the Skyforge. Only Eorlund can craft Skyforge Steel weapons, though; the player can improve them, but not craft them themselves.
- On the other hand, Oengul War-Anvil offers
- The Blacksmith: Considered by most to be the finest in Skyrim, and by some to be the finest in Tamriel. As noted above, at least one of his competitors mentions that while Eorlund is exceptionally skilled, working the Skyforge gives him an unfair advantage. Aside from weapons, he also does some work as a jeweler, with his wife selling various necklaces made by him.
- Cool Old Guy:
- Offers the player advice on how to handle themselves in the Companions, telling them not do whatever they're told just because they're the new meat. He then asks you to do a small favor for him. You have the option to point out the irony. He'll immediately rebuke you, pointing out that he didn't order you to help him and is only asking as a favor to an old man. You have to do the favor either way.
- He won't hesitate to help you take out a dragon if it attacks, and he'll even fight the city guards if they're after you.
- Happily Married: It's not overly apparent, but he really is. The Skyforge is closed every night so Eorlund can go home to his wife, Fralia, the mother of his three children. Fralia sells Eorlund's crafts by day as a merchant in Whiterun's marketplace. If you speak to her and ask who is the best smith in Skyrim, she will proudly inform you that it's her husband.
- Hates Small Talk: Judging by his grouchiness when you attempt to engage him in conversation, it's rather clear he'd prefer to continue working the forge in peace rather than engage in idle chit-chat with people. When you finally ask to buy something from his store:Eorlund: Gods be praised.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Can come off as a bit of a jerk at times when responding to questions he finds obvious. Though when that's said and done, he encourages the player to be independent if they can, and appears to genuinely care for the other Companions, even leading Kodlak's funeral and saying some kind words. He also insists that you're the one worthy of carrying Wuuthrad.
- "Not So Different" Remark: He points this out about the Stormcloaks and Imperials, saying that both sides presume to think that they can tell people how to live their lives. However, he'd rather hear it from a real Nord than some Emperor who doesn't know anything about him.
- Secret-Keeper: Like Tilma, he's entirely aware that many of the Companions are werewolves.
- Sixth Ranger: While not an official member of Companions, Eorlund nonetheless serves as their resident Ultimate Blacksmith and is heavily entrusted to carry out matters relating to the guild, such as the reforging of Wuuthrad.
- Ultimate Blacksmith: He fashions a weapon made of Skyforge steel (Elven-tier damage, Steel-tier everything else) of your choosing when you are accepted into the Companions. After Kodlak's funeral, he reforges Wuuthrad, the fabled axe of Ysgramor, founder of the Companions. He's also the Master Smithing trainer.
- Also runs the Ultimate Forge, the Skyforge — something about that forge just makes the coals burn hotter and the steel forged in it stronger, which is why the steel Skyforge weapons are just as good as Elven weapons (three tiers higher in quality). After the final Companions quest, the Skyforge can forge a unique set of equipment and weapons, with Eorlund stating his belief that Kodlak's ashes have somehow revitalised the Skyforge.
The College of Winterhold
Main courtyard
The only major facility in all of Skyrim where significant amounts of magical study and practice occur. It used to be a major center of study, but hard times since the Fourth Era started have led to a drop in student body size.
The College in General
- Ambiguously Evil: The faculty come across as this, at least in regards to how they operate the College. While they will throw people out for going too far, as long as students don't kill anyone in pursuit of magical experimentation or can provide at least a reasonable explanation for what they are doing, the faculty are willing to look the other way.
- Ancient Tomb: Sarthaal is an Ancient Nordic Tomb located southwest of Winterhold, you can visit it during the collage of Winterhold quest-line "Under Saarthal" while on a research expedition of the ruins with Tolfdir and three other mage-apprentices.
- Anti-Hero: For the most part they're decent enough folk, some more than others. Still, they excavate Nord burial sites without regard for disturbing the dead, and they fully tolerate necromancy and daedra summoning, so long as it doesn't intentionally kill another member of the college. They're also willing to look the other way if you conduct unsavory experiments, as long as you're careful not to get the locals riled up. On the other hand, they will also be very quick to send mages down to Winterhold to deal with the out-of-control anomalies spawned by Ancano's attempt to destroy the world.
- For Science!: Only Tolfdir has any actual desire to teach. Most of the rest of the faculty seems too wrapped up in their research.
- Heroic Neutral: While they will move quickly to defend Winterhold and act against Ancano's plot, for the most part, the College just want to be left alone to do their research. It's to the point that they refuse to acknowledge communications from the Synod and College of Whispers in Cyrodiil, because they know that doing so will just be used by either side for political gain.
- Hero with Bad Publicity: Though 'hero' is pushing it. The fact is when push comes to shove the college is willing to protect the locals, yet even afterward it seems the people of Skyrim have nothing but contempt for them - thinking they set-up the attack on Winterhold in the first place.
- High Turnover Rate: So high in fact that you can find almost as many mages in the game that were formerly members of the college as such that currently are.
- Hostile Weather: The area is so prone to blizzards that you might find yourself using that "Clear Skies" shout after a while.
- Klingon Scientists Get No Respect: Magic is stigmatised in Skyrim, and while it's never confirmed or denied, there's a widely held belief that it was some magical experiment at the College that's to blame for much of Winterhold collapsing into the sea. Many people are also heard to criticize the mages for, if not actively causing it, failing to use their magic to prevent the collapse.
- Mage Tower: While the College was not built as one, it has been left with this appearance due to the collapse of most of Winterhold into the Sea of Ghosts, leaving it perched precariously on top of a large rock formation.
- Magical Library: Many visitors come to Winterhold to visit the College's Library, containing some of the oldest documents and records in Skyrim.
- No OSHA Compliance: Apparently, students getting killed by mishaps isn't exactly unusual. And they have an entire underworks beneath the College filled with more than a few things of a dangerous nature... all in the hands of a blithe student.
- Simply entering the College requires crossing a crumbling stone bridge, which is suspended haphazardly a hundred feet above the ocean below, covered in snow and ice, and frequently battered by gale-force winds. The bridge itself appears to have been damaged in the Great Collapse, suggesting that either no one has bothered (or been able) to fix it in over eighty years or that magic is the only thing keeping it still standing.
- Noodle Incident: Phinis Gestor's lecture on College policy is filled with these, including:
- Warning students to not enter the Midden even though "the outbreak" was contained, as the area is still hazardous.note
- That once again they need to stop summoning Atronachs within sight of Winterhold. And Undead.
- That some students have been using invisibility to play pranks in Winterhold, and no one has seen any sign of the perpetrators.
- That "While Drevis appreciates the spellcasting skill that went into somehow cramming several hundred apples into his pillow... He would ask that it please not happen again."
- Only Shop in Town: While there are other sources, most of Winterhold's economy comes from travelers heading to the College.
- Screw the Rules, I Have Supernatural Powers!: At-least two magi there openly worship Talos, Tolfdir and Onmund, despite the Thalmor ban on Talos worship, with a Thalmor Inquisitor on campus! But Skyrim law seems to end at the college steps, guards won’t go there and even the treaty the Dragonborn can officiate stipulates the college is a neutral entity and is not affected by the accord. Fact is lawmakers know better than to even pretend a group of magic welders often bad-mouthed by the locals are subject to any outside authority.
- Wizards Live Longer: One of the possible benefits to Necromancy and/or Restoration is to become ageless - immortal unless killed. At-least one of the staff has achieved this.
- Wizarding School: Naturally.
Savos Aren
"What you learn here will last you a lifetime. Several, if you're talented."
Voiced by: Keith Silverstein (English), Alexander Kovrizhnykh (Russian)
The Archmage (leader) of the College of Winterhold.
- A Lighter Shade of Grey: Savos is a substantially less moral archmage than the likes of Hannibal Traven but far less amoral than the likes of Trebonius Artorius. He is no prude when it comes to dangerous experiments but demands at-least basic safety measures.
- The Archmage: His position at the College.
- The Atoner: His final act as Arch-Mage is to send the player to Labyrinthian, not merely to retrieve the Staff of Magnus, but to defeat Morokei and free the souls imprisoned holding him there, the souls of his friends he enthralled to keep Morokei in place.
- Break the Cutie: Savos was initially very eager and energetic to explore the Labyrinthian; by the end, not so much.
- Dark Secret: When he was a young mage, he and several other students of the College ventured into Labyrinthian seeking the Staff of Magnus. They found it... in the hands of an ancient, powerful, undead Dragon Priest named Morokei, whom they awakened with their presence. Savos ended up having to sacrifice his two surviving colleagues - the others having died along the way - and raise them as thralls to keep Morokei down there, before escaping the dungeon empty-handed and alone. When the Dovahkiin follows in his footsteps, Morokei first assumes they must be Savos. No one at the College seems to know that Savos ever did such a thing.
- Fantastically Indifferent: Finding a legendary artifact of extreme power barely gets him to look up from his book. Also he has zero respect for the Thalmor, the so-called self-appointed "Elven Masters of the Empire", much to Ancano's frustration.
- Killed Off for Real: Killed when Ancano starts harnessing the power of the Eye of Magnus. He's hit so hard, he's blown out of the Chamber of Elements and into the courtyard.
- Let Us Never Speak of This Again: His policy toward the Augur of Dunlain.
- Mentor Occupational Hazard: He continues the trend of groups that the Dragonborn joins abruptly losing their leaders.
- My Greatest Failure: Despite the player never hearing him talk about it in life, it's clear through flashback scenes in Labyrinthian that he views his past ill-fated expedition there as this. He got his fellow students to accompany him into what turned out to be a dangerous crypt, egged his fellow students to press onward despite being part of a Dwindling Party, and ended up having to sacrifice the last two to keep Morokei sealed away. He is left as a very distraught sole survivor. It can be inferred, though it's never outright confirmed, that a potential reason for his observed lackadaisical approach in running the college is because he doesn't view himself as worthy enough of the position, on account of how he helped lead several fellow mages to their deaths. Additionally, in hidden dialogue within the game files, he explicitly refers to the entire incident using the trope name.
- My Species Doth Protest Too Much: Despite the Thalmor supposedly representing elven superiority over the races of man and the fact Savos is an elf, he has no intention of even slightly humoring their representative, Ancano, as anything other than a guest.
- Stopped Caring: At this point the prospect of more students accidently getting injured is a best an irritation to him.
- Take Up My Sword: Left instructions that in the event of his death, Mirabelle should pass on the Torc of Labyrinthian when the time was right. It seems that, after his initial attempts to dissuade the Dragonborn from their goal of finding the Staff of Magnus failed, he decided to subtly prepare the Dragonborn to finish what he started long ago.
- The Farmer and the Viper: The farmer to Ancano’s viper. He welcomes Ancano as little more than not wishing to snub the Thalmor, but feels no obligation to give him special treatment; Turns out giving Ancano even that much benefit of the doubt was a fatal mistake.
- Wizards Live Longer: He has been alive for over an age, even for a Dunmer that is obscenely old, and yet his hair hasn’t even gone white yet.
Mirabelle Ervine
"Please don't bother the Arch-Mage unless it's absolutely necessary."
Voiced by: Mozhan Marnò (English), Larisa Brochman (Russian)
She's the Master Wizard - second-highest-ranking member - of the College of Winterhold.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Faces Ancano alone, knowing it'll result in her death, in order to give her colleagues time to escape.
- Hypercompetent Sidekick: A lot more active in the administration of the College than Savos.
- Killed Offscreen: After she sends you to Labyrinthian to retrieve the Staff of Magnus, Mirabelle dies protecting her colleagues from Ancano.
- Not Too Dead to Save the Day: Subverted and downplayed. After her death, some of the staff members may occasionally express surprise that they haven't heard from her. They seem to think that Mirabelle wouldn't let a little thing like being dead get in the way of her correspondence.
- Number Two: Second-in-command at the College of Winterhold.
- Only Sane Man: She's about the only mage in the College who is down-to-earth and cares about running the place efficiently. At least, she tries.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Mirabelle is much more willing to listen to you and give advice during the main quest for the College than Savos, even if she remains somewhat skeptical on the whole business surrounding the Eye of Magnus and the Staff of Magnus.
- Stern Teacher: Though not unreasonable.
Tolfdir
"It's always encouraging to see the younger generations embracing education."
Voiced by: George Coe (English), Alexey Mikhailov (Russian)
The Alteration specialist in the college's faculty.
- Absent-Minded Professor: He tends to lose his alembic a lot. The Dovahkiin gets a very small gold reward and a Soul Gem for returning it to him, but it's really just a tip on top of the warm fuzzy feeling.
- Beware the Nice Ones: A mild-mannered mage, until he takes out the fire...
- Cool Old Guy: Quite possibly the nicest member of the Winterhold faculty.
- Cool Teacher: He's the only member of the faculty still concerned with teaching.
- Cultural Rebel: Judging by his name and appearance, he's a Nord, and as as one of the senior mages of the College, he obviously doesn't care about the Nords' usual bias against magic.
- Dissonant Serenity: In Saarthal, he'll marvel at the Nordic architecture while torching Draugr left and right.
- Hypercompetent Sidekick: Even after becoming Arch-Mage, there's nothing you can actually do to control or influence the operations of the college, and you still have to answer to him if you break the rules, so he's effectively the one in charge once the questline is finished.
- Illegal Religion: He references the "Nine Divine" meaning Tolfdir openly worships the now illegeal ninth divine, Talos. However since the College of Winterhold doesn't observe local government, he is free to do so on college grounds.
- Nice Guy: He's nothing but kind, respectful, and caring, especially toward his students.
- Number Two: He takes over as Master Wizard, replacing Mirabelle, once you become Archmage.
- Old Master: He's an old man and a specialist in his field who isn't afraid to torch the opposition with fire spells.
- Only Sane Man: Believes caution must be used when practising magic, unlike the more laissez-faire attitude of his colleagues.
- Playing with Fire: When he decides to get dangerous, he throws fire spells.
- Reality Warper: His field of expertise, Alteration magic, is a low-impact form of this (according to texts like Reality and Other Falsehoods).
- Reasonable Authority Figure: He evidently cares about the well-being of his students and the college. It's only appropriate that he replaces Mirabelle as Master Wizard.
- Wizard Beard: He's a Nord and a wizard, so this shouldn't be surprising.
J'Zargo
"Khajiit are not known as mages, so J'zargo has much to prove."
Voiced by: André Sogliuzzo (English), Alexander Dzyuba (Russian)
A Khajiit apprentice in the same class as you in the College of Winterhold. He's also the only base game companion who won't level cap and can keep up with the Dragonborn even during the late game.
- Anti-Hero: Pragmatic Anti-Hero.
- Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: J'Zargo is sizing up his classmates as potential rivals when you first meet him. Your first potential dialogue with him consists of basic pleasantries before he asks if you've mastered Expert-level Destruction yet. Which leads into...
- Break the Haughty: If you have mastered Expert Destruction (i.e. taken the perk) when he springs the question on you, he'll be rather taken aback, clearly not expecting an affirmative answer. He'll sound disheartened for a moment before quickly bouncing back to admit that he has much to learn, and happy that there is some actual competition.
- Five-Finger Discount: He seeks anything that will help him become a better mage. Preferably things that are small enough to fit in pockets and will not be missed.
- Genius Ditz: If it doesn't involve magically induced carnage, he doesn't have an opinion on it.
- Hidden Heart of Gold: His kung-fu arrogance appears mostly in jest, and he warms up after you earn his friendship.
- Insufferable Genius: He's skilled and competent, sure, but also feels the need of being a walking billboard about it.
- Jack of All Stats: He has decent stats in several areas, along with mastery of others, which helps him avoid being a Master of None.
- Kung-Fu Wizard: Like almost everybody else at the college, he doesn't actually carry any weapons, so if he ever runs out of Magicka (almost impossible at higher levels) he'll start going to town with his bare hands. Unlike his colleagues, though, he's a Khajiit and gets the full benefit of his claws.
- Magic Knight: Skilled in heavy armor and one-handed weapons, he can take damage as well as he can dish it out.
- Master of Illusion: The highest Illusion stat of any follower in the game.
- The Not-Love Interest: Despite having arguably the most developed and distinct character out of your classmates in the College, he's the only one of the three that isn't a marriage option due to him being a Khajiit.
- Obfuscating Stupidity: It's impossible to tell if he's an impulsive idiot, or cleverly exploiting the reputation Khajiit have for being a bit dim.
- Playing with Fire: His quest involves testing out some flame cloak spells he devised, on the undead. Spells that take off a significant chunk of the user's health in the process, by way of explosion.J'Zargo: Did you try them? Were they magnificent?
Dovahkiin: Were they supposed to explode? Because they exploded. - The Rival: To everyone he meets.
- Shock and Awe: Lightining spells are his primary offense in battle.
- Squishy Wizard: Averted strongly. Heavy Armor is one of his best skills.
- Stuff Blowing Up: His entire reason for being, so far as he's concerned.
- Third-Person Person: A common trait with Khajiit. J'Zargo sure likes to speak about J'Zargo whenever J'Zargo has the opportunity.
- Special mention should go to one of his "Follow" responses, where he talks about his race in third person.
J'Zargo: Khajiit will follow.- Averted if you make him a Blade; the stock Blade responses override the Khajiit ones.
- To Be a Master: J'Zargo wants to become the best in the world at destruction magic.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: Once you earn his friendship.
- Worthy Opponent: Sees the Dragonborn as one, particularly if they become Archmage.J'zargo: J'zargo had expected to be named Archmage... but there is still time.
Brelyna Maryon
Voiced by: Corri English (English), Daria Frolova (Russian)
A fellow apprentice you meet in your first class at the College Of Winterhold.
- Badass Bookworm: She's both bookish and a powerful mage, though she's somewhat nervous about using her abilities.
- Bumbling Sidekick: When you offer to be her test subject for spells, she'll first turn you green (you'll see everything through a green filter, too). You have to wait for it to wear off. In her next experiment, she accidentally turns you into a cow. And then a horse. And a dog. Then she fixes it and apologises profusely.
- Combat Pragmatist: Avoids rushing into combat in favour of using summons, subterfuge and defensive magic.
- Cute Bookworm: Often is shown to begin reading whenever she stands idle.
- Cute Clumsy Girl: Even when she's completely botching the spells she casts on you is she utterly adorable.
- Cute Witch: In contrast to the rather dour, world-weary attitude of most dark elf NPCs, she has an innocent and sunny demeanour.
- Deadpan Snarker: Not usually, but she does get a few light barbs here and there. The most notable and pointed instance is when she first meets the Dragonborn, assuming that they're about to unload on her with questions that she's sick and tired of answering.Tolfdir: So, as I was saying, the first thing to understand is that magic is, by its very nature, volatile and dangerous. Unless you can control it, it can and will destroy you.
Brelyna: Sir, I think we all understand that fairly well. We wouldn't be here if we couldn't control magic. - Forced Transformation: If you agree to be her test subject, in her second experiment she accidentally turns you into a cow. Her attempts to fix this turn you into a horse and a dog before they finally succeed.
- Girlish Pigtails: Though they're often hidden by her hood.
- Hero-Worshipper: Is the most enthusiastic and congratulatory if the Dragonborn becomes Archmage.
- I'm a Doctor, Not a Placeholder: If you try to open her inventory as a follower, she quips, "I'm a mage, not a pawnbroker, you know".
- Irony: Can cause this unintentionally, given how glitchy Skyrim can be. While you're helping her with her assorted experiments, your Miscellaneous quests list will include a line about waiting for the effects of the current experiment to wear off. It's possible for this waiting to become stuck there, preventing you from moving on to the next one or from ever having any further dialogue with her. The irony comes in when you consider how buggy her experiments are in the first place - it's almost like the game glitches on purpose as a joke.
- Let Us Never Speak of This Again: One of the Dovahkiin's possible reactions to the spell-testing ordeal.
- Mad Scientist's Beautiful Daughter: Possibly. The official strategy guide states that she isn't actually from mainland Morrowind or Vvardenfell, but from Solstheim. When you travel there as part of the Dragonborn expansion, there is only one Telvanni wizard there, and he fits every description she gives of her family. Given his age and abilities she needn't necessarily be his daughter; she could just as easily be his granddaughter, great-granddaughter, niece, or opposite-sex-clone.
- Nice Girl: She's one of the kindest and friendliest faces at the College.
- Nothing Personal: She even comments that her ancestors and Onmund's ancestors tried to kill each other over Saarthal while walking through it. She considers such conflicts sensely, and has nothing against Onmund for it.
- Royal Blood: She's a descendant of House Telvanni, one of the Great Houses of Morrowind. She mentions that at home, her lineage causes others to put a great deal of pressure on her to excel, and she prefers the more relaxed, study-focused atmosphere of the college.note
- Squishy Wizard: Brelyna has a fairly low health pool and level cap, and unlike her fellows does not specialize in Heavy Armor, meaning that she doesn't hold up well under fire.
- There Is No Kill Like Overkill: She will often summon two powerful atronachs and use her own destruction magic against weak enemies like wolves, or even when you try to hunt a peaceful wilderness creature.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Her reason for being at the college.
- Can lead to a very heartwarming moment if you marry her after completing the college quest line, giving her something to help herself meet her family's high expectations - marrying the Archmage themself.
Onmund
"I was hoping I wouldn't be the only Nord here, but I guess I should have thought better."
Voiced by: Jason Marsden (English), Anton Kolesnikov (Russian)
Another fellow apprentice at the College of Winterhold.
- Barrier Warrior: He is prone to putting up wards, and given the chance will gladly put himself between you and a mage when spells start getting flung at you.
- Combat Medic: Of the three college followers he is the most prone to healing himself and you, but in-between that is usually lobbing Thunderbolts at enemies.
- The Conscience: Tries to act as this to rest of the expedition into Saarthal, but no one else seems concerned with entering his ancestors' crypt.
- Cultural Rebel: Notable for being one of the few Nords who actually puts faith in magic.
- Dreaming of Things to Come: The Psijic monks send him one of these visions, so he leaves the college to find you, just before it gets sealed behind him due to the Eye of Magnus.
- Due to the Dead: He may be interested in magic, but he's still a Nord, and believes that the dead of Saarthal deserve to rest in peace instead of the College conducting an excavation.
- Healing Hands: The only apprentice who starts out with, and frequently uses this when he sees you in trouble.
- Illegal Religion: He will exclaim "By the Nine!", when he is shocked - indicating he believes in the now, illegal ninth Divine, Talos. Luckly for him Arch-Mage Aren doesn't even pretend to observe the ban on college grounds.
- Magic Knight: Has specs in One/two-handed, Destruction, Illusion, and heavy armor.
- My Species Doth Protest Too Much: Strongly resents the Proud Warrior Race status of his people.
- Nord Wizards Get No Respect: Lampshades this during his initial conversation. If the Dragonborn is a Nord, he's rather happy to discover that he's not the only one who sees the benefit of studying magic.
- Nice Guy: Easily one of the most friendly personable members of the college.
- Nothing Personal: Despite Brelyna's ancestors and his ancestors trying to kill each-other over Saarthal, he really doesn't seems to mind working with her. Likewise, despite his aversion to disturbing the dead, there is no indication he and the school necromancer have any animosity.
- The Pollyanna: The official strategy guide says that he's puzzled as to why nobody around him seems to be as happy as he is, and that while his attempts to make friends and engage in social activities often don't work out, it hasn't dampened his enthusiasm.
Arniel Gane
Voiced by: Richard Epcar (English), Alexander Komlev (Russian)
A member of the College of Winterhold who is working on a personal research project involving the long-lost Dwemer.
- Bare-Fisted Monk: His A.I. is bugged, so if he finds himself in combat before his transformation into a Shade, he tends to forget that he has access to Destruction spells and tries to punch his opponents to death instead.
- Butt-Monkey: Seems to be this to most members of the College. It was made more obvious in some dialogue that doesn't appear in the game due to a bug, but it's still implied, since nobody seems to care about his work or even acknowledge his disappearance.
- Came Back Wrong: Seems to have lost his mind or is in pain as a Shade, with his only lines of dialogue being groans and a desire to end life.
- Freak Lab Accident: The conclusion of his questline sees him smacking at a Warped Soul Gem with Keening and subsequently vanishing in a small explosion... only to turn up in the player's spell inventory as a summon.
- Gone Horribly Right: His questline involves re-creating the Disappearance of the Dwemer. In the end, he finally performs an approximation of the spell... and winks out of existence much like the Dwemer did. Success???
- It's All About Me: Even when Winterhold and the entire world are endangered by Ancano, his first concern is whether his research is okay.
- Our Ghosts Are Different: He turns into a Shade after death, which the player can summon through their spell inventory. Unfortunately, it's possible for the game to glitch in such a way that he's completely useless as a summon, and won't even converse with you properly.
- Shock and Awe: Prefers to dual-cast electric spells as a Shade, though he also throws fireballs on occasion.
- Too Dumb to Live: He's planning to recreate the events that led to the Dwemer vanishing, without telling anyone what he's doing or allowing anyone to provide oversight or feedback on his methods. Moreover, he's trying it in the middle of the college with weak counterparts of the proper items that were involved. Everyone is fortunate that turning himself into a Shade is all he does.
Enthir
"Nothing illicit going on here, Arch-Mage. You can be sure of that."
Voiced by: Stephen Russell (English), Eugene Waltz (Russian)
A shady black-market dealer on the campus.
- Ambiguously Evil: Speaking to him it is obviously he is up to something. Turns out he has all manner of taboo magical components for sale.
- While he barters with rogue mages, he's also willing to have them taken care of if they're reckless or indiscreet with things he sells them. He deals and is interested in a wide variety of strange goods outside of his obvious contraband (such as the black soul gems and daedra hearts), from Arniel's unusual custom implements, to Onmund's expensive but otherwise ordinary family heirloom, to dragon teeth. And yet, despite his willingness to undergo risky trades and his constant figuring of the best way to profit off of a situation, he strongly objects to the notion that he's in it for coin, leaving the question of what he is getting out of his business a complete mystery.
- He also has connections to the Thieves Guild; ironically, that's one of his more positive traits, as he deals with them more out of respect for his genuine scholarly friendship with their old guildmaster, Gallus, than he does out of interest in making money.
- Blatant Lies: If you talk with him after becoming Archmage, he always begins the conversation by saying that there's nothing underhanded happening. Even if you've completed the Thieves Guild quest and know that isn't the case.
- Chain of Deals: In a small way, since he has a personal rule about never, ever going back on a deal. As in, if you traded something to him and now you want it back, tough. You should have thought of that before you made the deal. However, if someone else makes a trade for the object and then gives it back to you, he doesn't mind... which leads to the Dovahkiin running around doing favours for Enthir to get things he's traded to others so they can give them back to their owners.
- Chekhov's Gunman: If you do the College of Winterhold questline first, you can get the vibe that something's up with this guy. Then, if you do the Thieves' Guild questline...
- Even Evil Has Standards: To a degree. He'll sometimes regret selling powerful magical items to dangerous individuals like rogue mages and vampires. See Hypocrite below for more details.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: He genuinely respected Gallus, the former Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild as a friend and fellow scholar, and helps you during that questline out of a desire to see the killer brought to justice. That also seems to extend to Karliah, whom he treats far more kindly and amicably than anyone else he ever talks to.
- Friend in the Black Market: He has connections with the Thieves' Guild and will even act as a fence for stolen goods once the player gets far enough along in the Thieves' Guild questline. He also sells the highly illegal and unethical Black Soul Gems.
- Hypocrite: Will never issue refunds, but has a habit of giving powerful objects to nasty people (like vampires) and then realising that was probably a bad idea, which leads him to send the Dovahkiin to, typically, murder the nasty people and steal back the objects to cover his own ass. If you call him on this, he claims it's far too economically complex and subtle for you to understand.
- Pet the Dog: If your Persuasion is good enough, Enthir can be convinced to make an exception for Onmund, and he returns Onmund's family heirloom free of charge. He will also help Karliah decode Gallus' journal for free to uncover the truth behind his departed friend's murder, and reminisce fondly and sadly about how he and Gallus met.
- Secret-Keeper: Seems to have been this for Gallus and Karliah, knowing the truth about the Nightingales and later Mercer's betrayal and Karliah's innocence and revenge plan long before the rest of the guild did.
Faralda
"The College is an asset to Skyrim, even if it goes unnoticed or unappreciated."
Voiced by: Susan Eisenberg (English), Olga Kuznetsova (Russian)
The go-to elf for everything Destruction.
- Actually Pretty Funny: When she asks why you're at the college, one possible response is "I just wanted to see what it looks like inside." She knows that's probably not the reason you're actually there, but gets a laugh out of it anyway and admits that people with a sense of humor are in short supply at the college.
- The Big Guy: Tall like all Altmer, but what makes her this trope is the fact that she's pretty much the gate guard for the College and is a strong magical fighter. She's also the first of the mages to charge into the fray when Ancano summons wisps to attack Winterhold.
- Big Sister Mentor: While she comes across as indifferent toward the Dragonborn at first, she quickly warms up to them once they prove worthy of entering the college, and is the only College trainer aside from Tolfdir that expresses particular fondness toward the Dragonborn when they interact. Her concern for the Dragonborn is to the extent that, when Dragonborn asks her about Ancano, her immediate reaction is to warn them to keep their guard up around the Thalmor Mage.
- Cool Teacher: Not as active in teaching as Tolfdir, but she's still one of the more reasonable faculty members. If you get her to teach you about Destruction magic, she'll happily hand out advice in a patient, respectful, and humble manner to make sure that you don't blow yourself up.
- Girly Bruiser: The pigtails and dainty walk only accentuate her ability to nuke everything in sight.
- The Knights Who Say "Squee!": Revealing to her that you're the Dragonborn and demonstrating your mastery of the Thu'um is enough for her to let you into the College without performing a normal magical demonstration, and she's rather excited about being able to see an ancient and near-forgotten form of magic in action.
- My Species Doth Protest Too Much: She's an Altmer, but not a Thalmor, and will warn you about Ancano.
- The Rival: According to the Prima strategy guide, she and Nirya have a rivalry going on, spawning from the fact that both of them have their eye on the Master Wizard position. Sergius Turrianus, aware of the rivalry, attempts to instigate conflict between the two in the hopes that Faralda will go running to him for comfort when she's upset.
- Unknown Rival: Most of the above doesn't actually appear in-game; instead, she seems to be on the receiving end of an unknown rivalry. Nirya complains to the Dragonborn about Faralda, but Faralda appears to barely spare her a thought.
- Shock and Awe: Her preferred form of Destruction magic is thunder magic.
- Statuesque Stunner: Being a Altmer, she's taller than almost everyone, and is better looking than most Altmer women, with her pronounced cheekbones, animesque eyes and that smiles a lot.
- Threshold Guardian: One of her duties in the College seems to be to guard the bridge to the College, requiring a demonstration of magical potential before she will allow anyone admission into the College.
- Token Enemy Minority:
- For an organization working for the benefit of her whole race, she really doesn't seem to have much respect for the Thalmor.
- Like many of residents of the college she also subverts the common stereotype of her race, showing at least the barest humility in the face of other races and showing the Dragonborn due respect after being welcomed by the college.
Nirya
Voiced by: Julianne Buescher (English), Bella Co (Russian)
A self-confident elf student looking to make a name for herself.
- All Girls Want Bad Boys: Fancies Ancano despite not trusting him at all.
- Everyone Has Standards: Even she knows not to trust Ancano.
- Inferiority Superiority Complex: She spends far too much time brooding over Faralda's relative success, and obviously feels stuck in her shadow.
- Jerkass: Big time. If you kill her, you're liable to get a letter from Faralda saying she knows it was you, but she's not planning to rat you out for it.
- The Rival: According to the official strategy guide, she and Faralda have a rivalry going on, spawning from the fact that both of them have their eye on the Master Wizard position.
- Small Name, Big Ego: Very arrogant and confident, but she has only Apprentice level spells, and won't serve as a trainer.
- Teacher's Pet: Attempts to invoke this to the Dragonborn when they become Archmage. "I do hope you'll remember who has been the most helpful during your time here, Archmage." It's a strange thing for her to say, considering she is literally the only member of the College (barring, of course, Ancano) who doesn't ever actually do anything even remotely helpful.
- Unknown Rival: While the strategy guide makes it clear that both she and Faralda are involved in the rivalry for the position of Master Wizard, in-game, Nirya seems to be the only one that feels this way: to her, Faralda is an obstacle to overcome. Every hint of advice is a ploy to weaken her self-confidence, and Nirya is initially hostile to the Dragonborn because she suspects they might be sent by Faralda. Given the trope this entry is about, you can tell who's the unknown one in this rivalry.
- Unwitting Pawn: The strategy guide notes that Sergius Turrianus gives Nirya hints on how to sabotage Faralda; as mentioned above, he's trying to make Faralda upset so that he can comfort her and make her like him. Nirya does suspect he's using her, but can't figure out why, so she just goes with it without worrying too much about it.
Phinis Gestor
"There are few places where one can pursue my type of work without fear of persecution."
Voiced by: Keith Silverstein (English), Alexander Kovrizhnykh (Russian)
The college's Conjuration-specialized faculty member.
- Bad Powers, Good People: Friendly and wise, however his main area of expertise is raising the dead, and binding Daedra.
- Creepy Good: With a pleasant tone and a helpful smile, he assures you that, should you die, he will see to it your remains are put to good use.
- Dark Is Not Evil: He is quite insistent that necromancy is a tool like any other magic school.
- Fair-Weather Mentor: He lost no less than four previous conjuration students who went off to do dangerous experiments. He wonders where they ended up, but it is an idle curiosity, not actual concern. None of them are coming back.
- Necromancer: Almost certainly. He's the master of the Conjuration school, which includes necromancy spells, and promises you that if you die on college grounds, he'll make sure your remains are put to good use. Furthermore, he openly claims that necromancy is a tool to be used and policies against it are "archaic."
- Noodle Incident: One in Morthal, which he insists was a misunderstanding, despite what the guards claim.
- Nothing Personal: Most of the rest of Skyrim fears magic and even quite a few other mages have hang-ups about necromancy. He is quite aware of this, but as long as the school provides him a safe place to practice his craft he really doesn't bear any ill will to the fearful masses.
- Sink or Swim Mentor: Becoming a Conjuration Master under him requires summoning an unbound Daedra (meaning that unlike regular summons, it is not magically forced to do your will) and somehow force it to get a sigil stone for you, instead of simply hitting you in the face with a massive Flaming Sword. Of course, he has no intention of doing that for you. If you want to toy with the forces of Oblivion, that's on you!
- Summon Magic: He specializes in the school of Conjuration, and he is the one who sells you Master-level Conjuration spells after you do the necessary quest.
- Token Evil Teammate: A very mild example, depending on how you feel about necromancy.
Colette Marence
"Restoration is a perfectly valid school of magic, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!"
Resident Restoration expert at the college.
- Heart Is an Awesome Power: She's incredibly paranoid that her colleagues don't respect her mastery of the Restoration school, which is why she'll frequently try to remind you of its many practical applications. If you ask for training, she immediately approves, happily declaring that "I'll gladly share my knowledge with you."
- Hippie Teacher: According to the Prima strategy guide, the others at the college view her as one (a "peace-loving star-gazing Spriggan-hugger," to be exact). She tried to break out of that image but found that she was treated even worse, so she stopped trying to change their view of her.
- Irony: She gets a lot of disrespect at the college for being the Restoration School's expert. Out in the rest of the world, however, Restoration is the one school of magic that even the Nords consider valuable. Guards frequently note their respect for the Restoration School and that Skyrim needs more healers, although that may be at least partly based on current events.
- Signature Line: "Restoration is a perfectly valid school of magic!"
Urag gro-Shub
"I don't want to see you treating any of these books poorly. Are we clear?"
Voiced by: Noah Nelson (English), Sergey Lavygin (Russian)
The librarian of the College.
- Badass Bookworm: Being an orc usually means being badass, and the bookworm part is implied by his love of books, so its only natural that they put him in charge of guarding and maintaining the librarynote , arguably the most important piece of the College.
- Berserk Button: Never ever disrespect his library or its contents.
- Cultural Rebel: Orcs are mainly Proud Warrior Race Guys who are really into fighting, so Urag's love of books and spells is unusual for his people. That said, it's still implied he channels his natural aggression onto anyone who messes with his beloved library.
- Cultured Badass: He's probably the single most well-read Orc in the game, if not the series.
- Dramatic Irony: He claims not even the greatest of thieves could lay their hands on an Elder Scroll if he had it. The final quest of the Thieves Guild in Oblivion involves doing exactly that by stealing an Elder Scroll from under the noses of its guardians.
- Establishing Character Moment: His first greeting to the Dragonborn involves him threatening to have them torn apart by angry Atronachs if they disrupt the library, before calmly asking them if they require help learning anything.
- Jerkass: If you deliver a book from a dangerous cave to him, he'll be more concerned about the book's condition and he only pays like 30 septims. At least he thanks you for finding the book.
- Jerkass Has a Point: He's a librarian tasked with protecting valuable information, plenty of it centuries old, so it's understandable if he comes off as a bit harsh.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Though he's fairly abrasive and just a tad book-obsessed, Urag will legitimately thank you for fnding him a book. Giving him the Elder Scroll (Dragon) will result in a moment of utter shock on his part, before he sincerely thanks you for it and admits he's "beyond honoured" to receive it.
- Klingon Scientists Get No Respect:
- He's still an Orc despite his chosen occupation, and it shows:Urag: You are now in the Arcanaeum, of which I am in charge. It might as well be my own little plane of Oblivion. Disrupt my Arcanaeum, and I will have you torn apart by angry Atronachs. Now, do you require assistance?
- Despite being a librarian in distant Winterhold, Urag still maintains contact with the various Orc strongholds, and his word is enough to gain you entry should you help him find books.
- He's still an Orc despite his chosen occupation, and it shows:
- Magic Librarian: He's in charge of the Arcanaeum, and he's every bit the mage the other members are.
- Mr. Exposition: He's the go-to guy when it comes to finding an Elder Scroll, and will point you in the right direction.
- Older Than They Look: He looks to be in his 70s. His dialogue implies he's been in the College since the Second Era, more than 600 years ago.
- Scary Librarian: Most librarians in normal libraries will fine you if you damage their books. Urag gro-Shub is not most librarians, and the Arcanum is most definetly not a normal librarynote . So, understandably, upon laying down the rules of the place, he promptly threatens to sic Atronachs on you if you step out of line.
- Serious Business: Is fiercely devoted to his duties tending to books and threatens to have you torn apart by Atronachs if you damage them. According to one of Phinis's lectures, he threatened to take a "blood price" from anyone who damaged a book and didn't return or recompense for it.
- Square Race, Round Class: Even if Elder Scrolls orcs are Blizzardian-type, you still wouldn't expect to see one as the librarian at a magical college. Notably he's also one of only two of male Orc mages in Skyrim (the other being the Magic Knight Bashnag), the others being females such as the wise women in ther Strongholds.
- Squee: After the main questline, you can give him the Elder Scroll you retrieved in order to learn Dragonrend, and his response is basically this.note
- Wizards Live Longer: Orcs normally live about 65 years, making them shortest-lived races of elves by a long-shot. Urag is implied to over 600, making him older than even the oldest of other elves.
The Augur of Dunlain
A former member of the College, now some sort of... thing living in the caves beneath the College.
- Ascend to a Higher Plane of Existence: As a result of an experiment gone awry.
- Energy Being: It doesn't really seem to have a proper body.
- Training from Hell: His method of teaching advanced Restoration magic is to make you fend off a pack of ghosts that can't be harmed. Without using anything other than your wits - including the clothes on your back.
- Was Once a Man: He was a student at the College until an unapproved experiment went badly.
Drevis Neloren
"Confound it all! I was sure I was invisible, or at least transparent..."
Voiced by: Jon Curry (English), Alexander Matrosov (Russian)
The resident Illusionist at the college.
- Absent-Minded Professor: When you first talk to him, he's under the impression that he has an invisibility effect on himself. You can string him along or you can tell him up front that it's not working.
- Master of Illusion: Don't let the invisibility incident fool you; he's the Master level Illusion trainer.
- You Can See Me?: Yes, yes we can. Or wait... No, no we can't.
Sergius Turrianus
Voiced by: Jim Cummings (English), Alexey Kuznetsov (Russian)
The faculty enchanter.
- Kavorka Man: In the construction set, he is listed as a lover to both Faralda and Nirya.
- Screw Politeness, I'm a Senior!: As per Jim Cummings' "MaleOldGrumpy" voice type.
Quaranir
"A great many things obscured to you are quite clear to us. We have long believed you would prevail."
Voiced by: Neil Dickson (English), Andrey Finyagin (Russian)
A member of the secretive Psijic Order, an ancient order of Mages, who is the first to warn you about the looming threat you will face in the College questline.
- Big Good: Of the College questline. He's the one that steers you down the path to thwarting Ancano, who plans to use the Eye of Magnus to apocalyptic ends.
- The Chooser of the One: At the conclusion of the questline, he shows up and, as part of his monologuing, declares you to be the new Archmage of the college. Tolfdir agrees, which is apparently all that's needed to make it official.
- Obfuscating Stupidity: Does this to annoy Ancano and slip out of the college after conversing with you.
- Exaggerated by the fact that even certain console commands don't work on him.
- Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: He states that some in the Order would view his contacting you directly by traveling to the College as overstepping his bounds. He does it anyway, since reality itself is at stake.
- Time Master: Apparently he can bring time to a standstill to converse with someone while right in front of the (time-frozen) people whom he doesn't want to overhear the conversation. As revealed by Online, the Psijics are masters of temporal manipulation. The spell Quaranir used is called "Stop Time".
Ancano
"I have many important things on my mind. Your concerns are not among them."
Voiced by: Alexander Brandon (English), Diomid Vinogradov (Russian)
A high-ranking Thalmor wizard who works in the College of Winterhold as an adviser to Arch-Mage Savos Aren.
- Arc Villain: Of the Winterhold College questline.
- Blatant Lies: The only Thalmor who tries to claim that with the war over, the Thalmor are interested in maintaining peace with Skyrim and the Empire. The rest are more honest about their intentions.
- Drunk on the Dark Side: He goes off the deep end very quickly after tapping into the Eye of Magnus.
- Evil Chancellor: Is evidently an adviser of Savos Aren, though you never actually see him do any actual advising. And given how Obviously Evil he is, it's unlikely Aren would listen to him if he did give any advice.
- Evil Genius: Seems to be his role, given his plan.
- Evil Sorcerer: What he turns out to be. It's known from the start that he's a sorcerer; his ambitions, on the other hand, are not until it's almost too late.
- Faux Affably Evil: Behold, the only Thalmor NPC with any understanding of tact. He will state without irony that the Thalmor only seek to enrich the lives of the people of Skyrim and help lead them to a new glorious age of happiness, while emphasizing equality. He is, of course, lying and everyone else at the College says not to trust him, but he's a good enough liar to make it almost sound sincere.
- Flunky Boss: On top of his Puzzle Boss nature, you also have to deal with the Arcane Anomalies that periodically spawn while you're fighting him, which can make him really frustrating to take down. Thankfully, these Anomalies will also attack him on occasion.
- Generic Doomsday Villain: Played with. A player with only surface-level understanding of the Thalmor will very likely be confused as to what benefit Ancano even gets from trying to tear the world apart with the Eye of Magnus. However, once you begin to delve into the Thalmor's beliefs, it starts making a lot more sense. It also explains why the Thalmor will want your head for killing him - his actions, despite seeming insane and suicidal to the average person, are actually just expediting what they're been trying to do for years.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: During his boss fight, it's entirely possible for him to be killed by the very Magic Anomalies he ended up summoning while trying to use the Eye of Magnus.
- Hypercompetent Sidekick: His aim to destroy Mundus is something he's pursuing a lot quicker than most of colleagues, even Elenwen, and he comes pretty damn close to achieving it too. To put it in perspective, Elenwen's idea of delaying them and causing Mundus to fall apart is to start a civil war, which has ultimately led to a revival in Talos worship and has taken several years to engineer. In the span of merely a few weeks, Ancano nearly destroys the world single-handedly.
- Jerkass: Goes without saying; it's the natural state of mind for Thalmor lackeys. That said, he's a lot better about keeping his ruder side in check than most of his colleagues.
- Kick the Dog: Just in case you didn't get that he's the bad guy, he ends up killing Savos Aren, then Mirabelle Ervine.
- Long-Haired Pretty Boy: Ancano is male, has long white hair, and is an elf. The rest follows naturally from that.
- A Nazi by Any Other Name: All Thalmor are this, to a man.
- Obviously Evil: Even in-game, nobody trusts him. Even the two Altmer ladies on campus don't like much him hanging around to "observe" (though one of them does think he's rather attractive).
- He does try and make some effort of hiding it, at least at first. He claims he's simply there to foster relations, because that now that the Great War is over, the Thalmor only want to co-exist with the Empire and help Skyrim. Compared to other Thalmor, who openly say that "the Empire exists because we allow it to exist" and "we're totally getting ready for another attack on you guys", Ancano is downright subtle.
- Omnicidal Maniac: He plans to use the Eye of Magnus to destroy Mundus and return all Altmer to pre-creation divinity. This is the long-term goal of all Thalmor; he's just a lot more proactive about it.
- Properly Paranoid: He is very concerned when a member of the Psijic Order visits the College asking specifically for you, and suspects you're keeping things from him and Savos about everything that's going on. He's absolutely right.
- Puzzle Boss: He's invincible while channeling the Eye of Magnus. You have to drain the Eye of its power by using the Staff of Magnus on it before you can attack Ancano. Since this only buys you seconds, and all the while Ancano is trying to blast you to smithereens and Arcane Anomalies are flooding the room, he can be quite frustrating to deal with.
- The Farmer and the Viper: Viper to Savos’s farmer. He repays Savos’s kindness with a painful death the second he gets the chance.
- The Un Twist: Spoiler alert, the Thalmor agent distrusted by everyone at the College is indeed the Arc Villain of the questline! Who could have guessed?!
- Underestimating Badassery: He woefully underestimates the Dragonborn, despite them making their way through Labyrinthian, defeating the Dragon Priest Morokei, and mopping the floor with the Thalmor assassin sent to eliminate them.
- White Hair, Black Heart: He's got white hair and he's a bad guy.
The Thieves' Guild
The Ragged Flagon
The Skyrim-local organization for thieves, racketeers, and other people of ill (though not murder-level ill) repute. The guild has fallen on hard times, but for the most unexpected reason...
The Guild in General
- Badass Cape: Standard attire for the Nightingales.
- Broken Masquerade: As noted by Karliah, after the events of the main questline and the actions of Mercer Frey, most of the Guild are now aware that the existence of the Nightingales goes far beyond that of mere myth. Karliah even admits that wearing your Nightingale armour in the Ragged Flagon isn't likely to raise any eyebrows. Because of this, the Thieves' Guild HQ will have a temple of Nocturnal to which you can pray.
- Consummate Professional: It's clear that many of the Thieves' Guild members consider themselves professionals at what they do, with their policy of not killing during jobs (unless absolutely necessary) being part of what elevates them beyond simple bandits.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: Even after the Dragonborn restores the Guild to province-wide respect and power, makes everyone in it rich, avenges the death of the previous Guildmaster, and becomes Guildmaster themselves, the only one who will treat them any differently is Delvin (and, to a lesser extent, Vex). Special mention needs to go to Vekel the Man, who continues to refer to them as "Brynjolf's protegé" and remark that they don't seem to be "anything special," and Dirge, who will still threaten to bash their skull in if they make trouble.
- Go-Karting with Bowser: Despite their own disdain for killing, the Thieves' Guild nonetheless maintains a mutually beneficial working relationship with the Dark Brotherhood, with Delvin Mallory having spent time in service of both organizations and serving as their primary contact with each other. It's mentioned that both sides have come to an arrangement to stay out of each other's respective fields, whilst sharing any useful information on prospective jobs. It's all strictly business, of course. And of course, it's possible for the Dragonborn to be a member and even leader of both, suggesting that the Guild's policy for killing is more or less "just don't do it in our name".
- Honor Among Thieves: They're outlaws, but they certainly have a code of honor and morality, especially in their own ranks.
- One member, Thrynn, will tell the story of how he was a member of your standard bandit brigade, until the leader once, for no rational reason, ordered his men to kill the women and children of a caravan they had knocked over. Thrynn turned on him instead.
- One of their main rules is "We take care of our own." When it's revealed that Mercer Frey, their own guildmaster, has been screwing them over for years and thoroughly disbelieves in this trope, the rest of the guild mark him for death.
- In the Hood: Part of the standard uniform for the guild. The Nightingales wear hoods as well, but add a mask.
- Karma Houdini: Much like Maven, there's no way to bring the Thieves' Guild to justice without the use of console commands or mods. You can kill many of the members if you like; but the higher-ranking ones, like Brynjolf, Vex, and Delvin, are marked as essential and cannot die. Subverted, however, in that at the beginning of their questline, the Daedric Prince of Luck has turned against them, which means that if you wish them not to be Karma Houdinis, then you should simply not enter the Guild and help them, leaving them to their misfortune.
- A Lighter Shade of Black: To the Dark Brotherhood. The Thieves' Guild may be unscrupulous and amoral, but they're still thieves, not assassins.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: Most of the members, for obvious reasons.
- Open Secret: Everyone in Riften knows that they operate out of the Ratways. However, the sewers are such a warren to navigate, filled with other outcasts and generally unpleasant to trek through, that the Riften Guards simply can't be bothered to wade in and clear them out. Of course, this might simply be an excuse on their part, with a few bribes in some pockets providing the real reason.
- Pragmatic Villainy: They allow it if it has to be done, but they prefer that no kills be done on the job - you don't want to kill someone who might be useful later, and bodies are problematic in many more ways than a ring or a goblet that's been "misplaced". They also recognize the value of doing jobs properly so as to not piss off clients and thus make things more complicated for themselves.
- The Remnant: Their hideout is in shambles, their membership is waning, and their coffers are running dry. It's so bad they've resorted to selling snake oil to make cash and recruiting people (like you) off the street.
- Stealth-Based Mission: Most of their quests are set up to be this, with you evading and tricking guards and sneaking into places you aren't allowed. On the other hand, you can usually just run in sword swinging and cut your way to the objective like any other dungeon in the game (though the jobs Delvin and Vex send you on will be marked as failed if you get caught).
- Took a Level in Jerkass: In past Elder Scrolls games, the Thieves' Guild was a Robin Hood-esque organization that protected the poor and downtrodden, policed violent and petty crime in their own ways, and some law authorities unofficially let them operate out of recognition that they helped keep the peace in their own ways. The Skyrim chapter of the guild, though, is much more ruthless — they extort money from people who can't afford it, are comparatively lax on their "no killing" rules, and if anyone who doesn't fall in line with their demands, the Guild will blackmail them, plant stolen property in their house to frame them for the theft, or just beat them up. To make this distinction clear, the first two quests you get from them are to steal a ring from one merchant and plant it in another's pocket (both merchants are perfectly nice and have done nothing wrong), and the second is to extort money from three shopkeepers through either verbal or physical intimidation. This is explained in three ways:
- The Guild has fallen on hard times and is struggling to make ends meet, hence their more brutal methods of getting funds;
- They're under the leadership of Mercer Frey, a selfish bastard who's only in it for his own greed and cares nothing about the Guild's traditions or well-being.
- Both Oblivion and Morrowind, the games where they are noticeably more Robin Hood-esquenote , have their Guild chapters' behaviour explained in part by special situations or deliberate strategies that do not apply to the Skyrim chapter.
- Once the first two problems are resolved by the end of their main questline, the Guild becomes a bit gentler in its dealings.
- We Are Everywhere: The radiant quests are specifically to get them up to this level - do small jobs around Skyrim until someone with influence in a particular hold hears of them and calls for a job, and in return you get contacts in that hold to expand the guild's power.
Brynjolf
Voiced by: Robin Atkin Downes (English), Vsevolod Kuznetsov (Russian)
A higher-ranking member of the Thieves' Guild, and the first one you meet.
- Affably Evil: He's quite friendly and personable for a thief.
- The Dragon: Second in command to Mercer and eventually you when you become Guildmaster.
- Dragon Ascendant: Discussed. When you and he stop to discuss leadership of the guild once Mercer's betrayal is exposed, he rejects the idea of taking over himself, as he doesn't like being a leader and thinks you'd be a better fit.
- Dragon-in-Chief: He seems to be more concerned with the operations of the Guild and its operatives than Mercer. This is entirely justified, since Mercer is planning to run out on the Guild and leave it to fall apart. Once the Guild is under your rule, you of course don't stick around long, so Brynjolf takes over active leadership in your stead, and until you do the quests to be named Guildmaster, he's the de facto leader in the meantime.
- Deadpan Snarker: Takes this trope to a higher level in some dialogue. If you ask him how you're going to steal Madesi's ring, he says, "Do you want me to hold your hand as well?". And if you insult the guild headquarters by calling it messy, he'll tell you to stop acting like a child.
- Dual Wielding: In a fight, he uses a pair of daggers, which are usually much higher quality than the normal iron and steel used by most NPCs. His essential status and perks to improve his one-handed and dual-wielding attacks mean that he's single-handedly one of the biggest reasons not to start fights in Riften if you're not in the Thieves' Guild.
- Friend to All Children: With the Hearthfire DLC, your children will mention how friendly he is. A daughter will say that he gave her an apple. On the other hand, a son will say that Brynjolf offered to show him a few "tricks" when he's older...
- Horrible Judge of Character:
- Possibly. The first time you meet him, he will say that you must be the type of person who's never earned an honest day's work in your life, no matter how you've been playing so far. Alternatively, this could just be a standard routine he does to anyone he thinks could be a useful recruit; if it turns out they're not the thieving type and rebuff him, oh well, no skin off his back.
- Clear-cut example, however, in that he initially fully trusts Mercer and considers him as a respectable leader. He is not alone in this, though.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He comes off as just a straight-up Jerkass at first, but he's actually this with a side of Punch-Clock Villain. He'll sing your praises to a skeptical Mercer and the rest of the Guild, especially if you do well on the jobs he assigns. He will also come looking for you after you and Mercer go missing, according to Vekel. He is however an unrepentant thief willing to frame a decent man (Brand-Shei) without hesitation, and the Guild's no-killing rule is more a matter of pragmatism than morals, so the "jerk" part of the trope is definitely present.
- Lovable Rogue: So much so that many players are disappointed to find he's not a marriage option without the use of mods or console commands.
- Number Two: To both Mercer Frey and you, once you run the guild. He does the more day-to-day things while the Guildmaster plots big jobs and makes big decisions with the input of the rest of the Guild.
- Pet the Dog: He is willing to give to the beggars out in Riften's market square.
- Sink or Swim Mentor: To even talk to him, you have to participate in a scheme of his by planting some evidence while he creates a distraction. His next test is sending you into the Ratways, Riften's filth-, crime- and pest-ridden sewers, to find the Guild hideout (and no, he won't give you directions). If you succeed, though, he's impressed and becomes much friendlier toward you.
- Snake Oil Salesman: His method (before your arrival) of getting funds for the Guild, peddling "genuine Falmerblood elixir" in the Riften marketplace. That's how low they've sunk.
- This Is Unforgivable!: He says this during one of the late Thieves' Guild quests:Brynjolf: Crime is one thing. Murder is another. Mercer will answer for this.
- Took a Level in Badass: Becomes a Nightingale along with the Dovahkiin, and a pretty competent one at that.
- Unexplained Accent: He's the only character in the game with a Scottish accent, though it might be a reference to Morrowind and Redguard, in which Nords had Scottish accents (particularly in Redguard).
Mercer Frey
Voiced by: Stephen Russell (English), Alexander Andrienko (Russian)
Current Guildmaster, with a few insights into why the organization hasn't been doing so well lately. Witnessed the murder of the last Guildmaster, Gallus, and harbors an intense grudge toward the perpetrator, who hasn't been seen since. These are, of course, lies. He's the murderer, and determined to wipe out the only witness before leaving the rest of the Guild to rot while he makes off with all their treasure.
- All Your Powers Combined: In the final battle against him, he can use Shadowcloak of Nocturnal to become invisible and Nightingale Subterfuge to turn Brynjolf and Karliah against each other and stop them from assisting the Dragonborn. He also has coding for a
Dummied Out or glitched-out version of Nightingale Strife that deals damage over time instead of in a single shot. The player can only use one of these powers at a time, but Mercer is an exception since he has tuned himself up with the Skeleton Key. - Arc Villain: Of the Thieves' Guild questline.
- Blood Knight: Judging by his fight dialogue, he really likes killing things. He'll even be vaguely disappointed if it's over too quickly.
- Bread, Eggs, Milk, Squick: When you search his house, you can find a shopping list that includes "Bread, Eggs, Milk, Cauterizing Agent..."
- Broken Pedestal: To the entire guild, once his crimes against them come to light.
- Charles Atlas Superpower: Thanks to the true power of Nocturnal's Skeleton Key. Most thieves just think of it as a simple unbreakable lockpick (and, indeed, this is all you can use it for), but the Key unlocks everything that can be unlocked, including the limits of human potential. Mercer demonstrates this at one point when he single-handedly knocks down a multi-ton stone column to bar your path.
- Cynical Mentor: He doesn't have the faith in you that Brynjolf does and is more occupied by his own business, but he'll eventually see your worth.
- Deadpan Snarker:Mercer Frey: Ah, it's one of the infamous Nordic puzzle doors. How quaint.
- Did You Just Scam Cthulhu?: Stole the Skeleton Key to empty the Guild vaults - and in doing so betrayed Nocturnal, Daedric Prince of shadows and patron of thieves, despite being pledged to serve her in both life and death. The Key's powers also allow Mercer to freely abuse all three of the Agent of Nocturnal powers (as seen in the final confrontation with him) in further defiance of Nocturnal's rules.
- Dual Wielding: A sword and a dagger.
- Expy: Garrett has certainly gotten older. And grumpier. And of course, he also stole a priceless artifact known as the Eye. Although he wasn't this dickish.
- Foreshadowing: He opens the Snow Veil Sanctum's door (one you can't even attempt to lockpick even if you have maxed out Lockpicking) should hint at the fact he doesn't just have plain old thieving skills. And indeed, as Brinjolf finds out by opening the treasury Mercer recently looted for himself he's been using the Skeleton Key ever since he stole it from Gallus.
- Greed: His core character trait, and the reason for his villainy. Ultimately Mercer doesn't care about anything but lining his own pockets, and he's willing to go to any length to do so - even if it means killing his fellow Nightingales, condemning the guild to a slow destruction by stealing the Skeleton Key, and robbing everyone blind along the way.
- Honor Among Thieves: Defied. Mercer mocks the idea that the Thieves' Guild is anything more than a den of thieves and ne'er-do-wells, and claims that it's a delusion to believe otherwise. You can agree or disagree, but you kill him anyway.
- Irony: Despite his other actions to keep the truth about his murder of Gallus quiet, the one unspoken rule regarding the Thieves Guild he doesn't break is not bringing in outside help (namely, the Dark Brotherhood) to deal with an issue such as Karliah (given that 2 members of the Thieves Guild - Cynric and Delvin - both have connections to the Dark Brotherhoodnote , it wouldn't be that hard for him to hire them), yet because he refuses to make an exception to this rule, that leads to the player becoming a Spanner in the Works by finding out the truth about Gallus's murder, and eventually taking him down.
- Jerkass: Snappish, condescending, and dismissive of the Dovahkiin even if they've proven their worth repeatedly. You may also notice he always sounds like he's speaking through gritted teeth, as if he's barely holding back the urge to lay a beatdown on you regardless of whether you've actually done anything wrong. He makes it clear that he'd prefer not to have to deal with them at all outside necessity, and the other thieves comment on his temper with the implication that the Guild's decline is taking its toll on him. This is true, in a sense, since he caused it and has spent two decades fruitlessly pursuing the only obstacle to his getting away with it.
- Kick the Dog: When he corners Karliah in Snow Veil Sanctum, he kills her horse to make sure she's got no means of escape.
- King of Thieves: He is the Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild.
- Master of Unlocking: He can unlock Nordic puzzle doors without the relevant keys or knowing the solution to the puzzles, and offers to teach you his trick for doing so (though there's no way to take him up on the offer). As it turns out, the trick is to use an artifact stolen from a Daedric Prince.
- Master Swordsman: His skill with the blade are held in awe and he certainly shows it off in the Snow Veil Sanctum, where he disposes of any draugr almost effortlessly. Being armed with an enchanted blade also helps a lot.
- Mole in Charge: In the sense that he wants to destroy the Thieves' Guild for his own benefit.
- Mugging the Monster: The final phase of his plan consists of luring Karliah, Brynjolf, and the Dragonborn to Irkngthand, where he believes his Nightingale abilities and the Full-Potential Upgrade provided by the Skeleton Key will allow him to kill all of them in a straight-up fight. This plan does actually make sense against other thieves like Karliah and Brynjolf, whose skill sets are more geared towards infiltration. But against someone like the Dragonborn, who's already used to fighting the likes of bandits, werewolves, ancient vampires, and dragons, that's just not enough.
- "Not So Different" Remark: When you confront him in the last mission, he'll claim that both you and he are opportunists that willfully lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want.
- Perpetual Frowner: His face seems locked in a permanent scowl. Understandable, given recent events.
- Silly Rabbit, Idealism Is for Kids!: Tries to psyche out the Dovahkiin with a speech along these lines - they're all thieves, after all, and there's no honour among thieves. You can dismiss his argument or even agree, but whatever your answer, you end up throwing down with Mercer.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Granted, he had 25 years to do so, but unless he managed to spend every single last coin either on himself or in trying to track down Karliah, what happened to the rest of the treasure he'd stolen from the Guild's vaults? The implication is that he had it somehow spirited away under the guild members' collective noses, but no real explanation is ever given. Given that you don't get to question him on the location of the gold before his death, odds are that gold will forever be left to gather dust in some cleverly hidden stash known only to him.
Karliah
Voiced by: Moira Quirk (English), Polina Shcherbakova (Russian)
Murderer, traitor to the Guild, and the reason for its decline. Whereabouts unknown. Until you find her and get her side of the story, anyway.
- And the Adventure Continues: After the end of the storyline, she resumes her Nightingale duties in addition to going back to being a thief.
- Classy Cat-Burglar: Definitely has this vibe.
- Deal with the Devil: She explains very explicitly that this is the relationship the Nightingales have with Nocturnal, not worship. Most thieves aren't good at religion, but they understand contracts.
- Fall Guy: For Mercer. He was the one that did Gallus in, then blamed his murder on Karliah before she had a chance to get a word in edgeways.
- Famous Ancestor: Being Barenziah's granddaughter is pretty distinctive in its own right, regardless of her exact lineage. Additionally, being part of the Indoril line means that she is likely a distant relative of Saint Indoril Nerevar, with whose reincarnation the player may be familiar.
- Her Heart Will Go On: After she and the spirit of Gallus say their goodbyes and he moves on to serve Nocturnal, she returns to her old profession to honor him. (And also because money's nice. She is a thief, and regaining her powers as a Nightingale has just made the job a whole lot more lucrative.)
- Honey Trap: Mercer theorizes this was how she got close enough to Gallus to kill him. He's lying. She loved him.
- Interspecies Romance: She's a Dunmer, Gallus was an Imperial, and they were lovers.
- The Man Behind the Man: Behind the rise of Honningbrew Meadery and the sale of Goldenglow Estate, both of which were done in order to discredit the Guild.
- My Greatest Failure: Mercer believes his was letting her escape after Gallus' murder. She believes falling in love with Gallus was hers. It distracted them both and allowed Mercer to get the drop on Gallus.
- Royal Blood: She's the granddaughter of Tiber Septim and Queen Barenziah, if Gallus's books are to be trusted. While most accepted lore says that it is a very slim chance at best that she is actually descended from Tiber Septim, her lineage from Barenziah is indisputable, as the Queen was her maternal grandmother.note
- Staged Shooting: A variant with a poisoned arrow. You catch it in the chest, your vision blurs, you fall over. Turns out it was just a paralytic. Then Mercer pops up and stabs you while you're paralyzed. Then it turns out that the paralytic prevented you from bleeding out from the stab wound and Karliah just blew decades of planning to save your life.
- Tranquil Fury: Outwardly, she's probably one of the calmest, most level-headed characters associated with the Thieves' Guild questline. She almost never raises her voice. Her hatred for Mercer Frey, however, seethes.
- Turn Out Like Her Grandmother: Karliah's mother and grandfather were both Nightingales. Her grandmother, Barenziah, was also a member of Riften's Thieves' Guild, according to The Real Barenziah.
- Why Don't You Just Shoot Him?: A great believer in this school of thought. Ideally, the victim's first clue she's there should be finding an arrow sticking out of his throat.
- Xanatos Gambit: More than likely. For a master of trickery who spent a lot of time and money on her plans for Honningbrew and Goldenglow, Karliah left an obscure but definite trail of clues to her identity for any Thieves' Guild member that investigated. In other words, if Honningbrew and Goldenglow were successful, the Guild would lose favor with Maven; and if they acted to fight back, they'd find her clues, which would lead Mercer to her lair.
Gallus Desidenius
Voiced by: Craig Sechler (English), Sergey Burunov (Russian)
The previous Guildmaster. His death by betrayal is a big factor in the Guild's current fractured, declining state.
- Gentleman Thief: As per his relationship with counterpart Classy Cat-Burglar Karliah. So charming, he was more than once caught in the act of robbing someone and ended up becoming that person's friend. Most of the Guild's contacts actually came from him because he had such a diverse set of acquaintances, and when he died all those contacts dried up.
- He Knows Too Much: The reason he died. He came too close to uncovering the source of all of Mercer's sudden wealth. The Dovahkiin very nearly suffers the same fate when they find out who really murdered Gallus.
- In Harm's Way: According to Enthir, Gallus had a scholarly bent, but could never take that path in life as it lacked the excitement of being a thief.
- Interspecies Romance: Was an Imperial in a relationship with Karliah, a Dunmer.
- King of Thieves: He was the previous Guildmaster and considered a legendary thief.
- Loveable Rogue: Had this personality type, evidenced by being able to talk his way out of trouble when caught in the middle of a job.
- Meaningful Name: Possibly unintentional, but 'Gallus' is Latin for 'Rooster'. The man was cocky.
- Minored in Ass-Kicking: A thief through and through, but also a scholar, historian, and linguist. It helped in plotting heists. He learned an entire extinct, forgotten language so he could use it to write journal entries no one would understand, and also wrote and published actual books. He even discovered the existence of the Nightingales and learned how to become one more or less single-handedly, bringing Mercer and Karliah along for the ride.
- Our Ghosts Are Different: Nightingale ghosts are souls given access to the mortal realm through the Ebonmere, and they're called Spectral Guardians. Every Nightingale serves a time after death in this state before moving on to the Ebonmere proper.
- Posthumous Character: He died many years before the events of the game, and is only mentioned by other characters in the past tense (at least until you meet him).
- Spirit Advisor: For the Dovahkiin in the Twilight Sepulcher.
- Together in Death: Though he's still dead and the reopening of the Ebonmere means he has to move on and become "one with the shadows", he assures Karliah he'll be waiting for her when she passes, too.
- Unfinished Business: He's the only Spectral Guardian left in the Twilight Sepulcher who hasn't faded away or gone nuts. This trope is the main reason why.
Delvin Mallory
Voiced by: Enn Reitel (English), Nikita Prozorovsky (Russian)
One of two members of the Guild that hands special assignments to the player. Also an old friend (and former lover) of Astrid in the Dark Brotherhood and the main contact between the two factions.
- Affably Evil: You don't get to be that familiar with the Dark Brotherhood without having done something nasty. Also, if you ask for a Torture Chamber for the Dawnstar Sanctuary at the end of the Dark Brotherhood questline, he seems oddly pleased by that particular request.
- All There in the Manual: The Prima official strategy guide lists his backstory: He grew up in the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften, and was taken in by Gallus. He accidentally killed someone while on a robbery, so Gallus arranged for him to hide with the Dark Brotherhood for a year (where he became Astrid's lover), and he returned to the Guild after the death was forgotten.
- Big Brother Mentor: He really likes to make the player feel right at home. And when you finish your last special assignment to restore the Guild to full strength, he will admit to you that you are the best thief in the Guild. Of course, he also says that he'll deny it if you tell anybody else he said that.
- Covert Pervert: In the most literal manner possible. Unlike most of the Thieves' Guild, Delvin doesn't particularly show a flirty attitude toward any of the women in the guild. However, a note from Vex on the table where you speak with him warns this "Master of Sneaking" in no uncertain terms that if he tries to watch her bathe again, she'll... cut off something valuable. So yes, he is a "covert" pervert in every possible sense of the term.
- And if the Dragonborn is in the Dark Brotherhood, Astrid will eventually send them to meet with him. He makes a few comments about their "lovely mistress" and urges them to tell her to drop by sometime and "catch up." He was her lover once, so this is only covert to anyone who doesn't know that fact.
- The Cuckoolander Was Right: Everybody in the Guild thought Delvin was a little loopy for suggesting there was some sort of "curse" on the Guild that made their big jobs fail. In fact, they are cursed, as Nocturnal rescinded their protection and luck when the Skeleton Key was stolen. When Brynjolf finds out, he outright says everyone laughed at Delvin, but he was right all along.
- Gameplay and Story Segregation: The player doesn't have the option of asking him if he knew about Glover being Sapphire's dad, although given that he never flirts with her, it's possible he does know.
- Hidden Depths: Aside from the aforementioned note, the quote after Mercer betrays the Guild indicates that he may have been a Dark Brotherhood member at some point, but quit due to a similar betrayal. (As it turns out, that's not quite accurate; see the entry for All There in the Manual for the truth about it.)
- Screw Destiny: He believes that the Guild must be cursed to have that amount of bad luck. He tells the Dragonborn to "spit in that curse's face" and they will overpower the curse through hard work.
- Stealth Expert: He's the Master trainer for the Sneak skill.
- Stock British Phrases: He's a fountain of these.
- Unexplained Accent: Like Brynjolf, he has a unique accent (a thick Cockney accent) for some reason. It might have something to do with him being a Breton; however, not even his brother speaks with the accent. Given his name, it might (just like Brynjolf) be a Call-Back to a previous game - Daggerfall, where the Bretons (while not voiced) were more English-themed than they became in later games.
Vex
Voiced by: Kari Wahlgren (English), Marina Lisovets (Russian)
The Imperial infiltration expert of the Guild, and the second member that hands special jobs to the player.
- Defeat Means Friendship: She once held off eight wolves by herself (killing three) until a guy showed up to help. After he did, she then tried to mug him for his money. Afterward, when they fought to a standstill, she invited him to join the Guild without a word otherwise or an apology. So more like "draw means friendship".
- Defrosting Ice Queen: In her first conversation, she tells you in no uncertain terms that you will never surpass her as a thief. She continues to toss out insults, backhanded compliments and frigid apathy almost every time you speak to her. However, once you start shooting up the ranks she doesn't mind too much, helps you, and will eventually (and begrudgingly) congratulate you on your skill.
- Dude Magnet: The male members of the Guild tend to hit on her an awful lot, despite her verbally flaying them alive every single time.
- Gender-Blender Name: Another character, who is encountered separately from the Thieves' Guild questline, believes that his fiancée left him for Vex, and similarly believes that Vex is male.
- Ice Queen: She's not overly friendly to anyone in the guild, to say the least. However, she does eventually make an exception for the Dragonborn.
- Informed Attribute: She's said to be the best infiltrator in the entire Thieves' Guild. However, she never leaves the Ratway during the entirety of the game, plays an ultimately minor role in the Thieves' Guild storyline, and thus her actual infiltration skills are never seen but only talked about by various members of the Guild.
- Known Only by Their Nickname: Somewhat of a trend in the Thieves' Guild, for obvious reasons.
- Master of Unlocking: Literally. She's the Master trainer for the Lockpicking skill.
- Right for the Wrong Reasons: When asked about Delvin's supposition that the Guild has been cursed, she says that in her opinion, it is just plain bad luck, and that it has nothing to do with curses. In fact, the Guild has been cursed... with bad luck. They're both right.
- What Does She See in Him?: Considering that Vex regularly threatens to castrate any man who attempts to hits on her, the revelation that she was once in a relationship with Vald is jarring to say the least.
Sapphire Mallory
Voiced by: Susan Eisenberg (English), Inna Koroleva (Russian)
A member of the Guild who joined after bandits murdered most of her family. In Dragonborn, it's revealed that her Disappeared Dad, Glover Mallory, is alive and currently resides in Solstheim, having abandoned the family before the bandit raid. Delvin Mallory is also revealed to be her uncle.
- All There in the Manual: The offical game guide states that she was a member of the Dark Brotherhood before leaving to join the Thieves Guild.
- Broken Bird: Doesn't let anyone get too close, and still has issues dealing with the tragedy of her past.
- Do Not Call Me "Paul": Even her father calls her "Sapphire" in his letter to her in Dragonborn, since it was the name by which he'd known her when they first met in the Guild, long before he found out she was his daughter.
- Dude Magnet: Similar to Vex, a lot of the male members of the guild hit on her with similar results. The only exception is a male Dragonborn.
- In the Blood: Sapphire joined the Thieves' Guild, completely unaware that her father and uncle both happened to be members at the time. Lampshaded, in her father's letter, that it was clearly meant to be.
- Loan Shark: Takes advantage of a Hammerfell immigrant by loaning him money to make a delivery, attacking the caravan, then bullying the immigrant to pay back the money loaned.
- Meaningful Name: Possibly. Her birth surname, Mallory, is Norman French for "unlucky," which seems to fit her backstory. Whether this was deliberate on the developers' part is unknown.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: When asked about her real name and after she tells her story, she comments that she might tell you someday, but not today. Despite this, however, her real name is never revealed to the player.
- Parental Abandonment: Her father, Glover Mallory, abandoned Sapphire and her mother because he couldn't think of settling down and becoming a simple farmer. He even admits that he was a coward for doing so. Judging by his letter to her, Glover unknowingly served with her for a brief time when she first joined the Thieves' Guild, but after he discovered her identity, he couldn't bear to reveal the truth to her and left for Solstheim.
- Rape as Backstory: Mention that she's never told you her name, and she will tell you the story of how she was kidnapped by bandits and raped for a fortnight before gaining their trust and slitting their throats as they slept.
- Ship Tease: Similar to Serana; if you're nice to her, she becomes closer to the Dragonborn than anyone else and even flirts with a male Dragonborn (which says something since, like Vex, she verbally flays everyone else alive when they come on to her). You can even help her resolve her Daddy Issues. Also similarly to Serana, you can't marry her.
Vipir the Fleet
Voiced by: Michael Gough (English), Denis Shvedov (Russian)
Pickpocketing expert of the Guild.
- Butt-Monkey: Because of his Embarrassing Nickname.
- Embarrassing Nickname: Ask him about his nickname and he will tell you the story of how he and Vex once robbed a house in Windhelm, only to walk out of it and into the waiting arms of the guards because their client had sold them out. Vex gave the guards the slip and disappeared, and Vipir ran right out of Windhelm and all the way south, on foot, to Riften... and discovered Vex had beaten him there, because she'd remembered her horse and he hadn't. After that, they started calling him Vipir the Fleet.
- Five-Finger Discount: He's the Master trainer for the Pickpocketing skill.
- Handsome Lech: He can occasionally have a conversation with Sapphire in which he tries to coax her into having some fun with him in bed. Naturally, Sapphire finds his offer disgusting, mocking him that he's named after his bedroom prowess.
Cynric Endell
Voiced by: Stephen Russell (English), Eugene Waltz (Russian)
A member of the Guild who was formerly a jail breaker before joining.
- Affably Evil: He's a very nice guy, accepting of the Dragonborn from the moment they join up, and willing to give advice freely. He also mentions that before he joined the guild, he worked as a jail breaker, getting arrested and then breaking out. He mentions that a good portion of his jobs were subcontracted by the Dark Brotherhood, and expresses no moral qualms about having killed people for a living. He also explains that the reason he joined up with the Thieves' Guild instead of the Dark Brotherhood was because it was less risk for more pay.
- Expy: Even more so than Mercer Frey. Wears a hood that covers half his face, while his vocal pitch and facial features (what little of them you can see past his hood) are more or less identical to Garrett's. He's a master locksmith who became a thief rather than an assassin because the former was more lucrative, and spent most of his early career breaking people out of prisons. (On top of that, when you first walk in on him, he's standing next to a target and practicing his marksmanship.)
- Great Escape: Was much sought after to plan these in the past, before one jailbreak went wrong and he spent three years rotting in a High Rock prison, convincing him to give it up.
- Only in It for the Money: His primary motivations for his career as a jailbreaking assassin and thief.
- Pragmatic Villainy: Admits he joined the Thieves' Guild, rather than the Dark Brotherhood, not because he dislikes murder but because the money is better and there are far fewer risks of getting caught.
Thrynn
A member of the Guild who was formerly a bandit.
- Bestiality Is Depraved: Cynric sometimes teases him by asking him if it's true that bandits get "friendly" with Skyrim's wildlife. Thrynn calls him an idiot in response.
- The Big Guy: The official strategy guide notes that he's not all that experienced in stealth, but that he's usually picked for cases where brute strength is needed.
- Even Evil Has Standards: He used to be a member of a bandit clan, but had a violent disagreement with the chief when he was asked to murder some unarmed merchants for absolutely no reason and despite having just robbed them of everything they had. The disagreement ended with the chief's head on a pike.
- Heel–Face Turn: After refusing to kill the merchants, he turned on his former comrades, set the merchants free, and decided to join the Thieves' Guild, seeing it as more "honest" work.
Dirge
"Stay out of trouble, or there's gonna be trouble."
Voiced by: Popeye Vogelsang (English), Viktor Bakin (Russian)
The Ragged Flagon's bouncer and Maul's brother.
- Bullying a Dragon: Even if you happen to be the Guildmaster, he'll still threaten to bash your skull in.
- Hot Blooded Sideburns: He gets quite lively, to say the least.
- Insult Backfire: If you tell him you agree with the justification for his name as part of a persuasion dialogue option, he takes it as a compliment and gives you a bottle of mead.
- Names to Run Away from Really Fast: Make him angry, and he'll be the last thing you ever hear.
Vald
Voiced by: Thor Edgell (English), Yaroslav Agikyan (Russian)
Not technically a Guild member, but rather Mercer's loyal bodyguard. So loyal that, even after Mercer's true colors are exposed, he still tries to stop the Dragonborn from tracking him down. It turns out that this is due to a rather hefty debt he owes to Maven.
- The Dragon: To Mercer.
- Dumb Muscle: He's not very bright, to say the least.
- Epic Fail: The reason he owes such a hefty debt to Maven is because he dropped a priceless item into the lake beside Riften.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: If you clear his debt to Maven by getting her a priceless item from Vald's old ship, he'll happily let you investigate Mercer's house without a fight.
- Too Dumb to Live: Alongside losing that item he was fetching for Maven, he'll happily assault the Dragonborn even though by this point the Dragonborn could be Archmage of the College of Winterhold, Harbinger of the Companions, and/or Listener for the Dark Brotherhood, and who may also be accompanied by a powerful follower. It might be that he just has nothing to lose, but even so.
Etienne Rarnis
Voiced by: Gideon Emery (English), Dmitry Filimonov (Russian)
A Breton and Mauve Shirt member of the Thieves' Guild, who you will likely encounter when escaping from the Thalmor during "Diplomatic Immunity." The Thalmor are trying to find Esbern, the other member of the Blades, and are thus torturing Etienne for information.
- Affably Evil: Should you rescue him, and help him escape from the Thalmor, he will always be polite to you and is extremely grateful for you saving him, even if you've screwed up a Guild job that normally alienates everybody else.
- Berserk Button: If you dress up as the Thalmor and scare him when you rescue him, he gets a bit (understandably) pissed off at you, though not so much that he'll attack you.
- Break the Badass: His aforementioned torture. He's a whimpering wreck by the time the Thalmor are done with it - not that you can blame him, of course.
- Cold-Blooded Torture: He's on the receiving end of this from the Thalmor, who are searching for Esbern, the other surviving Blades member. What's arguably worse is that he really doesn't know a thing, but they're torturing him anyway, even when he explicitly spells it out to them.
- Distressed Dude: Owing to the torture.
- Interrogated for Nothing: No matter how much the Thalmor torture him, he doesn't actually have the information they want.
- Recurring Extra: He doesn't play a huge role, but can be found in the headquarters quite often.
Rune
Voiced by: Christian Svensson (English), Alexander Taragin (Russian)
An Imperial member of the Thieves Guild. His origins are a mystery, having been raised by a foster father after he was found near Solitude.
- Aborted Arc: The player never gets a chance to find out his real name, despite the fact that they can tell him they'll keep an eye out for anything they could find. Whether or not a quest was planned that would let the player find this out or not is unknown.
- Ambiguous Situation: He was found as an infant by a fisherman near Solitude, with a rock with strange writings. What the writings on the rock mean is unknown, given that he has stated he contacted the College of Winterhold, and they couldn't help him. It doesn't match any languages they know of either.note
- Happily Adopted: He mentions the fisherman who found him was the one who ended up being his foster father and gave him his name, and he has nothing negative to say about said fisherman.
- Only One Name: And likely not even his real one - unlike Sapphire or Brand-shei, there's no way to find out who his parents are or where he's from.
- Recurring Extra: Much like Etienne, he's not really involved in any quests, although he's found in the headquarters frequently.
Niruin
Voiced by: Keith Silverstein (English), Alexander Kovrizhnykh (Russian)
A Bosmer member of the Thieves Guild and master-level archery trainer.
- Friendly Sniper: The guild's archery specialist and a pretty friendly guy, for a thief.
- I Have No Son!: He was disowned after he got caught running with the Silver Crescents.
- Master Archer: One of the three only master archery trainers in Skyrim.
- Riches to Rags: He came from a wealthy family, but now lives in the Ratways. He is quite pleased when the money starts flowing through the guild again.
- Thrill Seeker: His reason for becoming a thief in the first place.
The Dark Brotherhood
The Affably Evil followers of Sithis and the Night Mother. This once infamous order of assassins has fallen on hard times. Only one Sanctuary remains in all of Tamriel, and the Night Mother has fallen silent since the last Listener died. Without her, Black Sacraments have gone unheard, forcing the order to physically scour for those seeking contracts. A new Listener would turn things around, or the wrong person can destroy the organization forever... The Brotherhood in General
- Affably Evil: They're all quite friendly for a band of remorseless serial killers, though obviously some are more friendly than others.
- Back from the Brink: At the start of the game, the Brotherhood is basically on its last legs. The entire Black Hand is dead, the Night Mother is essentially on the run and there is only one active Sanctuary in all of Tamriel. It's pretty clear that if the Dragonborn hadn't joined when they did, the Brotherhood wouldn't have lasted much longer.
- Carnival of Killers: The Dark Brotherhood has this vibe. Besides the authoritarian, no-nonsense leader, members include a Werewolf booted from the Companions who also happens to be her husband, a snarky and legit badass Scary Redguard, an ancient vampire forever frozen in the form of a little girl, a grumpy old mage who favors louder and flashier means of killing, an Argonian who may be the last member of a line of Argonian royal spies and assassins, a murderous jester who is completely off his rocker, and their Team Pet, a Frostbite Spider.
- Dark Is Evil: The name should be a dead giveaway.
- Equal-Opportunity Evil: A Redguard assassin, a nutty Imperial jester, a child vampire alchemist, a Dunmer archer, an old Imperial mage, and an Argonian Shadowscale, led by a Nord assassin and her werewolf husband. And no matter your race or fighting style of preference, you can join them all the same. Also, the generic assassins they may send to kill you can be Khajiit or Argonian.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: The entire group loves one another despite being an assassins' guild. That said, they're less tolerant of Cicero.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Astrid notes when she kidnaps you and mentions Grelod the Kind that, contract on her aside, "the old crone had it coming".
- Gameplay and Story Integration: If you opt to destroy them instead of joining them, with the exceptions of Cicero and Babette (who aren't present at the sanctuary when you purge the place), killing members with the Ebony Blade will count as a charge for that weapon, given that the artifact belongs to Mephala - the patron god of the Dark Brotherhood's rivals, the Morag Tong.
- If you haven't joined the Dark Brotherhood, they might send random assassains after you. After you join, they will stop, and instead if the Dragonborn DLC is installed the Morag Tong will.
- Murder, Inc.: Their standard format is that somebody performs the Black Sacrament, a Speaker retrieves the contract, and another agent completes the mission, upon which they receive payment.
- Ninja: Their armor has such a vibe to it this time, complete with optional face cowl.
- The Purge: They are on the receiving end of this trope no matter what. If you choose to destroy the Brotherhood, you carry it out yourself. But if you side with them, they will eventually be purged by the Penitus Oculatus on Commander Maro's orders.
- Red and Black and Evil All Over: The colour scheme of their uniforms.
- Religion of Evil: They're supposed to serve Sithis and the Night Mother, but with the Night Mother silent, the actual religious element has fallen by the wayside.
- Red Shirt: Once you complete their quests, a pair of nameless Dark Brotherhood Initiates will become available as followers. While you'd expect them to be these, they're actually not, as they're essential and have no level cap.
- The Remnant: The loss of a Listener to commune with the Night Mother has reduced them to glorified sellswords, scoping out contracts by rumors about who's looking for their aid.
- We Are Everywhere: The point of their questline is to restore them to their former reputation and put the fear of their boundless reach back in the minds of the public. But even when they recruit you, no matter where in Skyrim you are, you're abducted from your bed to be hauled before Astrid, even if you went to sleep in your own home in the middle of Solitude surrounded by your family and comrades.
- After completing their quests, random town guards will pull you aside to let you know that they're secretly members of the Brotherhood.
The Night Mother
Voiced by: Lani Minella (English), Olga Pletneva (Russian)
The true leader of the Dark Brotherhood, but she only communicates with her chosen Listener. She is said to be the Bride of Sithis, the patron god of the Dark Brotherhood.
- Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?: She became the Night Mother by murdering her five children, one of whom was said to hold frightening divine power.
- Eldritch Abomination: Whatever she is, she doesn't seem to be mortal, Aedra, or Daedra.
- Evil Sounds Deep: Though only you can hear it, and her voice is slightly higher than most male examples.
- Greater-Scope Villain: She's the true power behind the Brotherhood.
- Humanoid Abomination: When she was alive. It's never confirmed outright, but one legend about her states that she was Dunmer. One theory is that she's the Daedric Prince Mephala, masquerading as the will of "Sithis" as some kind of bizarre scheme. Sermon 22 of the 36 Lessons, on the other hand, draws connection between her and Vivec.
- Offing the Offspring: According to one legend, she bore Sithis five children... and murdered them to gain his approval.
- Posthumous Character: Her physical form is little more than a desiccated corpse in a fancy coffin.
- Spirit Advisor: Though only through a designated Listener.
Astrid
Voiced by: Cindy Robinson (English), Elena Kharitonova (Russian)
Nord Matron of the Falkreath Sanctuary and de facto leader of the Dark Brotherhood with the Night Mother silent.
- Affably Evil: She actually comes across as quite polite, and will talk to you with respect and explain your situation calmly when you first meet her. She also genuinely loves her family.
- Asshole Victim: She gets killed by the Dragonborn at the end of her questlines, either at the start of the Dark Brotherhood questline or after being burned to near death by the Commander's forces. Given that both of the instances happened after she kidnaps them and expects to murder a defenseless target or after selling them out to the Empire in an attempt to get them off her back, her death is one that no players will certainly mourn.
- Bullying a Dragon: Kidnapping and acting smug might intimidate a normal person, but the Dragonborn? A friendly conversation to goad them into joining the Brotherhood (and make up for the kill steal) might have been a better idea, given that the Dragonborn could decide to simply kill her (and, depending on the player's choice, might). Then destroy her entire organization.
- Control Freak: She's the "Matron" of the Dark Brotherhood and dislikes the idea of a Listener usurping her authority. She also dislikes people taking kills from them, believing that the Brotherhood has a monopoly on those deaths. One way or another, this ends up costing her dearly.
- Creepy Uncle: She had one who was 'inappropriate' with her when she was a teenager. It's implied that he was her first kill.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: Yes, she is an unrepentant murderess, but she genuinely loves her adopted family.
- Eviler than Thou: Gives this impression during your first meeting with her, claiming that the Brotherhood has by right control over all assassinations and that you owe them penance for killing someone that was rightfully theirs to do so. You don't have to accept this.
- Exact Words: If you tell her that you don't wish kill anyone, she tells you that "No one is leaving here until someone dies." Note that she never specifically says who and, if you do choose to kill Astrid, it's implied by her last words that she's aware of this.
- Flat-Earth Atheist: She doesn't put much stock in the Night Mother, despite allegedly worshiping Sithis and living in a world full of active gods. Then again, this is mostly due to her being a Control Freak who doesn't want to be overthrown.
- Gameplay and Story Integration: At any time after level 5, the Dovahkiin can encounter a Dark Brotherhood assassin out to kill them, no matter what they had done previously, so they have a Black Sacrament contract on them from before the start of the game. In the cabin, Astrid says that one of the people in the cabin is wanted dead. In Oblivion, there was a loophole, where a contract could be cancelled by killing another in the contracted's stead.
- Graceful Loser: If you opt to kill her and start the "Destroy The Dark Brotherhood" questline, she tells the player "Well done" as her last words.
- Hazy-Feel Turn: She sells out the Dovahkiin to Commander Maro in order to save the Sanctuary. It doesn't work.
- If You're So Evil, Eat This Kitten!: She initiates the Dragonborn by forcing them to kill one of three bound and gagged individuals. The player can either do so (not that they're particularly likable people) or kill Astrid instead, which will change the questline to destroying the Dark Brotherhood.
- The Leader: She acts as the de facto leader of the Dark Brotherhood in absence of a Listener.
- Mugging the Monster: Do you have any idea who you've just kidnapped, Astrid? Sitting there close up to the Dragonborn is one of the worst places to be at this point. Given that the player has the option to kill her rather than the hostages, Astrid fails to realize that she hasn't trapped you in there with her... she's trapped herself in that cabin with you. And then you're entirely capable of turning your attention to her organization.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Astrid makes it clear upon her arrival that she views the Night Mother as a threat to her leadership, and doesn't want anything to do with her. The red flags don't go up until just before she sends you off to assassinate the Emperor, and she addresses you as Listener. She sees you as a threat and is sending you into a trap. This is further cemented by her mention of calling in every favor she could to ensure your clean exit, whereas before now she's expected you to find your own getaway.
- Psycho for Hire: Astrid's telling of her backstory implies that she used to be a serial killer before eventually joining the Brotherhood. The only real difference between that life and this one is that now she gets paid to kill.
- Rewarded as a Traitor Deserves: Though by her own request after her Heel Realization.
- Suicide by Cop: Following Commander Maro's attack and her Heel Realization, she uses her horribly burned body as a Black Sacrament to put a contract on herself.
- Too Dumb to Live: She sells out the Player Character to the Emperor's Commander so that they can leave her faction alone and somehow expects him to uphold his end of the bargain in spite of the fact that she has the Commander's son murdered and framed along with the fact that the Listener is sent to assassinate the Emperor at the time that she betrayed them. Unsurprisingly, Maro did not keep his word and has his forces attack her hideout, wiping out most of her fellow Dark Brotherhood members including herself indirectly.
- Underestimating Badassery: Can do this to the Dragonborn when kidnapping them, and also does it to Commander Maro.
- Unholy Matrimony: She's married to Arnbjorn, though she doesn't like talking about it to avoid showing favoritism.
- Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Kidnapping the Dragonborn can lead to the destruction of the Dark Brotherhood.
- Uriah Gambit: Her attempt to save the Sanctuary from Maro's wrath involves sending the Dovahkiin into his hands. It doesn't work.
- Worthy Opponent: If, instead of killing her hostages on first meeting her, the Dragonborn manages to kill her, she might whisper, "Well... done." Astrid did intend for them to become an assassin, after all, and what better way to do so than to off the very best?
Arnbjorn
"You're part of a family now, hamshank. I trust you, you trust me ...got it?"
Voiced by: Popeye Vogelsang (English), Viktor Bakin (Russian)
Nord Husband of Astrid and gruff werewolf assassin.
- Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking:Arnbjorn: Here's all you need to know: I'm a werewolf. I like killing things. I love Astrid. I hate annoying people. And the color blue gives me a headache.
- Beard of Evil: Sports a rather bushy one.
- Blood Knight: To the point that his bloodlust was too much for the Companions.
- Catchphrase: Insert the phrase 'my beautiful wife' or the word 'meat' and/or any synonym to his dialogue, and you have an instant catch phrase.Arnbjorn: Well, well. It's raw meat. Oh, my beautiful wife has told me all about you.
- The Dragon: To Astrid.
- Even Evil Has Standards: He is not impressed by the notion of murdering a bride at her wedding, sarcastically asking if the next targets will be sleeping orphans.
- Happily Married: To his "beautiful wife" Astrid.
- Hidden Depths: Despite his unfriendliness towards you, he's actually the most easygoing of the group if you've gotten suspended from the Brotherhood by attacking one of the members, reassuring you that everyone breaks the rules on occasion and saying it seems to happen with him at least once a month.
- Killed Off for Real: During Maro's attack on the Sanctuary, or by you if you "Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!" instead of joining it.
- Jerkass: Alongside Festus, he will be hostile to you from the get-go, though less so if you are a werewolf.
- Last Stand: When Maro attacks the Sanctuary, he's fighting off his attacks as he's cut down. Notably, his death is scripted, so there's nothing you can do about it; if he does actually defeat the soldiers he's fighting, he will spontaneously keel over immediately afterward.
- The Nicknamer: He tends to refer to you as food, like "Beef Roast", "Ham Hock" or "Morsel", though he states he doesn't mean anything by it since, as a werewolf, he sees everyone as food.
- Square Race, Round Class: He's an assassin who's not only a werewolf, but also a former member of the Companions (a faction who are generally disdainful of stealth) who uses a battleaxe as his main weapon. However, he wears the Shrouded Armor of the Dark Brotherhood. However, there's some Fridge Brilliance at play: in werewolf form, he would be unrecognizable to most, potentially allowing him to murder people in plain sight and run off into the night without risking a bounty on his head. Not to mention that the authorities might simply dismiss the murder as a random attack by a feral monster, rather than a deliberate murder.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Of Gogron gro-Bolmog, the orc member of Oblivion's Dark Brotherhood. Like Gogron, Arnbjorn is somewhat unsuited for stealth, though unlike Gogron, he wears Light Armor. Arnbjorn also has shades of M'raaj-Dar, in that he just plain does not like you especially after you get named Listener and become a threat to his wife's authority and there's really nothing you can do about that. Like M'raaj-Dar, Arnbjorn also starts to warm to you right before he dies, though at least this time it's not by your hand.
- Token Evil Teammate: Not for the Dark Brotherhood, obviously, but he used to be this for the Companions. Eventually, they kicked him out over it.
- Took a Level in Kindness: After you take care of Cicero, he is much kinder towards you, to the point of calling you "Tidbit."
- Unholy Matrimony: He's married to Astrid, and he loves his "beautiful wife".
Nazir
Voiced by: Erik Todd Dellums (English), Igor Tomilov (Russian)
A Redguard assassin who helps manage contracts.
- Actor Allusion: Could reasonably be considered the Evil Twin of Three Dog, with the Deadpan Snarker turned up to eleven.
- Black Dude Dies First:
- Inverted - he's one of the only two survivors of the Penitus Oculatus raid on the Sanctuary, especially since, among those that can survive, he's the only one whom you can realistically expect to die. Cicero, at that point, is either dead by your hands or safe in the Dawnstar Sanctuary, and Babette, being (ostensibly) a child, is protected under Bethesda's policy of "no child-killing".
- But if you decide to destroy the Dark Brotherhood instead of joining them, you do kill him, and only Babette and Cicero survive. Nazir's still not the first to die, though, since the first person you're likely to encounter upon entering the sanctuary will be either Arnbjorn or Veezara.
- Brutal Honesty: Nazir isn't a man to keep opinions to himself, and when you first join up, he'll be fairly vocal about how little he believes in you. Even during the Sanctuary raid, he admits that he had thoughts that it might have been you who sold them out, up until you saved his ass literal seconds ago.
- The Comically Serious: Has a lengthy list of entertainers he hates, and is rarely without a darkly humorous remark or his usual consummate tone. He'll also complain about Cicero's dancing if you spared him.
- Consummate Professional: Compared to others, he's more concerned with getting contracts done rather than with the more religious aspects of the Dark Brotherhood. He doesn't care too much how they're done, though, just that they are.
- Deadpan Snarker:
- Defiant to the End: When the Penitus Oculatus shows up and torches the Sanctuary, Nazir elects to go down swinging and taking as many of them down with him as he can.Nazir: If I am to die today, so be it. But you'll not soon forget the Dark Brotherhood.
- Defrosting Ice King: A dark version, but he gradually warms up to you.
- The Dragon: He becomes your Number Two in the Dawnstar Sanctuary, mainly due to the lack of anyone else to take up the position.
- Even Evil Has Standards: After the Dragonborn assassinates a vampire, he genuinely praises you and refuses to mock you. He says that you went toe-to-toe with a vampire and won, and that's something worth praise."No sarcasm this time. You faced a vampire and lived to tell the tale. Well done."
- Evil Sounds Deep: He has the deepest voice of anyone in the Sanctuary.
- Fragile Speedster: Subverted. He's the Master Trainer for Light Armor, but oddly enough, he does not wear it himself (his Redguard-themed attire is classed as plain clothing) and he's actually closer to being Made of Iron, given that he survives the raid as noted above.
- Meaningful Name: Arabic for "harbinger", which is appropriate enough for a guy who hands out contracts to kill people.
- No True Scotsman: His sentiments toward a Redguard Dragonborn at their first meeting."I am Redguard if you hadn't noticed, but not like you, no, not like you."
- Pungeon Master: After you complete one of your first contracts.Nazir: Of course the miner is dead, I've heard their industry is rather... cutthroat! And those hours? Murder. I can keep this up all day.
- Scary Black Man: He's a Redguard with a deep voice working with the Dark Brotherhood, and he's not too friendly either.
- Self-Made Orphan: After his father taught him to cook, Nazir killed him. Why he did this is never mentioned.
- Sergeant Rock: While working for Nazir, count on him to take the piss out of you pretty regularly. The best you will get is a "good enough" because his standards are uncompromising. As shown during the siege on the Sanctuary, he has the fortitude and skill to be well worth those standards.
- Sincerity Mode: One of the contracts he offers is on a vampire; after you do the deed, Nazir says, "No sarcasm this time" and praises you for fighting a vampire and living to tell the tale. Another contract is on a maid working in an occupied fort. He decides not to quip about killing the defenseless woman and praises you for managing to infiltrate the fort and make it out alive. Lastly, he becomes genuinely impressed when you complete your final contract with him on a pirate captain, which he describes as the most challenging.
- Sinister Scimitar: One of the very few named NPCs of any prominence to wield one in the game. This is unsurprising, as he basically looks like a red-garbed Alik'r warrior, who all wield "curved swords".
- Sleepy Head: Due to a bug, he may be found lying in bed almost all of the time in the PC version.
- Undying Loyalty: To Astrid. Later this shifts to the Dragonborn, after Astrid's death and the Falkreath sanctuary's destruction.Nazir: I'll follow you until I'm dust in the breeze. You realize that, right?
- Ungrateful Bastard: See Self-Made Orphan.
Babette
"You're only young once. Trust me, I know."
Voiced by: Harley Graham (English), Eliza Martirosova (Russian)
A 300-year-old vampire who uses her childlike appearance to her advantage.
- Beneath Suspicion: Her survival is possibly foreshadowed in her conversation with the Dragonborn, where she recites her rehearsed story that the Dark Brotherhood killed her parents and took her captive. With the multiple purges the Brotherhood has suffered since the Oblivion Crisis, Babette might have had to use this story before.
- Cheerful Child: Hey, just because she's a three hundred year-old vampire doesn't mean she can't act her apparent age. Babette is overall one of the chirpier, more welcoming members of the Brotherhood.
- Creepy Child: She was turned into a vampire when she was ten years old.
- Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: Her default murder method is to pretend to be a naive helpless little girl, get her target alone, and then turn them into a bloody stain on the cobblestone.
- Deliberately Cute Child: Her preferred tactic when assassinating is to pretend to be a normal innocent child.
- Enfant Terrible: She may look like any other kid, but she's a vampire assassin of three hundred years.
- Expy: Of Vicente Valtieri from Oblivion's Dark Brotherhood, who was also a vampire. Unlike Vicente, though, she doesn't give you any quests and never offers to turn you into a vampire like he did.
- Even Evil Has Standards: She is sad that you must kill the best chef in all Tamriel, because she loves his recipes.
- Improbable Infant Survival: Both literally and figuratively. She doesn't even show up if you decide to take the "Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!" route, and if you go through the faction questline, the Dark Brotherhood is eventually attacked by Commander Maro's troops and she ends up being one of the few survivors, along with you and Nazir (and Cicero, if you spared him).
- Karma Houdini: Due to the fact children can't be killed in the game, if you decide to wipe out the Dark Brotherhood, she doesn't appear, and presumably escapes justice. If you join the Dark Brotherhood, she's also one of the only two members present at Commander Maro's attack (the other being Nazir) who isn't killed by Imperial troops.
- Kick The Son Of A Bitch: Beyond Aventus Aretino's contract and Astrid's abduction, the Establishing Character Moment of the Dark Brotherhood itself has her narrating to her teammates how she took advantage of her appearance to bait and kill a child molester.
- Little Miss Badass: You don't see her fight anyone, but she has a few tales of such. Also, she has to be a badass to not get slaughtered by Commander Maro's troops like everyone else in the Brotherhood save Nazir, although since you meet her and Nazir after the fact, how she survived is left unclear.
- Master Poisoner: The master trainer for Alchemy. Given that she's a member of the Dark Brotherhood, the implications of what she uses that knowledge for should be obvious.
- Our Vampires Are Different: The only vampire in-game who isn't an adult.
- Really 700 Years Old: She's over three hundred on account of her vampirism.
- Shout-Out: She's possibly this to Claudia, from Interview with the Vampire; her French name, the fact that she was made a vampire as a child, and the way she uses her appearance to bait victims would suggest as much.
- Undead Child: Cicero even calls her "the unchild."
Veezara
Voiced by: Tim Blaney (English), Stanislav Strelkov (Russian)
An Argonian assassin from the extinct Shadowscale order.
- Affably Evil: He's a soft-spoken, all-around pleasant Nice Guy, except for the fact that he's also a cold-blooded murderer.
- Desperately Looking for a Purpose in Life: Before meeting the Dark Brotherhood, at least.
- I Owe You My Life: To Astrid, who gave him a reason to live again... specifically, killing people.
- Killed Off for Real: During Maro's attack on the Sanctuary, if you don't opt to destroy the Brotherhood yourself.
- Last of His Kind: He's the last known Shadowscale. Unfortunately, once you finish the questline, the order has become extinct; depending on whether you destroyed the Dark Brotherhood or joined them, he's killed by either you or Commander Maro's troops.
- Taking the Bullet: When Cicero loses his temper with Astrid for insulting the Night Mother, Veezara gets in the way and protects her from being hurt by the jester's knife. He survives.
- We Need a Distraction: Helps divert attention from you after a deliberately public assassination.
Gabriella
Voiced by: Julianne Buescher (English), Bella Co (Russian)
A Dunmer assassin of "simple, yet refined tastes."
- Bread, Eggs, Breaded Eggs: She likes moonlit nights, seaside strolls, unicorns, and knitting. She then recounts when she stabbed a unicorn to death with a sewing needle while on a moonlit walk on the beach.
- Familiar: Lis the Frostbite Spider is her familiar, according to the official strategy guide, though it notes that Lis is treated more like a pet than anything.
- Foreseeing My Death: Claims to have already predicted the circumstances of her death, although she doesn't discuss the details.
- Killed Off for Real: During Maro's attack on the Sanctuary (or yours, if you "Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!" instead of joining it).
Festus Krex
Voiced by: Jim Cummings (English), Alexey Kuznetsov (Russian)
An elderly Imperial assassin who believes that there's a spell for every circumstance.
- Berserk Button: When this man says he wants his bath water tepid, he means tepid. His wife found out the hard way that lukewarm is not tepid.
- The Brute: He isn't stupid, mind you, as he's an accomplished sorcerer. But unlike his comrades, he prefers brutally murdering his targets point blank with powerful spells as opposed to stealth and sneaky tactics. Despite that, he has a special ring that boosts Destruction and Sneak that he'll give the player as a bonus if they hide The Gourmet's body.
- Defrosting Ice King: Towards you.
- Disproportionate Retribution: Murdered his wife because she made lukewarm bathwater for him instead of tepid.
- Evil Old Folks: The oldest member of the Brotherhood (physically, anyway), and he loves seeing people horrifically turn to ashes before his eyes.
- Evil Sorcerer: He's practically obsessed with the more gruesome applications of magic, almost to a When All You Have Is a Hammer… level.
- For Science!: Was formerly a professor at the College of Winterhold before he decided that he wished to explore the "intricacies" of the Destruction school. Specifically, making spells that killed in more gruesome ways.
- Grumpy Old Man: Describes himself as the "cranky old uncle" of the Dark Brotherhood family.
- Human Pincushion: When you find him dead, he's pinned to a tree by about twenty arrows.
- Kill It with Fire: All of his Destruction spells are fire-based.
- Killed Off for Real: Either during Maro's attack on the Sanctuary, or yours.
- Laughably Evil: His grumpy mannerisms help in this.
- Square Race, Round Class: There are many occupations you may associate with an assassin. Destruction magic is probably not one of them, but here he is.
- There Is No Kill Like Overkill: His preferred method of assassination is the liberal application of powerful Destruction spells directly to the target. If asked for advice on your current mission, he'll recommend this for you as well. Ironically, when the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary is attacked by the Penitus Oculatus, Festus is found pinned to a tree by twenty arrows.
- When All You Have Is a Hammer…: He appreciates the stealth aspect of assassination, but he prefers to simply... well, he says it himself:
Festus: Do what I do. Walk up to your target, introduce yourself, melt their skin off, and then run like the wind. Works every time.
Cicero
"The Night Mother is part of you now. You get to hear voices in your head! The rest of us should be so lucky."
Voiced by: Andrew Morris (English), Sergey Burunov (Russian)
A psychotic Imperial jester and the Keeper of the Dark Brotherhood, responsible for taking care of the Night Mother.
- Affably Evil: He'll only harm people if he's given enough reason to. In Delayed Burial, he'll pay the Dragonborn for helping him and Loreius is rewarded or left alone. However, if Cicero is framed for a crime then he'll break out and murder Loreius and his wife for forcing him to desecrate The Night Mother's coffin to prove his innocence. Also, despite his obsession with becoming the Listener, he doesn't hold it against the Dragonborn when they get the role instead and becomes unwaveringly loyal to them if he's spared.
- All There in the Manual: An in-game version. His backstory and motivations are only revealed if you read his journals.
- Ax-Crazy: His default state of mind. If he's your follower, anyone showing any kind of hostility toward you will get knifed to death, which may lead to bounty problems if this happens in a major city.
- Berserk Button: Disrespecting the Night Mother makes him even more murder-happy than usual; after all, as Keeper, it's his job to guard her. He threatens to shank the Dragonborn on the spot when he finds them inside the Night Mother's coffin (long story) until they give him her Trust Password, and later tries to murder Astrid for slandering her name.
- Beware the Silly Ones: You do not become the keeper of the Night Mother without being very dangerous. He can be encountered on the road with a broken wagon. If you convince a farmer suspicious of him to have him arrested, said farmer will end up dead.
- Chekhov's Gunman: It's possible to encounter him (and his "passenger") on the road long before you ever join the Dark Brotherhood, or even if you never do.
- Cloud Cuckoolander: The only Dark Brotherhood member who still cares about the Night Mother, regularly attempting to communicate with her. His isolation, obsession, and the deaths of his fellow assassins in Cyrodiil have left him... quite unhinged.
- Coffin Contraband: Played with. His coffin containing "his mother" doesn't contain drugs or weapons, it contains the Night Mother, so he was telling the Metaphorically True.
- Creepy High-Pitched Voice: He's a psychotic jester with a very high-pitched voice for a man.
- Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: He manages to incapacitate Arnbjorn with just his knife. As a follower, he's relatively powerful.
- Even Evil Has Standards: As devoted to the Listener as he may be, Cicero will still refuse to sleep in other people's beds when ordered to."Now wait a minute, Listener. Even Cicero has his limits! Not many, mind you... but I do have them!"
- Evil Redhead: Has shoulder-length red hair that's mostly obscured by his hat.
- The Friend Nobody Likes: No one in the Dark Brotherhood is particularly fond of him, tolerating his presence solely because he's a member of the Brotherhood. Ironically, the one that actually tolerates him the most is Festus.
- Giggling Villain: Likely a mix of his jester persona and his own craziness.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Considering the fact that he was never named Listener despite his many prayers to the Night Mother and his years of loyal service and devotion, one might reasonably expect that the Dragonborn appearing out of nowhere and becoming Listener overnight might grate on him. It doesn't, he's just happy that the Dark Brotherhood can finally function properly, and is satisfied with his role as Keeper. But he seems aware of how people might perceive him and uses it to pull a prank on the Dragonborn if he's spared.
- Happy Dance: Once in a while, he'll do a jig on the spot.
- Happy Harlequin Hat: Wears a jester's hat to complement his psychotic clown persona.
- In-Universe Nickname: He calls himself "The Fool of Hearts". Everyone else just calls him a fool.
- Karma Houdini: Along with Babette, he will not be present in the Sanctuary if you're there to wipe out the Brotherhood. Evidently, he'll never finish the trip.
- Large Ham: What else would you expect from an Ax-Crazy jester?
- Married to the Job: He's completely devoted to the Night Mother and will fly into an absolute fury if someone disrespects her in his presence. The Night Mother, in turn, is respectful towards him, regarding him as "Poor Cicero. Dear Cicero. Such a humble servant."
- Metaphorically True: When encountered in Whiterun, he asks for your help because he's trying to bring the corpse of his mother to a new crypt but he's having trouble convincing Loreius the farmer to help him. Loreius believes he's lying and is alarmed by his behaviour. Well, if you join the Dark Brotherhood; Loreius is revealed to be half-right. The mother in the coffin isn't his mother but the Night Mother and the crypt itself is the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary in Falkreath. The sanctuary is found close to the local graveyard, which can be mistaken as a crypt at a far enough distance. Making his statements true from a certain point of view.
- Monster Clown: The most openly psychotic member of the Dark Brotherhood whose devotion to the Night Mother comes off as more than a bit Oedipal in nature. The persona is partly because his last contract before becoming the Keeper was to kill a jester, which - combined with his Sanity Slippage - eventually came to break him.
- Obviously Evil: When he's stranded in the middle of the road due to a damaged wheel of his carriage, a local farmer refuses to help him because of Cicero's incredibly suspicious behavior. Should you decide to involve yourself in the matter, the farmer will end up dead if you don't persuade him to help Cicero.
- Pragmatic Villainy: He prefers to focus his energies on maintaining his duties as The Night Mother's keeper. He rewards Loreius and the Dragonborn for helping fix his wagon and won't cause any trouble unless given a sufficient enough reason.
- Psycho Knife Nut: One of the most obviously and violently insane people in Skyrim, and his weapon of choice is an ebony dagger.
- Random Event: He's a walking one of these, in that Cicero is the only member of the Dark Brotherhood you might encounter even if you never commit the murder that brings you to the guild's attention. Meeting him is especially likely if you have Hearthfire installed; the farm where his wagon breaks down is the immediate neighbor of the plot of land where Heljarchen Hall (the home you can build if you become Thane of the Pale) is constructed.
- Right for the Wrong Reasons: The farmer that refuses to help Cicero cites his very suspicious behavior and the fact that his coffin probably contains drugs or weapons. While he's absolutely correct that Cicero is up to something, it's nothing as mundane as he thinks.
- Sanity Slippage: His journals reveal that years of obsessively watching over the Night Mother without ever once being named Listener or encountering a Listener while the Dark Brotherhood collapsed all around him really took their toll on his mind. Adding to this was his last contract before taking up the duty of Keeper: a jester. Cicero kept on recalling his time with the jester and eventually took up his mannerisms.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: To Mathieu Bellamont, being an Ax-Crazy member of the Brotherhood who's obsessed with his mother and betrays them due to his obsession. Although in Cicero's case, he's obsessed with the Night Mother rather than his biological one and he doesn't kill any of them for it, only wounding two of them after coming to blows with Astrid.
- Sycophantic Servant: Towards the Night Mother. If he's alive by the end of the Dark Brotherhood questline, he becomes this to the Dragonborn.
- Third-Person Person: He slips in and out of this rather inconsistently. It helps that he's completely mad.
- Troll: If spared, he shows up to the new Sanctuary in a rage, claiming that he should have become Listener, not the Dragonborn, and that he will make them regret letting him live. After a Beat, he starts laughing at the Dragonborn's presumably shocked expression, reveals that he is just joking around and professes his Undying Loyalty to the new Listener.
- Undying Loyalty: Cicero is completely devoted to the Night Mother and anyone who disparages her will get stabbed. Violently and multiple times. If you become the Listener, Cicero extends this loyalty to you as well and addresses you with nothing less than complete reverence.
- Wounded Gazelle Gambit: He appears badly injured when he asks you to spare his life. If you attack him but are not strong enough to kill him in one hit, he's as spry as ever."Ha ha! Behold the final trick of the Fool of Hearts! You think me near death? Think again!"
- Yandere: For the Night Mother. And even starts to show shades of this towards the player if you spare him.
- You Fool!: If you spare him and head to the Dawnstar Sanctuary later in the questline, he'll greet you with a monologue about how much of a fool you were to spare him and that he'll kill you now. He then reveals that he's just kidding, while laughing at the apparent look on your face.
The Spectral Assassin
Voiced by: Wes Johnson (English), Peter Ivashchenko (Russian)
An ancient assassin which you call forth from the Void. Actually the ghost of Lucien Lachance.
- Awesome, but Impractical: The ghost of Lucien Lachance has arguably the most badass and well-voiced combat dialogue of any character in the game. It's a shame that his sole fighting tactic is to charge headlong into the thickest of the fighting clad in only light armor and brandishing an iron dagger. Higher level-scaled enemies tend to make short work of him. That is, until you install Dawnguard, craft a Dragonbone Bow enchanted with Absorb Health and Paralysis and a set of Dragonbone Arrows, and drop both beside him before combat starts. Time it right, and Lucien will actually ignore all the fighting, pick up the set and thereafter become a permanently self-reliant, committed long-ranged killing machine who fast travels with the set until he's dispelled by another summon or killed by overwhelming force.
- Ax-Crazy: While Lucien Lachance could hardly be considered a man of peace, he seems to have entirely dispensed with the "stealth" aspect of his vocation after becoming one with the Void. He will not sneak when the player does and will instead draw attention to himself by eagerly charging at any nearby enemy with only a knife."Perhaps we should find... a random stranger to murder! Practice does make perfect..."
- Belated Happy Ending: Despite his rather horrific end in Oblivion, he's deemed important and loyal enough to Sithis and the Night Mother to endure beyond death, likely because the Night Mother herself vouched for his devotion to the Black Hand.
- Blood Knight: "I grow restless... as does my blade."
- Came Back Wrong: He's certainly less collected than he was in the last game, perhaps due in part to the details of his death (see the Nightmare Fuel page for a description).
- Even Evil Has Standards: He may be as cold-blooded in death as he was in life, but he is uneasy about killing Cicero, who holds the sacred title as Keeper, regardless of his lunacy. He will help you kill Cicero, but he warns you that it is not the will of Sithis.
- Evil Sounds Deep: Courtesy of his VA. Highlight the spoiler to work it out.
- Expy: He's essentially an evil Obi-Wan Kenobi with a bit of Darth Sidious on the side.
- Fearless Undead: "There is no pain in the Void!"
- I Am Who?: Lucien Lachance
- Implacable Man: Of a sort. He will assist you until he falls, and can be summoned again if he does.
- Large Ham: I LIVE AGAIN!
- Motor Mouth: A variant of this trope in that while Lucien's speech is still perfectly coherent and steady, he never shuts up. He'll go off on an echoing deep-voiced tangent about past events or enacting violence (or both) in any location to which he accompanies you without being prompted, even in the middle of a Falmer- or draugr-infested dungeon or a conversation with another NPC. This wouldn't be too much of a problem... until you've heard "the tale of Mathieu Bellamont and the great treachery of Cheydinhal" for the millionth time. So much for preferring the "symphony of death".
- It's gotten to the point where players have written guides on how to "kill" him without incurring a penalty for it.
- Pet the Dog:"Shadowmere... my old and dear friend."
Shadowmere
The undead horse of Astrid and a few other Dark Brotherhood members before her, who is loaned out to the player character after a few missions and eventually becomes theirs.
- Ambiguous Gender: Considered male by Astrid, but Lucien calls Shadowmere a "she" in Oblivion. It seems implied that she simply does not know the actual gender, and just guessed.
- Blood Knight: If an enemy is nearby, it will feel this horse's hooves.
- Hellish Horse: This Brotherhood-exclusive steed is the hardiest in all of Skyrim.
- Nigh-Invulnerable: Has more health than other horses and regenerates it extremely quickly. The only things that can kill her are very long vertical drops and amplified backstabs.
- Red Eyes, Take Warning: Has glowing red eyes.
- Resurrective Immortality: Even if something manages to get through its massive amount of regenerating health to kill it, it will come back to life ten days later at the point where you originally met it outside the (original) Dark Brotherhood sanctuary.
