History Characters / TheElderScrollsVSkyrim

* [[Characters/SkyrimOtherCharacters Other Characters]]: For residents of Winterhold, The Pale, and Falkreath Holds, Wanderers, and other miscellaneous characters.

* [[Characters/SkyrimOtherCharacters Other Characters]]: For Hold Residents, Wanderers, and other miscellaneous characters.

* [[Characters/SkyrimDLC Appearing in Skyrim DLCs]]: For the casts of ''Dawnguard, Hearthfire'', and ''Dragonborn''.

* [[Characters/SkyrimOtherCharacters Other Characters]]: For Hold Residents, Wanderers, and Mythical/Unseen Characters.

* [[Characters/SkyrimOtherCharacters Other Characters]]: For Hold Residents and Wanderers.

* [[Characters/SkyrimMainCharacters Main Characters]]: For the Dovahkiin / The Dragonborn, Dragons, Heroes of Skyrim, Greybeards, and the Blades.

[[index]]
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* [[Characters/SkyrimOtherCharacters Followers and Other Characters]]: For the Followers, Hold Residents, and Wanderers.

* [[Characters/SkyrimCivilWar Civil War]]: For the Jarls, Stormcloaks, Empire of Tamriel, and Thalmor.

* [[Characters/SkyrimDLC Appearing in Skyrim DLCs]]: For the casts of Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn.

* [[Characters/SkyrimDLC Appearing in Skyrim DLCs]]: For the casts from Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn.

* [[Characters/SkyrimFactions Factions]]: For the Companions, the College of Winterhold, the Thieves' Guild, and the Dark Brotherhood.
* [[Characters/SkyrimDLC Appearing in Skyrim DLCs]]: For the Dawnguard, Clan Volkihar, other Dawnguard characters, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn characters.
* [[Characters/SkyrimOtherCharacters Followers and Other Characters]]: For the people of Eastmarch, Falkreath Hold, Haafingar, Hjaalmarch, the Pale, the Reach, the Rift, Whiterun Hold, Winterhold, and the Wanderers.

* [[Characters/SkyrimDLC Appearing in Skyrim DLCs]]: For the Dawnguard, Clan Volkihar, other Dawnguard characters, and Hearthfire characters.

* [[Characters/SkyrimMainCharacters Main Characters]]: For the Dovahkiin / The Dragonborn, Dragons, Housecarls, Heroes of Skyrim, Greybeards, and the Blades.

* [[Characters/SkyrimDLC Appearing in Skyrim DLCs]]: For the Dawnguard, Clan Volkihar, and other Dawnguard characters.

* [[Characters/SkyrimDLC Appearing in Dawnguard]]: For the Dawnguard, Clan Volkihar, and other Dawnguard characters.

* [[Characters/SkyrimMainCharacters Main Characters]]: For the Dovahkiin / The Dragonborn, Dragons, Housecarls, Heroes of Skyrim, Greybeards and the Blades.
* [[Characters/SkyrimCivilWar Civil War]]: For the Jarls, Stormcloaks, Empire of Tamriel and Thalmor.

* [[Characters/SkyrimDLC Appearing in Dawnguard]]: For the Dawnguard, Clan Volkihar and other Dawnguard characters.
* [[Characters/SkyrimOtherCharacters Followers and Other Characters]]: For the people of Eastmarch, Falkreath Hold, Haafingar, Hjaalmarch, the Pale, the Reach, the Rift, Whiterun Hold Winterhold and the Wanderers.

* [[Characters/SkyrimFactions Factions]]: For the Companions, the Dark Brotherhood, the College of Winterhold, the Thieves' Guild and the Daedric Princes.

* [[Characters/SkyrimCivilWar Civil War ]]: For the Jarls, Stormcloaks, Empire of Tamriel and Thalmor.

* [[Characters/SkyrimOtherCharacters Followers and other territorial characters]]: For the people of Eastmarch, Falkreath Hold, Haafingar, Hjaalmarch, the Pale, the Reach, the Rift, Whiterun Hold Winterhold and the Wanderers.

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[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Dovahkiin / The Dragonborn]]

-->'''''"FUS RO DAH!"'''''
[[quoteright:348:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Dovakhiin_7544.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:348:The last thing that the Dragons will see.]]


[[IAmWho The Dovahkiin]] is TheChosenOne of prophecy, foretold to be the one to defeat Alduin, [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt who is poised to destroy all of Nirn]]. He or she turns out to be a [[YouAllMeetInACell penniless prisoner waking up in the back of a cart and about to be executed]].


* AxCrazy: You can act like this occasionally.
-->''Is Markarth bloody enough for you, stranger?''
-->''More blood is always good.''
* AlwaysABiggerFish: According to lore, Akatosh used his own blood to create the first Dragonborns, who would serve as guardians for mankind and natural predators for Dragons.
* AndTheAdventureContinues: The game doesn't end when you complete the main storyline, and random Radiant Quests ensure you have something to do afterwards.
** [[spoiler:Tsun and Paarthurnax both say that they doubt your purpose has been completely fulfilled, and Tullius/Ulfric say that they expect to be at loggerheads with the Thalmor again in the not too distant future at the end of the Civil War quests, providing a [[SequelHook DLC Hook]].]]
** Not to mention heightmaps for all the provinces of Tamriel are included in the game, leading some to speculate future DLC will add entire regions to the game. Several of the other provinces have potential enemies as well, mostly Thalmor, but also the Argonians who conquered Morrowind.
* AntiHero: There is no karma meter, but the GreyAndGrayMorality of the two main questlines, and possible membership in factions like the Companions, Thieves Guild, or Dark Brotherhood can put you anywhere on the [[SlidingScaleOfAntiheroes scale]].
* TheAtoner: You can invoke this by completing the Dark Brotherhood main quest which ends with you killing [[spoiler:the Emperor]]. Afterwards, join the Imperial Legion and help them win the civil war as way of making amends for the crimes you committed against the Empire. See FaceHeelTurn if you do the opposite.
** The game itself will invoke this trope with you. If you steal from your fellows in the Thieves Guild or kill a colleague in the Dark Brotherhood, you must make restitution (though the latter is a subversion as a fine of 500 gold is all that is assessed for murder.) You can also pay off your bounties for crimes committed in various communities. If your skill in illusion is high enough to pacify a guard long enough to accept bounty, you can make restitution for any and all crimes.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: Ignoring how you can name your character whatever you want, most characters refer to you as Dovahkiin or Dragonborn, the former sounding very similiar along the lines of names like Alduin, Paarthurnax and Odahviing.
* {{Badass}}: Possibly the most badass out of all the Elder Scrolls protagonists. Only ''one'' other one has met a hostile dragon. For the Dovahkiin, [[UnusuallyUninterestingSight killing dragons is the job description]], and as they're random encounters you'll be mowing them down regularly.
** ActionSurvivor: After surviving almost being executed by beheading and burnt alive by a dragon, you proceed to become TheChosenOne to prevent the end of the world.
** AsskickingEqualsAuthority: If you're scouted out to join a group like the Thieves Guild, Companions, or the College of Winterhold, by the time their questline is over [[spoiler: you'll have been made their leader in recognition of your skill]].
** BadassAbnormal: The Dragonborn possesses the body of a mortal but the soul of a Dragon.
** BadassBeard: Todd Howard really wasn't kidding when he said that Skyrim would have truly epic beards...
** BadassBookworm: Via reading skill books or specialising in magic.
** BadassBystander: During dragon attacks on towns, you can step in, kill it, then go right back to what you were doing.
** BadassInCharge: By the end of the game, you have the potential to be [[spoiler: Archmage of the College of Winterhold, Guild Master of the Thieves Guild, Harbinger of the Companions, Listener of the Dark Brotherhood, and ''Overlord of the Dragons''.]]
** BadassLonghair: Potentially.
** BadassPreacher: If you join a temple to the Divines.
** HandicappedBadass: Your Dragonborn can be missing an eye or be completely blind if you wish
** BewareTheNiceOnes: You can play as a polite, kind and an all around NiceGuy, who is literally capable of bending reality itself to shout their enemies apart.
** OneManArmy: A highly trained Dragonborn is able to win battles in which he is heavily outnumbered. This is seen most prominently in the Civil War quests, in which the Dragonborn can liberate entire forts occupied by the enemy army, without needing any help. One quest during the civil war even has the option to barge in alone instead of a more conventional ambush tactic.
-->'''Dragonborn''': ''I have a better plan. You wait here, and I'll take care of it.''
** Routinely defeating Dragons who could obliterate entire towns also counts.
** UnderestimatingBadassery: Most missions/sidequests/quest lines are completely separate and don't overlap. That means that even if you've become Harbinger of the Companions, single-handedly stopped the resurrection of Potema, become the Thane of multiple Holds, and revealed yourself as the Dragonborn and ''absorbed the souls of dragons'', you still need to undergo a petty quest to "prove yourself" worthy enough to join other factions. Somewhat justified in that being an adventurer alone (even the Dragonborn) isn't enough to indicate that you're willing to follow orders or maintain confidentiality, however, this justification does not help the cases where you merely have to prove that you're strong enough to fight.
** That said, there ''are'' a few notable aversions. For example, if you've completed the Wolf Queen questline and started the "Mind Of Madness" questline, you may speak with Falk Firebeard and though reluctant to allow you passage into the haunted and abandoned wing of the Blue Palace, he will make an exception just for ''you''.
** It especially get ridiculous when you get challenged by some random thief or an overconfident enemy like [[spoiler: Ancano's aide whom you encounter after getting the Staff of Magnus]], and you clearly [[CurbStompBattle demonstrate]] that they prove to be mere cannon fodder.
* BarbarianHero: Although you can play your Dragonborn as whatever kind of character you like, the "official" Dragonborn seen in the promotional art and trailers is one. It comes naturally to Nords.
* BloodKnight: You can choose to be one. Given that you're in the land of {{Blood Knight}}s, it comes naturally. Paarthurnax also mentions that as you have the soul of a Dragon, you have an innate desire for destruction.
* BountyHunter: One way to make money is to ask around for bounty decrees (the target is usually a dragon, a group of bandits, or a troublesome giant), then collect your bounty from the local Jarl.
* {{Catchphrase}}: One of the first Dragon-Shouts you learn, nonetheless, can prove itself [[AwesomeYetPractical useful]] in almost ''any'' situation.
--> '''Dragonborn''': FUS-RO-DAH!
* TheChosenOne: A slightly unusual case that there's sometimes more than one Chosen One running around; the PlayerCharacter just might the only known Dovahkiin.[[spoiler:The Dragonborn is also arguably the chosen one of ''every'' other circumstance and guild they run across.]]
** This is [[UpToEleven Taken up to Eleven]] when you [[spoiler: reach Sovngarde and are challenged by the guardian of Shor's Hall, Tsun. He wants to know by what right you should be allowed to enter, and you can say that you're the Dovahkiin... But if you've completed all the other Faction Quests, you can also say that you're Harbinger of the Companions, Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold, Nightingale of the Thieves Guild, ''or'' Listener for the Dark Brotherhood. It's a shame you can't bring up all of these, he'd probably crap his pants.]]
** It's heavily implied in ''The Book of the Dragonborn'' as well as a very accurate ancient prophecy, that you are [[LastOfHisKind the last Dragonborn]].
* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: Being a TES game, you can backstab basically everyone. Notable example: [[spoiler:You kill the Emperor at the end of the Dark Brotherhood questline. Bonus points if you've previously joined the Legion and sworn allegiance to the Emperor. Then you can accept the Emperor's last request to murder the man who ordered his assassination.]] Less notable example: Help Madanach and the Forsworn escape Cidhna Mine, accept his reward and thanks, then stick a knife in his back when he turns to leave.
* CombatPragmatist: The kill animations sometimes reach ''AssassinsCreed''-tier brutality and ruthlessness. One of the new ones in the 1.5 update for warhammers and battle axes involves putting the haft of the hammer or axe around the back of the enemy's neck and then simply twisting until the neck breaks. Another new animation, also for warhammers and battle axes, involves placing the hammer or axe sideways behind the opponents head, locking them in place while you ''headbutt them to death''.
** Dragon-Shouts. Because why bother to even battle someone when you can freeze them, roast them alive or rip out their ''soul''?!
* CoDragons: By the final mission in the Civil War questline, you've become the Co Dragon to either Tullius or Ulfric, alongside Rikke or Galmar, respectively.
* CoolHelmet: Always depicted as wearing a horned helmet with a face mask in promotional art (the readily available Iron helmet, for those interested). In the game, you can wear a variety, including that one, or none at all.
* CrazyPrepared: Potentially. A Dovahkiin focused on smithing, enchanting, speech, and alchemy (at the expense of perk-placement in other skills directly-related to combat or magic) can have custom-made weapons, potions, and enchanted gear for ''any'' eventuality. You essentially sacrifice the ability to be the perfect warrior to instead be ''Batman''.
* CrystalDragonJesus: The Dragonborn is essentially TheElderScrolls' version of Christ, a god in a mortal's body destined to save the world. [[spoiler: You even go to the afterlife and then return to the mortal realm.]] And it's implied that you're destined to lead a new empire.
* CursedWithAwesome: [[spoiler:You can become a werewolf.]]
** Not to mention the fact that you are/can be the number one enemy of the most feared and powerful creatures, organizations, and even ''Daedric Princes'' of Tamriel because of your powers.
* DeadpanSnarker: There are plenty of sarcastic dialogue options.
* DefectorFromDecadence: If the Dragonborn is an Altmer and loyal to the Empire, one of the possibilities for why they arrived in Skyrim is that they are one of the many Altmer fleeing the expanding influence of the Aldmeri Dominion. Due to the White-Gold Condordiat being signed between the Thalmor and the Empire, the Thalmor were effectively granted free-reign to come and go throughout the Empire and the jurisdiction to arrest anyone they wish. One suspects that Altmer ''not'' loyal to the Dominion are on the top of their list...
* [[GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex Designated Heroes Have Good Sex]]: If you get married, and go to sleep with your spouse (either because you're at the house or you're traveling with them), you get the ''Lover's Comfort'' buff, where the Dragonborn is in such a good mood that skill-building becomes a lot easier for a while.
* {{Determinator}}: Slaying Dragons, ending Civil Wars and saving the World? Numerous characters comment on the Dragonborn's tenacity.
* DisproportionateRetribution: Can join the Stormcloaks, overthrow the Empire and [[spoiler: murder the Emperor]]... all because you were accidentally arrested and when the mistake was discovered, you were sentenced to execution ''anyway'', because [[ObstructiveBureaucrat one Imperial clerk]] ''didn't'' want to [[NiceJobBreakingItHero bother with the paperwork.]]
* TheDreaded: Dragonborn, being the only mortals capable of truly killing a dragon, are actually mentioned as being something the Dragons fear above all else. Case-in-point, the music that plays during your fights with Dragons is titled on the soundtrack as "''The One They Fear''"
** Literally invoked the first Dragon you face, Mirmulnir, when he realizes far too late just ''who you are.''
--> '''Mirmulnir''': [[OhCrap Dovahkiin?!]] [[BigNo NO!]]
* DudeWheresMyRespect: Playing any race other than Nord tends to this, but especially Khajiit, Argonian, and Dunmer Dragonborn will still get talked down to by guards and some [=NPCs=], even after defeating Alduin.
** The Blades, who despite supposedly being sworn to ''serve'' the Dragonborn, often treat them as an indentured servant and ''demand'' they perform tasks for them.
** There are some instances where you can simply tell someone that you're Dragonborn and they'll treat you with the respect your status deserves. For example, when entering the College of Winterhold, you're normally expected to make a show of magical aptitude, but if you simply tell Faralda that you're the Dragonborn and fire off a Shout, she'll enthusiastically let you through.
** Becoming the Arch-Mage of the College at Winterhold. Did you ''really'' think you'd get any respect from [[DoesNotLikeMagic the Nords]]?
--> '''Guard''': So you're the leader of those mages in Winterhold, am I supposed to be impressed?
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: You eventually end up defeating Alduin, firstborn of Akatosh, god of Time itself, whose purpose is to bring about the end of the world.
* DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu: The Dragonborn always has the option of telling the Daedric Princes, in no uncertain terms, to go to hell.
* FantasticRacism: If you meet up with Brunwulf Free-Winter you have the option of saying that Skyrim is for Nords alone. [[BoomerangBigot Strangely enough, you get this option even if you're not a Nord.]]
* FeaturelessProtagonist: As in every TES game.
* FemmeFatale: Very possible for a female Dragonborn of any non-beast race.
* FolkHero: InUniverse. The bards even composed a song called "The Dragonborn Comes", foretelling your arrival.
* GeniusDitz: Can invoke this with the Greybeards, saying you have no idea how you can [[InstantExpert learn new Thu'um quickly]], you just ''do'' it.
** If you join the Mage College but haven't specialized in magic thus far, you essentially are acknowledged as being the least skilled with magic, but potentially one of the most powerful.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: If you wish, the Dragonborn can have a plethora of manly scars.
* GlamourFailure: After becoming a werewolf, city guards will comment that the Dragonborn appears to have fur growing out of their ears and [[PsychoticSmirk a wolfish grin.]] Even if you are an Argonian, who's ears and facial expressions shouldn't be readily apparent in the first place, or if you're a Khajiit, and have furry ears anyway.
* HelloInsertNameHere: Played with; regardless of the name you pick you're usually referred to as "The Dragonborn", but your name will frequently appear written in notes and journals. [[NoPronunciationGuide The reason for this is obvious]].
** EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: In the Legion campaign, you're referred to primarily by your rank, starting at Auxiliary and working your way up to Legate.
** KnownOnlyByTheirNickname: In the Stormcloak campaign, you're given a series of nicknames by the men. Stormcloak troops will refer to you by these nicknames.
* HeroWithBadPublicity: Even if you're the nicest, most heroic guy imaginable you'll still get a bounty on par with murder if you're exposed as a werewolf.
* HornyVikings: A Nordic Dragonborn will find himself embracing many beloved Viking cliches.
* HumanoidAbomination: Is viewed as one by the Dragons, being a mortal who somehow possesses the soul of a Dragon and is able to permanently kill them, then proceed to use their souls as ''fuel''.
* TheHunter: Is considered by the Blades to be the ''ultimate'' Dragon-slayer.
** For good reason: only a Dragonborn (or a dragon) can keep dragons from being resurrected by Alduin. The Blades might be able to kill a dragon, but without your help it isn't going to ''stay'' killed.
* HunterOfHisOwnKind: Most vampires you encounter are hostile, so being one yourself invokes this trope. Being a werewolf can do too (mostly in the Sinding/Hircine quest).
** Given how the Dragonborn is of the same kith as Dragons, this is to be expected.
** Thalmor can invoke this in both directions if you're an Altmer. Once you hit the Thalmor Embassy, they'll start sending execution squads after you, which will only happen to a Dragonborn who has the patience to ''not'' brutally murder Thalmor s/he encounters beforehand.
* IHateYouVampireDad: [[spoiler: If the Dovahkiin accepts Lord Harkon's offer of Vampire Lordship and ends up killing him]]
* IHaveManyNames: Aside from the name you give your character in CharGen, you have the title "Dragonborn" (obviously), "Dovahkiin" (Dragonborn in dragon language), the title "Stormcrown" given by the Greybeards, "Ysmir, the Dragon of The North", also given by the Greybeards, and "Qahnaarin" ("Vanquisher"), given by [[spoiler:Durnehviir]].
* ImAHumanitarian: One of the quests allows you to become a cannibal.
** "Human Flesh" is also an alchemical ingredient, and the most obvious method of discovering an ingredient's first trait is to eat it.
** Furthermore, the most effective method of healing one's self in werewolf form is to take a bite out of some dead human enemies.
* InformedAttractiveness: People won't be gushing over you, but you'll occasionally hear some [=NPC=] banter that paints you as good-looking regardless of your appearance, even if you're non-human, covered in dirt, brutally scarred, partially blind, and clad in dragon bones. Given that Skyrim is a land of {{Blood Knight}}s, however, these might be sexy traits as far as locals are concerned.
** Some very complimenting examples from Narri of Falkreath:
---> ''To a male Dragonborn: Shor's bones, a handsome man in Falkreath!''
---> ''To a female Dragonborn: You're going to have the men around here wrapped around your finger in no time.''
* InstantExpert: Happens in two ways:
** The first way is what effectively makes the Dragonborn so special. Instead of having to spend years on mastering the Thu'um, you can simply absorb a dragon's soul and use those to master a known word of power. This does have its limits however as the Dragonborn does not absorb a full understanding of the Dragon Language itself, something Alduin mocks you about at one point. Similarly, Arngeir only realizes when you ask, that you had no clue what any of the Greybeards actually were saying during your initiation ceremony.
** The second way is with the skills itself: If you read enough skill books and possess enough money to buy training sessions, you can easily go from being a complete novice in a skill to being fairly passable in it in the course of an in-game afternoon. Its also funny when one considers the perk system; if the Dragonborn decides to take the Dragon Smithing perk, he instantly knows how to forge armors from Dragonscales and bones, despite not having done this before.
*** The perk tree is so that you can save all of your perks and use them when you deem the skill necessary. This can result in a novice who barely knows how to aim with a bow at a deer to a master huntsman who can land a killshot on a elite Thalmor Justicar from several miles away.
* {{Irony}}: The Dovahkiin can invoke this if they go with Ralof during the intro. Prior, an Imperial Captain (over Hadvar's objection) commanded you be beheaded despite being innocent of any crime except being in the wrong place at the wrong time. That said, guess who one of the very first Imperials you can kill is as soon as you enter Helgen Keep? And, for bonus points, the first weapon you can get your hands on is [[AnAxeToGrind an axe.]]
* KleptomaniacHero: Entirely possible to do, and even probable if you are playing a thief archetype. Interestingly, while hot property is limited to designated fences for proper sale, there's nothing stopping you from ''gifting'' hot property for miscellaneous "I'd love it if you could find me one of those" quests.
* LastOfHisKind: The Book of the Dragonborn heavily implies you are the ''Last'' Dragonborn.
* LightningBruiser: In werewolf form, you can do a sprint slash; you sprint towards your foe, then do a power attack while still sprinting. Massive damage + probable knockdown of your foe.
** It kind of degrades into GlassCannon status later on, though. You have no armor bonus in beast form, and at higher levels the health bonus you get is more or less meaningless, meaning you can be shredded pretty easily. But you still move at ridiculous speeds and deal ''a lot'' of damage.
** One combination that absolutely qualifies for this trope, however, is the Elemental Fury shout combined with the orc racial power, [[UnstoppableRage berserker rage]]. Elemental fury increases your attack speed, doubling it at max power, while berserker rage doubles your attack damage while cutting the damage you take in half. This combination renders any and all melee engagements moot; your enemies may as well be fighting an avalanche.
* LivingLegend
* MagicKnight: No matter what race the Dragonborn is, s/he can use at least some form of basic magic. The Thu'um shouts further solidify this; a Dragonborn who never expends any magicka will still be blasting enemies with their voice.
** Should the Dragonborn decide to focus solely on Magic, Smithing and Enchanting, the Dragonborn becomes the Tamrielic equivalent of ''IronMan''.
* MagneticHero: Although you can only have one follower with you at a time, there are 49 available and you can potentially recruit them all.
* MakeMeWannaShout: The ''Thu'um'' is literally called a Shout and can give you several different abilities:
** AnIcePerson
** AnimateDead
** AuraVision
** TheBeastmaster
** BlowYouAway
** {{Curse}}
** DefogOfWar
** EmotionControl
** KillItWithFire
** LifeDrain
** PowerOfTheStorm
** SummonMagic
** TimeMaster
** YourSoulIsMine
* MasterPoisoner: The Alchemy skill revolves around this.
* TheMessiah: The salvation of the world is up to you.
** DarkMessiah: You can be a right bastard about it, though.
* MatchMakerQuest: You get to help out a few couples get together in the quest [[spoiler: The Book of Love]].
* MemeticBadass: In-universe, the Dragonborn is a legendary figure among the Nords.
** Should you have joined one of the factions, guards can comment that they've heard of you.
* MemeticOutfit: The Iron Helmet from the publicity photos.
** To the point where fan-art, even of non-Nordic Dragonborns, frequently has them depicted wearing that helmet.
* MuggingTheMonster: Its remarkable how many people think attacking you is a ''good'' idea.
** You can actually get ambushed by a thief in a random instance and have the option to dismiss them entirely;
--> '''Dragonborn''': I don't have time for this...
* MultipleChoicePast: In conversation with Serana, the player has a choice of multiple answers regarding his relationship with his parents. From being close to them to never having known them.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: By no means required, but entirely possible. Listing the ways to invoke it for each race would be a page unto itself.
** The Altmer and Bosmer are the most extreme cases, as for them it ''is'' effectively required - the main storyline involves direct action against the Thalmor.
* MysteriousPast: Although its left blank for the player to make up you can make a couple of in game suggestions about it. In Cidnah Mine you can claim your family is still alive but in another part of Tamriel, and tell Eola you've already indulged in cannibalism. However, since this optional dialogue and can be refuted in said conversations its not definite canon.
* NamesToRunAwayFromVeryFast: The Dragonborn. But the Stormblade, Harbinger of the Companions, and Listener of the Dark Brotherhood can also count.
* NiceGuy: You can be one by helping every helpless civilian you find on your travels, giving mercy to enemies who ask for it, and playing games with children.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: As the game progresses and you complete guild questlines, main quests, civil war, and sidequests, the player will rapidly become an exemplar of this trope. You already start off as part-dragon, which is coupled with your race of choice. Once the guild questlines are finished, you can add Viking champion/Legate, archmage, mentor of ''another'' Viking guild, thief, assassin, priest, bard, champion of multiple deities and Daedric princes, ally of the Forsworn, Thane of all nine holds, and werewolf/vampire[[hottip:*:Vampirism and Lycanthropy are both diseases and both bestow immunity to disease once contracted which normally makes them mutually exclusive]] to the list.
* NotSoDifferent: Paarthurnax notes that the Dragonborn has the same innate urge to kill, destroy and conquer as all Dragons do.
** With Alduin. How does Alduin grow stronger? By devouring the souls of dead mortals. How does the Dragonborn's Thu'um become stronger? By consuming the souls of dead dragons.
* OccultDetective: Various quests have the Dragonborn having to deal with Witches, Werewolves, Vampires, Ghosts, Necromancers, Daedric Princes and all manner of arcane creatures.
* OddFriendship: The ''Dawnguard'' DLC allows you to befriend Serana, a friendly vampire, even if you are a member of the Dawnguard faction.
* OhCrap: The reaction of various Dragons when they realize ''[[TheDreaded who you are]]''.
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: Quite possible with any Dragonborn, but comes out most when playing a Thief archetype combined with the right dialogue options. Especially if you join the Thieves Guild.
* OpenSecret: [[spoiler: Guards will occasionally mention they know that you're in the Thieves Guild, or a member of the Dark Brotherhood (including suspecting that you killed the Emperor himself) but never confront you about it because of a lack of direct evidence and also being ''terrified'' of you.]]
* [[PalsWithJesus Pals with Daedric Princes]]: The Dragonborn can undertake quests from various Daedric Princes and eventually becomes recognised as their respective Champion. Given the Daedric Princes rather indifferent attitude towards most mortals in Nirn, being considered not ''completely'' useless is a pretty big accomplishment.
* PaperThinDisguise: Averted if playing as an Altmer, which turns the infiltration of the Thalmor Embassy into a doddle. Instead of keeping a low-profile, the Dragonborn can casually walk up to people, barking orders. Since everyone is so afraid of the Thalmor, they don't dare ask any questions.
* PetTheDog: A literal example. Over the course of your travels, you ''can'' rescue stray dogs from enemies.
* ProudWarriorRaceGuy: Comes through most when playing a Nord.
-->'''Jarl of Whiterun:''' Alduin... The World Eater? But if he has come, then surely it is the end?
-->'''Dragonborn:''' Maybe, but I intend to die fighting!
-->'''Jarl of Whiterun:''' Spoken like a true Nord! I stand with you, Dragonborn!
* ProfessionalKiller: Very possible with a Dragonborn that joins the Dark Brotherhood. Can be most prevalent during your first meeting with [[spoiler:Amaund Motierre]].
-->'''[[spoiler:Motierre]]:''' The real reason I'm speaking with a cutthroat in the bowls of this detestable crypt. For I seek the assassination of... [[spoiler:The Emperor]].
--> '''Dragonborn''': Leaders rise and fall. Business is business.
* PsychoticSmirk: After becoming a Werewolf, guards claim that the Dragonborn has a disturbing wolfish grin.
* [[RealMenLoveJesus Real Men Love The Nine Divines]]: You can wear an amulet of any god, pray at their shrines regularly and serve any temple, should you wish.
** You're not limited to the divines only. Completing the Sacred Trials of Kyne and selecting the 'I don't believe in the Nine' can make you a Real man who loves the ''Old Nordic Gods''.
*** Joining the Stormcloaks ostensibly makes you a Real Man who loves Talos exclusively.
* RagsToRiches: Can become a Thane to multiple Jarls of Skyrim, and unless you're actually trying ''not'' to, you'll probably end up with gold coming out of your ears, especially if you earn the [[spoiler: Prowler's Profit perk]], which lets you discover tons of gold and precious stones in every chest and urn out there in Skyrim, which are all yours for the taking.
* RealityWarper: As with all those capable of the Thu'um.
* RedBaron: ''The One They Fear.''
* ReluctantWarrior: Can be played as one.
* ScienceHero: If you specialize in Alchemy, Enchanting, and Smithing. You can, with some work, become the Tamrielic equivalent of [[IronMan Tony Stark]].
* SilentProtagonist: Actually averted; the Dragonborn doesn't talk normally, but he[=/=]she ''is'' actually voiced; besides performing dragon Shouts, the Throw Voice power has you actually throw out a variety of insults at you enemies. Oddly, when using Throw Voice, the male voice of the Dragonborn is snarky and high-pitched, sounding more like Church from ''RedVsBlue'' than a mighty Norse warrior.
* SmarterThanYouLook: Farengar Secret-Fire says this if you ask about him about his work with the Dragon Stone.
* TheStarscream[=/=]EtTuBrute: [[spoiler:To Jarl Balgruuf the Greater, if you support the Stormcloaks. After being the one guy to support you wholeheartedly and keep his people out of the war, Ulfric tasks you with laying siege to the city he commands and forcing him out. This is possibly after he made you Thane and welcomed you into his city. GreyAndGrayMorality aside, you ''will'' feel like a dick for betraying him.]]
* TheStoic: The Dark Brotherhood quest line once again gives the option of staying completely silent during most conversations.
* TookALevelInBadass: You start off as a unlucky prisoner who crossed the border at a bad time then almost got beheaded. The rest of the game sees you becoming the Dragonborn to save the world.
* TribalFacepaint: Should you choose.
* TheUndead: You can become a vampire, should you choose.
* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: For most people, the sight of a Dragon attacking the town would be the stuff of nightmares. For the Dragonborn, it's more of a ''nuisance'' than anything else... [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive time to go back to work.]]
* WarriorPoet: Joining the Bard's College can qualify you.
* [[WeatherControlMachine Weather Controller]]: The Dragonborn after obtaining the "''Clear Skies''" and "''Storm Call''" Shouts.
* WildCard: You can tip the balance of power in the Skyrim Civil War, whether for the Legion or Stormcloaks.
* WrestlerInAllOfUs: Unarmed kill animations include choke slams, suplexes, chokeholds, and in one case an overhead body slam that drops the enemy on their head as of the 1.5 update.
* YouAreTheTranslatedForeignWord: "In their tongue, he's Dovahkiin - Dragonborn!"
* YourSoulIsMine: A rare heroic variation, absorbing the souls of fallen dragons.
** Can also be done by filling [[SoulJar soul gems]], which are used to enchant or replenish already enchanted items.
** [[spoiler: The ''Dawnguard'' DLC introduces a Dragon-Shout that rips souls from enemies, turning them into undead thralls.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Dragons]]

!! Tropes relating to all Dragons

* AlwaysChaoticEvil: Within each Dragon is the desire to dominate and destroy.
* AndThereWasMuchRejoicing: [[spoiler: All in all, the Dragons seem pretty happy Alduin is dead.]]
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: Their power comes from speaking Words of Power.
* PoirotSpeak: Language is very intrinsic to the Dragons, and as such they tend to switch between English and Draconic regularly.
* ProudWarriorRace: A lot of them have this attitude.
* [[spoiler: RiseFromYourGrave: The Dragons aren't just coming back. They're coming back to life.]]
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Whenever a Dragon has the misfortune of encountering the Dragonborn.

!!Alduin
--> '''Voiced by:''' Daniel Riordan

-->''"You do not even know our tongue, do you? Such arrogance, to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah!"''

Nordic interpretation of Akatosh and therefore is Time or an aspect thereof, God of Destruction, the World-Eater, devourer of souls, harbinger of the apocalypse and [[BigBad general big bad nasty]]. [[spoiler:He is revealed to be the "Firstborn" of Akatosh. [[http://www.imperial-library.info/content/fight-four-tenpenny-winteragain%E2%80%9D The Fourth Aldudagga fight]] [[hottip:*:Nordic legends that exist in a grey area of canon. They get several references in ''Skyrim'']], suggests "heaven" separated the two.]]

* AllThereInTheManual: His nature, and how it relates to Akatosh, is a bit loopy but it has been talked about in previous games and texts.
* AlwaysABiggerFish: [[spoiler:He interrupts your execution at Helgen, accidentally saving you in his efforts to kill you.]]
* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: In-universe: Alduin may be the BigBad, but it is debatable whether he can truly be called "evil" as humans would understand the word. Various characters tell you that the destruction of the world brings about a new one, rather than the obliteration of all Creation, so it is debatable whether stopping Alduin is even a good thing (see BlueAndOrangeMorality below). Even if you take it as read that such destruction is a bad thing, can Alduin be described in the words of human morality any more than an earthquake or any other force of nature can be? Paarthunax states that Alduin was created for the purpose of destroying/rejuvenating the world, and in any case all dragons have the instinct to dominate, so is Alduin "evil" for performing his divinely-appointed role and acting in accordance with his own nature? Can such a powerful and eternal entity be judged by transient mortal ethics any more than Cthulhu can?
** Though it's hard to justify his actions under this when he's doing something utterly different and alien to his appointed purpose; such as enslaving the Nords in the Merethic Era.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: He is the leader of the dragons for a very good reason.
** AsskickingEqualsAuthority: [[spoiler:Until ''you'' kick his ass, and make the other dragons question whether he truly ''deserves'' to lead.]]
* [[spoiler:TheBattleDidntCount: All the battles against him until the final one.]]
* BigBad
* {{Badass}}
** BadassBaritone[=/=]EvilSoundsDeep: Alduin has a very cool voice.
** BadassBoast: He gives a few.
-->'''I am AL-DU-IN! First born son of Akatosh! Mulagi zuk lat! I cannot be slain here, by you or anyone else!'''
** [[RedBaron Badass Nickname]]: The World Eater.
* BecauseDestinySaysSo: [[spoiler:Paarthurnax argues this. Alduin ''is'' doing what he was created to do.]] The problem is that he is doing this before he is supposed to. Or possibly four full Eras after, it's confusing.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: It is repeatedly stated that Alduin is destined to destroy the world so that it can be reborn, and so there are some (like the Greybeards) who don't automatically accept that stopping him is a good thing. In fact one of the replies you can give to such a question can be summed up as "I like the world the way it is", rather than a more impartial argument on whether it is right to avert the apocalypse.
** That said, for a mortal, Paarthurnax admits that 'I like this world' is as good a reason as any for wanting to stop him.
* CainAndAbel: The Cain to Paarthurnax's Abel.
* CombatCompliment: [[spoiler:After you beat him at the Throat of the World, he admits that you have become extremely powerful.]]
* DirtyCoward: [[spoiler: The moment he runs away from you like a bitch is the moment the other dragons realize he doesn't deserve to lead. [[NoTrueScotsman A true dovah would fight to the end.]]]]
* DarkIsEvil: He's the only Dragon in the game who's completely black; aside from the newly introduced Legendary Dragons in the DLC.
* EldritchAbomination: Not in appearance, but in terms of being an inconceivably ancient and eternal entity who is arguably beyond human rationality and ethics (see BlueAndOrangeMorality above) Alduin fits the criteria quite neatly.
* TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt: A very literal case of this trope, because it is repeatedly stated that Alduin the World-Eater is not going to erase all of Creation from existence, he is "merely" going to destroy the current incarnation so that a new one can take its place. Consequently, some characters (like the Greybeards) question whether stopping him is actually the right thing to do. (see BlueAndOrangeMorality above)
* EternalRecurrence: Alduin was created to destroy the world, so the next can come. Then destroy ''that'' one for the next.
* EvilOverlord: Of dragons.
* GetBackHereBoss: [[spoiler:This is a plot point! And in more than one sense; he also retreats to Sovngarde to feast upon the souls there and thus regain his strength.]]
* HonorBeforeReason: See "Pride" below. It seems to be shared by all dragons.
* IAmXSonOfY: '''I AM ALDUIN! FIRST BORN SON OF AKATOSH!'''
* LargeHam: Even for a [[MakeMeWannaShout dragon]], Alduin sure loves the sound of his own voice.
--> '''"My belly is full of the souls of your fellow mortals, Dovahkiin!"'''
* MeaningfulName[=/=]NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: His name means "Destroyer Devour Master." He is also known as the "[[PlanetEater World Eater]]."
* [[NoTrueScotsman No True Dovah]]: Berates the Dragonborn for having the sheer audacity to take for themselves the name of "Dovah".
* {{Pride}}: His dominant flaw is his arrogant security in his own power. For his first defeat, the ancient Nord heroes spoke his name with the Thu'um, which in dragon language is basically a challenge, and upon his arrival they hit him with Dragonrend. Mere ''days'' afters this occurs from Alduin's perspective he falls for ''exactly the same trick'' and the Dovahkiin hits him with Dragonrend ''again''. After this confrontation [[spoiler:Alduin retreats to Sovngarde to recover strength - which makes the rest of the dragons question his leadership and leads directly to his second, and far more comprehensive, defeat.]]
* PhysicalGod
* [[spoiler:SealedEvilInACan: He wasn't actually defeated in the past, merely banished to another time... namely, the time that you live in. It's implied that this may be all that you accomplished in slaying his body, as you did not absorb his soul and spiritual beings can reform over time. Albeit a very long time.]]
** This makes sense actually, as if he is destined to destroy the world to let it be reborn (see EternalRecurrence above) but is simply doing it too soon or too late (see BecauseDestinySaysSo above) it would make sense that he could not be destroyed, only delayed until the time is right. This also calls into question whether he can truly be called "evil" (see BlueAndOrangeMorality).
* RedEyesTakeWarning
* SpannerInTheWorks: For General Tullius, who managed to capture Ulfric Stormcloak, the leader of the Nordic rebellion that had almost managed to rout the Empire completely from Skyrim before Tullius arrived to head the Legion forces there. Had Alduin not shown up when he had, it's likely the Empire would have won the Civil War before the game really started in earnest.
* SpikesOfVillainy: All the dragons are pretty spiky, but Alduin is especially so.
* AStormIsComing: Invoked by Alduin himself. Amongst the many, many powers that Dragon Shouts have is the ability to summon storms, ominous clouds, and fog. Alduin does so several times throughout the story.
* VillainousBreakdown[=/=]ThisCannotBe: [[spoiler:When you defeat him in Sovngarde.]] In fact his exact words (which he screams in his highest ever pitched voice) are:
--->[[spoiler:''Zu'u unslaad! Zu'u nis oblaan!'']]
** Which translates into
--->[[spoiler:''I am immortal! I cannot die!'']]
* VillainousRescue: Unintentionally saves the Dragonborn from being beheaded at the start of the game.
* WeCanRuleTogether: Sort of. In [[spoiler: Sovngarde]], he compliments your persistence and mentions that you would have been an excellent slave. For someone whose fundamental nature is to dominate, that is probably as close as he can come to this trope.
* WorthyOpponent: When he realises he ''can't'' make the Dragonborn a slave, he basically concedes that he sees the Dragonborn as the only real threat he's encountered so far.
* YourSoulIsMine: As firstborn of Akatosh, Alduin has the "right" to [[spoiler: consume the souls of the fallen warriors in Sovngarde to replenish his strength.]] When he is [[spoiler: defeated the first time by Paarthurnax and the Dragonborn, he retreats to Sovngarde to feed on the fallen and regain strength.]] Of course, [[spoiler: Shor is displeased with this, and while he won't directly intervene, he does dispatch the old heroes of Skyrim to assist the Dragonborn in putting a stop to it.]]

!!Paarthurnax
--> '''Voiced by:''' CharlesMartinet, aka It's-a-me-Mario!

-->''"What is better? To be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?"''

An ancient dragon who turned against Alduin and aids the Dovahkiin.

* ArmorPiercingQuestion: His question on morality. When confronted by a Dovahkiin who is undecided about killing him, Paarthurnax does nothing to argue for his own life and in fact says that killing him is probably the best pragmatic option...but then he just asks the quote above.
* [[spoiler:TheAtoner: He admits dragons seek power. And that his punishment for his past evil deeds is to spend every waking moment fighting his own nature boiling inside of him. He's been doing that for several thousand years already]].
* AwesomeMcCoolname[=/=]NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: His name means "Ambition Overlord Cruelty."
** DeathbringerTheAdorable: ...Yet he sits on a mountain for ages passively serving humans and helping out.
* [[spoiler: AwesomeMomentOfCrowning]]: The epilogue after [[spoiler:defeating Alduin in Sovngarde]] set on the Throat of the World is essentially the dragon equivalent of [[spoiler:acknowledging that ''he'' is now the effective ruler of the dragons.]]
* {{Badass}}
** BadassBaritone
* BigGood: In the main quest line.
* CainAndAbel: The Abel to Alduin's Cain.
* [[CoolOldGuy Cool Old Dragon]]
* DefectorFromDecadence
* FaceDeathWithDignity: If confronted with the fact that you've been ordered to kill him, he outright admits that [[spoiler:The Blades]] are right not to trust him, and that killing would be the "safer" path for everyone. He then presses the player with the SadisticChoice below.
* [[spoiler:HeelFaceTurn: Used to be Alduin's Dragon, but defected before Alduin's first defeat.]]
* [[spoiler:MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: Domination and ego are in a dragon's inherent nature. Apparently, you can't even ''be'' a dragon without those traits in your blood (the Dragonborn counts, too). But he's tried to find another way, and says he will try to teach other dragons to do it, too.]]
* NotSoDifferent: Points this out to the Dovahkiin; being born with the soul of a dragon, the Dovahkiin has the same innate urge to [[VideogameCrueltyPotential kill, destroy, and conquer]] as any other dragon.
* PoirotSpeak: In the ancient tongue of the dragons, no less!
* ProperlyParanoid: He believed that [[spoiler:Alduin wasn't defeated in the past, knowing that the Elder Scroll would send him 'adrift' in time, but that it would not be permanent. As such, he waited ''where'' he knew Alduin would emerge, but aware he had no clue ''when''. It took ''thousands of years'']].
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: For the Greybeards and [[spoiler: promises to be this for the rest of the dragons after Alduin dies.]]
* ReformedButRejected: He's been hiding on the Throat Of the World for thousands of years because [[spoiler:he's a dragon, and he did horrible things during the reign of the dragons over man - things that humans will possibly never forgive. Driven home by the Blades, who demand that you kill Paarthunax for what he did millennia ago, even though he's the reason mankind is still breathing.]]
* SadisticChoice: Should the Dragonborn confront him with [[spoiler:the Blades']] desire to kill him, he states outright that you should never trust a dragon because the urge to dominate is in their blood. He's only become "good" because he took time, every day for thousand years, meditating and suppressing his nature. It doesn't fade, either: he's gotten better at keeping it in check, but it hasn't ''weakened''.
* StrawmanHasAPoint: Invoked, when [[spoiler:The Blades]] ask the player to kill him in spite of the fact he's reformed and has helped the player, Paathurnax says [[spoiler:the Blades]] are absolutely right not to trust him, as he has certainly done a lot of evil things, and even if he is reformed the urge to dominate and destroy is in the blood of a dragon, and he fights the pull to give into those urges every day. He pretty much says if he were in their situation, he wouldn't trust himself either.
* TrueCompanions: Paarthurnax named the old Nord heroes whom he taught the Thu'um to as his "friends." Considering the timeless nature of the dovah and their desire for conquest and domination, merely naming a mortal a "friend" tells you how much they meant to him, and likewise.
* VerbalTic: Paarthurnax frequently slips into the dragon language while talking to mortals. He usually catches himself while doing so and offers a quick translation of what he meant to say. Words that he knows you understand, like "dovah" remain untranslated, and sometimes he'll spout an entire phrase in his tongue (while apparently talking to himself) that he doesn't bother translating.

!!Odahviing
--> '''Voiced by:''' Charles Dennis

-->''"As for myself, you've proven your mastery twice over. Thuri, Dovahkiin. I gladly acknowledge the power of your Thu'um."''

Alduin's right-hand dragon. [[spoiler:He ultimately changes sides and helps the Dovahkiin.]]

* AfraidOfNeedles: Isn't afraid of taking on the Dragonborn, who fireballs, shoots arrows into, and repeatedly stabs him, but he freaks out and spews fire in a panic when Farengar attempts to retrieve some samples of scale and skin tissue.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: His name means "Snow Hunter Wing."
* [[BigNo Big "NIID!"]]: [[spoiler:Once the Dragonsreach trap's yoke slams down on him and entraps him by the neck, he expresses his despair by exclaiming "No!" in draconic.]]
* TheDragon: To Alduin.
* [[spoiler:IFightForTheStrongestSide: After you shout Alduin about the head and wings the first time atop High Hrothgar, Odahviing and other dragons engender doubts about the supremacy of Alduin amongst themselves. Odahviing only helps the player because he wants to know who is more worthy as leader.]]
* PoirotSpeak: Like Paarthurnax. It seems that Paarthurnax has a better command of the mortals' tongue, because Odie's speech sounds kinda stilted. Of course, Paarthurnax has been interacting with the various Greybeards over the millennia, while Odahviing has been a pile of bones entombed in a dragon burial mound and probably didn't interact with mortals much beyond domination before the Dragon War.
* [[spoiler:SummonBiggerFish: Once you gain his allegiance, you can summon him to fight alongside by shouting his name.]]

!!Mirmulnir

-->''"Dovahkiin, niid!"''

The first dragon the Dovahkiin officially takes on in the main storyline.

* AwesomeMcCoolname: His name means "Allegiance Strong Hunt."
** RecursiveTranslation: The Collector's Edition guide refers to him as the "Loyal Mortal Hunter." Going by the translation guide at the back of the book, that should make his name "(something)-Joor-Ah"... never mind that [[spoiler:"Joor" is the first word of the [[BrownNote Dragonrend]] shout]].
*** The name translation in the Collector's Edition guide is nothing but a typo. "Allegiance Strong Hunt" is the correct translation.
* [[BigNo Big "NIID!"]]: Right before you finish him off.
* KillItWithFire: Naturally.
* OhCrap: What prompts his BigNo as you kill him, realizing too late that he's facing a Dragonborn.
* TheRemnant: According to the ''Atlas of Dragons'' book, he is one of a very small number of dragons under Alduin's command that survived the Dragon War.
* WarmupBoss
* WorthyOpponent: Calls out that you and the Whiterun guards are such and make for good sport.

!!Sahloknir

->''"I am Sahloknir! Hear my Voice and despair!" ''

Another named dragon, encountered at the end of "A Blade In The Dark."

* [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Pahlok Thu'um Dovah]]: Arrogantly declares that the Dragonborn's Voice is no match for his own.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: His name translates into "Phantom Sky Hunt."
* {{Badass}}: Other dragons at least admit that the Dragonborn scares them. Sahloknir ''isn't'' scared of you in the slightest.
** BadassGrandpa: Old, even for a dragon.
* [[spoiler:RiseFromYourGrave]]: He is the first indication that this is what is happening to the rest of the dragons.
* UndyingLoyalty: To Alduin.
* WakeUpCallBoss: If you put off the "Blade In The Dark" quest for long enough, he'll spawn as an Ancient Dragon, with absurdly high stats. Note that he'll spawn at this level even when the player is low enough that the Dragonborn will still be fighting regular or blood dragons.
* WorthyOpponent: Considers the Dragonborn one.

!!Durnehviir

A dragon encountered in the Soul Cairn in the ''Dawnguard'' expansion. Durnehviir was tricked by the Ideal Masters into guarding their realm.

* AwesomeMcCoolname: His name translates into "Curse Never Dying".
* {{Badass}}: Lore says he has never been defeated in battle, and is in fact unkillable.
* CursedWithAwesome: Let's just say that he has a MeaningfulName.
* {{Dracolich}}: Though not technically undead, he looks the part, down to the exposed, hollowed out ribcage.
* GracefulLoser: He takes his very first defeat in battle remarkably well.
* {{Necromancer}}: He sought to raise undead armies to combat his rivals in Tamriel, and made a deal with the Ideal Masters to serve as a Keeper in the Soul Cairn until [[spoiler:Valerica]] died in exchange for their knowledge. Unfortunately for him, they failed to let him know that [[spoiler:Valerica]] is immortal.
* PoirotSpeak: [[AvertedTrope Averted.]] He actually speaks the mortal tongue very fluently, and other than his bestowing the title of "Qahnaarin" on the Dragonborn, he almost never speaks in the dragon language.
* SignatureMove: [[YourSoulIsMine Soul Tear]], although he never actually uses it on you (for gameplay-breaking reasons).
* SummonBiggerFish: He can be summoned back in Tamriel by shouting his name, [[spoiler:like Odahviing]], but the mechanics of his summoning are different. Durnehviir is treated as a summon in the same vein as an atronach or zombie, including the requirement that there be enough empty space on the ground for him to materialize. Which, incidentally, means he can be summoned indoors.
* WorthyOpponent: The Dragonborn is the first one to ever best him in battle, so he grants him/her the title of "Qahnaarin", which means "Vanquisher".
* YouCantGoHomeAgain: He would love to return to Tamriel and fly free in the skies again, but knows that he has spent too long in the Soul Cairn and would die if he stayed in the mortal realm.
* YourSoulIsMine: The first three times he is called into Tamriel, he teaches you the words to the Soul Tear shout, which is useless without all three words, but then becomes a powerful magic bolt that ''instantly kills, Soul Traps, and resurrects any enemy with low enough health.''
!!Named Dragons

The other named dragons that aren't major players in the storyline.

* AwesomeMcCoolname[=/=]NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast:
** Nahagliiv: "Fury Burn Wither"
** Vuljotnaak: "Dark Maw Eat"
** Vulthuryol: "Dark Overlord Fire"
** Viinturuth: "(something) Hammer (something)"
* MiniBoss
* [[spoiler:RiseFromYourGrave]]

[[/folder]]


[[folder: Housecarls]]

-->''"Long life to you, my Thane."''

Housecarls are knights assigned by the Jarls of a hold to protect the Dragonborn and his/her property. In order to earn a housecarl, you must become a thane (in other words, an acknowledged hero of the hold) which generally involves directly assisting the Jarl in question, helping the citizenry of the hold, and in the case of the major holds (Windhelm, Riften, Markarth, and Solitude) purchasing property. [[hottip:*: Falkreath, Morthal, Dawnstar, and Winterhold do not require property for you to become thane, and Whiterun grants thane status automatically after completing "Dragon Rising".]]

* {{Badass}}: All of the housecarls are amongst the most powerful of your followers (at a similar level, a Housecarl has around 150 to 200 more hit points compared to a regular Warrior-class follower). They are all equal in stats.
* BlondeBrunetteRedhead: Jordis, Lydia, and Iona respectively. But you can only marry one of them.
* BodyguardingABadass: That badass being ''you'', of course.
** BodyguardCrush: If you wear an Amulet of Mara while speaking to them...
* {{Catchphrase}}:
-->"Honor to you, my Thane."
-->"Long life to you, my Thane."
-->"I am sworn to carry your burdens."
-->"As you will, my Thane. I will protect you with my life."
* TheDragon / NumberTwo: They are "your sword and your shield".
* HypercompetentSidekick: They can generally scout traps and be aware of an enemy's presence before you are. They can absorb more punishment than you (technically, since they're difficult to kill) and at early levels, they might be stronger than you.
* MadeOfIron: All housecarls are nigh-invincible. They collapse to the ground rather than dying if their health gets below a certain point, but there are certain circumstances (such as health draining poisons or burning damage) where their life can totally deplete and they die.
* MyMasterRightOrWrong / UndyingLoyalty: They will put up with almost anything you do and agree to almost any order. In fact, it's easier to list the things they ''won't'' let you get away with:
** Attacking them repeatedly.
** Becoming a Stage Four vampire.
** Transforming into a werewolf (if they are not a follower).
** [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking ...And making them sleep in someone else's bed.]]
-->"Not for you. Not for ''anybody''."
** Particularly notable is that Housecarls will fight by your side even if you're fighting against the very Jarls who assigned them to you. [[spoiler: Lydia]], [[spoiler: Calder]] and [[spoiler: Jordis the Sword-Maiden]] will stay right by your side while [[spoiler: invading Whiterun, Windhelm, or Solitude]], with [[spoiler: Lydia and Calder]] actively participating in [[spoiler: directly fighting the very Jarl who assigned them to you, personally]].
* OnlySixFaces: The female Housecarls seem to have the exact same faces, to the point where Lydia and Jordis the Sword-Maiden look like palette-swaps of one another. Iona at least has a different hairstyle.
* TrashTalk: All of them use it when facing down enemies...
** DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu: ...And have ''special'' trash talk reserved for ''dragons!''

!!Lydia
--> '''Voiced by:''' Colleen Delany

-->''"I am sworn to carry your burdens...."''

Housecarl to the Dragonborn upon being named Thane of Whiterun.

* ActionGirl
* {{BFS}}: She prefers these unless she has a stronger weapon.
** AnAxeToGrind: While she does prefer large weapons, she'll generally favor greataxes over greatswords and warhammers.
* DiscOneNuke: Despite being one of the most powerful followers, she's also an extremely easy one to obtain and the only one automatically acquired during the main quest.
* SarcasticDevotee: She is sworn to carry your burdens. Doesn't mean she's happy about it, though.

!!Calder
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

Housecarl to the Dragonborn after being named Thane of Eastmarch in the capital of Windhelm.

* HeroesWantRedheads: If you marry him.
* HotBloodedSideburns: He sports an impressive pair of muttonchops.

!!Iona
--> '''Voiced by:''' Claudia Christian

Housecarl to the Dragonborn after being named Thane of The Rift in the capital of Riften and helping clear out a den of skooma dealers.

* ActionGirl
* ChewingTheScenery: Her dialog sounds surprisingly hammy.
* GenreSavvy: Upon entering suspicious or hostile areas, she remarks "Trouble ahead. Be careful." She also sometimes exclaims "A good place for bandits to hide" when approaching caves.
* HeroesWantRedheads: If you marry her, of course.
* PrinciplesZealot: While otherwise a typically loyal housecarl, if she catches you stealing (even handling a previously stolen item stored in your house), she'll not only put a bounty on you, but ''personally scold you''.

!!Argis the Bulwark
--> '''Voiced by:''' Popeye Vogelsang

Housecarl to the Dragonborn after being named Thane of The Reach in the capital of Markarth after taking care of several Forsworn camps.

* BadassBaritone: Has the gruffest voice of the housecarls.
* BadassBeard: The only housecarl with a full, manly mane.
* FacialMarkings: The only housecarl with war paint.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Of the good variety. He's also blind in one eye.
* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: As his sobriquet implies, he prefers a shield and one-handed weapon combination, and utilizes blocking and shield bashing in combat.
* TheyCallHimSword: His sobriquet.

!!Jordis the Sword-Maiden
--> '''Voiced by:''' Corri English

Housecarl to the Dragonborn after being named Thane of Haafingar in the capital of Solitude and helping save Solitude from a crisis.

* ActionGirl: Her name says it all.
* AwesomeButImpractical: As stated before, all housecarls are equal in stats, which is unfortunate considering how much cost and effort one must undertake to get Jordis.
* BadassAdorable: She has the default "young lady" voice, and tends to express glee when brought along into exotic and impressive locales.
* TheFettered: She takes her oath to serve you ''very'' seriously. Unlike Lydia, she says "I am sworn to carry your burdens" without a hint of sarcasm.
* GenreSavvy: She'll exclaim "I don't like where this is going" when entering a suspicious area.
* TheyCallHimSword: Her sobriquet.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Other Followers]]

!!Benor

A Nord warrior hanging around the Guardhouse in Morthal. He will follow you upon beating him in a brawl.

!!Erandur
--> '''Voiced by:''' KeithSzarabajka

An aged Dunmer priest, Erandur joins you following the Waking Nightmare Quest, which can be started in Dawnstar.

* [[spoiler:TheAtoner: Used to be a Daedric Lord's priest but abandoned his order and became a priest of Mara instead.]]
* Badass: He's unique among followers in that his level is 50% higher than the player's, so if you meet him at level 20, he'll already be at level 30 (almost all other Followers are at the same level as the player). Plus his level cap is 50, one of the highest in the game, matched only by Cicero, the members of The Circle, and the Housecarls.
* BadassPreacher
* TheBard: He used to attend the Bard's College in Solitude, but was kicked out for [[spoiler:worshiping Vaermina]].
* BattleCry: He will shout "Feel the benevolence of Mara!"...right before smashing/burning the shit out of whoever's in his way. A pity the game doesn't let you get into a theological discussion with this priest of the ''goddess of love'', I'm sure it would be fascinating.
* CatchPhrase: "Blessings of Mara upon you."
* [[spoiler: HeelFaithTurn]]
* KillItWithFire: One of his favorite spells is an [[UpToEleven ramped-up fireball]].
* MagicKnight: He often uses a mace and a fire spell.
* OlderThanTheyLook: He states that he grew up it The Pale and lived there for most of his life, which is longer than the Dovahkiin may think.
* SadisticChoice: [[spoiler:It's either have him as follower, or kill him and gain possession of a nice magic staff.]]
* SquishyWizard: Firmly averted. Erandur can take almost as much of a beating as Lydia or your other companions.

!!Erik the Slayer
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jason Marsden

A young man from Rorikstead who dreams of being an adventurer.

* AscendedFanboy: A meta example. Erik the Slayer is based off of Erik West, who was known as "Immok the Slayer" on the forums and who died of cancer in May 2011.
* JumpedAtTheCall
* SmallTownBoredom: Why he wants to be an adventurer.

!!Derkeethus
--> '''Voiced by:''' Tim Blaney

The only Argonian follower. A miner at Darkwater Crossing who was apparently a prisoner of the Falmer.

* CatchPhrase: "Ours is to follow, friend."
* IOweYouMyLife: Derkeethus follows you because you saved his life and will stand by your side no matter what. "To Oblivion and back, as they say."
* TheArcher: You can give him ridiculously powered swords or axes and he'll still pull out the weak bow he starts with, so long as he still has arrows. The solution, of course, is to give him ridiculously powered bows instead.
* ThisIsGonnaSuck: Entering a vast room with no enemies to be seen? He sees this a mile away.

!!Illia

An Imperial witch. She enlisted the Dragonborn to help stop her mother from becoming a Hagraven.

* AnIcePerson: Her primary combat spells are ice based.
* HeelRealization
* HotWitch
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: How most of her kills will end up due to her reliance on Icy Spear for offense.
* NotWhatItLooksLike: What she says after The Dragonborn witnesses her killing another witch.
* SelfMadeOrphan

!!Aranea Ienith

The Dunmer Priestess at the Shrine of Azura, and the last faithful follower who there remains. She joins the Dragonborn after they complete Azura's quest.

* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: After Azura informed her she would not receive any more visions.
* [[HighPriest High Priestess]]
* HotWitch
* MagicKnight: The game classes her as a Battlemage.
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: It's implied she was one of the original pilgrims that built the Shrine, over two centuries ago. She likewise mentions that Azura granted her a vision foretelling the Dragonborn's arrival at the Shrine, long before they were even ''born''.
* UndyingLoyalty: She is the only follower of Azura who remained at the statue after waiting a couple hundred years.

!!Golldir

A Nord warrior who met the Dragonborn at Hillgrund's tomb, where his ancestors were being experimented on by a necromancer. After the Dragonborn helps him, he offers his services as a follower.

* AbusiveParent: His dad locked him in Hillgrund tomb for three days.
* AnAxeToGrind
* {{Badass}}
* DisappearedDad: But that may be for the best. His dad was a drunkard bastard.
* NiceGuy

!!Jenassa
--> '''Voiced by:''' Lani Minella

A Dunmer mercenary found in Whiterun's Drunken Huntsman. Will follow for 500 gold.

* TheArcher
* AristocratsAreEvil: Listen to her dialogue when she's taken to a mine. She's not impressed.
* CareerKillers: Sees herself as an assassin.
* CombatAestheticist: She sees artistry in combat, and has elements of BloodKnight.
* HotAmazon

!!Kharjo
--> '''Voiced by:''' André Sogliuzzo

A Khajiit caravan guard for the Khajiit Traders in the Rift. His Moon Amulet is stolen by a quick fingered bandit, his only reminder of home. If returned you will gain his friendship and favor. One of only two Khajiit followers.

* MadeOfIron: Starting in steel plate, he makes a great tank.
* NiceGuy
* TheNoseKnows: Played with. "Don't worry, if someone tries to sneak up on us, I will smell them. Or not, we'll see."

!!Mjoll the Lioness

A former adventurer since retired after a brush with death in the depths of a Dwemer ruins. She's taken it upon herself to try and clean up [[WretchedHive Riften]], but hasn't had much luck. If you can return her enchanted blade Grimsever she will take up adventuring again at your side.

* BerserkButton: She considers the Thieves Guild even lower than the Dark Brotherhood since she believes the latter have some degree of standards. [[StoryAndGameplaySegregation As a companion however]], she can be taken to the Ragged Flagon with no ill effect and can even be present during [[spoiler:your initiation as a Nightingale]].
* BoisterousBruiser: A rare female example.
* BloodKnight: She ''loves'' to fight, as repeatedly stated in her dialogue.
* JustFriends: Apparently, herself and Aerin. Aerin will go ''anywhere'' Mjoll goes, including ''your'' house, should you marry her.
* MadeOfIron: Because of her quest, Mjoll is tagged as "essential" and thus literally cannot be killed by any enemy in the game. This alone makes her one of the most useful companions in the game, as with Mjoll you don't have to worry about her getting killed in combat, though she will still turn on you if you attack her enough.
* MightMakesRight
* MotorMouth: One of the more talkative followers, to the point that she will talk during excursions into danger-filled caves and tombs and will talk over other [=NPCs=] during scripted story moments.
* RetiredBadass: Though you can inspire her to make a comeback.
* TribalFacePaint
* WeHelpTheHelpless: Her reason for staying in Riften.
* WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes: She dislikes Dwemer ruins, after almost losing her life in Mzinchaleft, and will wearily remind you if you take her into one.

!!Marcurio
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jon Curry

An Imperial magician usually found in the inn in Riften who can be hired.

* ArrogantKungFuGuy
* BadassBookworm: Some of his dialogue suggests he is well-educated.
** AdventureArchaeologist: He claims to be highly knowledgeable on the topic of Nordic ruins and will consider taking a few items from Dwemer ruins to take back to Cyrodiil.
* DeadpanSnarker: He is one of the more talkative followers who often make comments on some places even when not talked to, and complains that you are using him as a pack mule.
* DiscOneNuke: Is actually one of the more offensively powerful followers and will join you as long as you have 500 gold when you get to Riften.
* ShockAndAwe: Uses Lightning Bolts as his main spells.
* {{Tsundere}}: If you marry him and use him as a follower, then you'll get both the standard marriage dialogue and his snarky remarks.

!!Uthgerd The Unbroken
--> '''Voiced by:''' Claudia Christian

A Nord warrior found in the inn in Whiterun. She was rejected to be come a Companion because she accidentally killed her sparring partner.

* BestHerToBedHer: It's possible to marry Uthgerd, but only if you defeat her in a fist fight first.
* DefeatMeansFriendship: To get her to follow you, you need to defeat her in a brawl.
* StoneWall: She has a steel plate armor at the start.

!!Ghorbash the Iron Hand
--> '''Voiced by:''' Noah Nelson

An Orc warrior who can be found at an orc stronghold called Dushnihk Yal, slightly south-east of Markarth. He's the brother of the stronghold's chief and can become a follower following a speech check.

* RetiredBadass: Previously served in the Imperial Legion before returning to the stronghold.
* SmallTownBoredom: Of a sort. Although his brother acted against usual orcish sensibilities by welcoming his brother back into the stronghold after Ghorbash left to serve in the Legions, he still has a strong urge to wander. The speech check required to make him a follower calls him out on this.
* TheArcher: Ghorbash's class is listed as Ranger, and true to that he can often be seen attacking with a bow if given one.

!!Annekke Crag-Jumper

A miner in Darkwater Crossing who prefers adventuring to getting stuck in the mine, unlike her husband.

* ActionMom: She has a daughter.
* [[BestFriendsInLaw Follower In-Law]]: The Dragonborn can marry her daughter.
* HotMom
* SmallTownBoredom

!!Eola
A follower of the Daedric Prince Namira.

* ImAHumanitarian
* NightmareFetishist

!!Barbas
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell

A talking dog found outside Falkreath.

* ArbitrarySkepticism: Calls the player out on this.
--> '''Barbas''': "Skyrim is full of giant, flying lizards, cats walking on two legs, and you're surprised by a talking dog."
* ArtificialStupidity: He has a habit of pushing players off cliffs.
* BigFriendlyDog: He's really this terrifying daedric creature, and yet he still barks at butterflies.
* DeadpanSnarker
* EldritchAbomination: Only ''looks'' like a BigFriendlyDog.
* MadeOfIron: He seems to be completely invincible. Possibly justified in that he's an aspect of sorts to Clavicus Vile, who as a Daedra Prince, can't be killed.
* MoralityPet: Literally, to Clavicus Vile.
* StopHelpingMe: Barbas wants to be as close to you as possible, at all times, even if this means standing in a doorway or shoving you off a ledge. He will also report any crimes you commit, making most stealth missions impossible.
* TalkingAnimal

!! Borgakh the Steel Heart

An Orc warrior, and the daughter of the chieftain of Mor Khazgur stronghold. Her eventual fate would have been to be [[ArrangedMarriage married off]] to another stronghold, which the Dragonborn has a chance to prevent by either passing a Speechcraft check to talk her into running away, or by paying off her bride-price.

* ActionGirl
* ArrangedMarriage: She joins up with you to escape one.
* BadassNormal
* BloodKnight: One of her random comments is "My blood's calm. I prefer it boiling."
* HotGuyUglyWife: Possibly (she can be married). Although for an Orc, she's fairly attractive.
* [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Proud Warrior Race Girl]]
* TribalFacepaint: Has blood-red tears painted on her face (as if her eyes are welling up and running over).
* YouKeepUsingThatWord: A minor goof by {{Bethesda}}. She calls the goods Mor Khazgur would get ''in exchange'' for her a "dowry", which would be goods or money given to her husband ''in addition'' to her. The correct term is something like "bride-price".

!! Faendal

A Bosmer from Riverwood. He is in a LoveTriangle, competing with Sven for Camilla Valerius' attentions. He will offer to follow you if you help him out (either by telling Camilla that Sven had written a fake note to pretend it was from Faendal, or by giving Camilla the fake note HE wrote to pretend it was from Sven).
* TheArcher: His default weapon is a bow, and he can give you archery lessons.
* LoveTriangle
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Heroes of Skyrim]]

!!Gormlaith Golden-Hilt
--> '''Voiced by:''' Lynda Carter

* ActionGirl
* {{Badass}}
** BadassBoast: She plays this off against a dragon she takes down.
--> ''Know that it was Gormlaith Golden-Hilt who sent you down to your death.''
* BloodKnight:
--> '''Hakon:''' Have you no thought beyond the blooding of your blade?
--> '''Gormlaith:''' What else is there?
* BrotherSisterTeam: Hakon One-Eye's sibling.
* MakeMeWannaShout
* TribalFacePaint

!!Hakon One-Eye
--> '''Voiced by:''' Paul Ganus

* AnAxeToGrind: "'''Feel the bite of my axe!'''"
* BrotherSisterTeam: Gormlaith Golden-Hilt's sibling.
* {{Badass}}
** HandicappedBadass
* MakeMeWannaShout
* TribalFacepaint

!!Felldir the Old
--> '''Voiced by:''' Paul Eiding

* CoolOldGuy
* MakeMeWannaShout
* [[spoiler:MyGodWhatHaveIDone: "May the spirits have mercy on our souls."]]
* PunctuatedForEmphasis: [[spoiler:"YOU! ARE! BANISHED!"]]

!!Tsun
--> '''Voiced by:''' Thor Edgell

Shield-thane of Shor, and guardian of Sovngarde.

* {{Badass}}
** BadassBaritone
* CombatCompliment: If you do well in fighting him, he'll give you several as the fight goes on.
-->''"I have long awaited such a worthy adversary!"''
* ContractualBossImmunity: [[NoSell Completely shrugs off]] any stagger or knockdown attacks. May be because the devs wanted to [[GameBreakingBug avoid having him fall off the cliff into the endless chasm.]]
* DuelBoss
* DeathIsCheap: He died defending Shor/Lorkhan from angry Aedra, and yet serves as what is essentially a bouncer for a club, by guarding the Whalebone bridge that may well be his own physical corpse (see PhysicalGod).
* LastStand: Defending Shor from angry Aedra as is mentioned above.
* MakeMeWannaShout
* [[KlingonScientistsGetNoRespect Nord Mages Get No Respect]]: Laments that the children of Skyrim have fallen into this. Should you declare yourself Arch-mage of the College of Winterhold, he refers to magic by the term the ancient nords referred to it as: the "Clever Craft".
* PhysicalGod: Lore info points to Tsun being the ancient nordic aspect to the divine Zenithar from the more modern Cyrodiilic pantheon. In Nordic barrows, he is surmised to be represented by the Whale totems.
* WalkingShirtlessScene
* WorthyOpponent: [[spoiler:The Dovahkiin must prove that he/she is this to Tsun.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Greybeards]]
!!The Greybeards

A small group of hermits who live in High Hrothgar high atop the Throat of the World. They are human practitioners of the Thu'um, and call the Dragonborn to test their abilities and teach them to hone their skills. To the Greybeards, practicing the Thu'um is a form of worship to honor the gods (particularly Kynareth and Akatosh, who gave the gift of dragon blood to humans), but they also consider it a responsibility and honor to train the Dragonborn.

* AllPowerfulBystander: Despite being very powerful with the Voice, they refuse to take part in the conflicts of Skyrim, and while they eventually help the Dragonborn hold peace negotiations for a temporary truce to the war, they do it with gritted teeth.
** If questioned about their neutrality, Arngeir will explain that Jurgen Windcaller, original founder of their order, suffered a terrible defeat in battle despite his mastery of the Thu'um. Upon meditating on why this happened, he came to the conclusion that he had misused the power of the Thu'um, which should only be used to glorify and honor the Nine Divines. The Greybeards follow his "Way of the Voice" philosophy to distance themselves from the rest of the world in meditative seclusion.
* {{Badass}}: They can and will utterly ''flatten'' anything that directly attacks them. One effective technique to bypass the [[BeefGate ice troll on the way up the mountain]] is to simply run past it and go straight into High Hrothgar, and let the Greybeards splatter it. In the unlikely event that a hostile dragon appears over High Hrothgar, they can kill it in seconds.
** BadassBeard
** BadassGrandpa
** BadassLongrobe
** BadassBoast: Their voices alone can cripple dragons, and that's without the use of Dragonrend (a shout made specifically for crippling dragons). This also leads to...
** HandicappedBadass: Their voices are so powerful each greybeard must take a vow of silence so not as to destroy half their temple by uttering the wrong word by accident. While they're not physically handicapped, they're all essentially mutes until they need to fight. Among the four only one ever speaks, seemingly implying either he has less knowledge than the other three or chooses his words very, very carefully.
* BarefistedMonk: The Greybeards don't carry physical weaponry (their Shouts are usually ''more'' than enough to wipe out anything that threatens them) but in the unlikely event that something survives their voices, they will pummel it to death in short order with bare hands.
* CoolOldGuy
* ElementalPowers: If you try to take them on in battle they're fond of Frost Breath, Fire Breath, Ice Form and Elemental Fury.
* {{Foil}}: To the Blades, and the reason the two groups don't get along. The Greybeards prefer to study and meditate on the dragons and consider the Blades meddlers in things they don't understand, while the Blades dislike the Greybeards for having vast stores of power and knowledge and not using them to make a difference in the world.
* MakeMeWannaShout
* MyMasterRightOrWrong: They don't approve of everything the Dragonborn does, but they inevitably support them because Paathurnax has seen fit to do so and they follow his wisdom.
* WizardBeard
* YouAreNotReady: They could teach you a lot more Words of Power than they do, along with a lot of other knowledge about dragons, but feel the Dragonborn needs to learn such things on their own in their own time. Arngeir makes it clear that the Greybeards feel that the process of seeking out and acquiring Words of Power will present the Dragonborn with the training and experience to use the Thu'um with respect and responsibility.

!!Arngeir
--> '''Voiced by:''' Christopher Plummer

The only member of the Greybeards who communicates normally, the Voices of his fellows being too powerful; a word out of place from them could rip you apart.

* BadassGrandpa: Console commands show him to be level ''150''. The cap for the player is ''81''.
* BerserkButton:
** When the player mentions that he has been in contact with the Blades, Arngeir refuses to help any more "until you have returned to the path of wisdom". Even though he relents and apologises when one of the other Greybeards reminds him that they are not meant to make judgements of that sort, it is clear that he ''really'' dislikes the Blades. Turns out he has good reason for that...
** He has a second, but less overt one: Dragonrend. When you ask him about it, he immediately responds with a flat, disapproving demand to know who told you about that shout, and refuses to tell you anything about the shout at first because Dragonrend is based entirely around hatred for all of dragonkind.
* TheMentor: To you, the Dragonborn.
* VoiceForTheVoiceless: He speaks for the rest of the Greybeards because he's the only one of them strong enough to speak without killing a normal person.

!!Paarthurnax

[[spoiler: See above in the "Dragons" section for the full list for Paarthurnax.]]

!!Einarth, Borri, and Wulfgar

The other 3 members of the Greybeards, they usually don't speak because of their otherwise destructive voices.

* HeWhoMustNotBeHeard: They try to speak as little as possible. For example, the initiation ceremony with all four Greybeards speaking at once is implied to be incredibly dangerous, taxing the Dovahkiin. And every time they greet you with a simple "Dovahkiin" the temple can be heard shaking.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: The Blades]]

An order of warriors who can trace their origins to the Akaviri invaders in the latter part of the First Era. Originally an order of dragon hunters, the Blades are sworn to find, and then protect and serve any Dragonborn on the mundus. The dragonborn eventually known as Tiber Septim repurposed them into a combination of a spy agency and a royal bodyguard cadre when he became emperor of the first truly pan-Tamrielic empire. After the passing of the Septim dynasty, they returned to seeking the next Dragonborn, but still rendered spy services to the Empire. They deemed the Thalmor to be the biggest threat, but still vastly underestimated how dire a threat the Thalmor are. As a result, they were decimated by Thalmor hit squads preceding and during the Great War, and one of the terms of the White Gold Concordact is the disbanding of the organization. Despite these hardships, a few Blades remain faithful to the cause.

!!Esbern
--> '''Voiced by:''' Max von Sydow

* BadassBookworm, bordering on WarriorPoet: His room is filled with books, he admires ancient art and architecture so much he almost has to be dragged away from it (and can identify the technique and period), and he's completely dismayed when he discovers neither you nor anyone else knows much about dragon lore.
* CoolOldGuy
* ConspiracyTheorist: [[spoiler:Believes Paarthurnax is evil and refuses to listen to anything contradictory.]]
* CrazyPrepared: As the Blades' archivist, he used to be obsessed with studying the original Dragonslaying campaigns the Blades were created for. Since the dragons were all dead (or believed to be myth in the first place), everybody though he was just some eccentric old fool. Then guess what happens...
* TheCuckoolanderWasRight: Delphine mentions this trope concerning Esbern in dialog you have with her.
* DreamingOfThingsToCome: "I used to ''dream'' of it. In the dream I was standing someplace high up, a tower, or a mountain. It was always just before dawn. The whole world was in darkness. Then came the flash of light just on the horizon within the clouds that marked the border between worlds. It could have been lightning but there was no thunder. In the dream, the sense of forboding grew. But, I could never wake up. Then, it came again, this time more distinct, closer, definitely not lightning now it was orange, brilliant orange, the color of hearth and dawn. And a sound too, distinct and indistinct, not thunder but something else, something uh, I should recognize but in the dream I cannot place it. I want to ''leave'' my high place to seek shelter. From what, uh, I don't yet know. In the manner of dreams I cannot escape. I'm forced to wait and watch. Then, finally, realization and horror arrive together. The orange is flame, heat. The sound, a roar, a challenge in their ancient tongue. And now it's too late for escape. The dragon's upon me, fire and '''darkness''' descending like a thunderbolt. And not just any dragon, but ''the'' dragon, '''Alduin''', the World-Eater! The dragon who devours both the living and the dead! And then, I would wake up and hope that it was just a dream but know that it was not."
* EccentricMentor: He's just a ''little'' off-kilter...
* GenreSavvy
-->'''Esbern''': [[ProphecyTwist There's no guarantee with prophecy... merely hope.]]
* LastOfHisKind: One of the last members of the Blades.
* TheOtherDarrin: Some of his lines are spoken by another voice actor doing a Max von Sydow impression. It's not quite seamless.
* ProperlyParanoid: First met [[spoiler:in Riften's Ratway]], hiding among beggars and madmen behind a heavy iron door with roughly half a dozen locks (and he'll open a sliding panel and shout at you in his best "crazy old man" voice if you try to speak to him before the quest demands it). Not two minutes after the Dovahkiin confirms his identity, the Thalmor arrive to have him killed.
* RedOniBlueOni: The Blue to Delphine's Red. While Esbern is presented at first as a {{Cloudcuckoolander}} conspiracy theorist, once things get going he's far more calm and intellectual, not to mention respectful of the Greybeards, while Delphie is more of an outright {{Jerkass}} to both the Dragonborn and the Greybeards, and is less interested in the knowledge of the dragons than she is killing them.
* SwordAndSorcerer: The Sorcerer to Delphine's Sword.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Gives one to Tullius and Ulfric during the peace treaty negotiations, telling them that while they're busy arguing over the terms of a temporary truce, Alduin is [[spoiler:in Sovngarde devouring the souls of the people they've slain to grow stronger]].

!!Delphine
--> '''Voiced by:''' Joan Allen

* ActionGirl: She has [[spoiler:killed entire teams of Thalmor assassins]] by herself.
* BadassNormal: [[spoiler:She retrieved the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller from Ustengrav without the power of the Voice - that means she got past the burning floors and the time-sensitive gates using nothing but her own wits.]]
* ChekhovsGunman: She'll likely be one of the first [=NPCs=] you'll meet in the game since she lives in Riverwood, the first town you visit. Only later do you realize that she's more than the local innskeeper.
* ConspiracyTheorist: Believes the Thalmor are behind everything, including the dragons' return. [[spoiler:A mission to their embassy indicates they know nothing.]]
** She also follows Esbern's lead in [[spoiler: thinking Paarthurnax is evil and absolutely must die. She is a bit more a jerkass about it, to the point of threatening to violate her oaths to the Blades if the Dovahkiin doesn't kill Paarthurnax]].
** Note that according to the ''Atlas of Dragons'', [[spoiler: the Blades have known Paarthurnax was on the Throat of the World, "under the protection of the Greybeards" for centuries. The Blades as a whole have been waiting for an opportunity to "exact justice" on him for a ''long'' time.]]
* CoolOldLady: [[OlderThanTheyLook It's not apparent at first]], but she's in her late fifties. And still kicks plenty of ass.
* DualWielding: [[KatanasAreJustBetter Blades Swords]]
* ExpectingSomeoneTaller: You can tell her that you were after meeting her in the basement of The Sleeping Giant Inn.
* {{Jerkass}}: She's rather rude and demanding, especially on your first meeting. She tricks you into a meeting and demands a demonstration to verify the Dragonborn's identity, but without giving you a reason why she should be indulged. If you decide to simply ignore her and leave, she'll mention she should kill you, but decided she won't. Justified, as she doesn't trust you and has the Thalmor after her head every sleeping and waking moment. Granted, she comes across as more friendly and humble if you talk to her about her background after proving your status as the Dragonborn, and isn't nearly as bad as, say, [[VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas Colonel Moore]].
* ProperlyParanoid: The Thalmor have free rein over pretty much all of Tamriel, meaning the Blades are all hunted. [[spoiler:Her dossier pretty much indicates that the only chance the Thalmor have in killing her is [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill overwhelming force]], she's just that good.]]
* RedOniBlueOni: The Red to Esbern's Blue. While Esbern is presented at first as a CloudCuckooLander conspiracy theorist, once things get going he's far more calm and intellectual, not to mention respectful of the Greybeards, while Delphie is more of an outright {{Jerkass}} to both the Dragonborn and the Greybeards, and is less interested in the knowledge of the dragons than she is killing them.
* SwordAndSorcerer: The Sword to Esbern's Sorcerer.
* [[UngratefulBastard Ungrateful Bitch]]: Even after everything you do for her, which includes helping her slay a dragon, spying on the Thalmor, rescuing her associate, opening up the Blades' old base of operations, and bringing her new recruits to the order, she'll refuse to have any more dealings with you should you [[spoiler:not kill Paarthurnax]].
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: More or less says this is the case for [[spoiler:Paarthurnax]].

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Jarls]]

The Jarls are the regional rulers of the Holds[[hottip:*: read: counties]] of Skyrim. Due to the fact that Jarls can change depending on which side of the civil war controls a hold, the two are split.

!Imperial-allied Jarls

!!Balgruuf the Greater
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

-->''"I will not stand idly by while dragons burn my hold and slaughter my people!"''

Jarl of the Whiterun hold, his seat is in Whiterun. He only wishes for Whiterun's safety, trying to avoid taking sides.

* InformedFlaw: Is said to have a temper, but this is never brought up in anyway meaningful to the plot.
** That said, he is shown snapping at Avenecci at one point. And presenting Ulfric's axe before you've done away with Mirmulnir causes him angrily tell him to wait. Given the precedence of a dragon attack however, it's understandable he'd be a bit on edge.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Despite saying that reliance on Imperial support seems cowardly, he is very reluctant to the idea of the Legion actually walking out on him. His steward addresses his (well-paid) acceptance of the White-Gold Concordant as a counterpoint, but Balgruuf asserts that the Jarls were [[YouDidntAsk never approached]] [[OpinionOverride for their own opinions]] and he had to roll with it regardless.
** Of course, there's the fact that without the Legion, Whiterun would be absolutely incapable of staying neutral, what with Ulfric forcing him into an ultimatum.
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: He makes it very clear when he's run out of Whiterun that he only supports the Empire for the economic advantages it affords to Skyrim, in contrary to his speech to Vignar, which seems to imply he supports it for ideological reasons.
* NeutralNoLonger: When asked about which side of the civil war he's on initially, he says "Whiterun's". But eventually when the Stormcloaks come a-knockin', he casts his lot in with the Imperials. Depending on which side you're on, you either take part in besieging or defending Whiterun.
* ReallyGetsAround: One of his sons claims that he has a different mother than his siblings.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: He readily accepts that the dragons have returned after hearing several firsthand accounts, moves to protect his holds immediately, enlists the aid of the person with the most experience with dragons (you, by courtesy of surviving), and instantly acknowledges the status and importance of the Dovahkiin.
* SadisticChoice: Balgruuf wants to remain neutral in the war, but Ulfric forces his hand by sending him an axe; keep it and support the Stormcloaks, or return it and be attacked. After some deliberation, he returns the axe and calls the Imperial Army for aid.
** Alternately, Balgruuf is sent Jarl's Eyes Only intel by an Imperial runner (you) about Ulfric's massing attack, and Balgruuf is the one that sends the axe to ascertain Ulfric's intent (again via you) and also calls for Imperial aid. Ulfric returns the axe because he has ''already ordered an attack on Whiterun'' [[WithUsOrAgainstUs due to Balgruuf's indecisiveness prior]].

!!Elisif the Fair
--> '''Voiced by:''' Corri English

Jarl of Haafingar and the Empire's candidate for the title of High Queen of Skyrim. Her seat is in Solitude. She is the widow of High King Torygg, whose [[FromACertainPointOfView murder/death in honorable duel]] began the civil war.

* BerserkButton: Stormcloaks in general, Ulfric, specifically, for killing her husband.
* FromACertainPointOfView: Elisif and most of her court will attest that Ulfric literally blasted Torygg apart with his Thu'um. Ulfric states that the truth is far less dramatic; he merely knocked Torygg to the ground with a shout and ran him through (indeed, his one known shout is [[BlownAcrossTheRoom Unrelenting Force]]). The claim may be exaggerated, but it was still indirectly responsible for the High King's death.
* HairOfGold
* HotBlooded: Very much so, which makes it lucky she has a court full of competent, more cool-headed individuals backing her up. However, this is less due to impatience or a short temper, but her desire to demonstrate that she is an effective ruler, thereby overcompensating. Falk Fire-beard usually reins her in.
* [[spoiler:IFightForTheStrongestSide]]: If The Stormcloaks win the civil war, [[spoiler:she declares her allegiance to the Stormcloaks, allowing her to keep the title of Jarl of Haafingar. She still hates the Stormcloaks, but as the Empire is effectively gone from Skyrim, she has no other choice]].
* PuppetKing: The Empire would like to turn her into one. She's blissfully unaware of it.
** [[spoiler: If the Stormcloaks win she will pledge allegiance in exchange for remaining Jarl, making it probable that she would be this to Ulfric.]]
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Though not especially competent. Many of her own Thanes will admit that Falk is basically the one running Haafingar.
** Case in Point, when dealt with an unsubstantiated rumor of Necromantic rituals being undertaken in her hold, she decides to send no less than a full company of men to investigate, despite being short of manpower as a result of the war. Her court points this out, and Falk makes sure to opt for the more tempered response. However, somewhat ironically, seeing as the cave really was [[spoiler:the home of a necromancer cult attempting to resurrect the Wolf Queen Potema]], in hindsight, her response matched the seriousness of the situation. Falk was very lucky that the one he sent on the job happened to be the [[BadAss Dragonborn]], or else no one may have known.
* RecliningReigner: Averted; she is the ''only'' Jarl who sits on a throne with proper posture (even most Dovahkiin models slouch).
* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: Asks the Dovahkiin to offer her husband's horn to a Shrine of Talos as part of a traditional burial ceremony.
* TooSoon: Feels this way about the annual burning of an effigy of Olaf One-Eye held by the Bard's College, which she cancels. Since her husband, the High King ''was'' just murdered, perhaps a festival celebrating the death of a king (even a tyrant) by burning an effigy of him isn't really appropriate. She can be convinced to uncancel it if you join the Bard's College.
* WidowWoman

!!Idgrod Ravencrone

Jarl of Hjallmarch. Her seat is in Morthal. She and her children have a sometimes inconvenient gift of premonition.

* CoolOldLady
* GuileHeroine:
* InTheBlood: While her daughter seems normal, her son is haunted by dreams similar to her premonition abilities.
* ObfuscatingInsanity: You get a hint she's no stranger to faking her visions when you [[spoiler:enlist her aid in causing a distraction at the Thalmor embassy party]] should you have ingratiated yourself to her beforehand.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: Her daughter, Idgrod the Younger, looks like a youthful, wrinkle-free version of her.

!! Siddgeir
--> '''Voiced by:''' Keith Silverstein

Jarl of Falkreath hold, seated in Falkreath. Took over for his uncle, who was getting "too old" for his position (read: his uncle was a Stormcloak sympathizer).

* DudeWheresMyRespect: Even if you are Thane of Falkreath, the kindest thing he'll call you is a whore.
* RoyalBrat
* UpperClassTwit: He doesn't do much of anything except enjoy the privileges of his station. Fortunately, his altmeri steward Nenya knows what to do so the hold doesn't fall apart.
** He does pay attention to the bandits in Falkreath. In a nasty twist, he actually allows them to prey on his people in return for a cut of their ill-gotten gains. He sends you to exterminate one gang of bandits that is trying to stiff him to send a message to the other bandits in the region.

!!Igmund

Jarl of The Reach, seated in Markarth. He strongly supports peace with the Thalmor in order to protect his Hold.

* BlatantLies: He insists that there are no Forsworn agents in his city. Either he's an OrwellianEditor or as idiotic as Jarl Laila Law-Giver.
* GeoEffects: He isn't concerned about dragons, as Markarth consists of stone buildings built into a mountainside.
* HazyFeelTurn: Originally supported the Stormcloaks, but turned against them to maintain peace with the Thalmor.
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Evicted Ulfric and his troops after their worship of Talos resulted in the Thalmor threatening to attack.

!!Brina Merilis
--> '''Voiced by:''' Claudia Christian

Replacement Jarl of The Pale, seated in Dawnstar. A retired Legion legate who found herself at odds with the local Jarl over the civil war.

* PlatonicLifePartners: With her housecarl, Horik Half-hand.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Especially compared to her [[LeeroyJenkins Stormcloak-aligned predecessor]], and particularly in terms of guard/troop allocation. Being a retired legate, she knows her stuff on troop allocation. Everyone already looked to her for leadership in Dawnstar, on account of everyone thinking Skald was a spoiled brat in an old man's body.
* RetiredBadass: She had to have done ''something'' to earn the undying loyalty of Horik Halfhand, to the point where he is her housecarl after retirement... and to have reached the rank of Legate regardless.

!!Maven Black-Briar
--> '''Voiced by:''' Elisa Gabrielli

Replacement Jarl of The Rift, seated in Riften. Pretty much ran the city even before the Imperials took the hold and made her authority official.

* CorruptCorporateExecutive: As owner of the Black-Briar Meadery. Your first special job for the Guild involves her hiring you to sabotage a competing meadery in Whiterun.
* DistaffCounterpart: To Thongvor Silver-Blood.
* TheDon: Has ties to the Empire, the [[MurderInc Dark Brotherhood]], and is outright patron of the ThievesGuild.
** Averted, actually. She's just a local politician that helps the Thieves Guild. At the end, [[spoiler: you're the Don.]]
* GrandmaWhatMassiveHotnessYouHave: Her sons both appear to be at least in their mid thirties, and her daughter is at least in her twenties, but Maven is still quite the looker.
* IOwnThisTown: The Black-Briars already controlled Riften; the Imperials just make it official. If you [[spoiler: complete both the Thieves' Guild and Dark Brotherhood questlines, however, ''you'' effectively control much of what she needs to stay in power.]]
* KarmaHoudini: She constantly intimidates people with her Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood contacts and is probably the direct cause of Riften's misery. Sadly for good-aligned players, quests involving her only further her power. Furthermore, she is an unkillable "essential" character. You can cause a few of her contacts to dry up if you [[spoiler: destroy the Dark Brotherhood]] but it does not seem to affect her much. Aside from that, the only thing you can really do to her is burn too many beehives (costing her money) and steal one of her horses. That's it. And to make it worse, she brushes off the beehives the very next mission, and if you tell her about the horse theft in advance, she doesn't particularly care.
** Averted if you [[spoiler: become Guildmaster. Maven is now your subordinate. If you become Listener of the Dark Brotherhood, you also take away her only other advantage]]. It has no real effect on gameplay, sadly, but can be gratifying all the same.
* PoliticalCorrectness: Catches herself several times using more shady language, and then switches to a more fitting phrase for her new station. "Cut of the pay" become "rewards for services rendered" and such.
* SlouchOfVillainy: "The throne suits me, doesn't it?"
* StrongFamilyResemblance: Like Idgrod, Maven's daughter Ingun looks like her sans 20ish years.
* TheUnfettered: She tells you point blank when first sent to her that when it comes to business, only two things matter to her -- was the job done, and was it done properly. Anything else is meaningless.

!!Kraldar
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

Replacement Jarl of Winterhold, seated in the city of Winterhold. Believes in good relations with the College of Winterhold and is optimistic that the city can be restored to greatness.

* BlueBlood: Hails from a long line of nobility and, due to the Great Collapse, may possibly be the last remaining member.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure He believes in amicable relations with the only reason left for Winterhold to exist (the College), and wants to work with them and the Empire to rebuild Winterhold.

!!Brunwulf Free-Winter
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

Replacement Jarl of Eastmarch, seated in Windhelm. An odd-man out in the town, he's more tolerant and respectful cultural-wise than his fellow townsmen. And outspoken about it.

* [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch My Kinsmen Doth Protest Too Much]]: Holds disdain for the "Skyrim for the Nords" notion.
* NiceGuy: '''And how!''' Even before becoming Jarl, he will pay the Dragonborn to get rid of bandits who are targeting Dunmers and Khajiit caravans because the bandits know that Ulfric will do nothing about it since the victims are not Nords.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Within ''hours'' of getting his new job, he's already met the dark elves of the ghetto-like Gray District to develop renovation plans, and is seeking a way to let the Argonians into the city without increasing the town's already huge racial tensions. He even keeps most of Ulfric's staff on hand since they know their job well enough, and offers lodging to the deposed Jarls who were supporting Ulfric.
* ReluctantRuler: He much preferred being a soldier to being Jarl, as things were so much simpler and clearer.
* RetiredBadass: He fought in the Legion during the Great War.
* ShellShockedVeteran: Shows signs of this.

----
!Stormcloak-allied Jarls

!!Ulfric Stormcloak

See below in the "Stormcloaks" section for the full list for Ulfric.

!!Laila Law-Giver
--> '''Voiced by:''' Claudia Christian

Jarl of The Rift, seated in Riften. Contrary to her sobriquet, she's the law in title only.

* DirtyCoward: General dialogue between her and her court advisor reveals that Laila has an emergency carriage at the ready for her to escape should a dragon attack Riften.
* HonorRelatedAbuse: Treats her younger son, Saerlund, as mentally ill, to the point of ordering her court mage to find a cure, because he supports the Empire. Thankfully, said court mage is an AbsentMindedProfessor who almost certainly hasn't really gotten started on that, and aside from being emotionally insensitive 9and placing her son under house arrest more or less), she otherwise treats him fairly well.
* {{Irony}}: A woman with the sobriquet "Law-Giver" ruling over the setting's WretchedHive.
* PuppetKing: She's pretty clueless about the state of her town. Her own advisor is in deep with the Guild, and the Guild gets most of its work from the local mead-brewing dynasty. Fittingly, if the Imperials take Riften, she gets replaced by the matriarch of said mead dynasty, [[IOwnThisTown Maven Black-Briar]].
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Albeit stunted by her own incompetence, she is bright enough to recognize talented subordinates (like the Dovahkiin) and rewards them for their service, not to mention she's surprisingly free of racist pretensions.
* UpperclassTwit: Laila and her children are probably the most prominent example of this trope in the game.

!!Skald the Elder
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jim Cummings

Jarl of The Pale, seated in Dawnstar. He is extremely paranoid of the Imperial Legion, to the point of accusing some of the common folk of being spies.

* {{Badass}}: You have to admit, it does take balls for a frail old man to charge into a massive siege and fight the good fight.
* ConspiracyTheorist: He believes that every Imperial sympathizer is a spy of some kind, he even threatens to execute Brina Merilis and Horik Halfhand just for being ex-legionaries. One step further than that is his belief that the reasons dragons are attacking Skyrim is because of the ban of worshipping Talos and that they will stop if the Stormcloaks win.
* GrumpyOldMan
* {{Jerkass}}: His servant Bulfrek wants to join the Stormcloaks to prove himself a worthy Nord. When he asks Skald for leave to do so, Skald laughs at the idea of a servant wanting to be a warrior.
* LeeroyJenkins:
** Has this mentality when it comes to allocating troops to the Stormcloak cause, which pretty much leaves Dawnstar undefended. His own housecarl (politely) accuses him of not understanding the magnitude of the Civil War.
** You may or may not notice him amongst the bedlam that is the Siege of Windhelm; he apparently decides to go down fighting.
* ManChild: According to the town alchemist, who's even older than him, he's been a brat his entire life since he took the hold's seat when he was a boy.
* TryNotToDie: If you accept his bounty for a giant, he sends you off with "Bye! Try not to get stomped by a giant!"
* YouHaveToBelieveMe: Often rabbles about how there are Imperial spies in Dawnstar but no one believes him.

!!Korir
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

Jarl of Winterhold, seated in the city of Winterhold. His distrust for the local College of Mages has caused other Jarls to ignore his opinions.

* {{Determinator}}: Even so, he's grimly resigned and dedicated to protecting what remains of his hold to the best of his ability.
-->''I don't care how many colleges they build! Or how much the sea swallows up! I'll outlast them all!''
* DoesNotLikeMagic: He's convinced it blew up his Hold, something the mages deny strenuously. Given that an entire city collapsing doesn't happen on a whim, and the traditional Nordic distrust for magic that isn't purely beneficial, he's steadfast to his assumptions.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: The destruction of most of his city has really damaged his hold's reputation in Skyrim, and he's outraged that he commands little respect and authority among the other Jarls because of this.
* FantasticRacism: Has it in for elves pretty bad. He encourages this in his son as well, though he has a hatred of mages that is far more fantastical and prominent.
** Oddly, this does not stop him from having a Dunmer as his court wizard (who admits to inflating his importance and sucking up to his boss to keep the job), and if you do missions for him he shows no overt racism regardless of the player's race if you succeed.

!!Vignar Gray-Mane
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jim Cummings

Replacement Jarl of Whiterun hold, seated in Whiterun. A member of an ancient clan in Whiterun who is in a feud against the Battle-Born.

* {{Badass}}: He used to be a member of the Companions. He's still got it.
** BadassGrandpa
** RetiredBadass
* CoolOldGuy
* GutturalGrowler
* KickTheDog: While generally well-meaning to Whiterun after becoming Jarl, he flatly refuses to provide justice to the pro-Imperial Battle-Born clan after they are robbed twice.
* PetTheDog: After Brill became a depressed alcoholic, Vignar got him clean and gave him a job.
* [[RealMenLoveJesus Real Men Love Talos]]: He's a devout Talos worshipper.
-->''If this were my Empire, I'd be able to worship whoever I damned well pleased! You wish to see an Empire without Talos? Without its very soul?''
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: His main preoccupations as Jarl are to make sure the transition of power are as smooth as possible so as to prevent any disruption in the lives of his people. He is also very receptive to the threat of Dragons and makes it his top priority to defend against them by increasing the number of guards and by maintaining steady supplies of food and water.
* WeUsedToBeFriends: His entire clan used to be friends with the Battle-Born, but became enemies after taking opposite sides of the war.

!!Dengeir of Stuhn
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jim Cummings

Replacement Jarl of Falkreath hold, seated in Falkreath. Formerly the jarl of the hold, he was forced to retire in favour of his more Imperial-aligned nephew.

* BetterTheDevilYouKnow: This is why he supports Ulfric; he's the only Stormcloak Jarl who will openly say he considers Ulfric a self-centered, power-hungry egomaniac who he doesn't trust as far as he can throw (and at his age, he probably can't throw Ulfric very far). Still, he'd rather deal with him, someone he knows what to expect from, than an emperor and a council seated a thousand miles away making decisions about a land they know nothing about. That said however, he ''is'' a crotchety old man who sees betrayal in every corner.
* BenevolentBoss: The local blacksmith seems to think so. But Dengeir still thinks he has something to do with the Imperial plot that put Siddgeir in power and will ask you to break into his house. The quest makes it unclear whether or not his suspicions are true.
* ConspiracyTheorist: Thinks that there are Imperial spies all around him. Even his own brother (whom he lives with) is kinda fed up with it.
** [[spoiler:Unlike Skald however, some of his paranoia [[ProperlyParanoid does have some merits]] when you do some of his side quests.]]
* ReluctantRetiree: Regains his position if the Stormcloaks take Falkreath.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: At least more reasonable than Siddgeir.
-->''"Well, for one thing. I wont drain the town treasury buying myself fancy clothes and expensive mead! Nor will I get involved with criminals trying to take advantage of honest folk!"''

!!Thongvor Silver-Blood
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

Replacement Jarl of the Reach, seated in Markarth. His family owns Cidhna Mine, a slave mine consist of prisoners and Forsworns.

* {{Badass}}: The Orcish blacksmith at Understone Keep served alongside Thongvor in the Legion, he mentions him as being a good man and a tough soldier.
** BadassBeard
** RetiredBadass: Used to be a legionnaire.
* BaldOfAwesome
* DudeWheresMyRespect: With all the Silver-Blood family does for Markarth, it feels insulting for Jarl Igmund to ignore their advice.
* IOwnThisTown: His family's mine pretty much makes the income for the city and the miners consist of captured Forsworn and convicted criminals. When he becomes Jarl, this literally happens.
* SpearCounterpart: To Maven Black-Briar. Both are the head of commercially successful families whose success is due to shady and illegal dealings (Thieves' Guild and Dark Brotherhood in Maven's case. Mercenaries to bully mine owners and Forsworn Assassins to silence enemies in Thongvor's case). Both are replacement Jarl for their respective hold if said hold changes side. In both cases, they have so much influence in the hold and have bribed the local guards so successfully, they arguably [[IOwnThisTown have more power over the town than the rightful Jarls do]]. Also, both of them have goons in town who will warn the player of their respective family's influence over the town (Maul and Yngvar the Singer respectively) and said goons become Housecarls if Thongvor/Maven become Jarl. Unlike Maven however, Thongvor is actually a good person and is mostly unaware of his family's shadier dealings.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: He's receptive to the threat of dragons and attempts to have efforts made to organize hunting parties to take them down. He is also fairly respectful to a Stormcloak Dragonborn

!!Sorli the Builder
--> '''Voiced by:''' Claudia Christian

Replacement Jarl of Hjallmarch hold, seated in Morthal. She oversees an isolated mining settlement along with her husband.

* AndNowForSomethingCompletelyDifferent: Her Housecarl is the only non-human replacement the Stormcloaks have.
* OhMyGods: By Ysgramor's Axe!

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Stormcloaks]]

!!The Stormcloaks

Nordic rebels who believe the Empire is no longer fit to rule over Skyrim following the White-Gold Concordat. Led by Ulfric Stormcloak, the Jarl of Eastmarch, they seek to drive both the Empire and the Thalmor from Skyrim.

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: How one advances in the Stormcloak hierarchy.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Ulfric and Galmar are tough men. Ulfric has the power of Thu'um and is noted by even his enemies as a fearsome warrior and commander, and Galmar is a SergeantRock par excellence. Additionally, they're both veterans of the Great War.
* AwesomeMcCoolName: Between Ulfric Stormcloak and Galmar Stone-Fist, most Stormcloak sobriquets, especially those given to the player, are this trope. Just a taste; we have Hjornskar Head-Smasher, Thoryyg Sun-Killer, and Ysralad Three-Pierced.
* BadassArmy: They can go toe to toe with the [=IVth=] Legion, one of the branches of the Imperial Military that's in the best shape since the Great War. Not surprising since most of them come from the eastern half of Skyrim, where young Nords must kill an ice wraith as a rite of passage. Galmar has you do the same to prove your worth.
** BadassBeard: The majority of male Stormcloaks seem to have one of these. The exceptions can literally be counted on one hand.
* BerserkButton: The Thalmor killing Talos worshippers.
* FacelessMooks: Depending on the helmet they are wearing.
* EverythingsWorseWithBears: Their main [[AnimalMotifs Animal Motif]]. The Stormcloak Officer's uniform (which the player is awarded upon being named [[spoiler:Stormblade]]) includes a cloak fashioned from a bearskin, complete with head, and there's a bear's head on their flag.
* FantasticRacism: Some of them, but most commonly in Windhelm itself. They don't allow Argonians to live inside the city walls and they force the Dunmer population to live in the slum known as the Gray Quarter. Interestingly enough, it also possess a rather high Imperial and Altmer population who are more or less left alone, which would make sense before the civil war, (since they wouldn't want to pointlessly antagonise either the Empire or the Dominion), but seems strange when they're in a state of open rebellion. [[WildMassGuessing Maybe the Imperials and Altmer were allowed to establish themselves so well that they provide essential services, whereas the Dunmer and Argonians don't?]] Inverted by a Nord in Falkreath, who cites being an ex-Stormcloak as being the reason he is tolerant of strangers (unlike his brother, who is openly racist against a non-Nord Dragonborn).
** The WMG above about the possibility that the Imperials and Altmer are tolerated because they prove useful is more or less exactly what one Altmer tells you (regarding the Dunmer, if not the Argonians) if you ask her if she is treated as badly as the Dunmer.
* GrayAndGrayMorality: Definitely. Their hatred for the Dominion is totally justified, and their contempt for the Empire's surrender is understandable, but they're sure as hell ''not'' the KnightsInShiningArmour they see themselves as.
* GoodOldWays: They're basically fighting to protect these, from their own point of view.
* HumanityIsSuperior: Many of them believe this, though most of them aren't as racist to elves as the Dominion is to Men.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Some of the Stormcloaks despise the Imperial-leaning Nords for "abandoning" their traditional Nord beliefs in favor of the Imperial pantheon, despite the fact that they themselves worship Imperial aspects of the Divines like Akatosh [[hottip:*:made even worse since [[http://www.imperial-library.info/content/shezarr-and-divines Akatosh was hated by the ancient Nords]] or Arkay [[hottip:*:as was Arkay, perhaps, depending on whether Orkey is him or Malacath]], giving no heed to their old religion.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Alvor notes that if it weren't for the Stormcloak uprising, the Empire would be content to pretend that the Nords didn't still worship Talos in the closet. The Stormcloaks raising a fuss over it has given the Thalmor the excuse they needed to crack down hard in Skyrim.
* [[NoTrueScotsman No True Nord]]: All Nords will use the term "true Nord" a lot, but the Stormcloaks use this as a call to battle against the Empire and the Thalmor.
-->'''Any unnamed Stormcloak NPC:''' "If you know any ''true'' sons and daughters of Skyrim, tell them to head to Windhelm. Jarl Ulfric would like to see them."
* NotSoDifferent: From the Empire. They both hate the Thalmor, and both of them believe they are doing what is best for Skyrim. Interestingly, some of their beliefs is very similar to Septim era propaganda, showing just how effective it was.
* ScrewYouElves: They are very open about their hatred for the Dominion, which [[ANaziByAnyOtherName is fully justified]].
* ProudWarriorRace: All Nords are this, but the Stormcloaks are more intense about it.
* TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized
* TheRevolutionWillNotBeVilified
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Despite their reputation as racists, the Stormcloak chain of command is rather benevolent and efficient. Taken even further in that as long as you prove yourself useful, despite your race, you'll be treated the same as anyone else.
* RatedMForManly: They're [[ProudWarriorRace Vikings]] who are fighting in the name of and to restore the worship of their principle God of War and their basic initiation test requires them to kill an undead wraith creature on an iceberg in the middle of the sea, and they have names like Stone-Fist, Sun-Killer and Cairn-Breaker.
* WithUsOrAgainstUs: Many of them have this attitude.
* WellIntentionedExtremist

!!Ulfric Stormcloak
--> '''Voiced by:''' Vladimir Kulich

-->''"I fight for the men I've held in my arms, dying on foreign soil! I fight for their wives and children, whose names I heard whispered in their last breath...I fight so that all the fighting I've already done hasn't been for nothing! I fight... because I '''must'''."''

The Jarl of Eastmarch, seated in the city of Windhelm. Leader of the Stormcloak Rebellion and aspiring High King of Skyrim.

* AwesomeMcCoolName
* AnticlimaxBoss: By the time you face him at the end of the Legion quest line, he's been hyped up as extremely dangerous and skilled in the Way of the Voice, but he goes down with a solid hit or two from a battle axe. His [[TheDragon Dragon]] is the real threat, though if Ulfric can hit you with his Thu'um, things get real complicated, ''real'' fast. The way the game is set up all levelable [=NPCs=] (which includes Followers and most major characters) are locked at the level at which they first spawn, unlike in ''Oblivion'' or ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' where they dynamically level up as the player does. Since Ulfric shows up during the introductory cutscene, he's locked at ''level 10'' for the entire game. Galmar, in contrast, puts up more of fight because he doesn't show up until later, and thus is generated at a higher level.
* AnAxeToGrind: He uses a steel waraxe, despite having much better weapons close at hand.
* ActorAllusion: Vladimir Kullich is once again playing a mighty Norseman.
** [[spoiler:If you do the Siege of Windhelm, you execute him while he's sitting on his throne. Much like [[The13thWarrior Buliwyf]], another character played by Vladimir Kullich.]]
* AFatherToHisMen: He values his follower's lives. Which is why he is cautious about attacking Whiterun, despite how necessary it is that they take it. After the Stormcloaks conquer Solitude, he denies credit for the victory and instead calls the soldiers and the Dragonborn the true heroes of the war.
* APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil: In a sense. Ulfric learned the Thu'um from the Greybeards, but he violated their core tenet of "speaking only in True Need" when he used the Thu'um to kill King Torygg (he was already a far more capable combatant than Torygg without the Thu'um). However, he does concede he's aware he's strayed from their teachings, and does believe the Thu'um should not be used lightly.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Apparently, Ulfric is a strong believer of this. He challenged High King Torygg to the throne because he felt the King was weak in spirit as well as body. He believes that Skyrim needs fewer politicians and a true warrior king to stand up to the Thalmor, and by extension, the Empire (who are the Thalmor's "dogs"). He also believes that Skyrim must be purified of those who have become weak from drinking Imperial milk or who became somehow not-Nord after being in Cyrodiil, even though he himself is a former legionnaire.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Considering how the Stormcloaks work, this is presumably also in effect.
* {{Badass}}
** BadassBeard
** BadassLongcoat: As mentioned above, it's made of chainmail.
** BadassBaritone: ''"Once he had a kingdom, but no voice. So I gave him [[BadassBaritone mine]],"'' - Vladimir Kulich.
** FourStarBadass: He's managed to keep complete control over half of Skyrim, despite the Empire throwing all they have at him. Including one of their best generals.
** MemeticBadass: In-Universe example. An extremely sizable portion of Skyrim treats him like he's the Second Coming.
-->''They say that Ulfric Stormcloak murdered the High King... with his Voice! Shouted him apart!''
*** According to what first-hand sources (including Ulfric himself) say, he did use the Voice when he killed the High King, but the actual killing blow was done by hand.
* BerserkButton: He absolutely refuses to tolerate the Thalmor, especially Elenwen. Most likely a result of [[spoiler:being interrogated by her.]]
* BigBad[=/=]BigGood: Of the Imperial and Stormcloak campaigns, respectively.
* BloodBrothers: With the Dragonborn, should you take the side of the Stormcloaks. Just before the last mission of the Stormcloak campaign, he names you Stormblade, telling you he considers you to be one of his own kin.
* BloodKnight: The good Jarl enjoys combat a great deal.
-->''I'm having fun, are you?!''
* TheChainsOfCommanding: He does regret some of the things he's had to do in this war.
* [[spoiler: DeathByIrony: He started the war by using the Thu'um to literally Shout the High-King to death, if siding with the Imperials, you can have the Dragonborn end the war ''[[HoistByHisOwnPetard the exact same way]]''.]]
* DefiantToTheEnd: At the end of the Legion questline, he refuses to quietly surrender and ''will'' stand and face you alongside Galmar. He will go down fighting, of course, once he's beaten this leads to the trope below.
* TheDreaded: The Empire ''and'' the Thalmor fear him with good reason.
** He's also hyped a lot in the Imperial campaign as a mighty warrior and master of the Thu'um.
*** When Elenwen, the head of the Thalmor in Skyrim and perhaps the most powerful person sitting at the [[spoiler: peace meeting]] decides to drone out a HannibalLecture, Ulfric tells her in no uncertain terms to shut the hell up. She ''listens''.
* ElectiveMonarchy: What he ends up as in the Stormcloak campaign. It's worth noting, that as his victory over the Imperial Legion was absolute and his army was the most powerful force in Skyrim, he was in the position to bypass this and declare himself king outright. He brings this up in his speech to his men, but he further says that he will not as he respects the tradition too much.
--> Dragonborn: So, do I call you High King now?
--> Ulfric: *laughs* No, no, not yet. We'll wait for the moot to make me High King. It'll be better for all that way.
* [[spoiler:FaceDeathWithDignity: If the player sides with the Empire, at the end of the siege of Windhelm Tullius told Ulfric he could surrender and be publicly executed, or go down fighting. Ulfric chooses fighting, of course. When beaten down and kneeing, he issues his LastRequest -- that the Dragonborn be the one to deal the final blow, as "it'll make a better song that way".]]
* FantasticRacism: He's apathetic to the problems of non-Nords and makes it clear that he'd prefer a Skyrim without the other races. He goes so far as to say that Nords returning home from the legions are "strangers with familiar faces," as if serving the Empire somehow made them no longer Nords.
** If you ask him about it when joining the stormcloaks as a non-nord, he notes that race isn't anywhere near as important as ''loyalty''.
** According to the Dark Elves of Windhelm, their lives have actually gotten worse since Ulfric became Jarl.
** Strangely, while Argonians and Dark Elves are segregated in Windhelm, they are generally treated normally in most other Stormcloak align holds. In fact holding high positions as Steward and Housecarls in Winterhold and Morthaal, respectively. Apparently, he doesn't care how the other Jarls deal with minorities so long as they generally follow orders. So maybe this is more like 'Fantastic Indifference'.
* FriendlyEnemy:. Right up until they directly lay siege to Windhelm, an Empire-aligned Dragonborn can walk up to the leader of the enemy forces and make small talk, without acknowledgement that the Dragonborn is the reason the Stormcloaks are in such dire straits.
* FromACertainPointOfView: His response to allegedly shouting Torygg to death is that it's "Not entirely true, though not entirely false either."
* TheGoodKing: He takes into account the opinions of his entire court, would rather that he could take Skyrim with the least possible amount of bloodshed and is far more empathetic to the common folk who do not support him, knowing that they're still weighing things in their hearts and have to look after the families, in contrast to Galmar's complete WithUsOrAgainstUs view. He's also the only Jarl to reply 'the honour will be mine' when you accept to becoming a Thane of his hold. Nor does he refer to his people as 'the common rabble' when he dubs you Thane. He's also well respected within his hold and by the people of Skyrim in general. And despite his preoccupation with the war, he still makes an effort to protect the people of his city from the murders occurring, having placed ''every available guardsman'' (and to their credit, they were making progress) on it. Of course, because it's a quest chain only you can really make a difference, but hey.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Depending on whether you're a Stormcloak or Legionnaire.
* HazyFeelTurn: Used to be an Imperial soldier, until he perceived all Nords influenced by Imperials as weak milk-drinkers who were no longer Nord and were now "strangers with familiar faces."
* HurtingHero: It really does kill him inside to wage war against his fellow Nords.
--> ''We're ready when you are [to take Whiterun]''
--> ''Is any man ever ready to give the order that will mean the deaths of many?''
* {{Jerkass}}: He outright threatens the player when they first approach him for daring to speak to a Jarl without a summons (the other Jarls make no such remark, though he also commends your bravery in doing it). He's also considerably rude during the peace negotiations, threatening Elisif personally, and if the player supports fair trade of territory when the civil war questline hasn't been started yet, he gets up to leave because he sees the player as favoring the Empire. He outright storms out of the negotiations afterwards, even if the player sided with his demands, while everyone else stays to listen.
** JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Up to AlternateCharacterInterpretation depending on if you think he truly does want the best for Skyrim or is just interested in personal power.
* JustTheFirstCitizen: Despite being the effective ruler of nearly half of Skyrim before the civil war questline begins, and possibly being the ruler of ''all'' of Skyrim after, Ulfric is simply called "Jarl," a title appropriate to the ruler of a single hold.
* MakeAnExampleOfThem: "Torygg was merely a message to the other Jarls."
* MakeMeWannaShout: He was training to be a Greybeard.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone[=/=]HeroicBSOD: If killed before finishing the main quest, [[spoiler: Ulfric can be found wandering Alduin's mist in Sovngarde. If spoken to before killing Alduin, he laments that he wanted to free Skyrim but all his war did was kill good men on both sides and now those men's souls are trapped in Alduin's mists, waiting to be devoured by the World Eater.]]
* ModestRoyalty
* NoBadassToHisValet: The relationship between Ulfric and Galmar is less a king to his general, and more like the friendship between fellow war veterans.
-->Galmar: ''They call themselves Stormcloaks because they believe in you. Because they're the biggest, toughest sons of bitches Skyrim has to offer. And they want this. They want it as much as you. Perhaps they want it more.''
* NeutralNoLonger: While training to be a Greybeard, he was unable to detach himself from the world's affairs as they do and left to help fight the Thalmor.
* NobleBigot: Depending on how the player feels about him, he may come across as this.
* RebelLeader
* [[RealMenLoveJesus Real Men Love Talos]]: And just to drive the point home, the local priest in Windhelm will mention that he's a very regular temple-goer.
* RousingSpeech: Gives several, but is somewhat self-conscious about it, asking Galmar after [[spoiler: his victory speech]] how he did. Depending on your view of Ulfric, this can either show him to be a man who is less confident in his own abilities than he lets on and realises how seriously he must weigh every word and action, or a politician who deliberately manipulates his public image in contrast to the simple proud warrior he presents himself as.
** It's worth noting however, he tends to go off on impassioned speeches about his motives in private to his {{Dragon}}, who's utterly behind him. So he's at least somewhat sincere.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Playing through the Stormcloak campaign shows him not be the power-hungry tyrant Tullius paints him to be, but rather a driven, understandable and determined man with noble intentions at heart.
* RedOniBlueOni: The red to Tullius's blue. However, he's also the blue to Galmar's red.
* TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized
** TheRevolutionWillNotBeVilified: At least not by a sizable proportion of Skyrim's population.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething
* SlouchOfVillainy: While everyone who uses a throne takes this position, Ulfric stands out for two reasons: firstly, he can end up as the BigBad depending on what path the player takes, and his throne is ''huge'', making him look like he's slouching more than he actually is.
* TheStrategist: He's often conversing with Galmar and Jorleif on strategy. He also likes getting Jorleif's opinion because the 'untrained can see the whole in the parts'.
* ShutUpHannibal: He gives one to Elenwen when she starts lecturing the gathered Nordic leaders (and Tullius). Given that he's such a badass, she listens. Also doubles as a Moment of Funny.
* UnwittingPawn: Ulfric was a high-profile POW during the Great War, and special attention was given to him by interrogators; [[spoiler:Ambassador Elenwen, no less]]. Such time with the Thalmor and being subject to their "reeducation" methods leads to questions as to whether his mind is his own: Both the Markarth incident and the Civil War as a whole played right into the Thalmor's hands. The Markarth Incident essentially made it impossible for the Empire to simply pretend the Nords didn't secretly worship Talos in the closet, and the civil war dragging out sapped both Skyrim and the Empire, both being very much to the benefit of the Thalmor. However, the Thalmor dossier on him indicates that while they consider him an "asset" they've lost direct control over him and cannot risk contacting him directly. They're also worried about Ulfric actually winning the war, though it is not clear if this is because they want to prolong the war to further weaken the Empire, or if they're afraid of what Ulfric might do with a united Skyrim behind him. Finally, at the end of the civil war, Ulfric states that defending Skyrim from Thalmor attacks is one of his highest priorities and quickly puts Galmar in charge of training additional troops so that Skyrim is as prepared as possible for such an event. Which shows that he's likely not at all under the Thalmor's thrall per se.
-->'''General Tullius:''': ''The Thalmor stirred up your rebellion here, forcing us to waste resources and good soldiers to put it down.''
-->'''Ulfric''': ''It's a little more than a rebellion, don't you think?''
* WithUsOrAgainstUs: Read the book [[http://www.imperial-library.info/content/skyrim-bear-markarth "The Bear of Markarth"]] to see how his liberation of Markarth was not at all as rosy as the Stormcloak sympathizers in the town make it out to be. However, note that this book is written by an Imperial, and thus may be exaggerating the events. Though when you meet up with Stormcloaks he tells a frothing at the mouth Galmar to be lenient with the commoners who do not support them as they are still 'weighing things in their hearts' as he puts it. This could either mean two things, the book is outright lying about his brutality and is mere character assassination, or in the interregnum he came to realize that this trope wasn't a good way to go about things and decided to be more understanding towards those who don't outright cast their lot for independence.
* WorthyOpponent: He considers an Imperial aligned Dragonborn to be this. When you deliver Jarl Balgruuf's ultimatum to him, he commends you on your bravery and laments that you've chosen the wrong side. When you finally defeat him, [[spoiler: he requests you as his personal executioner instead of Tullius or Rikke, stating "it'll make a better song."]] if you [[spoiler: killed him before traveling to Sovngarde, you can encounter him in the mists; after defeating Alduin he will openly praise you as a hero.]]
* WarriorPrince: He was an officer of the Imperial army before he became a Jarl. And later on pretty much drove the Forsworn from Markarth single handed as well.
* WouldHurtAChild: Notable aversion: he's often stated as killing the child-king Torygg, though Torygg isn't an actual child so much as he's just very young for the title of High-King.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Just wants to see the Empire and Thalmor driven from Skyrim and the restoration of one of his people's most adored deity. If you win the war for the Stormcloaks, he fully makes it clear he intends to see Skyrim as glorious as it was when it was the heart of the First Empire.

!!Galmar Stone-Fist
--> '''Voiced by:''' Paul Eiding

* AwesomeMcCoolName
* AntiHero[=/=]AntiVillain: Depending on your interpretation.
* AFatherToHisMen: He's encouraging to his men and protective of their lives.
* AnAxeToGrind: Right into any Imperial that gets in his way.
* AxeCrazy: Exhibits slight shades of this in combat. Fairly standard for Nords.
-->''Your blood is such a pretty shade of red!''
* {{Badass}}
** BadassBeard
** BadassGrandpa
** [[BadassBoast Badass Anti-Boast]]: His declaration of the Stormcloaks being a group of normal men fighting for their beliefs as part of his RousingSpeech before attacking Whiterun is in many ways far more impressive and moving than simple bluster.
-->''"They say our cause is false, and that we are nothing but thieves, thugs and murderers. But no! We are farmers! We are craftsmen! We are the sons and daughters of shopkeepers, maidservants and soldiers! We are the Sons and Daughters of Skyrim!"''
* TheBigGuy: Ironically, he plans the operations for the Stormcloaks, but makes very clear that if he had the choice, he would rush axe-first into the enemies.
* BoisterousBruiser
* TheBerserker: He tends to get rather excited in combat. And true to the historical background of this trope (and the fact the Nords are a fantasy counterpart of the medieval Norse) he's actually wearing bear-skins as the Norse berserkers did.
* CoolOldGuy
* TheDragon[=/=]NumberTwo: To Ulfric.
* DeadpanSnarker: He has his moments.
-->'''Ulfric''': ''Galmar, it looks like you were right.''
-->'''Galmar''': ''Again?''
-->'''Ulfric''': ''I'm in no mood to joke.''
* EverythingsWorseWithBears: He wears a bearskin cowl.
* GutturalGrowler
* GeniusBruiser: He's very strategically aware and educated on Skyrim's history. He's also intelligent enough to alter Imperial documents to achieve long term strategic and tactical advantages.
* HotBlooded
* NemeanSkinning: Along with all other Stormcloak officers.
* ReligiousBruiser: A devout worshipper of Talos.
* [[RealMenLoveJesus Real Men Love Talos]]: This is practically a requirement for joining the Stormclaks.
-->'''''That we have forgotten them, this I fear the Gods will remember.'''''
* RousingSpeech
* SophisticatedAsHell: When you meet up with him at the camps, he'll make deep observations on motivation and such. When he's in the thick of battle and Imperial lapdogs scream 'For the Emperor', he shouts back, 'The Emperor can kiss my ass!'
* SergeantRock: Far more so than Rikke. As he tends to be at the forefront more often and he gives a lot of fatherly advice to his men.
* ShellShockedVeteran: He makes hints that he's this at times.
-->''[[WarriorPoet Countless dead haunt countless sleepless nights... Perhaps when Skyrim is made whole again, so shall I...]]''
* SoreLoser: [[spoiler:He is not happy to see you in Sovngarde if you killed him. Though he warms up after you beat Alduin; ''eternity is too long to a hold a grudge'', he says.]]
* WeUsedToBeFriends: Served with Rikke during the Great War. Offers her the chance to stand down at the end of the Stormcloak Campaign.
* WarriorPoet: Ever so much.
-->''There are fools who claim Ulfric fights only for power! Do they not see that his anger floats on a sea of tears?''
-->''It is hate that brought us out here, but it love that keeps us fighting.''
-->''One lives for the things he is willing to die for.''
* WithUsOrAgainstUs: Has the opinion that anyone who opposes them can "die with their false kings."

!!Ralof
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

* ActionSurvivor
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: He's promoted for valour after the Battle for Whiterun is concluded with a Stormcloak victory.
* {{Badass}}: In universe, surviving Helgen qualifies anyone for this label. Additionally, he's one of the few rank and file soldiers who will under all circumstances keep up with both you and Galmar in combat and is one of the few who is with you two when you fight through into Dragonsreach. He also helps you take down Balgruuf.
* ComeWithMeIfYouWantToLive
* CoolUncle: He has a nephew named Frodnar, they have a great relationship.
--> '''Frodnar:''' Uncle Ralof! Can I see your axe? How many Imperials have you killed? Do you really know Ulfric Stormcloak?\\
'''Ralof: '''Look at you, almost a grown man. Won't be long until you'll be joining the fight yourself.\\
'''Frodnar: '''That's right! Don't worry uncle, I won't let those Imperials sneak up on you!
* DropTheHammer: He likes using an iron warhammer.
* DualWielding: Iron axes, while escaping Helgen.
* FaceDeathWithDignity: He acts very calm about the opening executions and offers some "before the end" advice to the panicking Lokir.
* GoodCounterpart[=/=]EvilCounterpart: To Hadvar, depending on what side the Dragonborn takes in the war.
* TheLancer: To a Stormcloak Dragonborn.
* NiceGuy: Regardless of your race, Ralof will try to help you in the prologue, including leading you to safety when you seem disoriented and shocked by the dragon's attack. Considering the Stormcloaks are known for their dislike of other races (especially Imperials and elves), this is quite telling.
* NotSoDifferent: To Hadvar. Over the course of the Stormcloak questline, Ralof expresses many of the same views as Hadvar about the war, a truce, and taking the lives of the Legionaries. Of course, this is probably because they fill the same role in their respective questlines. It should also be noted that Ralof and Hadvar both know each other, both being from Riverwood, and neither of them like the other.
* [[RealMenLoveJesus Real Men Love Talos]]: As he puts it in his own words; ''"Damn faithless Imperials."''
* ShellShockedVeteran: After the Battle for Whiterun, when he next meets up with you he tells you that he's haunted by the faces of the many men he killed in that siege.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Empire of Tamriel]]

!!The Empire

Centered in the land of Cyrodiil, the third Empire of Tamriel was founded by the dragonborn Tiber Septim, and was actually the first to truly encompass all of Tamriel. After the Septim Dynasty fell in the Oblivion Crisis, the potentate [[TheGoodChancellor Ocato]] took control, but eventually was assassinated by the Thalmor. After a succession crisis, the Mede Dynasty has taken control over the weakening Empire. About thirty years before ''Skyrim'' begins the Empire fought the Great War with the Aldmeri Dominion and eventually signed a peace treaty named the White-Gold Concordat.

* BadassArmy: ''Much'' weaker than during the reign of the Septims, but they still eventually wiped out the Dominion's force in Cyrodiil.
** Though, it should be noted that this feat was the accomplishment of the Imperial legion as a whole, and not the 4th Legion. Who's characters are primarily referred to in this folder.
* CantArgueWithElves: The White Gold Concordat essentially yoked them with this.
** ScrewYouElves: ...But they're waiting for just the right moment to nullify it by force.
* CulturalPosturing: Some of them like to point out how glorious the cosmopolitan empire is compared to Skyrim.
-->'''Legate Skulnar''': Of course, the Nord Kings, Oh I'm sorry, ''Jarls'' can't really control their own people.
** There's also their repeated claim that "What the Stormcloaks like to forget is that the Empire is the only thing keeping the Dominion out of Skyrim.", which ignores that Hammerfell did a fine job of repelling the Dominion without Imperial backing and there isn't a lot of reason to think Skyrim couldn't do the same.
* GreyAndGrayMorality: Like the Stormcloaks, their situation isn't black and white. On one hand, they banned Talos worship in order to bring peace to themselves, are a foriegn nation controlling one that they might not understand, and half of Skyim doesn't want them there. On the other hand, much of Skyrim ''does'' want them to stay, citing that Skyrim was always part of the Empire, and that the Empire brought some stability to Skyrim. The Empire was also founded by Talos in the first place.
** It's also implied that they want to stop the rebellion so they can focus on nullifying the White Gold Concordat, which are the terms that the Stormcloaks want to remove from their province in the first place.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Discussed in-universe even. The Empire claims that it fighting against the Aldmeri dominion to defend its way of life is fine, but when the Stormcloaks do it against the Imperials (who are practically an invasion force themselves and have little claim to the land anyway, especially with Torryg's death) its baleful treason. Bonus points in that when Imperial loyalist characters in the game are confronted with this they literally have no counter-argument.
** On the other hand, the Empire was never a part of the Aldmeri Dominion, and never claimed to be loyal to them or agreed to follow their laws, while Skyrim has been a part of the Empire for centuries. Also, killing Torygg doesn't automatically make Ulfric High King unless the moot proclaims him to be, so him telling the Empire to get out doesn't have any validity, especially when there are more Jarls supportive of the Empire staying in Skyrim (4, 5 after Ulfric's ultimatim forces Balgruuf to choose a side) than there are supportive of Ulfric in wanting them to leave (3, 4 if you include Ulfric himself). However, it is admitted even by Torryg's court that Ulfric's challenge was lawful and had Torryg refused, the Jarls would have been honour-bound to take him off the throne and convene the Moot, thus it is heavily implied that under normal circumstance Ulfric ''would'' be High King at this point, had the Empire not intervened and imposed itself on Skyrim's internal affairs.
* PunchClockVillain: For a Stormcloak-alligned character, they're this because they don't entirely agree with persecuting Talos worshipers, but they'd rather not get on the Thalmor's bad side either.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: As a whole, they are fairly benevolent.
* ShootTheDog: Giving "large sections" of Hammerfell to the Dominion, as well as banning Talos worship, in order to stop the Great War. Needless to say, the Redguards were not pleased about essentially being sacrificed to the Thalmor, and they were able to drive out the Dominion themselves (this is used, both in-universe and by fans, as why the Empire was wrong to surrender). The Nords were likewise not happy about one of their most popular gods being banned, and this is one of the prime motivations for the Stormcloak rebellion.
* TheEmpire: Them being a foreign power who controls different nation, with a different culture, is used for drama.
* FantasticRacism: While it cannot be disputed that they are the ''least'' racist faction in the setting, they do generally express a low opinion of Nords, thinking them to be primitive, lawless, brutal savages.
* VestigialEmpire: Currently only controls Cyrodiil, Skyrim, High Rock, and whatever is left of Morrowind. To make matters worse, much of Skyrim is rebelling against their rule. And since Skyrim bridges all of these regions together, if the Stormcloaks win the civil war, the Empire could be fatally fractured. And it gets better, conversation between Ulfric and Galmar implies that High Rock is barely at all involved in Imperial affairs and is only tangentially allies with the Empire. A fact they tried to use in order to ally with them, but failed in doing so. On the other hand, if the Empire wins the civil war, the Blades are reformed, and [[spoiler: the Dark Brotherhood is destroyed]], the Empire might actually start to pull itself out of this rut, as this is the most stable it has been in ''centuries.''

!!General Tullius
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Hogan

-->''"Battles are won by trained and disciplined men. ''Wars'' are won by talented and exceptional individuals."''

Commander of all Legion forces in Skyrim. Sent to the province as a troubleshooter by the Emperor to deal with the Stormcloak rebellion.

* AFatherToHisMen
* AnticlimaxBoss: See the entry for Ulfric. Not quite as pronounced as Ulfric, though, as his abilities in combat aren't hyped up in the Stormcloak campaign at all.
* AntiVillain: He's just a man doing his job, serving his emperor to the best of his ability and trying his hardest to preserve the Empire that he loves.
* TheArcher: In the [[spoiler: Battle of Windhelm,]] he favors his bow, though he [[BowAndSwordInAccord uses a sword too.]]
* BigBad[=/=]BigGood: Of the Stormcloak and Imperial campaigns, respectively.
* {{Badass}}
** FourStarBadass: He claims that he's a 'troubleshooter' for the Emperor; basically he's sent where the opposition is most fearsome.
** BadassGrandpa: Well, he's got grey hair so, eh.
* CulturalPosturing: He's fond of this. Then again, the Empire and Skyrim are in the midst of a pretty big CultureClash, as well as a war, so what the Stormcloaks view as business as usual, the Empire views as anarchy.
--> ''If it wasn't for the Legion the provinces would descend to barbarity and anarchy. Even Skyrim, especially Skyrim.''
* DeadpanSnarker: A bit of this towards Nords and their warlike customs.
* DespairEventHorizon: At the end of the Stormcloak questline. [[spoiler:By the time you reach him during the Battle of Solitude, he's essentially given up. Rikke even says as much, though he'll still get up and fight you alongside her. Before he's executed he even tells Ulfric that his rebellion has given the Thalmor exactly what they want.]]
* {{Expy}}: Of JuliusCaesar.
* GrumpyOldMan: You get the feeling that he'd rather get this war over with to prepare for greater threats like the inevitable second war with the Thalmor.
* FantasticRacism: He considers Nords and their culture foolish. Unlike Ulfric though, Tullius doesn't let his views influence his policies.
* FriendlyEnemy: See Ulfric's entry. You're welcome to come into Castle Dour and chat him up despite being the reason why the Legion is almost routed from Skyrim. Taken further than Ulfric in that if you're a Stormcloak and on Avulstein Grey-mane's quest, you can request Tulius to release a Thalmor prisoner. He sarcastically tells you that it's impossible, but hey.
* {{Jerkass}}: Given his general demeanor, his disdain for the Nordic people (and indeed, almost all of the client states of the Empire, if his statement of all of them being barbarous and anarchic without the Legion is to be taken as serious), his first reaction to the Dovakiihn if he tries to join the legion, and his drawing out of the execution of Stormcloak soldiers and brutally executing them before Ulfric's eyes for no reason other than to torture and antagonize him, one could say Tullius fits this.
** JerkWithAHeartOfGold: If you think the Empire is necessary for Skyrim's protection and prosperity. He's also generally good to his men.
* HypercompetentSidekick: To Jarl Elisif.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: To a greater extent than Ulfric. While he's a bit snide, he remains very approachable throughout the Imperial campaign, and it shows that he truly cares for his men and the Empire.
* RedOniBlueOni: The blue to Ulfric's red. Also the blue to Rikke's red.
* SayMyName: [[spoiler:When he, you, and Rikke make the final confrontation with Ulfric, Tullius shouts out Ulfric's full name (but not titles) before listing off his crimes.]]
* ShutUpHannibal: During the peace treaty, after Ulfric makes a speech about how he considers being present with the Empire an insult, he has this to say.
-->''"Are you done? Did you just come all the way to make speeches?"''
* TheStrategist: He masterminded Ulfric Stormcloak's capture and had a [[SpannerInTheWorks dragon not attacked Helgen,]] he likely would have succeeded in snuffing out the Stormcloaks then and there. Hadvar notes that, since taking command, Tullius managed to turn the situation in Skyrim around, from a complete rout for the Empire to a near victory... [[spoiler:before Alduin [[SpannerInTheWorks interrupts]] before Ulfric can be executed.]]

!!Legate Rikke
--> '''Voiced by:''' Claudia Christian

* ActionGirl
* CoolHelmet: For some reason, she discards it when [[spoiler:you and the Stormcloaks corner her and Tullius in Castle Dour.]].
* DeadpanSnarker: If an Imperial-allied player decides to hold the Greybeards' Peace Talks, Rikke will let slip some very snide (and very funny) comments whenever Ulfric speaks.
* TheDragon[=/=]NumberTwo: To Tullius.
* LastStand: At the end of the Stormcloak campaign, Ulfric and Galmar offer her the chance to stand down out of respect for their past together. She refuses.
* [[ColonelBadass Legate Badass]]: The structure of Legion ranks puts "Legate" in a position closely akin to "Colonel", which is the highest rank of line officers in modern militaries.
* MilitaryBrat: Both her parents were in the Imperial Legion, and part of the reason she joined was to honor them.
* PatrioticFervor: Unlike Tullius, who's mainly in Skyrim because it's his duty, Rikke is openly proud of being both a daughter of Skyrim and a legate in the Legion. She sees nothing contradictory in being both.
* [[RealMenLoveJesus Real Warrior Women Love Talos]]: When asked about her opinion on her faith, she curtly cuts you off, saying it's not up for discussion. [[spoiler:After the deed is done on Ulfric, she gives him the parting words "Talos guide you."]]
* RedOniBlueOni: Red to Tullius's blue.
* SarcasticDevotee: Though she avoids outright insubordination, she's not afraid to explain to her superior in rather flat terms why his shallow knowledge of Nord culture will lead to disaster.
* SergeantRock
* WeUsedToBeFriends: Served with Galmar and Ulfric during the Great War, holds Galmar in high respect, but thinks Ulfric's gone mad with power. Ironically, however, she tries to use her former friendship with Ulfric as a lever to persuade him to cease his rebellion. [[WhatAnIdiot Right after he pretty much takes Solitude]].

!!Hadvar
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jonas Fisch

* ActionSurvivor
* TheArcher
* {{Badass}}: In universe, surviving Helgen qualifies you.
* ComeWithMeIfYouWantToLive
* GoodCounterpart[=/=]EvilCounterpart: To Ralof, depending on what side the Dragonborn takes in the war.
* ItGetsEasier: Hadvar discusses this with you at one point, and wonders if it's really a good thing.
* TheLancer: To a pro-Imperial Dragonborn.
* NiceGuy: Visibly uncomfortable with executing people without cause. Won't hesitate to help you when a dragon arrives. And while other Legionnaires are disturbingly gung-ho about killing Stormcloaks, he actually feels bad about killing his countrymen and wishes there could be a peaceful resolution soon.
** Further, if you escape Helgen with him and follow him to Riverwood he explains various things you pass, fights animals with you, invites you into his Uncle's home, shares supplies, compliments you on your abilities and says to avoid Imperial patrols until you meet General Tullius so that you are not mistakenly arrested again.
* NotSoDifferent: To Ralof. Over the course of the Legion questline, Hadvar expresses many of the same views as Ralof about the war, a truce, and taking the lives of Stormcloaks. Of course, this is probably because they fill the same role in their respective questlines. It should also be noted that Hadvar and Ralof both know each other, both being from Riverwood, and neither of them like the other.
* [[RealMenLoveJesus Real Men Love Talos]]
* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: First shows signs of this when he objects to Helgen's Captain ordering your execution (the Captain sharply orders him to shut up), and shows it in full force when he offers to help you escape Alduin, despite the fact that you're technically a convicted "Stormcloak".

!!Commander Maro

Leader of the Penitus Oculatus, the emperor's bodyguards since the fall of the Blades.

* AntiVillain[=/=]HeroAntagonist: Seeing as the Dark Brotherhood commits many ''exceptionally'' monstrous crimes over the course of the game, he ends up, at worst, the former; at best (assuming the Dovahkiin joins the Dark Brotherhood rather than [[spoiler: killing Astrid]]), the latter.
* {{Expy}}: Of Adamus Philida, both being Imperial commanders that threaten the Dark Brotherhood.
* ItsPersonal: His primary motivation for going after the Dark Brotherhood is because [[spoiler:you murdered his son and framed him for treason.]]
* OhCrap: [[spoiler:He does this if you choose to confront him after the raid of the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary.]]
* PraetorianGuard
* PapaWolf: Don't mess with his kid.
* [[spoiler:RoaringRampageOfRevenge]]
* SarcasticClapping
* [[spoiler:[[YouKilledMyFather You Killed My Son]]: The Dark Brotherhood sanctuary suffers fiery vengeance for doing so.]]

!!Emperor Titus Mede II
--> '''Voiced by:''' Wes Johnson

Current ruler of the Empire. His namesake was the founder of the Mede dynasty.

* BadassGrandpa: A talented general, he managed to encircle the entire Dominion army occupying the Imperial City during the Great War and obliterate it. He then captured Lord Naarfin, the Thalmor commander, and hung him from the White-Gold Tower, alive, for thirty-three days before having him killed. One account suggests the Thalmor commander was carried off by daedra on the thirty-fourth day.
* BiggerBad: If you're a Stormcloak.
* CoolSword: According to rumors, he wielded the Daedric Artifact "Goldbrand" during the Battle of the Red Ring. This was never confirmed by the Empire itself.
* TheEmperor: Though a mostly personally nice one, even if you think he's a weak rule.
* [[spoiler:FaceDeathWithDignity: And how.]]
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: His, and by extension, the Empire's justification for the White-Gold Concordat.
* [[spoiler:LastRequest]]: [[spoiler:Before you kill him, he asks that you kill the man who contracted you to kill him.]]
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure
* VindicatedByHistory: In universe, his decision to retreat from the Imperial City and link up with reinforcements from Skyrim. Those armies later crushed the Thalmor and saved the Empire from total destruction at the Battle of the Red Ring.
* WonTheWarLostThePeace: Titus II ultimately accomplished his goal in making the Thalmor retreat from Cyrodiil, but was unable to capitalize on that victory because his army and empire were in no condition to continue. The White-Gold Concordat was the best he was able to get out of the Thalmor, but it wasn't acceptable to the Stormcloaks, hence the Civil War. Furthermore, the Concordat also ruined relations with Hammerfell, who rejected the treaty.
* YouCantFightFate: He believes that [[spoiler:once you're targeted by the Dark Brotherhood, there is no escaping them.]]

!!Legate Fasendil

An altmeri Legate, in charge of the Rift hold.

* MyCountryRightOrWrong: Why he's in the Legion. The Empire isn't perfect, but it's the best option Tamriel has, and the best way he can protect Tamriel is by being a Legionaire.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: He's an Altmer legate in the Legion, and has nothing but scorn for the Thalmor. He was in Hammerfell searching for relatives amongst the dissident refugees from Summerset on the "Night of Green Fire", where Thalmor agents decided to pursue the refugees into Hammerfell to slaughter them wholesale. Despite the best efforts of him and any other on-leave legionaries he could round up, it was for naught.
* PhysicalScarsPsychologicalScars: He has a noticeable scar across his face. From the description he gives of his service, one wonders if his permanent scowl is due to typical Altmer haughtiness or from all the grim things he's seen in the service.

!!High King Torygg

The former High King of Skyrim, he was killed in a duel by Ulfric Stormcloak prior to the events of the game, thus setting off the Civil War.

* AChildShallLeadThem: He's referred to as a "Boy-King". In actuality, he's a full-grown adult though he is very young for the position of the ruler of all Skyrim.
* CurbStompBattle: It's noted that even if Ulfric didn't have the Thu'um, he was an experienced veteran in his prime while Torygg was a young man with limited martial training.
* FaceDeathWithDignity
--> [[spoiler: ''"I faced him fearlessly - my fate inescapable, yet my honor is unstained - can Ulfric say the same?"'']]
* HappilyMarried: It seems that he and Elisif really did care for each other as his death affected her deeply and [[spoiler:he states that his only regret is leaving her a grieving widow.]]
* HeroWorshipper: He was stated to have the deepest respect for Ulfric and would have declared Skyrim's independence had he just asked. [[spoiler:By the time you meet him in Sovngarde, he has nothing but scorn for him.]] To be fair, however, Ulfric was unaware of this.
* PosthumousCharacter: [[spoiler:However, it's possible to meet him in Sovngarde]].

[[/folder]]

[[folder: The Companions]]

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. Headquartered in the mead hall Jorrvaskr, in Whiterun, in front of the legendary Sky Forge.

!! The Guild In General

* AnarchyIsChaos: Averted. They operate without a defined leader, although the Harbinger comes fairly close to one.
* AnAxeToGrind: They gather and protect the fragments of Wuuthrad, legendary axe of the first Nord king, Ysgramor. [[spoiler:You acquire the reassembled weapon at the end of the quest.]]
* AnimalMotifs: Their uniform carries a very heavy wolf motif. [[spoiler:Given their predicament, this is ironic.]]
* AntiHero: They're good people who protect Whiterun and are noble warriors, but [[spoiler:they're werewolves, and many of them 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.
** They're also not above hiring themselves as hired muscles to intimidate others, specifically trouble-makers.
* MeaningfulName: Like the name suggest, completing their quests will eventually give you access to 7 potential companions.
* [[spoiler:OurWerewolvesAreDifferent]]
* [[spoiler:[[FriendlyNeighborHoodVampire Friendly Neighborhood Werewolves]]]]
** Subverted: [[spoiler: Vilkas and Farkas will eventually request that you help them cure their lycanthropy. The Dovahkiin can cure themselves too, making Aela the only werewolf in the Circle, and by extension, the entire guild.]]
* {{PMC}}: They've been this at points in time. However, they're neutral as far as the Civil War goes and mostly take jobs to deal with criminals or to clear out crypts.
* RatedMForManly: They're a guild of grizzled Vikings who live in a great meadhall to rival Heorot, value strength and honour above all else, and who never shy away from battle.
* TrueCompanions: 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 in the case of Arnbjorn, who was kicked out for presumably being too bloodthirsty for the group.

!!Kodlak Whitemane
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Donovan

The current Harbinger of the group, he's getting a bit world-weary.

* AFatherToHisMen: Being a Harbinger is basically being a father figure to the Companions, dispensing guidance and wisdom on matters of honour. But specifically, he's a father figure to the player. As 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. [[spoiler: And after his death you are told he loved you very much, much like a father.]]
* {{Badass}}
** BadassBeard: But of course.
** BadassBaritone
** BadassGrandpa: His sobriquet isn't "Whitemane" for nothing...
** BadassLonghair
* CoolOldGuy
* DropTheHammer: His weapon of choice is apparently a Steel Warhammer.
* [[spoiler: DreamingOfThingsToCome: 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.]]
* [[spoiler:MilesToGoBeforeISleep: 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.]]
* [[spoiler:VikingFuneral: 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 Sky Forge, attended by a lot of notables from Whiterun including the current Jarl. His ashes somehow reinvigorate the Sky Forge.]]

!!Aela the Huntress
--> '''Voiced by:''' Claudia Christian

* ActionGirl
* TheArcher
* AxeCrazy: A bit.
* BadassFamily: Comes from a long line of former Companions.
* BloodKnight: She's the only member of the companions who's vocal about wanting to fight in the Civil War. Notably, though, she doesn't state a preference for either side, she's just worried others are stealing honor and glory that belongs to the Companions. She also has a lust for hunting.
** She will fight for your side in the Battle for Whiterun if you are married to her, have her as your follower, and side with the Stormcloaks. She is stationed by the Imperial archers and starts taking them out the moment you get to the gate.
* [[spoiler:CursedWithAwesome: She embraces her lycanthropy and views it as a gift instead of a curse.]]
* CynicalMentor: She initially believes the Dragonborn needs to earn the right to be one of the Companions.
** Its telling however that she deems you worthy when Kodlak reveals she's only come to you to take on the Silver Hand.
* HeroesWantRedheads: If the Dovahkiin chooses to marry her.
* MayDecemberRomance: Subverted. There's a rumor going around that she's involved with Skjor, but she states that it is untrue.
* MsFanservice
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: [[spoiler: Aela's RoaringRampageOfRevenge leads to the Silver Hand retaliating and Kodlak being killed.]]
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: [[spoiler:After The Silver Hand kills Skjor, she enlists the Dovahkiin's help in taking the fight to them]].
* {{Sideboob}}
* SexyBacklessOutfit: Her armor shows a lot of sexy back.
* {{Stripperific}}
* TribalFacePaint

!!Farkas
--> '''Voiced by:''' Popeye Vogelsang

A strong, simple man. Twin brother of Vilkas.

* {{BFS}}: His default weapon.
* DumbMuscle: He's aware he is, though it doesn't phase him much.
* FiveFingerDiscount: Believe it or not, he has the ''highest'' pickpocket stat of any potential Follower.
* GentleGiant: A bear of a man, but he's also one of the friendliest Companions the Dovahkiin encounters and is quick to accept him/her into the group (especially compared to his brother, who isn't convinced you're good enough).
** BewareTheNiceOnes: ...But pose as a threat to him or his shield-brethern, and he will tear you a new one.
* [[spoiler:MeaningfulName: Hungarian for "wolf".]]
* MrFanservice: Has his share of fangirls among the community.
* NiceGuy
* PermaStubble
* PolarOppositeTwins: He's the stronger of the twins, even regarding his [[spoiler:lycanthropy; he can withstand the bloody urges of his bestial nature better than his brother.]]
* StoneWall: He's the Master trainer for the Heavy Armor skill.
* [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes Why Does It Have To Be Spiders?]]: Becomes afraid of frostbite spiders after a mission.

!!Vilkas
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

Twin brother to Farkas, a more contemplative and thoughtful counterpart to his twin.

* {{Badass}}
* {{BFS}}: His default weapon, like his brother. He's also the Companion's designated Two-Handed Weapons trainer, so he can even teach you a thing or two about over-sized weaponry. He's also seen lecturing the other members on the finer points of two-handers.
* CynicalMentor: He tells Kodlak when you first join the Companions that you don't seem Companion material. If you're perform especially well against him (ie: deal a lot of damage) he compliments your combat prowess greatly, however. And at the end of the Companions Questchain he accepts you as Harbinger, with the knowledge that you're an especially good fighter.
* FlatEarthAtheist: While his religious beliefs aren't deeply expanded upon, he makes it clear that he doesn't give a damn about the worship of Talos being outlawed, which is his reason for remaining neutral on the civil war (aside from the Companion Tradition of not getting involved in politics). As he puts it, "Who cares who worships which dead gods? Give me a reason to draw my sword!"
** Yet, there is a copy of Nords Arise! in his room, hinting that he may be a Stormcloak sympathizer and may be resentful of the Talos ban. That or he just reads whatever he gets his hands on.
* GeniusBruiser: He's said to have the intellect of Ysgramor.
* HeroicBSOD: [[spoiler:after his RoaringRampageOfRevenge, he realized that it was not how Kodlak would have wanted, and was overwhelmed by his guilt and sadness that he can't follow the player character and others into the tomb.]]
* TheLancer: For you should you join the Companions. He also seems to be your second-in-command when you're Harbinger.
* [[spoiler:MeaningfulName: Lithuanian for "wolf".]]
** [[spoiler:Also Finnish & Hungarian for 'lively', ironically.]]
* PermaStubble
* PolarOppositeTwins: The smarter of the twins, he is prone to and fearful of [[spoiler:succumbing to the more savage urges of lycanthropy.]]
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: [[spoiler:After Kodlak was killed by the Silver Hand, he and the player character set off to recover the stolen artifacts and went on a rampage on the Silver Hand encampment.]]

!!Skjor

* BackToBackBadasses: 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.
* BaldOfAwesome
* BloodBrothers: He's stood side by side in battle with every member of the companions, and trusts each of them with his life, which is more than he can say about the family that raised him. As he puts it, "The bonds of sweat are stronger than those of blood."
* [[spoiler:CursedWithAwesome: Like Aela, he embraces lycanthropy despite Kodlak's concerns.]]
* [[spoiler:DroppedABridgeOnHim]]
* LeeroyJenkins: [[spoiler:He dies after charging into a Silver Hand encampment and getting in over his head.]]
* MeaningfulName: Skjor is Norwegian for 'fragile'. [[spoiler:Guess how long he lasts in this quest chain]].

!!Njada Stonearm

* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: Favors a sword and shield combo, and trains in the blocking skill.
* TeethClenchedTeamwork: 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. Especially if you marry her, in which case pretty much all the jerk in her dissolves - for you, at least.
** She's rather schizophrenic about it. After becoming the Harbinger, she sarcastically asks about what guidance you can offer her. When you press E to talk with her, she genuinely calls you a true and great friend.

!!Ria

Before you came along, she was the newest member of the Companions.

* NaiveNewcomer: Also a WideEyedIdealist. 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).
* PsychoLesbian: Apparently there's a glitch that causes her to attack you if you marry Aela. Fandom's chosen to interpret this as her being in love with Aela and trying to kill you in a fit of jealously. There are some subtle hints that she might be into Aela, though its hard to tell if it's LesYay or hero worship.
* TokenMinority: The only Imperial in the group.

!!Athis
--> '''Voiced by:''' Keith Szarabajka

A Dunmeri bladesman, making him an oddity in the almost entirely Nordic ranks of the Companions.

* ArrogantKungFuGuy: Fairly subtle about it, but when discussing weapon preferences with Torvar he claims he could strike the Nord several times before he finished his swing.
* TokenMinority
* KnifeNut: Prefers shortblades. Gets into arguments with other Companions over their effectiveness.

!!Torvar

A junior member of the Companions who is in it more for the mead-drinking than the fighting.

* TheAlcoholic
* BloodKnight: 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.

!!Tilma the Haggard

The housekeeper for Jorrvaskr for as long as anyone can remember. Not ''officially'' a member of the Companions, but still a close confidante.

* {{Maid}}
* ParentalSubstitute: Said to be the closest thing Vilkas and Farkas had to a mother.
* SecretKeeper: "I see everything, hear everything, and ''know'' everything." [[spoiler: Meaning she knows the Circle are werewolves.]]

!!Eorlund Gray-Mane

The master blacksmith who works the legendary Sky Forge, which is capable of creating steel of exquisite quality. Also not an actual member but a supporter.

* {{Badass}}: Reforging the legendary axe of the father of the Nordic people and one of the mightiest weapons of Tamriel perhaps qualifies you for this.
** BadassBeard
** BadassGrandpa: Eorlund will not hesitate to help you take out the guards if they're after you.
** BadassLonghair
* TheBlacksmith: Considered by most to be the finest in Skyrim, and by some to be the finest in Tamriel. Though at least one of his competitors mentions that while Eorlund is exceptionally skilled, working the Sky Forge gives him an unfair advantage.
* CoolOldGuy: 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.
* {{Jerkass}}: Can come off as a bit of this at times when responding to questions he finds obvious.
* TheUltimateBlacksmith: After [[spoiler: Kodlak's funeral]] he reforges Wuuthrad, fabled axe of Ysgramor, founder of the Companions. He's also the master smithing trainer.
** Also runs The Ultimate Forge -- after the final Companion quest the Skyforge can forge a unique set of equipment and weapons.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: The Dark Brotherhood]]

The EvillyAffable followers of [[ThePowerOfTheVoid Sithis]] and [[EldritchAbomination the Night Mother]]. This once infamous [[MurderInc 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. [[AllUpToYou A new Listener would turn things around]], or the wrong person can destroy the organization forever....

!!The Night Mother
--> '''Voiced by:''' Lani Minella

The true leader of the Dark Brotherhood, but she only communicates with her chosen Listener.

* EldritchAbomination
** HumanoidAbomination: When she was alive.
* OffingTheOffspring: She bore Sithis five children... and murdered them to gain his approval.
* PosthumousCharacter
* SpiritAdvisor

!!Astrid
--> '''Voiced by:''' Cindy Robinson

Matron of the Falkreath Sanctuary and de-facto leader of the Dark Brotherhood with the Night Mother silent.

* AffablyEvil: Yes, she is an unrepentant murderess, but she genuinely loves her adopted family.
* ControlFreak: She is "Matron" of the Dark Brotherhood and dislikes the idea of a Listener usurping her authority.
* FlatEarthAtheist: She doesn't put much stock in the Night Mother, despite worshipping Sithis and living in a world full of active gods. Then again, this is mostly due to her being a ControlFreak who doesn't want to be overthrown.
* [[spoiler:HazyFeelTurn: She sells out the Dovahkiin to Commander Maro in order to save the Sanctuary. It doesn't work.]]
* IfYoureSoEvilEatThisKitten: She initiates the Dragonborn by forcing him/her to kill one of three bound and gagged individuals. The player can either do so ([[AssholeVictim not that they're particularly likeable people]]) or [[TakeAThirdOption kill Astrid instead]], which will change the questline to destroying the Dark Brotherhood.
** Extra funny in that the victims are a terrified mercenary named "Fultheim the Fearless," a jerkass Nord woman, and a FauxAffablyEvil Khajiit.
* [[spoiler:RewardedAsATraitorDeserves]]
* SmugSnake: [[spoiler:Proves to be a fairly incompetent manipulator whose scheme to sell you out backfired enormously.]]
* [[spoiler:SuicideByCop: Following Commander Maro's attack and her HeelRealization, she uses her horribly burned body as a Black Sacrament to put a contract on herself]].
* [[spoiler:TheUriahGambit]]
* [[spoiler:TooDumbToLive: Sells the player out to Commander Maro, expecting him to leave the Dark Brotherhood alone forever in return. ''After'' [[YouKilledMyFather having his son killed]].]]
* UnholyMatrimony: She's married to Arnbjorn, though she doesn't like talking about to avoid showing favoritism.

!!Arnbjorn
--> '''Voiced by:''' Popeye Vogelsang

-->''You're part of a family now, hamshank. I trust you, you trust me ...got it?''
Husband of Astrid and gruff werewolf assassin.

* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking:
--> "Here's all you need to know: I'm a werewolf. I like killing things. I love Astrid. I hate annoying people. [[WeaksauceWeakness And the color blue gives me a headache.]]"
* BigBadassWolf
* BloodKnight: To the point that his bloodlust was too much for the Companions.
* DoesNotLikeShoes: He goes barefoot everywhere. Most likely due to his lycanthropy.
* TheDragon: To Astrid.
* [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal]]
** [[spoiler:LastStand]]
* TheNicknamer: 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 he sees everyone as food.
* TokenEvilTeamMate: Not for the Dark Brotherhood, obviously, but he used to be this for the Companions. Eventually they kicked him out over it.
* UnholyMatrimony: He's married to Astrid.

!!Nazir
--> '''Voiced by:''' Erik Todd Dellums

A Redguard assassin who helps manage contracts.

* [[spoiler:BlackDudeDiesFirst: Inverted - he's one of the only three survivors of the Penitus Oculatus' raid on the Sanctuary.]]
* TheComicallySerious: Has a lengthy list of entertainers he hates.
* DeadpanSnarker
--> '''Nazir:''' Congratulations. You slaughtered an emaciated beggar in cold blood. You are truly an opponent to be feared.
* TheDragon: [[spoiler:He becomes your second in command in the Dawnstar Sanctuary.]]
* EvilSoundsDeep
* FanNickname: Brozir. [[spoiler:It helps that he's one of the three people who survive the attack on the Sanctuary.]]
* PungeonMaster: After you complete your first dead drop.
--> '''Nazir:''' Of course the miner is dead, I've heard their industry is rather... cut throat! And those hours? Murder. I can keep this up all day.
* ScaryBlackMan
* SinisterScimitar: One of the ''very'' few named [[NonPlayerCharacter NPCs]] of any prominence to wield one in the game. Unsurprising as he basically looks like a red-garbed Alik'r warrior, who all wield [[NationalWeapon "curved]] [[MemeticMutation swords"]].

!!Babette
--> '''Voiced by:''' Harley Graham

A vampire of three hundred years who uses her child-like appearance to her advantage.

* CreepyChild: She was turned into a vampire when she was ten years old. Also keeps a Frostbite Spider as a pet.
* DeliberatelyCuteChild: Her preferred tactic when assassinating is to pretend to be a normal innocent child.
* InfantImmortality: Both literally and figuratively. [[spoiler:She doesn't even show up if you decide to "Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!" route.]]
* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler: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.]]
* MasterPoisoner: The master trainer for Alchemy.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent
* Really700YearsOld: She's over three hundred on account of her vampirism.

!!Veezara
--> '''Voiced by:''' Renee Victor

An Argonian assassin from the extinct Shadowscale order.

* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: Before meeting the Dark Brotherhood, at least.
** IOweYouMyLife: Astrid gave him a reason to live again... that is, killing people.
* [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal]]
* LastOfHisKind: One of the last Shadowscales.
* WeNeedADistraction: Helps divert attention from you after a deliberately public assassination.

!!Gabriella
--> '''Voiced by:''' Julianne Buescher

A Dunmer assassin of "simple, yet refined tastes."

* TheArcher
* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: 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.
* [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal]]

!!Festus Krex
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jim Cummings

An elder assassin who believes that there's a spell for every circumstance.

* BerserkButton: 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.
* EvilSorceror
* {{Expy}}: Of Gogron gro-Bolmog, the orc member of ''Oblivion'''s Dark Brotherhood. Like Gogron, Festus urges the player to forgo the traditional methods of assassination (stealth, daggers, etc) in favor of a more direct and gruesome approach. In his case, magic instead of a hammer.
* ForScience: 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.
* GrumpyOldMan: Describes himself as the "cranky old uncle" of the Dark Brotherhood family.
* [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal]]
* WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer: He appreciates the stealth aspect of assassination, but he prefers to simply walk up to the target, politely introduce himself, and melt their face off.
--> 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
--> '''Voiced by:''' Andrew Morris

-->''The Night Mother is part of you now. You get to hear voices in your head! The rest of us should be so lucky.''

A psychotic jester who brings the Night Mother's coffin to the Falkreath Sanctuary.

* AxCrazy: His default state of mind.
* BewareTheSillyOnes: 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.
* ChekhovsGunman: It's possible to encounter him (and his "passenger") on the road long before you ever join the Dark Brotherhood.
* CloudCuckooLander: The only Dark Brotherhood member who still cares about the Night Mother, regularly attempting to communicate with her.
** [[spoiler:TheCuckoolanderWasRight: Unfortunately for Cicero, he isn't the Listener. He takes it well when the true Listener is revealed, though.]]
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: He manages to incapacitate [[spoiler:Arnbjorn]] with just his knife.
* EvilRedhead: It's mostly obscured by his hat, but his hair's still visible.
* GigglingVillain
* HappyDance: Once in a while he'll do a jig on the spot.
* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler:Along with Babette, he will not present in the Sanctuary if you're there to wipe out the Brotherhood. Evidently he'll never finish the trip.]]
* KnifeNut: His preferred weapon is a simple knife.
* LargeHam: He's an AxCrazy jester. What do you expect?
* NiceHat: It's a jester's hat, of course.
* ObviouslyEvil: When he's stranded in the middle of the road due to a damaged wheel of his carriage, a local farmer [[ProperlyParanoid refused to help him]] because of Cicero's incredibly suspicious behavior. Of course, the farmer can be convinced otherwise or wind up dead.
* SanitySlippage: 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.
* SycophanticServant: Towards the Night Mother. [[spoiler:If he's alive by the end of the Dark Brotherhood questline, then he becomes this to the Dragonborn.]]
* TheFool: He even refers to himself as the Fool of Hearts.
* ThirdPersonPerson: He slips in and out of this rather inconsistently. It helps he's completely mad.
* VillainousHarlequin: The persona is partly due to a Jester that was his last contract before becoming the Keeper, which combined with the above experience eventually came to haunt him.
* [[spoiler:WoundedGazelleGambit]]

!!The Spectral Assassin
--> '''Voiced by:''' [[spoiler:Wes Johnson]]

An ancient assassin which you call forth from the Void. [[spoiler:He is actually Lucien Lachance, the Champion of Cyrodil's mentor from ''Oblivion''.]]

* AxeCrazy: While [[spoiler: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..."
* BelatedHappyEnding: [[spoiler: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.]]
* BloodKnight: "I grow restless...as does my blade."
* CameBackWrong: [[spoiler:He's...certainly less '''collected'' than he was in the last game.]]
* CaptainErsatz: He is, essentially, an evil [[StarWars Obi-Wan Kenobi]].
* FearlessUndead: "There is no pain in the Void!"
* IAmWho: [[spoiler: Lucien Lachance]]
* ImplacableMan: Of a sort. He will assist you until he falls, and can be summoned again if he does.
* LargeHam: '''I LIVE AGAIN!'''
* MotorMouth: A variant of this trope in that while [[spoiler: Lucien's]] speech is still perfectly coherent and steady, he ''never shuts up''. He'll go off on an [[EvilSoundsDeep echoing deep-voiced]] tangent about past events or enacting violence (or both) in any location he accompanies you to without being prompted, even in the middle of a falmer/draugr-infested dungeon or a conversation with another NPC. This wouldn't be too much of a problem...until you've heard [[spoiler: [[WelcomeToCorneria "the tale of Mathieu Bellamont and the great treachery of Cheydinhal"]]]] ''for the millionth time''. So much for preferring the [[spoiler: "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.
* PetTheDog:
-->[[spoiler: Shadowmere... my old and dear friend.]]

!![[spoiler:Shadowmere]]

The [[spoiler:undead]] horse of Astrid [[spoiler: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.

* AmbiguousGender: Considered male by Astrid, [[spoiler:although Lucien called Shadowmere a "she" in ''Oblivion'']].
* BloodKnight: If an enemy is nearby, it ''will'' feel this horse's hooves.
* CoolHorse
* NighInvulnerable: 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.
* RedEyesTakeWarning

[[/folder]]

[[folder: The College of Winterhold]]

!!Savos Aren
--> '''Voiced by:''' Keith Silverstein

* TheArchmage
* DarkSecret: [[spoiler: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, and Savos ended up sacrificing his two surviving colleagues - the others having died on the way - to keep Morokei down there, before escaping the dungeon empty-handed and alone. When the Dovahkiin follows in his footsteps, Morokei firsts assumes s/he must be Savos.]] No one at the College seems to know that Savos ever did such a thing.
** [[spoiler: BreakTheCutie: Savos was very eager and energetic to explore the Labyrinthian; by the end, not so much.]]
* [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal]]
* [[spoiler: TakeUpMySword: Left instructions that in the event of his death, Mirabelle should pass on the ''Torc of Labyrinthian'' when the time was right. It also seems that, after his initial attempts to dissuade the Dragonborn's goal of finding the ''Staff of Magnus'' failed, he decided to subtly prepare the Dragonborn to finish what he started long ago]].

!!Mirabelle Ervine
--> '''Voiced by:''' Mozhan Marnò

* NumberTwo
* HypercompetentSidekick: A lot more active in the administration of the College than Savos.
* [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal]]
* [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice]]
* SternTeacher

!!Tolfdir
--> '''Voiced by:''' George Coe

The Alteration specialist in the college's faculty.

* [[AbsentMindedProfessor Absent-Minded Alchemist]]: He tends to lose his alembic a lot. The Dovahkiin gets a very small gold reward for returning it to him, but it's really just a tip on top of the warm fuzzy feeling.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: A mild-mannered mage, [[LetsGetDangerous until he takes out the fire...]]
* CoolOldGuy
* CoolTeacher
* TheObiWan
* OnlySaneMan: Believes caution must be used when practising magic, unlike the more ''laissez-faire'' attitude of his colleagues.
* NumberTwo: [[spoiler:Takes over as Master-Wizard, replacing Mirabelle, once you become Archmage]].
* PlayingWithFire
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure

!!J'Zargo
--> '''Voiced by:''' André Sogliuzzo

A Khajit apprentice in the same class as you in the College of Winterhold.

* AntiHero: Type III.
* TheArcher: Has a bow for when he needs to sneak around.
* ArrogantKungFuGuy
* {{Badass}}: The only follower capable of leveling up with you all the way to level 81.
* FiveFingerDiscount: 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.
* GeniusDitz: If it doesn't involve magically induced carnage, he doesn't have an opinion on it.
* JackOfAllStats: He has decent stats in several areas, along with mastery of others.
** MasterOfNone: Averted. At level 81, he's maxed out in Destruction, Illusion, Heavy Armor, and One-Handed.
* MagicKnight: Skilled in heavy armor and one handed weapons, he can take damage as well as he can dish it out.
* MasterOfIllusion: The highest Illusion stat of any follower in the game.
* ObfuscatingStupidity: It's impossible to tell if he's an impulsive idiot, or cleverly exploiting the reputation Khajiit have for being a bit dim.
* PlayingWithFire: His quest involves testing out some flame cloak spells he devised, on undead. Spells that take off a significant chunk of the ''user's'' health in the process, by way of [[StuffBlowingUp explosion]].
--> '''J'Zargo:''' Did you try them? Were they ''magnificent''?
--> '''Dovahkiin:''' Were they supposed to explode? Because they exploded.
* TheRival: To everyone he meets.
* StuffBlowingUp: His entire reason for being, so far as he's concerned.
* ThirdPersonPerson: J'Zargo sure likes to speak about J'Zargo whenever J'Zargo has the opportunity.
* ToBeAMaster: J'Zargo wants to become the best in the world at destruction magic.
* VitriolicBestBuds: Once you earn his friendship.
* WorthyOpponent: Sees the Dragonborn as one, particularly if they became Arch-Mage;
--> '''J'zargo''': J'zargo had expected to be named Arch-Mage... but there is still time.

!!Brelyna Maryon
--> '''Voiced by:''' Corri English

A fellow apprentice you meet in your first class at the College Of Winterhold.

* TheArcher: Due to her reluctance to engage in head-on combat, she is fond of pulling out the bow and arrow.
* BalefulPolymorph: See below.
* BumblingSidekick: When you offer to be her testing dummy 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.
* CombatPragmatist: Avoids rushing into combat in favour of using summons, subterfuge and defensive magic.
* CuteWitch: In contrast to the rather dour, world-weary attitude of most dark elf NPC's, she has an innocent and sunny demeanour.
* GirlishPigtails: Though they're often hidden by her hood.
* HeroWorshipper: Is the most enthuastic and congratulative if the Dragonborn becomes Arch-Mage.
* LetUsNeverSpeakOfThisAgain: One of the Dovahkiin's possible reactions to the spell-testing ordeal.
* RoyalBlood: 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.
* WellDoneSonGuy: Her reason for being at the college.

!!Onmund
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jason Marsden

* CulturalRebel: Notable for being one of the few Nords who actually puts faith in magic.
* DueToTheDead: 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 the College conducting an excavation.
* [[KlingonScientistsGetNoRespect Nord Wizards Get No Respect]]

!!Arniel Gane

* [[spoiler:AwesomeYetPractical: A formidable ranged battlemage that can be summoned at Apprentice-level for no magicka cost, no cooldown, is quite resistant to both physical and magical damage and has an AI that keeps enemies at a distance while constantly zapping them with streams of lightning. Having trouble with Malyn Varen's Dremora minions in Azura's Star? Pop in Arniel, sit back and watch the light show.]]
* BareFistedMonk: Despite having access to destruction spells, if he finds himself in combat [[spoiler:before his transformation into a shade]], he tends to end up trying to punch his opponents to death.
* [[spoiler:CameBackWrong: 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.]]
* [[FreakLabAccident Freak Magical Accident]]: [[spoiler:The conclusion of his quest-line sees him smacking at a Warped Soul Gem with [[CallBack Keening]] and subsequently vanishing in a small explosion... only to turn up in the player's spell inventory as a summon.]]
* [[spoiler:OurGhostsAreDifferent]]
* ShockAndAwe: Prefers to dual-cast shock spells Sith Lightning-style [[spoiler:as a Shade]], though he also [[KillItWithFire throws fireballs]] on occasion.

!!Enthir
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell

A shady black-market dealer on the campus.

* ChainOfDeals: 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 s/he can give them back to their owners.
* ChekhovsGunman: [[spoiler: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...]]
* FriendInTheBlackMarket: [[spoiler: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 accept 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. Uh huh.
* PetTheDog: 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 reminiscence fondly and sadly about how he and Gallus met.

!!Faralda

The go-to elf for everything Destruction.

* TheRival: Nirya views Faralda as her rival, but the feeling does not appear to be mutual.
* ShockAndAwe: Her preferred form of Destruction magic.
* ThresholdGuardian: 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.

!!Phinnis Gestor
--> '''Voiced by:''' Keith Silverstein

The college's Conjuration-specialized faculty member.

* {{Necromancer}}: Implied somewhat; 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.
* NoodleIncident: One in Morthal, which he insists was a misunderstanding, despite what the guards claim.
* SummonMagic: 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.

!!Colette Marence

Resident Restoration expert at the college.

* HeartIsAnAwesomePower: She's incredibly paranoid that her colleagues don't respect her [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway mastery of the restoration school]], which is why she'll frequently try to remind you of its many practical applications.
* {{Irony}}: She gets a lot of disrespect at the college for being the Restoration School's expert. Guards [[WelcomeToCorneria frequently]] note their respect for the Restoration School and that Skyrim needs more healers. Although that may be based on [[CivilWar current events]].


!!Urag gro-Shub
--> '''Voiced by:''' Noah Nelson

The librarian of the College.

* BadassBookworm
* CulturedBadass
* MrExposition: Unsurprisingly, he's the go-to guy when it comes to the Elder Scroll and will at least lead you to the right direction.
* ScaryLibrarian: Most librarians will make you pay a fine if you damage their books. Urag gro-Shub is not most librarians.
* SeriousBusiness: Is fiercely devoted to his duties tending to books and threatens to have you torn apart by Atronachs if you damage them.

!!The Augur of Dunlain

A former member of the College, now some sort of... thing living in the caves beneath the College.

* AscendedToAHigherPlaneOfExistence
* EnergyBeing
* MadeOfMagic
* WasOnceAMan

[[/folder]]

[[folder: The Thieves' Guild]]

!!Brynjolf
--> '''Voiced by:''' Robin Atkin Downes

* BigBrotherMentor
* {{Jerkass}}: Can come off to be this when he is first encountered, but he's more like a...
** JerkWithAHeartOfGold: With a side of PunchClockVillain. 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 [[spoiler:come looking for you after you and Mercer go missing, according to Vekel.]]
* LoveableRogue
* NumberTwo: To both Mercer Frey and [[spoiler:you, once you run the guild]]. He does the more day-to-day things while the Guild Master plots big jobs and makes big decisions with the input of the rest of the Guild.
* SinkOrSwimMentor: 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 does not give directions). If you succeed, though, he's impressed and becomes much friendlier toward you.
* SnakeOilSalesman: His method (before your arrival) of getting funds for the Guild. That's how low they've sunk.
* [[spoiler:TookALevelInBadass: Becomes a Nightingale along with the Dovahkiin.]]
* UnexplainedAccent: Despite being a Nord, he speaks with what seems to be a Scottish accent which no other character possesses.
** Might be a reference to Morrowind and Redguard, in which Nords had Scottish accents (particularly in Redguard).

!!Mercer Frey
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell

Current Guild Master, with a few insights into why the organization hasn't been doing so well lately. Witnessed the murder of the last Guild Master, Gallus, and harbors an intense grudge toward the perpetrator, who hasn't been seen since. [[spoiler: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.]]

* [[spoiler:BigBad: Of the Thieves' Guild questline.]]
* BloodKnight: Judging by his fight dialogue, he ''really'' likes killing things. He'll even be vaguely disappointed if it's over too quickly.
* BreadEggsMilkSquick: When you [[spoiler:search his house]], you can find a shopping list that includes "Bread, Eggs, Milk, Cauterizing Agent..."
* [[spoiler:BrokenPedestal]]
* [[spoiler:CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Apparently the ''true'' power of Nocturnal's Skeleton Key. Most thieves just think of it as a simple lockpick (and, indeed, this is all the PlayerCharacter can use it for), but the Key unlocks ''everything that can be unlocked'', including the true 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.]]
* CynicalMentor: 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.
* DeadpanSnarker:
--> '''Mercer Frey:''' Ah, it's one of the infamous Nordic puzzle doors. How quaint.
* [[spoiler:DidYouJustScamCthulhu: Stole the Skeleton Key to empty the Guild Vaults and in doing 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.]]
* DualWielding: A sword and a dagger.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: [[spoiler:DefiedTrope. Mercer mocks the idea that the Thieves' Guild is anything more than a den of thieves and ne'erdowells and claims that it's a delusion to believe otherwise. [[NotSoDifferent You can agree or disagree]], but you kill him anyway.]]
* {{Expy}}/ActorAllusion: My, [[{{Thief}} Garrett]] has certainly gotten older. And grumpier. And of course, he also stole a priceless artifact known as the Eye. [[spoiler:Although even he wasn't this much of a dick.]]
* {{Jerkass}}: Snappish, condescending, and dismissive of the Dovahkiin even if s/he's proven their worth repeatedly. He makes it clear that he'd prefer not to have to deal with him/her 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 [[spoiler:which 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]].
* NotSoDifferent: [[spoiler: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.]]
* PerpetualFrowner: His face seems locked in a permanent scowl. Understandable, given recent events.
* [[spoiler:SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids: 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 either way, [[ShutUpHannibal he attacks you and dies]].]]

!!Karliah
--> '''Voiced by:''' Moira Quirk

Murderer, traitor to the Guild, and the reason for its decline. Whereabouts unknown. [[spoiler:Until you find her and get her side of the story, anyway.]]

* TheArcher: Poisons and arrows are her foremost weapons; she's incredibly skilled with both.
* ClassyCatBurglar: Definitely has this vibe.
* DealWithTheDevil: [[spoiler: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.]]
* [[spoiler:FallGuy: For Mercer.]]
* [[spoiler:HerHeartWillGoOn: After she and the spirit of Gallus say their goodbyes and he moves on to serve Nocturnal, she returns to her old profession to honour him. (And also because money's nice. She ''is'' a thief, and regaining her powers as a Nightingale have just made the job a whole lot more lucrative.)]]
* HoneyTrap: Mercer theorises this was how she got close enough to Gallus to kill him. [[spoiler:He's lying. She loved him.]]
* InterspeciesRomance: She's a Dunmer, Gallus was an Imperial, and they were lovers.
* MyGreatestFailure: Mercer believes his was letting her escape after Gallus' murder. [[spoiler:She believes falling in love with Gallus was hers. It distracted them both and allowed Mercer to get the drop on Gallus.]]
* PurpleEyes: Notable because every single other Dunmer has blood-red eyes. May be partly due to her:
* RoyalBlood: She's the granddaughter of Queen Barenziah, if Gallus' books are to be trusted.
* [[TurnOutLikeHisFather Turn Out Like Her {Grand} Mother:]] 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".
* StagedShooting: [[spoiler: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 bleeding out from the stab wound and Karliah just blew decades of planning to save your life.]]
* TranquilFury: 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''.
* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: 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.

!!Gallus Desidenius
--> '''Voiced by:''' Craig Sechler

The previous Guild Master. His death by betrayal is a big factor in the Guild's current fractured, declining state.

* [[spoiler:DeadPersonConversation]]
* GentlemanThief: As per his relationship with counterpart ClassyCatBurglar Karliah. So charming, he was more than once caught in the act of robbing someone and ''ended up becoming that person's best friend''. Most of the contacts the Guild had came from him because he had such a diverse set of acquaintances, and when he died all those contacts dried up.
* [[spoiler:[[HeKnowsTooMuch He Knew Too Much]]: The reason he died. He came too close to working out where all Mercer's sudden wealth was coming from. The Dovahkiin very nearly suffers the same fate when s/he finds out who really murdered Gallus.]]
* InterspeciesRomance: Was an Imperial in a relationship with a Dunmer.
* MinoredInAsskicking: 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 write his journal in it and also wrote and published actual books. [[spoiler:He even discovered the existence of the Nightingales and learned how to become one more or less single-handed, bringing Mercer and Karliah along for the ride.]]
* [[spoiler:OurGhostsAreDifferent: They're souls given access to the mortal realm through the Ebonmere, in fact. And called Spectral Guardians. Every Nightingale serves a time after death in this state before moving on.]]
* PosthumousCharacter
* [[spoiler:SpiritAdvisor: For the Dovahkiin in the Twilight Sepulcher.]]
* [[spoiler:TogetherInDeath: 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.]]
* [[spoiler:UnfinishedBusiness: The last of the Spectral Guardians in the Twilight Sepulcher who hasn't faded away or gone nuts. This is mostly why.]]

!!Delvin Mallory
--> '''Voiced by:''' Enn Reitel

One of two members of the Guild that hands special assignments to the player. [[spoiler:Also an old friend of Astrid in the Dark Brotherhood and the Guild's main contact between the two factions.]]

* AffablyEvil: You don't get to be that familiar with the Dark Brotherhood without having done something nasty.
** Also, [[spoiler:if you request a Torture Chamber for the Dawnstar Sanctuary at the end of the Dark Brotherhood questline he seems oddly pleased by that particular response.]]
* BigBrotherMentor: 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 tells you he'll deny that if you tell anybody else.
* CovertPervert: 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 bathing again, she'll...cut off something valuable.
* TheCuckooLanderWasRight: 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. [[spoiler:Then you find out about the Twilight Sepulcher, and realize that he was just GenreSavvy.]]
* HiddenDepths: Aside from the aforementioned note, the quote after [[spoiler:Mercer betrays the Guild]] indicates that [[spoiler:he may have been a Dark Brotherhood member at some point, but quit due to a similar betrayal.]]
* StealthExpert: He's the Master trainer for the Sneak skill.
* StockBritishPhrases: He's a ''fountain'' of these.
* UnexplainedAccent: Like Brynjolf, he has a unique accent for some reason. Then again, it might have something to do with him being a Breton.

!!Vex
--> '''Voiced by:''' KariWahlgren

The infiltration expert of the Guild, and the second member that hands special jobs to the player.

* ActionGirl: Held off three wolves by herself until a guy showed up to help. After he did, she [[UngratefulBitch then tried to mug him for his money]]. Afterwards...
* DefeatMeansFriendship: ...When they fought to a standstill, she offered him to join the Guild without a word otherwise or an apology. So more like "draw means friendship".
* DudeMagnet: The male members of the Guild tend to hit on her an awful lot, despite her verbally flaying them alive every single time.
* HotAmazon: One quote sums it up.
-->"I wouldn't want to fight Vex again, but I wouldn't mind a tussle with her."
* IceQueen: In her first conversation, 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.
** DefrostingIceQueen: However, once you start shooting up the ranks she doesn't mind too much, helps out and will eventually (and begrudgingly) congratulate you on your skill.
* KnownOnlyByTheirNickname: Somewhat of a trend in the Thieves Guild, for obvious reasons.
* MasterOfUnlocking: Literally. She's the Master trainer for the Lockpicking skill.

!!Sapphire

* BrokenBird: Doesn't let anyone get too close, and still has issues dealing with the tragedy of her past.
* KnownOnlyByTheirNickname: When asked about her real name, she comments that she might tell you someday, but not today.
* LoanShark: 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.
* RapeAsBackstory: 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.

!!Vipir the Fleet
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

* EmbarrassingNickname: Ask him about his nickname and he will tell you the story of how he and Vex once robbed a house in Winterhold, 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 Winterhold and all the way south, on foot, to Riften... and discovered Vex had beat him there, because she'd remembered her horse and he hadn't. After that, they started calling him Vipir the Fleet.

!!Cynric Endell
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell

* AffablyEvil: He's a very nice guy, accepting of the Dragonborn from the moment they join up, 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 only reasons he joined up with the Thieve's 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 [[{{Thief}} 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.)

!!Thrynn

* EvenEvilHasStandards: 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 defenceless merchants after the clan had robbed them.

!!Dirge

The Ragged Flagon's bouncer.

* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Make him angry, and he'll be the last thing you ever hear.

!!Vald

Not technically a Guild member, but rather Mercer's loyal bodyguard. [[spoiler: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.]]

* [[spoiler:TheDragon: To Mercer Frey]]
* DumbMuscle
* [[spoiler:ScrewThisImOuttaHere: If you clear his debt to Maven by getting her a priceless item from Vald's old ship, he will happily let you investigate Mercer's house without a fight.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Thalmor]]
!!Thalmor

The Thalmor are the ruling government of the Aldmeri Dominion, which is ostensibly a confederation consisting of the Summerset Isles (renamed Alinor) and Valenwood, with the Khajiit kingdoms of Anequina and Pellitine as vassals. In reality, the Altmer of Alinor make up the majority of the Thalmor and have established a fascist government dedicated to conquering all of Tamriel. To that end, they launched the Great War against the Empire of Tamriel, inflicting massive damage across the continent. Despite ultimately being defeated and driven out, the Thalmor were able to force Emperor Titus Mede II to sign the White-Gold Concordat, banning the worship of Talos in the Empire, allowing Thalmor agents to enforce the Talos ban within the Empire, and ceding southern Hammerfell to the Dominion. They are also involved in the current civil war in Skyrim.

* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Even other elves in their own country hate them. They're just too damned terrified of the crazy fascist elves to do anything about it.
** '''Everyone''' in Skyrim hates them. So much so that brutally murdering Thalmor right in front of the Jarl of any hold will net you a tiny bounty (whether for assault or littering is up to your interpretation) which can be negated if you provoke the Thalmor into swinging first.
* ANaziByAnyOtherName
* BatmanGambit: Pulled one off in Skyrim. Having intimate knowledge of Ulfric's psyche [[spoiler:due to his time as a POW]], they are able to goad him into committing seditious acts against the Empire in their bid to weaken it. He may not be a ManchurianAgent, but he's still their UnwittingPawn. Elenwen's attendance in [[spoiler: the peace talks in the "Season Unending" talk can be seen as an attempt to sabotage the peace talks by antagonizing Ulfric]], since peace in Skyrim is bad for the Thalmor's plans.
* BiggerBad: They're (probably) not bigger than [[BigBad Alduin]], but they are bigger than the opposing side of the civil war questline, being the ultimate source of the conflict and the bigger and truly evil enemy to both sides (even if the Empire is more reluctant to acknowledge it).
* ButtMonkey: Because of just about every other trope listed here, the Thalmor almost universally find themselves on the bad side of every player's Dovahkiin.
* CantArgueWithElves: In-universe recognition and perception of this is part of what led to the Skyrim civil war. Ulfric ''can'' argue with elves. More importantly, so can the Dovahkiin.
* ColdBloodedTorture: Detailed in one note in the Thalmor Embassy.
* FakeUltimateHero: They first came to power by claiming to have saved the Summerset Isles from the Oblivion Crisis when the Daedra attacking it suddenly disappeared as a result of [[spoiler:Martin Septim's HeroicSacrifice against Mehrunes Dagon.]] They ''may'' (it's not revealed whether the Thalmor were responsible for removing and returning the moons or not) have done something similar when the moons disappeared, throwing the Khajiit of Elsewyr into chaos; when the moons returned two years later, the Thalmor claimed they were responsible for restoring them through powerful magic, which instantly ingratiated them with the Khajiit.
* FantasticRacism: Even to other elves. One account indicates that the Altmer in Alinor breed like rabbits because the Thalmor are so obsessed with racial purity that they kill nine out of ten newborns for not meeting their standards. They conducted massive purges of Valenwood's population, and they consider humans to be little more than dogs to be either leashed or slaughtered.
** It turns out that they're using their reputation for FantasticRacism as a RedHerring. Everyone assumes tha the Thalmor banned Talos worship because they hate the idea of an ascendant human deity. In truth, [[spoiler: they banned Talos because he's holding the world together, and they want to ''destroy'' the world.]]
* {{Jerkass}}
* MagicKnight: Just about all Thalmor troops can use magic as well as fight in melee. If disarmed they'll whip out a Bound Sword.
* ManipulativeBastard: The Thalmor are not actually all that impressive as a military force, being defeated by the Empire and eventually the weakened Hammerfell cities in their occupied territories. However, they are ''masters'' at intelligence and covert operations and at manipulating other factions from behind the scenes. This was how they managed to first come to power and take Valenwood and Elsewyr, as well as how they managed to wipe out the Blades. Many suspect that the real goal of the Great War was to disrupt relations between Hammerfell and the Empire, and the subsequent Skyrim civil war was masterminded by them as well.
* OurElvesAreBetter: Their opinion on themselves in general. [[ScrewYouElves Everyone else, even other elves, disagree]].
* OmnicidalManiac: Their ultimate goal is [[spoiler: to unmake all of existence, believing that they are cursed with mortal forms by Lorkhan when he made Nirn. Since Talos is critical to the continued existence of Nirn, they want to kill him. Stamping out Talos worship weakens him considerably.]] Though from an in-universe perspective, these goals themselves are not necessarily bad. It's just the methods they are using.
* ThePurge: At least one survivor of a Valenwood purge agrees to help the Dragonborn break into the embassy because the Thalmor murdered his family.
* PuttingOnTheReich: Their robes more than generally resemble Nazi stormcoats.
* RedHerring: [[spoiler: Delphine believes they are behind the dragon attacks. They're not.]]
** [[spoiler: NotMeThisTime]]
* ScrewYouElves: Everyone, even ''[[WordOfGod Bethesda]]''. One dev wanted to put in an "elf grinder" trap that would turn them into sparkly purple powder. "Because they deserve it." They even now provide the image for this trope... in a way.
* StateSec: though after the Great War, the Thalmor are struggling to rebuild their military, with much of their invasion force utterly wiped out in the Battle of the Red Ring and subsequent heavy losses in Hammerfell. They don't have the numbers for overt action....yet.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Their goals are the destruction of Mundus and a return to the original state of existence, a goal which about half the cultures of Tamriel would support. Unfortunately, their current method requires the removal of humanity from the mythic. However, it is possible that the ''souls'' of the dead humans would return to the original state along with everyone else, consider their is no such thing as a "human" soul. There is nothing to excuse the fact that they are [[ANaziByAnyOtherName Nazis By Another Name]], though.

!!Elenwen
-->'''voiced by:''' Jean Gilpin

Emissary of the Thalmor to the region of Skyrim. Also [[spoiler:Ulfric's former interrogator when he was a POW of the Thalmor during the Great War]].

* ANaziByAnyOtherName
* AssInAmbassador: Sort of. She is a bit condescending, of course, but she's much more pleasant about it than her immediate subordinate who flat out tells you "we are going to kill or enslave you all" at a ''party.''
* BadBoss: If you are her servant, you'd better do what she says or she will send you to the torture chambers.
* BiggerBad: She's the leader and/or public face of all the Thalmor in Skyrim, and they're both the reason this whole mess started to begin with as well as a future possible antagonist. They haven't made any big moves yet, what with the unexpected plague of dragons, but a clash somewhere in the future is inevitable.
* BlatantLies: She claims that the CivilWar in Skyrim is beneath the Thalmors' concern. The Dossier [[spoiler:concerning Ulfric Stormcloak]] reveals that the Thalmor are ''very'' concerned about the CivilWar in Skyrim and want it to remain unresolved for as long as possible. [[spoiler:The Thalmor are also responsible for instigating the Civil War in the first place, though they are worried that Ulfric is becoming too powerful to control. They also worry about a Skyrim under Ulfric's leadership.]]
* ChekhovsGunman: She can be glimpsed briefly on horseback talking to General Tullius in Helgen. She doesn't show up until the end of the first act of the main quest.
* ColdBloodedTorture: A veteran of this.
* LeanAndMean
* SmugSnake: Naturally dislikes the Stormcloaks, but (like all Thalmor) has a clear disdain for their Imperial "allies".

!!Ondolemar

A high-ranking member of the Thalmor who works in Markarth to arrest Talos worshippers.

* ANaziByAnyOtherName: As with all Thalmor.
* ButtMonkey: He's a Thalmor, and exceptionally assholish one at that. He's also not wearing any armor, not flagged as essential, and his quest doesn't offer much of a reward, so if you've got a spare forty septims....
* TheDragon: To Elenwen.
* {{Jerkass}}
* KarmicDeath: [[spoiler: It's heavily implied he is killed when/if the Stormcloaks take control of Markarth. He disappears, and a coffin containing items he carries can be found in the Hall of the Dead.]]
** Even if he isn't [[spoiler: killed by the Stormcloaks]], he can [[spoiler: easily be killed by ''you'' by simply walking up to him and lopping off his head. Killing him and his bodyguards will set all the guards into "Stop right there criminal scum!" mode, but you only have to pay a measly forty septims for assault]].
* SmugSnake: "You have the honor of addressing a member of the Thalmor. ''Bask'' in it."

!!Ancano
--> '''Voiced by:''' Alexander Brandon

* ANaziByAnyOtherName: All Thalmor are this, to a man.
* [[spoiler:BigBad: Of the Winterhold College questline.]]
* BlatantLies: 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.
* [[spoiler:DrunkOnTheDarkSide: He goes off the deep end very quickly after tapping into the Eye of Magus.]]
* EvilChancellor: Is evidently an adviser of Savos Aren, though you never actually see him do any actual advising.
* EvilIsSexy: [[invoked]] Invoked. Nirya, an Altmer mage at the College, says that he's up to something, but admits that he's handsome.
* [[spoiler:EvilSorcerer]]
* {{Jerkass}}: Goes without saying; it's the natural state of mind for Thalmor lackeys.
* [[LongHairedPrettyBoy Long]] WhiteHairedPrettyBoy: Ancano is male, has long white hair, and is an elf. The rest follows naturally from that.
* ObviouslyEvil: Even in-game, ''nobody'' trusts him. Even the Altmer mages don't much like him hanging around to "observe" (though one of them does think he's rather attractive).
** He does at least try and make some effort of hiding it, at least at first. He claims he's simply there to foster relations, 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.
* [[spoiler:OmnicidalManiac: He plans to use the Eye of Magnus to destroy Mundus and return all Altmer to pre-creation divinity.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Daedric Princes]]

Powerful god-like spirits (Daedra) who, while not involved in the creation of the world, are often involved in the affairs of mortals. Most tend to be seen as evil, though this varies between cultures. There are 17 known Daedric Princes following the events of ''Shivering Isles'', but only 16 of them are seen in {{Skyrim}}. Note that while they may appear as male or female, Daedric Princes are beyond any such qualification.

!!Tropes applicable to all Daedric Princes:

* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Mortals tend to see them as evil or good, but Daedric Princes often insist they are far beyond these petty limits. Even the good Daedra would point out that applying human morality to beings like the Daedra operates on certain flawed assumptions.
* EvilIsOneBigHappyFamily: Completely averted. Most of the Princes mortals would call evil can't stand each other. Molag Bal and Boethiah have a particularly heated rivalry.
* JerkassGods: Most of them.
* LargeHam: All of them, but especially Molag Bal, Hermaeus Mora, Sheaogorath, and Meridia.
* NoBiologicalSex: Being otherworldly beings, the Daedra don't really have a set biological sex. Several of them are portrayed as male or female in their descriptions and both interpretations are said to be equally valid.
* PhysicalGod

!!Azura
--> '''Voiced by:''' Lynda Carter

The Daedric Prince of Twilight, Dawn and Dusk and Prophecy. Said to be Nocturnal's sister. One of the few Daedras regarded as "good". Azura is (most likely) the one who turned the Chimer into the Dunmer when they broke their oaths. She also was behind the prophecy of the Nerevarine, which formed the plot of ''Morrowind''. In ''Skyrim'', Azura seeks to give the Dovahkiin her artifact, Azura's Star, a re-usable soul gem. Sadly the star has been taken and tampered with, meaning the Dovahkiin needs to recover it and fix it first...

* AbsoluteCleavage: She shows alot of cleavage on her statue. In Daggerfall, she actually went topless.
* DarkIsNotEvil: As the loading screens note, she's one of the few Daedric Princes not considered inherently evil.
** GoodIsNotNice: That said, she ''is'' still a Daedric Prince; she always has her own agenda.
* [[spoiler:DidYouJustScamCthulhu: If you choose to purify Azura's Star on your own, it becomes a re-usable '''black''' soul gem called the Black Star.]]
* DisproportionateRetribution: Because the Chimer's leaders betrayed her, she cursed the ''entire race''.
** This being the Elder Scrolls, there is an alternate theory: she showed up to curse the leaders[[hottip:*:With the events of ''Morrowind'']] and pointed out the Chimer had turned ashen-faced while she was at it. The fact that no explanation for why or how they were transformed was included meant she got the blame[[hottip:*:the alternate explanation for why noting that messing around with the Heart had just shown a clear ability to change an ''entire race'' despite the actual action being done by a single individual]]. Even then, the trope still applies: the thing we ''know'' she did back then led directly and with her foreknowledge to the devastation of Morrowind.
* EvilPaysBetter: The ([[BlueAndOrangeMorality mostly]]) good end of her questline is to [[spoiler:purify Azura's Star, receiving it as a reusable white Soul Gem and gaining Aranea Ienith as a potential follower. On the other hand, you can complete the corruption and transform it into the Black Star - which can hold all types of souls, including human. Black Soul Gems are expensive and uncommon, and humans souls produce the most effective enchantments...]]

!!Boethiah
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jean Gilpin

Daedric Prince of Treason, Murder, Deceit, Conspiracy and the Overthrowing of Authority. [[CaptainObvious Not a nice prince]], [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation although Dunmer tradition disagrees on that]]. Boethiah is one of two Daedric Princes who has not chosen a definitive gender (gender being a mortal construct) and appears as a woman in Skyrim. Boethiah's artifact is the Ebony Mail, a dark armor capable of poisoning those around the wearer, and able to cloak its user in shadows. Boethiah desires the elimination of his/her previous champion, but first a HumanSacrifice needs to be made.

* AmbiguousGender
* BadBoss: His/her demand of his/her followers is that they independently follow their own desires... just as long as those desires are completely in line with his/her own. The minute a follower fails that balancing act, things turn ''ugly''.
* BlackKnight: His/Her usual appearance, though this may be the original appearance of Trinimac (now Malacath) that he/she swallowed/corrupted that he/she took.
* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: He/she exists to cause and exacerbate the condition in mortals. In a way, he/she embodies it.
* CrueltyIsTheOnlyOption: No it isn't, though it's presented as such. You could just kill his/her entire cult, and she'll possess the leader of the group and the quest proceeds normally.
* DemonicPossession: By way of HumanSacrifice. Boethiah apparently finds mortal flesh distasteful.
* ForTheEvulz
* IfYoureSoEvilEatThisKitten: Summoning Boethiah requires you to prove you are treacherous enough to work for him/her. To do that, you need to find someone who trusts you enough to follow you, take them to Boethiah's altar, and sacrifice them. Or you can just kill his/her entire cult, as noted above.
* LetsYouAndHimFight
* ManipulativeBastard

!!Clavicus Vile
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell

Daedric Prince of Pacts and Invocations. Typical "deal with the devil" kind of stuff. Clavicus is perhaps the best example of the moral complexities of Daedra. He can be very self-serving and cruel. Indeed, often he's a JackassGenie, but he's also shown to be willing to freely reward people who work towards the greater good (as seen in ''Redguard'' and ''Morrowind''). His good streak may be due to Barbas, his companion who takes the form of a dog, theorized to be the manifestation of his conscience. Clavicus Vile's artifact is his Masque, known to make the wearer more charismatic.

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: His stock in trade, particularly in ''Skyrim''.
* DeadpanSnarker: He's an awfully sarcastic god.
* DealWithTheDevil: His modus operandi.
* GuideDangIt: In the process of obtaining the Masque, Vile sends you to obtain the Rueful Axe, which is (technically speaking) another of his artifacts. If you feel so inclined, you can give up the Masque and keep the Axe if you [[spoiler:use it to kill Barbas]]. However, for the purposes of the Oblivion Walker Achievement/Trophy (obtaining all 15 Daedric artifacts), only the Masque counts. At no point is this ever hinted at, and often you won't find out about it until several hours later when you've finally gotten all the artifacts and don't have an achievement. It's especially infuriating when you consider that the Axe is a possible loading image that accompanies the loading quote about Daedric artifacts (suggesting it ''should'' be considered one), and the two other Daedric quests with multiple potential artifacts ([[spoiler:Azura and Hircine's]]) don't have this problem.
* JackassGenie
* {{Jerkass}}
* MercyKill[=/=]YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: After ridding his lair of his vampire patrons (who asked to be cured of their vampirism), he thanks the player for putting them out of their misery.
** ExactWords: To be specific, they asked for "an end to their curse." A similar request was made by a worshipper who's daughter had become an werewolf; he asked for a way to end her curse, and Clavicus gave him an axe.
* MoralityPet: Literally; Barbas is his external conscience.
* MurderIsTheBestSolution

!!Hermaeus Mora
--> '''Voiced by:''' Wes Johnson

Daedric Prince of Fate, Treasures, Knowledge (especially the forbidden kind) and Memory. Hermaeus Mora looks like some sort of EldritchAbomination. It seeks to have the Dragonborn help his current champion open a mysterious Dwemer Box. Fittingly, its artifact is the Oghma Infinium, a tome of forbidden knowledge than can raise all the skills under a specific guardian sign.

* EvilSoundsDeep: His voice is always characterized as this. In ''Oblivion'' it is a menacing kind of deep, while in ''Skyrim'' it is has a soothing, grandfatherly tone.
* EldritchAbomination: Notably the only Daedric Lord that does not take some sort of humanoid or relatible appearance
* GoMadFromTheRevelation: The ghosts that haunt his realm [[TheLibraryOfBabel Apocrypha]] are said to continually search it for all eternity for information
* AFormYouAreComfortableWith: Averted. Unlike the other Princes, not even his statues have any semblance to an anthropomorphic form.
* [[ForScience For Knowledge!]]
* TomeOfEldritchLore: The Oghma Infinitum, his quest reward is said to be this. In fact it disappears entirely before you can finish reading the entire thing, [[spoiler: unless you figure out and [[GameBreaker exploit]] its [[GoodBadBugs bug]]]].
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: [[spoiler:Decides that Septimus is of no further use due to his madness.]]

!!Hircine
--> '''Voiced by:''' Daniel Riordan[=/=]Craig Sechler

Daedric Lord of the Hunt. Known for his Wild Hunts. He's also the patron of werewolves, as he created Lycantropy. It is said that werewolves join him in his hunting grounds in death. Hircine respects only strength and those who use it by showing predator-like qualities. Hircine has two artifacts: a ring that grants a boon to werewolves, and the Savior's Hide, an armor that grants resistance to poison and magic.

* BigBad: Of ''Bloodmoon''.
* FairPlayVillain: He always gives his prey a chance for victory, no matter how small it is.
* HuntingTheMostDangerousGame
* MeaningfulName: The word "hircine" means "goat-like" in the English language, although Hircine's forms tend to resemble a deer moreso.
* [[spoiler:PetTheDog: If you defy his orders to kill Sinding, killing the other hunters instead, Hircine considers it a feat of equal measure and lets you keep the ring Sinding stole from him.]]
* TheWildHunt

!!Malacath
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Donovan

Daedric Prince of the Spurned, the Ostracized, the Keeper of the Sworn Oath, and the Bloody Curse. According to legend, Malacath was once Trinimac, a hero/ancestor spirit to the Orsimer (orcs). He was devoured by Boethiah (a deed Boethiah claims responsibility for when summoned in ''Skyrim'') which turned him into Malacath and turned the Orsimer into what they are now. According to Sheogorath in ''Shivering Isles'', Malacath is also not popular at parties. The orcs of Skyrim mostly live in strongholds were they follow a strict code of law given to them by Malacath, who respects strength through adversity. One such stronghold has recently lost the favor of Malacath, and they seek to know why... Malacath's artifact is Volendrung, a [[DropTheHammer gigantic warhammer]] that drains enemy stamina.

* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: The rest of the Daedric pantheon doesn't consider him a real Prince. Given that he's the patron of pariahs, this is rather appropriate.
** As Sheogorath puts it, about Jyggalag, "Malacath is more popular at parties! And Malacath is NOT popular at parties!"
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Big believer in this.
* {{BFS}}: Always depicted with one, which is odd as his artifacts (Scourge and Volendrung) are a mace and hammer respectively.
* OffingTheOffspring: According to the 16 Accords of Madness, Sheogorath once tricked Malacath into killing his own son, a noble orc who would have otherwise been destined to be a great hero.
* PetTheDog: While harsh and demanding, Malacath genuinely cares about the Orcs and Ogres who follow him, as seen by the quests he gives in ''Morrowind'' and ''Oblivion''.
* WalkingShirtlessScene: His shrines always depict him as going sans shirt. Indeed, with the exception of Daggerfall (where he wore black leather pants) he's never depicted as wearing more than a loincloth.

!!Mehrunes Dagon
--> '''Voiced by:''' Victor Raider-Wexler

Daedric Prince of Destruction, Ambition and Change. One of the most hated Daedric Princes known for his multiple attempts to invade the material plane, some of them witnessed in two games of the series, [[spoiler:''Oblivion'' and ''Battlespire'', where he was the BigBad]]. Mehrunes Dagon will reward the player with his dagger, Mehrunes' Razor, which has a small chance to automatically kill anything it is used against, if he completes a small task to entertain him...

* BigBad: In ''Battlespire'' and ''Oblivion''. The latter game also implicated him in passing as the ManBehindTheMan in ''Arena''.
* BigRedDevil: Out of all the Daedric Princes, he matches the depiction most closely.
* BiggerBad: He doesn't have much of a role this time around.
* ForTheEvulz: [[spoiler:His reason for asking you to kill Silus.]]
* MultiArmedAndDangerous
* OmnicidalManiac: Fitting as he is the daedric prince of destruction and change.
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: [[spoiler:His view of his servants. And yes, this does include you.]]

!!Mephala
--> '''Voiced by:''' Colleen Delany

Daedric Prince whose sphere is hidden from mortals, also known as the Webspinner. Mephala is also one of the Daedric Prince whose gender changes (Female voice in Skyrim). He/she seeks to return his/her artifact, the Ebony Blade, into the hands of mortals, who are so easily corrupted. The Ebony Blade is a Dai-Katana who can leech the life of enemies and allies alike, without making the later hostile.

* BitchInSheepsClothing: Many consider Mephala to be a 'good' daedra.
* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: He/she encourages you to use the Ebony Blade on those who trust you. Its enchantment is specifically geared for that.
* TheCorrupter
* ItAmusedMe: Seemingly enjoy manipulating the affairs of mortals, and strictly for amusement.

!!Meridia
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jean Gilpin

Daedric Prince of Living Energies and the enemy of the undead. Generally seen as a "friendly" Daedra, despite the fact that her servants, the Aurorans, helped the Ayleids oppose the revolt of humans they had enslaved. Commonly considered the least evil of the Daedric Princes, but then, nobody knows about her agenda, apart from that it obviously doesn't involve zombies. For cleansing her temple, she will gift the Dovahkiin with Dawnbreaker, a sword that causes fire damage and an explosive effect that drives away the undead.

* CoolSword: Dawnbreaker. A golden sword with what looks like a miniature sun embedded in the hand guard [[spoiler: (which glows brighter the closer it is to an undead unit)]] that sets things on fire and sometimes makes zombies explode.
* GoodIsNotSoft: Its up in the air as to just how "good" Meridia is, but she does thoroughly hate the undead and those that prey upon mortals, and entreats the Dragonborn to purge corruption from all corners of Skyrim. In ''her'' name, of course.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: One of her big defining traits. Unholy magic in general and necromancy in particular piss her off to no end.
** Though this may not always have been the case, as she assisted the ayleid (who used tons of dark magic, including necromancy), back during the rise of the first empire.
* TheUndead: She '''hates''' undead, to the point that people know little else about her.
** [[HeWhoFightsMonsters She Who Fights Monsters]]
* WingedHumanoid: Her statue depicts her as such. [[spoiler: The avatar you personally encounter seems like a ball of pure white light.]]

!!Molag Bal
--> '''Voiced by:''' Christopher Smith

Molag Bal is the Daedric Prince whose sphere is the domination and enslavement of mortals. He is known as the King of Rape. It is believed that he raped a Nede (that is, ancient Nord) girl, thus creating the first vampire,. His only desire is to harvest the souls of mortals and to bring mortal souls within his sway, by spreading seeds of strife and discord in the mortal realms. Helping him exact revenge on one of Boethiah's servants sees him grant the player his artifact, the Mace of Molag Bal, which drains the souls of enemies slain with it and turns them into soulstones as long as it's charged (and freaks the hell of many an NPC who witnesses it).

* BondageIsBad
* CreepyMonotone
* EvilLaugh
* FauxAffablyEvil: Molag Bal may speak rather polite and with an oddly smooth and seductive voice, but he's still one of the evilest characters in canon.
* ForTheEvulz
* GodOfEvil: Out of all the Daedra, he's probably the worst. Given that that list includes an EldritchAbomination who deals in ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow, a JackassGenie who specialises in [[DealWithTheDevil Deals With The Devil]], a goddess of nightmares and MindRape, and a warlord who has been summoned to take over the world, that's saying something.
* {{Jerkass}}: Almost ''the'' poster child of JerkassGods. You do not get a name like the King of Rape for being a spectacularly nice guy.
** According to ''Dawnguard'', he has followers re-enact the rape thing to become Vampires. Hence his title.
* KickTheSonOfABitch: Arguably, Logrolf had it coming.
* ManipulativeBastard
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: In case you didn't catch it before: '''King. Of. Rape.'''
* ObviouslyEvil: Not necessarily him, but his mace. It's [[SpikesOfVillainy spiky]], [[SicklyGreenGlow glows dull green]], and it has a ''demonic face'' on it.
* TheSocialDarwinist: Orders you to kill Tyranus because:
-->''"Weak. He's weak. You're strong. Crush him."''
* YourSoulIsMine: The effect of his mace.

!!Namira
--> '''Voiced by:''' Mozhan Marnò

Daedric Prince of Darkness, Spirits and Decay. [[spoiler:Namira's followers in Skyrim are cannibals. And should the player join them in partaking of a meal made from a certain priest the player provides, Namira will grant him her boon.]] Namira's artifact is the Ring of Namira, a ring that grants a bonus to stamina and [[spoiler:health and stamina regeneration if one eats a corpse.]]

* CrueltyIsTheOnlyOption
* [[spoiler:IAmAHumanitarian]]
* NightmareFetishist: To put it mildly.

!!Nocturnal
--> '''Voiced by:''' Lani Minella

Daedric Prince of Shadows, Secrets, Mysteries, Suspicions and, it turns out, [[spoiler:Luck]]. Said to be Azura's sister. [[spoiler:Nocturnal is also the patron of the Thieves Guild. Nocturnal employs mortal champions known as the Nightingales who defend her temple in life and in death, before becoming one with the Ebonmere - a conduit to her realm, the Evergloam - where they may help living thieves as the luck that protects them.]] Nocturnal's artifact is the Skeleton Key, which can unlock any barrier [[spoiler:physical or metaphysical, such as one's potential]].

* AbsoluteCleavage
* DarkIsNotEvil: By [[JerkassGods Daedric standards]] anyway.
* MeaningfulName: Pretty obvious
* RavensAndCrows: Always seen with a raven on each arm, and manifests herself in a flock of them.
* TheSacredDarkness: Lords over [[spoiler:Luck]].
* WellDoneSonGuy: This is how Karliah describes Nocturnal, as a mother who offers little praise but always pushes you to do better.

!!Peryite
--> '''Voiced by:''' Craig Sechler

Daedric Lord of Pestilence, also charged with ordering the lower planes of Oblivion. He sends pestilences and plagues to the mortal realm. He will gift the player with Spellbreaker, a dwemer shield capable of deflecting both swords and spells if the player tracks down and kills one of his priests who turned away from him. His favorite appearance is that of a dragon.

* BlessedWithSuck: His "blessings" seem to take the form of various diseases, [[LovecraftianSuperpower complete with weaponized projectile vomiting]].
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: He may like to appear as one, but he's got nothing to do with the actual dragons.
* MysticalPlague

!!Sanguine

Daedric Prince of Debauchery, Hedonism and Darker Urges. He seeks to lead mortals astray by making them indulge a bit. Also something of a prankster. [[spoiler: He will pose as a human and challenge the Dovahkiin to a drinking contest. If the Dovahkiin accepts and retraces his steps after blacking out, Sanguine rewards him for the entertainment.]] Sanguine's artifact is the Sanguine Rose, which can summon a powerful Dremora (a type of Daedra working for Mehrunes Dagon) to fight for the player.

* AffablyEvil
* BigRedDevil: A common depiction of him. [[spoiler:When revealing his true nature to the Dovahkiin, he opts for a Dremora variant.]]
* [[spoiler:GargleBlaster: The Daedric Prince's special brew ''will'' get the better of you.]]
* ItAmusedMe: His motivation for the whole quest.
* LouisCypher: [[spoiler:Sam Gueyenne]]
* MeaningfulName: The term ''Sanguine'' can mean either "cheerfully optimistic" or "bloody"; the double meaning is appropriate for a prince whose realm encompasses both the light and dark sides of passion.
* SpikesOfVillainy: Since he takes the form of a Dremora.

!!Sheogorath
--> '''Voiced by:''' Wes Johnson

The Daedric Prince of Madness and Creativity. He shows up in a certain quest in Solitude, taking a vacation, and regales the player with his experience of the Oblivion Crisis, thinking Martin Septim is the best of the Septim bloodline (though he became a Dragon God. And that's hardly sporting. Pelagius the Mad is his second favorite for this reason). His Daedric artifact is the Wabbajack, a magic staff that, true to its creator, casts a random effect each time it's used, ranging from magical blasts to spontaneous goats to duplication to turning the target into all sorts of things. As befits, the effect is not always helpful to the caster - it may make a weak enemy much stronger or transform it into something more dangerous.

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: According to the book "Tales of Sheogorath", there was a king who banned all forms of art and celebration within his kingdom. As a result his subjects began praying to any Gods who would listen to rescue them from their austere existence. As the Prince of both Madness and Creativity, Sheogorath heard their pleas and decided that since the king had no need of his latter gift then he would receive an overabundance of the former, causing all of the children in his Kingdom born within the next year to be irrevocably insane, including the king's own son.
* [[spoiler:BecomingTheMask]]
* CallBack
* CloudCuckooLander: He is not exactly in his right mind when you meet him (on the other hand, not in his right mind ''is'' his right mind, what with being the Mad God). He's not in someone else's right mind either, for that matter.
* EldritchAbomination: Sheogorath is described in some sources as "a Sithis-shaped hole in the world". Either the Dread Father is far friendlier looking than one would expect, or Sheogorath is using AFormYouAreComfortableWith. Or the source was speaking metaphorically.
* EvilTwin[=/=]GollumMadeMeDoIt: Initially, since he is originally the alter ego of [[ControlFreak Jyggallag]] that came into being when he was cursed into something he hates the most at least until the Champion of Cyrodiil takes his place, allowing Sheogorath to become essentially the EvilTwin.
* [[spoiler: AFormYouAreComfortableWith: When Wes Johnson confirmed that the Sheogorath seen in-game is the ascended Champion of Cyrodiil, he also said that the Champion could use the Wabbajack to transform their appearance to any form they wanted. Sheogorath's in-game appearance is one of those forms.]]
* [[spoiler:PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo: Implied in-game to be the [[TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Champion of Cyrodiil.]] Confirmed by the character's voice actor Wes Johnson during an interview with him at [=MAGFest=] X.]]
* MadnessTropes: He ''is'' MadnessTropes, literally. He is the physical embodiment of insanity.
* PetTheDog: In Skyrim, he essentially conscripts you to act as [[spoiler: a literal WarriorTherapist for Pelagius the Mad.]] This stands in stark contrast to some of the other things the Princes make you do.

!!Vaermina
--> '''Voiced by:''' Carla Delaney

Daedric Prince of dreams and nightmares. Her artifact, the Skull of Corruption, has been locked away in a local abandoned keep, Nightcaller Temple, and been terrorizing the town of Dawnstar with horrible nightmares. When a priest of Mara requests help in destroying the artifact, Vaermina makes a counteroffer...

* FriendOrIdolDecision: Either kill [[spoiler:Erandur]] and keep the Skull of Corruption, or spare [[spoiler:him]] and gain a companion at the loss of the artifact.
* MindRape
* NightmareFetishist
* NightmareDreams: Pretty much her entire shtick.

[[/folder]]

!! Characters appearing in Dawnguard

[[folder: The Dawnguard]]

The Dawnguard is an order of Vampire Hunters, named after another such order from the Second Era. Founded by Isran as an offshoot of the Vigilants of Stendarr, who consider him too extreme and, in turn, he considers them [[WeHaveBecomeComplacent too soft]].

* BigFancyCastle: Fort Dawnguard, which dwarfs forts used by the Legion or the Stormcloaks, beside being ostensibly as old or even older (It dates from the 2nd era).
* DarkSecret: According to Florentius, the original Dawnguard used to pillage towns and blame it on Vampires. Whatever the truth is, their loot is hidden in a mine under the castle, accessible only through the use of their anti-vampire spells.
* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: The Dawnguard, especially its most prominent members, feature a rather perplexing mix of odd individuals including:
** An IgnoredExpert {{Jerkass}} founder,
** A master Blacksmith whose true passion is not smiting unlike other blacksmiths in Skyrim but hunting and training dangerous critters like Trolls,
** A CrazyPrepared [[TheEngineer engineer]] & [[TheArcher Marksman]] who was even more certain of the threat than the IgnoredExpert with a passion for the LostTechnology of the Dwemer,
** A priest of Arkay who hears his god speak to him and is mostly unaware of the goods he has for sale,
** The Dovahkiin, whose perplexing traits already have an entire folder dedicated to them.
* TheOrder
* SealedEvilInACan: The original Dawnguard's job was to keep a vampire sealed in the castle Dawnguard. Said Vampire was the son of the Jarl of Riften.

!!Isran
Founder of the Dawnguard. Former Vigilant of Stendarr. He's long tried to warn people of the coming Vampire threat, but was never taken seriously until it was almost too late. This has left him a bitter man obsessed with destroying vampires.

* AntiHero: The guy's a racist dick, but he has genuinely good motives.
* BadassBeard
* BaldBlackLeaderGuy
* IgnoredExpert
* LightEmUp: Will use ''Vampire's Bane'' and ''Stendarr's Aura'' in combat against Vampires.
* JerkAss
* TheHunter
* VanHelsingHateCrimes: He believes all vampires should be destroyed, even those who are trying to help him, or are rather benign. [[spoiler: Despite this, he allows Serana to stay as a member of the Dawnguard and grudgingly [[CharacterDevelopment thanks]] her for helping the Dawnguard defeat Harkon's mad scheme, if you're following the Dawnguard's questline, of course. Thus, he's similar to Delphine but just a tad less narrow-minded.]] Also, if he finds out that you're a vampire he'll simply tell you to go see Falion for a cure rather than killing you on the spot.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: As good as his motives are, when the [[KillEmAll Viligants of Stendarr]] think you're an extremist, it's something worth pondering.

!!Gunmar
Expert Animal hunter and trainer, known for taming trolls. Former associate of Isran. The Dovahkiin recruits him into the Dawnguard. He will sell the Dovahkiin pet Armored Trolls.

* BadassBeard
* TheBeastmaster
* TheBlacksmith
* GreatWhiteHunter: He's hunting down a bear who has killed several people when you find him. [[EverythingsWorseWithBears Considering how aggressive bears in Skyrim are]], you can understand why he feels a need to kill it.
* ItGotWorse: He asked himself how fighting trolls could get any worse, and his line of thought came up with ''Armored Trolls''.

!!Sorine Jurard
Dwemer Expert and Crossbow maker. Former associate of Isran, she too is recruited by the Dovahkiin. She uses Dwemer blueprints to improve the Dawnguard's crossbow technology.

* TheArcher: She's a Master-Level archery trainer.
* CrazyPrepared: When Isran initially turned her down, she already had three counter-vampire plans already prepared. [[spoiler:[[DidntSeeThatComing Elder Scrolls weren't part of her calculations, though.]] ]]
* TheEngineer
* ProperlyParanoid: Listen to her random dialogue and she mentions that there are lots of ways a person can kill themselves in their own home.

!!Florentius Boentius
Priest of Arkay, former associate of Isran, Gunmar and Sarine Jurard. He literally hears Arkay talk to him in his head, or so he claims. He is eccentric, to say the least.

* AbsentMindedProfessor: Leaving aside that he has very casual conversations with his god, aloud, he's often strangely, blithely unaware of what goes on around him. Forgetting which potions he has in stock, for example. Or failing to notice the expedition he was part of becoming corrupted and mind-controlled until they tried to corrupt him, failed and locked him up.
* {{Badass}}: So he claims, saying he's defeated many vampires with his bare hands. Of course he claims Arkay can back his claim.
* HearingVoices: Claims it is Arkay talking to him.
* TheMedic: His role in the Dawnguard is to sell the Dovahkiin potions and Restoration spells. He's also a Master Trainer for Restoration
** CombatMedic: Once recruited he'll wear the armor of a member of the Dawnguard.
* [[PalsWithJesus Pals With Arkay]]: If the conversations he holds with "him" are any indications.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Clan Volkihar]]

Tropes that apply to Clan Volkihar in general:

* BigFancyCastle: Castle Volkihar, which has clearly seen better days. [[spoiler: If you take over the Clan, you can clean it up a little.]]
* ChekhovsGunman: They were first mentioned in the ingame book ''Immortal Blood'', which debuted in ''Oblivion''.
* DeadlyDecadentCourt: A player who joins the house will become the target of two different backstabbing plots in their first mission.
* JabbaTableManners: If the blood splatters and bones strewn about Castle Volkihar are any indication.
* MonsterLord

!!Serana
Daughter of Lord Harkon and Valerica. Freed from a long, long slumber by the Dovahkiin, and possessor of an Elder Scroll. Whichever faction the Dovahkiin joins in ''Dawnguard'', Serana will end up traveling with him/her.

* AbusiveParents[=/=]ParentalNeglect: Much of the crux of her relationship with Harkon and Valerica, and the reason she joins the Dovahkiin. Consider her parents used to be followers of Molag Bal, King of Rape, back when they were mortals. Also, see RapeAsBackstory.
* {{Badass}}: She is definitely one of the more powerful followers.
** HotChickInABadassSuit
* DeadpanSnarker
* GenreSavvy: She knows that "trading equipment" likely means "[[WhatTheHellPlayer dumping all the heavy stuff you don't want to carry on her.]]"
* FriendlyNeighborhoodVampire
* IHateYouVampireDad: In a sense. While not her ''actual'' sire, Lord Harkon is the one who pressured her to become a vampire by "offering" herself to Molag Bal, King of Rape. To this day, its clear Serena still resents her father for this, as well as the Daedric Princes.
* NeckLift: When she encounters the one responsible for the prophecy that doomed her family, she expresses her displeasure very ''physically''.
* OddFriendship: Depending on the path the player chooses, it may turn out Serana's only friend is a member of the Dawnguard.
* RapeAsBackstory: Never outright said this way, but to become a vampire, she had to "offer" herself to Molag Bal, the Daedric Prince of Domination, under her parent's orders. And considering the first vampire was born when Molag Bal raped a woman... you see where it's going. Vampirism comes as a reward for "submitting" to the Daedric Prince. Serana makes it clear it's not something she likes remembering.
* [[SealedGoodInACan Sealed]] FriendlyNeighborhoodVampire [[SealedGoodInACan In A Can]]
* TheNotLoveInterest: She shoots down the Dovakiin if s/he asks for her hand in marriage, despite showing some interest previously. [[ItsNotYouItsMe She tries to let them down gently, though.]]

!!Lord Harkon
Leader of the clan, and father to Serana. Once a mighty king of ancient times, he made a pact with Molag Bal to ensure eternal life for himself, Valerica, and Serana. He seeks to fulfil the prophecy ending the "Tyranny of the Sun". Obsesses over this prophecy so much, he thinks nothing of sacrificing his own daughter to ensure it comes to fruition. His wife became his enemy as she sought to stop him. Harkon will offer to turn the Dovahkiin into a vampire lord as a reward for returning Serana to him.

* AbusiveParents: His neglect of Serana ultimately turns her against him. If you call him out on it, he says that it was a small price to pay for the betterment of all vampires.
* AxeCrazy: His obsession with destroying the sun has taken a ''serious'' toll on his sanity.
* BeardOfEvil
* BigBad: For the Dawnguard questline [[spoiler:regardless of allegiance]].
* DealWithTheDevil: Was so fearful of dying that he sacrificed thousands of innocents to become a true-blooded vampire.
* EvilOverlord
* FauxAffablyEvil: He's ''very'' happy you returned his daughter to him, and offers the ''greatest'' "reward" - turning you into a vampire. Refuse and he'll essentially tell you to piss off and die. Accept and he'll later muse that not everyone actually ''survives'' becoming a Volkihar vampire. He has an interesting definition of reward.
* IHateYouVampireDad: [[spoiler:If the Dovahkiin accepts his offer and ends up killing him.]]
* ImmortalityImmorality: He says that he sacrificed over a thousand innocents to gain vampirism from Molag Bal.
* [[spoiler:NoBodyLeftBehind: Unlike other vampires, he simply ''dissolves'' into blood-red ashes when killed.]]
* OrcusOnHisThrone: Apparently the tyranny of the sun isn't ''that'' big an issue, given that Harkon apparently spent several thousand years ''not'' finding the keys to his plan. In fairness to him, he's searching for not only an Elder Scroll, but also an ancient, frequently [[TheChooserOfTheOne teleporting]] Elven artifact.

!!Valerica
Wife of Harkon, mother of Serana, she is the one who sealed Serana away so Harkon would never find her and complete his ritual. She is so obsessed with her hatred for Harkon, she has lost sight of the well-being of her daughter.

* AbusiveParent: To save her daughter, Valerica sealed her and put her to sleep for gods know how many ages. With no real plan to ever free her.
* DidNotThinkThisThrough: She went to the Soul Cairn and offered to supply the Ideal Masters with the souls they needed. [[spoiler:She never expected them to decide ''her'' soul would suffice.]]
** Averted in the case of her regard to Harkon's plans: Read PragmaticVillainy below.
* {{Necromancer}}: An expert, far beyond simply raising zombies - when hiding herself from her husband's madness, she abandoned the mortal plane altogether for the realm where ''captured black souls'' are drawn. Few mortal necromancers find it and fewer still return; [[spoiler:she can do both]].
* PragmaticVillainy: Though Valerica isn't as cruel and violent as her husband, her opposing the prophecy isn't altruistic. She believes masking the sun wouldn't result in a twenty-four hour buffet for the vampires, but rather drive ''all'' mortals to hunt them down and root them out until the sun was restored. In her opinion, their kind's place is in the shadows, undiscovered.
* RapeAsBackstory: Like her daughter, she too had to offer herself to Molag Bal, with all that entails.

!! Vinglamo

An Altmer vampire, Vinglamo is a senior member of Clan Volkihar and an adviser to Harkon.

* TheDragon: Seems to be this to Harkon.
* ItsAllAboutMe: According to Orthjolf, though Vinglamo says the same about him.
* QuestGiver
* TheRival: With Orthjolf
* TimeAbyss: He recognizes Serana on sight.
* WickedCultured: There is a book dating to the First Era by an Altmer named Vinglamo, who may be the same person.

!! Orthjolf

One of the higher up members of the Clan, with a seat next to Harkon.

* TheDragon: Seems to be competing with the spot for Vinglamo.
* ItsAllAboutMe: According to Vinglamo, though Orthjolf says the same thing about him.
* TheRival: With Vingalmo.

!! Garen Marethi

An Dunmer vampire who has been a member of the Clan for many centuries. He is the court wizard.

* TheDragon: [[spoiler: To you, after you kill Harkon.]]
* EvilGenius: For Clan Volkihar.
* EvilSorcerer
* OnlySaneMan: He's no longer has any interest in the Clan's political infighting.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Other Characters]]

!!Arch-Curate Vyrthur

The leader of an ancient [[spoiler:Snow Elf]] Chantry of Auri-El, and believed to be enthralled somehow by the Falmer. [[spoiler:Actually, he is the vampire who created the prophecy Lord Harkon is trying to fulfill.]]

* [[spoiler:BiggerBad: Of a sort. He created the prophecy of the "Tyranny of the Sun," but he isn't the final boss or the key to averting it.]]
* FaithHeelTurn: [[spoiler:When he was turned into a vampire, he became enraged that Auri-El didn't intervene. He created the prophecy as vengeance against him]].
* [[spoiler:LastOfHisKind: He is one of the only two known Snow Elves that remain in Nirn.]]
* TimeAbyss: Even more so than the Volkihar vampires, as he dates from before the fall of the Falmer at Ysgrammor's hand and their taking refuge with the Dwemer. That happened in the ''Merethic'' era.

!!Dexion Evicus

A Moth Priest who is visiting Skyrim so he can try and find the remaining Elder Scrolls.

!!Jiub
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jeff Baker

Yes, [[{{Morrowind}} that Jiub]]. [[spoiler:You encounter him as a soul in the Soul Cairn, not even knowing that he has died until he's told by the Dovahkiin.]] He has finished writing his Opus, but lost all the pages and requests the Dovahkiin's help in finding them.

* TheAtoner: The reason he hunted down all the Cliff Racers.
* {{Badass}}: Without a doubt. He acknowledges that killing all those cliff racers seemed impossible at the time, but he did it anyway.
* ContinuityNod: His appearance is one, and in a bit of retcon, his death was not in Morrowind as inferred by the rumors in ''Oblivion'', but in Kvatch, during its destruction at the start of ''Oblivion''.
* [[spoiler:FateWorseThanDeath: But he shrugs it off, saying that he likes the quiet.]]
* HeelFaceTurn: He finally reveals the reason he was on the prisoner boat in Morrowind. [[spoiler:He was once a skooma addict who hated himself for killing people just to get his fix. After he was released from prison, he has decided to turn his life around by killing all the cliff racers.]]
* [[PalsWithJesus Pals with Vivec]]: Pretty much what happened to him after killing all those cliff racers and becoming St. Jiub.

!!Katria

Once an adventurer seeking the Aetherium Forge, she has died in the ruins of Arkngthamz. Her spirit remains however, seeking someone to help finish the quest she has failed to do during her life.

* AdventureArchaeologist
* OurGhostsAreDifferent
* UnfinishedBusiness

!!Knight-Paladin Gelebor

[[spoiler:A Snow Elf, likely one of the last of his kind.]] He asks the Dovahkiin to kill his brother, fearing he has been irreversibly enthralled by the Falmer - [[spoiler:or, as he calls them, The Betrayed]].

* BadassPacifist
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: By the end of his quest, his brother is dead, and he is the last known Snow Elf, yet learning that the Falmer didn't instigate the massacre of the Chantry gives him hope that the Falmer's recent rise in intelligence will one day lead them back to civilization.]]
* InsistentTerminology: [[spoiler: He prefers being called a Snow Elf over Falmer (even though "Falmer" actually means "Snow Folk" in Elvish) as Falmer has gained such a negative connotation.]]
* [[spoiler:LastOfHisKind: Well, he is one of the last two who has not become a sightless, feral monster as the Falmer have. After his brother dies, he acknowledges that he may now indeed be the very last, but reassures the Dovahkiin that s/he did not further a genocide - there may be others like him, and the Falmer may one day regain their sentience]].
* LightEmUp: As a priest of Auri-El, his magical powers are based around light.
* MagicKnight
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: Double subverted. [[spoiler:He claims that the Snow Elves weren't as the Nords portrayed them before they became the Betrayed, but also makes it very clear that he does not want to be grouped with the Falmer, and would prefer to be called a Snow Elf.]]

[[/folder]]

!!Other Characters

These are minor characters who do not fit in the above categories, but are still unique in their own way.

[[folder:People of Eastmarch]]

!!Aventus Arentino

A young boy whose mother recently passed away who was later sent to the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften. Aventus flees back to Windhelm to escape Grelod the Kind's abuse, and rumors start circulating of his attempts to contact the Dark Brotherhood.

* CreepyChild: He's a little boy trying to contact a cult of death worshiping assassins using ''his dead mother's bloody remains'' as the Black Sacrament.
* HeartwarmingOrphan: Bizarrely enough, he still manages to be this too. He's only contacting the Brotherhood because he wants to save his friends from Grelod's horrible abuse.
* HeroWorshipper: To the ''[[MurderInc Dark Brotherhood]]'' after you fulfill his contract. He tells you that he's going to become an assassin too when he grows up so he can help other children like you helped him.
* TakeThatPlayer: His quest, and the overall introduction to the Dark Brotherhood is carefully designed to make you feel a little ashamed of yourself. In ''Oblivion'', it was possible to be contacted by the Brotherhood by accident, but not so in this game. Specifically, you must break into Aventus's home, pretend to be someone you're not (although the only other choice is to walk away and leave the quest unfinished), murder an AssholeVictim in cold blood, and then return to a child and tell him that [[FamilyUnfriendlyAesop you just solved all of his problems through murder]]. Congratulations on screwing up a kid even worse than he was before, Dovahkiin!
* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: Arentino's childish attempts to contact the Brotherhood ultimately determine the future of the Brotherhood itself, ranging from [[spoiler:its potential destruction]] to [[spoiler:the death of the Emperor]].

!!Calixto Corrium
--> '''Voiced by:''' George Coe

The eccentric proprietor of Windhelm's House of Curiosities, where he has an interesting variety of items on display. [[spoiler:And a very dark secret.]]

* [[spoiler:AffablyEvil: He's friendly for a brutal murderer.]]
* [[spoiler:BewareTheNiceOnes: His cheery and eccentric demeanour masks a core of ''stone-cold lunacy''.]]
* [[spoiler:ChekhovsGunman[=/=]TheDogWasTheMastermind: When you first come upon a murder victim in Windhelm, he'll be one of the witnesses, and the game sets him up as just a random bystander. Turns out, he's a just little more important than that...]]
* CollectorOfTheStrange: Among other things, he's collected some embalming tools from ancient Nord barrows, a shelf full of rare alchemy ingredients, several soul gems, a 'Book of Fate' (which looks blank to you, but it's supposed to reveal your future) and a supposedly mystical flute whose tune could make any listener dance uncontrollably.
** There is a reason why the Dovahkiin would only see blank pages in the Book of Fate even if Calixto is telling the truth about it showing one's future: [[http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Hero the Dovahkiin]] doesn't exactly ''have'' a defined destiny in the way most others have.
* DeadLittleSister: After being left a respectable sum of money when their parents died, Calixto and his sister travelled Skyrim to find strange things and sights. When she passed away, he opened the shop in her memory to exhibit what they found, hoping that she'd approve of their finds bringing other people happiness. [[spoiler:Oh, and he's murdering people to get the material to resurrect her, too.]]
* MemeticBadass: He tells a story about an in-universe one: Ysgramor, who was able to eat soup with a ''fork''. And he has the very implement on display! (It's even labelled 'Ysgramor's Soup Spoon' despite being a fork.)
* [[spoiler:{{Necromancer}}: Possibly. He seems to know a fair amount about the subject and has in his possession the Necromancer's Amulet.]]
** [[spoiler:{{Necromantic}}: He's trying to bring his DeadLittleSister back to life.]]
* RedHerring: Bring him the Strange Amulet you find among a murderer's possessions and he'll identify it as a Wheelstone, tokens given to some court mages upon their appointment to the position. Describe it to Windhelm's actual court mage and he'll all but {{facepalm}} at the misidentification. [[spoiler:Entirely deliberate on Calixto's part - he's throwing you off the trail. The Amulet is a powerful Necromantic token.]]
* RetiredBadass: Journeyed all over Tamriel with his sister.
* SiblingTeam: He and his sister apparently went on all sorts of adventures in the past.

!!Clan Shatter-Shield

A family in mourning, they are trying to cope with the recent murder of Friga Shatter-Shield and the robbery that followed, seemingly committed by a family friend.

* AwesomeMcCoolname: For all their woes, they still have a decent sobriquet.
* [[DeadLittleSister Dead Twin Sister]]: Friga is this to Nilsine Shatter-Shield.
* [[spoiler:DrivenToSuicide: If Nisline dies as well, Tova commits suicide in her grief, leaving her husband Torbjorn as the only surviving member.]]
* DrowningMySorrows: Tova Shatter-Shield has taken to alcohol to cope with her daughter's death.
* MiscarriageOfJustice: Muiri, a family friend, came to share in the family's grievances, only to be charmed by the bandit Alain Dufont. He managed to rob the family and [[{{Frameup}} convince the family that Muiri did it]], ruining their relationship. [[spoiler:[[ItGotWorse Muiri took this so hard that she put Nisline as a bonus objective for her Dark Brotherhood contract on Alain.]]]]


!! Nurelion
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jim Cummings

The proprietor of The White Phial in Windhelm, he's spent his entire life searching for the legendary alchemy flask of the same name.

* HopeSpot: You finally find the phial and return it to him.
** DespairEventHorizon: [[spoiler:But it's broken, and the knowledge to fix it is long gone]].
** LetThemDieHappy: [[spoiler:Until his assistant manages to do it, and is able to show it to him seconds before his last breath]].
* {{Jerkass}}: His assistant admits that Nurelion can be rather abrasive. After you show Nurelion [[spoiler:the broken phial]] he only tips you ''five'' gold for your troubles, which is just insulting. Then again, Nurelion is facing the prospect of dying with his lifelong dream unfulfilled. [[spoiler:His assistant apologises for his master's manners and gives you a more substantial reward.]]
* IncurableCoughOfDeath: His very first 'words' when you enter his shop and see him and his assisting talking.
* LastRequest: He knows he's dying and wants the chance to experiment on the phial before he goes.
* RetiredBadass: He used to be an adventurer but has settled down after years of disappointment in his quest for the White Phial.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:People of Falkreath Hold]]

!!Ghunzul
--> '''Voiced by:''' Noah Nelson

Orc leader of Cracked Tusk Keep and protector of the blade shards of Mehrune's Razor.

* BadassGrandpa: When was the last time you saw an orc with ''white'' hair?
* CrazyPrepared: Ghunzul doesn't simply use himself and his bandits to protect the shards. He keeps them locked in the dungeon, protected by several button-activated bars, numerous tripwire traps, and spikes that stab at anyone who opens the chest containing them.
* RetiredBadass: The book "The Keepers of the Razor" suggests he once served in the Imperial Legion.
* SecretKeeper: He is the eighth descendent of the Inner Circle that shattered Mehrune's Razor and divided the fragments across Skyrim.

!!Runil
--> '''Voiced by:''' George Coe

Altmeri priest of Arkay, and overseer of the graveyard that puts Falkreath on the map.

* DreamingOfThingsToCome: Runil has such a dream portending the coming of Alduin, and of his own eventual path-crossing with the Dragonborn (his first scene in your presence is giving last rights over a grave just as his dream foretells).
* ShellShockedVeteran: Much like Madena, he's got some shell shock over all the lives he terminated during the Great War with his magefire. [[spoiler:His journal indicates he was on the Aldmeri Dominion side, though.]]
* TheAtoner:[[spoiler:He was a Dominion battlemage, and he's now a Priest of Arkay to atone.]]

!!Sinding

A Nord imprisoned in Falkreath jail for murdering a child.

* TheAtoner: He admits that he probably deserves to die for what he's done, and [[spoiler:if you choose to spare him,]] he promises to never return to society.
* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: Stole [[spoiler:Hircine's ring.]] It didn't work out well for him.
* [[spoiler:SadisticChoice: Either kill him under Hircine's orders, or help him kill the other hunters.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:People of Haafingar]]

!!Brelas
A wood elf slave girl who works for Elenwen. She is seen during Elenwen's party. Gets send to the torture chambers after Erikur frames her because she rejected his romantic advances.

* BreakTheCutie: She serves Elenwen against her will. Then she is send to the torture chambers for not reacting to Erikurs advances. After the Dovahkiin saves her ([[SociopathicHero if they saves her at all]]), she is shivering in fear, very confused and does not know where to go at all.
* Maid: Heavily implied to be forced into this role.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Can invoke this trope after fleeing the Thalmor Embassy. If a player goes his own way after freeing her, she is known to disappear without a trace. This is because she is set to go to Windhelm, but, because she is very weak, she has a high chance of dying during her travel.

!!Captain Aldis

Captain of the guard in Solitude. He's in charge of training the guards against outside threats... and a possible siege by the Stormcloaks.

* IDidWhatIHadToDo: In regards to Roggvir's execution.
--> "You don't have to hate a man to kill him... although it helps."
* MyCountryRightOrWrong: He's a loyal soldier of Solitude, regardless of what side it's on in the Civil War.
* NiceGuy: Didn't want to break the news to poor Angeline about her daughter's death, but can be easily Persuaded that telling her the truth is the right thing to do.

!!Erikur
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell

An arrogant and shady Thane of Haafingar. [[spoiler: Has close ties with the Thieves Guild.]]

* KarmaHoudini: Causes a Bosmer slave girl to be send to the Thalmor torture chambers, just because she refused his romantic advances. Sadly, the player cannot make him repent the deed, as he is an essential[[hottip:*:Unkillable]] character. To make matters worse, every time he encounters the player, he acts overly friendly towards him after this deed.
* KickTheDog: The aforementioned Bosmer slave girl incident.
* SmugSnake: Talks down to everyone.
* TheSociopath: Talking to his sister Gisli reveals he does not think about others. Really cements this position by causing a Bosmer slave to get tortured for not liking him, without any form of regret.

!!Falk Firebeard
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

The steward of Jarl Elisif's court. Has his hands full with both his stewardly duties as well as curbing the exuberance and inexperience of his lady Elisif.

* AwesomeMcCoolname: Being a bearded ginger in a land of people fond of giving sobriquets does have its perks.
* HypercompetentSidekick: Elisif is an over-eager young woman, to say the least.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: After you stop the resurrection of Potema once, Falk gains complete faith in you and vouches for you in the Jarl's company. If you complete the Wolf Queen questline and then ask for permission to go into the forbidden Pelagius Wing of the Palace, he will at first turn you down, but you can turn that around by saying, in layman's terms, "Dude, c'mon, it's ''me.''"

!! Giraud Gemane
--> '''Voiced by:''' Jon Curry

The librarian of the Bard's College, and Viarmo's right hand. He assists the Dragonborn with finding Olaf's Verse, as well as selling him/her several tomes regarding Dragons. He is also the Master Speech trainer.

* GuileHero: It comes with being the Speech master.


!!Roggvir
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

The player will witness him being executed upon their first entry into Solitude (there's no way to stop this), because he allowed Ulfric Stormcloak to escape Solitude by opening the main gate.

* BadassBystander: This is the man who, more or less, allowed the Civil War to come to be. If you win the Civil War for the Stormcloaks, then he essentially becomes a liberator of Skyrim by proxy.
* CoolUncle: His niece seemed to think so.
* {{Jerkass}}: If one man in particular is to be believed, when he was younger, he intentionally sabotaged other guys' attempts to woo girls they were interested in, just because, and didn't grow any nicer over the years.
** NiceGuy: However, this account can be taken with a grain of salt, as even the man who ''ordered his execution'' has nice things to say about him.
--> "It's a shame, Roggvir. You were a damned good man."
* LastWords: And by Talos, he's got some ''awesome'' ones at that.
--> "On this day, I go to Sovngarde..."
* [[NoTrueScotsman No True Nord]]: Feels that any true Nord would understand what Ulfric did, and would have opened the gate in his place.
* NotQuiteTheRightThing: Letting Ulfric escape Solitude, as viewed by the people of Solitude. Sure, he may have been following ancient laws (of dubious validity), but he aided a regicide in escaping retribution. The people of Solitude, being staunchly Imperial, were not impressed.
** Though, depending on how you feel about the Imperials, this could be an averted trope.
* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: He opened the gates for Ulfric Stormcloak when he escaped the city, which means that everyone in Solitude blames him for a war that could have been stopped before it began. To his last breath, though, he stands by his decision.


!!Sybille Stentor

The court mage for Jarl Elisif's court. [[spoiler:She is actually a vampire, which seems to be a well-kept secret amongst the higher members of the Haafingar court.]]

* BoomerangBigot: Finds [[spoiler:baser vampires]] disgusting, as she prefers finery and civilized company as one would find in a palace.
* CourtMage
* {{Expy}}: [[spoiler:She's basically a female version of [[{{Oblivion}} Janus Hassildor]].]]
* [[spoiler:FriendlyNeighborhoodVampire: She's a bit of a {{Jerkass}}, sure, but when compared to most vampires out there...]]
* KickTheSonOfABitch: It's implied that she tends to...spend a lot of time in the dungeons, with the worst of the criminals. [[spoiler:Apparently, it's how she keeps fed.]]
* LikeASonToMe: High King Torygg was. She helped raise him as a boy, and was shocked by his death.
* OlderThanTheyLook
* [[spoiler:TheUndead]]


!! Viarmo
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell

The High Elven headmaster of the Bard's College. He enlists the Dragonborn's help in convincing Elisif to allow the Burning of King Olaf festival in the wake of Torygg's murder, and afterwards has him/her recover several stolen ancient instruments.

* GuileHero

!!Wolf Queen Potema Septim
--> '''Voiced by:''' Claudia Christian

An insane necromancer from the second century of the Third Era who attempted to usurp the Imperial throne, but was defeated and killed. The Dragonborn stumbles upon a plot by a group of necromancers to resurrect and bind her to the mortal realm.

* AxCrazy
* ClimaxBoss: Before you can even face her, you must fight wave after wave of high level Draugr and Vampires, and when you finally confront her, she quickly proves to be as much of a master mage as she was in life. Not to mention the fancy light show that occurs in the arena.
* GasLeakCoverup: At first, Falk Firebeard dismisses the odd lights and sounds in Wolf Skull Cave as natural phenomena but welcomes you to go into the cave and clear out anything you find, just in case. After you find out the truth and Potema's return is evident, Falk implores you that you ''must'' keep Potema's near-return a secret to avoid a major panic in Solitude.
* GodSaveUsFromTheQueen: In life, her greatest crime was the plunging the Septim empire into a civil war known as the War of the Red Diamond, being the party most responsible for the assassination of her niece (the Empress at the time). In the war that followed, Potema very nearly destroyed the Empire by herself (frightening, when you consider that even after the extinction of the Septim bloodline, an Oblivion invasion, a siege by the Aldmeri Dominion, and nearly ''two hundred years of decline'', the Empire is still a powerful force in Tamriel). And if that isn't enough, when the war was over, and her subjects finally abandoning her because of her sheer ruthlessness, she eventually began sacrificing her servants in order to form contracts with Daedra, selling their souls for more power and "comforts", and then raising them as undead to serve her, refusing to concede fighting a losing battle or surrender her rule right to the very end. Death has ''not'' improved her demeanor.
* GuideDangIt: See LostForever.
* HumanResources: She resurrects human corpses as her servants and, after being opposed and abandoned by most of Haafingar, once ruled Solitude with a court of the undead.
* {{Irony}}: The local priest of Arkay notes that a resurrected Potema would actually be the rightful Empress, since she is a member of the Septim line, which makes it that much more important to prevent her return.
** For more potential irony, defeat one of the greatest necromancers of all time ''as a vampire''.
* IShallTauntYou: She's really ''very'' grateful to you for preventing her binding, but feels it would be best for all involved if you just lay down, let her current subjects take you away, and then you can rise up and stand by her side, resplendent with her glory...and also her undead thrall.
* ItsAllAboutMe: In the words of the queen herself, "I'll trade the souls of every last subject of mine for a little comfort."
** To be fair, she said that while [[ScreamingBirth giving birth to Uriel III]].
* LostForever: The second part of the Wolf Queen sidequest is triggered by leveling up. Therefore, if you leveled up to 81 before or during the first part of the quest, you will ''never'' receive the courier message which starts the second half.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: By defeating the necromancers attempting to revive her, you stopped them binding her to their will - but not her revival. When you complete the first quest, you witness her spirit escaping the cave, and later a courier sends a message from Falk Firebeard informing you that Potema's spirit is loose and slowly gaining power. Now you have to finish her off for good and purify her remains.
* TrapIsTheOnlyOption: The second quest begins with the player traveling into Potema's Catacombs, and before even entering the first section, it becomes obvious that Potema was not only expecting you, but was drawing you there because she sought you as the ideal undead minion. You have no choice but to take the bait to continue the quest.
* TheUndead: Is one and specialises in resurrecting and controlling them.
* [[WasOnceAMan Was Once A Woman]]: It's speculated in-game that Potema has become... something else since her death. She's certainly no mere ghost.
* WeCanRuleTogether: After the Dragonborn prevents her binding, she decides s/he would make an ''excellent'' undead minion.

!!Jaree-Ra and Deeja

Argonian siblings who are involved with a band of marauders.

* BrotherSisterTeam
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: They try to pull this on you.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:People of Hjaalmarch]]

!!Alva

A local woman who recently started a relationship with Hroggar after his wife and daughter died in a tragic fire.

* BiTheWay: Hints at it in her dialogue with the Morthal tavernkeeper.
* FalseSoulmate: To poor Hroggar.
* HoneyTrap: For Hroggar, and apparently, Movarth had planned for her to seduce ''all'' of the guards, one at a time.
* ImpossiblyLowNeckline: Wears the infamous and exceedingly rare female version of "Tavern Clothes".
* ManipulativeBitch: And it backfired in her face, completely.
* TheMole: For her sire Movarth.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent
* [[RomancingTheWidow Romancing The Widower]]: The locals don't approve, believing it's TooSoon for Hroggar to move on after his family died in such suspicious circumstances. [[spoiler:Not that there's any real love involved - Hroggar is just Alva's thrall.]]
* TragicMonster: Read the first passage in Alva's Journal and you'll see that she was once a doe-eyed, innocent girl who once dreamed of being loved and romanced by a handsome Nord. Then she met Movarth...
* TheUndead
* TheVamp: Literally and figuratively - her master Movarth sent her to Morthal to seduce and enslave the people of Morthal.
* WouldHurtAChild: She had instructed a turned Laelette to kill Hroggar's entire family, including his daughter. Her plans backfired because Laelette didn't want to hurt Helgi, and in fact tried to turn her.

!!Falion
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell

A Redguard mage who left the College in protest of its restrictive policies on certain studies. If the Dragonborn ever contracts vampirism, he will be willing to provide them with a cure...for a price.

* ImmortalitySeeker: But not for himself so much as for his ward, Agni - he knows that he'll die one day and leave her alone, and he's worried that could happen before Agni can take care of herself. He made a study of vampirism as a way to extend his life but abandoned it because it might have put her in danger.
* KnightInSourArmor: The whole of Morthal thinks he's a creepy jerk. He protects them from mystical threats anyway, though he's pretty grudging about it.
* {{Necromancer}}: Likely. He's a conjuration specialist, he's looking for ways to manipulate life, he left Winterhold College due to irreconcilable differences, and the other residents of Morthal don't like his studies (though that's probably the Nord prejudice against almost all magic). If nothing else, the ritual required to restore a vampiric Dovahkiin to true life requires a filled black soul gem.


!!Gorm

Nord warrior and housecarl for Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone.

* [[spoiler:BodyguardBetrayal: Despite his loyalty to Idgrod, he wishes to see her removed from her position because he thinks her powers are taking their toll on her and she isn't fit for duty anymore. It's as much for her own safety as it is for Morthal. Nothing really comes of it, since his confidant Captain Aldis isn't wholly convinced.]]
* UndyingLoyalty: Despite the above entry, Gorm still respects Idgrod, and warns the Dragonborn to do the same.

!!Helgi
--> '''Voiced by:''' Harley Graham

Hroggar's daughter. She and her mother recently died in a mysterious fire, and she now exists as a ghost.

* CheerfulChild: Being dead hasn't gotten her down. When you meet her, she invites you to play hide-and-seek with her just like other children in Skyrim. [[spoiler:Her "hiding" place is her ''grave.'']]
* UndeadChild: Not that she minds much.
* SpannerInTheWorks: Completely unravels the schemes of Alva and her master Movarth by winning over Alva's pawn Laelette with her adorableness. It doesn't save her from dying, but Laelette's attempt to turn Helgi rather than make her death look like an accident is what causes suspicions amongst the townspeople and leads to the Jarl permitting the Dragonborn to investigate. Then, by appearing to play with the Dragonborn, she indirectly leads him/her to the true culprits behind Morthal's troubles.

!!Hroggar

A lumberjack whose wife and daughter died in a tragic and mysterious fire. His neighbors believe he had something to do with it since he immediately moved in with Alva the very next day.

* AcquittedTooLate: If you try to enter Alva's house at night, you'll be forced to kill him.
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: Comes with being a vampire's thrall.
* IncriminatingIndifference: Him shacking up with another woman one day after his family died while showing little in the way of grief makes him ''very'' suspicious in the eyes of his neighbors.
* MistakenForMurderer
* SurvivorGuilt: If he survives the quest involving his family, he's crushed and no longer feels any joy in life, even though he's thankful that you saved him (after being astonished that you'd even want to speak to him after all he's done).


!!Movarth Piquine

The master vampire behind Morthal's recent troubles.

* AndThenJohnWasAZombie: Movarth used to be a devoted vampire hunter; it was an obsession that consumed his life. Then he met the author of ''Immortal Blood''. Now he's everything he once fought against and worse.
* HeWhoFightsMonsters
* OhCrap: Upon TheReveal that the anonymous author of ''Immortal Blood'' was a vampire himself. As the author states: ''He was surprised, even stunned by the pallor of my flesh, the dark hunger in my ageless eyes, and the teeth. Oh, yes, I think the teeth definitely surprised the man who could not afford to be surprised.''.
* Retcon: In Oblivion, the ending of ''Immortal Blood'' heavily implied Movarth was killed when the author attacked him, but it turns out he survived and became a vampire himself.
* TragicMonster: Like Alva, he wasn't bad at all before being turned into a vampire. He was a well-meaning hunter who failed to guess the very simple reason his teacher in vampire-hunting knew so much about them...
* TheUndead

[[/folder]]

[[folder:People of The Pale]]
!!Keeper Carcette

Leader of the Vigilants of Stendarr, she leads the militantly anti-Daedra sect from the Hall of the Vigilant, south of Red Road Pass.

* FantasticRacism: The sect is not very polite to Orcs, presumably because of their connection to Malacath.
* {{Irony}}: Militant sect, KillEmAll mentality, serving the God of ''Mercy.''
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler: Everyone in the Hall of the Vigilant, Carcette included, is slain by Volkihar vampires once ''Dawnstar'' is installed.]]
* KnightsTemplar: To protect the people of Skyrim, the Vigilants mercilessly kill Daedra, vampires, werewolves, witches, and others who "show disregard for life and mercy." [[spoiler:Volkihar vampires, however, are out of their league.]]

!!Horik Half-Hand

Fellow veteran to Brina Merelis, and becomes her housecarl should she be anointed Jarl of the Pale.

* {{Badass}}: It takes balls to dust off the old Legion armor in a Stormcloak city when the Jarl wants him executed. Alternatively, at least in the view of said Jarl, it makes him a epic {{Troll}}.
* PlatonicLifePartners: With his former commander, Brina Merelis.
* UndyingLoyalty: To the Legion, and to Brina for shared service time in the Legion. So much so that he openly antagonizes the initial Stormcloak-allied Jarl by dusting off his old Legion armor and wearing it about town.

!!Madena

Court mage for Dawnstar. A retired Legion battlemage, she's seen more than she cares for of war.

* CourtMage
* ShellShockedVeteran: After taking part in the defense of the Imperial City during the Great War, she's seared, frozen, and electrified far too many young elves than she cares to have, and is pretty much a pacifist.

!!Silus Vesuius

A descendant of a family of Mythic Dawn members, he opens a museum dedicated to the Mythic Dawn and asks the Dovahkiin to find the pieces of Mehrunes' Razor for him.

* BlackShirt: Believes that the Mythic Dawn should be remembered for holding the fate of the Empire within their grasps.
* CallBack: His entire quest is one to ''Oblivion''.
* TooDumbToLive: You can call him out on the fact that messing with the Daedric Prince of Destruction's ArtifactOfDoom is a terrible idea, not that he'll listen. [[spoiler:It may just prove to be his undoing.]]
* [[spoiler: YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Mehrunes Dagon declares this, although it's up to the player whether to actually kill him or not.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:People of The Reach]]

!! Borkul the Beast

An Orc bandit who serves as Madanach's bodyguard in the Cindara Mines.

* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: In his own words, he was sentenced to life in prison for "Murder. Banditry. Assault. Theft. And ''lollygagging''.
* TheDragon: To Madanach.
* GrievousHarmWithABody: One of the inmates said that he once ripped off another prisoner's arm and beat him to death with it.

!!Calcelmo
--> '''Voiced by:''' George Coe

A somewhat eccentric Altmer scholar and archeologist who serves as the court mage and also runs the Markath Museum. Obsessed with the Dwemer, he invites anyone (via letter) to come to his museum and will pay handsomely for any Dwarven items they're willing to part with. He is also currently overseeing an excavation of one of the many Dwemer ruins dotting the Reach.

* AdventurerArchaeologist
* CourtMage
* ShopliftAndDie: He takes the security of his museum ''very'' seriously, and has an entire unit of Markath guardsmen [[spoiler:and an entire, heavily armed bandit clan]] guarding it's halls at all times.
* CannotSpitItOut: Has the hots for Faleen, Jarl Igmund's housecarl, but can't bring himself to make a move. You help things along in a quest in praise of Mara, the goddess of love, marriage, etc etc.
** TwiceShy: It appears Faleen felt the same for him all along, as when you approach her with the [[spoiler: poem]], it turns out she has a [[spoiler: love letter]] for him in her person, and she finally musters the courage to have it sent to him by that point.

!!Madanach
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell

The King in Rags, leader of the Forsworn.

* BoxedCrook: Thonar keeps him alive in prison instead of executing him so he can use Madanach's Forsworn as his personal assassins. Thonar doesn't have nearly as much control over Madanach as he believes though.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: Even after [[spoiler: you help him escape]], Forsworn will still attack you, with a few exceptions.
** Could be a bit of RealityIsUnrealistic; Forsworn are under orders to attack everyone on the roads on sight. Even if Madanach were to make an exception for you, he likely wouldn't have a way to communicate it quickly to his scattered people or provide them with an effective means of determining your identity. The one camp where they don't attack you after his release is the one he is personally staying at.
** However, if you actually wear the Armor of the Old Gods, you can talk to and trade with the Forsworn throughout the Reach.
* FightingForAHomeland: High Rock and Skyrim have fought over the Reach in the past, but Madanach wants to see it independent.
* GoodOldWays: From his point of view, anyway. Like all Forsworn, he keeps to unidentified "old gods" (which are implied to be the Daedric Princes) rather than the Nine Divines.
** Given various dialogue from non-Forsworn characters, it seems likely the "old gods" are Daedra.
* ImpoverishedPatrician
* KnightTemplar: Madanach talks a lot about the "injustice" of The Reach, but he's hardly a saint himself.
* NoPronunciationGuide: Most npc's call him "Mad-a-nock", but at least one refers to him as "Ma-nad-nack". What's strange about this is that npc has the same VA as Madanach.
* NotSoDifferent: Argues this when you've been [[spoiler: unjustly arrested in Markarth]].
** It's more poignant when you're a Nord.
** Madanach is not dissimilar ideologically from his enemy Ulfric Stormcloak; different gods, same basic goals.
* RebelLeader
* RedBaron: The King in Rags.
* TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized: While he claims that his ultimate goal is peace once the Reach gains independence, he's not overly concerned about who has to die to accomplish that, and he ''hates'' the Nords.
** He does make an exception for a Nord Dragonborn, though, if only because he [[spoiler: needs help getting out of Cidhna Mine]]. [[DudeWheresMyRespect Granted that won't protect you from all future attacks]], but that's true regardless of race.
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Says this about Grisvar the Unlucky, who he tells the player to kill as a test of loyalty.
** He also essentially says this to ''you'', after you [[spoiler: help him and his men escape]]. He and the Forsworn stationed at his camp won't be hostile to you, but Madanach does pretty much tell you before he runs off that his allegiance with you is basically done.
* YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters: The Dragonborn can hear the Forsworn's side of the story of the Reach from him.

!!Muiri

A young Breton girl working for the Markarth apothecary. Despite her innocent demeanor, she experienced a tragic past, causing her to become obsessed with revenge. [[spoiler: To the point of summoning the Dark Brotherhood to carry it out.]]

* BreakTheCutie [[spoiler: She lived in Windhelm and was good friends with the well known Shatter-Shields. When one of the daughters of said family was killed, Muiri was comforted by a man called Alain Dufont. It turns out that Alain only used Muiri to get to the Shatter-Shields and rob them. The Shatter-Shields blamed Muiri for this robbery and effectively banished her from Windhelm, taking away the live she build up there.]]
* BrokenBird
* HeWhoFightsMonsters: [[spoiler: Also puts the innocent Nilsine Shatter-Shield on the murder contract, just to make the family matron Tova feel rotten.]]
* WrongGenreSavvy: [[spoiler:The reason she puts Nilsine as a bonus objective is because, in her broken mind, she believes that once Tova has no one but her husband left, she'll ''have'' to let her back into the family. It...[[DrivenToSuicide doesn't work out that way]]...]]

!!Thonar Silver-Blood

A member of the corrupt Silver-Blood family who runs Markath's Treasury House.

* AssholeVictim: He loses his wife in a Forsworn attack on his own treasury. Even if you choose the sympathetic "I'm sorry" response, he's savvy enough to know he's an asshole and doesn't believe you. You can also lampshade the trope by telling him "You deserved this."
* CorruptCorporateExecutive: As far as he's concerned, forcing criminals to mine for him for the rest of their lives is perfectly fine if he gets more silver out of it.
* DragonInChief: To the Silverblood family; his brother Thongvor is technically the head of the house as the elder brother, but Thonar is the one running all their schemes and doing all the dirty work.
** It could be more of an example of BigBadDuumvirate, with Thonar running the family business and Thongvar concentrating on politics.
* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler:A possible outcome of the Forsworn questline. The player can kill Madanach, after which Thonar will thank and pardon you but still continue with his corrupt activities.]] Still, not a complete houdini with the AssholeVictim aspect taken into account.
* KarmicDeath: [[spoiler:A possible outcome of the Forsworn questline. The player can ally with Madanach and help him escape, after which they and the other prisoners attack and (probably) kill Thonar, slain by the people he tried to seal away.]]
* {{Jerkass}}
* SmugSnake: Thonar believes he has fully cowed Madanach. He is later brutally proven wrong when Forsworn agents in his own house murder his wife and try to kill him too.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:People of The Rift]]

!!Galathil

An Altmer woman added to the Ragged Flagon in the ''Dawnguard'' expansion. She's known as the "Face Sculptor" and can change the Dragonborn's appearance (but not race or gender) for 1000 septims.

!!Grelod the Kind

Manager of Honorhall Orphanage and the target of Aventus Arentino's Black Sacrament.

* AntiClimax: She might be one of the cruelest persons in Skyrim, but defeating her takes even less than an unarmed punch. It's a wonder the kids didn't off her themselves. Then again, an elderly hag is not the kind of person who provides much of a challenge combat-wise.
* AssholeVictim: '''And how!''' When she's killed, the children ''cheer'' and her more kind-hearted assistant is more shocked by how blatant and abrupt the murder was than the fact that it happened at all. ''You don't even get a bounty for killing her'' and everybody in town, even the guards, just roll with it because everyone agrees that she was a horrible person.
* BlatantLies[=/=]{{Irony}}: Her sobriquet. Even adults know its a complete lie.
* ChildHater
* {{Expy}}: Shows similarities to Miss Hannigan from ''Theatre/{{Annie}}''.
* {{Jerkass}}: To put it mildly. When you visit the orphanage, she's in the middle of telling the children that she'll never let them be adopted and if they don't work hard enough, they'll get an ''extra'' beating. She even has a cell in the orphanage with shackles on the wall.

!! Ingun Black-Briar
--> '''Voiced by:''' Corri English

Daughter to [[TheDon Maven Black-Briar]] and part of the infamous family. She's arguably the most personable of all of them, but she still has her... issues.

* TheApprentice: To Elgrim.
* DeathByIrony: The entire reason she likes alchemy--that the same ingredients that can be used to create, save or restore life can be used to kill or maim.
* DefectorFromDecadence: Double-subverted. While she bemoans her family's greed and decadence, it's because she feels that it's pointless, not because it's wrong. She feels that she was meant for more than they can offer. But, considering why she's interested in alchemy, she could potentially be the ''most'' dangerous of them all.
* FetchQuest: She has one of the most long-spanning and exhausting fetch quests in the game, asking you to find 20 relatively rare alchemy ingredients (Nightshade, Deathbell, and Nirnroot). Not so bad when you know where to look, but still a lot harder than finding 20 Salt Piles would be. It's a bit suspicious that all three ingredients have the common attribute of being deadly poisons, too...
* MadScientist: In the making.
* [[NiceGuy Nice Girl]]: Her creepier predilections aside, she is always very polite to you, pays well for your hard work, and even provides a renewable source of alchemy goods if you complete the quest, simply because of a sense of noblesse oblige.
* NightmareFetishist: Her reasons for being interested in alchemy are...disturbing...to say the least. She seems to have a thing for the morbid and macabre.
* SoftspokenSadist: She's sweet, charming and friendly...but likes to watch people suffer from poisonous ingredients and potions. It's like the trope was ''built'' for her.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: She looks exactly like Maven. They even wear the same outfit, for Mara's sake.
* ToBeAMaster: Of alchemy.
* [[WellDoneSonGuy Well Done Daughter Gal]]: Her other motivation. She wants to make her mother proud.

!!Maul
--> '''Voiced by:''' Popeye Vogelsang

Right-hand man of Maven Black-Briar and her primary enforcer on the street. His brother, Dirge, is the bouncer for the Ragged Flagon. Should Maven be named Jarl, Maul becomes her housecarl.

* TheDragon: To Maven Black-Briar.
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast

!!Sibbi Black-Briar
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell

One of Maven Black-Briar's sons. Considered by Mjoll the Lioness to be the worst member of the family. Currently incarcerated in Riften Jail when even his mother got sick of his out of control nature.

* ConMan: Sold Louis Letrush a horse that didn't actually belong to Sibbi but rather to the whole Black-Briar family.
* TheCasanova: Makes it clear he's out to get all the women he can get his hands on to the Dragonborn when the latter visits. It's also effectively what landed him in jail. He even flirts with the Dragonborn if the latter is female.
* HairTriggerTemper: Maven had him jailed for eight months just so she wouldn't have to deal with this for a while. Apparently murdering a guy in public was the final straw for her.
* ItsAllAboutMe: His dialogue consists entirely of him whining about his predicament. He honestly believes his fiancee was wrong to be offended by his infidelity. He also blames her for his current incarceration (she confided in her brother about Sibbi's infidelity, angry brother confronted Sibbi, Sibbi ''stabbed her brother to death'' and got jailtime for it, ''and he blames her'') and wants her dead for it.
* {{Jerkass}}
* LuxuryPrisonSuite: Sibbi gets all of the comforts of home in his cell during his eight month incarceration for ''murder''. And the only reason he was imprisoned at all was because Maven thought he needed to cool off. [[UngratefulBastard Sibbi still complains.]]
* TheSociopath
* UngratefulBastard: Thinks his mother's being too harsh with him by giving him a long overdue time-out when he ought to be grateful he's not getting a worse punishment for murdering someone.

!!Wylandriah

Court mage for The Rift, and perennially scatter-brained.

* AbsentMindedProfessor: If her rambling at you for two minutes in MagiBabble wasn't indication enough, she'll send you out to find some experiment materials she misplaced. In three different cities. When you return them, of course, she's completely forgotten she sent you out to find them or that she lost them in the first place, but she's grateful and rewards you all the same.
* CourtMage
* CloudCuckoolander: The College of Winterhold treasures her correspondence letters, which are apparently complete and utter nonsense; she once requested a sample of ''the Heart of Lorkhan''. As in the heart of the dead creator-god which may or may not be responsible for the vanishing of the Dwemer and that definitely disappeared centuries ago.
** However, in the letter that mentions the Heart of Lorkhan sample, another mention is made of her requesting "[[RightForTheWrongReasons greenmote]]", a mind-altering and potentially lethal drug found only in the Shivering Isles, but which the senders take to refer to "[[YouDontWantToCatchThis greenspore]]", an dementia-inducing disease found only in fish.

!!Froki Whetted-Blade

An old, Kyne worshiping hunter. Grandfather of Haming (who lives with him now), the child Hadvar rescues in Alduin's attack on Helgen.

* GreatWhiteHunter: For religious reasons, out of respect for Kyne's animals.
* GrumpyOldMan: Stemming from how city Nords now worship the Nine Divines, which he (more-or-less accurately) believes are "stolen idols" and watered down versions of the Nordic pantheon.
* ScrewPolitenessIAmASenior: Upon seeing you, he insults you, believing you have come to tell him about the Nine Divines. He warms up if you tell him you don't believe in the Divines.
* TheMissionary: Judging by his reaction when he first sees you, he really does not like these.

!!Chief Yamarz

Chieftan of the orcs at Largashbur, his tribe has recently been beseiged by giants sensing weakness in them and they worry Malacath has turned his sight from them.

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority[=/=]AuthorityEqualsAssKicking: As per usual with orcs, the chieftan proves he's worthy of his position by being a great warrior. The problem for this particular tribe is that Yamarz very very much isn't.
* CurbStompBattle: If you talk him into fighting the leader of the giants himself, he's summarily crushed.
* DirtyCoward: In very sharp contrast to most orcs. He tries to hire you to kill the leader of the giants and let him take credit for it to prove himself to Malacath, and in the cave on the way to its lair rather pointedly flees from the normal giants along the way.
* TooDumbToLive: Besides the fact that he tries to off you after you just killed the giant he was too cowardly to face himself, does he really think he can put one over on a ''Daedric Prince'' who cursed his tribe in the first place because he knew Yamarz was a wimp?
** Well, consider this - Yamarz was admittedly probably too dumb to realise this himself, mind you, but if the Dovakhiin killed a giant, that presumably makes him more mighty than a giant, and if Yamarz kills the ''[[PhysicalGod Dovahkiin]]''...

[[/folder]]

[[folder:People of Whiterun Hold]]

!!Alvor, Sigrid, and Dorthe

A Riverwood family who runs the village smith. The legionnaire Hadvar is Alvor's nephew by blood.

* TheBlacksmith: Alvor is the town blacksmith, and since he is likely the first smith you come across, he is also likely the smith who gives you the Smithing tutorial.
* DaddysGirl: To a degree with Dorthe. She much enjoys being a junior apprentice to Alvor in the smithy than doing womanly chores with Sigrid.
--> ''"My father is Alvor, the blacksmith. I'm his assistant. I mean, apprentice."''
* GoodParents: Both are nurturing to their daughter Dorthe, but Dorthe seems to gravitate towards her father.
* MrExposition: Alvor gives an Imperial-biased one to the Player concerning the Civil War, as well as a few other things.
* {{Tomboy}}: Dorthe is turning into one, much to Alvor's delight (he wanted a son but sufficed with Dorthe), while Sigrid is concerned she isn't ladylike enough.
--> ''"Dorthe, listen to me. Your father and your friend may treat you like a boy, but you're not. Do you understand? So please. Be a girl. For me."''

!!Gerdur, Hod and Frodnar

A Riverwood Family, Gerdur is the sister of Stormcloak Ralof. She owns the town sawmill.

* BrattyHalfPint: Frodnar shows shades of this, being rather bossy towards the player (No matter how intimidating the player can be) and coming up with plans to make his dog look like a frostbite spider (Which Dorthe talks him out of because it would either fail or get his dog killed by the adults of the town).
-->''"You're new around here, so I'll go easy on ya, but don't get on my bad side".''
* IOwnThisTown: Gerdur owns the sawmill, which the main business of the town and the reason Riverwood exists, according to Alvor whose blacksmith gets most of its work from Gerdur's mill. In a subversion of the trope though, Gerdur doesn't really use that influence over the village for anything in particular. If anything, Frodnar shows a more entitled attitude than her (See BrattyHalfPint).
* ThePrankster: Frodnar, much to his friend Dorthe's displeasure according to him.
-->''"My friend Dorthe doesn't like my pranking. ''"You're being mean, Frodnar!"'' So what if I am?"''
->''"Get me mad, and I'll prank ya. And not a little. A lot."''
* [[MrExposition Mrs Exposition]]: Gerdur gives a Stormcloak-biased one to the Player concerning the Civil war, amongst other things.


!!Proventus Avenicci

Imperial man, and Steward to Jarl Balgruuf. Doesn't get a lot of the Nordic culture.

* ArbitrarySkepticism: Some new person in the hall just killed a dragon then suddenly learned how to make weird stuff happen just by shouting, shortly followed by the Greybeards letting all of Skyrim know they expect the Dragonborn to drop by, and what does he do?
* CommanderContrarian: May come across as this often.
* [[PuppetKing Puppet Adivsor]]: Apparently, half the advice he gives the Jarl is actually from his daughter, or so she claims.

!!Clans Gray-Mane and Battle-Born

The two major families of Whiterun driven into a grim rivalry when they took opposite sides of the war, Battle-Born with the Empire and Gray-Mane with the Stormcloaks.

* AwesomeMcCoolname: Clan Battle-Born.
* BoisterousBruiser: Clan Battle-Born's battlecry paints them as this somewhat.
-->''For Clan Battle-Born! First into the fray and last to quit their ale!''
* BadassFamily: Clan Gray-Mane has the UltimateBlacksmith, a former Companion member, and one man all too eager to launch a three-man raid (four if you come) on a Thalmor stronghold.
** Add in Olfina Gray-Mane, who becomes (Jarl) Vignar Gray-Mane's Housecarl after the Stormcloaks take Whiterun, and, during the operation to capture [[spoiler: Odahviing]], actually [[ActionGirl helps out]]. She can even become the new ''Jarl'' if you assassinate Vignar.
* FriendInTheBlackMarket: [[spoiler:Olfrid becomes the main contact of the Thieves Guild in Whiterun after contacting them to help bail a friend out from prison for murder.]]
* GreenEyedMonster: Olfrid Battle-Born suggests that Clan Gray-Mane stated the feud because they were jealous of the Battle-Born fortune.
* {{Jerkass}}: Neither clan is particularly nice overall. The Battle-Born males openly mock the grandmotherly Fralia Gray-Mane when her son is missing, asserting that he's dead [[spoiler:when they know he's actually a prisoner of the Thalmor]], and if the Stormcloaks take Whiterun and Clan Gray-Mane rises to power, the Battle-Born family is subjected to at least two robberies. Though, Vignar doesn't specifically target them, he does not allow them justice either. Saying that they made their choice when the troubles began.
** JerkWithAHeartOfGold: [[spoiler:The Battle-Born tried to get Fralia's son released. Their mockery could be seen as a CruelToBeKind attempt to make Fralia give up on her son once they learned that it was an impossibility.]]
*** Rather [[spoiler:Idolaf]] did, as he and Avulstein were childhood friends. Nothing saying that the other members of the family did so for any reason beyond antagonizing her.
* MeaningfulName: Everyone in Clan Gray-Mane has white hair, for one reason or another.
* NiceGuy: Jon Battle-Born.
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: The Gray-Manes assert that the Battle-Borns are weak and only care about their money.
* StarCrossedLovers: Jon Battle-Born and Olfina Gray-Mane, the sole members of each clan who don't care for the feud, have a thing for each other.
* WarriorPoet: Jon Battle-Born studied at the Bard's College and is very proud of his profession as a skald, upholding the history, honor, glory, and tradition of his people through song and poetry. He finds men who practice the bardic arts solely for coin and women insulting. But more than anything, he laments that Nords are forgetting poetry and romance, becoming "obsessed with death".
* WeUsedToBeFriends: The two families used to be very close, but were driven apart after taking opposite sides in the war.
* WithUsOrAgainstUs: Idolaf Battle-Born tries to invoke this after you enter Whiterun, asking "Gray-Mane or Battle-Born?" If you ask for clarification, he elaborates and repeats the question. If you remain neutral, he simply asserts that everyone chooses a side eventually.

!!Farengar Secret-Fire

->''Come to Dragonsreach to discuss the recent hostilities, like the rest of the 'great warriors'?''

Court Mage for Whiterun. The first magical vendor you're likely to encounter, and involved in the initial main quest as pertaining to Whiterun. Fascinated with dragons.

* CourtMage
* ForScience: Farengar seems to be more interested in researching dragons for its own sake, rather than the urgently-desired "how to fight them" intel that the Jarl wants him to focus on. When [[spoiler:Odahviing]] is captured, he tries to take some samples for research. [[spoiler:The dragon ''strenuously'' objects.]]
* InsufferableGenius: He can be rather supercilious at times, but most of it stems from bitterness that [[KlingonScientistsGetNoRespect Nordic culture distrusts magic]].
* [[KlingonScientistsGetNoRespect Nord Mages Get No Respect]]: Especially not from [[spoiler:angry dragons]].
* ObliviousToLove; It's implied the Whiterun alchemy shop owner has a crush on him, and he almost certainly isn't aware of it.

!!Heimskr
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

Self-professed prophet of Talos, he perpetually preaches about the God-Emperor by his shrine in Whiterun.

* ButtMonkey: He's involved in no quests, major or minor, does nothing of importance, and is incredibly annoying, so it's not uncommon for players to kill him in whatever way they deem fit.
* CharacterFilibuster: He ''never'' shuts up about the glory of Talos and his disdain for those trying to snuff out his worship.
* DespairSpeech: Part of his speech: "We are but maggots! '''WRIIIIIIIIITHING''' in the filth of our OWN CORRUPTION!"
* {{Expy}}: Of Cromwell, the preacher of the Children of Atom in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' who was likewise encountered singing the praises of his god in the center of the first major town you visit. However, Heimskr is ''louder'', and what he preaches make more sense in universe.
* LargeHam: Espouses the glories of Talos to anyone who'll listen, or indeed anyone within earshot, which is most of Whiterun because he does it ''at the top of his lungs''.
* LoveFreak: "And as man you said, 'Let me show you the power of Talos, Stormcrown, born of the North, where my breath is long winter. I breathe now in royalty and reshape this land which is mine. I do this for you, Red Legions, for I '''LOVE YOU!'''' Aye, love! ''LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!''"
* MeaningfulName: Heimskr in Old Norse means "foolish/silly". Likewise, the word "Heimskur" is Icelandic for "stupid".
* RousingSpeech: He certainly thinks he is giving one: "So rise up! '''RIIIIIIIIIIIIISE''' up, children of the Empire! Rise up, Stormcloaks!"
* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: Though it crosses into TooDumbToLive, while the Empire and the Jarls may not enforce the ban on Talos worship that strongly, belting out his glories in a town known to be a trading hub of the country is a good way to attract the wrong kind of attention.
* YouCantGoHomeAgain: His house gets destroyed in the Siege of Whiterun, and he instead camps out in front of Jorrvaskr.
* YouHaveToBelieveMe: "Trust in me Whiterun! Trust in Heimskr! For I am the chosen of Talos! I alone have been anointed by the Ninth to spread his holy word!"

!!Irileth
--> '''Voiced by:''' Lani Minella

Dunmeri housecarl to Jarl Balgruf the Greater of Whiterun Hold.

* ActionGirl
* DareToBeBadass: "Now what do you say! Shall we go kill us a dragon?"
* FireForgedFriends: Is this with Balgruuf. Before his days as a Jarl, they were adventurers together.
* MagicKnight: That lightning bolt you saw flying at Mirmilnur during the first dragon fight? Irileth.
* ProperlyParanoid: Apparently attempts on Balgruuf's life are not unheard of. She keeps a wary eye on the Player even after ingratiating themselves to the Jarl and her suspicion is proven should the player join the Stormcloaks.
* ScrewDestiny: Refuses to believe that a chosen hero like the Dovakhiin is needed and insists that all men need to win the war against the dragons are bravery and steel. Unfortunately, this is a BecauseDestinySaysSo setting.
* SeenItAll: According to her, at least.

!!Nazeem
--->'''Voiced by:''' Keith Silverstein

A successful Redguard trader who wanders around the Plains District of Whiterun, insulting the merchandise and talking down to the vendors. He owns Chilfurrow Farm, though he apparently sleeps in the Bannered Mare whilst he is conducting business in Whiterun. His incredibly pretentious and supercilious manner, his naked condescension and his total lack of relevance to any story related activity mean that he is one of the most detested characters in Whiterun.

* BiTheWay: Hinted at. He gets "unseasonably warm" if you approach him with no clothes on, regardless of gender.
* CatchPhrase: "Do you get to the Cloud District very often, oh, what am I saying, of course you don't.
* DirtyCoward: If you fight him, he will run away incredibly quickly.
* Jerkass: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPKC2-oJZnc Have a look]].
* NoAccountingForTaste
* ProfessionalButtKisser: Very much so. His wife comments on this frequently.
--->'''Ahlam''': Looking for my husband Nazeem. Check the Jarl's backside - that's usually where he stuffs himself these days.
* TheScrappy: The developers were probably going for this, given his arrogance and pretentiousness: "This is probably way over your head." An in-universe example too: almost no-one likes him, and his wife is no exception. His bounty is tiny, and his wife makes only one comment if you murder him.
* SelfMadeMan: He sees himself as one. Given that his farm is actually rather small, this may be a subversion.
* SmallNameBigEgo: Oh boy.


!!Lucan and Camilla Valerius
--> '''Voiced by:''' Stephen Russell (Lucan) and Corri English (Camilla Valerius)

Imperial immigrants to Skyrim, siblings, and proprietors of the Riverwood Trader. Camilla journeyed from Cyrodiil to start a new life with Lucan after the war with the Thalmor left the province in ruins. When the Dovahkiin meets them, they are arguing over what to do about the theft of [[MacGuffin the Golden Claw]], ostensibly a bauble that Lucan found on his travels, but actually much more...They are the owners of the first general store in the game and give some of the first quests.

* BrotherSisterTeam: They run the Riverwood Trader. Camilla will take over selling gear if, at any point, Lucan is killed.
* GirlNextDoor: Camilla.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Lucan. He's a bit abrasive and Camilla calls him "a child", but if you help him out, he pays you well, lets you grab some supplies free off his shelves, and declares that you and him are the only people in the world who are "not fools."
* RedOniBlueOni: Camilla and Lucan respectively. Lucan waits for someone to get the Golden Claw back for him. Camilla is willing to go to Bleak Falls Barrow herself until the Dovahkiin shows up.
* SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan: Camilla. And neither of the two men courting her [[GreyAndGrayMorality are that great.]] The Dovahkiin can marry [[LoveInterest her]] though.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:People of Winterhold]]

!!Nelacar
--> '''Voiced by:''' Neil Dickson

Expelled from the College of Winterhold, this Altmer mage stays in the Frozen Hearth Inn, staying within the city of Winterhold.

* AffablyEvil: The 'evil' part is a bit of a stretch, but Nelacar is personable, helpful, endearing, probably the ''nicest'' Altmer in the game...and almost certainly a necromancer who has done some vile, vile things.
** Should the Dragonborn have completed the College questline, he respectfully addresses them as "Archmage". Of course, its [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation entirely possible]] he might simply be trying to get on their good side to be allowed readmittance into the College.
* DarkIsNotEvil: Seems to believe this, as he seems to believe that [[spoiler:corrupting Azura's Star into the Black Star]] is preferable than turning it over to its "evil" Daedric master.
* [[EvilSmellsBad Dark Smells Bad]]: Or more specifically, according to Dagur, [[ShoutOut like a beast that's]] "[[Film/GalaxyQuest been turned inside-out and exploded]]."
* {{Necromancer}}: Probably, given his involvement with Mayln Varen's experiments into immortality and his general comfort with the concept of black soul gems. Conversely, he ''did'' say he express being appalled at the depths of his former teacher when studying Azura's Star.

!!Septimus Signus

An ingenious but insane wizard living in a remote island in the Sea of Ghosts.

* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}
* DealWithTheDevil: He's dealt with Hermaeus Mora due to his thirst for knowledge.
* GoMadFromTheIsolation: Probably a contributing factor to his insanity, but the main cause of it is...
* GoMadFromTheRevelation: He went insane when he looked upon an Elder Scroll.
* TheHermit
* MadOracle
* RhymesOnADime: He tends to speak like this.
* ThirdPersonPerson
* [[spoiler:YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness]]: [[spoiler:Due to his insanity, Hermaeus Mora no longer considers him useful and he disappears in a flash of light upon finding the Oghma Infinium.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Wanderers]]

!!M'aiq the Liar
--> '''Voiced by:''' André Sogliuzzo

A Khajiit monk who wanders the land. He is named after his ancestors and carries on the family tradition of delivering cryptic [[TakeThat Take-Thats]] to the player. This time he also starts snarking to the creators themselves about what they did wrong in ''Oblivion''.

* [[ArtifactTitle Artifact Sobriquet]]: In-universe example. M'aiq the Liar served as an AuthorAvatar giving cryptic take-thats right from his introduction in ''Morrowind'', but the ''in-universe'' untruthfulness of (most of) his comments were toned down for ''Oblivion'' and ''Skyrim''.
* AuthorAvatar: The only reason he has a role in the game is to voice the creator's opinion about the UnpleasableFanbase.
* CatchPhrase: Averted. He sometimes does utter the catchphrase of his ancestor[[hottip:*:"''M'aiq knows much, tells some. M'aiq knows many things others do not.''"]] , but does not use enough to make it his own catchphrase.
* CloudCuckooLander: He comes over as very detached from the setting. Logical, since he is something of a literal AuthorAvatar.
* DeadpanSnarker: Some of his speeches are very sarcastic and rude towards certain fans.
* EasterEgg
* LegacyCharacter: There was also a Khajiit with his name 206 years earlier in Morrowind and 200 years earlier in Cyrodiil. This is explained by the fact that the name is passed down to newer generations.
* MushroomSamba: He always has Skooma on his person, which might explain his bizarre, if fairly accurate, view of the world.
* TakeThat: Just about every speech he makes is a reaction the makers have about an aspect of the game fans aren't pleased about.
* TakeThatUs: He also starts snarking at some minor gripes in Oblivion. A noteworthy snark is when he repeats a much ridiculed line about mudcrabs from the previous game.
* ThirdPersonPerson: Like most Khajiits, M'aiq talks about M'aiq in this fashion almost all the time M'aiq speaks.

!!Old Orc
--> '''Voiced by:''' Noah Nelson

An aging orc found in the wilderness. He has been [[DeathSeeker looking for a good death]], and the Dragonborn can give it to him.

* BadassGrandpa: Fittingly. He's also fairly tough as [=NPCs=] go; if you encounter him at a low level, it's probably in your best interest to just ignore him.
* DeathSeeker: He has seen a vision from Malacath telling him to seek a glorious death. By the time the Dragonborn gets to him, he's surrounded by saber cat corpses. Apparently, they weren't glorious enough.
* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin / NoNameGiven: His character name is just "Old Orc." And that's exactly what he is!
* HonorBeforeReason: He's honestly not ''that'' old, but he's past his prime in traditional Orc culture. Even though you can tell him this, and point out his potential usefulness to others outside the strongholds, he still insists on dying because Malacath wills it.
** FaceDeathWithDignity: He explains that he wishes to die while he can "still call himself a proper man", elaborating that he doesn't want to linger on to the point where he's frail and feeble. He further explains that it's "unseemly" to cling to something after it becomes useless, including your own life.
* ICannotSelfTerminate: If asked, he'll clarify that he can't kill himself because "it would displease Malacath."

!!Ri'saad
--> '''Voiced by:''' André Sogliuzzo

Head of the Khajiit caravans. Ri'saad leads one of them and is behind forming the other two, who work for him.

* {{Hypocrite}}: The Khajiit Caravans are not allowed inside any of the cities, because the Nords think them to be thieves and smugglers. Ri'saad laments this "racist" attitude... Except he openly sells illegal Moon Sugar and Skooma. [[spoiler:Join the Thieves Guild, and one mission shows that Ri'saad and his caravans willingly smuggle goods and act as fences for little more than a few bribes.]]
** Of course, if the Nords didn't actively shun the Khajiit and allowed them inside their cities to conduct better, more honest, and profitable commerce, [[spoiler: it's dubious if they'd need to act as fences and sell stolen goods]]. Alternatively, given that Elsewyr has become a vassal of the Aldmeri Dominion willingly (or perhaps were manipulated into doing so), the Nords don't trust any Khajiit. Of course, during a certain quest chain, Ri'saad shows that he considers all Thalmor to be filth. And the way he mentions it seems to suggest that it's a common view amongst Khajiit.
*** Note that Moon Sugar is a vital religious drug for pretty much any Khajiit.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: Though the Khajiit joined the Aldmeri Dominion willingly, he regards Khajiit working with the Thalmor poorly, calling them "Thalmor Filth" and noting that they give all Khajiit a bad name.
* NiceGuy: He (if you talk to the other Khajiit merchants) was the guy who helped them all carve out a lucrative trading niche in the economy of Skyrim, and he even took a few with troubled backgrounds and made them respectable. Ysolda of Whiterun, who wishes to be a storeowner also states that despite their reputation the Khajiits are fairly honest businessmen by her account.

!!Talsgar the Wanderer
--> '''Voiced by:''' Michael Gough

A Nord bard occasionally found wandering the main roads.

* CulturedBadass: One version of his appearance code brings a pair of bandits along with him, both of whom he beats quite handily. Of course, since he's marked an essential NPC, it's basically impossible for him to lose. At higher levels, he can be found going one on one against Frost Trolls and even ''dragons''.
* BadassBeard
* NoodleIncident: One where it's pretty easy to fill in the blanks. You can ask him to train you in Speech, but he'll politely refuse, saying, "Ah. Well. After a little incident with a roguish lad and the daughter of a prominent thane... Well, let's just say, best not."

[[/folder]]

* FantasticRacism: If you meet up with Brunwulf Free-Winter you have the option of saying that Skyrim is for Nords alone. [[BoomerangBigot Strangely enough, you get this option even if you're not a Nord.]]

* OnlyInItForTheMoney: Quite possible with any Dragonborn, but comes out most when playing a Thief archtype combined with the right dialogue options. Especially if you join the Thieves Guild.

** BadassBystander: During Dragon attacks on towns, you can step in, kill it, then go right back to what you were doing.

* OneSceneWonder: He only gets a few minutes in one scene to [[ChewingTheScenery Chew The Scenery]], and he makes a ''meal'' of it.