Best Skyrim Characters Who Deserve A Spin-Off Game

Best Skyrim Characters Who Deserve A Spin-Off Game

Key Takeaways

  • Esbern stands out in Skyrim with his wisdom, making him a great strategy game lead.
  • A game focusing on Arngeir would provide insight into the Greybeards’ origins.
  • Sapphire’s vengeful backstory could make for an intriguing revenge-centered game.

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent in the mystical realm of Tamriel, I must say that each character mentioned here has left an indelible mark on my gaming journey.


To this very moment, the game “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” continues to claim a spot among the top-selling video games ever made, even amidst the constantly evolving gaming industry that has birthed numerous impressive new titles. One reason for its enduring appeal is the remarkable level of detail invested in world-building, as demonstrated by an abundance of lore, intricate landscapes, and engaging characters.

Among the numerous intriguing characters found in the game, there’s an abundance of antagonists, sidekicks, and protagonists. Yet, even with a vast ensemble of remarkable non-player characters (NPCs), certain ones truly shine due to exceptional writing – featuring engaging backstories, clever dialogues, and distinctive personalities crafted by the writers. These standout Skyrim characters warrant their own individual spin-off games.

10 Esbern

Blades Archivist On A Monumental Quest

  • Location: Sleeping Giant Inn, Sky Haven Temple
  • Notable Questlines: Alduin’s Wall, Paarthurnax

Initially, Esbern may appear as an ordinary Elder Nord, but upon closer inspection, he is more than meets the eye. The Thalmor are after him, and he foresaw the Dragonborn Crisis. As it transpired, he was a scholar of dragon-hunting Blades, although not a warrior himself, he orchestrated several harmful operations behind the scenes.

Despite some people wishing for the Blades to cease existence, the Thalmor are relentlessly searching for Esbern due to his extensive knowledge about dragons. In a different context, Esbern, though not primarily combat-oriented, could be an excellent central figure in a strategy game set within Skyrim’s political environment, given his profound wisdom.

9 Arngeir Greybeard

Enigmatic Master Of The Voice

  • Location: High Hrothgar
  • Notable Questlines: The Way of the Voice, Words of Power

In the game, Arngeir Greybeard is a character who belongs to the Greybeards, an old and wise group known for their mastery of the “Way of the Voice.” Throughout the storyline, Arngeir serves as the Dragonborn’s guide in learning the Voice, being one of the few Greybeards (alongside Paarthunax) who can speak without causing the earth to tremble.

In Skyrim, the Greybeards function more as mentors. However, their history dates back to Jurgen Windcaller, who converted to pacifism following his defeat in the War of Succession. He attributed his loss to using the Thu’um for destruction. It would be intriguing to explore the events that led Arngeir to High Hrothgar and delve deeper into the Greybeards’ origins, shedding light on their fascinating past.

8 Pelagius Septim III

Troubled Is The Head That Wears The Circlet

  • Location: Blue Palace – Pelagius Wing
  • Notable Questlines: The Mind of Madness

In the game “Skyrim,” Pelagius Septim III doesn’t have a significant role, but he’s still an engaging side-character. If a player chooses to aid Dervenin in his quest for reunion with his master, they will cross paths with Pelagius. Through Pelagius’s wing, the player gets a glimpse into Emperor Septim’s mind, which is currently occupied by Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness.

Throughout this adventure, the player gains insight into Pelagius Septim III’s intricate life story. Born amidst political strife and family rivalries, his reign in Solitude was marked by early signs of mental instability. His later years were spent wandering through asylums. However, despite the turmoil and suffering that characterized his rule, Pelagius Septim III is a multi-faceted, eccentric figure who warrants his own focus in any narrative.

7 Aela The Huntress

A Skilled Archer With A Beastly Side

  • Location: Jorrvaskr
  • Notable Questlines: Take Up Arms, Glory of the Dead

The Companions are a group of mercenaries, but they are distinguished above others as warriors by their brave and honorable heritage. Their formation is traced back to the original and legendary Five Hundred Companions, the victorious party in the Nordic-Falmer War.

Aela the Tracker is a member of an elite group within the Companions called The Circle, which comprises of top-tier Companions who are also werewolves. Given her dual roles as a hunter and a werewolf, Aela has a special affinity for the power and agility that her lycanthropy provides. In light of their numerous missions, it would be advantageous for the Companions to have their own game, where Aela, who can transform, takes center stage.

6 Sapphire

A Sharp-Tongued Thief That Deserved Better

  • Location: Bee and Barb, Ragged Flagon – Cistern
  • Notable Questlines: Stabilized, Paid in Full

In the captivating world of Skyrim, I find myself awestruck by the vividness of characters like Sapphire – even minor figures are given depth through rich backstories crafted by the gifted writers. As a child, tragedy struck when my family’s farm was ransacked by marauding bandits, who took my life and that of my parents. In a desperate bid for vengeance, I tracked down those responsible and ended their lives in their sleep. This dark turn of events led me to join the shadowy ranks of the Dark Brotherhood. Eventually, I was brought into the Thieves Guild by Brynjolf – a fateful encounter that would forever change my life in Skyrim.

A thoughtful aspect is that the player can uncover the true identity of Sapphire’s father and provide her with a sense of resolution. As an additional tale that resonated deeply, a complete game featuring a revenge narrative (akin to games like Shadow of Mordor) would allow players to exact retribution on those who harmed Sapphire.

5 Serana

A Pure Blood Vampire With A Tumultuous Family History

  • Location: Dimhollow Crypt, Volkihar Castle
  • Notable Questlines: Kindred Judgement

In the course of the Dawnguard adventure, you’ll encounter Serana who resides in Dimhollow Crypt. Upon being liberated, she implores the Dragonborn for guidance back home. Her objective is to locate her mother, and in doing so, she gradually unravels Lord Harkon’s sinister plot aimed at breaking the sun’s control.

Although the player gets to learn about Serana’s life story, filled with themes of betrayal, abandonment, and solitude, it’s unfortunate that they can’t personally live through her experiences. Having a strong, defensive vampire character like Serana as a playable lead would significantly enhance a Gothic-style vampire game.

4 Paarthurnax

A Wise And Reformed Dragon

  • Location: The Throat of the World
  • Notable Questlines: Paarthurnax, Dragonslayer

In the game called Skyrim, encounters with dragons tend to be aggressive, but Paarthurnax stands out as he is more philosophical and prefers to avoid confrontation. Unlike his brother Alduin, he joined forces with humans during the Dragon War, leading them to victory and sending Alduin away. To tame his violent instincts, Paarthurnax chose solitude atop the Throat of the World for contemplative meditation on the “Path of the Voice.

Regarding the central figure in the Paarthurnax quest, opinions among players vary significantly. Some empathize with him, aligning solidly with the Greybeards, while others staunchly support the Blades and choose to eliminate him due to his previous actions. A game centered around the Dragon War featuring Paarthunax as the lead character would be intriguing; perhaps it could be titled “Fire and Steel” or a fresh take on “Spyro the Dragon” by Bethesda.

3 Brynjolf

The Thieves Guild Member Every Player Wishes Had Time For Them

  • Location: Riften market, Ragged Flagon
  • Notable Questlines: Trinity Restored

Many players of the game Skyrim are likely to recognize the disheartening phrase: “I’m afraid I have crucial matters to attend to. Perhaps we can talk another day.” Some fans are so eager for additional content that there exists a mod named Brynjolf has Time for You by ThediusCalvin, which enables players to romance or make him a companion.

In the storyline, the Dragonborn character holds great importance for both the Thieves Guild and the Nightingales, yet they miss out on the guild’s golden era before it fell out of favor with Daedric Prince Nocturnal. It would be intriguing to have a game that focuses on Brynjolf’s shenanigans and the creation of the Guild, exploring its rise through clever political maneuvering and underhanded agreements.

2 Cicero

Everyone’s Favorite Mad Jester

  • Location: path near Loreius Farm, Dawnstar Sanctuary
  • Notable Questlines: Delayed Burial, The Cure for Madness

The character named Cicero is first encountered by the player as they travel north of Whiterun, where he seems like a simple jester carrying his mother’s coffin. However, as the story unfolds and you progress through the Dark Brotherhood questline, it becomes clear that Cicero is not what he appears. In reality, Cicero serves as the Keeper of the Night Mother – the leader of the faction who passes on assassination requests to the Listener.

Although Cicero may seem eccentric due to his past as an assassin and his current state, he was once held in high regard. However, after becoming fixated on his last victim, a jester, Cicero developed peculiar habits and adopted the jester’s attire. His story unfolds across Cyrodiil and his quest for a new Listener to restore the Brotherhood. Despite limited information about him, this quirky jester has won over many gamers, making them eager for a dedicated game featuring Cicero.

1 Miraak

One Of The Most Memorable Bethesda Villains Ever

  • Location: Apocrypha
  • Notable Questlines: At the Summit of Apocrypha

In the expansion pack called Dragonborn, the primary villain, Miraak, surfaces on Solstheim as an evil entity manipulating the locals with the aim of regaining control over the island for his selfish purposes. Interestingly, Miraak is bound to the Daedric Prince of Fate, Hermaeus Mora, and has access to an immense repository of knowledge, including secrets that allow him to subjugate dragons’ wills.

Miraak appears to possess a talent for alienating others; he betrays his fellow Dragon Priest, rebels against dragons, and disappoints his Daedric superior. However, he is an exceptionally strong and driven antagonist, making him a compelling choice for a standalone game. After all, isn’t it fun to take on the role of the villain occasionally?

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2024-10-27 02:35