Most Skyrim Players Have Never Met These NPCs

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In the world of Skyrim, one encounters a myriad of remarkable heroes, sinister villains, and ordinary citizens merely striving for survival. While figures such as Ulfric Stormcloak, Brynjolf, Delphine, or Ma’iq are widely recognized by many gamers, there exists a multitude of characters who often go unnoticed. These overlooked characters might operate stores that players rarely visit, or they could be encountered in tranquil Rorikstead in a single, fleeting moment.

Among the frequent dragon assaults, bandit invasions, and nocturnal vampire hunts in Skyrim, it’s not surprising that certain Non-Player Characters (NPCs) might vanish or remain elusive due to their extraordinary reputations. Even players who have spent countless hours exploring Skyrim may not have encountered every NPC, and here are some of the ones they’re most likely to have missed.

Most Skyrim Players Have Never Met These NPCs

In Skyrim, the numerous features designed to create immersion, such as random meetings, effectively make the game world seem vibrant. However, these systems can sometimes lead to certain NPCs being challenging to locate. A few of them are exceptionally rare, with one entirely unknown to many players.

Balbus

Enthusiastic about fine cuisine and food in general, Balbus is set to encounter the player at random moments following the demise of the deceptive emperor. He’ll inquire if they are known as The Gourmet, and should the player possess the Passage Writ, Balbus will eagerly bestow upon them a generous selection of ingredients, among which includes the precious Daedra Heart.

Headless Horseman

From 10 am to 4 am, the Headless Horseman, who is actually a ghost, will gallop along Skyrim’s roads, passing everyone he encounters as he makes his way towards Hamvir’s Rest. Since he’s a spirit, he can’t be attacked and won’t respond to any efforts by the Dragonborn to bother him. Interestingly, there’s a glitch that makes the Headless Horseman appear on his horse’s back, causing him to chase after his own steed until daybreak.

Sond and Bottar

Sond and Bottar are exceptional merchants in Skyrim who specialize in selling uncommon Dwemer metal artifacts. What sets them apart is their unique status as siblings who run a merchant business, and when you first meet them, they’ll point out the location of Deep Folk Crossing on your map. However, meeting them isn’t guaranteed, as they appear randomly, and once they do, they move to the nearest settlement. Finding them again can prove challenging due to their wandering nature.

Faldrus

In another chance event during your journey to the Shrine of Azura, you might cross paths with a character named Faldrus. However, his appearance isn’t guaranteed every time. He’ll be headed towards the shrine, and unlike most casual encounters, he’s quite peculiar. If you decide to eliminate him during your initial encounter, there’s a slim chance that he could reappear later with no hard feelings towards you, making this an extremely rare occurrence.

Snorreid

In an envy-inducing turn of events, Snorreid enjoys a life that some might dream of – he spends all his days in peaceful slumber. Hidden away at the back of the East Empire Warehouse in Solitude, he reclines on a makeshift bed, hardly stirring when conversed with. In fact, there’s little else Snorreid engages in, and considering the warehouse isn’t exactly bustling, most players may have overlooked him. His unwavering dedication to staying flat out seems fitting, given his name shares a striking resemblance to a familiar nighttime sound – a snore.

Ebony Warrior

Most “Skyrim” players may be familiar with the Ebony Warrior, yet few have probably achieved the level required for him to emerge. This formidable adversary stands as the final test for a Dragonborn who has completed all other tasks, offering one of the game’s most challenging encounters. Dressed in complete ebony armor and standing taller than other NPCs, the origin story of the Ebony Warrior remains shrouded in mystery, save for the knowledge that he is a Redguard seeking a noble demise and, surprisingly, aims to reach Sovengarde.

Other Highly Missable Skyrim NPCs

Brand-Shei

Although Brand-Shei is readily accessible and links to the widely recognized Thieves Guild missionline, it’s the events that transpire with him that warrant a notable mention. Brand-Shei is a vendor located in Riften, who comes with a minor quest, and surprisingly has many unique lines of dialogue. Nevertheless, the initial task for the guild requires the player to secretly place a stolen ring on Brand-Shei, leading to his imprisonment in Riften jail throughout the gameplay, preventing both the player and Brand-Shei from participating in further interactions or transactions.

Narfi and Reyda

This duo of non-player characters (NPCs), Narfi and Reyda, carry a heavy dose of sorrow. Narfi, a destitute beggar, relies entirely on his sister, Reyda. Regrettably, her skeleton is discovered near some water, leaving Narfi in search of answers about his missing sibling. Players can take the quest “The Straw That Broke” from Narfi to help locate his lost sister. Despite his innocent and unfortunate circumstances, Narfi’s pitiable state stands out, which makes it peculiar that he could be overlooked by players engaged in the Dark Brotherhood questline, as for some mysterious reason, he becomes a target.

Plautis and Salonia Carvain

While treading the lengthy path towards Solitude, the Dragonborn might stumble upon Plautis, Salonia, and their escort, who are embarking on a disastrous voyage to Vittoria Vici’s wedding. Players have the option to inquire about their destination or rob them instantly. However, if they finish the Dark Brotherhood quest named “Bound Until Death,” they will encounter these characters again, this time more irritable, shabby, and short a member of their party. Tragically, they failed to reach Vittoria Vici’s wedding before being plundered by bandits, and their protector fell prey to a dragon.

The Rarest NPC in Skyrim: Keeper Carcette

Keeper Carcette may hold the unusual distinction of being one of Skyrim’s least frequently encountered NPCs, but this unfortunate circumstance is not her doing. Prior to the introduction of the Dawnguard expansion, she could be found at any given time, maintaining the Hall of the Vigilant. However, with the Dawnguard expansion active, vampires will destroy the Hall of the Vigilant once they reach level 10, making it quite challenging to encounter Carcette unless a player visits early. This becomes even more difficult as many modern game versions do not allow deactivation of the Dawnguard expansion. To remember this, you can recall the rhyme: Each time a character reaches level 10, Keeper Carcette meets her untimely end.

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2025-04-15 21:38