Summary
To this day,Elder Scrolls V: Skyrimstill holds the title of one of thebest-selling games of all time, despite the ever improving gaming landscape that has produced some huge new titles. Part of what makesSkyrimso timeless is the incredible attention to detail to the world-building, evident in extensive lore, detailed landscapes, and charming characters.
There is no shortage of memorable characters in the game, from antagonists to side-characters and heroes. But, despite having a huge roster of notable NPCs, there are some that stand out from the crowd because of their excellent writing, including compelling backstories, witty dialogue, and unique personalities owing to the writers. These are someSkyrimcharacters that deserve their own spin-off game.
10Esbern
Blades Archivist On A Monumental Quest
At first glance, Esbern looks like an average Elder Nord. As it turns out, he is actually wanted by the Thalmor, and he predicted the Dragon Crisis. According to the former, he was a loremaster of the dragon hunting Blades and, despite not being a warrior, still pulled the strings of some detrimentaloperations.
Regardless of the desire to see the Blades disbanded, the Thalmor are tracking down Esbern for his knowledge of the dragons. While not primarily a fighter, Esbern’s wisdom would make him a great main character in astrategy-like gamecentering around Skyrim’s political landscape.
9Arngeir Greybeard
Enigmatic Master Of The Voice
Arngeir Greybeard is, as his name suggests, a member of the Greybeards; an ancient order mastering, following, and teaching the “Way of the Voice.” Throughout the game, Arngeir acts as the Dragonborn’s mentor in the Voice as the only Greybeard (besides Paarthunax) able to speak without causing the ground to shake.
While their role inSkyrimis that of guidance, theGreybeards have an extensive historystemming from Jurgen Windcaller’s conversion to pacifism; he believed his defeat during the War of Succession to be a result of using the Thu’um for destruction. While not the most talkative group, it could be interesting to experience the events that led Arngeir to High Hrothgar, and expand on the Greybeards' origins.
8Pelagius Septim III
Pelagius Septim III plays a minor role inSkyrim,but he is nevertheless an intriguing side-character. The player encounters Pelagius if they decide to help Dervenin, who desires to be reunited with his master. From the Pelagius wing, the player is transported into Septim’s mind, where the Daedric Prince of Madness, Sheogorath, is residing.
During this quest the player learns alot about Pelagius Septim III’s life. Raised in a landscape of political turmoil and family feuds, upon his ascent to the throne of Solitude, he had already begun to show signs of mental distress and spent his final years touring asylums. But, between the paranoia and torment, Pelagius Septim III is a complex, eccentric character that deserves his own screen time.
7Aela The Huntress
A Skilled Archer With A Beastly Side
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 andlegendary Five Hundred Companions, the victorious party in the Nordic-Falmer War.
Aela the Huntress is part of the Circle, a group of high-ranking Companions members that also happen to be werewolves. As both a hunter and werewolf, Aela has a particular fondness for thestrength and speed that her Lycanthropy offers. With never-ending quests, the Companions would do well to have their own dedicated game — with a transforming Aela at the forefront.
6Sapphire
A Sharp-Tongued Thief That Deserved Better
Sapphire is a member of the Thieves Guild and a prime example ofSkyrim’s writers' knack for bringing even minor characters to life with their own backstories. As a child, Sapphire’s farm was raided by bandits who killed her parents, herself being abducted. After killing the perpetrators in their sleep, she became a member of the Dark Brotherhood, later being recruited by Brynjolf.
A nice touch is that the player can find Sapphire’s real father and offer her some closure. As a side story that touched many,a full game with a revenge plot(similar to the likes ofShadows of Mordor) would give players the opportunity to serve some payback to those who did Sapphire wrong.
5Serana
A Pure Blood Vampire With A Tumultuous Family History
Serana is a vampire who can be found during theDawnguardquestlinein Dimhollow Crypt. After being set free, she asks the Dragonborn to lead her home, where she endeavors to find her mother and ultimately uncovers Lord Harkon’s nefarious plan to overcome the sun’s iron grasp.
While the player is presented with a lot of Serana’s life story — a lonely tale of betrayal, abandonment, and isolation — it is a shame that they can’t experience it for themselves. A powerful and defensive vampire like Serana as a playable protagonist would make afantastic Gothic vampire game.
4Paarthurnax
A Wise And Reformed Dragon
Encounters with dragons inSkyrimare often violent in nature, but Paarthurnax is uncharacteristically philosophical and shies away from conflict. He turned on his brother, Alduin, to assist men in the Dragon War, ultimately ensuring their victory and Alduin’s banishment. To overcome his violent nature, Paarthurnax isolated himself at the Throat of the World to meditate on the “Way of the Voice.”
As the eponymous object of the Paarthurnax quest, this dragon divides players; some take pity on him, siding firmly with the Greybeards, while others vehemently back the Blades' cause and slaughter him for his past actions. Either way,a game focusing on the Dragon Warwith Paarthunax as the main character would not go amiss; something likeFire and Steelor a Bethesda re-imagining ofSpyro the Dragon.
3Brynjolf
MostSkyrimplayers will be familiar with the dreaded line: “Sorry lass/lad I’ve got important things to do. We’ll speak another time.” Some are so desperate for more content that there is even a mod calledBrynjolf has Time for Youby ThediusCalvin that allows him to be romanced or become a follower.
The Dragonborn plays a significant role in the fate of the Thieve’s Guild and the Nightingales, but what they don’t get to experience is the Golden Age of the Guild before losing favor with the Daedric Prince, Nocturnal. It would be interesting to see a game centering around Brynjolf’s antics and the establishment of the Guild through political puppetry and shady deals.
2Cicero
The player is introduced to Cicero when they pass Loreius Farm to the North of Whiterun, wherehe appears a mere jester, transporting his mother’s coffin. Upon following the Dark Brotherhood questline, however, his true character is revealed. As it turns out, Cicero is the Keeper of the Night Mother (the faction’s leader who relays assassination prayers to the Listener).
Despite his apparent madness, Cicero was once an esteemed assassin himself, but he was condemned to become obsessed with his final victim — a jester — hence his outfit and mannerisms. Beyond a rough run in Cyrodiil and his search for a new Listener to revive the Brotherhood, not much is known of this eccentric jester, but he quickly became one of the most beloved characters in the game. Many players would thoroughly enjoy a dedicated Cicero game.
1Miraak
One Of The Most Memorable Bethesda Villains Ever
The main antagonist of theDragonbornadd-on,Miraak appears in Solstheim as a malevolent force who is influencing the inhabitants to reclaim the island for his own ends. He is also a servant to the Daedric Prince of Fate, Hermaeus Mora, harboring vast amounts of knowledge — including how to bend the will of dragons.
Miraak seems to have a knack for turning on everyone; betraying his fellow Dragon Priest, rebelling against the dragons, and failing his Daedric superior. But, he is an incredibly powerful and motivated villain, a prime candidate for a spin-off game. After all, who doesn’t like toplay as the bad guyevery once in a while?
