Top 10 Best NPCs in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim wouldn't be Skyrim without the unforgettable cast of characters who make the world feel alive, unpredictable, and occasionally ridiculous. Some are wise. Some are wicked. Some are just plain weird. But every single one of them brings something to your adventures that you didn't know you needed until they showed up with a dagger, a speech about madness, or an awkwardly timed monologue about the good old days.
This list is your chance to give those characters their due. Think about the ones you always seek out in a new playthrough. The ones with the best stories, the most iconic dialogue, or the kind of voice acting that sticks in your head for hours. Maybe they cracked you up. Maybe they creeped you out. Maybe you just appreciated that they didn't attack you on sight. Vote for the ones that made your time in Skyrim more than just a collection of fetch quests and dragon fights.
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Paarthurnax
I killed him thinking I would get gold, then found out you don't. Tried to redeem myself by killing the Blades, but the Greybeards still hate me.
Don't kill Paarthurnax, or the Greybeards won't teach you new shouts.
He is a very wise old dragon that has worked hard in his life to make amends for what he has done in the past.
If you kill Toriel, Papyrus, or Sans, that's the equivalent of killing Paarthurnax. A true supporter along the way.
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Balgruuf the Greater
Now listen well, he's Jarl Balgruuf, and he be ballin', ballin', ballin'. Jarl Ballin', ballin', ballin'. Swag, he's Lord of the Rings, and the Jarl of Whiterun. Holla if you need him.
Sorry, can't ever forget that. But I like Balgruuf because he is probably the smartest Jarl out of all of them (though I also quite like Ulfric) and is loyal to his people, first and foremost.
He tries to stay out of the war for as long as he can, but when Ulfric threatens to besiege Whiterun, he fights back because he is no coward. If I had to choose which Jarl to be the next High King, my vote would go to Balgruuf.
Great man. If it weren't for him, Alduin would not be dead. Sure, his kids are sassy, and he's ignorant about the war, but the dragons are a greater deal.
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Serana
The only well-written character in Skyrim. Every NPC in Skyrim seems one-dimensional and bland, voiced by the same two or three voice actors repeating the same lines. With Serana, I could actually feel her vibe and personality.
Her being super flirty and yet unmarriageable is so sad and poetic. Long live the Vampire Princess.
Brilliantly voiced by Laura Bailey, Serana is the only character in Skyrim where your dialogue choices matter for both of your futures.
I deeply wish Bethesda gave an ounce of possibility of marrying Serana as a vampire wife or as a cured, born-again woman. What a character.
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Sheogorath
"Oh yes, I was there for that whole sordid affair. Marvelous time! Butterflies, blood, a fox, a severed head, ohoho! And the cheese, to die for!" - Sheogorath
Best video game character of all time (joking of course, but he is really great). Personally, I do think Sheogorath is the main character of Oblivion if you consider the Shivering Isles canon, which I do. Sheogorath is just so deliciously insane, hilarious, and evil at the same time.
"Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!" "Ta ta, come by again, or I'll pluck out your eyes! Haha!"
"Why do I need a reason for everything? Mortals, mortals, mortals! Always needing a reason to do things. For example: people think light chases away the shadows! I prefer to think that without a few lights, there'd be no shadows to enjoy."
- Sheogorath, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (the best quote ever in my opinion)
Seriously, this guy is the most awesome out of all the Daedric Princes.
Glory to the Mad God, Lord of the Never-There.
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Cicero
Astrid is so unlikable in my opinion. You can tell right from the start everyone unhealthily idolizes her, and she cares about her own power more than the family's growth. She redeems herself, but Cicero was right about her all along.
Also, he's absolutely hysterical.
Insanely funny as well as insane. Loyal to the old and true Dark Brotherhood ways. Sneaky as can be, and his added dialogue always has me laughing.
"Cicero wants Skyforge steel. Sharp, sharp, sharp to stab, stab, stab." Did I mention, he is insane?
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Aela the Huntress
Is it weird that I have such a crush on her?
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Tullius
One of the Empire's best. Calm and intelligent, able to contend with Ulfric without any real support from Cyrodiil.
He knows what's best for Skyrim! He's very practical and just, in my opinion.
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Brynjolf
I love his accent and just how ridiculous he looks in Nightingale armor and how much he changed. Love that dude.
He is just a good character with a great personality and a fine Scottish accent.
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Ulfric Stormcloak
He is a magician with one-handed weapons, the most cunning man that Tamriel will ever see, and has the power of the Thu'um along with an assortment of magical swords, axes, and maces. He is a true Son of Skyrim.
Not only my favorite Skyrim character, but my favorite character of all time.
He's really cool, man. And his voice is unff. Major character crush.
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Mjoll the Lioness
In a city getting its reputation ruined by corruption and crime, she's a badass warrior who protects its people. She also sends you to Mzinchaleft, which is nice.
Am I the only one who thinks that she should be the Jarl of Riften?
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Babette
Serana is cool, and I voted for her too, but Babette is the only vampire in the game who shares the wealth of knowledge that comes with being hundreds of years old.
She has the potential to appear in Elder Scrolls VI as well.
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Lydia
How could anyone forget someone as loyal as her?
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M'aiq the Liar
He makes you question the world around you and makes things interesting. M'aiq is a nice easter egg to have in the Elder Scrolls games.
He tells you all the features of the games and other Easter eggs, but in riddle form.
If M'aiq was a follower, then I would never stop playing Skyrim.
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Rikke
Her last words to Ulfric if you side with the Empire are the perfect example of her beliefs as a person. Very well-written character.
She's a total boss.
Need I say more? No.
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Hadvar
I don't choose sides in the war, but I always left Helgen with Hadvar. It's nice to see him whenever I visit Alvor and chat with Hadvar for a small minute, remembering him saving me from Helgen. A good man and a worthy friend.
He helps out when you join the Legion and turns out to be a great character.
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Spectral Assassin (Lucien Lachance)
You know a character is great when he pretty much hijacks a questline in a game he arguably doesn't quite belong in. The only problem is the constant talking, but oh well.
Lucien Lachance was awesome in Oblivion. Sad to see him die.
Now he's back in Skyrim as a loyal spirit.
Nothing beats good old Lucien.
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Brenuin
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Kodlak Whitemane
Kodlak Whitemane is a very wise character in the Companions, and he seems to act as a father figure to the members of the Companions.
Kodlak Whitemane is in a better place now. For is there any place better than Sovngarde?
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J'zargo
My favorite line... "If anyone sneaks up on us, I will smell them coming. Or... I might not. We will see."
Best follower.
Funny.
Sadly nonessential, but he's the only guy I'll load a save for.
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Esbern
The reasonable Blade. He is wise and should have been the leader of the Blades. Delphine is self-obsessed and cares for grudges rather than progress. Esbern could work with the Greybeards, and I think he'd be the best for the job.
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Karliah
If she was a follower, she would probably be the most powerful follower for sneak builds. Plus, her last lines to Gallus's ghost before he goes into the Ebonmere make me emotional every time.
She gives you a pretty good bow at the end of the Thieves Guild storyline.
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Gabriella
I don't know why I like her so much, but I do. She's one of the few people I was sad couldn't be a part of the new Brotherhood.
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Farkas
Farkas is a kind-hearted NPC and a great Shield-Brother to take with you on quests. He's just nice to be around.
Farkas is the best-looking guy in the game and makes a decent follower.
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Delvin Mallory
He has a funny sort of appeal, he is very helpful, and he does a lot of work around the Thieves Guild. Plus, he called "the curse."
What can I say? All-around guy really stuck into his job.
How is he so low? He is Jason Statham!
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Faralda
Thanks for teaching me everything I know about Destruction Magic.
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Kharjo
Kharjo, my favorite follower. He never complains and is really badass. I gave him Ebony Mail and Ebony gauntlets, helmet, and boots. He did a kill move on Vokun while I cowered behind a rock.
Best follower in vanilla Skyrim by far. Sweet, strong, and the quest to get him is easy.
Kharjo is an amazing follower, always keeping up with me, unlike the other followers.
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Vex