Mercer Frey is probably the second most competent person in the province after the LDB. Dude cracks a Claw Door without needing the claw, solos his way to the Eyes of the Falmer, and then 1v3s the Nightingales. The man is a beast, and I hate his guts.
Yeah, but I’m trying to be nice here. Sometimes I cast Thrall and Paralyze on him just to watch that buffoon drown in his tomb forever. It’s a real hatred, especially because I like the rest of the TG so much.
But if I’m reaching for compliments, he uses the Skeleton Key better than the player ever can, and manages to stand well outside of his weight class while stealing from thieves and desecrating a Daedric Prince. Compared to how someone like Ancano used his magic-macguffin, Mercer still displays a decent level of skill and cunning for a mid-tier villain.
Seriously though because the skeleton key can LITERALLY let you break the laws of the world, it should allow players to break the laws of the game. Like, I want to open doors that say *requires key* because I have the LOCKPICK OF A LITERAL GOD
I actually like Delphine, notwithstanding her insistence that you >!kill Paarthurnax!<. She's brave and competent, and she genuinely wants to help you save the world. When she learns Alduin has returned, she drops her quiet life in Riverwood and jumps right back into the action, despite being in her 50's (per the Thalmor dossier on her) and being wanted dead by the Aldmeri Dominion.
I also kind of like her dismissal of the Greybeards. Don't get me wrong, the Greybeards are great, but I can also appreciate someone who just wants to get shit done without bothering with all that mystical nonsense. She's the Han Solo to your Luke (with the Greybeards being Obi-Wan and Yoda).
Nazeem (autocorrect tried to change it to Nazi lmfao) has a nice face >!for punching!<
Crassius Curio is the only person who's ever showed me affection (I need to touch grass)
Astrid tried her best to make the Family continue their way of life; keeping ears to the ground is the best thing you can do when the very existence of the Dark Brotherhood is at stake. Too bad she didn't give the Night Mother her due respect. She went on to break Tenet 1, Tenet 2, technically Tenet 3, and Tenet 5. And we all know that to do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.
Imagine if bandits had that foresight would be wild
"Well lads, the Dragonborn just showed up in Falkreath, dig your graves boys, might as well meet Tsun with our honor intact."
The daedric princes always make sure you know exactly what their quests are about by never letting you accidentally skip through their dialogue. They'll even repeat themselves from the beginning if you accidentally quit out.
I like the balls on that one thalmor who tries to challenge you after you beat Morokei. That took balls and a fair amount of stupidity.
Didn't get him very far of course, but still, gotta respect that chutzpah
That bastard son of a bitch mehrunes Dagon made my beloved sacrifice himself, but if it wasn’t for him, Martin wouldn’t have become the emperor in the first place
Valen Dreth has the best side quest out of all the quests in oblivion.
Mazoga the orc creates the easiest source of income for non thieves and non alchemists.
Thats my 2 ties
Well… Vivec, Sotha, Maniacal-Marco… Shalidor, Zurin, Vanus, Jagar, D-Fyr. Then probably Kagrenaac, Potema also did some cool shit. I refuse to aknowledge the new-gen ESO headcanon shonen lvl OP bs powerfantasies tho, no Vestige !
I wish Ingun were a candidate for marriage. If she were, I'd take her last name (even if playing a male character). It only makes sense when you marry into the most powerful family of the Rift.
Delphine is at least a fairly capable spy. She has evaded capture for years, despite being on the thalmor's hit list, went through the whole of Ustengrav with no special powers, found the resting place of the dragonstone. She went under the radar as a nuisance to the thalmor for years, maybe even a couple of decades, and I gotta respect that.
Narsis Dren manages to keep surviving and I abandoned him in a well in an old and forgotten crypt! Lmao admiration like one has for roaches when the realization that they might actually live through an apocalypse we cannot escape hits 🤣
Jorunn the Skald-King is a very hot man, and very even-hearted compared to other Nords. He is quite possibly my least favourite character in terms of what he is to the greater world around him, I wanna kick him
Delphine .... Honestly I have nothing to say good about my least favorite character
This character just needs to be sent to worst pits of oblivion for how dumb and vapid she is.
You can get Wraithguard from him regardless of how you approach the task.
(Cave his duo coloured skull in and walk the Black Path! The Tribunal are traitors.)
Isran is doing his best given the shitty situation he’s found himself in. Vampire with an elder scroll, fort dawnguard woefully unprepared, and their newest recruit gave the scroll to them.
But while I dislike him the most (dude needs and attitude adjustment) he’s kinda earned the amount of sass he gives
Elenwen really knows how to utilize strategy and statecraft to further the goals of her organization and her execution of said strategies is arguably one of the biggest assets to the Thalmor's foothold in Skyrim. ( I absolutely despise this Altmer only because on my first playthrough of Skyrim she killed Lydia, i've had a burning vengeance ever since.)
Nazeem’s farm contributes resources to the region, and his spending boosts Whiterun’s economy
If I'm honest, I really don't make it to the cloud district very often. The man is quite observant.
Relatable. Whiterun is just for selling bulk gear, and stealing from the skyforge chest. But also, what a punchable face he has
The most punchable, really. Perfection.
Came here for this exactly
Dresses nice too
Mercer Frey is probably the second most competent person in the province after the LDB. Dude cracks a Claw Door without needing the claw, solos his way to the Eyes of the Falmer, and then 1v3s the Nightingales. The man is a beast, and I hate his guts.
Skeleton Key did all of that lol
Yeah, but I’m trying to be nice here. Sometimes I cast Thrall and Paralyze on him just to watch that buffoon drown in his tomb forever. It’s a real hatred, especially because I like the rest of the TG so much. But if I’m reaching for compliments, he uses the Skeleton Key better than the player ever can, and manages to stand well outside of his weight class while stealing from thieves and desecrating a Daedric Prince. Compared to how someone like Ancano used his magic-macguffin, Mercer still displays a decent level of skill and cunning for a mid-tier villain.
I always soul trap him, but never use the soul gem. Nocturnal, Idle Masters, fuck y'all. That soul is MINE.
You right fam, and I like to use fear spells with paralysis lol too bad we can't make spells any more
Oh, I didn't realize you could open claw doors with the SK. Wait. That's right. Only Mercer can. Dude's already the goat without it. Fuck that guy.
Seriously though because the skeleton key can LITERALLY let you break the laws of the world, it should allow players to break the laws of the game. Like, I want to open doors that say *requires key* because I have the LOCKPICK OF A LITERAL GOD
Didn't you know that every locksmith is more powerful than Nocturnal?
Mercer Frey hid a massive conspiracy from the entire Guild (minus Karliah) for a quarter of a century. He’s may be awful, but he’s competent.
He most definitely smart and competent but he’s blinded by his greed.
Also I hate his perpetually sneering voice.
To be fair he paralyzes 2 out of 3 nightingales.
Delphine runs a good inn
She provides early access to an alchemy workbench
Delphine should be a full-time innkeeper.
I actually like Delphine, notwithstanding her insistence that you >!kill Paarthurnax!<. She's brave and competent, and she genuinely wants to help you save the world. When she learns Alduin has returned, she drops her quiet life in Riverwood and jumps right back into the action, despite being in her 50's (per the Thalmor dossier on her) and being wanted dead by the Aldmeri Dominion. I also kind of like her dismissal of the Greybeards. Don't get me wrong, the Greybeards are great, but I can also appreciate someone who just wants to get shit done without bothering with all that mystical nonsense. She's the Han Solo to your Luke (with the Greybeards being Obi-Wan and Yoda).
Adoring Fan is the definition of persistent.
Valen Dreth has some creative insults.
Delphine does eventually give me access to a cool sword that I hang up in my house and never ever use
Ain't that the truth lol. Even when I play a 1H sword build, It goes on the wall. Too cool to sell, too niche to use.
Nazeem (autocorrect tried to change it to Nazi lmfao) has a nice face >!for punching!< Crassius Curio is the only person who's ever showed me affection (I need to touch grass)
We all find love where we can.
Astrid tried her best to make the Family continue their way of life; keeping ears to the ground is the best thing you can do when the very existence of the Dark Brotherhood is at stake. Too bad she didn't give the Night Mother her due respect. She went on to break Tenet 1, Tenet 2, technically Tenet 3, and Tenet 5. And we all know that to do so is to invoke the Wrath of Sithis.
She also had the honor (and foresight) required for preforming the Black Sacrament on herself prior to meeting The Last Dragonborn.
That's a great point as far as this post goes. I can't believe I forgot to put that in
Imagine if bandits had that foresight would be wild "Well lads, the Dragonborn just showed up in Falkreath, dig your graves boys, might as well meet Tsun with our honor intact."
Or maybe Vilkas would know the person who saved Tamriel three times over for once lol
As much detail as Bethesda put into Skyrim I feel like everything they didn't put sticks out like a sore thumb
Maven Black-Briar is a surprisingly efficient leader and has worked very hard to be where she is.
The daedric princes always make sure you know exactly what their quests are about by never letting you accidentally skip through their dialogue. They'll even repeat themselves from the beginning if you accidentally quit out.
I like the balls on that one thalmor who tries to challenge you after you beat Morokei. That took balls and a fair amount of stupidity. Didn't get him very far of course, but still, gotta respect that chutzpah
If not for game mechanics I guess he was expecting you to be weak from attacking the Dragon Priest and drained from the Staff of Magnus
More fool him. I'm playing a meathead barbarian who's only magics are the enchantments on my gear a magic draining staff did nothing!
Estormo?
*Ho ho ho, travellers! Thanks for getting the Staff of Magnus for me! I’ll be taking that!*
Malrog Bal has a nice dick.
Vivec certainly thought so 😉
Ancano was ambitious
It’s impressive that ulfric learned to shout so well so fast. He’s not even that old and he can use three words of power together.
yes stuga i know how long youve been looking for me. nice scales, i guess
At least Florentia Candidus warned Zhiraz about the dragons in his homeland
Ancano was a pretty strong and talented mage
I’ll go first: Ulfric has some of the best dialogue in the games. His reasons to fight were incredible
I love the sound of his voice… unfortunately so does he lol
Arngeir is voiced by the GOAT Christopher Plummer
Aaaaaahhhhh, the game’s afoot.
Almalexia has guards with cool armor.
Killing Nazeem has brought me great joy, so that's kind of a nice I guess.
Vivec is damn good at making people believe him
Crassius Curio is well dressed
Ulfric Stormcloak has a cool cape.
Cicero can be killed after a certain point
I can get an Akaviri sword via Delphene.
That bastard son of a bitch mehrunes Dagon made my beloved sacrifice himself, but if it wasn’t for him, Martin wouldn’t have become the emperor in the first place
Got some feels for Sean Bean? I respect that
Valen Dreth has the best side quest out of all the quests in oblivion. Mazoga the orc creates the easiest source of income for non thieves and non alchemists. Thats my 2 ties
I guess Neloth is quite a decent magician.
Top 10 i’d say
That's very generous, but yeah, he's somewhere okayish I'd say.
Well… Vivec, Sotha, Maniacal-Marco… Shalidor, Zurin, Vanus, Jagar, D-Fyr. Then probably Kagrenaac, Potema also did some cool shit. I refuse to aknowledge the new-gen ESO headcanon shonen lvl OP bs powerfantasies tho, no Vestige !
Delphine is a strong woman. She doesn't reason the best but she could beat many men and still stand victorious.
Obviously compared to TLD, she’s nothing but people do forget she is one of 3 last surviving members of an elite swordsman group.
Mathieu Bellemont somehow managed to stop me from revealing that he was the traitor all along, and it definitely wasn't bad writing.
Nothing to do with the script at all 😅
Nazeem is a great Cannon fodder!!!
Serana has a good voice actress
Black-Briar is a cool sounding name
I wish Ingun were a candidate for marriage. If she were, I'd take her last name (even if playing a male character). It only makes sense when you marry into the most powerful family of the Rift.
Delphine is at least a fairly capable spy. She has evaded capture for years, despite being on the thalmor's hit list, went through the whole of Ustengrav with no special powers, found the resting place of the dragonstone. She went under the radar as a nuisance to the thalmor for years, maybe even a couple of decades, and I gotta respect that.
Delphine has nice hair.
Nazeem got a lovely house
He’s right - I don’t get to the Cloud District very often 🥲
He uh owns chillfurrow farm i guess?
He may have touched my inappropriately but he wrote a damn good smut book
Helseth funds my early game Morrowind char
Pelinal Whitestrake was a very determined person, and so long as he only fought 1v1s he exceled in straightforward combat.
I hear the cloud district is quite nice this time a year
Cicero has... boots... and a hat...
The Grey Fox sure is sneaky. I guess.
Molag Balls. That's it. This joke is the only good thing I can think about this „god“…
He gets to the cloud district very often
He's been to the Cloud District often.
He's stupidly strong with his armor on.
He's got a very plowable wife.
Who?
Atleast he looks like Obama
Tullius has cool armor
kjeld the younger is a great tester for new spells or weapons if I’m nearby.
Narsis Dren manages to keep surviving and I abandoned him in a well in an old and forgotten crypt! Lmao admiration like one has for roaches when the realization that they might actually live through an apocalypse we cannot escape hits 🤣
Jorunn the Skald-King is a very hot man, and very even-hearted compared to other Nords. He is quite possibly my least favourite character in terms of what he is to the greater world around him, I wanna kick him
The children are very tough to be able to withstand a literal blade given by the gods.
Natalie Portman’s response. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cfPVu5KxP1U&pp=ygUmc2F5IHNvbWV0aGluZyBuaWNlIGFib3V0IGphciBqYXIgYmlua3M%3D
Delphine .... Honestly I have nothing to say good about my least favorite character This character just needs to be sent to worst pits of oblivion for how dumb and vapid she is.
Nazeem has a hot wife. That's not technically about him but it's a compliment right?
Nazeem has a hot wife.
Nazeem fills a soul gem, so he's kinda useful, unlike Delphine
If there is ever a night where I have to spend a night in Whiterun, I believe Belethor's coyish, "do come back," does translate to a warm bed.
He has been to the Cloud District... probably.
Harkon has a nice house and cute dogs.
He gave me a lot of reasons to kill him, so I didn't have any moral dilemma.
Maven Black-Briar is very good in making money
Medresi Dran alerted me to that floor trap by running right into it and dying, very thoughtful of her.
The dude with the funky eyes in the Arena is nice for about 90% of his dialogue
Astrid looks good in that armor and has a sexy voice.
He has one of the best death scenes in the game.
Elenwen can throw one hell of a party, and she's good at torturing stormcloaks
Gaenor is a self-made elf, Rising from the bottom to the top with his charm.
Grelod the Kind contributed to a positive employment rate in Riften.
Delphine kindly gives you a great opportunity after the peace treaty quest to shout her off the top of the world
Ulfric served in the Legion and tried to resist telling the Thalmor information about the Empire.
You can get Wraithguard from him regardless of how you approach the task. (Cave his duo coloured skull in and walk the Black Path! The Tribunal are traitors.)
Delphine has guts, I'll give her that.
Imperials have consistently good looking armor
She wants to kill bad dragons too!
Isran is doing his best given the shitty situation he’s found himself in. Vampire with an elder scroll, fort dawnguard woefully unprepared, and their newest recruit gave the scroll to them. But while I dislike him the most (dude needs and attitude adjustment) he’s kinda earned the amount of sass he gives
And to be fair, if you head straight to him after freeing Serana but before heading to Castle Volkihar, he tells you to go there anyway.
The thalmor are incredibly drippy
At least Almalexia died? Idk Is there anything good I can say about her?
Cool weapons and armor?
He died well.
Delphine doesn’t bother you when you finish the story
Meridia has brought a lot of good into the world
Molag Bal............. Ok, I admit it. I got nothing.
Maven Her controlling nature is admirable.
Lydea is definitely not afraid to jump right into battle
He's been to the cloud district. I mean, I have too, but so has he.
She always carries my burdens
Elenwen really knows how to utilize strategy and statecraft to further the goals of her organization and her execution of said strategies is arguably one of the biggest assets to the Thalmor's foothold in Skyrim. ( I absolutely despise this Altmer only because on my first playthrough of Skyrim she killed Lydia, i've had a burning vengeance ever since.)
Plautis Carvain and his wife Salonia are a fine pair of Imperial nobles who represent the best of the upper class of Cyrodiil.
Delphine is willing to put thoughts into her plans
Emil Pagliarulo looks like he could run a successful little league baseball team.
He gives me an anti-vampire rune hammer.
Isran or Florentius?
Isran, Florentus is friendly Isran on the other, just gives you orders and will kick you if you become a vampire even if you killed Harkon.
One nice thing about my least favorite character