Heroes, Are there any in Skyrim? Options

[Acadian]

As the song says. . . I need a hero! Are there any such NPCs in Skyrim? To me the term implies noble, selfless bravery and leadership under both physical and moral duress.

In Oblivion, Buffy found Savlian Matius and Sir Mazoga to be the stuff that true heroes are made of. According to Sir Mazoga’s accounts, we understand that Emperor Martin Septim was also of the same noble, selfless cloth and was a hero. I think that Savlian and Martin’s credentials are clearly presented in the game. I admit that Sir Mazoga’s credentials are more questionable without the massive dose of RP / fanfic that Buffy and I have applied to her – for in Buffy’s world, Sir Mazoga is ‘The Chosen One’ / Champion of Cyrodiil.

Buffy has encountered two NPCs in Skyrim she would readily call heroes. Mjoll the Lioness as the brave protector of Riften and Captain Modyn Veleth – the relentless captain of the Redoran guards in Raven Rock on the Isle of Solstheim. I admit some of Buffy’s opinion of Modyn Veleth was influenced by the same factor that caused her to admire Savlian Matius – she was attracted to him. Alas though, Veleth is ‘taken’ by another elven lass in Raven Rock and Buffy is not a love poacher.

She felt initially that both Vilkas and Farkas might have hero potential, but when push came to shove, both of them wimped out leaving Buffy and Aela to do the dangerous stuff. Of the Companions, it is only Aela who has potential as a heroic leader. She does smell a bit of wet fur though. . . .

Serana seems rather noble, brave and determined to not let her own family clan destroy the sun – driven by a ‘heroic’ destiny? Buffy did grow to trust Serana – with her life - and willing to follow her into some very disturbing places. A vampiric heroine seems more than a bit ironic though. . . .

So are there any heroes in Skyrim among the vanilla NPCs?

[ghastley]

I'd suggest Karliah, who's working against the odds to extract the Thieves Guild from Maven's grasp, except for the leadership part. She wants to stay hidden, and would prefer another be the figurehead. Erik the Slayer has no leadership either, even if he could develop the rest.

Jarl Balgruuf comes close. He's trying to protect his city from the Civil war, and he's prepared to come out onto the balcony and help you catch a dragon when he has to. However, Jarl of Whiterun is probably his limit.

Mirabelle Irvine, if you want one that doesn't survive. I'm busy building Brelyna into the next Arch-mage in Clark's story, and she's got that potential in the regular game. If you take her as a follower, she's a lot braver than first impressions suggest. But she's mine, hands off! Faralda does a good job defending Winterhold from the Magical Anomalies when they appear, and could develop from there.

Ghorbash the Iron Hand, brother of Chief Burguk, might make a good one. He doesn't want to depose his brother, but presumably shares his leadership potential. Legion-trained, so has discipline to temper any personal ambition. Would lead when he has to, but will take orders too.

Of course, you could also switch someone around completely. If Aerin lost Mjoll, would he get angry enough to clean up Riften himself?


And of course, I was forgetting the ultimate - Meeko!!