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?

[SubRosa]

Skyrim's characters have a lot more shades of grey to them, like people in the real world. As opposed to in Oblivion, where things were much more black and white. Just like in reality, in Skyrim, whether or not a person is a hero is largely dependent upon point of view.

For example George Washington is a hero to most Americans. Yet during his lifetime he was also blamed with starting the French and Indian Wars and murdering Joseph Coulon de Jumonville (which he was not actually personally responsible for). He was a traitor to his king. He was incredibly racist (he owned hundreds of African-Americans, and did his best to prevent them from serving in the Continental Army). And he ordered an act of genocide when he sent the Sullivan Campaign to exterminate the Iroquois Nation. If he lived today he'd be branded a monster and a war criminal.

That is why I don't hate Ulfric Stormcloak. Compared to Washington, he's a saint. Granted, the same can be said for most people in Skyim. Even Astrid, the leader of the DB, is not guilty of genocide and slavery. I am not sure if I'd call Ulfric a hero. Granted, he had been a member of the Greybeards, and he could have rode out the Great War nice and safe with them. But instead he gave that up to fight for the Empire, and was imprisoned and tortured by the Thalmor for his patriotism. Then after the war was over, he fought for Skyrim and the Empire again when the Jarl of the Reach called on him to put down the Forsworn Rebellion. For which he was again imprisoned for. Not many people have endured more for the Empire and Skyrim, except those who actually died in the Great War. Once again, he could look the other way like the Greybeards do, and live out an easy life as Jarl of Eastmarch. But instead he chose to risk everything to free his country from the domination of foreign powers. Doing the Stormcloak side of the civil war you see the ambition that goes with his patriotism. He wants to be king, and he's going to make it happen. OTOH, doing the Imperial side you see his death: "Let the Dragonborn do it, it will make a better song." Now that is going out with style. I think he's one of the best characters Bethesda has ever produced, precisely because he's not a stereotypical, cardboard cutout hero or villain.

Getting more on topic, I'd nominate Ralof for heroism. He's an ordinary Joe who has risked his life to free his country from the political domination of Cyrodiil, and the religious bigotry of the Thalmor. He's just a foot soldier, so obviously he's not doing it for personal gain. Except perhaps that wearing the uniform after victory is sure to get him laid all over Skyrim.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Apr 17 2015, 11:13 PM