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?

[Grits]

Off the top of my head I’d have to add Storn Crag-Strider of the Skaal to the list, though his involvement in the Dragonborn questline probably makes him unsuitable for Buffy. I’ve seen him through Jensa and Mikke of Green River’s eyes as they both completed the Dragonborn main quest, and I’m looking forward to the day I get to meet him again with Jerric. His sacrifice is heartbreaking, but he was inspiring enough that both of my regretful Dragonborns could eventually get back to their lives.

I’ll speak up for Hadvar, since I’ve seen his back between my character and Alduin so many times. A dragon just appeared and is Shouting storm debris everywhere, and Hadvar’s response is to protect the most defenseless person on the scene (who is supposed to be getting killed anyway) with his own body and that little sword. Then he’s rounding up a kid when you see him in the street. Plus he tries to reason with the Stormcloaks inside the keep, but they’re having none of it. He faces the scorn of half of his countryfolk while he’s doing his part to keep the Empire including Skyrim together. During the Civil War he even suggests (to the character) that they would all be better off if they joined forces with the Stormcloaks for a little while and took care of some dragons. I’m not sure he’s among the biggest heroes, but strikes me as a decent guy doing his best when he’d really like to just go home, as he also implies in some Civil War dialog. Anyway my Imperial CW character was always happy to see him.

Love the screens! Hrafngoelir needs to give her man a bath. Acadian, I see in that picture that Buffy and Sigrid are both eyeing up what they think they don’t have. Isn’t that how it goes.


Hmm, and in support of Erik the Slayer as Dragonborn, I can see a bright-eyed farmboy heading to Whiterun to get the new armor that a kind-hearted adventurer financed for him when they come upon a dragon attacking the Western Watch Tower. Young Erik joins the fray with whatever weapon he can get his hands on, much to the dismay of the more experienced adventurer. When the dragon finally dies Erik gets a big swirly glowing surprise.