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?

[mALX]

I vote for Elisif the Fair. She is like a cat that always lands on its feet; and regardless the politics swirling around her and her own inexperience she is the position of possibly becoming the next Monarch. She is loyal to her husband, to his beliefs whether she admits to them for herself or not. She is loyal to her country, her people, her empire. She is just heroic enough to pull it off, and just hope that those in power don't take advantage of her when she makes it.

[Destri Melarg]

I vote for Elisif the Fair. She is like a cat that always lands on its feet; and regardless the politics swirling around her and her own inexperience she is the position of possibly becoming the next Monarch. She is loyal to her husband, to his beliefs whether she admits to them for herself or not. She is loyal to her country, her people, her empire. She is just heroic enough to pull it off, and just hope that those in power don't take advantage of her when she makes it.

Funny how we can have such different perceptions of the same person. I have always seen Elisif as being a little like Captain Renault in Casablanca in the sense that she goes whichever way the wind(read: player) blows. She will remain loyal to the Empire if you choose that side in the Civil War, but she will also proclaim her loyalty to Ulfric if you support the Stormcloaks. The first time you meet her she wants to send an entire detachment of soldiers to check out 'noises' coming from a cave on the say of a farmer from Dragon Bridge. Can you imagine if said noises had turned out to be an elk?