Summary
- Oblivion’s main story NPCs like Martin Septim emotionally anchor players, unlike Skyrim’s detached NPCs.
- Skyrim lacks compelling main story NPCs like Oblivion’s, resulting in less emotional investment for players.
- The Elder Scrolls 6 should strive to include at least one character that emotionally engages players in the main story.
This article contains spoilers for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion.
Each of The Elder Scrolls games has hundreds of unique NPCs that add to the world and lore of Tamriel. Most of these NPCs aren’t connected to their game’s main story, and instead serve as merchants, quest-givers, faction members, or simply add flavor to The Elder Scrolls. Much of the heart and soul of The Elder Scrolls is conveyed through its NPCs, and they serve as an important part of Tamriel’s worldbuilding.
NPCs that appear in the main storyline possibly serve the most important role of all, as they need to be compelling and give the player a reason to complete the main story. Characters like Martin Septim make the main storyline of Oblivion far more engaging, as he develops and grows alongside the Hero of Kvatch and has a friendly relationship with them. Skyrim has a bigger cast for its main storyline, but all of them are either neutral, disdainful, or independent of the Dragonborn. The Elder Scrolls 6 needs to look to Oblivion for its inspiration for main story NPCs, and include at least one character that emotionally invests players.
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NPCs in Oblivion’s Main Story are the Emotional Anchor
Notable NPCs in Oblivion are Martin Septim, Baurus, Jauffre, and Mankar Camoran, which gives a mix of NPCs who are allies or enemies of the player. Martin, in particular, grows close to the Hero of Kvatch as they both confront the new responsibilities and roles that have been entrusted to them. The Hero of Kvatch becomes something of a knight to the emperor, but with a more equal balance and appreciation for each other. This makes it all the more tragic when Martin dies.
Characters like Martin help keep the story grounded and give players a reason to be emotionally invested in the main story. Skyrim‘s main storyline is devoid of characters like Martin, who serve as both allies and grow to be friends over time. The closest that Skyrim’s story gets to a friendship is with Paarthurnax, but even that is limited. Characters like the Blades, Delphine, and Esbern, serve as allies to the Dragonborn, but quickly turn on them if they refuse to kill Paarthurnax.
Skyrim’s NPCs Fail to Raise the Bar
Rather than close friends and developing relationships, Skyrim‘s NPCs are devoid of loyalty and genuine care for the Dragonborn. Instead, they see the Dragonborn as a tool to be used, to end the war in Skyrim, to kill the remaining dragons, defeat Alduin, or to study the Thu’um. The closest to a friend the Dragonborn has in Skyrim is Serana, who is a DLC character. Without an emotional connection, Skyrim‘s main quest becomes a matter of necessity rather than seeing through the fates of characters that develop and who the player comes to care about.
The Elder Scrolls 6 needs to have at least one character who is compelling and provides an emotional anchor for the main storyline. The NPCs in Skyrim‘s main story have agency and make decisions that go against what many players would want, such as refusing to speak to the Dragonborn if they don’t do as they say. While this does create conflict, it can also feel heavy-handed and forced, and can become a frustrating experience for players. Oblivion‘s NPCs work with the Hero, and conflict is instead brought in through the stakes of the story.
