Skyrim is one of my favourite games. Its deep and engaging gameplay and the vast sprawling locals go a long way in creating an amazing and immersive experience. However, it is the lore and storytelling that does it for me. Bethesda has taken an astonishing amount of care in creating a believable story with Skyrim.
However, things can be left dangling. Often, this is an artistic choice; leave something ambiguous to add to an idea’s mystique and intrigue. Though sometimes, we are left with glaring plotholes. It is in this space that the imagination is left to run wild and fill these gaps with interesting, and sometimes plain weird theories. And believe me, the Elder Scrolls fanbase can go to some weird places when left to their own devices.
Some of these theories attempt to consider the motivations and origins of enigmatic characters. Others seek patterns and meaning in the most bizarre places; such as doomsday jars and immortal cat men. Some of my personal favourite theories are the ones that expand and connect the universe of Skyrim, both with other games in The Elder Scrolls series and beyond.
This was a fascinating piece to write as I was surprised by just how creative, deep, and weird fans can. But when you don’t wrap up every little detail into a nice little package, people are gonna talk. Hell, even if you do, people will wonder why everything is so neat… it must mean something!
Speculators gonna speculate.
20 Betrayed In The Deep
Early in Elder Scrolls history, the Snow Elves were hunted to near extinction by the Nords. With their leader—the Snow Prince—dead, they only had the Dwemer to turn to for salvation.
However, the Dwemer are not exactly about being benevolent and caring. What would you expect from a people who prefer to live underground? Anyways, the Dwemer offered the Snow Elves shelter from their enemies, but at a terrible cost. The Snow Elves were fed a toxic plant which blinded their entire race, turning them into the Falmer.
This is common knowledge in Skyrim. However, the motive for such an action is not exactly clear. One theory suggests that the Dwemer did this to protect their technological secrets from being used against them.
This is believable, as the Dwemer were very reclusive, secretive, and coveted their technology. But there has to be a better way to protect your assets… think of the insurance premiums they would have to pay!
19 Necromancy Wasn’t Enough… You Had To Mess With Vampires Too?!
Falion is the mysterious Redguard who serves as the court mage for Morthal. He is generally feared by the populace and is often accused of eating the hearts of corpses and killing children.
While the gruesome stuff is likely rumour, Falion is the real deal. He can cure vampirism, has met Daedra, even the long disappeared Dwemer. Clearly, he is very powerful, but how… and why?
Speculation suggests that Falion’s power comes from his close association with the Daedric Prince Molag Bal. This theory originates from the idea vampires can only be cured with the soul of a human, which can only be housed in a black soul gem. Bol is obsessed with dominating human souls and is involved with curing vampirism in Morrowind. So it seems likely that Falion is in league with Bol as he uses a black soul gem to cure the Dragonborn.
Ya just couldn’t stick with animating the dead could ya Falion?
18 Are You The Creator Of Everything?
Keeping with the idea of assuming the identity of a god through mantling, this theory proposes that the Dragonborn may be the ruler of the Nord afterlife, Shor.
Lorkhan is the considered the founding god of men, and his Nordic aspect is known as Shor. And he was killed by the other gods for tricking them to create the world of Nirn. The theory suggests that because Lorkhan is technically “dead,” is the reason why Shor is missing from his throne on Sovngarde. Still with me? Good!
Lorkhan—or Shor—is said to be able to manifest himself as a mortal on occasion. This individual is known as the Shezzar. Many famous individuals are considered to be Shezzarine, including the first Emperor, Tiber Septim.
It is believed that you are the current Shezzar, which would explain why certain people in Sovngarde welcome you back home, and why the throne is empty.
Ain’t nobody got time for sitting around, dragons need to be taught some manners!
17 So That’s Why Cat’s Talk In The Elder Scrolls
The Elder Scrolls may be a lot bigger than we think. In Fallout 4, when aboard the Brotherhood of Steel’s airship, you will find a research lab full of plants and animals. One of these plants (the experimental plant) can heal you and looks very similar to the Nirnroot that grows in Skyrim.
Now resemblance isn’t the only connect, ambiguous text description in a nearby terminal connects the Fallout plant to The Elder Scrolls. For instance, the plant is code-named “NRT.” Nirnroot… NRT… Coincidence? I think not.
And that’s not all, both plants glow and grow by open water. However, the biggest connection is their heartiness. Both plants have survived cataclysmic events. The Nirnroot survived the lack of sun after the Red Mountain exploded, and the experimental plant survived the Great War.
Though this theory is likely a case of asset reuse, I chose to believe Argonians are the result of a nuclear fallout.
16 Mmm, These Potatoes Taste Like… The Blood Of The Innocent
Bethesda is known to do some dark stuff with their games. Cannibalism is such a recurrent theme in Elder Scrolls’ games that it becomes concerning. This one concerns the little hamlet of Rorikstead.
This farming community has become known for the fertility of its soil. However, it used to be a virtual wasteland. Something must be going on. And indeed there is. The town is rife with souls gems. How often does a farmer need souls to pull potatoes from the ground?
In addition, certain instances of dialogue between the village elder and his daughter have an odd magical slant to them. In fact, the elder has a house full of demonic books. DAEDRA WORSHIP CONFIRMED!
Savvy individuals have even discovered elements in the game’s code suggesting that the town featured an abandoned quest. Perhaps we would have discovered the land was watered by the blood of the sacrificed.
15 Crazy Like A Fox… Or A Lunatic God
In the expansion to Oblivion, you journey to the Shivering Isles, the realm of the Daedric Prince of Madness, Sheogorath. Without getting too deep into the lore—and it IS deep—Sheogorath is also Jyggalag, the Daedric Prince of Order. Jyggalag’s power was feared by the other Daedra, and they cursed him to spend most of his existence as the Prince of Madness.
This is where the theory comes into play. At the end of every era, the Greymarch occurs. This is a process in which Sheogorath is allowed to become Jyggalag for one day. Jyggalag uses the Hero of Kvatch (protagonist of Oblivion) to break this cycle, forcing him to become Sheogorath in his stead through a process known as mantling.
This was a theory later confirmed in Skyrim, as the Sheogorath of that game has the memories of the Hero from Oblivion.
Truly tragic fate for the saviour of Tamriel.
14 Elves Have It Pretty Rough In The Elder Scrolls
The Ayleids were a race of elves that brutally ruled Cyrodiil during the Merethic Era, who would eventually be driven to near extinction by an uprising of their human slaves. However, a theory suggests that they went into hiding around Cyrodiil and survive to this day, though in a highly twisted form.
This theory suggests that the once proud Ayleids deteriorated over time while in hiding in the caves of the region, becoming the Goblins you see in Oblivion. This is certainly possible within the lore, as the Snow Elves devolved into the Falmer in Skyrim.
Support for this theory comes in the form of feather adornments, as both goblins and the Ayleids adorn themselves in socially significant feathers. However, the strongest evidence is the fact that goblins usually inhabit the ruins of lost Ayleid culture.
Is this a case of a fallen race, attempting to hold onto a long forgotten greatness?
13 Is M’aiq The Liar A God? I Dunno, He’s A Liar!
Many mortals have ascended into godhood in the Elder Scrolls: Tiber Septic, Vivic, and perhaps even the Dragonborn. This theory suggests a purrfect (:p) candidate for the next in line to join the pantheon.
M’aiq the Liar, the odd Khajiit the player keeps meeting in Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim just may be a god. But how?
For one, both M’aiqs in Oblivion and Skyrim are constantly searching for calipers. Perhaps the M’aiq family really likes calipers, but I chose to believe this cat has a thousand year obsession with them.
However, it is his vast knowledge of the world, which is central to achieving godhood. This idea is related to the concept of Chim, which essentially is a realization of one’s place in the universe.
But who knows, perhaps M’aiq knows nothing, he is a liar after all.
12 The Needs Of The Many Do Not Outweigh The Needs Of The Few
The Dwemer were a race of elves that shunned the spiritual realm and championed technology. In their pursuit of more knowledge and more powerful materials, they came across the divine artifact known as the Heart of Lorkhan. This artifact was believed by the Dwemer as a tool for their ascension into godhood.
It is common knowledge that Kagrenac, the Dwemer’s most gifted wizard, manipulated the heart, leading to the mysterious disappearance of the entire race. However, the fate of the Dwemer people isn’t. Some speculate they were sent to the future, a different plane of existence, or the skin of a mechanical god. This theory suggests they were sacrificed to make a group of Chimer immortal.
Upon the disappearance of the Dwemer, three Chimer (Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec) used Kagrenac’s tools to tap the power of the heart—no infused with the power of the souls of the entire Dwemer race. This lead to the three, now known as the tribunal to achieve immortality.
11 The Dragonborn Really, Really, Really Hates Dragons
This theory is pretty solid and is centred on assumptions based on the fates of previous Elder Scrolls protagonists.
The Dragonborn from Skyrim was certainly a prodigy: Dragonslayer, Arch-Mage, Master Thief, and Assassin. In addition, the Dawnguard DLC suggests that he has the means to become a vampire or not at will, so immortality is a certain an option.
In addition, after defeating Miraak, the Dragonborn is told about the Nerevarine—Morrowind’s protagonist—by the Dark Elf wizard, Neloth. Here he learns of the Nerevarine, a how he had become powerful through a long life of study.
This theory suggests that the Dragonborn wants to become the most powerful being on Nirn so that he could defeat the threat of dragons entirely. As such, he becomes a vampire so that he can pursue the knowledge of the Nerevarine and to travel to Akavir—the continent dragons arose from.
Talk about dedicated.
10 All Your Base Are Belong To The Dragonborn
This one is in close relation to the Dragonborn become vampire theory, as this one suggests a prominent vampire was once Dragonborn.
Lord Harkon, leader of the vampiric family from the Dawnguard DLC, speaks of his former life as a powerful king before becoming a vampire. But does that make him Dragonborn?
To begin with, he is far and away more powerful than any other Vampire Lord in the game. Also, his desire to acquire Auriel’s Bow to usher in an “Era of the Vampire” is questioned as illogical by his vampiric peers, as they believe it’s just a lust for raw power. This lust is the most significant aspect of the theory as dragons, and by extension, the Dragonborn all desire power. Paarthurnax tells the Dragonborn as much, as dragons possess an innate desire to dominate.
This one may be a little speculative, though the pieces do fit.
9 Patience Is A Virtue… But This Is Ridiculous.
Paarthurnax was Bethesda’s big reveal in Skyrim. The ancient dragon is hidden on a mountain. Once the bane of humanity, now it’s benevolent guide in the way of The Voice. Or is he?
Skyrim’s antagonist, Alduin, is known as The World Eater, and his only purpose in life is to eat the world to bring about the next phase of existence. However, he desired to dominate, rather than destroy. Paarthurnax did not approve of this action and chose to find a way to destroy Alduin.
Without going into the nitty-gritty, Paarthurnax essentially manipulated Alduin into getting trapped into a time wound, stranding him far away into the future. This was a period of Paarthurnax’s choosing, as he knew the Dragonborn would be able to defeat him then; with help from Paarthurnax of course.
Finally, Paarthurnax’s ultimate goal was to create a world of peace between dragon and humanity by removing both Alduin and the Dragonborn, as he would just have to wait out the latter’s death.
8 Is Your Arm A Sword, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?
At level 80, you become a grizzled veteran and a reward with a visit from the Ebony Warrior. This person’s past is completely unknown, and the only hints to his origins can found through careful examination… and speculation of course.
When you fight the Ebony Warrior, you will find that he is highly skilled, and possess The Voice, just like the Dragonborn does. Upon killing and looting his corpse, you will notice that he is a Redguard.
These two facts have lead people to suggest that he is Reymon Ebonarm, the Yokudan God of War. Way back in the Merethic Era, Ebonarm was a warrior who was defined by his Ebony Armour, and was so good with a blade, that it was like it was fused to his arm.
While the Ebony Warrior’s arm is not fused to his sword, perhaps this version is just an avatar or aspect of Ebonarm. It’s hard to say, but again, the pieces fit.
7 A Cursed Puppetmaster
Go ask around at the Blue Palace about Sybille Stentor, the court wizard of Solitude. You will find that nearly everyone is either creeped out outright terrified of her. She is never seen eating and takes prisoners from the dungeon as “volunteers.”
If you approach Sybille and use the detect undead spell, you will discover that she is undead. In fact, she is a vampire. This amazing in itself, as her high position in the court, is very rare, especially considering vampires are widely hunted in Skyrim.
What is more interesting is the position she holds. She walks around the palace sassing everyone she encounters with impunity. She even raised the High King herself and became the court wizard when he became king.
All these elements suggest the theory that Sybille is actually the power behind the High King’s throne, and by extension, the ruler of Skyrim itself. Not too shabby.
6 I Knew Skyrim Was Buggy, But This Is Crazy
So Skyrim has a bunch of weird stuff in it. But the seemingly useless, rune-inscribed bug jars are one of the more odd items in the game.
If you look at the map of Skyrim, you will notice that the position of the main cities form a pentagon, while the three dragon sanctuaries, along with the Tower Stone and the Dwemer ruin of Mzinchaleft forms a smaller pentagon within the larger one. This is known as transmutation circle.
This circle is part of a ritual in which you are to kill all the dragons in these locations, place the bugs in the cities specified by runes, and activate Tower Stone. This is supposed to bring on the “Promised Day,” which is presumably the apocalypse.
You see what you did Bethesda? You leave a thread dangling, and you get the foil hats pulling on it until they have enough thread to sew a crazy parka… Ah well, at least it’s a fun one.
5 Werewolves, And Vampires, And Monsters… Oh, My!
This one is less of a theory, at least concerning an answer for a mysterious occurrence and more of a speculation on implications.
The Dragonborn has seen a lot of Daedric action. In Skyrim, you can promise your soul to at least a half dozen Daedric Princes. I mean, you gotta get your swag on right? But what happens when these princes come to cash in on their investment?
Imagine an all-out war between the each of the princes the Dragonborn sold their soul too. Armies of Hircine’s werewolves, Molag Bal’s vampires, or Sithis’ assassins. And this is not a battle fought in some abstract plane of Oblivion. Daedric power comes from worship of people. So the battle would be taken to the worshippers. Millions would die as each Prince’s followers slaughter those who worship another. All for the right to possess the soul of the Dragonborn.
4 One Mask To Rule Them All
Konahrik is the most powerful Dragon Priest mask in Skyrim, which is only available after acquiring all others. But who exactly was Konahrik?
There is a Dragon Priest named Vahlok the Jailer, who is the only priest to not have a mask. He was the priest to defeat Miraak when he revolted against the dragons. And he makes an oath to await Miraak’s return. However, his body deteriorates, and he becomes a shell of his former self. A zombie if you will.
The theory proposes that the Dragonborn is the reincarnated spirit of Vahlok, sent to fulfill his oath to defeat the original Dragonborn.
It makes sense. The mask sits by itself, waiting to be claimed by the leader of the order of Dragon Priests. And only the Dragonborn can claim the mask. Vahlok is Konahrik, and Konahrik is the Dragonborn.
3 A Little Too Convenient
Skyrim begins with some tense drama. Captured by the Empire, you are scheduled to be executed along with the usurper Ulfric Stormcloak. Until an attack by a dragon allows you to escape. However, despite all the excitement, it is made clear why or how you were captured. Obviously, this mystery was addressed by rabid fans.
It is believed that the Dragonborn and Ulfric’s lucky escape was set up—at least partially—by the Thalmor. In a Thalmor dossier concerning Ulfric, you can see allusions to efforts made to protect their asset. Meaning that the Thalmor were likely responsible for an avalanche that diverted the convoy from Cyrodiil to Helgen.
The fact that Alduin attacked Helgen was a happy accident. The Thalmor’s only interest was to prevent the execution of Ulfric, as they knew he would continue the civil war in Skyrim, thus weakening the Empire.
2 A Menace From Within
This theory is closely related to the earlier entry concerning the Thalmor involvement with Ulfric Stormcloak’s escape.
It is clear that Ulfric was trained in the way of The Voice and is immensely patriotic for his nation of Skyrim. As the previous entry states, the Thalmor wanted to prevent Ulfric’s execution so that he could perpetuate the civil war in Skyrim. This theory goes further and suggests that Ulfric is working directly for the Thalmor.
There are two possibilities for this theory. Either he has been coerced—either magically or physically tortured—to act in the interests of the Thalmor; almost like a ‘Manchurian Candidate.’ Or he is actively aware of his actions and chose to aid the Aldmeri Dominion.
Both of these theories are quite valid as Thalmor dossier describes Ulfric as an “asset” who has “proven his worth.”
1 Is Your Skin Screaming The Cries Of The Innocent? We Got A Cream For That!
During the First Era, the Dwemer and Chimer (proto-Dark Elves) fought a battle on the slopes of the Red Mountain. At the peak of the fighting, the entire Dwemer army—and in fact, the race itself—disappeared from the mortal plane. What happened?
The Dwemer discovered the Heart of Lorkhan, a powerful artifact of the creator god. Kagrenac, the chief wizard of the Dwemer intended to use the Heart and a giant metal golem—the Numidium—to transcend the entire race to godhood. As the Chimer closed in on the Dwemer, Kagrenac used special tools on the heart and attempted the transcending ritual, and just like that, the entire race disappeared.
Some theories believe that the Dwemer ascended to godhood, others state they were propelled forward in time. However, the most interesting suggestion is that the entire race became the skin of the Numidium.
The latter seems most plausible as the Numidium became immensely powerful, and was used to conquer most of Tamriel.
