Summary
After many decades at the top of its game,The Elder Scrollsfranchise is known for its vast worlds, deep lore, and unforgettable characters. AcrossMorrowind,Oblivion, andSkyrim, players have met a pantheon of personalities, some quirky, some terrifying, and some so iconic they’ve become synonymous with Tamriel’s unique universe.
These NPCs, ranked by fan impact, story depth, and memorability, have earned a special place in fans' hearts. Whether they are widely loved for their power, humor, or tragic backstories, these characters have helped shapethe Elder Scrollsexperience for millions. It would take a mortal with a heart as dark as Sithis or as empty as Malacath’s Ash Pit to forget them.
8Neloth - Morrowind
The Sassiest Sorcerer In All Of Solstheim
Introduced inMorrowindand returning inSkyrim’s “Dragonborn” DLC after hishome in Morrowindwas destroyed, Neloth of House Telvanni is a powerful wizard who treats everyone (from the Nerevarines ofMorrowindto Dovahkiins ofSkyrim’s “Dragonborn” DLC) as if they’re one fungal spore short of a mycological breakthrough.
Besides Neloth’s magical prowess and massive mushroom tower, he is often warmly remembered for his delightfully dry insults and unapologetic superiority complex. He’s the grumpy wizard archetype with an Arrogance skill level of 110, and fans adore him for it, whether he’s casually demanding that legendary heroes source staff for his mushroom laboratory or casually dissecting the ethics of soul-trapping.
7Lucien Lachance - Oblivion
The Lucious Voice In The Void That Fans Still Hear In Their Sleep
It is highly unlikely that anyone would be happy to see this master assassin sneak up to the end of their bed before greeting them with a husky whisper, but it is exactly for this reason that many players would consider Lucien Lachance one of their all-time favorites.
As the Speaker of the Dark Brotherhood’s Black Hand, Lucien is responsible for recruiting new members into the shadowy ranks. He memorably contacts the player personally by finding them wherever they sleep (even in Oblivion’sdeepest, most labyrinthine dungeons). His popularity was cemented with his return (or at least his ghost’s return) inSkyrim.
6Saint Jiub, Eradicator of the Winged Menace - Morrowind
From Prisoner To Patron Saint
Before dragons, before Daedric Princes, before even tutorial prompts and character classes, there was Jiub. This unassuming Dunmer prisoner greets the player’s character at the start ofMorrowind, asking their name as they awaken aboard a swaying prison ship. It’s a fleeting interaction, but for many, Jiub became an accidental legend.
The developers at Bethesda never forgot him, and neither did the community. By the time ofSkyrim,Jiub returns as a full-fledged Saint: Saint Jiub the Eradicator, hero of the people, slayer of the Cliff Racers that tormented so many people, including the Neverine. Jiub is undying proof that greatness can come from anywhere (even from the back of a prison ship in Seyda Neen).
5M’aiq The Liar - Morrowind, Oblivion, And Skyrim
The Khajiit Who Knows Too Much (Or Nothing at All)
Wandering alone across the provinces of Tamriel, M’aiq the Liar is one of the series’ strangest constants, and one of its most cherished. This robed Khajiit appears in nearly everyElder Scrollsgame sinceMorrowind, offering odd commentary, cryptic observations, and tongue-in-cheek jabs at both lore and game mechanics. He’s not a quest-giver, a villain, or a companion, just a traveler withtales that might be true(but probably aren’t).
M’aiq’s belovedness stems from his tendency to blur the line between player and game, meta and immersion. He’s both an in-joke for longtime fans and a living reminder that Tamriel doesn’t always take itself too seriously (something that the Oblivion Remaster, with all its whimsical style intact, recently affirmed). In all his comments on marriage mods, spears, or cliff racers, M’aiq gives players a smile, a shrug, and the sense that someone out there is watching all this nonsense unfold with amusement.
4Dagoth Ur - Morrowind
The Antagonist Fans Can’t Stop Dreaming (Or Meming) About
WhileThe Elder Scrolls' villains have always had sympathetic (or at least nuanced) elements to them, Dagoth Ur,Morrowind’s final boss and major antagonist, might have one of the most understandable motivations, despite his divine insanity. Deep beneath Red Mountain, he speaks like an old friend returned, inviting the player to join his dream of reshaping Tamriel. His mix of charisma, madness, and mythic grandeur stems from betrayal at the hands of the Tribunal, a twisted desire for justice, and a merging with the heart of a dead god.
Decades after his emergence, Dagoth Ur’s legacy endures through a wave of AI-voiced memes that remix his speeches into breastplate-busting funnies. Meme or no meme, lines like “Come, Nerevar, friend or traitor, come,” are now part of gaming culture, and although Morrowind is a hard game to approach from modern gaming standards (at least withoutmods to modernize the experience), Dagoth Ur still whispers to us from the Heart.
3Serana - Skyrim (Dawnguard)
Everyone’s Favorite Daughter Of Coldharbour
Serana made an immediate impact with her introduction ofSkyrim’s “Dawnguard” DLC. A pure-blood vampire bound up in ancient prophecy and family betrayal, she stands apart from other side characters for her dry humor, complex emotions, and unusually reactive dialogue. It also helps that she turns into one of the most dependable companions, even aiding the Last Dragonborn in their journey into the Soul Cairn and/or transformation into a vampire lord.
Many fans don’t just hold her to be beloved, but they are, in fact,in lovewith her. Sadly, despite the fact that Skyrim’sopen world offers datable and marriable NPCs, these fans were likely brokenhearted when they discovered that this thousands-of-years-old raven-haired blood drinker was uninterested in their advances, regardless of their gender, status as an undead, or availability.
2Paarthurnax - Skyrim
The Dragon Who Chose Love And Wisdom Over Rage And Domination
When players first meet Paarthurnax atop the Throat of the World, it’s a moment of pure cinematic awe, and one made all the more surprising when the ancient dragon speaks not with fury, but with peace. As the leader of the Greybeards and a former lieutenant of Alduin, Paarthurnax is a paradox: a destroyer who chose the Way of the Voice, seeking wisdom and restraint over domination.
His gravelly voice, patient cadence, and reflective monologues have made him one of the most beloved characters in Skyrim. He is a teacher, and for many, a moral compass, thanks to lines like “What is better: to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?” Most players' loyalty to this philosophical dragon is likely strengthened once one ofThe Elder Scrolls' most hated characters, Delphine, orders the player to kill him for past crimes he has clearly repented for.
1Sheogorath - Oblivion (The Shivering Isles)
The Daedric Prince of Chaos, Cheese, Charm, and Charisma
By Cheese, and bits of human entrails! Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness, delivers some of the series’ most quotable lines, unhinged monologues, and hilarious threats in all while ruling a realm that is literally split in two, although he probably likes it that way. Sheogorath is never entirely played off as a joke, as he is able to back up his threats if provoked.
Like the iconic Imperial Guard, Lucian Lachance, and the Arena Announcer, his memorable personality is brought to life by Wes Johnson’s legendary voice work. Loving this mad god is to love oneself, asthe player eventually mantles himduring the closing moments of “The Shivering Isles.”
