#the blades

[elderscrollsconceptart]

Caius Cosades

Art for The Elder Scrolls: Legends

*Artist Unknown* if anyone knows the artist, comment below!

#the elder scrolls #art #tes #concept art #caius cosades #balmora #morrowind #vvardenfell #the blades #talos #tiber septim #daddy posting

[skyrim-forever]

rip Blades Questline, imagine what you could of been

#skyrim #the elder scrolls #tes #tesblr #meme #this user #paarthurnax #the blades #delphine skyrim #I have ideas on how to fix the blades questline

[mirthandir]

I also love how there hasn't been a single, solitary game where the Blades haven't been the most useless fucks on Tamriel

#the elder scrolls #the blades #skyrim

[moodcrab]

Fixing Delphine

This bitch.

I actually like that they made a character that is on your side but is somewhat unlikable, Delphine is Team Dragonborn, but she's not really one of the good guys. And that's cool, conflict means drama. So what's the problem? Well unfortunately, this drama is surface level and isn't used to drive the story, so It's kind of just annoying.

People oversimplify their hatred of Delphine into "She wants you to kill Paarthurnax," because unlike Delphine, people actually like Paarthurnax. Understandable, but barely scratches the surface. We'll get to The Paarthurnax Dilemma in time, but that quest is a symptom, not the illness itself.

If I could sum up Delphine in a word it would be "inconsistent." For example, she's a fugitive waging a one woman war on the Thalmor from the shadows, who's only survived this long from sheer paranoia - but she also uses her real name and leaves a note in Ustengrav for whoever happens to pick it up with directions and a pass word to her secret hide out.

She needs to go through her super secret contact Farengar to use the Jarl's resources to go into Bleak Falls Barrow, a tutorial level dungeon she can see from her house, and she's impressed that you did it - but she also goes personally to the other side of the country to delve alone into the massive Ustengrav to steal the Horn of Jurgan Windcaller, no issues, just a quick in and out twenty minute adventure.

She takes the fact that you found her Ustengrav note as proof you're the Greybeard's new guy and not some Thalmor plant even though she herself, a non Dragonborn, had also completed Ustengrav and taken the horn proving it's totally possible. She even points this out in her own dialogue then demands we prove who we are, even though that was the whole point of the Ustengrav note. It's also a pretty big assumption that just because I'm the guy the Greybeards call Dragonborn that I can't ALSO be with the Thalmor.

We are left with this awkward sense that the writers are flailing to make us think this woman is competent and objective, without actually having her do anything that clever. Just act like the dumb thing was smart and have her act like a cocky brat if questioned about it.

Inconsistency. It's her thing. Does she hate the Thalmor? That would make sense given what we know about her. But that gets dropped half way through the main story and suddenly she hates The Greybeards, for absolutely no reason at all. She gives a reason, but it's bullshit.

In her own words, "If the greybeards had their way, the dragonborn would sit on a mountain talking to the sky." But that's not true is it. We know The Greybeards, they encouraged us to fulfill our destiny. Even if you say you want to follow their Way of the Voice, they'll be glad to hear it but warn you not to let it get in the way of what needs to be done. Delphine even uses Tiber Septim as an example, which is even stupider because The Greybeards actively encouraged Tiber to conquer Tamriel. Have I read more in game books than the dialogue writers??

But that's not the end of it, when it becomes convenient for the plot this hatred is flipped once again from The Greybeards onto dragons. Not Alduin. All dragons. Despite the fact that, as a Blade, she should know about Nafaalilargus, a dragon ally of the Empire and the Blades for thousands of years, and the Blades don't just indiscriminately kill all dragons no matter the circumstances, and that Tiber Septim himself almost certainly met Paarthurnax at some point, she suddenly seems to be acting like she has a personal grudge against dragons. Which brings us to the Paarthurnax Dilemma...

See here's the thing, you could easily write off the frustration everyone feels towards this quest as Bethesda's crappy design, where there is no conclusion other than to kill Paarthurnax, or else leave an unfinished quest languishing in the menu. Bethesda apparently didn't consider the idea that anybody would actually prefer to turn on the Blades, even though the Blades have become a bit of a running joke among the fans, or that anyone would take umbrage with Delphine giving out orders and ultimatums.

But no, it's so much worse than that. Delphine being a surly unlikable c u n t from the day we met her is one thing, but the fact that she has been wrong about almost everything she's ever said in game, and still having the AUDACITY to treat us like her work bitch and us never, not once, getting the opportunity to put her in her place... That's not poor quest design, that's the game gaslighting us.

Let's do a quick list of every one of Delphine's theories, and how many were actually correct shall we:

You are not the Dragonborn ❌

The Greybeards shouldn't be trusted to identify a Dragonborn ❌

The dragons aren't just coming back, they're coming back to life ✅

The Thalmor have something to do with the dragons returning ❌

Esbern is dead ❌

The Greybeards just want the Dragonborn to sit on a mountain and meditate ❌

The Greybeards wanted Tiber Septim to just sit on a mountain and meditate ❌

Paarthurnax, having lived in exile for thousands of years, deserves corporal punishment ❌

As ACTING Grand Master of the Blades, she gets to boss around the Dragonborn ❌

She deserves a seat at the peace negotiations ❌

And these are just the things that are factually wrong, leaving aside opinions on her morality and shitty attitude. This is the woman the game presents to us as a shrewd strategist.

BUT I CAN FIX HER!

Like I said I like the idea of a character who is on your side but is somewhat unlikable. It actually won't take much to make Delphine endearing to the fans. We have to do a Boromir on her. A Lot of people dislike Boromir throughout the Fellowship of the Ring but weep at his death. We have to tweak three things to have the same thing happen to Delphine:

1. Make her actually competent and useful so that while we don't agree with her we can see why she does the things she does, and desire to keep her around.

2. Have her mistakes called out and have consequences.

3. Have her redeem her mistakes with a badass honourable death.

#skyrim #elder scrolls #delphine skyrim #skyrim ulfric #tes 5 skyrim #elder scrolls memes #skyrim memes #elder scrolls morrowind #truestl #elder scrolls oc #oblivion #tes6 #morrowind #the elder scrolls 6 #the elder scolls online #the blades #the elder scrolls #tes #tes 5 #tes lore

[elderscrollsconfessions]

Confession: I dislike Delphine as much as any Skyrim fan but I also think the hate for her is overblown. She’s definitely a jerk, but the way some people talk about her, it seems like she’s done far worse than force you to do some tasks and refuse to help you if you don’t kill Paarthurnax, and you can just ignore her request with no real consequences in gameplay.

#Delphine #Skyrim #The Elder Scrolls #TES #ESC #The Blades

[xjunkriidx]

Delphine: Would you guys be there for me if I was going through something?

Lucien: Nope, absolutely not.

Inigo: I hope it sucks, whatever you’re going through.

Kaidan: I hope it emotionally scars you for the rest of your life.

Serana: I hope you reach out to me so I can ignore you.

Y/N: I can’t wait to go to your funeral, knowing I could’ve changed that outcome.

#incorrect skyrim quotes #skyrim memes #skyrim x reader #lucien flavius #inigo the brave #serana #delphine skyrim #the blades #kaidan x ldb #kaidan skyrim

[enolezdrata]

Kuvu-Ashi and Martin for lovely @/jmsg92 (twt)

#oblivion #martin septim #champion of cyrodiil #the blades #the elder scrolls #C: box with arts #my art

[nooklingposting]

The Hero of Kvatch is testing Jauffre’s patience

#oblivion #hero of kvatch #champion of cyrodiil #elder scrolls #elder scrolls blades #cloud ruler temple #Martin Septim #tes oblivion #hok #ivari #the blades #jauffre #oblivion jauffre #baurus #oblivion baurus #Bethesda #Dunmer #dark elf

[hvarra]

screw you Delphine

#tes #the elder scrolls #skyrim #dragonborn #dovakhiin #delphine #paarthurnax #the blades #oc: ienos avaren

[elderscrollsconceptart]

"Alduins Wall"

Full Resolution render of Alduin's wall as seen in the trailer and promotional materials.

Credit for the render is unclear, but the design is directly based on a piece by Adam Adamowicz

This is the highest resolution image of the wall that I have ever seen. Even with Tumblr's compression, seriously, zoom in and check out the details.

#adam adamowicz #the elder scrolls #art #concept art #tes #skyrim #alduin #the blades #skyhaven temple #dragonborn #dovakhiin

[skyrim-forever]

Alright which table you sitting at?

#skyrim #the elder scrolls #meme #tes #dark brotherhood #thieves guild #college of winterhold #thalmor #imperial legion #stormcloak rebellion #nazeem #just nazeem on his own :P #jarl balgruuf #the blades #the companions #dark brotherhood baby #forgive me for missing characters #bards collage isn't here because it is lame #I said what I said

[feykrorovaan]

Delphine:"Dragonborn, have you slain Paarthurnax yet?"

LDB:"The stars are not in position, for this tribute!"

Taliesin:"Like she said! Stars. Can't do it. Not today. (Under his breath)...or ever."

#feykrorovaan #elder scrolls #tes #skyrim #modded skyrim #Skyrim Taliesin #tesblr #Paarthurnax #Delphine #The Blades #Incorrect Skyrim quotes

[elderscrollsconfessions]

Confession: i need malborn

#malborn #skyrim #bosmer #the blades #the elder scrolls #tes #wood elf #esc

[xjunkriidx]

Y/N: “Dragonborn you forget yourself.” Delphine, you forget where you stand next to me. You are in my shadow. Act like it. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that every single idea you’ve ever had has failed under your guidance. You are a walking second place medal.

Inigo: Alright, who forgot to feed Y/N?

#incorrect skyrim quotes #skyrim memes #skyrim x reader #inigo the brave #fuckdelphine #the blades

[elder-dragon-reposes]

Paarthurnax (or “the Old One” according to other dov) is the leader of the Greybeards and the first friendly dragon that the Last Dragonborn comes across in the Main Questline. He assists the Last Dragonborn throughout the game and is also available to help them Meditate on the Words of Power (Fus, Feim, and Yol) which can give some bonus effects to certain Shouts when the Last Dragonborn uses them. 

Biography

During the Merethic Era, Paarthurnax was a lieutenant under Alduin who committed and witnessed many atrocities against “mankind” (specifically Nords) but ultimately defected, and alongside mortals, he betrayed Alduin and taught men how to use the Thu’um. Mankind prevailed and won the Dragon War, with Paarthurnaxx retiring to the Throat of the World to continue battling his lust for power. He also became a follower of the Way of the Voice during this time, a pacifist creed created by Jurgen Windcaller that stated Thu'um should be used for worship rather than the glory of battle. Paarthurnax l became the Greybeard’s grandmaster but would continue to live in isolation at the peak of the mountain. 

During the First Era, Paarthurnax would continue to live in isolation but did make visits to Numinex who was trapped in Dragonsreach.

During the Fourth Era, Paarthurnax would assist the Last Dragonborn in defeating Alduin during the Dragon Crisis, helping them with tasks such as finding and learning the Dragonrend Shout and helping them reach Sovngarde to ultimately defeat Alduin. At one point in the Main Questline, the Blades (Delphine and Esbern) will ask the Last Dragonborn to slay Paarthurnax due to the atrocities committed during the Dragon War that he was complicit in. If the player chooses to not kill him, then he will be present for the Epilogue of the game. He will comment on his desire to teach the Way of the Voice to his brethren and can then be found perched on the Throat of the World’s Word Wall and will continue helping the Last Dragonborn Meditate on Shouts. To continue with the Blade Questline in Skyrim, the Last Dragonborn must kill Paarthurnax. 

Cool Quotes

“Dov wahlaan fah rel. (Dragons were created for domination.) We were made to dominate. The will to power is in our blood. You feel it in yourself, do you not?”

“Dahmaan (Remember) - remember, Alduin also follows his destiny, as he sees it.” 

“Lot krongrah. (Great victory.) You truly have the Voice of a dovah. Alduin’s allies will think twice after this victory.”

“But I cannot celebrate his fall. Zu’u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. (I am sad at his fall.) He was my brother once. This world will never be the same."

#paarthurnax #the elder scrolls #skyrim #dragon grandpa #i love him #the dragonborn is a card carrying member of the protect dragon grandpa club #baurus wouldn't ask me to kill him #or martin #dragon crisis #dragon war #greybeards #the blades

[bougainvillea-and-saltwater]

I'm so sorry in advance for going to be in your asks so much for the near future, but I really really want to know how you(and respectively Jia) handles the whole blades faction👀

Does she try to re-establish the blades? Are they so long over it that they can't be salvaged? (I'm looking at you Delphine) Do the blades decide to help her bring the Septim dynasty back? Does Delphine risk her freedom from the Thalmor for Jia??

PLEASE don’t ask sorry for sliding into my asks, they’re always open for blorbo talk (also, you help me brainstorm plot points that are still kind of vague in my head, so thank you!)!!! 💖

Now, that’s a very interesting question! The truth is that Jia has completely cut off ties with the Blades after Delphine asked her to kill Paarthurnax. She doesn’t hate either her or Esbern, quite the contrary, she can acknowledge all those times they helped her, either in finding Words of Power and honing her Dragonborn skills (the letters that come to us in-game reporting locations of Shouts? This is a Blades’ job in my headcanon!) or generally, their guidance during her quest to kill Alduin, but she’s very bitter over their ultimatum. She felt like she was being used all along until the point she’d kill Alduin and save the world, and then she was discarded, her opinion completely disregarded, by the time the Blades were sworn to serve the Dragonborn—so, her dragon pride is still very sore. 

To reference another GoT quote that went, ‘We know no king but the King in the North whose name is Stark’, the Blades in TES are similarly like: ‘We know no emperor but the Dragon Emperor whose name is Septim’. The thing is though… Delphine and Esbern don’t know, at this point of the story, that Jia is Martin’s great-granddaughter, in contrast to the Thalmor who do. 🥲 I won’t give away a spoiler, but they will learn it (and in a quite paradoxical way...), and I can definitely see them trying to approach Jia again… For what reasons and how Jia will react to seeing again and listening to what they have to say, we’ll see…👀

What about Arya? How does she feel about the Blades? How do they feel about her?

#asks #oc: jia #last dragonborn #the blades #tes