Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is still increasingly popular among gamers. Skyrim continues to be popular in 2017 even though it was first released in November 2011. The game has had a Special Edition re-release, is moving into virtual reality, and will soon be ported to the Nintendo Switch.

Though the main quest against the dragon Alduin has had its criticisms, gamers still enjoy visiting the side quests. Going off the beaten path and discovering these hidden quests is one of the most enjoyable parts of all Bethesda games. Within Skyrim, there are many new areas to uncover on your path as the Dragonborn. Some of these secrets may be humorous, or simple time-wasting side quests.

Not every hidden secret is fun and playful. There are dark, hidden secrets within the land of Skyrim. They remain a secret until you uncover them or purposely seek them out. Skyrim is a dangerous land, filled with many areas and enemies that are ready to kill you. Not only do the residents have to take the safety from the civil war between the Stormcloaks and Empire, but there is aggressive wildlife in the mountains, and now random dragon attacks. On top of these attacks, the residents still must overcome everyday hardships such as trying to save up gold, overcoming addictions, and avoiding being robbed by one of Skyrim’s hundreds of thieves.

We’ve uncovered some of the most disturbing secrets that the Dragonborn can find within the land of Skyrim. This list contains spoilers for the side content of the game.

15 Meeko, Man’s Best Friend

In Hjaalmarch, the Dragonborn can find a scruffy-looking dog named Meeko. Meeko won't leave the area. He will walk up to you, hoping that you will follow him. Upon following him, you will reach his home, named "Meeko's Shack." Inside, you witness what he was protecting. On the bed you will see his dead Nord owner. His corpse will remain still on the bed. The small shack still contains signs of his former life, such as bread and a lantern. If you read his journal, you'll discover his owner died of the disease, Rockjoint. It is possible to recruit Meeko to follow you instead. If you decide that you don't want Meeko by your side any longer, Meeko will always return to Meeko's Shack to stay beside his former owner.

14 The Ghosts Of War Never Truly Leave

War is a mentally and physically challenging event. The Civil War raging in Skyrim has had its toll on both the Soldiers and civilians. In Riften, the city of thieves, Salvianus still remembers his fighting days. He can be found in the Ratway Warrens, where many of the thieves reside in secret. Salvianus suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Listening to his quotes will give you insight on his inner war. He is a Veteran of the Great War between the Aldmeri Dominion and the Empire. He still remembers the fires that raged along Lake Rumare and the hauntingly red blood of the enemies he killed. He received a medal for his work with the Legion but threw it away because it was a reminder of the war. When the Thalmor rises again and storms the Ratway Warrens, he will panic. He'll think the Thalmor are ghosts from the Great War.

13 They Should Have Camped Somewhere Else

Near the area of Dawnstar near the Sea of Ghosts, you'll find a small tent. The tent looks like a majority of other tents you'll see on your journey in Skyrim. This tent belonged to two lovers. You won't see the couple in the tent, only proof of their existence. Inside, there are two sleeping mats, flowers, and empty wine bottles. There is also an Amulet of Mara, which is a symbol of the Goddess of Love. It is often used when two people wish to be married. If you walk along the coast, you'll discover the skeletons of the couple. Their cause of death is unknown, but there are a few possibilities. They may have drowned in the freezing Sea of Ghosts, and their bodies washed ashore. They may have also been killed by the Horkers, the large creatures resembling walruses.

12 Even Beggars Have Families

In Ivarstead is a young Nord beggar named Narfi. He lived in the remains of his family home with his sister, Reyda. Unfortunately, Reyda has gone missing. Broken by the loss of his only remaining family member, Narfi went insane. Though she has been missing for six months, he refuses to believe she's dead. He begs everyone to help him locate her, including the Dragonborn. He tells you she would collect ingredients alongside the islands on the coast. When you reach the area, you'll find her remains at the bottom of the river. You know it's Reyda because you can bring her necklace back to her brother. Though he will be heartbroken by her death, he will bury her remains. Narfi is also part of another tragic quest, which will lead to his death, as a Contract for the Dark Brotherhood.

11 Skyrim's Wildlife Spares No One

When two people are in love, nothing will stop them from being together. Talvur, a Dunmer, and Karan, a Breton, were deeply in love. Karan's father did not think that Talvur, a poor miner, was worthy enough to marry his daughter. They developed a plan together. They would both work hard to save up and run away together to Riften. They placed their saved earnings in a tree stump. They finally earned enough to elope and camped near the tree. Though they escaped Karan's parents, they were not able to escape the dangers of Skyrim. When you find the lovers' camp, you'll spot their dead bodies. A saber cat, or another aggressive animal, will be prowling the camp. Unfortunately, the lovers were killed before they were able to start their new lives together.

10 Good Intentions Can Get You Killed

As the Dragonborn, you face dangerous dragons and monsters on your path. It's easy to forget there are regular villagers just trying to survive. Ranmir and Isabelle are one such couple. You'll find Ranmir in an inn, drunk and miserable. Ranmir was deeply in love with a woman named Isabelle. One night, he got drunk and yelled at her. Isabelle ran to Riften and met a thief named Vex. Once you track down Vex, she reveals that Isabelle came to her to ask for help. Vex asked her to head to Hob's Fall Cave, and Isabelle never returned. Travel to Hob's Fall Cave, and you'll find Isabelle's corpse. She ran off because she wanted to make extra money. She knew Ranmir was too proud to ask for help, so Isabelle wanted to help him. Instead, she was killed, alone in the cave.

9 Mammoths Are A Giant's Best Friend

When first starting your adventures in Skyrim, you'll quickly learn not to mess with the Giants or their mammoths. The Giants are normally passive, and will only attack if you get too close. Giants don't travel alone and will attack you in groups if you dare attack them. Standing quietly beside their campfires, they watch over their precious animal friends. If you travel near a hot spring area with downed trees, you'll notice a Giant standing alone. There is a dead mammoth on its side in the water. Walk closer, and the giant will not try to attack you. It will only continue staring at the dead creature. It's a sad scene where you realize the powerful bond the two creatures share.

8 Friends Until The End

The Northern edge of Skyrim is colder compared to the Southern edge of the country. The temperatures immediately drop, and there are more frequent snowstorms to block your path. North of the College of Winterhold is mostly empty. There are few settlements to visit. The people who do travel in this area must do their best to survive. You'll discover two skeletons sitting together on the ground. One of those people has their leg stuck in a bear trap. There are no other items or a journal to describe what happened. It could have been lovers, friends, or a family member that were trapped. Unable to move on without their loved one, their devoted friend stayed by their side. Eventually, they both succumbed to the freezing Skyrim temperatures, dying together.

7 Drowning His Sorrows In Skooma

Within a hidden camp on Soltheim, you'll uncover a dead Argonian named Usha. His body is near a flowing waterfall. He's surrounded by three bodies of full Skooma bottles and several empty bottles. You'll find a gold mining pan and pieces of gold ore beside his lifeless body. There is also a letter entitled to him laying next to him. You'll find out that Usha was in love with a woman named Monessa. They wanted to be married, but Monessa's family refused because he was poor. Monessa didn't care about her lover's lack of wealth and promised to make her family understand. She pleaded that he reply and let her know where he was. Sadly, Usha overdosed on Skooma before contacting Monessa.

6 At Least He Succeeded, Briefly

Though Riften is home to thieves, not all of the residents want to steal from others. Not far from the city, you'll find Lost Prospect Mine. Hadrir's friend Bern recently purchased the mine for a low-cost. He was told the mine held a valuable gold vein and asked Hadrir to help mine. As the men dug for gold, Hadrir grew frustrated and tired. He returned to Riften to look for supplies. When he came back, Bern was gone. Hadrir was angry and believed Bern gave up on the mine and his friend. But go behind the waterfall, and you'll discover what happened to Bern. Bern did discover three gold veins. Unfortunately, digging there caused more rocks to fall, and Bern was crushed. You'll find his skeleton holding a pickaxe.

5 Addiction Is No Joking Matter

In the Alftand glacial ruins, you'll run into the Khajit J'darr. He's standing beside the body of his dead brother, J'zhar. J'darr is addicted to Skooma. In an attempt to wean his brother off the drug, J'zhar brought J'darr along on an expedition into the ruins. They also brought three others for protection and to help mine the area. A storm trapped the explorers in the cave. J'darr started to suffer from withdrawals and began to hallucinate. The others believe that J'darr is starting to become violent. They are so distracted by the Khajit that they are unable to fight off the Falmer. The Falmer were the real threat inside of the cave. J'darr is the only one to survive, but he still believes the others are alive, due to his Skooma withdrawal symptoms.

4 I'll Wait Forever For You

The area of Pilgrim's Trench is beside the Sea of Ghosts. On a small island, you'll find Trius' Camp. You won't find any living in this location. There is only a sleeping mat, a few pans, and a large sack beside a skeleton. By the remains, you'll find a letter titled to a woman named Shelly. Trius knew that Shelly was on a ship making its way towards shore. He was waiting for her arrival, even though he feared she died. Unfortunately, Trius died before Shelly arrived. His wait may have been in vain. Shelly's boat was sailing along the Sea of Ghosts, which was home to four shipwrecks. Shelly may have died on one of the shipwrecked boats in the area Trius was camping.

3 A Mother Should Never Have To Bury Children

Tova Shatter-Shield is a mother mourning the death of her daughter, Friga. Friga was murdered by the serial killer, The Butcher, in the city of Windhelm. Though you can help her take down the killer, you can also be the cause of her death. Friga's twin sister Nilsine can also be killed during the Dark Brotherhood quest "Mourning Never Comes." If you decide to kill Tova's last living child, you'll under Tova's suicide note. In it, she explains how she is overcome with grief and cannot continue living with her twin daughters dead. The last lights of her life have been extinguished, and she only hopes to meet her daughters again in the Halls of Sovngarde or the depths of Oblivion.

2 Innocence Lost

Aventus Aretino is a young boy, orphaned after his mother died from sickness. He was forced to live in Honorhall Orphanage in Riften but escaped back to his family home in Windhelm. He performed the Black Sacrament to contact the Dark Brotherhood. If you are a Dark Brotherhood member, you can find him and learn more about his request. During his stay at the Honorhall Orphanage, he grew to hate the headmistress, Grelod the Kind. Though her name implies she was a loving woman, she was cruel to the orphans. Though there are three choices to choose from, you are forced to accept his request. Once the headmistress is killed and you return to tell Aventus the news, he states he will go back to the orphanage after Grelod's body has been removed.

1 House Hunting Gone Wrong

On the coast of Winterhold, you'll find a small building named the Frostflow Lighthouse. At first glance, it looks like a normal home until you walk inside. The inside of the home is covered with blood, a body, and the corpse of a Chaurus. Reading the journals in the house, you'll learn that a Redguard couple, Habd and Ramati, admired the lighthouse for several years before saving enough to purchase it. With their two children, they moved into their new home. But in the cellar of the house was a terrible secret. Under the lighthouse is an infestation of Chaurus and Falmer, who killed the entire family. After removing the infestation, the Dragonborn can fulfill Hadb's last wishes: bury his bones in the lighthouse flame, so he can always help guide the ships.