The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most dense video games of all-time, providing tons of hours of content to uncover. Since its initial release in 2011, gamers are still making new discoveries to this day. These can range from loopholes and glitches to references and intricate details. The last type of discovery mentioned is a special one—details. They can demonstrate the sheer passion and care Skyrim developer Bethesda Softworks put into their masterpiece.
Intricate details are always a welcome addition to a game. They can help further the sense of immersion and are a testament to the power of astute game design. Whether making the graphics and gameplay more believable or adding extra narrative substance, detail is one of the most important aspects of building a world. Skyrim excels in presenting its titular fantastical location. The game’s location and quests are often larger-than-life—made even more convincing by Bethesda’s attention to detail. You know that the developers were proud enough of the world that they decided to name the title after it.
Calling Skyrim huge is an understatement—it offers a massive map to explore while spanning hundreds of hours worth of activities. With plenty of quests, 37.1 kilometres of ground to explore and hundreds of characters, Skyrim does not skimp on making almost everything worth your time. In this list, you will see the small details in everything. These can range from quest consequences and hidden mechanics to rare items and unexplained discoveries. Here are 25 hidden details in Skyrim even the game’s veterans are clamouring to find out.
25 A Cute Bandit Pet Fox
Southeast of Helgen, there lies a cave filled with necromancers. Outside the cave is a cage and in it lives a named pet. Its name is Pumpkin and is a lovely little red fox. The name ‘Pumpkin’ is a reference to a mole rat of the same name from Bethesda Softworks’ previous game Fallout 3. Unfortunately, the animal is immediately hostile and will not let you take it home. Hey, at least you can have a pet fox when your adopted child brings one home in the Hearthfire DLC.
24 Dragon Souls And The Map
Skyrim’s map system is incredibly immersive, letting you view the world in an almost tangible way that puts most open-world games to shame. Because it is a metamap, you can see real-time weather, rendered water and beautiful mountains. Another thing that you can make appear on the map is a dragon soul. After defeating a dragon, absorb the dragon’s soul. In the process of absorption, look at the map and you will see a beautiful glow from above. It is easier to see in a less clouded area.
23 An Ode To Oblivion
Bethesda did not forget about The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, as evidenced by the many references to the predecessor’s characters, events, and locations. The best one comes in the form of an out-of-view secret way outside the map. If you use developer commands and take Skyrim out of the map, you can see the White-Gold Tower from Cyrodil.
The awesome work of fictional architecture can also be seen during ‘The Break Of Dawn’ quest.
This structure is an iconic image of Oblivion and the decision to render it is a great throwback to fans of Bethesda’s previous magnum opus. While we cannot see the Imperial City, this is more than good enough.
22 Alduin's Prophetic Wall
Inside Sky Haven temple is a large mural built by Akaviri. With a name like Alduin’s Wall, you know that it is important. Name aside, the actual engraved images on the mural foretell many pivotal events in the Elder Scrolls. These include the shattering of the Staff of Chaos (Arena), the disaster at Red Mountain (Morrowind), the Oblivion crisis (Oblivion). Finally, there are segments dedicated to showing Alduin, the Skyrim civil war, and the Dragonborn. Lore researchers consider this mural to be seminal in giving an overview into The Elder Scrolls' most important moments.
21 One-Of-A-Kind Nord Mead
Everybody remembers that unforgettable Skyrim opening, right? Well, as you are being carried away on the carriage to your doom, Stormcloak renegade Ralof will reminisce about Helgen, saying “I wonder if Vilod is still making that mead with juniper berries mixed in.” Well, after the Alduin attack, come back to a charred Helgen and go to the Inn. Upstairs you will find 5 bottles of, you guessed it, Mead with Juniper Berry. Because Vilod died during the Alduin attack, nobody can make it. That does not stop the bottles from respawning after ten days.
20 Realistic Off-The-Shelf Shopping
Some may have noticed this but many seem to miss it completely. When you are buying from any vendor, look out for this neat detail if there any items on their counter or the shelves. Once you purchase something, that item you just bought will disappear from their respective spots the moment you press X, A, or left-mouse click (or any corresponding input) on that item. Although there is no animation, there that familiar Skyrim charm when seeing an item magically disappear into your pocket.
19 The Iceberg Explorer
North of The Tower Stone near Winterhold, there is a small glacier that lies a pile of bones of an unfortunate, perished soul. Nobody knows who passed away, but many have speculated it may be one of the fabled Knights of the Nine. This is because there is a skill book of the same name next to the unlucky guy.
The flag cannot be identified by fans because of its damaged state.
His detached skeletal hand is shown clutching a flag, suggesting the person met their end due to the cold. It seems this mystery will never be solved.
18 Become A Thug For Hire
Try this whenever you are in a town or city. If you pick a fistfight with someone in a public place (E.G., Whiterun), you will be delivered a letter. The sender will be an admirer who witnessed the battle, praising your strength and asking for you to be their personal thug.
The letter will include the place you fought in and the person you attacked.
This will initiate the ‘Scare My Enemy’ world interaction, miscellaneous quest. It will task you with assaulting someone. If you are fatal, the person who hired you will be horrified and leave you with no reward.
17 A Diplomatic Rescue
A quest many Skyrim players are aware of is Missing in Action, which tasks you with rescuing Thorald, Fralia Gray-Mane’s son. You soon find out that he is being held in custody by Thalmor guards at Northwatch Keep. Virtually most players went with the (seemingly) only approach that was to end all the guards. However, if you are a member of the Imperial army, you can get a mandate from General Tullius ordering the Thalmor to release Thorald without any violence. Savor your inner pacifist and try it out.
16 How Will You Treat A Guy In Chains?
Towards the end of the main quest Diplomatic Immunity, you will find a Breton thief. You can choose to either leave or save him. No matter which option, he will appear in the thieves guild later on. However, his attitude towards you thereafter will be varied based on how you treated him in the quest.
Another dismissive sentence he will say is "You've caused enough trouble already!"
One option included pretending to be an interrogator. If you did this, he will say "So you made it out. Good for you. But I still remember what you did to me."
15 Even Highwaymen Hail The Nightingales
Tired of thieves approaching you for your hard-earned cash? Well, if you have completed the Thieves Guild questline, equip your awesome Nightingale armor (if you have not already). This will make any thief approach you and actually give you a fair amount of coin.
“Hail, Nightingale! Luck has shined down on me and made me a rich man [sic]. Here is your cut, as promised."
Keep in mind that you need the full set on. If not, you will not get any money. Instead, you can just tell a thief that you are a part of The Thieves Guild and they will leave you alone.
14 Sparing A Werewolf
At the end of the quest ‘Ill Met by Moonlight’, you are setting on the task with hunting the escaped werewolf Sinding. Once you encounter him, the choice is presented to slay or spare the cursed monster. If you choose the forgiving latter option, Sinding will spawn randomly amid your travels.
It is not worth sparing Sinding because of his endless hostile attacks on others.
He can be seen often attacking travellers to fulfil his bloodlust. You can choose to end his cursed life if you wish or enjoy the chaos during the rest of the game. Just make sure the beast does not interfere with important NPCs.
13 Giant Nirnroots
Located northeast of Solstheim (included with the Dragonborn add-on), there lies a unique island with a one-of-a-kind variation of a plant. Giant versions of Nirnroots grow everywhere on the island. Nobody knows what caused the rapid growth of these particular plants but a hint is given with the appearance of a perished dark elf alchemist.
This is the only place where Giant Nirnroots grow in Skyrim.
These plants give twice the amount of ingredients normal nirnroots have. If you are an aspiring alchemist, this is a great place to gather ingredients—just do not end up like the Dunmer.
12 Riekling Worship
Another awesome secret in the Dragonborn DLC can be found in northwest of Skaal Village. There lies a cave named Frossel that is infested with hostile Rieklings. In the cave’s third chamber, if you can sneak without making a sound, you will find a group of Rieklings worshipping a horse-drawn carriage.
A horse made of snow fit with a skeletal head is posed “pulling” the carriage, which is weird.
This is the only instance of the worship animation being seen. Many have missed this due to not having a high sneak skill but this is a bizarre and interesting discovery.
11 Emperor Titus Mede II And The Dark Brotherhood
In the brilliant Dark Brotherhood quest ‘Hail Sithis!’, you are tasked with assassinating the current Tamriel emperor Titus Mede II. Upon boarding the ship Katariah and entering his room, the emperor does not resist and accepts his demise. This is pretty known to most Skyrim players, but what is often overlooked are a couple of books seen around his private quarters.
Disturbingly, there is a skull next to one of the books.
Around the place, there can be found ‘The Brothers of Darkness’ and ‘A Kiss, Sweet Mother’. Both books regard The Dark Brotherhood and the process of summoning the Black Sacrament. What was the emperor up to?
10 A Changing Of Emperor Oath
If you choose to end the Emperor’s reign, his passing will be felt throughout Skyrim. A small detail relating to this can be heard when advancing through the dialogue of General Tullius. If you are eligible to join the Imperial Legion, Tullius will administer the traditional Emperor’s oath to you in the induction process. However, if Titus Mede has bitten the dust, he leaves out his name. Fans have speculated that this means Skyrim is already electing the next royal in line for the throne.
9 Companion Follower Fistfight Interaction
If you enter a fisticuff brawl with an NPC, your follower will typically stand still outside the battle area with their weapon drawn; acting like a dimwit. However, if a companion is by your side (Vilkas, Farkas, or Aela The Huntress), they will shout out bits of advice and encouragement.
These followers also draw their weapons/fists, although they will never join in on a one-on-one brawl.
Alongside verbal interaction is also their tendency to encircle the battle area. These details strengthen your bond to these followers and are quite immersive. Now, if only Lydia would have encouraged the Dragonborn. What a lousy Thane.
8 Your Buddy Has Come To Collect
The hilarious quest ‘A Night to Remember’ tasks you with getting yourself together and collecting your just rewards after a night of a drinking competition. The Dragonborn forgot everything the night before (hence the irony of the quest title). During or after the quest, there is a small chance you will be approached by Deep-In-His-Cups, a patron of the bar that you made a ridiculous promise to.
"You and Sam dared me to go into that bandit camp. Well I did and brought back his stupid hat like you said, so give me the 10,000 gold you promised."
He wants a whopping ten thousand coins for a hat worth one coin. How you want to resolve the issue is up to you, but I say that the brave lizard needs a reward.
7 Hints To The Companion Storyline Revelation
At one point in the quest ‘Proving Honor’ there will be a plot revelation that reveals a sub-faction within the Companion guild called The Circle. In this secret division, all of its members are werewolves. However, a few of the companions’ names give a hint to their secrets. Vilkas and Farkas’ names literally translates to ‘wolf’ in Lithuanian and Hungarian, respectively. Heck—even the leader of the Companions, Kodlak, means ‘werewolf’ in Serbian. It is nice to see Bethesda giving clever clues for foreign gamers to uncover.
6 Lockpick Sound
I have personally committed hundreds of hours to Skyrim across multiple platforms. Even after all of that playtime, me and many other veterans failed to notice this integral part to a successful lockpicking. While breaking into a house, fortress or secret room, turn the pick. As you are turning, you will sometimes hear a clicking sound that indicates when you should turn the pick.
Some players have reported to not hearing this click often.
If only me and many others had known this before. Why was this not in a tutorial!? Look out for it when you are on a crime spree.