Something that invariably makes Bethesda RPGs such as The Elder Scrolls and Fallout interesting to dip into is a world that has a degree of uncertainty. A journey from one part of the map to the other will rarely play out exactly the same every time. The enemies, situations, and quests you're met with along the way are liable to change. It's one compelling reason to avoid opting to fast travel every time.

Related: Skyrim: Wholesome Things You Can Do In The Game

There are a lot of different random encounters the Dragonborn can run into out in the wilds of Skyrim. Some of these in particular lean more heavily on the 'random' than others do. A ride to another hold can quickly turn into a thoroughly surreal experience.

10 A Serious Dare

The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim No HUD showing a bow and Argonian

As is wont to happen in the world of the Elder Scrolls, it's possible to go to a tavern one night and wake up to find that you've inadvertently went on a country-spanning bender with Daedric Prince Sanguine. The unfortunate Dragonborn can spend days dealing with the fallout from the inebriated evening. Some consequences can show up without warning, too.

If you've had your drinking session with the Daedroth, you may be approached on the road by an Argonian, claiming that you dared him ten thousand gold to break into a bandit camp and steal the leader's hat. You can pay him, talk him to a lower price, or refuse and get attacked by a drunk and angry reptile. Whichever way, you'll come out of it with the hat.

9 Wabbajack!

Skyrim Rabbit Pet Inside A House

You can occasionally find an NPC named 'Madwoman' wandering around Skyrim. She has some seemingly nonsense dialogue, that in fact cryptically points to the location of Daedric Prince Sheogorath's quest, in the Blue Palace.

Related: Skyrim: The Mind Of Madness Quest Walkthrough

If you happen to run into her after finishing the quest, and acquiring the legendary Daedric weapon, the Wabbajack, she will request that it is used on her. The Wabbajack, being the staff of the prince of madness, is one known for its weird effects on targets. Consequentially, casting on her will turn her into a rabbit. Hopefully she's happy that way.

8 Vampire's Ruse

A vampire snarling at the player in Skyrim

If you find yourself wandering around in the marshes of Hjaalmarch at night, and appear to see someone in distress, seemingly being attacked by a vampire, you might want to go right in the other direction.

The vampires of the area have gotten a little crafty, and one will employ its thrall to play the part of a person in danger. When the Dragonborn decides to play the hero and intervene, they're attacked by both the vampire and its minion. Evidently, no good deed goes unpunished.

7 The Headless Horseman

Skyrim Hamvirs Rest With Headless Horseman

Wandering the roads after dark, it's possible you will see a spectral figure trot past you on a misty steed. Aside from being semi-transparent, the other feature that stands out is the rider being completely without a head. If this isn't a compelling reason to run away from the ghostly rider, it's possible to follow his route along Skyrim's roads.

If you can stick with him, he will lead you to the ruin of Hamvir's Rest in the south, where some skeletons and a treasure chest are waiting.

6 A Gift With Conditions

While taking a stroll through the countryside one day, you may be approached by a man who is very eager for you to take a valuable item off his hands, and will insist you don't say where you got it. He will then run away.

Shortly afterward, you are likely to be approached by the presumed owner of the item, rather upset about getting robbed. You are free to point him in the direction of the thief, which will cause him to pursue and potentially kill him. You can deny all knowledge, or you can do the honourable thing and return the nice thing for a small monetary reward. You'll never be forced to give it back, so it's all down to your individual conscience, and maybe how nice the item is.

5 Elemental Disagreement

Skyrim screenshot showing two mages that killed each other.

While the Dragonborn will often turn their hand to various different kinds of magic in the course of a playthrough, many existing mages in Skyrim opt to specialise in one kind of spell or another. It appears that at least a few of them take these choices very personally. Occasionally you can find two mages, one using fire spells and the other using ice, trying extremely hard to kill each other.

Sometimes they will have already succeeded by the time you get over to them. At least they're trying to kill one another, and not you.

4 Assassin Rivalry

skyrim morag tong assassin on solstheim

Joining the Dark Brotherhood has its perks. You get cool gear, a terrifying set of friends, and become a frightening cadaver's chosen one. It's not without its downsides though. One of these problems is that some other assassin organisations are likely to take umbrage with you treading on their territory.

Related: The Elder Scrolls: The Dark Brotherhood, Explained

For this you must have the Dragonborn expansion. If you're part of Skyrim's Dark Brotherhood and go walking around on Solstheim, there's a distinct chance that you may be jumped by assassins from the Morag Tong. This group of Morrowind-based assassins have an intense dislike of the other famous group of killers, and are eager to carry out your 'execution' for a part in illegal assassinations — as opposed to the good wholesome killings they apparently do.

3 Verbal Abuse

Skyrim Orc character in a forest

Words can hurt. Being struck with a weapon can also hurt. While walking the roads you may end up on the receiving end of a wandering fighter who is eager to insult the Dragonborn, presumably due to some kind of intense death wish.

Referring to a practical demigod as a 'milk-drinker' is decidedly not a clever idea, and neither is asking them if they're going to cry upon their objection. It's possible to use your words to talk your way out of an encounter, but it's possibly far more satisfying to launch the over-confident orc off the side of a mountain so he can reflect on his poor choices before he hits the ground.

2 A Ghost In Need

A ghostly warrior in Skyrim.

Seeing a ghost can be a little alarming. Most of the spirits you encounter in Skyrim are rather hostile, and seeing one lurking by the side of the road might be enough to make you ready a sword.

Fortunately, a few ghosts are just looking for a helping hand to rest in peace. If you find one waiting by the road, and do them the courtesy of following them off the route, they can show you their problem. Their grave is being desecrated by a few troublemakers. The charitable thing to do might be to get rid of the would-be tomb robbers.

1 The Flying Wizard

Skyrim screenshot with mage staff and book on the ground.

While exploring the isle of Solstheim in the Dragonborn expansion, it's possible to come upon a rather excited mage out in the middle of nowhere. He shouts something about being able to 'fly like a dragon' before launching himself clean off the ground with a spell. Unfortunately, he didn't think too hard about steering or landing, as moments later he'll plummet back to earth and terminal velocity and die instantly on impact.

This is a possible reference to a wizard with a similarly bad idea all the way back in The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind.

Next: Skyrim: Most Annoying NPCs In The Game, Ranked By How Easy They Are To Kill