Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most expansive and exciting open world games released over the past decade. The fifth title in the Elder Scrolls series produced by developer Bethesda Games Studios, it's a fantasy epic you can't help but get lost in. The major storyline revolves around your character searching out and finding (and ending) Alduin the World-Eater, a dragon who has been prophesied to destroy the world. As with previous games in the series you can completely ignore the main plot and traverse the open world participating in side quests, hunting animals, exploring far-flung lands, and generally causing rouble. It's the ability to travel throughout such an extensive open world that attributes to Skyrim being such a pleasing game experience.

The actual world of Skyrim is absolutely huge and provides hours upon hours of entertainment as you explore all sorts of terrain and locations including forests, mountains, dungeons, villages, cities, towns, caves, and fortresses. There are hundreds of non-playing characters you can interact with who more often than not will provide you with extra missions and side quests to help develop your character's skills. But a world this detailed and expansive is also filled with terrible stories and heartbreaking tales of murder and loss. You will encounter many characters who have gone through great hardship and are struggling to survive. While some of these are part of the main storyline or side quests, there are other dark and creepy occurrences that are much harder to find. To help you discover as much as you can about the darker side of the game, here's a look at 25 of the most unsettling facts about Skyrim you never knew.

25 The Ebony Knight

via: YouTube (Ray Dhimitri)

Few enemies in the world of Skyrim are as tough and hard to defeat as the Ebony Knight. A skilled warrior equipped with enhanced armour and weapons, he will approach you in any of the major cities and challenge you to a duel. Unfortunately, you can only find him if you own the Dragonborn DLC and have reached level 80.

Once encountered he will wait for you at his Last Vigil. If you manage to defeat him you'll complete the bonus quest and have the opportunity to loot his body, finding a handful of jewels and gaining access to his armour and weapons. The Ebony Knight is no pushover though, so it's best to be well armed and stocked up on potions. You can even enlist a friend and your dragon if things aren't going your way during the fight.

24 The Thieves Guild Are Watching

via: reddit.com

The Thieves Guild are well-known throughout Skyrim not only for their skills as thieves, but the strong political hold they have over certain governments and law enforcement officials through cunning methods of bribery and extortion. Although they are going through some tumultuous times during the events of Skyrim, their reach extends just as far as seen by the markings they leave on buildings in numerous areas across the land.

If you look closely, you'll notice many buildings, particularly in the major cities, have small markings inscribed on the walls. These symbols known as Shadowmarks are left by members of the Thieves Guild to communicate to other members what they will find there. Examples include a symbol representing danger, warning thieves to stay away from that particular building, and another that stands for loot, informing members there is treasure to be found nearby. Once you join the guild and are familiar with the Shadowmarks it will help make sure you don't end up entering the wrong location.

23 Rip Out The Heart Of Your Enemy

via: dorkly.com

The majority of combat in Skyrim involves swordplay or the use of magic, but there's one brutal method you can use to dispatch the leaders of The Forsworn. Scattered throughout the land, The Forsworn are part of a large feral tribe that can be found living near hagravens.

Each tribe of The Forsworn are led by a Briarheart, a half-dead male tribe member whose heart has been replaced with a briar heart, hence the name. The Briarheart's are much harder to kill than a normal Forsworn tribe member, but can be taken out with little fuss if your sneak skill is high. Players with a high level of skill can creep up behind the Briarheat and rip out their heart like the evil priest Mola Ram from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. This bloody but effective method is a quick way to take out The Forsworn's leader before they can get their tribe organized.

22 Lover's Abandoned Camp

via: dorkly.com

Scouring the area of Dawnstar near the Sea of Ghosts, you'll come across a small abandon tent. Search the tent and you'll find two sleeping mats, a couple pairs of shoes, some flowers, a bottle of wine and the Amulet of Mara. The amulet represents the Goddess of Love and is said to be used by couples who want to get married, insinuating a couple of lovers had camped here.

Unfortunately, things didn't end well for the two. If you wander down the coast a little further you'll come across two bodies. But how did they die? Did they drown in the Sea Of Ghosts or were they attacked by the walrus-looking Horkers you can spot in the sea? Whatever happened it's a sad end for the two lovers who never got the chance to marry.

21 Skyrim's Own Spiderman

via: wtfgamersonly.com

Accessing the spider imbuing chamber is another secret location that can only be found if you own the Dragonborn DLC. Secured in a metal cage at White Ridge Barrow (on the Norther side of Solstheim) the chamber allows you to create mutant spiders that can be used as weapons. Of course, nothing is easy in this game and you can't just walk up and use the contraption willy-nilly. It's guarded by a spider throwing Dark Elf by the name of Merilar Rendas. Once you've defeated Rendas, search her body and take her key. This key gives access to the chamber and allows you to start harvesting your own collection of mutant spiders. You can conjure an assortment of spiders with special powers, including spiders that explode, turn invisible, and even control minds, effectively turning you into the Spiderborn.

20 Old Orc Take A Look At My Life

via: YouTube (Honest Sweetroll/Cheese4Every1)

Travel the wilderness of Skyrim long enough and you'll meet all sorts of interesting characters but few as somber as the Old Orc. Standing over the corpses of two saber cats he has killed, the Old Orc will inform you he is waiting for a "good death." When pressed he explains he's too old to be a chief or to marry, and if he were to lay down and die he would not please his god. Therefore he must be killed in battle to achieve the righteous death he so desires.

You can choose to leave him alone and the Old Orc will remain waiting sadly for someone to kill him. On the other hand, if you offer to fight him he will become hostile and attack. Killing the Old Orc might seem like a mercy killing but it's what he wants. An honourable death at the hands of the Dragonborn means he will be accepted by his god Daedric Prince Malacath into the heavens above.

19 Ulfr The Blind Bookworm

via: imgur.com

You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than those who live in the caves at White River Watch. All manner of murderous thieves and bandits hide out there, but one such fellow is pretty harmless. As his name implies, Ulfr the Blind can't see but for some reason is left guarding the entrance to the cave. Unlike his fellow bandits, Ulfr comes across as the perfect gentleman who will wish you luck upon leaving, even if you've killed his fellow clan members.

As well as his personable demeanour Ulfr is an avid book reader. As he is blind it's assumed the books he reads are in brail, but if you go over and open the book resting on the table in front of him you'll discover the pages are actually blank. Poor blind Ulfr can't even get a real book to pretend to read, making him one the loneliest character you'll come across in the Skyrim universe.

18 Not All Mammoths Are Pets

via: nexusmods.com

Of all the strange and interesting animals that can be found throughout Skyrim, wooly mammoths are the ones you need to look out for the most. Sure, they aren't overly violent or pose a huge threat themselves when left alone, but many are owned by giants who don't take too kindly to your presence. Thankfully there is a way to tell the difference between wild mammoths and those being herded by giants.

Like humans brand cattle, giants brand mammoths with intricate markings on their tusks. It's not known what the markings mean, but it's assumed it lets other giants know who owns them. This is of great help to players as if you see a mammoth without markings you know you are free to travel through the area without fear of an attack by an angry giant.

17 Ranmir The Drunk Drowning His Sorrows

via: ru.elderscrolls.wikia.com

There are many drunks littered throughout the bars and taverns of Skyrim, but Ranmir may have a good reason to be wallowing in his own self-pity. Ranmir was in love with a woman named Isabelle. One evening he went into a fit of rage after the local inn ran out of his favourite ale. He took out his rage on Isabelle and she soon left with a thief named Vex, leaving Ranmir heartbroken. Unable to deal with the pain and rejection he turned to the drink to drown his sorrows.

Track down Vex in Riften and she'll tell you Isabelle came to her for help to make some money. Vex sent her to Hob's Fall Cave but she never returned. Heading to the cave you'll find the body of Isabelle along with a letter addressed to Ranmir. It turns out Isabelle didn't run away from Ranmir but was trying to make the two some extra money so they could live a better life. Although a tragic ending, you can return the letter to Ranmir and give him closure, enabling him to get over his heartache and alcoholism and move on withers life.

16 7,000 Steps To Glory

via: tespostcards.wordpress.com

High Hrothgar is an ancient monastery located high at the top of the Throat of the World, the tallest mountain in the land. There are 7,000 steps that must be climbed to reach the monastery and along the way are ten etched tablets telling how High Hrothgar was founded. What many players don't realise is if you read and activate each of the tablets on your journey towards the mountain's peak you'll acquire the Voice of the Sky.

This special ability means no animal will follow or attack you for 24 hours. That's 24 hours in the real world, not game hours. Be warned, the special power will be lost if you attack an animal during the time period. This is a nifty bonus that can be repeated multiple times by re-activating the ten etched tablets again.

15 Searching For A Heart Of Gold

via: elderscrolls.wikia.com

Skyrim is full of tragic tales of lost fortunes and the one about the lost miner is no different. The story goes a man named Bern purchased a cheap mine he believed was full of gold. Bern asked his fried Hadrir to help look for the gold, but after becoming tired and frustrated by their lack of success, Hadrir returned to the nearby town of Riften for some rest and to pick up supplies. Upon returning to the mine there was no sign of Bern, and thinking he had abandoned the place, Hadrir left in a huff. His journal can be found on a table in what is known as The Lost Prospect Mine where he explained his disgust at his friend leaving without any warning.

It turns out Bern never left but was killed by falling rocks. Venture past the waterfall in the mine and you will stumble upon the skeleton of Bern and three veins of gold in the rock, with the miner dying before Hadrir could return and discover the gold.

14 Dog Truely Is Man's Best Friend

via: steamcommunity.com

Travel the roads of Hjaalmarch, and you will no doubt encounter the scruffy dog Meeko. You might want him to join you, but he will wait patiently for you to follow him first. If you do so, Meeko will lead you to a cabin where you'll find the body of his owner, Nord, lying in bed. If you read his diary you'll understand Nord died of the disease rockjoint, leading Meeko to fend for himself as he waited by his former owner's body.

If this tale brings a tear to your eye rejoice for you can now enlist Meeko as your companion. He will follow you to the ends of the earth and back again, even risking his life for you in battle. Of all the characters in Skyrim Meeko is the most loyal, proving once and for all dogs really are man's best friend.

13 The Sad Tale Of The Beggar Narfi

via: YouTube (Monkeys Are Fun)

Narfi is a Nord beggar who dwells in the ruins of his family home on the other side of the river in Ivarstead. He has been living there with his sister Reyda, but one day she failed to return home and was declared missing. Narfi was so upset by her disappearance he refused to leave the family home in case she returned, slowly sending himself insane.

If you approach Narfi, he will ask you to help track down his sister who he believes is still alive and well. He tells you she used to go searching for food along the coast. Search the nearby area and you will find her body at the bottom of the river. This is confirmed when you take the necklace from her body back to Narfi who confirms it is Reyda's. Despite being terribly upset Narfi can finally put his sister's death behind. But there is a twist to this story, with Narfi also part of another side quest whereby he has a contract put on his head by the Dark Brotherhood that you must complete. At least you bring him some peace before ending his life.

12 When Animals Attack

via: elderscrolls.wikia.com

The deaths of Talvur, a Dunmer, and Karan, a Breton, is another unfortunate tale of doomed love you come across. Talvur, a poor miner with few prospects was deeply in love with the well-to-do Karan, who shared his feelings. Knowing her father would never let her marry a commoner, the two plotted to run away together and start a new life. Talvur saved every penny he could and hid the money in a tree stump. When the two had enough money to elope, they met by the stump and set up camp, ready to take their first steps together as an independent couple. Although they may have escaped Karan's over-protective father the wild wilderness of Skyrim proved too much.

Upon finding their encampment, you will see an aggressive native animal wandering the camp along with the bodies of both Talvur and Karan. It appears the two didn't manage to get far before their lives were unfortunately cut short, illustrating just how dangerous Skyrim is.

11 Drugs And Love Don't Mix

via: elderscrolls.wikia.com

The body of the deceased Argonian Usha can be located within a hidden camp on Soltheim. His body is surrounded by a number of empty bottles of Skooma - an addictive narcotic - as well as gold mining pans and small pieces of gold. On the table opposite are three full bottles of Skooma and letter from his lover Monesa. The letter reveals he was in love with a woman named Monesa whose father didn't approve of Usha's lack of wealth. Monesa goes on to say in the letter she will convince her family Usha is a decent man but he must reply to her soon.

It appears Usha was trying to find his fortune mining for gold so he could prove to Monesa's family he wasn't a failure but his addiction to Skooma brought about his downfall. Consuming too much of the drug has caused him to overdose and die, leaving his lover wondering if he'll ever return.

10 Waiting Until The Very End

via: elderscrolls.wikia.com

The centre of Skyrim is densely populated with villages and cities but the further outward you go the more hostile conditions become. Near the shore of the Sea of Ghosts is a path leading towards the town of Winterhold. Follow the path and you'll come across two skeletons. One has their foot caught in a bear trap and the other appears to be an alchemist who was trying to save them. There is no way of knowing what exactly happened to the two, but it's easy to speculate they were friends or lovers on their way to Winterhold when one got caught in the trap. The alchemist friend tried their best to administer first aid but to no avail. Not willing to leave their accomplice along, the alchemist waited, with both of them succumbing to the harsh northern conditions.

9 It's Scary... They Just Make It Worse

via: YouTube (xfoxgames)

Usha isn't the only person on this list to succumb to the allure of Skooma. Explore the Alftand glacial ruins and you will discover the paranoid Khajit J’darr standing next to the dead body of his bother J’zhar. It turns out J'zhar and a group of friends persuaded J'darr to accompany them on an expedition to the ruins in hope of curing J'darr of his Skooma addiction. The group were trapped in the caves by a storm. Fearing J'darr was becoming violent on his comedown, the group were distracted and attacked by the grotesque Snow Elves known as Falmers. Somehow J'darr survived but as he's suffering from withdrawal symptoms, thinks his brother and friends are still alive. Becoming agitated he will attack and you'll be forced to end him. This is another cautionary tale about the dangers of Skooma and why you should never touch the evil substance.

8 Waiting For A Love That Never Came

via: elderscrolls.wikia.com

You'd be forgiven for thinking the Sea Of Ghosts is named after the souls of all those who've died in its vicinity considering the amount of people who have perished by its shores. Searching a small island nearby you'll find a tent, sleeping map, a few pots and pans, and the skeleton of a man called Trius. Next to his body is a letter addressed to Shelly, the man's beloved. The letter explains Shelly should have arrived weeks ago, so Trius has set up camp on the island so he will see her ship passing by. It seems most likely Trius died waiting for Shelly who almost certainly perished in one of the four shipwrecks found along the treacherous coast of the Sea of Ghosts.

7 Dripping House Of Horrors

via: elderscrolls.wikia.com

Standing off the coast of Winterhold, the Frostflow Lighthouse now stands abandoned after a brutal attack. Upon entering you'll be confronted by blood stains on the walls, and both the body of a woman and a Chaurus. Search the lighthouse and you will find the previous inhabitants journals describing what happened. The Redguard couple, Habd and Ramati, moved in with their children to start a new life unaware the basement was infested with Chaurus and Falmer. Having been savagely killed by the creatures, the lighthouse is now overrun with them. You can avenge the family by killing all the monsters and placing Habd's bones on the lighthouse flame, rewarding you with the Sailor's Response effect (healing spells cure 10% more).

6 Orphaned Boy Out For Revenge

via: elderscrolls.wikia.com

Aventus Aretino has had a tough life. His mother passed away when he was roughly 10 years old and his father's whereabouts are unknown. With no parents to guide him, he was sent to Riften to live at Honorhall Orphanage. While there Aretino developed a hatred for headmistress Grelod the Kind. Despite her name, Grelod was a horrible person and made the children's lives unbearable. Arentino escaped the orphanage and returned to his former home in Windhelm. This is where you encounter him trying to reach out to the Dark Brotherhood by performing the Black Sacrament. Whether you want to or not, you will eventually have to kill Grelod, and after returning and informing Arentino, he promises to return to the orphanage once the mess has been cleaned up.