Players who startSkyrimfor the first or fiftieth time all experience the same opening cinematic cutscene, character creation process, and initial events. Some gamers may choose to handle the events a little bit differently, but the result will be the same outside of one big decision.
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It might not seem like much in the moment, especially with a dragon killing everybody left and right, but following either Havar or Ralof impacts how characters will view the player inSkyrimand beyond. While the player can still alter the ending based on their decisions afterward, this choice makes one ending much more natural than the other.
Following Hadvar & Supporting The Empire’s Peace
Hadvar is a Nord who was recruited by the Imperials. If players follow him, he will put in a good word for the character and recommend that he join the Imperial Legion, beginning a quest to regain control of Skyrim. If players follow him after leaving Helgen Keep, he’ll take the Dragonborn to meet Alvor, an Imperial contact in Riverwood.
Gamers may feel the Empire’s faults are for the greater good. Those who reject idealism and a “gotta break a few eggs” mentality will support the evils the Empire does for the sake of the greater good. For all their flaws, the Imperials are generally far less racist than the Stormcloaks and are always up for a diplomatic solution.
This is one ofthe best open-world games of all time, in part due to complex decisions like this. The Stormcloaks may legally have had the right to take their king down in single combat, but is this truly a good way for a kingdom to be run?
Following Ralof & Supporting Skyrim’s Freedom
Following Ralof plays out much like following Hadvar except that his contact in Riverwood is Gerdur. Following him or Hadvar enables players totake advantage of a few glitchesto level up skills. Conversely to Hadvar, following Ralof will give the Dragonborn a foot in the door with the Stormcloaks.
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The Empire has very few defensible reasons for being in Skyrim. Their old puppet who supported the Imperials died in single combat and was replaced by a new ruler that did not recognize the Empire’s control. The Empire is trying to re-establish its tyranny.
The peaceful worship of Talos was banned in a treaty with the Thalmor. This was called a peace treaty, but peaceful for who? Even Nords who joined the Imperials often secretly worship Talos. Playersmaking their own modded housesmay choose to do the same, breaking the Empire’s bad laws.
Changing Allegiances
Because the introduction will have players killing opponents on the other side, changing allegiances can be difficult. The other side will remember that the character chose to follow the other side. The character, if they do switch sides, is often treated like they supported agaming villain who tries to end the world.
There will always be that random bit of conversation, sometimes even among friends, about what the character did at the start. Still, it is possible. Talk to somebody about joining the other side and choose General Tullius over Ulfric Stormcloak when given the conflicting missions.
Skyrimis available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
