It’s no secret thatSkyrimis a huge game, with a big world to explore and dozens of story arcs. No matter their gameplay style or moral alignment, players have a huge number of quests they can complete and choices they can make. Yet, sometimes it feels like there are gaps within the game.
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Despite the vast array of quests and objectives, there are a few choices that should be available in certain quests, or atmosphere details that should have been present. Here are a few examples of story threads that should have been included, or simple gameplay mechanics that would enrich the player’s experience.
10Play Instruments
Lutes, flutes, and drums can be found throughout Skyrim; however, the player can’t use them for their intended purpose. The Dragonborn can’t belt out “Ragnar the Red” or even play a quick tune in front of their hearth.
InSkyrim, an instrument’s only real use is for decoration. These items should have some practical functionality, especially if the player joins the Bards' College. Playing music could have been a great way to earn an inspiration buff, but alas, instruments are destined to gather dust on shelves.
9Remarry After Being Widowed
Most NPCs whom the player can marry are non-essential characters. As such, tragedy may befall them when the player is out adventuring with their spouse, or if bandits or giants attack the homestead. However, the Dragonborn never has the option to remarry without using console commands.
Since there doesn’t appear to be any in-game lore forbidding remarriage, players should have this option. There areplenty of eligible bachelorsand bachelorettes throughout Skyrim, and the Dragonborn deserves to find love again.
8Pet Dogs
Players have a few different choices for canine companions inSkyrim. Some are sold by breeders, some are strays, one is a Daedra in dog form. Yet, even though they can protect the player from wolves and bears, the Dragonborn can’t give these sweet pups any head pats or belly rubs by way of thanks.
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All dogs, even virtual ones, deserve praise and affection for being such good boys. The player should be able to pet Barbas and scratch sweet Meeko’s ears.
7Solve the Mystery of Rune’s Past
Rune is a member ofthe Thieves' Guildwho wanders the Cistern. If the player asks about his name, he’ll tell the Dragonborn how a fisherman found him washed up on shore as a baby. The only clue to his past was a stone in his pocket, inscribed with strange writing.
The dialogue in this interaction seems to hint at a side quest—however, the player can’t investigate his story. Perhaps the writers originally planned for such an objective, but Rune seems destined to agonize over his origin forever.
6Have More Influence As a Thane
A lot of playersfind it odd how little changesfor the Dragonborn once they earn this title. They can purchase property, receive a housecarl, get out of one crime per hold—and that’s about it. Meanwhile, NPC Thanes like Erikur seem to have some amount of political influence.
Jarls don’t call upon the Dragonborn for aid or council once they become Thane, nor can the Dragonborn request favors from the Jarl. Being Thane comes with very few duties or perks, and disappointingly little political intrigue.
5Marry Brynjolf
The second-in-command of the Thieves' Guild has always been a fan favorite. Many players swoon over his accent and playful sense of humor—yet, he’s not among the NPCs eligible to marry.
One complaint about many marriage candidates is that they’re generic and lack personality. Perhaps this is why so many fans wish Brynjolf was an option. He’s one of the most well-rounded in the base game, in addition to being witty and charming. Plenty of guilds have members eligible for marriage—so why not Brynjolf?
4Figure Out Who’s Performed the Black Sacrament
In addition to the Dark Brotherhood’s main storyline, the player must also complete several side contracts. Considering how many of these there are, at least a dozen people throughout Skyrim must have completed this ritual.
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Yet, no clues exist that might let the player figure out who held these deadly grudges—aside from Maven Black-Briar. It would have been fun to have more fuel for speculation, for example, finding Black Sacrament components in NPCs' houses, or diaries detailing feuds with a targeted character.
3Join the Thalmor (as an Altmer)
Consideringthe Aldmeri Dominion’sbelief that the Altmer should control Tamriel, it’s a bit odd that they don’t attempt to convince an Altmer Dragonborn to join their cause. There should be an interaction along those lines—and the player should have the option of undertaking a quest for them.
Though they’re one of the game’s primary antagonists, joining the Thalmor doesn’t have to mean working for them. A Thalmor-centric quest might involve weakening them from the inside, or gathering intelligence for the Blades or the Imperial Legion.
2Return Aegisbane To The Shatter-Shields
In “Mourning Never Comes,“a Dark Brotherhood clientnamed Muiri explains how the Shatter-Shields blamed her when Alain Dufont robbed their prized family heirloom. Upon completing her request to kill Alain, this heirloom—a warhammer called Aegisbane—is found on his body.
The Dragonborn should be able to return Aegisbane to its rightful owners and explain Muiri isn’t to blame, or give it to Muiri herself and prompt her to make amends. However, no such option exists, and everyone is left with their bitter grief.
1Join the Forsworn
After completing “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine,” if the player allies with Madanach, he will declare that the Dragonborn is one of them and gift them with the Armor of the Old Gods. Yet, Forsworn will continue to attack the player as they traverse the Reach.
Allying with Madanach should give the player an opportunity tojoin the Forsworn fight—especially for a Breton Dragonborn. Quests could include scouting missions and battles, culminating in taking back the Reach for its native sons and daughters.
