Skyrim - Why Windhelm is the MOST Tragic City in the Game - Elder Scrolls Lore

[@canyesilbas5664]

Markarth is definitely not tragic at all since I murdered half of the city. Like geez, half of the city are either terrorists or freaking cannibals.

[@avaj9519]

Markarth is defs a creepy place too, but I overlook some of the creepy cos I like the architecture. And the resident alchemist Bothela, she's got some sass.

[@santicheeks1106]

@Victor Kurske at first I killed a lot of guards but then I accidentally killed my companion so I had to restart and then I chose to get arrested

[@oniecchi]

@Victor Kurske 🤣 it happened me too

[@KyleJordanGaming]

Well, technically, some are terrorists *and* cannibals... so... there’s that... ... Yeah, that joint is pretty fucked up... :/

[@KyleJordanGaming]

Victor Kurske - That moment when you discover “Well, they started it...” is *not* always a compelling defense in Tamrielic Court... :|

[@andrewamadeus3905]

windhelm: woe is me. Helgen: *still smoldering*

[@crandleberrysadie]

Morthal doesn't even have a store. Plus vampires. Plus racists. Plus plus plus. Morthal has always been my least favorite city/hovel.

[@sausagelessgumbog2b447]

@@crandleberrysadie same + it's like a maze trying to get around

[@69inetails]

noel dandes iverstead doesn’t have stores either

[@crandleberrysadie]

@@69inetails Yes. However, not a capital city. More like a small hamlet.

[@JB-xl2jc]

More like Hell-gen am I right

[@LuoSon312_G8]

In the immortal words of Gimmli; "there's more cheer in a graveyard."

[@baronofbahlingen9662]

Fitting then there is a graveyard

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

_Falkreath_ “Did someone say Graveyard??”

[@mistertaz94]

And then he went to the Misty Mountains and went through the Path of the Dead and got to see how cheerful a grave could REALLY be

[@elirantuil5003]

Well actually it's "You find more cheer in a graveyard" iirc.

[@dasberk4971]

Ah a man of culture I see

[@TheChaoticToaster]

“If Nilsine is still alive, he’ll have this to say:-“ *Cuts to an ad* “The soap that you’re using. It’s shit.”

[@HarleyQuinn-pq1yh]

Yo same ad

[@ariabritton9669]

Lol

[@presofcamelot]

I read that in Nils voice. Gave me a good chuckle

[@carna-9501]

Nilsine selling dr squatch soap is based

[@michaelturner5093]

Imagine a mod where every time you enter dialogue with an NPC, there's a chance it just plays an ad instead.

[@erikpreza2728]

The most heartbreaking scene with Sofie is when you see her sleeping in the street, she doesn't even have a roof on her head! Sure the first choise for adoption, poor girl :(

[@CentralNexusPrime]

Except for me she was always bugged. The system always gives her a new basket of flowers regardless. If you don’t get her fast enough she has s full inventory making it impossible to give her any presents. And you can’t see the baskets in her inventory. Typical “It just works” from Bugthesda

[@poilboiler]

@@CentralNexusPrime I think you can buy the excess baskets from her if you have the perk that allows you to trade anything to any merchant..

[@theodoreyoungman2111]

Lol I feel heartless now. I accidentally adopted her... and started a new run through to get out of it

[@eelboy3098]

Lucia for me.

[@justastudent1423]

@@eelboy3098 always adopted lucia and sofie.

[@AshoreNevermore]

Walk into *Windhelm:* Dunmer racial profiling. *Markarth:* Woman stabbed in broad daylight. *Solitude:* Decapitation with cheering spectators. *Morthal:* "Help we're all dying by vampires." *Whiterun:* Friendly blacksmith. (EDIT, inspired by comments) *Winterhold:* "Our town collapsed into the ocean." *Riften:* Guards extort you, Thieve's Guild threatens you. *Dawnstar:* Under a Daedric curse.

[@BretonTheif2091]

Don’t forget Riften, Guard stops you for a bribe to enter the City, A thug pushes you around, Mjiol and Aerin talk about watching your back and the underboss of the Thieves Guild try’s to recruit you

[@Nocternel]

Walk into Winterhold: Damn is this all that’s here

[@laurent1678]

I DONT CLAIM TO BE THE BEST BLACKSHITH IN WHITERUN

[@essexclass8168]

*Raven Rock* : Sleep Walking Apocalypse Cult

[@palepowerlifting618]

walk into Falkreath: Hey, have you seen my dog?

[@nonamegiven202]

Yeah one complaint i had with Skyrim was how "recent" Dunmer in skyrim felt, missed chanced to have dunmeri villages spread around, dark elves losing their culture to assimilate, so on.

[@RouxAroo666]

That would have been cool to see a village of a generation of young Dunmer, maybe raised from child refugees by Nords after their parents died, who considered themselves culturally Nords and had no real connection to their dark elf heritage similar to Brand-Shei.

[@michaelriley8879]

Yeah, but then goddamned Twitter would cancel it for racisms

[@brycejordan8987]

@@michaelriley8879 Ummm. I dunno the Empire is, just that, an empire that expanded by force to annex territory and is dismissive of people's innocence. Thalmor are raging elven supremacists (but more importantly High Elf supremacists). The Stormcloaks are nationalist revolutionaries with a clear "Skyrim for the Nords. Fuck these other people especially the furries, scalies, and dunmer". It's not particularly subtle.

[@Aethuviel]

@@RouxAroo666 I doubt they would assimilate that much, especially given how long elves live, 200 years might still mean their parents were the ones who left Morrowind. And in real life, migrants (2nd and 3rd generation especially) tend to hold on to and flash their religion and culture much more than the people still living in their homeland.

[@RouxAroo666]

@@Aethuviel My scenario, or my intention with it was with orphans. Young dunmer who may not have remembered much of their culture or any because they were too young when they last had a chance, like with Brand-shay.

[@Wet_Deer]

I’d rather be a Dark Elf in a Nord city than an Argonian in a Dark Elf city.

[@mitchell3593]

To be fair currently if there was an argonian in a dark elf city, high chance he's part of an invading army

[@-dreamwalker-4809]

Ikr some people only think Nords are the racist ones lol

[@duckhathap763]

@@-dreamwalker-4809 every race in elder scrolls is racist (except imperials)

[@themythicwaffle]

@@duckhathap763 what about Bosmer?

[@duckhathap763]

@@themythicwaffle high elves literally genocided them

[@Thanatos833]

Windhelm always felt like one of the more melancholy and creepy places in the game, probably the darkest feel of any of the major cities. Quite in contrast the to atmosphere of Whiterun.

[@sausagelessgumbog2b447]

Probably what they went for when designing the game

[@sausagelessgumbog2b447]

Also probably why they put the butcher there out of all places

[@weirdreportt]

Nah, Dawnstar was more eerie than Windhelm.

[@ModdingNewbie]

The whole place is kind of depressing... the only decent places are the blacksmith and the Palace of the Kings, and maybe the East Empire Company offices... it all feels a little bare and dark, though. :-(

[@Thanatos833]

@@weirdreportt Hence why I said "major cities", by which I mean the larger walled settlements.

[@Prospkt]

Skyrim is a tragic country. Riften, Markarth, Dawnstar, Windhelm, Winterhold.. Even if you forget about the rampant crime and bandits or necromancers, every town is at their rock bottom.

[@trashcant69]

Yeah well skyrim is kinda shortly before the end of the world so it does make sense that everything's gone to shit

[@davidmcleod5133]

Solitude seems to be holding together pretty well.

[@thirstyserpent1079]

@@trashcant69 which end of the world scenario? Alduin or something else?

[@gaywoman420]

@@thirstyserpent1079 He might be talking about C0DA, which while technically isn't official canon, it is by Michael Kirkbride. If you haven't already looked into it, I definitely suggest it.

[@warmpond]

Makes sense from the empire failing to govern skyrim properly after losing the great war, plus the civil war with the stormcloaks and the thalmor budding in the country

[@arifhossain9751]

The most tragic thing about windhelm is that nobody there goes to the cloud district very often.

[@bormby_jones]

fact

[@bobfruck]

oh, what are you saying? of course they don't.

[@humanitiestheproblem]

Best comment on this video.

[@CentralNexusPrime]

Any city that is nearly 50% slum has serious issues

[@lukec2004]

It's pretty accurate for a city in that time period

[@robainsworth2014]

Most cities in the world are 50% slum

[@madalyngragg3623]

like San Fran

[@babajoe4748]

Bravil joins the arena

[@mamacoloco7285]

@@robainsworth2014 Yah, all city in the world even nowadays has serious issues.

[@avaj9519]

I think Windhelm is good representation of the racial tensions in Skyrim and between the races on this side of Tamriel. Just like Riften represents corruption, and Solitude is the economic disparity. But I love that about Skyrim, no pure good or bad, just layer on layer of intrigue and depth.

[@riac4294]

What would the other hold capitals represent then? I'm pretty curious. Never heard this point of view before.

[@JB-xl2jc]

Riac 4 Whiterun represents the affluent neutrality but also a bit of impending doom (I imagine Clock Town in Majora’s Mask where everyone is being nice and chipper but there’s a sense of impending dread because the peace won’t last). Markarth represents the fact that blood feuds are sometimes set in stone, and the seams of old hatreds can run very deep indeed. Morthal represents that even a sleepy little hamlet can have tension and ancient evils bubbling up like swamp gas through the muck. Winterhold represents that old glory days don’t always last, and tampering with things you don’t understand can bring ruin on yourself and those around you. But... there’s always an ember that stays behind that could reignite the old fires (the college). Falkreath and Dawnstar represent... hm. I dunno, those are tough. I think Falkreath represents acceptance of death and grim determination. Dawnstar, hmm... any ideas?

[@RouxAroo666]

@@JB-xl2jc Personally I would say Winterhold kinda also represents laziness, like even in medieval dark ages towns can and were rebuilt after things relatively as devastating and they didn't have a college of mages a few meters from them. Sure people can say it was just hard for them but that city used to be the capitol and has had 79 years to rebuild but has made no effort, not even expanding further down the road which you think would have been the first thing the survivors would have done after their homes were destroyed. As for Dawnstar I have no idea, that city never really had much of anything.

[@JB-xl2jc]

Laser Samurai Yeah, dawn star’s definitely always felt like an afterthought. Despite having two mines and a decently large port, as well as a museum and temple, it always felt kinda lackluster to me. I could see that for winterhold. It seems like after the disaster everyone except the mages left, so there wasn’t much reason to expand. It’s a frigid hole now too, which it’s not entirely clear it was in centuries past (despite being named Winterhold).

[@RouxAroo666]

Jeff B Yeah that’s probably more of the reason why they didn’t expand but I personally feel like most people would have set up a sort of “shanti town” and eventually built normal Nordic homes and businesses. Personally if I did windhelm I would have made them embrace their mages, like maybe during the collapse and after the college worked to save the lives of those they could and the city grew a little closer to them, that’s not unheard of since nords used to love their mages in the past. I would have loved to see part of the city that was rebuilt into the side of the cliff too since that could have made it more unique. Maybe even the collapse would have uncovered a Nordic ruin that people took to living in.

[@netherless6729]

The child voice actors, especially the one for male children, are just clearly trying their absolute best and it makes things so much more enjoyable for me.

[@astra3310]

“The dunmer wouldn’t be too happy around the Argonians after they invaded Morrowind” oh no. Poor dunmer. It’s not like they invaded Black Marsh and kidnapped argonians to use as slave labour for hundreds of years....

[@noonenowhere877]

To be fair most of the Dunmer in Windhelm would have been lower class and thus unable to appreciate any of the benefits of slave labour...if anything they probably lost job opportunities because slaves are cheaper in the long run.

[@razzlebackdraft8201]

No one Nowhere good point but the Dunmer in Windhelm probably saw and treated the Argonians as slaves even if they didn’t have enough money to own some. The society in Morrowind at the time devalued Argonians as equal beings, and having grown in that racist environment, the elves in Windhelm probably hold some of those views.

[@dutchpatriot17]

@@razzlebackdraft8201 The fact that many Dunmer in the Gray Quarter back the Empire - and the Hlaalu - also indicates they backed their policies - the outlawing of slavery.

[@sirreginaldfishingtonxvii6149]

Huh, weird. I thought I heard the farming tools talking...

[@thealien2437]

@@noonenowhere877 At least the Dunmer get to actually live in the city. Also doesn't help that some of them are racist towards the Argonians as well.

[@hashi_tang]

After playing ESO, and seeing Windhelm as it is back in the day, and how it is in Skyrim is so depressing.

[@trashcant69]

You know that ESO takes place about an millennia before skyrim?

[@hashi_tang]

@@trashcant69 yes. It's just sad the city isn't as it was back in its former glory.

[@OpticBeatz]

Trashcan't “and seeing Windhelm as it is back in the day, and seeing it now”

[@EiriktheNordAndersen-ju4gl]

I can agree. Back then, before the imperial empire, Skyrim was even better. Then, the imperial empire came in, sold out by Eastmarch's own Jarl. Then the city began to fall apart and become depressing.

[@obijuanquenobi1911]

EiriktheNord Andersen “imperial empire”, i get that the empire is run by the imperial race but that just sounds weird

[@MetalMilitia83]

I think it’s funny the dark elves hate the nords for their racism when the dark elves famously enslaved the argonians and are extremely xenophobic lol

[@coreyperdue37]

Ya but casual players don't remember that!

[@MetalMilitia83]

Corey Perdue oh stop. It’s not wrong to be casual. Just enjoy being deep into the lore. Casuals and hardcore can live together lmao

[@Galaxy-rj1kj]

Lars Grotke Casuals also think Ulfric is racist because he doesn’t baby the dark elves aka the same people who said the Nords in Windhelm should be wiping they ass

[@Quirrel]

@@coreyperdue37 without casual players there wont be any imperial supporters. ;)

[@roboninja7031]

@@Galaxy-rj1kj Brunwulf paints a pretty damning picture of Ulfric and his racism beyond just the dark elves.

[@GamingYooler]

I never once realised Rolff was Galmar's brother.

[@tahabashir3779]

well, I figured out that they were related due to their surname "Stone-Fist" but never realised that they're brothers.

[@GamingYooler]

@@tahabashir3779 The last names just never clicked for me.

[@rokkfel4999]

@@GamingYooler same here I just thought it was titles and they gave another npc a name as a different one by accident

[@alext5390]

Oh shit you mean to tell me that I ripped the heart out of Galmar's brother? Heartbreaker mod at its finest.

[@marcdecock7946]

Galmar is a bloody fossil. With his idealistic bs... I'm for the first time playing... I like it better in Solitude, but I'm on the side of the stormcloaks... I'm not sure if that was such a good choice. Windhelm seems very sad and purely war-oriented. The empire seems to bring culture and diversity... it's only a game, right?

[@cobaltprime9467]

I always felt a sense of sadness whenever I entered Windhelm. You could just feel the gloom. Then there’s Solitude which is bright and feels alive. Whiterun feels very neutral with a more happy tendency. Riften feels shady, like someone could mug you at any moment. Markarth feels mysterious due to the conspiracies of Forsworn, Molag Bal, and Nimera’s cannibal followers, everyone seems to have a secret in that ancient city. I wish after the war there was a way to make Windhelm better. Especially if the Empire takes over, Ulfric’s replacement is a good man and a caring leader.

[@vanyadolly]

Yeah, even Winterhold is a more cheerful place to hang out than Windhelm.

[@nayten0324]

For me it’s... Solitude- there’s a political feeling and strangely a safe feeling when you’re there. Whiterun- a happy and peaceful atmosphere. Markarth- Mysterious and I’m quite paranoid when walking through waiting for something to happen. Riften- very unwelcoming and feels like people want you to leave. Windhelm- very depressing and can’t wait to leave

[@mjag2834]

Falkreath is my favourite...shame it cant rain all the time.

[@stephenlewis1391]

@@mjag2834 I can see why, it's a place of contradiction. On one hand, it's surrounded by woodlands and nature, surrounded by life, but on the other, it's basically a giant cementary. Even the shops and businesses follow the theme of death.

[@mjag2834]

For me its just where it all started (sigh).

[@unusedblock0793]

Sending is the most powerful person in Skyrim he's killed a child with no mods

[@wadewilson333]

UnusedBlock079 · what a legend.

[@arabiannights5301]

Screenshots or it didn't happen. We saw no body, no blood and no bones. It's all a lie :o

[@EiriktheNordAndersen-ju4gl]

How did you do that then?

[@nvfury13]

EiriktheNord Andersen They are talking about the werewolf from the Hircine quest, he is locked up for killing a child...

[@KyleJordanGaming]

UnusedBlock079 · When you can impress even the great Hunkelberg Mildrew Beesparkle, you have truly reached legend status.

[@EveryThingGirl238]

"Would you really want to live in the home of a murder?" I mean, your character has hugged the body of the Night Mother to hide. Possibly is a cannibal, and you could have done thing Molag Bal asks of you. So, living in the home of a murder is the LEAST amount of my worries.

[@elgatto3133]

I mean tbf you either do what molag bal tells you too or you piss off molag bal, I'd definitely rather the former than the latter even if I felt bad. Cool whacking stick, molag bal doesn't hate you VS No cool whacking stick AND molag bal hates you

[@Jynx9921]

@@elgatto3133 I always kill the said priest of boethiah to piss molag off lol

[@elgatto3133]

@@Jynx9921 chad move

[@troodon1096]

To be fair, you don't have to do any of those things.

[@essexclass8168]

And uh, look under the bridge in Whiterun

[@kingofcherries4357]

Dunmer: "We're not even allowed out of the slums!" Argonians: "We're not even allowed inside this city!" Khajiits: "That's adorable." Edit: Interesting to see people getting butthurt over a joke, but thus be the internet. Also Khajiit master race ftw, creepy red eye ash slave owners be damned.

[@TheWill383]

Khajiit: That's adorable... anyway want some Skooma ?

[@Otakupatriot117]

Dunmer: "Nobody's talking to you, dirty beasts."

[@bahhtlebornthesheep67]

@@Otakupatriot117 another dunmer: gah this kur is getting his fleas on me, fuckin n'wah

[@redpanda3339]

Meanwhile the falmers are now deformed and not even tolerated on the surface..

[@lugiasimply6054]

Dwemer are not even tolerated in existence

[@Fohtla]

I really dig the camera effects. It really does feel like a documentary of Windhelm's people

[@88isme]

Agreed. Is it a mod?

[@Krolshi]

DaManOf88 Definitely a mod, not sure which but I want it. Reminds me of FO4; it really immerse you into the game;dialogue, while also making it feel cinematic.

[@jacobcrawley8673]

What mod is that?

[@onelividguardsman5681]

i believe the mod is called Oblivion Camera - Face to Face conversation

[@88isme]

@@onelividguardsman5681 it looks like it is. Thanks!

[@dorkandproudofit]

This is probably me reading WAAAAAAY too deep into this, but Windhelm in Skyrim seems like a perfect metaphor for Ulfric's psychological and emotional state during the period. Like the city, he used to be far greater--and then war happened. The pain, grief, hate, and rage that flows from war infected him, breaking him down into a shadow of the man he once was, and now that pain, hate, grief and rage are all he knows. And it's entirely up in the air as to whether he--or the city--will ever recover even a sliver of what they once were, or whether the effects of war will simply rot him and Windhelm from the inside out until nothing is left.

[@gabbyireland215]

I completely agree. That's such a great perspective

[@s.lmaaltajik7572]

A really good take on Ulfric and Windhelm in general. A mighty fortress of pride turned into a prison of frost and stone, steeped in anger, holding onto the past and keeping everyone inside trapped and doomed.

[@speedymunchlax5733]

I'm not convinced. He doesn't sound like a victim of PTSD when he's discussing how best to raid Whiterun in a cold and calculating way.

[@pablo_giustiniani]

​@@speedymunchlax5733just because you went through trauma doesn't mean you cant still be a shitty person

[@plant_leaf]

​@@speedymunchlax5733I agree

[@testdep]

I was amazed how nice this city looks in ESO, such a beautiful peaceful place like a winter fairytale ❄ My Dunmeri people, Nords, tourists, traders, winter beauty everywhere you look. This city always filled with players who do dance events, hang out and socialize because it's really awesome to be in ✨ It was also very depressing to see because.. well a thousand years and a couple of civil wars later and look what happened... in Skyrim, it feels like the magic is gone and there's no way back..

[@noahmiller8042]

I think thats rather the point, skyrim is a dark age

[@bobakett5613]

I agree, its one of the things i think ESO did best.

[@zekun4741]

@Amber Hoke Detroit in the 50s, populated by Nords. Detroit in 2020, populated by dark elves.

[@Elydir]

To be fair, it's not like the city itself looks bad, though I suppose that depends on what look you like. A large, cold, stone fortress standing in the snowy tundra. Might be imposing and depressing, but it is kinda how I would expect the city of Ysgramor to look.

[@legiohysterius4624]

I mean I could see a solid argument for post oblivion crises being like rome falling. And the start of the 4th Era as a dark age

[@zaji4107]

'the tragic city of windhelm" Ya, imagine being around for thousands of years and not having the size of a city.

[@nolifeSuper]

True, the worst things in Skyrim

[@zafelrede4884]

The capital of the empire in cyrodiil was also just about 5 houses. Everything is bigger in the lore.

[@KingGayCockroach]

That really is one of the only things I have ALWAYS complained about in Skyrim; the size of every city pretty much besides Whiterun and Solitude; maybe Markarth, are so worthlessly small and even pale to Anvil (after its destructon) in Oblivion! Windhelm though is bottlenecked in a sense because of the large "Valunstrad" bridge, if I could call it that, and the Yorgrim estuary it is built within. I think the idea for the city was for it to be in a sense small and painfully condensed because of its age and all the issues mentioned in the video; that were going to go on.

[@obijuanquenobi1911]

it’s all bigger in the lore but the game engine isn’t advanced enough to handle em. Act IV, Scene III, continued Lifts-her-Tail Certainly not, kind sir! I am here but to clean your chambers. Crantius Colto Is that all you have come here for, little one? My chambers? Lifts-her-Tail I have no idea what it is you imply, master. I am but a poor Argonian maid. Crantius Colto So you are. my dumpling. And a good one at that. Such strong legs and shapely tail. Lifts-her-Tail You embarrass me, sir! Crantius Colto Fear not. You are safe here with me. Lifts-her-Tail I must finish my cleaning, sir. The mistress will have my head if I do not! Crantius Colto Cleaning, eh? I have something for you. Here, polish my spear. Lifts-her-Tail But it is huge! It could take me all night! Crantius Colto Plenty of time, my sweet. Plenty of time. END OF ACT IV, SCENE III ACT VII, SCENE II, CONTINUED Lifts-her-Tail My goodness, that's quite a loaf! But how ever shall it fit my oven? Crantius Colto This loaf isn't ready for baking, my sweet. It has yet to rise. Lifts-her-Tail If only we could hurry that along. How would i accomplish such a task? Crantius Colto Oh, my foolish little Argonian maid, you must use your hands. Lifts-her-Tail You wish me to knead the loaf? Here? Crantius Colto Of course. Lifts-her-Tail But what if the mistress catches me? Your loaf was meant to satisfy her appetite. Crantius Colto Don't fret, my delicate flower. I'll satisfy the mistress's cravings later. Lifts-her-Tail Very well, but I'm afraid my oven isn't hot enough. It could take hours! Crantius Colto Plenty of time, my sweet. Plenty of time. END OF ACT VII, SCENE II

[@t.t6294]

@@obijuanquenobi1911 Not the engine. the consoles. you can have much bigger cites with mods on PC. the consoles and disc limitations were some of the reasons a lot of content were removed from Skyrim and Oblivion

[@elirantuil5003]

"I don't like it here" Inigo the brave, 4E

[@drago5361]

Ulfric: I used to think Windhelm was a tragedy, but now, I realize that it's a comedy.

[@fcold9402]

It breaks immersion that not only can my argonian character enter the city, but he is constantly invited to join the stormcloaks.

[@mj2625]

I understand them having to let certain races in, but I'd appreciate some resentment. Like we're only let in because we're the Dragonborn but everyone hates that they have to deal with. Maybe if the guards or some of the residents say really rude things when you walk by or constantly find excuses to take you into custody?

[@cherrydragon3120]

They kinda want you not for the argonian part. But you ARE the dragonborn, you ARE prophecies hero. Argonian or not, being the hero of legend may have them consider having you at their side regardless of race. Priorities man... really wanna hate the guy/girl who can Kill dragons and save the world?? Don't think thats smart, even if his/her race is argonian

[@KyloTheProtogen]

@@cherrydragon3120 before you become Dragonborn you can enter all of the cities

[@HateBear-real]

You should have to do a special quest to get in if you're a disfavored race or something. It would up the immersion.

[@jeambeam3173]

​@@HateBear-realhell you get more trouble trying to enter Whiterun. Even that doesn't make sense as you would be wanting to let ppl inside castle wall in the case of a dragon attack not keep em out

[@EdricLysharae]

Windhelm: "Wow, what a dump." Solitude: "Now *this* is civilization!"

[@Aester]

Barbarian mudhuts vs Imperial city

[@RavenNation96]

Ik this is a old comment but I'm a stormcloak and I'd never side with the thalmor ass kissers

[@yeti_ily]

@@RavenNation96 a true brother to Skyrim 🙏 may talos reward us

[@RavenNation96]

@@yeti_ily indeed my brother may we both annihilate the thalmor butt kissing imperials and them white gold concordat placing scum known as the thalmor let's both use our warrior and thieving skills and shape shift into werewolves and kill them all with our dragon blood gift

[@RavenNation96]

@Owen Hayes talos guide you too brother

[@wastelandwanderer9491]

Windhelm looks like a graveyard, its such a depressing place.

[@GlennSkywalker2305]

It is and also there a graveyard in the city

[@Grave_of_the_Sea]

It's a better graveyard than the one in that one city whatever it's name was I think it was Folkwraith

[@lastexile6924]

Well when you see who is leader of the city...cant be that surprised

[@ki11j0y2]

That's falkreath lmao 🤣 jk jk

[@sausagelessgumbog2b447]

I actually cannot unsee that now

[@chrisppx]

Rolff Stone-Fist is the Nazeem of Windhelm

[@GlennSkywalker2305]

And you kill his brother if you sided with the imperials

[@PaladinLevi]

Not really. You're allowed to beat his ass and he's a bit nicer after that.

[@GlennSkywalker2305]

Levi Paladin no he isnt

[@SilverFang2789]

But unlike Nazeem, Rolf can't be killed.

[@bormby_jones]

fact

[@isarex88]

Haven’t even seen the video yet and i already agree.

[@jonn9953]

Varg?

[@sackettandres9457]

I love your profile pic

[@isarex88]

M G'S Helt riktig;)

[@Finn14029]

You have videos for everything in your playlists how do you have that time

[@shadowslayer205]

Dunmer: Does nothing but fights wars with their neighboring countries for thousands of years. Also Dunmer: Why does everyone hate us?

[@Squeeble00]

*squats in ancestral ancient nordic city for 200+ years* "why do the locals hate us!?!?"

[@LalaLa-ze7kv]

So did the Empire, but hoomans will always find apologies for their kind.

[@k-la-k6828]

@@LalaLa-ze7kv Those damn h*mans

[@zenzenulous2243]

@@Squeeble00 read “Dunmer of Skyrim” and you’ll see that the knife-ears deserve FAR worse

[@KingOfDarknessAndEvil]

@@zenzenulous2243 That book was written by a bitter lunatic, that sentiment definitely doesn't seem to be shared by the other dunmer

[@Saniraf808]

If Nilsine is still alive, he has this to say (ad starts to play) “LETS PLAY RAID SHADOW LEGENDS”

[@EiriktheNordAndersen-ju4gl]

Praise the Gods they do not have that in Nirn.

[@Jynx9921]

That's why the family is rich, getting that raid shadow legends money

[@ernestlemmingway1124]

A madman is murdering women to try and resurrect his dead sister, racial tensions are simmering between Nords and everyone else, and Ulfric doesn't leave his throne room except to visit the next door planning room and couldn't care less about anything but becoming High King. Jeez, I wonder why Windhelm is in such a sorry state!

[@GlennSkywalker2305]

People before the quest actually think it was one of the dark elves and it was a imperial name calixto

[@Angelo-nd4lg]

@@GlennSkywalker2305 imperials r scum like altmer n dunmer

[@gabrielsanchez9799]

IAMHAM nords are dumb like nords. Same people that don’t use magic cause they think it makes their shit yellow

[@thelegendjm3833]

All the jarls hardly ever leave their throne room, the game's designed that way. The most active jarl seems to be Balgruuf, since he actually left the city walls to address the Legion, and he actually defends his city with his own life when you attack as a Stormcloak. But then again, you don't really attack any of the other cities other than Solitude or Windhelm. But I would agree that Ulfric is a pretty poor leader. His cause could be noble if he even treated other races with half the respect he treats Nords. Maybe then, even some of the Dunmer of his city would join the cause. It'd be a win win.

[@thelegendjm3833]

@@gabrielsanchez9799 Eh, if we lived in the Elder Scrolls universe, I think most of us wouldn't be wrong to be very sceptical of magic.

[@Debid_Senpai]

Since the first time I played the hearthfire, I've always adopted Sofie. She was the only one I actually felt awful for. Now she lives in solitude with a new mom and dad getting a random allowance of 1000 gold. And a pet fox.

[@kevinberger8452]

Can you guys do one of these for all the hold capitals? I think it would be a great mini series for the channel

[@avaj9519]

Yeah it's a pretty cool dive into the city

[@Jonas_æ]

Sees title. Before I even watch the video: ‘Saarthal holds a prominent place in Skyrim history, even if most do not remember it by name...’

[@lionspride4821]

To be fair though. Saarthal is essentially in the middle of *nowhere*

[@JB-xl2jc]

@@lionspride4821 It wasn't at the time I don't think. For instance at one point Winterhold was the capital of Skyrim, but now it's a mostly destroyed frigid backwater that only has the college. Seems like climate change and population shifting has made some former metropolises defunct.

[@palladiamorsdeus]

@@JB-xl2jc I mean to be fair having large chunks of the city fall into the ocean does that to a place...

[@JB-xl2jc]

@@palladiamorsdeus Bit of a mood-killer, aye.

[@Jonas_æ]

Lions Pride What’s the middle of nowhere in 4E was the first and only settlement of Atmorans at the time. Not really the middle of nowhere to them, more like the epicentre of human life on Mereth. You know until the Snow Elves wanted to play genocide.

[@Balorak146]

5:00 Actually, the first time I played the game, I shot the guy with a lightning bolt purely on instinct before me and the guards murdered him to death. The friend who'd introduced me to the game was actually amazed she could be saved at all. Now I always make sure my bow or spells are armed before I walk into the gates for the first time on a playthrough.

[@starscraper1336]

I always make sure to kill him in every playthrough

[@mistermidnight1823]

I usually pull a dagger and slash the guy as quickly as i can

[@BretonTheif2091]

Murdered him to death, Ah yes a man of culture

[@Meomichelle]

Does she have any dialogue ?

[@Balorak146]

@@Meomichelle A bit. The quest you get sends you to talk to her instead of to snoop around her room. She seemed nice.

[@theilluminator89]

Gotta say that after two years away from the game, listening to this channel has 100% rekindled my passion for it.

[@jewelswhite5366]

I have to say this video is shot beautifully. I love the close-ups for the dialogue, the crisp textures that are added to the models, damn. It looks like a documentary almost, like you're walking around Windhelm with a camera interviewing people. It's a really well done video, visually and content-wise.

[@victorbressler7156]

Belyn Hlaalu has the right idea! owning the Hlaalu farm outside Windhelm.

[@itsclemtime2357]

I’m currently taking a mental health break and these videos are really helping. All of you guys in Fudgemuppet are great people.

[@OnlyCrestfallen.]

That's great, I wish I could take a break from school, but y'know.

[@slykhajiit2]

Those dialogue scenes are just amazing. Cinematic as it could ever be.

[@Just_Call_Me_Tim]

After coming across Lucia, and then Sofie, my 2-adoptee limit was met. I busted ass to get the house set up and went and got them. I'd adopt them all, if I could. (I know it's just a game, but still.)

[@NateHolms]

The legendary scholars have shared their knowledge with us once again🙏

[@aquaman1077]

Watching this makes me think of how I've never really gone into a city and talked to all the people and actually really understood the atmosphere even though I've played through skyrim dozens of times. Time for more playthroughs

[@TheSpecialJ11]

Windhelm reminds me of the Rust Belt cities of the Midwest. A shell of its former self, and the malaise from this seeps into all aspects of life.

[@rickywyness5230]

An unfortunate state of affairs. Windhelm was such a lively and diverse place 800 years prior to the events of ES:V Skyrim. Ulfric's own ancestor, Thane Mera Stormcloak, loved the Ebonheart Pact to the extent where ALL races were welcome during the Konunleikar, the tenth anniversary of High King Jörunn Skald-King's reign. I would kill to see Skyrim in that state again.

[@venepskeuten9206]

Nooooo, you cant Just kill the high king and start a civil war. Haha unrelenting force goes brrrrrrrr

[@RouxAroo666]

Ulfric destroying the walls to Skyrim's cities: "The empire made us vulnerable, not me of course."

[@EiriktheNordAndersen-ju4gl]

@@RouxAroo666 We did not destroy any walls. And the walls in Whiterun already were crumbling, and the Jarl had no intentions of rebuilding them, which is why it was so damn easy to recapture.

[@cherryares7754]

@@EiriktheNordAndersen-ju4gl huh?

[@irenebae547]

@@EiriktheNordAndersen-ju4gl Seems like you confuse your player character with yourself, my friend.

[@EiriktheNordAndersen-ju4gl]

@@irenebae547 We did not destroy any walls. Only that ring thing around Gildergreen and the Solidude well. Please do elaborate some more.

[@Dude4134]

I really liked the style of this video. I would love to see something similar for the other cities.

[@DarthMetool]

I can almost see Ulfric watching this and resting his head in his hands in frustration by the end. And two guards nudge each other and go look for the serial killer.

[@popeofpain6904]

It won't be tragic if the Empire gave Ulfric those damn Nachos.

[@siouxsieslime2985]

The damn nachos will be mine.

[@Veinripper787]

you want a real snack eh?

[@wolfie9003]

@@Veinripper787 Yes!

[@dutchcheese1609]

Fruit and vegetables!

[@siouxsieslime2985]

@@dutchcheese1609 *BAHH* 😒

[@michaelriley8879]

I'd wager that Windhelm is the least visited city in Skyrim. I rarely go there.

[@thanosdick6161]

I'd say winterhold, unless you are a mage

[@ra_alf9467]

Saarthal is the least visited city in Skyrim for me.

[@dimazfebrian4432]

I actually like being there despite me supporting the Empire there just something about the dark ghostly town vibe on that place

[@euankenobi3517]

I normally go for the siege of windhelm what is the most exciting thing in that area of the map for me

[@ghostdavid4838]

For me is Dawnstar

[@TheNN]

To me, Windhelm's depressive state shows how poor of a leader Ulfric is. Oh he's a warrior, certainly, but he isn't a good leader. In being so hyper-focused on the war, which he started, he has allowed a serial killer to run free, racism to thrive, economic exploitation to expand, and so on. He has fallen into the same issue that so many real life leaders and nations have: As long as people have an outside 'enemy' to hate on, they won't look internally at how bad things are. Ulfric will let his city rot so long as he wins the war in the end. In other words, Ulfric is basically not giving anyone really a reason 'to' join him and more to fight 'against' someone else. He says, "Fight the Thalmor, fight the Empire, fight for me, fight for Talos", which is fine, but it gives Argonians and Dunmer living in Windhelm a perfectly valid reason by saying, "Then why should we support you in that case, it means nothing to us." Ulfric seems to have no desire to try and gain a *better* life for his followers, not just a more free life. He could easily try and convince the Dunmer in Windhelm to fight for him and send out messengers/envoys to Morrowind to try to reach a deal with them as well. I imagine that Dunmer in general are not fans of the waning Empire after everything they have been through, and if Ulfric was willing to try, they could potentially be a powerful ally, whether it was temporary or not.

[@benjamindavis4348]

I believe his pro independence cause is just, but Ulfric is no saint. Perhaps if he was influenced by a wise advisor, or even replaced, then the realm could improve.

[@brodofraggins4688]

The Aldmeri Dominion want him to rebel so they can weaken the empire. Kill two birds with one stone.

[@benjamindavis4348]

The pickle Of truth the Aldmeri wanted him to rebel and the civil war to continue, but they don’t want the Stormcloaks to ultimately win. An independent Skyrim with a strong hatred of all things Thalmor is one of the last things they want.

[@brodofraggins4688]

The Stormcloaks would also have been weakened. Their men severely diminished and resources burnt. No matter who wins the war they both lose.

[@benjamindavis4348]

The pickle Of truth Correct, Stormcloak resources and manpower would be weakened, but they still have geography on their side. The Dominion is in the far south of Tamriel, they would have to move their army and navy far north away from their homeland, unlike their invasion of Cyrodiil which is right next to them. And if they manage to land an invading army, they would have to contend with they harsh whether and climate, along with whatever resistance the Nords could muster. The Nords would no doubt use tactics similar to what the Finnish or Vietcong used in our history, and in both cases the Finns and Vietcong won.

[@LabMatt]

No matter what happens, there's just no happy ending for the people of Windhelm.

[@JB-xl2jc]

h it’s a start!

[@LabMatt]

The nords who adore and respect him are also people of Windhelm

[@nics129]

I always got rid off all the racist in Windhelm after winning civil war. The city seems much nicer ps. ‘Racist’ to me mean those that spend their day shitting on other race. Therefore, a couple of Nord and around 50-60% of dark elves and argonion were sent back to their god Ps2. Yes, civil war won by Stromcloak brought to them by High/Dark Elves/Khajit Dragonborn

[@palladiamorsdeus]

@@nics129 Ah, so someone supporting a murderous tyrant, got ya. You realize by supporting the Stormcloaks the racism is only going to get worse, right?

[@nics129]

@@palladiamorsdeus Sorry, I'm not 'single-issue' kind of person :P Besides, the empire only have less race-influenced narratives because they are already big. Look at the beginning, when they started off as Alessian Empire (the first empire) they are way more screwed up. That's just the nature of how any group began and Stromcloak are already started off way less murderous than any other group

[@DAsrada]

Angrenor now sleeps in the dirt in my Fortify Restoration playthrough, and I am eternally enraged I cannot kill Rolff.

[@TheGeneralGrievous19]

Am I the only one who actually really likes the melancholic and cold atmosphere of Windhelm as well as ancient Norse architecture of the city? Just me? 🏰🏔️🌌

[@sandywolfr26]

I do too. And I hate the cold.

[@marshallarnold4827]

Yep just you

[@fishiefish6179]

That conversation with Alfarinn at the beginning gave me an “interview for a documentary” kind of vibe

[@deceptimus3688]

Cheese: Everywhere there is madness. No wonder Sheogorath loves it.

[@Jaclyn531246]

This is why I always adopt Sofie in all my play throughs, it just depresses me thinking about her growing up in that environment selling flowers. :(

[@lastexile6924]

Thats why Solitude is best city in the game on the best location...that arch look is stunning

[@connorsmith6517]

I think the developers had a deeper meaning behind to cold, somewhat ugly, and dark city in Windhelm. While also having outdated mindsets and ignorant people. And Solitude is this bustling city filled with all races living together, it’s warm and vibrant, and people are generally more accepting of other races. It’s like Solitude is the future of Skyrim while Windhelm is the past. And they’re fighting over which way of life will continue. Great game.

[@miguelcondadoolivar5149]

@@connorsmith6517 Solitude also means submission to Thalmor scum. Not a future I'd take.

[@DannySB991]

@@connorsmith6517 Love this take

[@cherryares7754]

@@miguelcondadoolivar5149 i dont think thats likely, a second war is coming very soon between the empire and thalmor. There is already proof of the empire not submitting to the thalmor. For example jarl balgruff who has imperial soldiers part of his guard force still has a statue of talos. I mean if you want to be under the rule of stormcloaks then go ahead because they have done such a good job of dealing with crime, corruption and evil, its not like they ignore all of that stuff, its not like theres a serial killer running around the capital city of the stormcloaks killing people

[@miguelcondadoolivar5149]

@@cherryares7754 Isn't Maven a jarl under Imperial rule? I'd say neither is good at dealing with crime, corruption and evil (the Stormcloaks aren't much better in that regard, as a Silver-blood would sit on the throne of Markarth if they win). Besides, the Empire relinquished its right to rule Skyrim the moment it let those pointy-eared snobs kidnap people for doing no wrong whatsoever.

[@presofcamelot]

Still 1 of my favorite cities in the game purely by looks. Love the vibe of an ancient medieval city thats still standing after so long.

[@misterlob3604]

Fudgemuppet videos got me so obsessed with Skyrim that I went and bought myself the entire set of the Skyrim encyclopedias. Thank you for the obsession 🤟

[@hunterminnich3858]

Last time I was this early, hills were still giving birth to kings

[@AugustTheStag]

Omg what amazing mods are you using? Your Skyrim looks GORGEOUS

[@dello7287]

Loved this video and I never thought of how depressing Windhelm really is until I saw this.

[@FudgeMuppet]

Yea for sure, it's a cool city but definitely wouldn't want to live there when TES V Skyrim is set. Thanks for watching!

[@danechristian2379]

Such a well made video, people rag on the continuity of the quests and the story that comes with it but this just proves how deep the lore runs

[@tommargarites2811]

Yeah have to agree, however it's worse than that. I remember when I first walked into that city ( quite some time ago now), I remember how old it looked and seemed to be decaying right before my eyes. Truly a dreary place.

[@Sp0on777]

Muiri will constantly remind us of what we caused if married to the dragonborn. One of her only dialogue lines being " thanks for helping me with that little problem"

[@runsincircles7200]

The court mage kills me 😂😂😂 he just doesn't give a crap 😂

[@CappyCorning]

Sofie has always made me wish there were more Aedric quests. Like The Book of Love for Mara in Riften. Like maybe one for Zenithar when she's found favor with him for her flower picking and selling. For having the enterprise to use commerce and personal labor to survive. And through the quest you could get her an apprenticeship with one of the game's alchemists who could teach how to use the flowers she picks. Maybe even an overlap where you find Quintus a bride in Mara's name and then Zenithar chooses the new couple to be Sofie's family/professional mentors. That way she doesn't end up like The Little Matchstick Girl or Annie from Bobby Darin's Artifiical Flowers.

[@samueltallant7577]

I’ve played over 1000 hours and never really looked into the tragedies of windhelm. Excellent video and insight.

[@miniespeon158]

I wish there was a specific option for social reform of some kind if the dragonborn is a dark elf. Or like, if you could request that Ulfric make the gray quarter have a higher quality of life in the city. It would be a great role play opportunity!

[@kayemonk9712]

This was one of the most enjoyable Skyrim videos I've watched in a very long time. Thank you.

[@FudgeMuppet]

You're welcome! Glad you liked it

[@TobeWilsonNetwork]

Whenever I read FudgeMuppet’s video descriptions it always makes me smile that a decade later, they’re still putting the store listing for Skyrim in there.

[@cjstewart5186]

I always clear out Sofie's inventory when I get the chance, and when I do buy a house she and Lucia are typically the ones I adopt first

[@alandonaly457]

Fudgemuppet is the reason why I returned to gaming . I'm now playing my first game of skyrim. I love it !

[@cryptidcat1740]

Listening to this in the background while doing other things when an ad comes on near 23:57 He'll have this to say; "IS BUYING A HOUSE DIFFICULT" thank you, perfectly timed ads once again for confusing and entertaining me.

[@fachrizaltofu]

Something even sadder happened in one of my playthrough. I talked to Torbjorn and he made me get an Amulet of Arkay for Tova. Of course, I forgot about this small quest. I found one and was fast travelling to Palace of Kings few in-game days later, I didn't know there was a vampire attack because I had to go to Palace of The Kings for something I forgot. After that, I left the palace and walk through the west side of Candlehearth. I noticed an ash pile and when I clicked it, it says Torbjorn. I legit cried tho

[@andrewgrahamlloyd6253]

You guys should rate the towns in your podcast like you did with the gods!! I’d find it real interesting. Great work as always 👍🏼

[@FudgeMuppet]

Thanks! Our next podcast will be on the Thalmor but we'll add it to our list of ideas

[@lionspride4821]

"The most tragic city" Especially considering it was built by enslaved elves that the nords captured and forced into labor, plus it's been the capital of Skyrim multiple times yet it only looks nice at *night* when all the lights are on and it's snowing. 😆

[@sheinshawty]

Elves aren't good either, they enslave other races

[@lionspride4821]

@@sheinshawty I know but this isn't about the elves. It's about the nords and their shitty city of windhelm. Whiterun and Solitude are the best cities

[@JB-xl2jc]

AcidBeam I think that’s mostly the Dunmer, I don’t remember hearing about the Altmer Bosmer or especially the Falmer taking slaves. I suppose the Dwemed enslaved and possibly mutated the Falmer, but, the Dwemer are a whole different can of worms.

[@sheinshawty]

@@lionspride4821 i like solitude and falkreath ngl, falkreath is just a small forest city

[@sheinshawty]

@@JB-xl2jc well the altmer despise men, so when the great war started and even before that I think that some of them have slaves, for example the thalmor in their embassy they have wood elves as servants

[@chrismerryman8512]

Good to see you all still doing these.

[@baconbliss4796]

To quote Sheogorath "oh and the cheese ! To die for." 27:40

[@davidknight2977]

Place started going downhill when the arena closed.

[@SonnyJCrockett84]

Every city has its issues Markarth : terrorism Windhelm : squalor Solitude : class discrimination Whiterun : Nazeem and that single mum who believes everyone is hitting on her

[@HisRoyalMajestyKingofWeedshire]

Nazeem: Do you get to the Cloud District very often? Carlotta: OH MY GOD I’M NOT SLEEPING WITH YOU!! Nazeem: ?

[@ashurad_fox5991]

Atleast we can still save Whiterun... You just need 1 empty black soul gem for Nazeem. Also, Camilla? Pretty sure the bard on the inn is hitting on her. (So may not be everyone, but atleast an understandable case)

[@ashurad_fox5991]

Falkrieth: Incompetent Jarl (and basically just a graveyard "city")

[@kurros1270]

Mortal: Vampire attacks and paranoia Winterhold: Barely even considered a major city and superstition against magic users.

[@jstar3382]

@@ashurad_fox5991 yeah falkreath feels more like a random small city than an actual hold capital, especially with how shitty the jarl is. How is "grab me a beer" an actual quest from an actual jarl

[@cald1421]

Such a bummer. I always loved Windhelm. The aesthetic is so nice and it’s such a historic city! I like having a house there. Guess I’m the only one

[@piccoloxnailxkami3617]

2:43 lol look at that kitty go.

[@tdmrebel9818]

I find it funny how back in morrowind the dark elves hated nords now that they've lost their homes the nords are like ha look who's got the problem now. But also I love how ulfrics city has the most non-nords in the game despite being the most racist XD

[@UteChewb]

When you play ESO with the Ebonheart Pact you eventually end up in Windhelm, and it is a very different place to the one in Skyrim. Old Windhelm was awesome, recent Windhelm is an occupied ruin.

[@anthonyspitery6332]

When that dark elf said its more trouble to pack up and leave than stay, I understand what he meant...after playing survival mode and I take two steps out the door and start freezing

[@MinishMoosen]

It's a really good point that an arena wouldn't fit the atmosphere of Windhelm. Nobody considers that when they bemoan its absence.

[@thenerdyballistic]

Just want to say I really enjoyed this video. I like the style of narrating and inputting the dialogue from the characters. It's very storylike. Also the face zoom mod works tremendously well for these kind of videos. Good job guys!

[@Kazuma11290]

deep dives behind the scenes of each capitol. A little tour of the vibe. That'd be cool.

[@eMercody]

I prefer windhelm over others regardless it is a pretty cool city. I think I agree with the idea that the Dunmer hold most of the blame to their situation.

[@LordNexusTheFir]

Winterhold is literally a college nobody will be able to reach in a few years, a tavern, a shop that gets no income & the jarls house THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF MOST TRAGIC CITY! 😂🤣

[@umaruchan6900]

Honestly I only really go there if I need a book or some ingredients

[@spontaneouslucario6161]

my brother in christ, did you even watch the fucking video

[@melonsauce1474]

Winter hold is fine for the most part.

[@VioletBaudelaire100]

look at me 5 minutes in. my one achievement this quarantine

[@adammaxwell9967]

Cant even believe there's still Skyrim videos being made now, this shit was my childhood.

[@chaserose5127]

I'm listening to this while drawing a mostly happy castle-city for my D&D world.