Why The Blades DESERVED To Lose

[@Maplie]

Props for making an entire argument for why the Blades deserved to lose without mentioning once the Paarthurnax incident

[@nooneshome8746]

If Paarthunax died, the tower of skyrim will be deactivated.

[@tntrigued5011]

@Drew Taylor not going to happen

[@fabioreyes5609]

Because he talked about that in the delphine video because at that point it was simply two people no longer an organization

[@bogustoast22none25]

NoOnes Home87 the throat of the world is indeed important, and one of the last towers to remain active. The Thalmor will stop at nothing to destroy it, ironic that Delphine wants to help them.

[@sulthandaffaarifmahmudi8990]

@@bogustoast22none25 There's a few towers that hasn't been deactivated, including Adamantine Tower/ Direnni Tower, which according to many theory will be the center main quest in the elder scrolls 6 But i got your point

[@korkronwarlord]

Delphine: "The Blades are the servants of the Dragonborn." Later: "Dragonborn, you must go here and there, do this and that, all on your own. Oh and you must kill the dragon who helped you save the world while we stuck our noses in our old fortress."

[@Mayhem_The_Red]

"Oh, and if you don't do it then we'll stop talking to you"

[@european-one]

@Rick O'Shay thanks

[@Pheonixfirestar]

Sapody it's not even their fortress it's the dragonborn's fortress, heck they even needed your blood to get in through the door.

[@khaos5085]

And that Dragon saved the Dragonborn from being beheaded. The Blades should drown in their own Stupidity.

[@katsu6934]

Right besides IM THE DRAGON GOD

[@ironic4910]

Delphin : Hey look that black dragon reanimated another dragon let's infiltrate the thalmor embesy and see what's up. Me : 😑

[@013wolfwarrior]

Yes, but on the other hand I love trashing the place, leaving naked bodies everywhere knocking ouver everything and stealing all valuables. Because fuck the thalmor

[@nechocat1234]

Hey everyone knows that was just an excuse to crash the elven party

[@wesleygaray2666]

@@013wolfwarrior the type of guy who breaks in to his ex's and take a shit right there in her sink

[@Paguo]

They are not related but I liked that. Fuck the Thalmor

[@ironvillager7778]

Until you realized the f*cking Thalmor's know nothing about the return of dragons.

[@dreadangel3752]

The Blades made Delphine, boom, reason enough

[@Starlight-ff9tu]

Dread Angel amen

[@thismandrunk]

Yes, you are alone

[@ellewoodford8057]

@@Nathan-mf2yz yes

[@Auriel_Direnni]

@@Nathan-mf2yz She's agreeable enough on an interpersonal interaction, but everything she does is led by massive bias. She shouldn't be in charge of anything. She's a terrible coworker.

[@rance2799]

@@Auriel_Direnni Dude she bosses the guy around she should be working and dying for, what do you mean interpersonal?

[@benjaminharmon6541]

Delphine: It was the only way to make sure you weren't a Thalmor spy. Me, wearing Thalmor robes: Uh huh.

[@reecegreyshock9646]

Me in vampiric blood sucking armor and jewelry: 🧛🏻‍♂️ “ Oh no my darling, I’m much. . . much worse than that.”

[@coreyself2983]

Right as if the dragonborn is woth the thalmor

[@neroidius6915]

The Thalmor got massive drip, can’t deny that

[@timetraveler0002]

Do one on 'Why Nazeem is actually the Ebony Warrior'

[@hazzmati]

Unlikel, nazeem seems to be average height while the ebony warriors towers over everyone at 7 feet.

[@monstergelo1072]

@@hazzmati illusion magic

[@impossibleegaming1570]

After I spoke to the ebony warrior in whiterun, he walked straight up to the cloud district!

[@PelinalWhitestrake36]

Goddammit you just reminded me of this comic : www.deviantart.com/janus3003/art/Skyrim-Oddities-The-Ebony-Warrior-539930405

[@publiusdraco2557]

It's basically a different version of Clark Kent. Come to think, I'm now realizing the Golden and Silver Age versions of Clark Kent are far better cover for Superman than the "realistic" post-Crisis Clark Kent.

[@angryskeleton5676]

I often find myself struggling to remember what Delphine actually did besides lead me on wild goose chases. From the very start she manipulates you into meeting you.

[@thedankboyo2460]

And claims she could kill you in an instant or something like that. Arrogant b*tch can do her own dirty work I'll get my help from the Greybeards or College of Winterhold. Her middle parted bowl cut with a ponytail having self can take her dumbass, leave and consider herself lucky I didn't make a call to Ondolemar. He may be a morally shit person because of his faction but he considers the Dragonborn a friend

[@Bluerockpie]

@@thedankboyo2460 Tbh, i've attempted to kill her a few times during the quest, she's lucky she's got protection given to all important npcs. Granted that was on a rout where I decided to be evil, but not too evil.

[@John.McMillan]

The blades could have been removed and the Dragonborn could have saved the world and (mostly) ended the dragon threat faster by weeks to months. Literally every time you have the option you can ignore the Blades and get things done faster and far simpler by just asking the Graybeards. Not to mention the important training the Graybeards give you and how integral Partysnax is to success meanwhile the most important thing the Blades have to contribute is a sword they dont even want you to have (it's always stolen), and a wall that tells a legend that Parrthurnax already knows and could tell you (and pretty much already has by that point) only for you to be shown what happens by an Elder Scroll that Parrthurnax set you on the path for already. Seriously. They are entirely useless to the point of a hinderence.

[@youshouldntadidthat7691]

@@John.McMillan Esbern was useful in gathering information on what shout was required(dragonrend), and a few other things. He also doesn’t do something immensely stupid that wasn’t a product of following Delphine if I remember correctly. Esbern is fine, Delphine is the worst

[@libertariandragon9142]

​@@John.McMillan I know this is late but you do know that you can just take Dragons Bane when you first enter the place and it won't be counted as stolen right?

[@josephmckee3605]

Well of course they suck in skyrim, you have a low ranked field agent and a senile librarian, every senior member that had a clue got wiped out by the thalmor.

[@Morbacounet]

Yes but that's also the point : they got wiped out. Even if they weren't as stupid as Delphine, their heads ended in a big pile.

[@baltonus1120]

François Bergmans because of betrayal, AD had to get them alone with a group slowly and had to go full force on the temple to wipe them...

[@theodorepinnock1517]

Delphine was one of the best Blades agents, the very reason she escaped the Thalmor for so long. Still, screw that bitch.

[@toneysebits8458]

@@theodorepinnock1517 No. The thalmore just did not see her as being worth the time to get her. That is how trash she is.

[@edwardzero9275]

Lmao, well said. But in all honesty. Yeah, for an intelligence gathering and spec ops group they’re very UNconvert and bad at not getting detected. It also says something when in the province of Skyrim, among hundreds if not thousands of people, there’s a wopping 2/3rd one alleged. The Thalmor don’t work in secrecy when gathering as they don’t need to, their job in Skyrim is basically to gather followers of Talos and at most, interrogate some people in hidden sites. Unlike the Blades who were a spec-ops/intelligence gathering group, a job that by nature, needs to be secret. And quite frankly, I don’t see what their “intelligence gathering” efforts lead to, I mean, despite their “intelligence” duties, the Great War was still lost, they still couldn’t predict and proceed to tell the Emperor about the Aldmeri Dominion attacking, to me they’re like a bunch of 7 year olds who think they’re great spies because they stole a cookie and no one found it despite the fact everyone knows it’s them.

[@Lanedude08]

For an organization as high-ranking as they are with the sole purpose of protecting the emperor or the empire in general, they act more like emotionally charged vigilantes than a strategic military group. It seems like they make all their decisions on the fly without a second thought to the consequences.

[@ethanquirk28]

Lanedude I get the feeling Delphine wasn’t actually a high ranking member of the Blades, she was just fanatical and self serving enough to will herself to survive

[@squallthegriever]

I blame the Delphine. If they truly followed my word and served the Dovahkin they would listen to you. I would have had them go village to village and try to sniff out bad individuals and keep safety.

[@Lanedude08]

@@squallthegriever It really bugs me that Bethesda doesn't even give you a third option to do stuff like that. You're the fucking Dragonborn, who says you can't redo the Blades in your own making?

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Basically, it does highlight how self-serving the Blades had become. If they meant what they said then having a dragonborn to serve would be the be all and end all. They may try to sway you but your word would still be law. Instead as soon as they feel they can they give you and ultimatum. They want you to be their figurehead. Their right to rule. Much like the Greybeards said they were like.

[@edwardzero9275]

Yeah They were so good at their “protecting the emperor” job that one died right under their protection (referring to Oblivion) while a prisoner managed to live. Sounds quite worrisome to me, but hey, one bad example right? and then they decided to become a spec-ops and intelligence gathering group serving the Dragonborn/“serving” the empire? Right-o, no one really asked them of that to my knowledge but okay, and yet what did they do again? I mean, their intelligence was good enough that they didn’t see the invasion of the Aldmeri Dominion (those things are planned and prepared out well in advance, already to plan it has to be a bit before the event and then even to mobilise the troops takes time, this don’t happen overnight), they wiped themselves out and ultimately the empire still had to concede to some of the Aldmeri Dominions demands. Second time is a coincidence? Then they go into hiding. After that they.......actually that’s a good question, what do they do afterwards? They sorta half help the Dragonborn, and also endanger his life by sending him to an embassy needlessly. Then they read Alduins wall, and that’s pretty much it. You can’t really say they fight Dragons, they don’t, they don’t protect you like their original job, they don’t give you intelligence of anything, they pretty much sit in their temple all day long and boss you around, despite supposedly serving you. The majority of their time they’re either doing something poorly, or they’re just wasting their time twiddling their numbs. If I’m being honest, I think they did more harm (both to the Dragonborn, the empire and to themselves) then they ever did good

[@LadyJen13]

Delphine: "The Blades are servants of the Dragonborn." Arengir: "The Blades are not true servants of the Dragonborn" Delphine later: "You must kill Paarthurnax, and we refuse to serve you until you do." What can I say; Arengir was absolutely right about the Blades.

[@yigitorhan7654]

"Have you learned nothing from us? Would you simply be a tool in the hands of the Blades, to be used for their own purposes?" "But heed my warning - the Blades may say they serve the Dragonborn, but they do not. They never have." -Arngeir "We have nothing to talk about until Paarthurnax is dead." -Delphine

[@realgagethomas]

And yet they still treat you like their own weapon to be used for their own reasons. 😑

[@Kilgore2307]

Akaviri Barbarians.

[@John.McMillan]

The Graybeards and Parthurrnax are 100T integral to the downfall of Alduin and aiding the Dragonborn in increasing his power. The blades can 100% be avoided. If Delphine didnt tank the Horn of Windcaller then you wouldnt have had to go to the embassy and cpuld have definately defeated Alduin possibly weeks to months faster. The Blades are at every step of the way a hinderence. Also Partysnax makes your shouts cooler and the Graybeards just straight up tell you where shouts are. Side with the blades and your shouts are weaker and you have to go around shouting everywhere hoping a letter tells you where one is.

[@MyDogDoingStuffIG]

The Blades aren’t the problem. Delphin is.

[@mmamackela284]

Delphine really lost me when I finally met her as a Dragonborn... "Why is this weak (Check it, she maxes out at 30) mortal bossing me around?" "huh what is that? You need me to go kill a dragon? Isn't that your job in order to protect me?" To be honest, she's way too lucky that she got enough love from the devs that we managed to meet Esbern who's kinda likable. Then it all comes crashing down when they ask the Dragonborn to kill Paarthurnax. They talk to me like I'm their subordinate. I prefer to leave them with no supporters and no dialogue. Two old people with no supporters just wasting away. A fitting end for them.... Now then! How can we start the Blades again?

[@gptechnologiesmangalore6909]

You have to realize blades are dragon hating crusaders who forgot thier purpose why they were protecting septim bloodline because of dragons of course they know dragons are immortal like beings and only dragonborn can absorb thier soul so they can never get resurected soooooo Even if our reasons to not kill Parthurnaax they still want you they see you as a killing machine for the dragons

[@gptechnologiesmangalore6909]

Even arngier said this one of the greybeards

[@Bluerockpie]

Honestly, having Delphine boss me around the way she does frustrates me to no end, I wish that there was a way to proceed with the main quest without having to deal with the blades, like through Balgruf and his cort wizard, or a dragon who decided to rebell against Alduin like parthanax or a yet to be seen character activly seeking out the dragonborn, or even one of the gods or daedra.

[@axeltaylor9094]

Neloth would be a good choice to lead the Dragonborn as well as the Greybeards

[@voltekthecyborg7898]

How to start the Blades again? Simple, don't. They don't deserve to be forgotten, but they don't deserve another chance, either

[@ChaoticUrges]

Papa Paarthurnax Deserves to be protected end of story

[@dickgraysonsdick6011]

Majin Ketsu out of the 8 years I’ve played Skyrim Paarthurnax is the only character I’ve never killed/ attacked

[@ChaoticUrges]

@@dickgraysonsdick6011 You have no reason to. Plus like I said he should be protected. He's the only way How your to train your dragon 4 can come out

[@dickgraysonsdick6011]

Majin Ketsu I remember the first time I played they told me to kill him and sense then I’ve hated Esperanto and Delphine

[@ChaoticUrges]

@@dickgraysonsdick6011 Same here. Plus they got on my nerves before that to

[@thoruszwolf4153]

@@dickgraysonsdick6011 DId you not like Paarthurnax, or just think he was stupid? He tells you their wanting him dead was wise, and that he would do the same in their position,for no day goes by that he is not tempted to revert to his evil nature.... you see, when he reverts to his evil nature, which he knows he will, everyone that he kills will be on your head, for you rejected Paarthurnax's wisdom

[@Cam-rz4zd]

“Reasons why the blades deserve to lose” 1) they want you to kill Paarthurnax That’s all folks

[@misterkid]

Reasons why Paarthurnax needs to die 1) his nature is domination 2) he tells you Dovah can't be trusted 3) he tells you he can be trusted after telling you Dovah can't be trusted 4) he's only suppressing his nature by meditating, which he stops doing when you kill Alduin 5) he knew Alduin had to die but he didn't *want* Alduin to die

[@lightyagami8645]

@@misterkid why all of your points are wrong 1. Creatures can overcome thier nature 2. He meant common dragons 3. Paarthurnax is clearly not common 4. No , he changed himself 5. Who want thier brother to die ?

[@misterkid]

@@lightyagami8645 your 1 is wrong, your 2 is wrong, your 4 is wrong.

[@mrhalfwit972]

Hunter Kiddo actually yes he overcame it and he will struggle the rest of his life. He has changed himself and from what we see he never actually left the peak of the world. He stayed up there. Every animal on earth has over come instincts before. In some way or another

[@misterkid]

@@mrhalfwit972 no, not instincts. Nature. A dog doesn't stop being a dog

[@heretichunter1256]

Paarthunax: *Helps the dragonborn go down the right path and defeat alduin* Delphine: *I'm about to end this man's whole career*

[@balldeep69hardcoregamer50]

Dragonborne:*Do Tell*

[@Callsign_Kishin]

Well, Delphine doesn’t do shit. Delphine herself can’t even fight a dragon. She sends the Dragonborn to do it as an ultimatum. Someone lower on the totem pole breaks her oath to serve the Dragonborn and tells the person she’s sworn to serve what to do. 😂

[@BurningBlue2022]

Delphine: "That dragon just reanimated another dragon, SURELY the Thalmor Embassy has something to do with the dragon incidents!" Dragonborn: "The Thalmor weren't behind the incidents." Delphine: *Surprised Pikachu Face*

[@tankofnova9022]

And People say that Bethesda isn't stupid.

[@JuanMejia-md8re]

Wack nigga-

[@WestbrickFansGotNoBrains]

well to be honest the blade logic of dragon returning benefitted thalmor is true tho. weakening skyrim for the thamors for future invasion. the blades are fine until the last part where they want me to kill parthurmax. greybeard are just clown dragon cult that refuse to do anything even when the world and people lives depend on it. the dragonborn-humans in the past fought hard to kill dragons to humanity can survive, use their last of their breathe to send alduin into the future, hoping the future dragonborn is strong enough to defeat it. greybeard logic : maybe the world is meant to be destroyed. if only the past dragonborn heard this, they would have raze the temple themselves.

[@dracothegreat1950]

Idk that's not completely unreasonable, maybe the assumption was that Alduin was controlled/brought back by the Thalmor That aspect I have no problem with, everything else though . . .

[@Leitis_Fella]

This isn't a plot hole as people say it is. The Thalmor were able to fuck with the lunar cycle, thus messing with Khajiit births, then un-fuck it in order to present themselves as saviors. That's reason enough to suspect that the Thalmor had the power to pull Alduin out of time early to destabilize the Empire.

[@FreedomPuppy]

As an extreme Septim loyalist and proud member of the Blades of Cloud Ruler Temple, the blades of now are pretenders without a purpose, trying to imitate their ancestors without any of the same reasoning. Hunting the wrong dragon, for example.

[@samalvey8168]

Well met, Knight-Brother/Sister. I too joined our most noble order to protect Martin and was truly disgusted to see how much it had declined by the time of Skyrim. Delphine and Esbern are false Blades, having forsaken their oath to the Dragon Blood.

[@Rorschachqp]

Or ordering around the wrong dovahkiin (me) for example.

[@bawdydaram8114]

I hope Paartharax’s death isn’t canon in Elder Scrolls 6

[@thoruszwolf4153]

what if we find out that Paarthurnax Mantled Alduin and began eating the world, destroying all of Skyrim, Morrowind, and part of Highrock, as well as altering the rotation of Nirn, causing massive catastrophes before the Dragonborn managed to Stop him, being lost in the process?

[@orangeminotaur4668]

Then he did what Alduin should of done a long time

[@thoruszwolf4153]

@@orangeminotaur4668 The whole kalpic cycle is unsettling to me, it's right on par with the Reapers from the Mass Effect Series...hey, Alduin could be a Dragon Reaper xD

[@orangeminotaur4668]

No thats the dragon born, Alduin is the reset button

[@thoruszwolf4153]

@@orangeminotaur4668 Yeah, different kind of Reaper -'J ...ever play Mass Effect? Awesome game kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ3Fd4Kvf7mhrMk

[@atlasprime6193]

Everyone: “Wow, the Blades are so cool” Delphine: “You must kill Paarthurnax.” Everyone: “FUS. RO. DAH!”

[@Jdove-fk4ii]

I prefer FUS RO FUCK OFF

[@paladinmaguireofbos3347]

The blades were badasses until the oblivion crisis. They used to be literal samurai bodyguards for the emperor and they had extremely powerful weapons that were based on akaviri style smithing. They had dragon slaying katanas and had some of the most interesting people in their army. It's just a shame that they ended up being so corrupt after martin septim died. Uriel septims assassination was the true end of the blades we knew and loved. The mythic dawn ended everything the septim bloodline had, including the blades. It's a tragedy. The amulet of Kings was literally placed in a closet in jaufreys house, that says how stupid they are without the septim bloodline emperor's to lead them.

[@georgie-jp]

Avarti: *Says the blades are bad* Also: *mentions that the penitus oculatus murders innocent people as initiation*

[@Valencetheshireman927]

That doesn’t mean they are bad at their job which is to protect the empire

[@misterkid]

@@Valencetheshireman927 you can't separate the empire from the people

[@Valencetheshireman927]

Fair enough

[@sugoistalin7809]

Thats just morally bad. I think the "bad" part of the blades is that they're idiots who made bad decisions on an operational standpoint rather than a moral one.

[@jamiemiller5269]

It sounds like the Penitus Oculatus wanted to be the new Dark Brotherhood based on their training requirement of committing murder. Seriously?

[@publiusdraco2557]

Bethesda's biggest challenge in ESVI is to Make the Blades Likeable Again.

[@wolfman6696]

Not a challenge, just make them not useless baggage and actually do something of worth.

[@publiusdraco2557]

@@wolfman6696 I'd be happy with another Cassius type from Morrowind, who's at least likable, even if you can't tell if he's really a Skooma addict or not.

[@wolfman6696]

@@publiusdraco2557 Hell at least he's actually interesting and unique, that alone is something that would've made dull as dirt Delphine at least notable. For such a big part of the main questline, the Blades in Skyrim offer so little in terms of development it's maddening.

[@publiusdraco2557]

@@wolfman6696 I think the Blades will be back, or they might change things up and replace them with the Penitus Oculatus, but notice that Bethesda always overcompensates and replaced Delphine in the next BGS game with Preston Garvey. Similar core problem, but at least Preston is always polite.

[@charlesmassey6076]

I was going to say have good writing.😂 But yeah making the blades likeable works too.

[@guccicles]

Id argue that the reason the blades were targeted by the thalmor wasn't anything to do with overstepping the mark, and more to do with the fact they are the organisation who once were the MOST devoted to Tiber Septim, aka Talos, who they despise and want to remove as a deity

[@TeCHnORiOT]

True, they were the biggest organization with the most Talos worshippers. Perhaps their purpose now could also be protecting Talos worshippers from Thalmor persecution.

[@cw3598]

The blades in the lore with few members destroyed legions of the thalmor.

[@zenosashblade9786]

They try to make us kill good old Mario- I mean, Paarthurnax.

[@jwall1646]

whether they deserved to lose or not I think we can all agree that they have one of the best armor sets in Tamriel

[@steelbear2063]

@Hoàng Nguyên I'm curious about the first part. The second one is bullshit. Nothing is know about TES asians or if they even exist anymore, or existed at all (as asians I mean). Blades takes their everything really from snake bois from Akavir

[@randommandoade1465]

@Hoàng Nguyên we dont know if the Akaviri are Asian looking we may never know what they look like or ES6 will finally show us cuz a 3rd Akaviri Invasion may be the plot Morrowind said that the Akaviri are waiting for the empire to be weak so they can Invade again

[@808pblank3]

Is Elder Scrolls 6 based right after skyrim?

[@svb_zer0318]

@@808pblank3 Who knows? Bethesda never confirmed anything.

[@drago3036]

How did it go again? "We failed one time, We failed another time And we WILL. FAIL. AGAIN."

[@zhengwenyu1587]

You know how Esbern talks about the return of Alduin means the end of the world. Perhaps Alduin's return signify the end of the world, but not in a way where life ceased to end, but where the system drastically changes, with old factions, guilds, and the empire from the past era are on the verge of collapse.

[@yep1486]

The end of the world, and beginning of a new

[@zhengwenyu1587]

@@yep1486 bingo

[@yourfriendlyneighborhoodsm4708]

The Blades: Kill Parthanax Everyone: It’s treason then

[@bogustoast22none25]

I’m so frustrated at Delphine, her oath was to follow the Dragonborn and he would slay dragons, and decide which ones to hunt. Our character has achieved quite a bit, and it’s sad that such a prime location to train soldiers for the upcoming war is going to waste.

[@14dcook]

Delphine: it's all about the greater good! The rest of the blades: THE GREATER GOOD! me, after being ordered to kill Paarthurnax: how can this be for the greater good!? The Blades: THE GREATER GOOD!

[@rzionrnrzfm5925]

Dragon born:SHUT IT!

[@warhawk9566]

In defense of Cloud Ruler, i don't think it's supposed to be hidden, it's supposed to be secure. A base of operations that's defensible and has plenty of guards to keep Martin alive and safe.

[@ferrice]

Delphine: It's the Thalmor, they're the reason the dragons have returned! *Makes that claim right after seeing Alduin resurrect a dragon*

[@tankofnova9022]

And Some say that Bethesda isn't stupid.

[@jorgeruiz6855]

I just noticed that the Blades could be inspired by the Pretorians of the Roman Empire, they were the guards of the emperor but were disbanded and hunted down because they did more harm than good to the empire and were corrupt, their armor also looked like the average Roman armor but with darker color and they were allowed to use purple.

[@Moa_Smug]

You forgot to mention the Blades, particularly Delphine wanted to kill Paarthunax the dragon who helped humanity survive the Dragon War thousands of years ago. I'd rather side with the wise and powerful hermit Greybeards than help an old man and an idiot innkeeper in their quest for revenge against Paarthunax. The Blades have fallen so deep they can never redeem themselves.

[@IamaDinosaur]

Esbern is fine! He's cool. But Delphine..she cut off Esbern explaining about what's bout to go down while he's trying to translate Alduin's wall. If she miss him then she better pray to Talos that if he dies then there goes the Blades. Hell! If there's this option in the game then i'll pick over the option where you can rebuilt "Knights Of The Nine" in Skyrim after you helped the stormcloaks and reform their military!

[@gptechnologiesmangalore6909]

@@IamaDinosaur yea sad esberns voice actor passed away this year

[@IamaDinosaur]

@@gptechnologiesmangalore6909 Just looked up right now! Jeez...RIP mate!

[@gptechnologiesmangalore6909]

@@IamaDinosaur yup sad but he is immortalized in skyrim as esbern

[@thedankboyo2460]

I'd vibe with Fultheim. He just gets drunk all day and doesn't tell the Dragonborn he could kill you

[@ItsChevnotJeff]

I have a reason to believe Delphine isn't even a Blade herself, only Esbern, and this whole thing is just her following a fantasy as a dragon slayer

[@scribe620]

They've kinda lost the mandate of heaven so to speak. The current empire has more use of agencies such as the Penitus Oculatus.

[@Carzeyday]

The blades (before the end of dragon blood) where more less the guards of dragon blood and served the dragon blooded emperor. They where never loyal to the empire just the dragon blooded emperor. When the blood was gone,they had no goal no reason to live. They need a leader of dragonblood one who they feel will show them the path of rebuilding the emperor's greatness. To them the Empire is dragon blood and must be ruled by It. I would also state the replacement is no better. Where It took the Mythic dawn their full force to get the emperor and even then his son forted their plots of conquest. Some random Dark brother hood clown takes their emperor out even after they burn all the dark brotherhood of that area to the guard. And this murderer walks off free and might even be a empire solider or worst a storm cloak..Right under their noses. The blades can always return..Delphin ain't the only blade and If they are so dis-shuffled. Their are more then likely actual blades who know of the past and will not boss a DRAGONBLOOD around like a slave.

[@shadowstrider5033]

But the dark brotherhood has members who are just that capable though. Any shadowscale are given to the db to be trained to become an assassin since their childhood. The mythic dawn sent an army of assassins because they are a fanatic cult of chaos, not trained assassins by nature like the dark brotherhood. The dark brotherhood however, never sends out more than one assassin to complete a contract, doesn't matter who the target is or how many targets there are. Of course, db also only sends an appropriate assassin for an appropripate contract and has a proper command structure.

[@datfish8372]

there maybe blades in hammer the dominion only attack the southern parts of hammerfell the windscourn temple is in the alikr desert which was one of the parts left un touched by the dominion so the blades maybe in hammerfell

[@rqneo5361]

One thing people seem to forget about the thalmor is that high elves don't breed very much. This means that the losses at the battle of the red ring are more damaging to them than to the empire, which has probably been able to breed enough soldiers to replace their losses. If the thalmor were so strong then why did they pull out of hammerfell? My guess is they were losing too many troops. So unless the thalmor use some witchy means to grow more soldiers or get loads of bosmer and khajiit to fight, they do not appear in such a strong position to launch an offensive war

[@voltekthecyborg7898]

It's not that the Altmer don't breed so very much, it's because of their bullcrap doctrine. They only look for the baby that is most pure. Any that is not pure is killed. And considering that the unpure are more common than the pure, they have lower than average numbers.

[@unforgiven181]

are you going to video on the dumbest character in Skyrim... Kariah.. (might have spelled that wrong) so.. her lover was killed 20 years ago by Mercer.. so she was planing a revenge plan that whole time.. and what is that plan? buy a honey farm.. make a poison arrow.. in 20 years.. thats it.. she had Gallus' Journal the whole time.. and her fuckin lair was so close to the College of Winterhold.. why couldnt she translate the journal? instead of sending you.. and.. after Translating it.. you find out more about Mercer.. SO.. GALLUS KNEW MORE!! and he has been dead for 20 years.. in whole 20 years... she literally did FUCK ALL for gathering info.. or anything that whole time.. she bought a Honey farm... and made a poison arrow... that was her whole plan... she didnt even try to make connect with Nocturnal.. Nocturnal would know if she was lying and probably find allies for her to take on Mercer.. I think she is probably the dumbest character in the game..

[@impossibleegaming1570]

Well you just ruined the thieves guild for me :(

[@Doralga]

@@impossibleegaming1570 nah Mercer did that for you

[@publiusdraco2557]

I always do a headcanon of the Thieves Guild that Gallus was murdered two or three years ago, since that makes much more sense plot wise.

[@KayakithLebita]

Got a point there. Poison took *years* to perfect but, translating my lover's journal? Ain't nobody got time for that

[@MrCjosue24]

KARLIAH. Glad to have helped in spelling it for you.

[@melissam1244]

*asks me to kill paarthurnax* me: hold up let me equip my ancient shrouded armor, i don’t think the inn is gonna be in business in a few hours edit: sorry i mean party snacks

[@icyknightmare4592]

On my last playthrough in which I actually did the main quest, the Blades of Skyrim ultimately met their fate as blood cattle locked in the depths of Castle Volkihar. I put Delphine in the cage by the fireplace in Serana's room. I may have used a few console commands to make that happen, but it should have been an option.

[@ldcraig2006]

Not only does Delphine risk the "delicate peace" between the Empire and the Dominion by sending someone to infiltrate the Embassy, she risks the ONE PERSON she claims to be sworn to protect: the Dragonborn themself! Also, if you decide to help her rebuild the Blades, and bring someone to her to recruit, she will (the first time you do it) administer the Oath. If you read it, there is NOTHING in there that says the Blades are sworn to protect the Emperor OR the Dragonborn. Just Tamriel itself. The next time you bring a recruit, she tells you, "I'll swear them in later." And the third time, she doesn't even mention the Oath. All of which leads me to believe the Oath is merely for show the first time you recruit someone, and there's really no substance behind it. In case you missed it, I hate Delphine.

[@TheLoneCourier2077]

I like how the blades were so trash at their job, and then in Skyrim delphine's like, everyone's forgotten about us

[@rayzuke1232]

next video: Why Ulfr the Blind is a Genius. (he is the blind bandit "guarding" the entrance)

[@rayzuke1232]

@The Nova renaissance exactly

[@ezra2701]

The amount of times Partysnacks and Greybeard have lied to me: 0 The amount of times Delphine has lied to me: Literally the moment I met her. If this is what the Blades stand for now, they deserve the fate they wanted me to give to Papa Paarthurnax

[@Rorschachqp]

She steals from you before she lies, that’s even worse in my book.

[@ezra2701]

@@Rorschachqp she steals from essentially a saint and the greybeards. The greybeards specifically asked you to get the horn therefore it's not theft when you do it but Delphine desiccated the grave of a dead saint to steal from you and some of the most powerful people in Skyrim all for the sake of almost getting you killed because she STILL doesn't believe you're Dragonborn

[@Rorschachqp]

@@ezra2701 She steals from me as the Dragonborn and even knows it.

[@ezra2701]

@@Rorschachqp exactly man- and I don't even know how she realistically got into the tomb so if you ask me, she did even shadier things to steal from the dragonborn and mock the greybeards

[@Rorschachqp]

@@ezra2701 Well put. Then she put me in a party outfit. She dies.

[@Tommonius]

I suddenly feel better about the dark brotherhood quests learning what the penitent occulus do as initiates. The empire has actual secret police/assassins and is corrupt to the core, wished the dragonborne could be the new emperor

[@theodorepinnock1517]

How long will the Empire need to become strong again? General Tullius specifically says that there'll be another war in only about 20 years.

[@logandenton6467]

Really just depends on what the dragonborn does, the war could be paused until the dragonborn leaves, or could be started by the dragonborn. But seeing as Bethesda sees the dragonborn as a male Nord Imma guess that war happens right after the the last battle in the dragonborn's story. Probably no possible way the empire losses there, so they'll have to start the war themselves, because they're ahead as long as the dragonborn is alive and on their side.

[@shadden_x]

If people knew a little bit more about the Blades history, maybe they would see more than just an idiot Delphine or 'glorified bodyguards'. I too think that killing Paathurnaax would be not only morally but also pragmatically wrong. However, the Blades were the elite, their name carries weight. For the best and worst, humankind as a whole lost a long standing organization that fundamentally contributed to the Empire's glory. I'm just sad when dillemas like these arise, and someone must fall.

[@thedankboyo2460]

Key thing is the fact that that was the past. The last blades we know of are Delphine, Esbern and maybe Fultheim. So an arrogant inn keeper who tells the Dragonborn she could kill them (bitch what?), an old recluse hiding from the Thalmor super urgent when you first meet him but literally wastes time looking at unrelated walls on the way to the Alduins Wall (seriously there's time for that later as long as I get this done and save the world) and an unconfirmed former member who walk around flashing a blades sword and drinking all day. The blades are evolving, just backwards

[@user-ot4rc9jh8e]

Theres a huge difference with 'The Blades' and 'Delphine.'

[@lyka1392]

The penatus oculatus is also terrible as they failed to wipe out the dark brotherhood and to stop them from assassinating the emperor, civilians also bring this up

[@aaa-hy7up]

Maybe because they're up against the dragonborn? Hm?

[@lyka1392]

@@aaa-hy7up fair point

[@lyka1392]

Perhaps if someone else did it they might fail

[@lyka1392]

Still, they failed to kill babette, nazir and astrid

[@wolfman6696]

@@lyka1392 Astrid was going to die from her wounds regardless, and as for Babette her looking like a child would probably make it easy as hell to escape. Nazir is probably the most competent member of the Dark Brotherhood. There is no quips or airs he puts on, he doesn't need to impress you or threaten you, he knows what he's there to do, to kill people. Nazir strikes me as pretty much one of the only members that doesn't need some trick to get the job done, in fact he's the only one who doesn't even use any of the typical shrouded gear, because he just that good.

[@FranK-tg7ou]

I think a lot of us can safely say that no one is really a fan of the thalmor but my god the blades really were asking to lose

[@thalmoragent9344]

To be fair; Just because the Septims are dead, doesn't mean they can't come back with a purpose. No matter what, Lore dictates the Amulet of Kings must be worn be one of the Dragon Blood of Akatosh for the whole Oblivion threat and so on, so when they find one (perhaps the Last Dragonborn, the Blades are to serve them as expert guards and the occasional Spec Ops to help the Empire out. The Great War would've happened anyways, and had it happened later, then the Aldmeri Dominion would've only had more time to gather strength.

[@TheDru78]

What I like most about your videos is the interesting game details, world lore, and character biographies. I may not agree with all your assessments, but I enjoy the quality and the time put into them. Nice to review how the blades for into the picture.

[@99thJediWarrior]

I just hope the Blades of the future don't end up like Delphine.

[@TeCHnORiOT]

Same, I'm really hoping they'll return to their glory days pre-Oblivion Crisis.

[@hawkeyenextgen7117]

In my Skyrim fanfic, I’m rewriting Delphine’s motives to make her more relatable. In my story, the reason why she is so aggressive to the Dragonborn is because she has been looking for her old friend Esbern ever since the end of the Great War, and with the resurrection of the Dragons has become increasingly desperate to find out how to defeat them. So she pleas the Dragonborn to the Thalmor Embassy to find Esbern’s whereabouts. In my story, Delphine’s self righteousness catches up to her motives, revealing her to be more a vigilante than a proper guardian. Believing herself to be the last of the Blades, her paranoia clouds her judgement, especially involving Paarhurnax. So with the help of Esbern, the Dragonborn helps her absolve her paranoia and turns her into a competent Grandmaster.

[@backupaccount6341]

What's the name of it?

[@HugeCoffeeAddict]

The blades deserve to lose within skyrim simply because delphine is in charge. Delphine lost me the moment she attempted a threat as a response to "you'd better have a good reason for this shit"

[@Wet_Deer]

Blades in oblivion: Let’s protect the most important man of our time Blades in Skyrim: let’s annoy the Dragonborn

[@captaintaco1177]

A video idea that i would enjoy is how you would fix the empire in order them to return them to their past glory.

[@Morbacounet]

Build a new Numidium.

[@pyrosmite8984]

@@Morbacounet send it to wreck summerset, and blam it on thalmor enlightenment

[@l0remipsum991]

Kick out the Medes and give the throne to the Dragonborn

[@Valencetheshireman927]

The Medes are the reason the empire survived after the Oblivion crisis

[@TheDoomsdayzoner]

Honestly, we need a quest option in Skyrim where we properly discipline Delphine and Arengir. Kinda like in "Paarthurnax Dilemma", but with more action and reforming. And if they dare to disobey us, the Dragonborn - let one of those two foolish heads roll. Or both, for that matter. The Blades shall become a more vast in purpose and function. No more moralistic bs, no more hypocrisy, from now on the initiates have to pass multiple tests, in both body and mind. And all of them shall learn more than just swordfighting - Alchemy (Poisons), Assassin tactics(especially silent&descreet magic casting), basics of Conjuration Magic(Bound Weapons), Alteration Magic(Detect Life), Illusion Magic(Invisibility), and training in Crossbow Usage. With training and discipline, new Blades shall become the unseen upholders of peace, more descreet than Penitus Oculatus, more dangerous than The Dark Brotherhood, and more prepared than Dawnguard. The warriors, truly worthy of serving us, the Dragonborn.

[@user-ot4rc9jh8e]

The Blades should have been the player's faction. But instead it was obviously hijacked by Delphine. The player recruited all the members and unlocked the lost temple, yet Delphine came in like she had authority.

[@mylesvenn185]

Delphine: "The Thalmor are bringing back dragons." My former Imperial soldier character who uses skooma to cope with PTSD: *Drinks five skooma bottles* "That's shit whack girl! But pointy eared bastards."

[@DkKombo]

The blades are like a bloodthristy blade with a warped sense of honor. Dangerous and dull without a proper hand to wield them.

[@joostdevos169]

Really love these video essay's. Makes me look at situations from another point of view. Love all the lore surrounded by it. Your voice is just the cherry on top.

[@sheogoraththeprinceofmadne6351]

This might sound disgusting but i heard that their leader didn’t like cheese 😱

[@YesDudeNoMan]

I don't like cheese

[@monstergelo1072]

@@YesDudeNoMan you monster! Why wont you think of the children

[@pardalmadgod9960]

@@YesDudeNoMan Sheogorath has entered the chat

[@MakenaForest]

@Man Yor its also the least perishable food you have but ok

[@exemplar7205]

i just wanna say as someone who loves long videos based around discussions especially around the elder scrolls i love your channel after finding it a few days ago.

[@ocean7849]

I really wanted to rebuild the blades, so I download a mod to make anyone killable, recruted people and then killed Delphine and Esbern.

[@harvalite5737]

The Blades have been nothing more than guards to the Emperor for literally thousands of years. The fact that Delphine and Esbern act like they know more about dragon slaying than the ONLY person who can permanently kill them has always pissed me off. Her behaviour was the reason I didn't get the Paarthurnax Dilemma mod, I'd rather have nothing to do with them. Also the fact that Delphine tries to use us for her own goals, like destroying the Thalmor. Ridiculous that she's the one who claims the Blades served the Dragonborn and then tries to make us serve her.

[@niamhmorrissey2187]

Next video: Why Tamriel should stop existing

[@OneWhoDreamsAwake]

#EveryAvartiVideoOnCalpersEver

[@YuiFunami]

akavir sponsored this video

[@windbag8900]

That montage around 2:25 showed me that you fancy Miyamoto Musashi and ni ten ichi ryu. You tried to reimagine his legendary fight against student's of the school that he embaressed. Hope you see my comment. Love your vids and deatils you put into them. Never stray from the Way

[@patrickweber3954]

Fus Ro Dah'd Delphine and Esbern off of Sky Haven Temple, Esbern twice because he climbed back up. Paarthurnax Forever! I got PS4 not an Xbox One or PC, so no Paarthurnax Dilemma mod available. The stupid quest is gone after Dragonslayer.

[@Cyriu]

The Blades are nothing more but a remnant of a long gone era. The Penitus Oculatus is the future and I hope that they have a more active role in TES6, maybe even a joinable faction; having a good mixture stealth and combat based missions.

[@wv8d]

Any enemy of the thalmor is a friend of mine

[@ThomasSquared]

I just love putting your videos on while doing shit like homework. Feels relaxing in a way.

[@cin2110]

If it wasn't for paarthunax dilemma mod I wouldn't even know of existence of blades

[@moustachebird5863]

"The penitus oculatus is better because to join you have to kill old people" xD

[@andreastveranger1331]

I have played som parts of Oblivion myself and i to discovered that the blades didn't do a damn thing to help Martin and Hero of Kvatch. The only blade that helps you a little in the game is Baurus, but apart from that you, the hero are doing most of the dirty work.

[@reecegreyshock9646]

Avarti you and I may disagree with siding with the civil war and who to side with, but you are fully correct with the blades and the whole questing as a whole. The blades are shadows of their former selves and don’t deserve any respect or help from the Dragonborn. I almost saw myself in Paarthurnax, The Last Dragonborn is responsible for so much good and evil in Skyrim. Countless battles the players waged for one side or the other, and what does the player get? Studded Imperial Armor, belittling and pitiful spite from everyone, no regard of his feet’s, and complete disregard for the character’s perspective. All you can do is go back to your trophy room, meditating on your journeys throughout the world, trying to find some comfort in what friends you’ve met and what dangerous objects you’ve kept away from power hungry sociopaths. However, like Paarthurnax your always attacked, hated, and eventually… forgotten. And now, Delphine threatens to take away the one individual spirit in Skyrim who gave a damn about ME??! I knew Bethesda was shallow, but my God! The fact you can’t rid yourself of the quest… you have to kill Paarthurnax to not see it, is such disgusting quest design by them that I as someone who loves Nordic culture and what high hopes I had, had to watch multiple videos on KZbin to confirm I’m not the only one bored of this garbage. I’m very disappointed, Bethesda. Your not at all what you said you’d be. It doesn’t just work, you don’t work at all.

[@Alex777Mercer]

@Avarti The amulet was within the Mythic Dawn's reach for a few brief moments.. they most likely casted a small spell on it - called scripting - so they could find it anywhere in the game, even if he dug a hole in the ground. (That, and grass doesn't grow extremely quickly, so they would've noticed that idea of yours straight away) Also, I'd still pick the Blades over the Penitus Oculatus any day of the week. The Blades were around for CENTURIES, and they only fell into decline AFTER the Oblivion Crisis and the Great War.. yet the Penitus Oculatus is relatively brand new, and they've already lost their first Emperor, considering that ALL of the guild questlines are CANON Now - obviously - the Blades are flawed in many way, just like the PO, however the Blades were arguably better equipped and much more organized than the PO (minus when they were found in Summerset and Valenwood) My point is this: I'd rather pick them to - one day - guard the Empire again, rather than an organization that could not defend Emperor Titus Mede II Also, at least I know a lot more about the Blades than the PO, considering that we know that the Blades have been around since the First Era and the Reman Dynasty, whereas the PO's founders are unknown.. kinda shady, really.. Perhaps they're somehow working with the Thalmor in secret? 🤔 *shrugs* Meh, who knows?

[@misterkid]

The Blades are devout in their beliefs. The PO just seem to be a bunch of thugs.

[@gptechnologiesmangalore6909]

@@misterkid you really are a blades lover

[@ronwilson9815]

During my fist playthrough of Oblivion I quickly became convinced that Jauffre was a Mythic Dawn agent, nobody could have been as stupid as he was. It sums up the Blades that the most effective operator they had throughout the ES was a skooma addict, duping the Blades was like taking candy from a paraplegic infant!

[@DanTKD87]

Avartis next video "Why you shouldn't play Skyrim" and part 2 " Why idiots play Skyrim"

[@linguisticallyoversight8685]

Yes because for True Elder Scrolls fans there is only two choices Daggerfall or Morrowind and if you feel like playing a meme generator Oblivion

[@delta2372]

@@linguisticallyoversight8685 isn't oblivion good though?

[@choide2317]

@@delta2372 Its absolutely great

[@delta2372]

@@choide2317 then how is it a mene generator

[@nicholaslowry2366]

Delta 23 the random dialogue between npcs is quite meme worthy.

[@NiceuRiceu]

It's sad to see the community neglect the Blades because of Delphine, more mods like the Sky Haven Temple Restored and Expanded would have been amazing

[@fabriziocolaianni7310]

I love the Blades! However.. I can't argue with these points...

[@thelatenightowl3079]

Your channel is a blessing I'm proud to be here before 100k

[@pianovelvet5723]

Well I wouldn't say they have to lose but I would say that the blades are kind of lame at least and it depends on your main character. The blades are also to protect the dragonborn but if Delphine or Esbern ask you to kill Parthuraax then you are suggested to kill him but it's really your decision on how to play the game.

[@CouchLord1]

I remember thinking to myself, "Why the fuck am I taking orders from Delphine. I already have my base of operations I could literally just run this show on my own and build up the blades from the ground up without this bitch." Man the writers dropped the ball hard.

[@zero5496]

delphine needs the dragonborn, the dragonborn certainly dont need her, although that dragonbane looks quite nice lol

[@97dusk]

I just stole it, sold it to a fence, and bought it back. I don’t need the blades whatsoever. lol

[@The3dsstuff]

This was probably one of your best videos Avarti, and whilst i've been watching for a while now this one is the one that made me finally sub. Great video man. Curious as to if you'd ever consider doing some fallout versions of "is an idiot" or why people deserved to lose or win in consolidated videos with good arguements like this.

[@connorpalm8291]

Love you keep going

[@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838]

Best perspective and review on the blades I've ever watched

[@ollaniuspius1211]

Even if they were fools, none can deny that the Akavirii style of armor is one of the best in Nirn

[@Jager-Style]

Ollanius Pius if youre a weeb, sure. I prefer the Imperial Guard armor myself

[@ollaniuspius1211]

@@Jager-Style Oh for sure. I just like the blend of Roman and Samurai armor

[@kingaragornii9940]

@@Jager-Style "Weeb" 😹😹

[@BLK_MN]

Well the Blades were dedicated to protecting Martin during the Oblivion Crisis, so they never left his presence for safety concern. The Mythic Dawn was everywhere and highly effective, so the Blades had their work cut out for them. That dedication to the Dragon Bloodline was the impetus for their transition of being Akavir invaders. Before they were the Blades, the Akaviri were little more that brutal colonizers, cutting a swath through Tamriel. They were the best warriors the world ever knew (apart from the Sword Singers, but they were localized in Hammerfell). Ever since they were bested in the battlefield by Tiber Septim, they’ve slowly become more reserved, only keeping their legacy in having the best swordsmen in their ranks. Near the end of the Septim dynasty, the Blades became more like agents that worked in service to the Empire’s best interests, rather than dedicating themselves to combat prowess. So it’s not too surprising that they’re little more than remnants of a past era, since that’s what the Blades were to the Akaviri.

[@miguelaponte8876]

Plus Daggerfall's protagonist was a agent of the Blades, and look how that turned out. I kid, but the modern Blades are useless. I would love to play as a agent of the new Emperor's bodyguard.

[@unknownbyself]

I refused the Blades' help and never once regretted it. The Greybeards and Paarthurnax are far more helpful than Delphine and Esbern ever were, and even their alignment bonuses suck. The locations of more words of power are more useful than just the locations of dragons anyway, they practically just announce themselves.

[@blacktears6140]

I both agree and disagree with this yeah they messed up but they only began to really mess up without the Dragonborn. If they had a better leader and the Dragonborn Emperors survived maybe it would have been different

[@EternalDamned]

The blades do deserve to get their butts kicked, but not for the reason you think. They were formed to serve the Dragonborn and sworn to aid him, not the Empire or the Emperor. They have forsaken their oaths and try to use the Dragonborn even willing to place him in harms way numerous times. The player/Dragonborn should rightly shout Delphine into a puddle of blood and guts as Esbern watches and remind him of the oath he swore under penalty of death.

[@harambememorialpage]

They no longer are the blades.. sorry but if you betray the dragon born your pointless.

[@doublewidesuprise5208]

*After progressing into the main storyline Delphine: Kill Paarthurnax Me: Fuck no bitch, I'm out

[@jwall1646]

Imagine if the blades worked with parthanax to confront the thalmor. Even if they hold different views on a lot of things they could both agree on not wanting the world to end. Just picture an army of blades riding dragons over to the aldmeri dominion with nords imperials and redguads marching on foot or horseback

[@ethanquirk28]

J wall Jesus Christ, with Paarthurnax as the new defacto patriarch of the dragons, informing him that the Thalmor want to tear down the World Towers, many of which such as the Snow Tower the dragons deem sacred, the brute force that could be mustered would at the very least put the Empire at a marked advantage in the second great war

[@flightrisk23]

Ethan Quirk I genuinely wouldn’t be surprised if there was some sort of storyline relating to this in ESVI

[@erikgranath3643]

This man could convince me harkons idea of blocking out the sun was a good idea

[@ShishouDzukiZaManako]

well... the Occulatus killing random people may backfire, how many fronts does the Empire want to fight on? Cyrodiil becoming a guerilla war zone, *slowclap*, Occulatus only seems good because they haven't been caught Save for Parthunaxx the blades would seem like a great organization with much intel if they never got caught...

[@chrisdiokno5600]

They've only really killed the Brotherhood

[@oldscoolgaming6700]

I simply abandon the Blades after learning how to use Dragonrend.

[@ACDesertStorm]

You ever thought of doing more IDIOT analysis' on more characters from previous Elder Scrolls? I know you did one on Jauffre, but that's as far as I know.