Long-Time Skyrim Player Discovers Epic Encounter with Thalmor After 12 Years of Gameplay

Highlights

A rare encounter in Skyrim shows a Thalmor kneeling next to the body of a Skeever, which suggests an interesting dynamic.

There is no definitive connection between the Thalmor and Skeevers, but this encounter implies a possible relationship between the two species.

Whether the presence of the Thalmor and Skeever together is coincidental, a programming error, or intentional, it creates a memorable scene regardless.

A Skyrim player recently captured a rare scene in which a Thalmor is seen kneeling beside a Skeever's lifeless body. Thalmor are known for their formidable weapons and enchanted gear used in their pursuit of Talos, but this encounter with a Justiciar adds another layer of intrigue. The vast open world of Skyrim and its dungeons are home to countless Skeevers, and there could potentially be a link to the Thalmor. While Thalmor sightings are infrequent, apart from specific quests like "Diplomatic Immunity" that delve into the group's activities, this particular encounter offers a unique glimpse into the Thalmor and their role in Skyrim.

A Reddit user named TesseractToo recently shared a screenshot from Skyrim showcasing a Thalmor soldier kneeling before a dead Skeever. This interaction, where the Thalmor pays tribute to the defeated creature, is highly unusual and had never been witnessed by TesseractToo in over 12 years of playing Skyrim. While Thalmor patrols commonly engage in battles with nearby foes, the Thalmor in the screenshot seems to recognize the fallen Skeever as something more significant. TesseractToo speculates that there might be a connection between Thalmor and Skeever, but there is no official evidence supporting this theory, making the moment all the more peculiar.

Skeevers are one of the initial adversaries that players encounter in Skyrim, while Thalmor are encountered after completing the Helgen tutorial. Due to wearing Elven armor and wielding steel weapons at lower levels, and later acquiring glass equipment, looting Thalmor can be advantageous for players. It is worth noting that the creature depicted in TesseractToo's image may not necessarily be an enemy, as players have the ability to recruit the Skyrim companion Skritch. This suggests that there could be programming in place that allows for these unique moments. Considering that Thalmor Justiciars typically do not wander the Skyrim map alone, it is possible that the Thalmor in the screenshot got separated from its group.

Given that Skyrim NPCs are designed to interact with their environment, it's possible that the Thalmor in this particular area of the map have been programmed to kneel, regardless of the presence of the Skeever. Though the Skeever's proximity to the kneeling Thalmor may create a humorous effect, it could be coincidental. Skyrim has its fair share of glitches, some of which affect NPCs, so these glitches may also be the cause of the Thalmor's peculiar positioning.

Skyrim is currently available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and select older consoles.