Unveiling the Sinister Secrets of the Elder Scrolls: Unearth the Darkest Characters in Tamriel

The Elder Scrolls series offers some of the best fantasy roleplaying video games ever created. While the first two titles were commendable, it was Morrowind that truly propelled this series into the mainstream. With its vast open world and various playstyles, players could spend countless hours in this game without ever becoming bored. This design ethos of a captivating open-world RPG has been embraced by future games in the series.

Throughout the historied legacy of The Elder Scrolls games, there are many memorable characters that fans hold dear. However, there are also characters that are undeniably malicious, and players derive great satisfaction from either opposing them or completely eradicating their existence.

8 Ancano – Skyrim

The College of Winterhold, located in Skyrim, offers players an intriguing questline to explore. Despite the unusual concept of non-magical players becoming members, this concern is easily overlooked once players immerse themselves in the quest and realize the immense value of experiencing it.

Ancano, a Thalmor agent, serves as the primary antagonist throughout this questline. He holds disdain for commoners and seemingly ordinary individuals, going to extreme lengths to satisfy his thirst for power. In his ruthless pursuit, he murders innocent mages, and had it not been for the timely intervention of the Dragonborn, he would have decimated everyone within the college.

7 Dagoth Ur – Morrowind

Dagoth Ur, the primary antagonist in Morrowind, is faced by players in the final battle of the game. He is a corrupt figure who intentionally spreads the feared corpus disease to manipulate and control a group of deranged individuals.

Being immortal, players must first eliminate the source of Dagoth Ur's powers before attempting to defeat him. The Nerevarine ultimately obstructs his quest to conquer all of Tamriel, dealing the final blow and thereby ensuring the salvation of Morrowind.

6 Mankar Camoran – Oblivion

Content: Mankar Camoran, leader of the Order of the Mythic Dawn, is a sinister cult figure devoted to the worship of Mehrunes Dagon. The cult's actions are downright malevolent, subjecting its members to relentless torture and trapping them in an unending cycle of being slashed down by horrifying Daedra creatures.

Camoran's complicity in these acts of atrocity is fueled by his unwavering allegiance to Lord Dagon. This despicable stance renders him an easily vanquished adversary for the Hero of Kvatch. His fanatical devotion to this Daedric Prince is deeply unsettling, serving as a testament to his profound delusions.

5 Maven Black-Briar – Skyrim

Maven Black-Briar, a character in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, is widely despised by players. Her insatiable thirst for power drives her to commit murder and manipulate others for personal gain, showcasing a chilling lack of empathy.

Due to her ruthless nature, most individuals are reluctant to support the Imperials during the Civil War, as it would inadvertently strengthen her position and further fuel her quest for dominion. Maven's influential ties to organizations like the Dark Brotherhood cement her status as an intimidating and formidable figure in every facet.

4 Orvas Dren – Morrowind

Orvas Dren, the notorious leader of the Camonna Tong, reigns over the troubled lands of Morrowind. The mere existence of this ruthless syndicate implies that its leader must be a despicable individual, considering the heinous acts they commit.

In his unrelenting pursuit of power, Orvas Dren displayed an utter lack of restraint, going so far as to murder his own brother to advance his illicit aspirations. Furthermore, his willingness to engage in negotiations with the devious Dagoth Ur exposes the depths of his moral corruption.

3 Syl – Oblivion

Although it is important to provide assistance to individuals experiencing serious paranoia, there comes a point where a boundary needs to be established. Specifically, if a ruler with paranoia resorts to slaughtering and torturing subjects due to their fears, it becomes difficult to justify or overlook such actions.

Syl, the Duchess of Dementia, perfectly exemplifies this appalling conduct. As one of the two rulers who can be targeted for assassination by the protagonist, many individuals opt to eliminate her given that she is arguably the more malevolent of the two.

2 Harkon – Skyrim

Dawnguard, an expansion developed by Bethesda, stands out as one of the finest releases, captivating players with its captivating portrayal of vampires. Throughout the main questline, players encounter a multitude of intriguing characters, one notable figure being Harkon, a vampire.

Harkon cloaks his true intentions until a later point in the series, where it is unveiled that he holds unwavering devotion to Molag Bal, one of the Daedric Princes. However, this devotion takes a sinister turn, as the malevolent deity demands countless lives as sacrifices, leaving a trail of death orchestrated by this malevolent villain.

1 Mathieu Bellamont – Oblivion

The tragedy of Mathieu Bellamont's life is evident in various aspects. As a young child, he witnessed his mother's brutal execution at the hands of a member from the Dark Brotherhood. This traumatic event pushed him to the brink of insanity, his mind forever scarred by the twisted and gruesome scene.

Driven by a vengeful determination, Mathieu resolved to infiltrate the Brotherhood disguised as an assassin. He ruthlessly eliminated anyone obstructing his path, simultaneously dismantling the organization from within. His unsettling persona, fueled by a disturbing craving for violence, added to the chilling nature of his character.