Elder Scrolls Lore » Discussions


Lore Discussion: Nords, Mercenaries of Skyrim

  • April 6, 2016

    So I´ve been thinking about mercenaries of Skyrim. Sure, we do have Companions, but they seem like the only "mercenary company" in there. We see one merc in every city, sometimes we see some mercs on the roads, but that´s really it. So why is there so few of them, among warmongering race of warriors for whom the war, conquest, honor and worthy cause is everything?

    Just think about what I just said. War, honor, worthy cause. What does it mean? It means that all Nords that might have been mercs in times of peace are now fighting for either Stormcloaks or Legion. But that´s not really what I would like this discussion to be about.

    When you look at Nord´s culture...how are mercenaries perceived? Is fighting for someone´s else cause and for gold a worthy line of work? I mean, Companions are admired for being honorable warriors, but basicaly, they just solve people problems for gold, just like any other mercenary. So what about other mercenaries, those that go solo? Or do you think there could be actually mercenary companies of Nords? Is there an honor in fighting for gold?

    Let the true Nords come forth! 

     

  • Member
    April 6, 2016

    It's been suggested that the reason the Fighters Guild has no presence in Skyrim is because the Companions dominate the market for mercenary services there to such an extent that they can't compete with them. If not even the Fighters Guild can't get a piece of the action in Skyrim, then there's certainly no hope for other mercenary companies; the most a merc outside of the Companions can do is hang out in an inn all day and hope someone will hire them.

    Anyway, given the esteem in which the Companions are held, it seems that the Nord's do perceive that there can be honor in fighting for gold.

  • April 6, 2016

    I'm more like a true frozen-eared elf, but still...

    Something tells me that mercs aren't very respected by Nords. I mean, it doesn't seem like a very "heroic" cause, fighting for someone so they'll pay you.

    And most likely, in the land of warmongering barbarians, not so many of them would pay another fellow barbarian for solving their problems. It's just not what a true Nord would do. Victory or Sovngarde, no?

  • April 6, 2016

    It sounds quite reasonable to me, and I would even buy it, if there was more Companions and half of them weren't werewolves.

    If you compare the Fighters Guild and Companions

    ..the Guild had chapters in every city in Cyrodiil. If you had problem, you just ran to the nearest one. If Fighters Guild opened their hall in...Solitude let's say, I bet my money people from there and.maybe even Morthal would rather go to them.

    So that's why I think individiual mercs have place in Skyrim. Companions can't effectivelly respond to every contract.

    So...what about renown then? Companions are known as honorable warriors (who beat money out of people, lol) so.maybe that's why they hold the monopoly over individual mercs. Maybe?

  • April 6, 2016

    You just might have hit the nail on it's head, Thorien. Victory or Sovngarde. They kinda boast about being true nords all the time, right? But when bear gets into their house, they do what? Call Companions, lol.

    But let's not look at it from gameplaying point, but from logical one. They live in very harsh land and unless they're not imperalized, they should be able to take care of themselves. So..could those mercs be what happens when Empire controls the land for such long time? Population gets soft and starts to rely on other people to solve their problems?

  • April 6, 2016

    Well, the guys who would hire mercs don't necessarily appear from being Imperialized, it's just the reality of the life, not everyone is a warrior, even Nords. Sometimes a farmer is just a farmer. Although in Skyrim such guys are a very small minority. They are those who hire the Companions who, while not many, are quite enough for these people.

  • Member
    April 6, 2016

    For instance, look at the merchants. Even the Nord ones don´t seem to be combat capable, since most don´t carry anything more than a dagger, plus, unless they go out and loot their merchandise, then chances are they don´t see much combat

  • April 6, 2016

    Also, I think we should look at the Companions from a lore perspective and not a gameplay perspective, which really does them a disservice, IMO. What they should have done was allow you to recruit new members just like you can for the Blades. Don't get me started on the Companions. A hot mess, but you know, I only have a handful of playthroughs that DON'T join up with these mead drinking warriors living in what is essentially a cap-sized boat. 

    I think one of the Companions says that they've been everything from Mercs to whatever's in between. I also think a lot depends on the harbinger's view of the organization and the different companions view. Aela is the one who says "if the coin is good enough". Her classification in the UESP is "thief". Other members have different views. 

    I'll elaborate more later and I'm thinking about your Goldpact Knights too, Karves. 

  • April 6, 2016

    These only prove my words further))

  • April 6, 2016

    You are right, I was thinking that too. The Companions don't look like they are only mercs. All that Ysgramor story and all...