Can I Change My Wife in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide to Marital Matters
The rugged lands of Skyrim offer adventure, danger, and surprisingly, even romance! Many a Dragonborn has sought companionship amidst battling dragons and exploring ancient ruins. But what happens when that initial spark fades, and you’re wondering if greener pastures (or perhaps a more profitable merchant) exist? The short, slightly morbid, and often frustrating answer is: officially, no, you cannot simply “change” your wife in Skyrim. Let’s delve into the complicated world of marriage, divorce (or lack thereof), and remarriage in the realm of the Nords.
The Harsh Realities of Skyrim Marriage
In Skyrim, marriage is designed to be a one-time deal. Once you’ve donned the Amulet of Mara, secured the blessing of Maramal, and exchanged vows, you’re bound until death do you part…literally. The game lacks a formal divorce mechanic. This means that unlike the real world (or even some other RPGs), you can’t simply petition a court for a separation.
The Grim Solution: Death
The most straightforward (albeit morally questionable) method of ending a marriage in Skyrim is, unfortunately, the death of your spouse. If your spouse is a non-essential character (meaning they aren’t crucial to the main questline or other significant storylines), you can, shall we say, “arrange” for their demise. Perhaps a Draugr Overlord in a particularly nasty dungeon might prove too much of a challenge for them. Or maybe a stray arrow finds its mark during a bandit raid.
However, this method comes with consequences. Skyrim’s citizens might react negatively to your actions. Your spouse’s death might trigger grief among their friends or family. Furthermore, you’ll have to live with the weight of your decision (or, you know, just reload an earlier save if your conscience gets the better of you).
Remarriage: A Glimmer of Hope (and Mods)
Vanilla Skyrim prevents you from remarrying after your spouse’s death. This can be incredibly frustrating for players who experience an unexpected death in their Skyrim family and want to pursue another in-game relationship.
However, there is a tiny sliver of hope! Hidden within the game’s code is a script that should allow remarriage after a spouse’s death. Alas, this script wasn’t fully implemented by Bethesda.
This is where the modding community comes to the rescue! The Unofficial Skyrim Patch is a widely used mod that fixes numerous bugs and oversights in the game, including activating that remarriage script. With the Unofficial Patch installed, you can remarry if your spouse meets an untimely end.
Keep in mind that you still need to go through the standard marriage process again: wearing the Amulet of Mara, speaking with Maramal, and proposing to a new potential spouse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Skyrim Marriage
Here’s a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions about marriage and relationships in Skyrim:
1. Can I divorce my spouse in Skyrim without killing them?
No. There is no official divorce mechanic in the base game. The only way to end a marriage in vanilla Skyrim is through the death of your spouse.
2. If my spouse dies, can I remarry in the vanilla game?
No. In the unmodded version of Skyrim, you cannot remarry after your spouse’s death.
3. How do I remarry after my spouse dies?
You need to install the Unofficial Skyrim Patch. This mod activates the hidden script in the game that allows you to remarry after your spouse has passed.
4. What happens if I kill my spouse?
You may face negative reactions from other NPCs. Also, you’ll be a virtual spouse-killer.
5. Can I marry Serana in Skyrim?
Not in the base game. Serana is a unique character with her own storyline. To marry her, you need to install specific mods designed to enable Serana as a marriage candidate.
6. How do I move my spouse to a different house?
Talk to your spouse and select the dialogue option indicating you want to move. You’ll be presented with a list of your owned properties.
7. Can my spouse be a follower?
Yes. Some potential spouses are also available as followers. Marrying them allows you to have a spouse and a powerful companion.
8. Can my spouse become a vampire?
While you cannot directly turn your spouse into a vampire through normal gameplay mechanics, certain mods can enable this feature, often involving the Dragonborn becoming a vampire lord and using a specific power or ability.
9. Does it matter who I marry in Skyrim?
Yes, to some extent. The primary differences are whether they can be followers, what type of shop they run (if any), and their personal background/story.
10. Can I have children in Skyrim?
Yes, but only through adoption. With the Hearthfire DLC, you can adopt up to two children. To have biological children, you need to install a mod.
11. What are the benefits of getting married in Skyrim?
Benefits include:
- A daily income of 100 gold (or more) from your spouse’s shop.
- Your spouse will cook you a meal once a day, providing a temporary bonus.
- A place to sleep.
12. Who is the best wife or husband in Skyrim?
This is subjective! Popular choices include Aela the Huntress (a skilled archer and werewolf), Mjoll the Lioness (a fearless warrior), and Argis the Bulwark (a loyal housecarl). “Best” depends on your preferences.
13. Can I marry a Jarl?
No. Jarls are generally not available as marriage candidates.
14. Can I marry Vex?
No. Vex is not a marriageable character in Skyrim.
15. Can I marry someone of the same gender in Skyrim?
Yes. Skyrim allows for same-sex marriages. Your character’s gender has no bearing on whom they can marry.
The Role of Mods in Expanding Marital Horizons
The limitations of the base game’s marriage system have led to a flourishing modding community dedicated to enhancing and expanding romantic options in Skyrim. Mods can introduce:
- New marriage candidates.
- Divorce mechanics.
- The ability to have biological children.
- More in-depth relationship interactions.
If you’re looking for a more nuanced and customizable marital experience in Skyrim, exploring the available mods is highly recommended. NexusMods is a great place to start your search.
Conclusion: Marriage in Skyrim – A Commitment with Complications
While changing your wife (or husband) in Skyrim isn’t a straightforward process, the possibilities are there! Whether it involves the unfortunate demise of a spouse, the clever application of mods, or simply accepting the limitations of the game, navigating the marital landscape of Skyrim can be a unique and engaging experience. Just remember to consider the consequences of your actions, both in-game and perhaps, more importantly, in your own moral compass. After all, even in a virtual world, relationships should be approached with a degree of responsibility and consideration.
Games, especially RPGs like Skyrim, offer immersive environments for players to make choices that mirror or challenge real-world decisions, creating opportunities for learning and reflection on social interactions. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org explores the potential of games as tools for education and social change.