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Do Horses Snitch? A Deep Dive into Skyrim’s Witness System and Equine Allegiances

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Yes, incredibly enough, horses in Skyrim can act as witnesses to your crimes. This bizarre but true fact is a quirky testament to the detailed world-building found in the game. It’s not just horses either; a wide variety of fauna can tattle on your misdeeds, so beware that stray chicken! Let’s delve into this surprising game mechanic and explore its implications, along with other frequently asked questions about horses in the world of Skyrim.

Understanding Skyrim’s Crime and Witness System

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim boasts a dynamic crime system. If you commit a crime and are observed, a witness will report it to the guards. Once reported, a bounty will be placed on your head in that hold (the game’s regional divisions). If the guards catch you, you’ll face the consequences: jail time, paying the fine, or resisting arrest (which usually leads to a brawl, or worse).

What’s fascinating is the breadth of creatures that can be witnesses. Humans, Elves, Orcs, and Khajiit are obvious candidates. But Skyrim’s wilderness is filled with creatures that can also perceive your actions. This includes, but isn’t limited to, horses, dogs, chickens, goats, and even wolves. The unofficial Elder Scrolls wiki starkly notes the necessary course of action, “animals can also be witnesses to crimes, so you must kill them in order to exonerate yourself.”

This raises a few questions: how reliable are these animal witnesses? How does the game determine line-of-sight for a horse versus a human? Does it make sense from a lore perspective? While the exact mechanics are obfuscated, it’s clear that Bethesda implemented this feature to add another layer of realism and emergent gameplay to the open world.

The Implications of Equine Testimony

The fact that your trusty steed could be secretly judging you and ready to report your unlawful activities is a darkly comic one. Consider these scenarios:

You’re sneaking through the woods, trying to pickpocket a bandit. Your horse is tied to a nearby tree. If you’re spotted, that horse might just be the reason you end up in the dungeons of Riften.
You’re caught red-handed slaughtering a farmer’s livestock. Even if no people are around, that grazing horse in the field could be your undoing.
You’re engaged in a fierce battle with a dragon and accidentally hit a friendly horse with a stray spell. Even in self-defense, that horse could report you for assault!

The lesson is clear: be mindful of your actions, especially around animals. A moment’s carelessness could land you with a hefty bounty. And if you really want to eliminate witnesses, well, that’s a dark path to tread.

Horses in Skyrim: Beyond Just Witnesses

Horses in Skyrim are more than just potential snitches. They’re valuable companions, transportation, and even combat allies. They are, however, quite expensive, costing 1000 gold in the early game.

Acquiring a Horse

You can purchase a horse from the stables located in each of the major cities. These horses are generally all the same, with only the horse’s coat and name differing. It will cost you 1000 gold to buy a horse, which is not worth it at all. It’s a better idea to save that money and put it towards better weapons and gear.

Unique Horses

There are also unique horses that can be acquired through quests or other means:

Frost: Acquired through a quest involving Louis Letrush in Riften. Frost offers 562 HP and 148 Stamina, which is more than you’ll get with a stable horse.
Shadowmere: Obtained through the Dark Brotherhood questline. Shadowmere is considered the best horse in the game due to its high health and combat abilities.
Arvak: A skeletal horse summoned from the Soul Cairn using a spell learned during the Dawnguard DLC. Arvak is a great option for players who need a horse on demand, but it has lower stats than the other unique horses.

Horse Mechanics

Horses improve your movement speed across the vast landscapes of Skyrim. They can be useful for carrying extra weight, though they have their own weight limit, and they can engage in combat, though their AI isn’t always the smartest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Horses in Skyrim

Can you own multiple horses in Skyrim? Yes, you can. However, only the horse you last rode or fast traveled with will actively follow you. Other owned horses return to the stable where they were purchased.
What happens to my old horse when I get a new one? The horse you last rode (your “active” horse) will show up when you fast travel. If you mount a new horse, your old horse returns to its original location (usually the stable where you bought it).
Where does Frost go if I ride another horse? If you own Frost and mount another owned horse, Frost will remain at the location where you dismounted him. If you haven’t completed the quest to officially own Frost and simply ride off, he will return to Black-Briar Manor.
Is Frost the best horse in Skyrim? Shadowmere is generally considered the best overall horse due to its superior stats and combat prowess. However, Frost is a strong contender, boasting better stats than a standard stable horse and a unique name.
Is Arvak better than Shadowmere or Frost? No. Arvak is more convenient to summon but has significantly lower stamina and health compared to Shadowmere and Frost.
Can followers ride horses in Skyrim? Yes! You can purchase horses for your followers from any of the city stables. They will automatically mount their horse when you mount yours.
Does horse armor help in Skyrim? Yes, though the base game doesn’t include it. Through Creations (Bethesda’s official mod program), you can acquire horse armor that increases your mount’s resilience.
What is the rarest horse in Skyrim? Arguably, Arvak is the “rarest” in the sense that you need to complete a portion of the Dawnguard DLC and obtain a unique spell to acquire him.
Can you ride a dragon in Skyrim? Yes, but only with the Dragonborn DLC and the Bend Will shout. This shout allows you to temporarily tame a dragon and ride it. This is very important when understanding the Games Learning Society concepts in the game.
Can I tame wild horses in Skyrim? No, you cannot tame the wild horses that roam the landscape. You must purchase or acquire horses through quests.
How do I prevent my horse from dying in combat? Unfortunately, horses can die. Equipping horse armor (through Creations) can help. Also, being mindful of their health and dismounting to fight yourself can protect them.
What happens if I tell Maven Black-Briar about stealing Frost? Telling Maven about the plot gives you the option to steal Frost for her instead. The quest will proceed similarly, but with Maven involved.
Should I steal Maven’s horse? Stealing Frost for Louis Letrush will cause Louis to attack you if you’re caught. Persuading Louis to give you the money and run away is generally the best course of action.
Can you use the Bend Will shout on Alduin? No, the Bend Will shout does not work on Alduin. He is immune to its effects. However, the GamesLearningSociety.org can help further understand game mechanics and their purpose.
Are horses useful in Skyrim? Horses are useful for faster travel across Skyrim’s vast landscape, even though they are expensive in the early game. They are also suitable for carrying extra weight, although they are not very sturdy in combat, so it is wise to dismount when there is danger of a fight.

Final Thoughts

The fact that horses in Skyrim can witness crimes is a peculiar and often humorous aspect of the game’s design. It highlights the attention to detail and the emergent gameplay possibilities that make Skyrim such a beloved title. So, next time you’re about to engage in some shady activity, remember: your horse might just be watching, and it might not approve.