Does Killing Thalmor Give Bounty in Skyrim? A Deep Dive into Elven Justice
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The short answer is: it depends. In Skyrim, killing Thalmor justiciars or soldiers doesn’t automatically incur a bounty. Several factors influence whether or not you’ll face repercussions for your actions. Understanding these nuances is key to waging a successful (and legally sound, at least by Skyrim standards) war against the Aldmeri Dominion within the game.
Understanding Skyrim’s Bounty System and the Thalmor
Skyrim’s bounty system is based on witnesses and the hold in which the crime occurs. If you commit a crime – assault, theft, or murder – and are seen by a citizen or guard of that hold, a bounty will be placed on your head. This means that the guards in that hold will actively seek you out to arrest you. However, if no one witnesses your crime, you’re generally in the clear.
The Thalmor complicate this equation. They are generally hostile towards the Dragonborn, especially if you are a worshiper of Talos, and they operate somewhat outside the jurisdiction of Skyrim’s holds. This creates unique scenarios for bounty accrual.
The Core Mechanics: Bounty vs. No Bounty
Here’s a breakdown of how the bounty system interacts with Thalmor encounters:
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Killing Thalmor in the Wilderness: If you encounter a roaming Thalmor patrol in the wilderness and eliminate all witnesses (meaning just the Thalmor themselves), you will not typically incur a bounty. The wilderness is considered outside the jurisdiction of any particular hold, and the Thalmor are not considered citizens.
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Killing Thalmor in Cities/Towns: Killing Thalmor in a populated area, such as Markarth, can be trickier. If you are seen attacking them, you may incur a small assault bounty (often around 40 gold). This bounty is for the initial assault, not the murder itself, provided you quickly dispatch all witnesses.
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Freeing Hostages and Provoking Attacks: A common tactic is to free Thalmor prisoners. Once freed, these prisoners, particularly Stormcloaks will attack the Thalmor guards. Since you aren’t the one initiating the attack, you generally won’t receive a bounty.
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Specific Thalmor NPCs: Some Thalmor NPCs, like Ondolemar in Markarth, are tied to specific quests or locations. Attacking them may trigger a bounty depending on the circumstances and whether there are witnesses unrelated to the Thalmor.
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Thalmor Patrols After the Civil War: After the Stormcloaks win the Civil War, Thalmor patrols become hostile. Engaging and killing them still does not automatically give you a bounty, provided the standard “no witnesses” rule is followed.
Maximizing Your Anti-Thalmor Campaign
To effectively eliminate Thalmor without legal consequences, consider these strategies:
- Stealth is Key: Utilize stealth skills (sneak, invisibility) to approach Thalmor patrols undetected.
- Archery Advantage: Use ranged attacks to take down Thalmor from a distance, minimizing the chance of being detected.
- Followers as Distractions: If you have followers, strategically position them to draw the attention of some Thalmor while you focus on eliminating others.
- Night Raids: Undertake your Thalmor-eliminating activities at night, when visibility is lower and fewer potential witnesses are around.
- Exploit the Environment: Use the environment to your advantage – lure Thalmor into secluded areas or traps.
- Consider Modding: Certain Skyrim mods alter the bounty system or add factions, potentially changing how the game handles Thalmor encounters and bounties. Research and install mods at your own risk.
Why This Matters
Understanding how the bounty system interacts with the Thalmor adds another layer of strategic depth to Skyrim. It allows players to act on their hatred of the Thalmor without facing constant legal ramifications. This knowledge is crucial for roleplaying characters who actively oppose the Aldmeri Dominion or who simply enjoy engaging in a little Thalmor-on-Thalmor violence. By understanding the nuances of the bounty system, you can effectively wage war on the Thalmor throughout Skyrim. You can enhance the game with the benefits of research-backed game development, and learn from the Games Learning Society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I completely wipe out the Thalmor presence in Skyrim?
While you can kill individual Thalmor patrols and NPCs, you cannot completely eliminate their presence in the game world. They will continue to respawn and patrol Skyrim.
2. Does my race affect whether I get a bounty for killing Thalmor?
No, your character’s race does not influence the bounty system regarding Thalmor. The bounty system relies on whether you were seen committing a crime.
3. What happens if I get caught killing Thalmor and receive a bounty?
If you are caught and accrue a bounty in a hold, guards will attempt to arrest you. You can choose to pay the fine, serve jail time, or resist arrest and fight them. You can even attempt to bribe them if your speech skill is high enough.
4. Are there any quests specifically designed to kill Thalmor?
Yes, a few quests involve killing Thalmor, such as some Dark Brotherhood contracts or side quests. These quests usually don’t involve any legal penalties as you are fulfilling a contract.
5. Does the Civil War questline affect Thalmor encounters and bounties?
Yes, the Civil War can influence Thalmor encounters. After the war, depending on who wins, the dynamic will change, like Thalmor patrols carrying Stormcloaks to prison no longer existing if Stormcloaks win. Howvere, encountering the Thalmor is still possible.
6. Can I use the “Thane” privilege to erase a bounty for killing Thalmor?
If you become a Thane of a hold, you can use your privilege to erase one bounty under 1,000 gold. This could be used for a bounty incurred from attacking Thalmor, but only once per hold.
7. How do I know if I have a bounty in a particular hold?
You can check your active effects menu. If you have a bounty, it will be listed there. Guards will also approach you and attempt to arrest you if you have a bounty in their hold.
8. Do followers affect the bounty I receive for killing Thalmor?
Yes, if your follower commits the killing blow, you may still receive a bounty if they are witnessed by a citizen or guard. Be mindful of your follower’s actions.
9. Can I use illusion magic to avoid a bounty for killing Thalmor?
Yes, illusion magic like “Invisibility” or “Calm” can help you avoid being detected or witnessed when attacking Thalmor.
10. Are there any unique items that can help me fight the Thalmor?
Some items, such as weapons enchanted with poison, can be particularly effective against Thalmor, as they are weak to it. Unique armor sets like Nightingale armor can also boost stealth skills.
11. What happens if I’m a High Elf (Altmer) and kill Thalmor?
Being a High Elf does not change the bounty system. You will be treated the same as any other race when it comes to incurring bounties for actions against the Thalmor.
12. Do the Thalmor ever become friendly or neutral towards the Dragonborn?
No, the Thalmor are consistently hostile to the Dragonborn, particularly if you worship Talos. There is no way to befriend or become allied with them in the base game.
13. Is Ulfric helping the Thalmor?
While Ulfric despises the Thalmor, some argue that his actions inadvertently aid their goals by weakening the Empire. A divided Skyrim is easier for the Aldmeri Dominion to control. This is a debated aspect of the game’s lore.
14. What is the Thalmor’s ultimate goal?
The Thalmor’s ultimate goal is shrouded in mystery. Some believe they seek to dismantle reality and return to a pre-existence state, while others think they simply want to establish Altmer dominance over Tamriel.
15. Are the Thalmor evil?
This is a matter of perspective within the game’s lore. The Thalmor are portrayed as authoritarian and supremacist, committing atrocities to achieve their goals. Most players would consider their actions evil, but the game allows for nuanced interpretations.
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