Who is Erik the Slayer in Skyrim?
Erik the Slayer is a Nord character residing in the small village of Rorikstead in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. He begins his life as a simple farmer, the son of Mralki, the innkeeper of the Frostfruit Inn. However, Erik harbors a deep yearning for adventure and dreams of leaving the mundane life of tending crops behind. He is available as a follower once you complete a short quest to convince his father to let him pursue his ambitions. This seemingly ordinary Nord hides a deeper, touching story, as he is a tribute to a deceased fan named Erik West, known as “Immok the Slayer” on the Bethesda forums.
Erik’s Backstory and Creation
The creation of Erik the Slayer is one of the most heartwarming stories in gaming. Erik West, a dedicated fan of The Elder Scrolls series and an active member of the Bethesda forums under the alias “Immok the Slayer,” tragically passed away from cancer in May 2011. His passion for the game and his engaging presence within the community did not go unnoticed. As a testament to his contribution and as a memorial, Bethesda immortalized him within Skyrim as a Nord adventurer.
The character of Erik reflects the real Erik’s desire to experience the vast world of Skyrim. He is a symbol of adventure, escape, and the power of community within gaming. It’s a beautiful reminder of how games can connect people and leave lasting legacies.
Finding and Recruiting Erik the Slayer
To recruit Erik, you must first travel to Rorikstead, a small farming village in the western part of Skyrim. Once there, speak with Mralki at the Frostfruit Inn. You’ll find Erik working outside, usually tending to the fields. Talk to Erik, and he will express his deep desire to leave farming and become an adventurer. He will ask for your help in convincing his father, Mralki, to let him pursue his dreams.
Persuading Mralki involves either passing a Speech check or paying him a sum of 500 gold. Once you have convinced Mralki, Erik will rename himself “Erik the Slayer” and become available as a follower. This simple quest is not only a gateway to a valuable companion but also a poignant reminder of the real-life inspiration behind the character.
Erik the Slayer as a Follower
Stats and Combat Style
Erik the Slayer is a versatile follower capable of handling various combat situations. While his default gear might suggest a preference for heavy armor, he is actually more skilled with light armor. This allows for greater mobility and stamina regeneration, which are valuable assets in combat. He is also initially equipped with a one-handed weapon and shield but demonstrates higher proficiency with two-handed weapons.
His skills and stats make him a viable option for various playstyles, particularly for players who prefer a companion who can adapt to different roles within a party. His health is also notably high, making him a durable frontline fighter, especially in the early to mid-game.
Erik’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- High Health: As mentioned, Erik possesses a significant health pool, making him resilient in battle.
- Versatility: While his gear may point you in a certain direction, his skills mean you can equip him with light armor or two-handed weapons.
- Early-Game Viability: Erik is accessible early in the game, providing a valuable companion when you need it most.
- Roleplaying Potential: The touching backstory adds depth to Erik, making him a more compelling companion for roleplaying enthusiasts.
Weaknesses:
- Level Cap: Erik’s level cap is lower than some other followers in the game. He does outperform some followers with higher level caps at max level, however.
- Limited Specialization: While versatile, Erik lacks the specialization of some other followers who excel in specific combat styles or skills.
Is Erik a Good Steward?
Yes, Erik the Slayer is a good steward. He has the highest health of any available steward and is proficient in several weapons. To gain access to Erik’s fighting abilities, you must first convince his father that he’s more than capable of adventuring.
Erik the Slayer and Marriage
A surprising aspect of Erik the Slayer is that he is marriageable. Despite being a relatively simple character, he possesses dialogue that allows you to propose and marry him. This is because the voice actor for Erik had the existing marriage dialogue in the game.
Marrying Erik functions like any other marriage in Skyrim. You must wear the Amulet of Mara and speak to him after recruiting him as a follower. Once married, he will move into your home and provide the usual benefits, such as cooking meals and opening a shop. However, like other spouses, he is susceptible to the known bug where they may stop baking meals for you.
Erik’s Legacy
Erik the Slayer stands as a touching tribute to a dedicated fan and a reminder of the power of community within gaming. He embodies the spirit of adventure and the desire to escape the mundane. Whether you seek a reliable companion, a versatile fighter, or simply a character with a compelling story, Erik the Slayer is a memorable addition to your Skyrim adventure.
Bethesda‘s decision to honor Erik West in this way is a powerful statement about the value they place on their community and the lasting impact games can have on people’s lives. Erik the Slayer’s presence in Skyrim serves as a constant reminder of the passion, dedication, and camaraderie that define the gaming world. It is also worth noting that educational organizations such as the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) study the profound impact games can have on players and their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Erik the Slayer
1. Who is Erik the Slayer based on?
Erik the Slayer is based on Erik West, also known as “Immok the Slayer” on the Bethesda forums. He was a dedicated Skyrim fan who passed away from cancer in May 2011.
2. Where can I find Erik the Slayer?
You can find Erik the Slayer in Rorikstead, a small farming village located in the western part of Skyrim. He initially works on his father’s farm at the Frostfruit Inn.
3. How do I recruit Erik the Slayer as a follower?
To recruit Erik, you must convince his father, Mralki, to let him pursue his dreams of becoming an adventurer. This can be done by passing a Speech check or paying Mralki 500 gold.
4. Is Erik the Slayer a good follower?
Yes, Erik the Slayer is a good follower, particularly in the early to mid-game. He has high health, is versatile in combat, and can adapt to various playstyles.
5. What kind of armor is Erik the Slayer best suited for?
While his default gear is governed by the Heavy Armor skill, Erik is actually more proficient in Light Armor.
6. Is Erik the Slayer marriageable?
Yes, Erik the Slayer is marriageable. He has the necessary dialogue, and the marriage functions like any other vanilla marriage in Skyrim.
7. Does Erik the Slayer have any unique dialogue?
While he doesn’t have a significant amount of unique dialogue beyond his initial recruitment, the knowledge of his backstory adds depth to his character and interactions.
8. What weapons is Erik the Slayer best with?
Although he is equipped with a one-handed weapon and shield, he is more proficient in two-handed weapons.
9. What happens when I dismiss Erik the Slayer?
When dismissed, Erik the Slayer is supposed to return to the Frostfruit Inn in Rorikstead, but can sometimes get stuck at a monument.
10. Does Erik the Slayer have a level cap?
Yes, Erik the Slayer does have a level cap, although even at max level, he outperforms other followers with higher level caps.
11. Can Erik the Slayer be a steward?
Yes, Erik the Slayer is a good steward. He has the highest health of any available steward.
12. Does Erik the Slayer have any unique quests?
Erik’s only quest is the initial task of convincing his father to let him become an adventurer. There are no further quests specifically tied to him.
13. What makes Erik the Slayer a memorable character?
Erik the Slayer is memorable due to his touching backstory, his role as a tribute to a dedicated fan, and his embodiment of the spirit of adventure within the game.
14. Is Erik the Slayer essential?
No, Erik the Slayer is not essential unless you use mods that make him essential.
15. How does the story of Erik the Slayer impact the Skyrim community?
The story of Erik the Slayer serves as a poignant reminder of the power of community within gaming and how developers can honor and memorialize their fans within their creations.