The Jarls of Skyrim

[Pilaf The Defiler]

I chose the ballin'est of all.

[Archer]

That's great.

[The SheoDovah]

Balgruuf the greater because he is one of the few Jarls that rules with a firm but fair hand. He is the only Jarl that refuses to get involved with the war untill Ulfric forced him to side with the Legion and that was just to defend his city. He would make an excellent high king and i suspect he would refuse to be the high king due to how much he cares about Whiterun hold unless there is a dark side to him that we don't know about. It's a shame that Ulfric doesn't ask the Dovahkiin to try to convince Balgruuf to join Ulfric's side or to make sure Whiterun remains neutral as Balgruuf would most likely remain neutral if he had the choice. That and the dragons are his main priority due to them attacking his hold every now and then.

[Emzi 43]

Balgruuf for all the said reasons, including the ballin'

[Archer]

Mostly the ballin'.

[StealthyAlchemist]

I feel like the only one who has chosen someone out of the "norm" with my vote for Kraldar. I came understand where people are coming from with Balgruuf, but I just feel he is all talk, no game. He continues to worship Talos, "wants to be neutral" in the war, and still he sides with the Empire.
He says he doesn't agree with the White-Gold Concordat and dislikes the Empire, yet he doesn't take any action. Same goes with Ulfric and the Stormcloaks. If he really wanted to fix the situation in Skyrim, he would put his name into the metaphorical hat and try to become High King himself. At least the other Jarls of Skyrim know who they are fighting for. Balgruuf is just one of those people who says he will do one thing, but does another. That's just my opinion.

[boltonbrowne]

I think Balgruuf has a kind of wierd relationship with Irileth. No other housecarl is so...protective of him as she is. There's also no mention of his wife, although he has three really bratty snot-nosed kids. Ha! Irileth's even?

I suppose he is strong-willed in that he sends troops to riverwood and decides to side with the empire - but then again, since he was wailing about the White-Gold Concordat to Proventus and Irileth, you'd think he'd take this moment to give the empire the finger.

[GoatLiver]

I suppose he is strong-willed in that he sends troops to riverwood and decides to side with the empire - but then again, since he was wailing about the White-Gold Concordat to Proventus and Irileth, you'd think he'd take this moment to give the empire the finger.

Irileth: "Was it cowardly then to accept the White-Gold Concordat?"

Balgruuf: "This again?! That was different. Was I given a chance to object to the terms of the treaty? No. The Jarls weren't asked. We were told. And we had to like it."

Me: "...Um Ulfric didn't "like" it, he's fighting against it! And right now I'm standing in front of you giving you the chance to do the same. Are you gonna take it or fold like a cheap suit?"

Balgruuf: "fold"

Vignar: "Wrong answer"

Me: Vignar FTW!

[DikaSmausha]

I chose the ballin'est of all.

Damn't, I was going to use that.

[Pilaf The Defiler]

In all seriousness, I can sorta understand anti Tullius sentiments but Balgruuf was seriously just doing what he felt he needed to do to protect his Hold and its people. He had no greater desire than to do what was right.

[Br3admax]

Balgruuf was only being loyal to the empire that feeds him, protects him and his people, as well as the empire that he himself has faught for. Why would he follow Ulfric, who he already does not trust?

[Masked Pillow]

I voted for Jarl Korir. Despite his Hold on e rivalling Solitude, and now in ruins, he still fights on. He still has guards patrolling the roads, he set up funds for a mine, and I think he secretly does not like Ulfric. 1. Because he never mentions the war, where all other patriotic Jarls do and 2. He camps out in Brunwulf's house. I think he's Stormcloak simply because he didn't have the men to defend against Ulfruc, as Windhelm is right on the border to Winterhold.

[GoatLiver]

Korir: "It wasn't enough that the College still stands, now the damnable Empire has Winterhold. I hope they all freeze to death."

Probably more likely he's Stormcloak because he doesn't like the Empire.

[Masked Pillow]

Korir could just be bitter that he lost his city, which is fair enough. And though it does seem likely he dislikes the Imperials, he doesn't seem fond of the Stormcloaks either for the reasons I've stated. This draws some parallels between him and Balgruuf

[DikaSmausha]

In all seriousness, I can sorta understand anti Tullius sentiments but Balgruuf was seriously just doing what he felt he needed to do to protect his Hold and its people. He had no greater desire than to do what was right.

Exactly, he isn't looking for power or war, but just the best for his hold, which is why he should be High King.

[StealthyAlchemist]

Balgruuf's only real claim to be High-King is his supposed heritage and relation to Olaf-One Eye. Other than that, any claim would not be enough to get him the throne, no matter how much he has done for his hold. Elisif has the best claim to the throne, which is her marriage to the former High King Torygg. Ulfirc has no claim except that, according to him, he successful challenged the former High King and defeated him thus giving him the right to the throne. However, his word means nothing because of his views and many other accounts say he murdered High King Torygg rather openly challenge him. Korir would have a better claim than Ulfric, if he obtained the Helm of Winterhold.

If you could have any character as Jarl of their respective hold, who would you have? (Required*: Name of person, Which hold they should be Jarl of, Must live in selected hold)

Asgeir Snow-Shod as Jarl of Riften. His views are neutral, not leaning towards Stormcloaks or Empire. He attempts reconciliation between the two groups with is marriage to Vittoria Vicci. I believe he could bring this attitude and stance with him into the Jarl position and Riften would be a better place because of it. Because his family is connected to the Stormcloaks, he could have someone with Imperial connections as his Steward to further show he is willing to bring about reconciliation.

[Archer]

Actually Ulfric did challenge Torygg, even Sybille Stentor, the Solitude Court Mage, admits that Torygg accepted the challenge. And by the Old Laws of Skyrim, Ulfric should be the High King.

[DikaSmausha]

Actually Ulfric did challenge Torygg, even Sybille Stentor, the Solitude Court Mage, admits that Torygg accepted the challenge. And by the Old Laws of Skyrim, Ulfric should be the High King.

Completely true. He should be High King, but the Empire won't let them. That is why he is trying to break Skyrim for their grasp.

[StealthyAlchemist]

I just don't believe Ulfric should be High King. His views and attitude for me completely trumps any of his accolades and any chance he has at being High King.

A question I have for people is: Do you think Idgrod Ravencrone is fit to be Jarl or do her visions hinder any chance she has of making the right decisions for her hold?

[Witchery]

She's done well thus far. She seems to truly care for the people of Morthal and Hjaalmarch, and isn't unable to function because of her "visions." If only she had sided with Ulfric...

[technodix]

I like Balguuf a lot, but there's just something about Maven Black-Briar...like she gets things done, ya know? She sees what's in her best interest and sees to it that it is done. She just has an attitude other Jarls do not possess. She's also more memorable.

EDIT:

I hate Maven as a character. Snobby and cocky, and apparently holding power over the player. Wish we got to assassinate her.

While I agree she is a no-good power hungry Jarl, part of me enjoys that character. It's what makes her more memorable than the other Jarls; I can barely remember any of the other Jarls, save the obvious ones (Balguuf, Elisif, Ulfric--although Ulfric is only memorable because of his involvement in the Civil War, not his personality, in my opinon.)

It would be interesting if someone made a mod for a quest that made you assassinate her due to a pent up internal hatred from her by the player. I know it is unrelated to this topic ... Just saw this post and this came to my mind.

Anyways .... Back on topic,

My favourite Jarl is definitely the Jarl of Falkreath. He's young, and seems very relaxed to me. Maybe too relaxed to be a Jarl....

[Arch-Mage Matt]

Idgrod Ravencrone has just the amount of crazy and senility I like in a government official. That being said I voted for Maven by accident.

[Pilaf The Defiler]

Idgrod Ravencrone has just the amount of crazy and senility I like in a government official. That being said I voted for Maven by accident.

Just as she planned.

[StealthyAlchemist]

If you could have any character as Jarl of their respective hold, who would you have? (Required*: Name of person, Which hold they should be Jarl of, Must live in selected hold)

Asgeir Snow-Shod as Jarl of Riften. His views are neutral, not leaning towards Stormcloaks or Empire. He attempts reconciliation between the two groups with is marriage to Vittoria Vicci. I believe he could bring this attitude and stance with him into the Jarl position and Riften would be a better place because of it. Because his family is connected to the Stormcloaks, he could have someone with Imperial connections as his Steward to further show he is willing to bring about reconciliation.

(Just trying something different. You can add your own opinions about the question or continue other conversations on this forum. Your choice!!!)

[Br3admax]

Not just anyone can become a Jarl. More or less, all Jarls can trace their lineage back to Ysgramor and are also well known in their respective holds. Even the replacements have to have some claim to the throne.