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IMO, the guards. They have the best quotes, they update your map from time to time, they compliment you on your gear/spells/etc.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater. I'm no traitor scum Stormcloak, but if there's anyone worthy of leading an independent Skyrim it's Balgruuf.

M'aiq. He knows much and tells some.

Also, being essential, he's a handy target for level grinding Destruction Spells and fighting skills.

Kharjo. It's like having M'aiq the Liar as an armed follower. The Blades armor I loot from Sky Haven invariably becomes his, I end up enchanting his Moon Amulet, and I've taken more than a few road trips between the Rift and the Pale in the hopes of bumping into the caravan so I could recruit him.

"It's called Skyrim, Mom. It's a heartwarming story of dragons, witches, and cats in samurai armor..."

Dark Spark wrote:Kharjo. It's like having M'aiq the Liar as an armed follower. The Blades armor I loot from Sky Haven invariably becomes his, I end up enchanting his Moon Amulet, and I've taken more than a few road trips between the Rift and the Pale in the hopes of bumping into the caravan so I could recruit him.

"It's called Skyrim, Mom. It's a heartwarming story of dragons, witches, and cats in samurai armor..."

One of these days, we will have M'aiq as a follower. And it shall be GLORIOUS. Enemies will fall to his rapier wit and humor. Foes will bow down to his glory. And I will never, ever use him cause I have some weird block about using followers who constantly get in front of me just as I release the trigger to fire an arrow or spell...


Now, back to the topic, I have a soft spot for Farkas. Guy's a bit simple, but his heart is almost always in a good place. Feels like having your own, helpful little brother.

Plus the man is a master trainer with Heavy Armor. Handy fellow to have.

1. Balgruuf. He gives some good starting gear and is generally a pleasant person.

2. The guards, at least when playing either a Nord or a Breton as then they are friendlier than towards Elves and Imperials. As somebody already said, they sometimes give good hints about places to go and some of their comments are rather amusing.

3. Jenassa. I don't know why, but she's my regular choice when I need a follower. Maybe it's her fighting style. With a bow and dual-wielded weapons she complements my usual archer playstyle quite nicely. Plus, she seems to be better at sneaking than most other followers.

4. Jon Battle-Born. He's above the petty clan-feud thing and quite friendly.

5. Heimskr. Gotta like a man who's so dedicated to his calling. My characters sometimes sit down on the opposite becnh and listen the whole sermon through just for entertainment. It's one of the things I don't like in Civil War on the Imperial side that they throw Heimskr into jail.

Delphine, for obvious reasons. Skyrim is the Delphine story, with the Dragonborn as the key actor making her plans come to fruition. She's like James Bond and Danny Ocean all in one (minus the personal charisma). Even that last bit makes sense, since her history, situation, and the gravity of her continuing duty would make an affable or suave attitude inappropriate.

Runner up goes to Mercer Frey. This guy was the one character who really stood out to me as a genuine rogue during the Thieves Guild questline. He's ambitious, competent, deceptive, conniving, greedy, but most importantly, has an independence of spirit that the other main TG figures, with their slavish devotion to the religious traditions of the institution, lack. I was cheering for Mercer and secretly hoping he would get away with the whole thing, even while it was clear from a gameplay perspective that things would inevitably turn out the way they did.

Will Zurmacht wrote:Delphine, for obvious reasons. Skyrim is the Delphine story, with the Dragonborn as the key actor making her plans come to fruition. She's like James Bond and Danny Ocean all in one (minus the personal charisma). Even that last bit makes sense, since her history, situation, and the gravity of her continuing duty would make an affable or suave attitude inappropriate.

Given that she's voiced by Joan Allen, I'm surprised you didn't throw in a paean to her support of the DragonBourne. That guy was a badass.

To just name off the top three:

1) Cicero - I just love a mad man.. need I say more

2) Serana - Her personality is so fleshed out along with her involvement. Most npc's you just hold a preference for, but hardly do you ever build an actual bond that was so well placed. It's a shame she'll turn down any advances you make

3) Balgruuf - He's by far my favorite individual in any seat of power, and many of his ideals makes me wonder why he isn't the leading candidate for High King. He understands the people, he knows the true enemy, and he knows this Civil War will be their undoing

I do like the guards and a special mention to Hrongar purely for the hilarious quote "I'm not a man, I'm a weapon in human form. Just unsheathe me, and point me at the enemy."

Mercer Frey - You know what they say : It takes a great ennemy to make a great hero. And having him as an ennemy is flattering indeed. He looks like a real ruthless thief and his voice actor is excellent.
I especially love what he says when you confront him :
I could feel a sudden shift in the wind.

Honourable mention to Maven Black-Briar : she's a true godmother I would have loved to have as an ennemy in this game.

Generally speaking and even though I hardly ever play a thief or the Thieves Guild questline, I find they are the best characters of the game. They feel more "real", for the lack of a better word.

Black_Dog wrote:Mercer Frey - You know what they say : It takes a great ennemy to make a great hero. And having him as an ennemy is flattering indeed. He looks like a real ruthless thief and his voice actor is excellent.
I especially love what he says when you confront him :
I could feel a sudden shift in the wind.

Honourable mention to Maven Black-Briar : she's a true godmother I would have loved to have as an ennemy in this game.

Generally speaking and even though I hardly ever play a thief or the Thieves Guild questline, I find they are the best characters of the game. They feel more "real", for the lack of a better word.

I have to strongly disagree. Maven was an incredibly weak character, and Mercer's potential suffered from the poor story of the TG questline. They were both pretty much universally annoying to deal with for me.

legoless wrote:I have to strongly disagree. Maven was an incredibly weak character, and Mercer's potential suffered from the poor story of the TG questline. They were both pretty much universally annoying to deal with for me.

How interesting (no irony here). They added so much color to the game for me... But I can understand what you mean : I'm always surprised when people actually like Astrid. To me, she's a bit of a loser.

Kharjo

"These sands are cold, but Khajiit feels warmness from your presence."

Aww! *hugs for Kharjo*

Lord Timster wrote:Kharjo

"These sands are cold, but Khajiit feels warmness from your presence."

Aww! *hugs for Kharjo*

And huggin' him will make you feel nice and warm too. All the fur.

I like the Khaajiti merchants the most I think

I kinda have a soft spot for Sven..

I mean, the guy is a crappy bard, with basically no "life experience".

You help him get with his crush, and then the guy will follow you anywhere.. And usually dies.

But still, that's some level of gratitude.

Mjoll!

Not a big fan of Mjoll's looks, but I married her anyway, because she's permanently Essential. Didn't want to have my spouse/personal merchant get killed during some random attack or other fracas at Heljarchen Hall. (Housecarl Gregor is a wanderer and is seldom at home for protection when the poo hits the fan. I've found him as far away as Riverwood to the south, and Dawnstar to the north.)

Mjoll's stalker friend Aerin got himself killed during the first Giant attack after he moved into Heljarchen uninvited. I can't say I shared Mjoll's grief.

ARNGEIR! He's a philosopher, a diplomat, and a Von Trapp all in one.

Second place goes to Lydia, who, despite all her passive-aggressive whining, never actually refuses to carry my crap.

I've grown really fond of Serana. I know I always read too much into games, but it's really almost like a real friendship unfolded between her and the Dragonborn. And on top of that I really like Laura Bailey's voicacting.

Cicero is another one I liked, mostly because despite being rather cunning, there's something genuinly foolish about that character.

Last but not least; M'aiq. I loved him in Morrowind and was so happy when I saw him again in Skyrim : D

It's very hard to decide. Maybe... Miraak?

Balgruuf is hard to beat, but I have a fondness for the archmage, Savos Aren, as well. Just something about his laid back demeanor and lack of desire to be called "sir" or anything like that. He's a good leader.

I really like Astrid and would probably say she was my favourite, I think she's a good leader on the whole.

I also really like Serana, Karliah, Vex, Kodlak, Farkus and Ulfric too =)

I haven't played in a very long time but the first to come to mind is Cicero. And eventhough he's only mentioned in-game, The Gray Fox. I know he's just out there lurking about.