Racism in Skyrim?

[Savagezion]

Khajiit - Sneaky assholes. Never trust any of them if you must deal with them at all.
He would prefer no elves of any kind or Khajiit being in Skyrim.

It is people like you who make Skyrim such a terrible place for my character!

Sorry.

If it makes you feel any better, Khajiit are probably my favorite race. Argonians give them a run for their money though with the ability to breathe under water.

 

[epikAXE]

I gets a little bit intense because when ever you are in combat with a different race they always use these Racial slures that the Bethesda team made up. It kind of gives you a whole apartheid feel.

Silence, Milkdrinker!

 

[DeleteThisAcc]

"When I went up to one of the Redguards, he said that they where just looking for a friend and if I could help."

You mean that quest where redguards what to kidnap/kill that redguard woman(princes or something)? "The guards where going on about how the Redguards only wanted to come in to rape children and abduct woman to sell into slavery." Well... they might be right...

Anyway Skyrim is not racist. It depicts world where racism is a problem. If whole game would be "go kill all Khajiit because they are bad" but in game they would not be bad, then it would be racist.


And why people have problem with games like skyrim and racism, why not look most modern shooters where all you do is kill russians, muslims...

It's strange... In games I have already killed whole population of germany like 7 times, but I have newer shoot jew. I consider that racist.

 

[The Lugz]

I always play as Argonians. I think it's pretty cool, really, and adds an extra dynamic of relationships between my character and the NPCs. Honestly I'm as racist as the Nords in that game, since I always try to avoid harming fellow Argonians even when I have no qualms with massacring entire towns of other people. It just makes me feel so guilty when they clearly trust me, and call me their friend (or marsh-friend) and I kill them anyway.

hail fellow Saxhleel marsh friend!

i have Argonians too, i think it's quite apt especially for skyrim considering were reptiles and supposed to have dragon blood
( i get that it isn't that simple, before you have to ram the schooling pencil )

it's also a shame we make such a good pair of boots..

 

[Mittenz]

I haven't heard the Whiterun guards talking about Khajiit or Redguard being racist, but while I was in one of the cities (not sure if it was Riften or Windhelm), I saw a couple Imperials harassing a Dark Elf woman. they threatened to come to her house late at night and assault her. This exchange happened a few feet away from my Dark Elf shadow-mage.
I considered tracking her home and keeping a watch on her house that night, but I didn't think there would really be a scripted attempt for that in the game, and I'd just be wasting time. Besides, there should be enough guards patrolling the place to keep her safe...right?
Does anyone know if they actually follow through with this plan? Because my Dark Elf is sitting on his ass at Breezehome, and he'd like nothing more than to exterminate some Imperial scum from that city. (if I could only remember which one it was )
The guy has a Thalmor robe buried in his chest at breezehome from an encounter he had with a group of these stuck-up supremacists escorting a prisoner for torture just because he worshiped Talos. Slaughtering a couple of Imperial brutes would be fun to him.

The city you're thinking of is Windhelm, where the leader of the Stormcloaks resides in the castle. The men you're thinking of are Nords who support the stormcloaks and hold disdain towards the empire, not imperials.

 

[Mr Companion]

The Stormcloaks are in essence an ultra-nationalist party and a pretty believable one at that when you come to think about it. Look at the BNP for example, its precisely why the empire is a better choice.

To be fair the empire is slightly damaging to Nordic culture but the nords are self destructively racist so its worth saving them from themselves.

 

[spartandude]

this isnt new to fantasy games. oblivion had some racism, and morrowind had alot
however i dont like any organisation that calls itself the empire and has no Death Stars in it, so i went to join the StormCloaks and the first thing i when entering Windhelm... two nords picking on a Dumner (darkelves are by far my favourite race) so i promptly joined the Empire instead hoping they would soon build a massive space station

 

[Proverbial Jon]

Khajiit - Sneaky assholes. Never trust any of them if you must deal with them at all.
He would prefer no elves of any kind or Khajiit being in Skyrim.

It is people like you who make Skyrim such a terrible place for my character!

Sorry.

If it makes you feel any better, Khajiit are probably my favorite race. Argonians give them a run for their money though with the ability to breathe under water.

Hey don't apologise to me, just know that pretty soon all this prejudice will lead my Khajiit character to turn to a life of crime due to her grief. Just sayin'

I'm playing an Argonian now as it happens. The underwater breathing is pretty damn helpful, although it does confuse me when my Argonian emerges from underwater and gasps in air as if he had been holding his breath all that time...

I was curious as to what 'milk drinker' meant so I looked it up on the Skyrim Wiki. Turns out 'milk drinker' is a suck up, who is weak mentally thus relies on their 'mom' which is pretty much an insult to you since to everyone... a thief is a milk drinker who's low and relies on others to get what they want.

This happened when I didn't reach the Giant in time to help finish it off since it was fighting the Companions. They had the nerve to say, "Looks like it's taken cared of, NO THANKS TO YOU." When I replied that I tried (as in tried to come help but they finished it off to quickly) then they replied, "Ah, you're a milk drinker then. That's no excuse to not help your shield brothers and sisters."

Well excuse me that I am a warrior class and you guys killed it off before I could even lay a hit so then you have the nerve to insult me for that. Least you guys made it up later on... but I won't forget that. Ooohhh no, you'll know I am no milk drinker. Khajiits are milk drinkers (joking).

Ahh right, that makes sense! Thanks for the explanation.

I missed the Companions and their Giant with my first character but just stumbled across them today with my Argonian warrior. I was also pretty annoyed that they dared to blame me for not helping when I was literally RUSHING over to get me a piece of that giant slaying action.

My "milk drinking" Khajiit married Aela the Huntress and we regularly go out at night and hunt, either with bows and arrows or sometimes in... other ways.

 

[BoTTeNBReKeR]

I love the racism in the TES Games! It gives me an excuse to add another head to my orc's collection.

 

[Spectrre]

I first realised this just after I picked a race. I chose to play as a Nord which immediately brought the guard with the check list great joy. He was also very taken aback when after he gave his "Norse power" speech the front woman still ordered me to my death. This made me realsise that this game might have a slight Norse supiriourity thing going.

After surviving the dragon onsluaght I was sent to Riverwood, where another man sent me to Whiterun. When I reached Whiterun the first thing that I encountered was a squatter camp filled with Khajiit. I went closer and over heard two of them talking about how the Nords would not let them into Whiterun because they think all Khajiit are rapists and theives. They then went on to say that all they are trying to do is raise a family.

When I entered Whiterun I saw a group of Redguards being herassed by Whiterun guards. The guards where going on about how the Redguards only wanted to come in to rape children and abduct woman to sell into slavery. When I went up to one of the Redguards, he said that they where just looking for a friend and if I could help.

Things like this kept happening throughout the game, and I didn't make a post about it earlier because I thought Yatshee would bring it up in his review of Skyrim but he didn't. So I want to know if I am the only one who has experienced this racism, and if you have, share your tales of witnessed racist actions within Skrim.

Don't always let yourself be fooled tho. Those Redguards aren't as nice as they seem. They're not looking for a friend. They're hunting a certain Redguard woman down that you can choose to help and protect (which is what I did). You'll probably run into some of the Al Akir or whatever they're called (the Redguard men) and you'll see them being not so nice to Redguard females they think is their mark/target.

 

[Dastardly]

I first realised this just after I picked a race. I chose to play as a Nord which immediately brought the guard with the check list great joy. He was also very taken aback when after he gave his "Norse power" speech the front woman still ordered me to my death. This made me realsise that this game might have a slight Norse supiriourity thing going.

...

Things like this kept happening throughout the game, and I didn't make a post about it earlier because I thought Yatshee would bring it up in his review of Skyrim but he didn't. So I want to know if I am the only one who has experienced this racism, and if you have, share your tales of witnessed racist actions within Skrim.

It's supposed to be an issue. The game is highlighting how loyalty to race, rather than loyalty to a cause, can cause tension and problems for people. The game expects you to notice the racism, but it doesn't expect you to agree with it.

As for the "Nord superiority" thing, remember that the Nords are natives of Skyrim. They feel that the other races have basically "invaded" their homeland and taken over. They were overpowered by the Empire, and forced to sign a treaty and accept foreign rule... and people are upset about that. For a real life parallel (sort of), look into the whole North Ireland trouble of decades past.

Also, something to remember -- in a fantasy setting, where people believe in "magic" and "curses" and "destiny," people are bound to be superstitious. And that's all racism is -- an ignorant superstition, believing that a person's race is inextricably linked to their personalities or tendencies. In a way, the game is commenting on how people thought in our own "Dark Ages."

So, you're right that racism is a theme in Skyrim. But the game itself is not being racist, and it isn't trying to make its players racist.

 

[Mikkaddo]

I first realised this just after I picked a race. I chose to play as a Nord which immediately brought the guard with the check list great joy. He was also very taken aback when after he gave his "Norse power" speech the front woman still ordered me to my death. This made me realsise that this game might have a slight Norse supiriourity thing going.

After surviving the dragon onsluaght I was sent to Riverwood, where another man sent me to Whiterun. When I reached Whiterun the first thing that I encountered was a squatter camp filled with Khajiit. I went closer and over heard two of them talking about how the Nords would not let them into Whiterun because they think all Khajiit are rapists and theives. They then went on to say that all they are trying to do is raise a family.

When I entered Whiterun I saw a group of Redguards being herassed by Whiterun guards. The guards where going on about how the Redguards only wanted to come in to rape children and abduct woman to sell into slavery. When I went up to one of the Redguards, he said that they where just looking for a friend and if I could help.

Things like this kept happening throughout the game, and I didn't make a post about it earlier because I thought Yatshee would bring it up in his review of Skyrim but he didn't. So I want to know if I am the only one who has experienced this racism, and if you have, share your tales of witnessed racist actions within Skrim.

I've seen all that and one bit that was so hilarious I was almost not mad. You see I chose to play as a Dunmer, specifically a Dunmer WOMAN, so naturally all the big strong Nord men are constantly belittling me for being just a woman and what not. But more over, the first time I chose to follow the Stormcloak guy cuz he was telling me on the way over (apparently assuming I was a Nord despite the GREEN SKIN) how the Stormcloaks are cool and the empire sucks and all that. So I go to a Stormcloak camp and find the leader who spends about 10 minutes telling me how he plans to personally rape and murder every Dunmer, Argonian, Khajiit, Redguard, Imperial, High Elf, Wood Elf, Bosmer and everything else that ISN'T a Nord and how the Stormcloaks want to not simply "take back the empire" but to eradicate ALL OTHER RACES ONE BY ONE. Then asks me if I want to join. Again, he says all this then asks a DUNMER if she wants to join their cause. Nice job Stormcloaks . . . I'm going with the empire

 

[Jfswift]

It's kind of realistic with the hatred for the elves at least since only recently they fought in a war.

 

[Furioso]

Fucks sake visit an Orc stronghold. They hate everyone.

Huh? I did one quest for them and now every single stronghold welcomes me like a brother (I'm an Argonian), what did you do to piss them off?

Be an Imperial Nord.

Oh that's interesting, didn't know they hated you based on varying races, thought they probably liked other orks, and hated everyone else the same

 

[Oly J]

I'm an elf, and I joined the stormcloaks, which is a little odd I suppose, mind you I also got into a tavern-brawl (I love those) with an anti-dark elf guy in windhelm (least I think it was Windhelm

 

[Hop-along Nussbaum]

Since the Redguards of Hammerfell seceded from the Empire (along with Black Marsh and Elswyr), they're being treated as traitors by the member countries of the empire.

Lots has happened since Oblivion.

First Century

4E 0 ? End of the Oblivion Crisis.

The banishing of Mehrunes Dagon from Tamriel by the Champion of Cyrodiil, Martin Septim, and the avatar of Akatosh ends the Oblivion Crisis. The Septim bloodline ends and the Amulet of Kings is destroyed. The Third Era ends, marking the beginning of the Fourth.
The Fourth Era begins with no Emperor on the throne of Tamriel. High Chancellor Ocato, the Elder Council, and the Blades try to maintain order. The provinces start to take advantage of the Empire's weakened state.

4E 1 ? The Empire's Collapse Begins

Black Marsh secedes from the Empire a few years after the proclamation of the new era; it is soon followed by Elsweyr.

4E ?? ? Titus Mede is crowned the new emperor by conquest.
4E 18 ? Prince Attrebus Mede is born.
4E 22 ? The Thalmor seize control of Summerset Isle and rename it Alinor.
4E 23 ? Annaïg Hoïnart is born.
4E 29 ? The Aldmeri Dominion is recreated after Alinor and Valenwood proclaim a union, and all contact is severed with the Empire.

The union came about after a Thalmor-backed coup overthrew Valenwood's government. The Empire and its Bosmer allies are caught off-guard and defeated by Altmer forces that invaded Valenwood following the coup.

4E 40s ? Umbriel, a floating city, appears on the coast of Black Marsh, heading toward Morrowind.
4E 40s ? Red Mountain erupts; Vvardenfell is destroyed.

In Vivec's absence, the Ministry of Truth becomes unstable. Vuhon creates an Ingenium that uses at first dozens of dying souls, then a small number of living ones to stabilize the rock. The soul of Sul's wife Ilzheven was among them. In a fight to free her, the Ingenium is destroyed and the rock crashes into the city of Vivec with all the energy it originally had. The impact causes Red Mountain to erupt and destroys the entire island of Vvardenfell, as well as causing massive destruction to the rest of the province.
The Argonians invade southern Morrowind after the eruption of Red Mountain.

4E 98 ? The two moons of Nirn, Masser and Secunda, vanish for two years in what becomes known as the Void Nights. The Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary in Cheydinhal is raided by Imperial Forces. The previous Listener is supposedly killed in the attack.

[edit] Second Century

4E 100 ? The Void Nights end, with the Thalmor taking credit for the return of Nirn's moons.

The Khajit credit the Thalmor as their saviors and Imperial influence in Elsweyr begins to wane dramatically.

4E 115 ? The Elsweyr Confederacy becomes the two kingdoms of Anequina and Pelletine, which the Aldmeri Dominion accepts as client states.

4E 122 ? Most of Winterhold collapses into the sea. The citizens have blamed the College of Winterhold but the College denies it.

4E 168 ? Emperor Titus Mede II ascends to the throne.

The Empire is now a shadow of its former glory. Valenwood and Elsweyr had been ceded to the Thalmor, Black Marsh had been lost to Imperial rule since the Oblivion Crisis, Morrowind had yet to fully recover from the eruption of Mount Vvardenfell, and Hammerfell was plagued by infighting between the Crown and Forbear factions. Only High Rock, Cyrodiil, and Skyrim remained prosperous and peaceful.

4E 171 ? The Great War begins with armies from the Aldmeri Dominion invading the Imperial provinces of Hammerfell and Cyrodiil.

After Titus II rejects an ultimatum to make massive concessions to the Thalmor, Aldmeri armies invade. An army led by Thalmor general Lord Naarifin emerges from hidden camps in northern Elsweyr and assaults southern Cyrodiil, flanking Imperial defenses along the Valenwood border. Leyawiin falls to the invaders, and Bravil is surrounded and besieged. Simultaneously, an army under Lady Arannelya crosses western Cyrodiil, bypassing Anvil and Kvatch and entering Hammerfell. This army is joined by smaller forces landing on Hammerfell's coast. Imperial troops are forced into retreat across the Alik'r Desert.

4E 174 ? The Imperial City is sacked by Aldmeri forces.

Titus II flees north from the city, smashing through the surrounding Aldmeri forces with his main army and linking up with reinforcements heading south from Skyrim under General Jonna. The Imperial City falls to the invaders. The Imperial Palace is burned, White-Gold Tower is looted, and the Aldmeri commit many atrocities against the defenseless populace.

4E 175 ? The Battle of the Red Ring results in the complete destruction of the Aldmeri army in Cyrodiil, a victory for the Empire precipitating the end of the Great War.

The Imperial City is retaken and Titus II's decision to withdraw from it the previous year is vindicated. Despite this resounding victory, however, the Empire is exhausted and unable to continue the war. Realizing this, Titus II seeks to negotiate with the Aldmeri Dominion to end the war.

4E 175 ? The Great War ends with the White-Gold Concordat.

The Concordat is a peace treaty between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion. The terms of treaty gave the Thalmor free rein to stamp out the worship of Talos throughout the Empire, and ceded a large section of southern Hammerfell. Critics note that these terms are almost identical to the ultimatum that Titus II rejected at the start of the war.

4E 175 ? Hammerfell leaves the Empire after rejecting the White-Gold Concordat.

Titus II renounces Hammerfell as a province of the Empire to preserve the treaty after the Redguards oppose ceding their lands. The Redguards see this as a betrayal, and a lasting bitterness between Hammerfell and the Empire is sown to the delight of the Thalmor. Hammerfell continues to war with the Aldmeri Dominion for the next five years.

4E 180 ? The Second Treaty of Stros M'kai is signed.

Having been fought to a standstill by the Redguards, the Aldmeri Dominion completely withdraws from Hammerfell.

[edit] Third Century

4E 201 ? Torygg, the High King of Skyrim, is killed by Ulfric Stormcloak at Solitude.

4E 201 ? The Nords of Skyrim engage in a civil war.

Factions consist of the Stormcloaks led by Ulfric Stormcloak, and the Imperial Legion, led by General Tullius.

4E 201 ? Dragons return and Alduin the World-Eater makes the first strike on the small town Helgen symbolizing the return of the dragons and the end of the world.

4E 201 ? The Dovahkiin saves the College of Winterhold as well as the city of Winterhold

Ancano's plot to seize power from an ancient artifact known as the Eye of Magnus, which was discovered during an expedition to the ancient ruins of Saarthal. The Psijic Order were also involved aiding the Dovahkiin in stopping the Thalmor and safely securing the Eye.

4E 201 ? Alduin is slain.

The Dovahkiin, with the help of the heroes of old, defeats Alduin in Sovngarde. Dragons remain in Skyrim but with no leader are scattered and sparse. It is hinted that Alduin was not utterly destroyed and that his soul may exist to return at end times to devour the world. Paarthurnax may be alive and is roaming the world. His plans include teaching all remaining dragons "The Way of the Voice" to overcome their nature to dominate.

4E 201 ? Emperor Titus Mede II is assassinated by the Dark Brotherhood while on a visit to Skyrim.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Fourth_Era

 

[dead.juice]

The city you're thinking of is Windhelm, where the leader of the Stormcloaks resides in the castle. The men you're thinking of are Nords who support the stormcloaks and hold disdain towards the empire, not imperials.

Oh... Umm...
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~bivancic/derp.jpg