Riddles of Skyrim

By: Tre Brock (author, Zablocki Bros. LLC) on August 26th, 2013 12:00 AM.

http://evil-eagle.deviantart.com/art/Skyrim-Wallpaper-Var-2-267244655

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was a massively popular role playing game published by Bethesda Softworks, released on November 11, 2011. It was the fifth installment in The Elder Scrolls video game series. The non-linear game play gives the players and the developers of the game a lot of freedom. Although not extremely important to the story, the game is riddled with riddles.

Throughout the game there are several books of riddles that can be picked up. Two of these books are The Yellow Book of Riddles and The Red Book of Riddles. All of the books of riddles start with an explanation of the book, talking about intelligence and wit, making them one in the same. Here are some of the riddles:

A metal neither black nor red
As heavy as man's golden greed
What you do to stay ahead
With friend or arrow or steed

I gave you a sock, not unlike a box
With hammers and nails all around it
Two lids open when it knocks

The answer to the first riddle is lead and the answer to the second is "It must have been a great hit". For all of the riddles and answers of these books visit the red book and the yellow book.

Aside from books that you can possess in the game, riddles are also used in the actual gameplay. One example of this comes on Pilgrim's Path. On the third of five tests along the path a journal is left behind that contains a riddle instructing you how to pass the door. The riddle goes as follows:

Offer what she desires most, but reject the material. For her greatest want is that which cannot be seen, felt, or carried.

The riddle hints that you must extinguish the torches to reveal the Lady of Shadows. Situations like this are common in the vast game play and add an element of literature and wit to the game.