Ever since The Elder Scrolls 6 was first announced, Skyrim fans have been speculating which beloved NPCs might make a return in the next installment of the franchise. Given how likely it seems that the events of Skyrim, particularly those surrounding the Civil War questline, will have a significant effect on the storyline of TES 6, the prospect isn't outside the realm of possibility. That unfortunately means it's also possible that more unpopular characters will also make a comeback. There are plenty of annoying Skyrim characters who are best left in the past.

It isn't uncommon for characters from previous Elder Scrolls games to appear later in the series' timeline. There are quite a few Oblivion and Morrowind characters that return in Skyrim, for example, though many of them appear as spirits or other undead creatures rather than in their original form. The Daedric Princes are another example. Fan-favorite Sheogorath has been a staple of multiple Elder Scrolls games starting as early as Daggerfall. While The Elder Scrolls 6 probably won't feature the same main characters as those who had a role in Skyrim, central figures like Ulfric Stormcloak could make an appearance or have some impact on the plot of the game.

Related: Skyrim Easter Eggs That Could Hint At Elder Scrolls 6's Location

For the time being, it's still unclear where or even when exactly the Elder Scrolls 6 will take place. In the past, each new mainline Elder Scrolls game has been set after the one that came before it, be that a few years or even decades down the timeline. It's a safe assumption that the same will hold for TES 6, though some fans have speculated that Bethesda may instead take players to Tamriel's ancient past for a change. In addition, rumors have claimed that the game will take place in Hammerfell, which might indicate that the plot will center around further resistance against the Aldmeri Dominion. Again, however, much of TES 6's development remains a mystery, leaving room for nothing but speculation.

Maven Black-Briar Is Skyrim's Most Infuriating NPC

Skyrim Characters We Don't Want To See In TES 6 (Or Ever Again) Thieves Guild Maven

One of the more fondly-remembered parts of the game, Skyrim's joinable Thieves Guild faction is full of memorable characters, from the popular Brynjolf to the more controversial Sapphire. Maven Black-Briar, however, remains one of the most universally disliked characters of the questline. She's condescending and difficult in all of her interactions with the Dragonborn, and her status as an essential NPC means players have no choice but to continue their dealings with her both during and after the Thieves Guild's primary storyline. If the Imperial Legion is allowed to occupy Riften during the Civil War questline, she even becomes Jarl of the region. Due to both that and the large amount of influence she carries, she might make some appearances moving forward, maybe even as a villain in The Elder Scrolls 6. However, given how unpleasant she can be to interact with, it would probably be for the best if she was left behind in Skyrim.

Skyrim's Delphine & Esbern Shouldn't Return In Elder Scrolls 6

Skyrim Characters We Don't Want To See In TES 6 (Or Ever Again) Blades Delphine Exbern Paarthurnax

Two of Skyrim's most essential NPCs also happen to be some of the game's most controversial. Players are introduced to Delphine and Esbern throughout Skyrim's main questline. Both serve as members of the Blades, a near-obsolete group responsible for protecting the Emperors of Tamriel. However, given the Empire's state of decline during Skyrim, Delphine and Esbern's priorities have shifted to helping the Dragonborn solve the dragon crisis at any cost. After the end of the main questline, the Blades will refuse to work with the Dragonborn unless they slay Paarthurnax. Understandably, given Paarthurnax's popularity among Skyrim fans, this demand didn't sit well with most players.

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The rift between Paarthurnax and the Blades has become so notorious over the years that some of Skyrim's most popular mods exist solely to resolve the quest peacefully. Perhaps Bethesda will take that into account while developing The Elder Scrolls 6. If the upcoming Elder Scrolls game centers around rebuilding the Empire, it's probable that the Blades will have a significant role in that. Delphine and Esbern can both survive to the end of Skyrim, so they're likely to appear in that case. Paarthurnax is also a strong candidate to make a reappearance, though, which might lead players to face the same Paarthurnax killing dilemma as in Skyrim. Elder Scrolls 6 would be better off leaving Delphine and Esbern behind for more sympathetic characters instead.

The Dark Brotherhood's Cicero Shouldn't Return In Elder Scrolls 6

Skyrim's Cicero standing next to the Night Mother, looking toward the camera.

Skyrim's Dark Brotherhood is arguably just as popular as the Thieves Guild in terms of memorable questlines. Similarly, it's packed with notable characters, some of whom are more likable than others. Cicero is one of the most divisive characters in the Dark Brotherhood faction and all of Skyrim, with many players finding him annoying. Although players can kill Cicero at a certain point during the questline, he can likewise survive to the end of the game. This means he, like many other Skyrim characters, could return in The Elder Scrolls 6 or another future title. This is even more likely if the Dark Brotherhood returns in some shape, which it probably will, given the faction's longrunning history in The Elder Scrolls.

Skyrim - Heimskr & Nazeem Shouldn't Feature In Elder Scrolls 6

Skyrim Characters We Don't Want To See In TES 6 (Or Ever Again) Nazeem Whiterun

Not all of Skyrim's unlikeable characters are main NPCs. Some are more incidental, but their repeated encounters as the Dragonborn journies through the region of Skyrim leave a prominent impression in the mind of many players. Some of Skyrim's most recognizable minor characters are located in Whiterun, which effectively serves as the first major city most players encounter. For most, it even becomes the Dragonborn's primary hub area. The merchant Belethor and Jarl Balgruuf are two such staples of Skyrim's secret-filled city of Whiterun, but none are more notorious than Heimskr and Nazeem. Though their interactions with the Dragonborn are brief, their dialogue has made them famous in the years following Skyrim's release.

Related: Skyrim - Why Whiterun's Commander Is The Worst

Heimskr is a preacher who can be found standing in front of Whiterun's statue of Talos most hours of the day, shouting praise to the Divine and criticizing the Empire for acquiescing to the Aldmeri Dominion's demand to outlaw Talos worship. Seeing as the controversial matter of Talos worship is likely to return in The Elder Scrolls 6, Heimskr could appear as an Easter Egg of some sort. However, most players would probably agree the game would be better off without his constant yelling. Nazeem is another example of one of the worst and most irritating minor Skyrim NPCs, making jabs at the player every time he sees them. His repeated insinuation that the Dragonborn is too poor or undignified to make it to Whiterun's Cloud District has become a meme among Skyrim players. Although Nazeem would make for a fun cameo in Elder Scrolls 6, his addition would simply be annoying.

Skyrim's Rolff Stone-Fist Shouldn't Be An Essential NPC In TES 6

Skyrim Characters We Don't Want To See In TES 6 (Or Ever Again) Ulfric Stormcloak Civil War

While it's already clear that the Stormcloak Rebellion will play some part in the story of The Elder Scrolls 6, certain relevant characters from it shouldn't appear moving forward. Rolff Stone-Fist is one such example. When players first enter Windhelm, he can be found harassing the Dark Elf citizens of the city, something that he reportedly does just about every night. What's worse is that he's an essential story NPC in Skyrim, so there's no way for players to rid Windhelm of his bad attitude. Although he isn't as likely to appear as a more critical character like Ulfric Stormcloak, it's still possible he could be alive during the timeline of TES 6. However, Bethesda has better ways to show the continually growing divide in Tamriel than by bringing back one of Skyrim's most infuriating NPCs.

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