Summary
- Almalexia is a Chimer goddess whose descent into megalomania leads to betrayal and a thirst for power.
- Mehrunes Dagon and Mannimarco are recurring characters throughout the series, always with evil intentions.
- Orvas Dren is a Morrowind crime lord with no redeemable traits, holding influence over both the government and the criminal underworld.
The long-running Elder Scrolls series is filled with colorful characters, from the godlike Aedra and demonic Daedra to smug shopkeepers and world-destroying dragons. Naturally, some NPCs draw the ire of players for various reasons. The likes of the Adoring Fan in Oblivion or Skyrim’s religious zealot, Heimskr, often taste the protagonist’s blade as a result of their irritating behavior. That’s not to mention Nazeem’s vexatious and arrogant attitude.
The Elder Scrolls: 7 Most Controversial Changes In The Series
From lore retcons in Oblivion to controversial creations in Skyrim, The Elder Scrolls series has brought its share of divisive changes.
However, the focus of this list is not those who dare to annoy players, but those who are particularly despised within their game worlds and across the entire series in some cases. Here are the most hateable Elder Scrolls characters, ranked based on just how despicable their actions are and how loathed they are within the Elder Scrolls universe.
8 Almalexia
A Living God With A Dark Side
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Released
- May 1, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox (Original)
- Appearances: The Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal, Online, and Legends; mentioned in others.
- Chimer Goddess of the Tribunal.
The hidden main antagonist of The Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal, the first of Morrowind’s expansions, Almalexia appears to have good intentions, even improving the lives of the Dunmer drastically. One of the three living Gods that make up the eponymous Tribunal, she seems to do the majority of the work while her colleagues, Sotha Sil and Vivec, only care about their own interests.
She gradually becomes more twisted and paranoid as the game progresses, losing the faith of her people as her powers diminish, as does her trust in the other gods, seeking all the power for herself. The loss of the Heart of Lorkhan tips Almalexia over the edge toward megalomania, and her scheme to take absolute power has to be stopped by the Nerevarine.
7 Cicero
The Insane Jester And Mother’s Keeper
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Appearances: Skyrim, Legends, Castles.
- Keeper of the Night Mother’s coffin.
Like Almalexia, Cicero could be considered a tragic figure. While he appears to be an insane jester who has a disturbing relationship with the corpse of the Night Mother, Cicero’s journals reveal a traumatic past and a gradual descent into madness, brought about by the countless deaths of those around him.
Many players find his high-pitched and erratic ramblings quite annoying, but that’s nothing compared to Skyrim’s chapter of the Dark Brotherhood who are looking for any excuse to kill him. When first encountered north of Whiterun, he was also reviled by the people nearby, being deemed troublesome and untrustworthy. His jealousy of the Dragonborn, along with the actions of the leader Astrid, bring about the downfall of the Dark Brotherhood in the province.
6 Alessia Ottus
Bigoted Writer Living In The Imperial City
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
- Released
- April 22, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Appearance: Oblivion.
- Writer of guidebooks about the cities of Cyrodiil.
A notable author of a popular series of city guides in Oblivion, Alessia Ottus appears to be perfectly nice when conversing with her in person, regardless of the player-character’s race. Her many books show a more bigoted side, holding views about the non-human races of Cyrodiil being inferior, and believing that non-Imperial humans are unclean and undesirable. She even gives beggars a hard time.
The 10 Best Weapons in Oblivion Remastered, Ranked
A complete list of the best overall weapons in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
Not only does she hold these prejudiced viewpoints about different races, but she also shows great ignorance about the Mages Guild. Her main source of disdain comes from the practice of necromancy, something that is very clearly outlawed by the guild during this time. Alessia’s religious zealotry is also pretty clear, since she’s displeased with the inclusion of the statue of Talos in the Imperial City’s Arboretum.
5 Jagar Tharn
The Main Villain Of Arena
The Elder Scrolls: Arena
- Released
- March 25, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Appearance: Arena, mentioned in other games.
- Primary antagonist in the series’ debut outing.
The final boss and primary antagonist of Arena, Jagar Tharn is a powerful and feared mage who usurped the throne and caused untold damage to Tamriel during his ten-year reign. Using the Staff of Chaos to trap Uriel Septim VII in the Planes of Oblivion, he then utilized illusion magic to pose as the emperor, instilling fear in those who questioned his power.
Causing untold damage to Tamriel, including splitting the land, Jagar Tharn punished anyone who posed a threat to his plans with death or banishment to Oblivion. It’s only when the Eternal Champion intervenes that the damage can be undone, causing the powerful mage to disintegrate and returning the true emperor to his rightful place on the throne.
4 Ulfric Stormcloak
The Divisive Killer Of Kings
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Appearances: Skyrim, Legends: Heroes of Skyrim.
- Jarl of Windhelm and leader of the Stormcloak Rebellion.
A polarizing character in the northern province, Ulfric Stormcloak is viewed as a hero to many Nords in Skyrim, but a complete villain to countless others as the High King’s assassin. Even his biggest critics agree that some of his points are valid, such as his opposition to the outlaw of worshipping Talos, and the Empire’s perceived weakness to the Aldmeri Dominion.
None of this can justify the Stormcloak faction’s treatment of other races, especially those of Elven blood. The Dunmer of Windhelm are forced to live in the slum-like Gray Quarters, while Argonians are not permitted to live within the city walls at all and must remain on the docks. His disdain for the Thalmor is not without justification, but that should not give him permission to mistreat Elven citizens, especially in the city where he holds power.
3 Mannimarco
An Ancient And Powerful Mage
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
- Released
- September 20, 1996
WHERE TO PLAY
- Appearances: Daggerfall, Oblivion, Online, Legends: Alliance War, mentioned in others.
- Altmer necromancer and the King of Worms.
The primary antagonist of the Mages Guild questline in Oblivion, Mannimarco is among the oldest characters in the Elder Scrolls series. Thought to already be thousands of years old during the events of Online and still lingering around in Daggerfall and Oblivion hundreds of years later, he and his Worm Cult amassed quite a following throughout these centuries.
Oblivion Remastered: 8 Strongest Summons, Ranked
Conjuring is a powerful tool in Oblivion Remastered, and the best summons in the game can often turn the tide of a tricky battle.
His goal in Oblivion is to overthrow the leadership of the Mages Guild and reinstate the practice of Necromancy with the help of his followers. He even cruelly uses the corpse of Vanus Galerion as a thrall. Obviously, this does not sit well with the Mages and the wider population of Cyrodiil and requires the intervention of the Hero of Kvatch to put an end to these evil misdeeds.
2 Mehrunes Dagon
A Powerful Influence Throughout The Series And Enemy Of All Mortals
An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire
- Released
- December 2, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Appearances: Daggerfall, Legend: Battlespire, Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim, Online, mentioned in other games.
- One of the Daedric princes of Oblivion and the primary antagonist in multiple games.
Having mounted several invasions on Tamriel and being hellbent on destroying all mortals, it’s understandable that Mehrunes Dagon is such a reviled figure by most people. Despite this, there are still those who worship him and seek to assist in his goals, most notably the Mythic Dawn.
His many atrocities, including the total destruction of Mournhold and the entire Oblivion Crisis, caused many to fear Mehrunes Dagon, but also hate him and those who follow him. Said to be the God of Destruction, he is often associated with events that cause great hardship, such as earthquakes, fires, and floods, testing the mettle of those who live through these volatile natural disasters.
1 Orvas Dren
Crime Lord With Influence Over The Government Of Morrowind
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Released
- May 1, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox (Original)
- Appearance: Morrowind.
- Plantation owner and highly influential figure in both the government and the criminal underworld.
In a game featuring Dagoth Ur, one of the best villains in video games, Orvas Dren manages to rise above him as a completely detestable figure. As one of the darkest characters in the series, he possesses almost no redeeming qualities. Brother of the Duke of Vvardenfell, influence over the Council of Hlaalu, drug dealer, and slave owner, he is one of the most notable and despicable figures in Morrowind.
As the leader of the Camonna Tong criminal organization, Orvas Dren inflicts untold misery on the people of Morrowind and essentially controls both the Fighters Guild and Thieves Guild. His ultimate goals are to rid the province of all non-Dunmer and rid the area of any imperial influence, but his lust for power even includes a plot to assassinate his own brother and become the new Duke.
The Elder Scrolls: 7 Oldest Characters In The Series
The Elder Scrolls and their prophetic powers may defy time, and so do many characters from the series, with some reaching thousands of years of age.