Much of the fun in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim lies in the accidental humor of a strange ragdoll animation or a poorly timed conversation, but there are quite a few intentional Easter eggs that can enhance the experience, too. Whereas some of these references are quite easy to come across, others require a keen eye and knowledge of media that may cause them to hide in plain sight. This is especially true of these vague Easter eggs, which most Dragonborn will have never noticed or realized were there, even ten years down the line.
As a longstanding series, The Elder Scrolls games often reference themselves – and Skyrim is no exception. For example, a particular Khajiit named M’aiq the Liar is a running joke in TES titles, often relaying the mechanical differences between previous and current games through borderline fourth-wall-breaking conversations. A much more recognized cross-reference, however, is Bethesda’s longest-running Easter egg, the sweetroll. Virtually anyone who has played Skyrim will at least be familiar with the infamous sweetroll dialogue that seems to be every guard’s favorite question. However, it turns out Skyrim can actually be subtle when it wants to be with these obscure Easter eggs that hard to find.
Skyrim Features A Heartbreaking Nod To Romeo & Juliet
Skyrim contains its fair share of love stories, especially if the Dragonborn owns an Amulet of Mara, but there’s no better way to symbolize heartbreak than by referencing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This bloody scene can be found in the Reach, slightly southeast of the Shrine to Peryite. At the base of a cliff, the player can run into the corpses of two seemingly star-crossed lovers, which are laid next to bottles of poison and a dagger.
The woman’s body is still intact, whereas her partner has already decayed, so it’s difficult to deduce what caused this tragedy. But considering this easy-to-miss Skyrim Easter egg is located near Skyrim’s most interesting city, Markarth, it’s possible that this may have been the end of an impossible relationship between a Nord and a Forsworn member.
Game of Thrones Easter Egg Is Easy To Miss In A Skyrim Quest
Skyrim and Game of Thrones share many similarities – in fact, the game was originally supposed to be a Game of Thrones spin-off, according to Tor – and so it’s no surprise that there’s an Easter egg referencing the show. It’s quite easy to miss, especially if the Dragonborn isn’t familiar with the fantastical world of Westeros, but practically anyone who’s knowledgeable about House Lannister will recognize a particular piece of dialogue.
If the player kills Madanach in Cidhna Mine, Thonar Silver-Blood will reward them with a ring and say, “The Silver-Bloods pay their debts. You have my thanks.” This is an almost word-for-word nod to House Lannister’s iconic saying in Game of Thrones, but it makes for a Skyrim Easter egg that’s hard to find.
Skyrim Has A Strange Snow White Easter Egg
Dwarves are some of the most mysterious characters in all of Nirn, so it’s surprising that despite the absence of Dwemer from Elder Scrolls titles, they still managed to receive this lighthearted Skyrim Easter egg. One particular room, found in the War Quarters inside Blackreach, is a clear reference to the Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with seven miniature beds aligned in a semicircle. Considering Blackreach was a central hub for the Dwemer population, it’s clear this sleeping chamber was used by dwarves – by seven dwarves, to be precise. There’s even a double bed across the hallway for whoever the Dwemer Snow White may have been.
A Hard-To-Find Poltergeist Easter Egg Is In Skyrim’s Scariest Quest
Skyrim‘s “The House of Horrors” quest is one of the most memorable in the game with Molag Bal’s unexpected twist, but the Daedra’s manipulation of the Dragonborn isn’t the only scary part. As the player becomes trapped in the house, items will start to fly around, as if being controlled by the telekinesis spell in Skyrim – and chairs that were aligned normally beforehand will now be stacked atop each other, in a fashion similar to the chair scene in 1982’s Poltergeist. In hindsight, it’s a clear nod to the horror movie, with the chairs and the object manipulation, but it’s an easy-to-miss Skyrim Easter egg in this tense quest.
Lady Of The Lake References Appear Twice In Skyrim Easter Eggs
In total, there are three Easter eggs that pay homage to The Legend of King Arthur within Skyrim, but the two lesser-realized ones specifically reference the Lady of the Lake. The first and more apparent example lies northeast of the Bleakwind Basin near Whiterun. A small pond inside the giant camp contains a skeleton arm, which holds a sword up over the water – just like the Lady of the Lake presented Excalibur to King Arthur. Similarly, although it’s not one of Skyrim‘s best Standing Stones, The Lady Stone can be found in the middle of Lake Ilinalta near Riverwood. This vaguely alludes to the Lady of the Lake’s aquatic home.
This Easy-To-Miss Skyrim Egg Is A Nod To Portal 2
Although Portal 2 came out mere months before Skyrim in April 2011, Bethesda still managed to squeeze in an Easter egg pertaining to the beloved puzzle-solving game. In Skuldafn – the temple where Alduin resided before the Dragonborn came along – there’s a small fireplace containing a peculiar combination of objects. A potato, a boiled crème treat, and three pieces of charcoal are carefully laid against the flickering flames in a way that hilariously resemble GLaDOS’ potato form in Portal 2.
It’s incredibly easy to miss this Skyrim Easter egg, as it’s quite obscured to anyone who isn’t actively looking for it. Plus, since Skuldafn can only be accessed through the “World-Eater’s Eyrie” quest, players will likely miss it by mistake. However, anyone returning for Skyrim‘s lengthy Anniversary Edition or otherwise can certainly get a laugh by seeking out this hilarious Portal 2 reference.
Skyrim is no stranger to Easter eggs, and some like the Notched Pickaxe or the several Star Wars homages are relatively well-known by now. However, some references still remain so secret that even the most experienced Dragonborn may not be aware of their existence. This is yet another testament to the genius of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and its ability to stand the test of time – in even the pop culture category – over ten years later.
Source: Tor, falldamage/YouTube