I was traveling north of Solitude when I happened upon a random group of Thalmor. Of course, since I hate Thalmor, I killed them, leaving no survivors. Soon after, I found another group and killed them too. I then went on to complete my brief quest.

When I arrived back in Solitude, the guards swarmed me, swords drawn, demanding that I submit for my crimes. But I already paid the 47 gold for the potion I stole from the Winking Skeever! They demanded 1000 gold, so of course, I paid it, entirely nullifying my profit from the cave I just looted.

Did I earn that 1000 gold bounty by killing Thalmor on a remote street, even though I left no survivors? I thought a crime would go unrecorded if there were no witnesses, or none survived?

Sneaksy Thalmor, beat me even in death!

Every Thalmor patrol has one sneaky runner following them in the bushes.

You must've missed him. He's very sneaky.

Well worth the cost. But it would be better to receive an award of some type for killing Thalmor.

I had a similar situation but it stated all witness were dead and so the bounty cleared.

No idea here, I have slain Thalmor even with witnesses and had no bounty for it. Imperials on the other hand always seem to draw attention when I attacked them on sight.

I usually get 40 bounty for a patrol. I have been attacked by hunters and even Vigilants after taking some Justicars out, though. Unsurprisingly, it seems to be a lot worse in Haafingar, where the guards attack on sight rather than casually taking 40 gold and then leaving me to it.

any near-by animals? they can speak aswell, ya know, and they dont like criminals

Talk to them first and tell them you are a Talos worshipper. They will attack you and you can kill them without getting a bounty.

I came across a hand full of vigilants fighting some necros who were also fighting some bandits. All were hostile towards me. After every one died by my hand another Vigilant of Stendarr came walking down the road as if nothing had happend.

What I meant by this is that I assume he had been in the ight or at least near by, but no bounty was given.

I had a similar experience.

I came across the usual 3 Thalmor at night while on my way to Whiterun.

I killed all 3 and continued my journey.

4 Whiterun guards jumped me near the meadery.

Killed them and headed into Whitrun.

None of the guards in the city paid any attention to me. Even tried to speak with one to see if I had a bounty.

Headed to the Jarl's palace to use Farengar's arcane enchanter. Was immediately jumped by everyone in the palace.

Made it back outside and was apprehended by a guard. Paid the 2000 gold or so bounty the guard demanded, which made everyone happy with me again.

Didn't see any witnesses to either the Thalmor or Whiterun guards slaughter.

In other situations, I've received the same "no witnesses left ... bounty cleared" message mentioned by another poster.

Didn't get it in this situation so I guess someone saw and ratted ... or should I say skeevered ... me out to the "man".

I know bounties aren't random, but they sure seem like it sometimes.

I assassinate a noble in Sloitude, no problem with the guards. Wander around questing, come back to Solitude and every guard in town throws down. I had no idea where to save back to, since I don't know which dastardly act triggered this attack.

There should be an optional list to see current bounties, cost, and location.

That's an interesting idea. Usually, when I hear them say I'm "interrupting official Thalmor busin....", the sentence stops because they have my daggers in their back. I'll try to have them attack me.Maybe I missed it, but I saw no notice of "no witnesses, bounty cleared" or "bounty added" after killing them. Guess I'll have to find more to beat up to test this.

Just have a religious discussion with the Thalmor. Then then you don't have to murder them.

Yeah, unless you kill all the witnesses (and every bit of wildlife in the vicinity), killing the hated Thalmor will rack up a bounty. Imagine if Canada teamed up with Mexico (after conquering it) and warred with America, leaving both nations/empires at a bloody standoff, only keeping the peace with an uneasy truce. Imagine that in the terms of the truce, Canada said that for there to be lasting peace, we had to agree that George Washington was not the first President, and one of the most important of the Founding Fathers. Now imagine that Canada sent mounties (EVIL mounties!) to patrol the states and root out anyone who professes to believe in George Washington's presidency. The catch is that they have dispensation to do so, with the full backing of the US government. While ofing them might feel really good, it would still be illegal. Hence the bounty gained for slaughtering those bastard Thalmor.

(*Disclaimer: While I live in the US, I loves me some Canada. It was just the easiest anology that I could come up with.)

The thalmor will sometimes come after you themselves you can take the note of the dead body of the justicator after you kill them. The note says that you should be hunted down and killed with extreme hatred

If you let them attack you first by saying you are a Talos worshipper, you will gain no bounty.

This. It may sound like a joke, but it's true: animals (domesticated ones for sure) count as witnesses. IDK if wild animals count as witnesses, but domesticated ones do...or did unless it was fixed in a patch.

i remember a fox telling on me before, so unless it was fixed any wildlife will turn you in

True fax right here. I've had to kill a LOT of horses to get my bounty to go away.

Yep. Love it....

Well I don't just run up and attack them. I talk to them and force them to attack me, since I totally want to destroy them.

Sometimes I get a bounty but it usually says "last witness killed. bounty removed"

And speaking of the random thalmor, has anyone noticed that the thalmor guy in markarth says they are to watch what the nords are doing and are all over skyrim watching the people yet the only two places I've found them are markarth and the college?

I've never had a bounty as long as the Thalmor attack me due to "being a Talos worshipper".

They've got eyes all over Skyrim. Assuming that Thalmor agents have to be Altmer probably works to their advantage, since they've got snitches of all races.
I've even gotten them to attack me for being vague about who my character worships, saying something like "I can worship whoever I want" then they lose their minds and attack.

Heh. I've never tried that option. I just go for the jugular.

Oh, yeah. They say something like, "That's where you're wrong. You'll pay for that.", right? Next time I gonna' try the Remain Silent or "..." option.

This. I jumped the gun once and hit the Thalmor Justiciar, getting an immediate 40g bounty for assault. I'm sure it would be upped to 1000g if I had killed him, but I reloaded and kept my cool. Just keep talking to them. It doesn't matter what the final option is, they'll always flip out and attack after saying, "...and so you shall die a heretic's death!"

The other thing is to accost the one bringing up the rear every time. He or she will belittle you at length while the others continue well down the road. At one point, the Thalmor you are speaking to will attempt to run off and catch up with the others. Immediately re-engage him/her in conversation.

Watch out for other observers, though. Hunters, bandits, draugr, chickens, horses... who knows how many of these are trying to earn merit badges?