So before the leaked footage came out, I remember it being mentioned somewhere (the first gameinformer I think) saying that Esbern is the one who dashes into to save you from your execution. Anyone who has seen the intro sequence knows that this is not the case. Any thoughts on why he was absent?

Remember we didn't see the entire intro sequence. So it's very possible he'll show up later.

Personally I hope Esbern is the Nice Nord who apologizes for having to have you slain a the beginning. He is the only one who showed compassion towards you and the Blades once worked for the Empire, as did that fellow.

but if that were the case, you would still have the choice to follow Esbern or the other guy.

I meant in conjunction to what Jango said, sorry should have explained that better. I meant that maybe he feels bad and catches up to you after the chaos.

It's entirely possible that there are actually three factions: the stormcloacks, the empire and the supporters of the 'old empire'.

The latter is probably keeping away from battle or acting through the player (Blades), or it has sided with the stormcloacks.

The guy in the video who guides you through the fort/caves sounds a lot like the voice actor they got for Esbern. Maybe he just couldn't yet be arsed to introduce himself properly what with running for your lives from the Imperials and a dragon?

It'd be very chaotic:

ESBERN: Before we resume running, my name is Esbern. What's yours?

PLAYER:

ESBERN: Bob? Okay, good. Now run!

I kind like that they dont spring him on us right from the get go. He'll probably be early into the MQ.

Why does it have to happen that way? "No time to explain! If you want to live trust me!" or even he could hide himself in a shrouded cloak and not reveal his face until after he tells you who he is and why he saved you.

Maybe Esbern is the equivalent to Jauffre in OB

That is Hadvaar, whose name you can see as part of MQ dialogue in one of the TGS videos in Riverwood and in the quest objective which says "Enter the keep with either Ralof or Hadvaar" appearing right at the end of first video and beginning of second video.



That would be Ralof.

Maybe he's....http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQqvnyiP8Js/Tp8tL2t9t3I/AAAAAAAAAkU/UtFVu_y_ZHA/s320/SirNotAppearing.jpg.

Well, Esbern is hiding out in Sky Haven Temple. As a chronicler and agent of the last few remaining Blades, I doubt you'll ever see him in public.

Well, hes Stormcloak now. Why would he be apologizing? It wasn't your fault you got sent to your execution. How do you know he showed compassion to us? We have barely seen a few dialogue.

this it could also be that Beth change the intro since then.

I dunno, it seems pretty fixed.

I don't remember it being said he was in the beginning I only know we will meet him at some point.

Well, they did say Esbern saves you. This made me think Esbern called down the dragon with his shout to stop the execution.

I don't think Esbern has that power. He's not dragonborn afterall and can't use Dragonshouts. It's quite possible he can use thu'um like Jarl Ulfric, but I'm sure calling Dragons would be beyond them.

Thu'um allowed them to blow up entire cities but calling a Dragon is beyond them? You also are aware that they call to you from the mountains right. According to Todd that is.

I'm not disagreeing with you, you're right that they can destroy cities and such. But I just don't think they can use Dovahzaan. One needs the soul of a dragon to do such a thing, no?

you are talking about someone else. I am talking about the guy with the list at the beginning. He is Nord, not Imperial yet he works for the Imperials. It makes me wonder if he is Esbern and feels bad for your situation and catches up to you later.

No, I'm pretty sure that is still Hadvaar. you start following him once you exit the burning inn which you landed in from the fort. You can see him most clearly, at 11:58 into the video; when the player runs through the space between the house and the wall, a dragon lands right in front of him and he turns around to see Hadvaar. You follow Hadvaar until him and Ralof stand off at the entrance to the keep - "I hope that dragon takes you all to Sovngarde". Then you get the option to follow Hadvaar or Ralof into different entrances of the keep. Personally, I think Esbern will find you later in Whiterun.

Edit: Basically, if you go to 11:58, you will see that the person who you are following, whose name is Hadvaar, is the nice Nord with the list.