I would traditionally think a Nord would be good for this kind of character, but what sort of weapon should be used? Two-handed? Sword and board? Heavy armor and restoration is a definite, maybe along with some enchantment. As for the backstory, I'm not entirely sure why a Paladin would be arrested on the border of skyrim, I'm going to make him a devout follower of Talos, so maybe his reasoning could be that he deserted from the Empire after becoming disillusioned with the strict anti-Talos Policies after the Great War. I want this guy to be the poster child for the Dragonborn figure, so any tips on his build or how his backstory could go would be really appreciated. Btw, he will follow the empire in the civil war, I think it's more justified and it will be more cannon.

Well, the given reason for being arrested was getting ensnared in the ambush trap meant for Ulfric.

Will your Dragonborn be a Feeler who feels angry at the Imperials for entrapping him too, or will he be a Thinker who realizes that the ambush wouldn't have existed if it weren't for Ulfric and his rebellion?

Thinker, he knows the real enemy is the thalmor and the empire needs to be united, that talos cares more about the empire he created during his lifetime than about us openly worshipping him.

they never really give you a reason why you came to skyrim

Do you follow the Way of the Voice? Find all 3 words of Kyne's Peace and try to avoid fighting animals if you can.

Yes I follow the way of the voice but I also acknowledge that my dragon blood is a gift of akatosh and that I am destined to use it, and as long as I use it in the way akatosh meant for me to, then i am staying true to the way of the voice

You mean will he be a true Nord, and fight for the freedom and salvation of his land, or will he be a fool and a traitor who helps to bring Skyrim down with the boot licking Empire, and hand deliver them to their Thalmor masters? Being a coward doesn't mean being a thinker.

I doubt he wants to see his beloved Empire on their knees in front of elves.

What Talos wants doesn't matter: if people refuse to believe in Talos, he'll lose his power, and not be able to defend the Empire from anything.

That said, a classic paladin is one of the hardest things to play as in the game. Unless he's a pragmatist and thus doesn't find aligning with bad factions for the greater good, be prepared for some moral ambiguity.

I mean I know that I will have some moral ambiguity, I am prepared for that and I am gong to make my guy human, not perfect. As for the OP, two hand or sword and board? Suggestions for the build of the character? Enough of the ulfric lover comments, I am a diehard imperial and am loyal to he empire I've fougt for in every elder scrolls game

I'd recommend sword and shield. Much more effective, especially on higher difficulties, and against tougher enemies. And also, just more fun as far as combat goes in my opinion as well.

Yeah it is, I've played sword and shield for most of my melee characters excluding only my orc. But would a claymore or great sword fit the paladin image more?

I'd think the sword and shield would fit more, especially if you have the armor from Dawnguard.

if you're going to serve the Legion, you should boast about being a True Nord?, just to rustle people's jimmies.


I can't speak for the OP, but I personally have no qualms about both serving in the Legion and killing Thalmor.

If the Legion knew you were killing Thalmor, they'd arrest you faster than you can say "They stole my sweetroll!" Try killing a Thalmor member in front of any legion soldier, and I mean you hitting them first, not provoking them through dialogue. The one in Markarth is a good example. And I really doubt any1 would care if he called himself a true nord, regardless of his side.

That's only because that's the standard reaction for attacking a non-hostile NPC.

True, but you know if this was real, they wouldn't stand by while you jeopardize the treaty that they're so willing to sacrifice for by killing the people they currently have a treaty with, especially if you're with them.

Also because the thalmor would make the demand you be arrested, and you would because the empire won't risk their ire. Once you become a legion member, you start representing the empire. Until the emperor and elder council say it's ok, thalmor attacks are off limits(Unless you kill all the witnesses )