I've been playing Skyrim for awhile now, and each time I heard of dlc coming out I'd hope that Beth would fix the problem with the roads.

There is just simply no traffic on the roads of Skyrim, no travelling merchants and people walking down them. It just feels really empty. Atleast Fallout had travelling caravans, the only thing that comes close to that is the Khaajit traders but they don't even pull a wagon. But when they get to a town apparently they pull tents right out of their... well you get the picture. So I was wondering if anyone else has felt lonely travelling the lifeless roads of Skyrim.

I know it kind of ruins it for me, and encoutering the odd imperial prisoner escort of the Thalmor killing squad which seems to find me waaaay off the road in the middle of nowhere. Serioulsly I mean I was out in the middle of the woods just randomly exploring a new area and they popped out like they knew I'd be there but I didn't even know I'd be there. They should ambush you on the roads. Anyways those encounters don't really count cause there isn't much to them, oh the Thalmor want to kill me why? I'm a highly skilled theif that hasn't ever been seen stealing from anyone? I'm a vampire slayer who lets just admit is really frigging cool with his awesome dwemer crossbow and all of three gold in his pocket? I just left Riverwood and only have an iron dagger and really no enemies cause no one knows me and I haven't even talked to anyone? Also there is no story behind the prisoner escort other than "This doesn't concern you. Move along." or the even rarer Stormcloak patrol who just ups and attacks me even though I am working for them. These bare bones encouters only enforce the idea that Beth didn't put much thought into a more organic world, how is Whiterun a trade center if no one goes there but the Khaajits and they can't sell inside the walls? How is the EEC making money if no ships dock at Solitude?

I guess I just want a more lively world and don't know what to do...

With the current character I'm playing, I haven't been fast travelling at all (carriage or otherwise) and I've encountered quite a lot of people/things in my travels. Having said that, I do wish there was more traffic of the non-violent variety.

Unless travelers have bodyguards with them, I prefer that the roads remain relatively empty. In Oblivion, often npcs would travel the roads alone and would end up killed by bandits or random creatures, and over time the cities would be noticeably less populated because the citizens were dead along the roads.

Every now and then, I'll be attacked by a Dark Brotherhood assassin or random thief. I also have run into a group of travelers who offer my character a drink, as well as a trio of people on their way to some party, and there is a traveling bard who can defend himself quite well from attackers.

If the roads seem a bit empty, I assume it's because the people of Skyrim know it's not safe to travel without an armed escort, as they're likely to be robbed, murdered or eaten.

there's a mod that add's travelers to the roads of skyrim

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/10527

Hate being a PC elitist, but that's why i hate playing the vannilla version of skyrim. So many things I wanted to see changed...

second mod link "travelers of skyrim": http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/15501

I too have seen a great deal of traffic. But ive always chalked it up to the storyline. They say in no uncertain terms that the nord people believe the return of Alduin and the dragons to herald the end times. Npcs comment all the time on the dragon attacks and the marauding bandits, to say nothing of the marauding dragons. Not exactly safe for walking the roads. Hell, even ad the dragonborn, I rethink walking the roads sometimes. Especially in the beginning hours when a dragon encounter is nothing to scoff at.

I've seen some traffic as well, from nobles with bodyguards and the Khajiit caravan.. and I occasionally run into M'aiq as well (though this hasn't happened yet with my current playthrough, haven't gone much of anywhere). I haven't really cared about seeing more traffic though, mainly because I actually like the road to myself. I've also seen the Headless Horseman here and there as well.

Ironically I think Skyrim's roads are more full of traffic than any other Elder Scrolls game.

I dunno I never seem to encounter many people on the road, and there is probably an easy way around them dying while you aren't there to protect them.... or cause their death.

Lonely roads? Thanks to the millions of wolves I kill on a daily basis, I'm wishing this were true. I can't get any alone time on the roads. A pack of wolves around every corner.

It's either wolves... Or Talsgar. I. Hate. Talsgar.

If all you have seen are Thalmor you either haven't been playing that long or fast travel too much.

There are revelers, peddlers, farmers taking a cow to a Giant camp, farmers going to Windhelm to join the Stormcloaks, farmers going to Solitude to join the Imperials, farmers who lost their farm to a dragon attack, a wedding party going to Solitude, a Noble and his guard, Alikr warriors looking for someone. And these are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

A number of NPCs mention that with the war, they don't travel or "no one" travels.

Isn't there a Civil War going on in Skyrim? It's a good excuse for why there aren't that many people on the roads. Though there SHOULD be some refugees.

Roads? Riding a wave of waterfalls is too much fun.

Seriously though, I do miss the Black Horse Courier chick riding her horse. I'm surprised we never see a carriage, or two traveling the road night or day.

"Scenic Carriages" is a fun mod.

You will occasionally see carts or parties of refugees who've been slaughtered- both on the roads and in some dungeons like Falmer dungeons.

Good explanation right there why there aren't more people on the roads.

There are Stormcloak couriers, Imperial couriers, and the regular courier who doubles as a streaker.