Yes, I hate her. The woman is as dumb as a rock. She doesn't keep up on current events. The town guards know more about what's going on than she does.

Delphine: "You get to go to a party at the Thalmor Embassy. They know me. They've been trying to kill me for years. You're an unknown. They don't know you. If you can act like a Thalmor toadie, you should fit in just fine."

Now Delphine, did you know that they've sent several hit squads after me? Here's the papers complete with photo? "Wanted: DEAD Sonja." Oh, and unknown? Ummmm... have you even listened to the guards when they've come in for a drink? Sonja was in Solitude and was seen in Castle Dour when 1) the emperor's cousin and husband were killed by the Dark Brotherhood; 2) was seen on the docks in Solitude and attacked on site by the Pentius Whatever Commander Maro only moments before she was seen diving into the water...... the emperor was assassinated shortly later by .... guess who? And you expect me to go in completely unarmed not even wearing any jewelry??? Even took my dagger that I'd carefully concealed in my boot. Or even the question? "Why does your horse have red eyes?" Or maybe she just knows better NOT to ask. The guards start talking to Sonja about stuff and then say "uhh.... nevermind. I don't want to know."

And the ***** took all of my potions. All of them before the mission. I couldn't even get ONE in. Did the Thalmor even do a pat down? No. I've had an more difficult time boarding a BART train in SF. Fortunately the place was laden with regen potions. And our wood elf friend? He gets caught, and starts belly aching to me how the Thalmor are going to be hunting him for the rest of his life after I run the two Thalmor guards through because I didn't turn myself in. I wanted to load up on some loot, so I went back into the embassy and he follows instead of leaving, and besides I wanted to kill more Thalmor.

Oh and Delphine knew of the trap door exit, most likely and failed to mention it as a possible way of sneaking in. That would have been a better mission. But luckily a big assed Elder Dragon attacks and attacks me, but I hide briefly, and use Mark of Death on the Thalmor that were fighting against him. Of course he didn't attack me again. This took care of the rest of the Thalmor in the embassy except for one as I watched the dragon fly off and watched Mark of Death sap the life out of the last mage. That was quite satisfying. Our wood elf friend was no longer belly aching. Sad to say he met his demise from a Thalmor sword.

But did Delphine even ask if he made it? No. She didn't care. Did Delphine even ask about the prisoners I released? No. Did she even care? Did she ask about any intel I'd found other than whether the Thalmor knew anything about the dragons? No. All she cared about was Esbern. The woman has a room temperature IQ.

She says "We've even forgotten what the Blades were about. I'm the last one. So here's what we're going to do." Where have I heard that one before? Astrid? I'm seeing that Olava's reading is correct. The only family Sonja has is her Dark Brotherhood.

lmao

I love it and just need to add one important thing

when you give the wood elf some things to take with you they can include anything you'd like to bring, including potions, jewelry and lockpicks because omgosh there's some really pretty and totally useable/fenceable stuff in that solar!

oh, and I've only managed to save the wood elf twice out of five times... svcks. they go for him right off so you have to be ahead of them and it's not as easy as it might sound.

fus ro dah her off the top of sky haven temple... she comes back, but its really theraputic to picture it

wow... dragon in the embassy. lmao... that's only partly as svcky as it is really awesome that they got to taste first-hand what it's like to fight one. heh

i hate how long it takes her to walk up the stairs. Come ooooooooooooon, Delphine! ive got worlds to save!

I just did that today on my second character. By this point his was thane of every hold, legate of the Legion and master of the College of Windhelm. Unknown? I think not - I'd say he was just the sort of person who would be invited (were it not for the fact he's been killing every Thalmor he encounters and had Thalmore assassins after him...)

And the Sky Haven temple - god. I'd already visited it once, just exploring. Esbern and Delphine just stood and stared at that puzzle to lower the bridge (which I'd already lowered) for an eternity. An eternity! I was stood up the top, drumming my fingers for quite some time.

First time I reloaded due to not having anything except my good looks to give weapons and armor to Malborn, Malborn, that's the wood elf's name. Malborn. The "walkthrough" said I could wear some jewelry and carry a dagger so I did this the second time and I took the Blade of Woe (Legendary), the infamous blade that slit the throat of Mede II. Delphine can KMA. I was tempted to don Hooded Thalmor Robe and wish for the option of "Toadie enough for you?" It didn't matter though. I gave Malborn enough to weigh down a pack mule this time.

Malborn.... He stands and takes an eternity in the kitchen, I wait and wait, and finally got him moving by punching out the cook who is very fragile -- be careful. I killed her quite by accident. And where was all the phat loot? Elven Light Armor and Thalmor Robes with the occasional glass dagger or craptastic elven dagger?

I thought the dragon dropping in on the Thalmor Embassy was great. It was fun helping the dragon for a change. One dragon I can kick its derrier, a dozen Thalmor at once and several higher level mages and me having no health potions? Not so good odds. The dragon didn't seem to mind the extra help either. But why isn't anyone talking about the massacre at the Thalmor embassy party?

Interesting about Ulfric: Asset (Uncooperative)....... He's an asset (uncooperative) as long as he can keep Tullius and the Empire from dominating Skyrim. .... We will have full access as long as both sides stalemate. Definitely do not want a Stormcloak victory.

So the best outcome for the Thalmor is the "Truce". Sounds like the Stormcloak victory is their worst nightmare.

Was Esbern marked essential? Because I think I killed everyone in the Rotway looking for the Thieves Guild. Or is he that old beggar guy that hangs out in the Merchant's District?

In hindsight I probably could have gone through after killing the cook starting out with the kitchen knife and taking out a Thalmor guard, then donning the armor and weaponry done what needed to be done. But I'm paranoid about potential danger and brought the major can of whup. Hmmm..... Paranoid.... Listener for the DB.... friend of Cicero... fits.

Evil will always triumph over good because good is dumb. - Dark Helmet, "Space Balls"

And Meridia? Your sword svcks against Deathlords, and yes I upgraded it.

How'd she find the back door to Jurgen Windcaller's tomb?

The last of the Blades and it had to be her.

Oh Baurus... I miss you old friend :'[

A better question is, how did she manage to relock the back door on the inside, once she was out again?

No kidding.

lol

the first guard I passed on my way to dump off loots in Riften and fence some really pretty golden stuffs after being through the Solar thanked me for really sticking it to the Thalmor... gave them a black eye, I think he said.

I was very proud of my accomplishment because no one seems to know that I wipe them out on every road, in the dark and in the light... from right up front or sneaking behind them... if the guards know then maybe someone will whisper my name at a darkened table in a Thalmor embassy somewhere and they won't sound all pious or condescending. They will finally know the name of fear for the first time in more than 200 years. And that name is Delia.

lmao

Yep, that was pretty funny. On my "mq" toon, so far mostly all I'd got was, "I'm watching you" (and she's a NORD for chrissakes! You don't want to know what the Khajiits hear....) not to mention the arrow in the knee comments. So on her way back to Whiterun, EVERY GUARD has something nice to say about killing all those Thalmor etc. In fact, she ran across one of the farmers on his way to join whoever (can't remember which side now), and HE mentioned the Embassy action. I was pretty amazed. Probably the ONLY kudos the dragonborn ever gets, y'know?

Two more fun little tidbits:

* Meridia: "And will you use my sword to spread my word... blah blah blah." I'm not an idiot. I looked down. Never say no to a minor god that has you about 40,000 feet up in the air. Choice 2 "I'll keep the sword, but find someone else to spread your word." would not have been a prudent response. I learned that from Ghost Busters -- "Next time when someone asks you if you're a god, you say 'Yes.'"

* At the Thalmor Embassy -- Thalmor Ambassador: "And you are?" For the hell of it I used the first response, figuring that at that time having had a fifth death squad sent after me and being #1 on their Ten Most Wanted list, it would be celebrity time, and a bit of fun since I can cast a spell or two, but was shocked "Yes, I vaguely recall your name being on the guest list." Which gave me the full realization that we can kick their butts all the way back to the Summerset Isles.

I don't blame Meridia for trying. She's desperate. But see my sig. I'm not sure I want to help anyone.

Delphine is by far the worst written character yet in an Elder Game.

Here are three top things that bothered me (along with what the O.P. said).



*Delphine manages to leave a note where the horn was supposed to be, yet neither she nor does the game give any explanation as to how she accomplished this.

Some people say she used the backdoor, well good for her, now why the hell was I not able to use it?! There is no switch, level puzzle door, nothing for the backdoor.



*Delphine needs me to prove I am the Dragonborn.

This pissed me off and made me want to slap her upside the head for being so damn dumb. Everyone seemed to hear the call of the Greybeards, but her, is she freaking deaf?! Furthermore, everyone knows the Greybeards do not welcome you into High Hothgar unless they believe you are Dragonborn. Again, I find it hard to believe that she missed this, since she runs a damn tavern where everyone goes to gossip.

Then the Greybeards asked me to get the horn, which she knows that if the Greybeards knew I was Dragonborn would have sent me to claim it. We go off to Kyensgrove; I kill a dragon and absorb the dragon’s soul. Delphine is all shocked to find out I am Dragonborn. WTF?! Lady, seriously, please just go off and get eaten by a dragon.



*Last, one is when she tells me, to be evil, give the Greybeards the finger and join her cause, because being an idiot is the new super cool of The Blades. You know talking to Kynerath (the sky) is bad, but killing the leader of the Greybeards is a great way to start the Blades off again. They should just proclaim to be assassins, call themselves “The Dark Blade Brotherhood.”


Delphine is selfish, rude, and has the intellegence of a Cannoli. This is a far cry of what the Blades seem to be in Oblivion.

Best guess that I can give you is that she's a thief/rogueish type. I mean, look at Mercer Frey, for example. He doesn't even need dragon claws to open dungeon doors. Thinks everyone makes too big of a deal out of them. He's got elite infiltration skills. I think Delphine is probably in the same category.

Hun, he used the pick he stole from Nocturnal to gain acess.

Sides, did she have a crow bar hidden in her bra, to pry open a rock soild door....AND knew exactly where it was?!

My grandmother used to make Cannolis. Don't insult Cannolis! (I'm guessing Bats is Italian from NY)

In fairness to the Blades, they 1) lost their purpose when Martin Septim gave his life in Oblivion. 2) were mercilessly hunted down and exterminated during the Great War with the Dominion. Their lore was burned. The only one left at the time you meet her is Delphine. She doesn't even know what the lore of the Blades was all about. She's making it up as she's going along. She's got more in common with Astrid than anyone else. She's trying to build another guild based upon what is now a myth. Esbern is the only other remaining Blade and even he doesn't know very much about the original Blades. They stopped protecting the emperor when the emperor was no longer of dragonborn lineage. Essentially the organization was floundering for 200 yrs. Now they're gone. The dragons return. You're here. And even the Thalmor don't know why the Dragons have returned.

Yes, if you did the Thieves Guild quests and got the Skeleton Key from Mercer and didn't finish the part with Nocturnal, you can open any door in Skyrim. That's how Mercer was opening the combo doors.

And Delphine doesn't need no stinking skeleton key.

But what gets me is that Delphine has no clue as to what she's doing, and she's all "I don't even know what the Blades were about, what their code was, whatever, but this is the way we're doing things. Understand, oh Ms. High and Mighty Greybeards Called Me? You're taking orders from me, b****! And don't you roll your eyes at me! I'll roll that head o' yours... oh? Think you can take me, huh? Well, I'm essential and you? Your just some little punk a** b**** come in from Cyrodiil thinks she own this place."

lol i see. no i didn't bother with the quests that far in.

As far as I'm concerned, she's only essential until you use the console as it was intended to be used...