Esbern (Skyrim)

Esbern is one of the last remaining Blades - the powerful order of knights and warriors that served as the bodyguards of the Septim Emperors, and were known as the eyes and ears of the Emperors throughout Tamriel.

Background
As the last of the Blades, Esbern has been monitoring the ancient prophecies of Tamriel, and had predicted the return of the Dragons under Alduin, the Nordic God of Destruction whose return will lead to the destruction of Nirn. He also has the title of Blades Archivist, and knows a great deal about the nature of the Dragon Threat in Skyrim. He is closely associated with Delphine, another Blade operative. He is being persecuted, and as so is very cautious.

Present
Esbern is the mentor, guide, and advisor of the Dovahkiin (Dragonborn); a chosen one among many who had been ordained to fight Alduin and his servants, after the release of Alduin and the dragons back into Tamriel nearly two centuries after the Oblivion Crisis.

Known Bugs
For many people Esbern will be buggy; his voice acting files will not load, for example, which leads to subtitles lasting about half a second on-screen and no sound coming from him when you first encounter him, as well as a few other problems, like a certain door not opening when it should. The door bug can be solved by quick-saving and then quick-loading while in front of said door.

If esbern continues to glitch and stop you from completing the quest like with alduin's wall, just keep making conversation with him. Other npcs will eventually carry on and allow you to complete the quest. (finished the quests involving esbern by a combination of killing him via console and then resurrecting him as well as continiusly engaging in conversation with him)

This bug can be fixed if you unpack the Skyrim - Voice Extra.bsa files into the data folder, or download it already unpacked here with instructions inside. (For now, only confirmed on PC).

Behind the Scenes

 * In Bethesda Softworks' The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Esbern is voiced by the Swedish actor Max von Sydow. He is famed for his acting in movies such as The Seventh Seal, The Exorcist, Minority Report, Robin Hood and Shutter Island. In the trailer, Max von Sydow voiced Esbern as the narrator.

Appearances

 * The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim