Irileth

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"More than one would-be assassin has met his end at the tip of my blade."

―Irileth

Irileth is a Dunmer nightblade and a resident of Whiterun living in Dragonsreach. She acts as housecarl to Jarl Balgruuf the Greater, and rarely leaves his side. She assists the Dragonborn in their first battle against a dragon, Mirmulnir. She is encountered again later, as ally or enemy, during the Civil War questline.

Background

Being early battle comrades, Irileth and Balgruuf agreed that she would be assigned as his Housecarl. It is known that Irileth is more protective of the Jarl than most Housecarls. At some point in her life, Irileth was trained by the Morag Tong guild of Morrowind.

Personality

Irilith is very serious about her job and her loyalty to Balgruuf. Even after the Dragonborn kills Mirmulnir, Irileth remains distrustful of him/her, though she still tells the Dragonborn that she is glad that he/she is on her side. She doesn't seem to care much about Skyrim's traditions or tales; after Mirmulnir is slain, she refuses to involve herself in debating about the player's identity as a Dragonborn: she is simply relieved that the dragon is dead.

If the Dragonborn visits Irileth in the Blue Palace after claiming Whiterun for the Stormcloaks, she speaks of the many dark ways she has dreamt of the Dragonborn's death.

Interactions

Dragon Rising

When Mirmulnir attacks the Western Watchtower, she asks the Dragonborn to assist her with defending against the dragon.

Civil War

See also: Battle for Whiterun (Imperial) and Battle for Whiterun (Stormcloaks)

If the Dragonborn sides with the Imperial Legion, then the Dragonborn will fight alongside Irileth to protect Whiterun from the Stormcloaks. Alternatively, siding with the Stormcloaks means the Dragonborn must fight Irileth, along with Balgruuf and several of the Whiterun Guards.

After Vignar Gray-Mane becomes Jarl of Whiterun, Irileth, as well as Balgruuf and Proventus, travels to the Blue Palace in Solitude, seeking refuge with the Imperial sympathizer, Jarl Elisif the Fair.

Combat

Irileth wields a steel sword and an elven bow. She can also use Sparks, and Oakflesh for magical defense.

Trivia

• Irileth, Idesa Sadri, and Dravynea the Stoneweaver are voiced by Lani Minella (English) and Blanche Ravalec (French).
• Irileth is one of four housecarls in the game who isn't a Nord. The others are Faleen, the Redguard housecarl of Jarl Igmund of Markarth, Rayya, also a Redguard, who is the housecarl of the Thane of Falkreath Hold, and the forth is Teeba-Ei who becomes the housecarl to Sorli the Builder if she becomes Jarl of Hjaalmarch during the Civil War.

Bugs

•  360   PS3   Sometimes, if The Battle of Whiterun is won in the Stormcloak's favor, she may reappear in Dragonsreach as if Baalgruf is still the Jarl, but the dialogue will be the same.
• If one casts Rout on her close to The Whispering Door; she'll be able to unlock the door to get away from you.  Only the Jarl Balgruuf and Farengar Secret-Fire should be able to do this; she is likely simply programmed to be able to open any door regardless of locks.
• If the housecarl of Jarl Vignar Gray-Mane is killed,she will be his housecarl,and the if dialogue option "How did a dark elf come to be a housecarl?" is chosen,she will refer to the battle-bond of her and Jarl Balgruuf the Greater.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim