Viarmo

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"It is my personal mission to ensure that the Bards College preserves the great deeds of the past, in both poetry and song."

―Viarmo

Viarmo is an Altmer and the headmaster of the Bards College in Solitude.

Background

He serves as the Master of Ceremonies for the Burning of King Olaf Festival that's held every year. He spends his mornings at The Winking Skeever with his fellow instructors and the rest of the day tending to the college. As a neutral observer, he tries not to concern himself with Skyrim's politics, yet recognizes the significance of the Dragon Crisis and the impact it will have on history.

Interactions

Viarmo will offer some words of advice pertaining to being a good bard. Ironically, he stresses that bards record history—they do not make it; despite the adventures of the Dragonborn. He will also have various conversations with the other instructors, typically regarding the students.

Tending the Flames

Due to the death of High King Torygg, his widow, Elisif the Fair, bans the Burning of King Olaf festival in Solitude. Viarmo employs the Dragonborn with recovering King Olaf's Verse, a poetic tome that serves as proof to the legitimacy of the festival.

Conversations

Inge's students

Viarmo: "How are your students coming along?"
Inge: "Some of them have a long way to go, but they're mostly passable. Don't let them hear I said that, though!"
Viarmo: "Of course not! Complacency is the bane of art. They're in good hands with you, Inge."
Inge: "Yes, Headmaster."

Giraud's students

Viarmo: "How are your students coming along?"
Giraud: "Bunch of distractions, if you ask me. They just interrupt the rest of my work."
Viarmo: "I'm sorry to break it to you, Giraud, but students are an unfortunate necessity of a college. Do try to persevere."
Giraud: "Yes, Headmaster."

Pantea's students

Viarmo: "How are your students coming along?"
Pantea: "Passably. Aia is my star pupil; none of the others can hold a candle to her, especially not that wretched Illdi."
Viarmo: "Try not to play favorites, Lady Ateia. It does a disservice to the whole class."
Pantea: "Yes, Headmaster."

Quotes

• "Welcome to Solitude, home of the arts here in Skyrim."
• "It is my personal mission to ensure that the Bards College preserves the great deeds of the past, in both poetry and song."
• "I generally don't involve myself in politics. Good tales deal with the issues of the day, but a wise bard remains a neutral observer."
• "We bards record history, we do not make it. You'd do well to remember that."
• "Never forget: the most important job of any bards is to entertain. The day you lose your audience is the day you cut your lute strings."
• "May all your adventures be worthy of telling."
• "May the words of poets keep you warm."
• "May songs speed you along."

Trivia

• Viarmo was voiced by Stephen Russell.

Bugs

This section contains bugs related to Viarmo. Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following: Please reload an old save to confirm if the bug is still happening. If the bug is still occurring, please post the bug report with the appropriate system template  360  /  XB1  ,  PS3  /  PS4  ,  PC  /  MAC  ,  NX  /  PS5  ,  XS  , depending on which platform(s) the bug has been encountered on. Be descriptive when listing the bug and fixes, but avoid having conversations in the description and/or using first-person anecdotes: such discussions belong on the appropriate forum board.

• After completing Tending the Flames, Viarmo will still be seen holding the torch he used to burn Olaf's effigy for the remainder of the player's playthrough. Reverse pickpocketing a torch into his inventory while he is asleep in the Bards College fixes this issue.
  • After a while the torch may be replaced by a Woodcutter's Axe for some reason. It can be pickpocketed away with the appropriate perk.
• He may remain seated in the palace foyer, waiting for the performance for proceed. Selecting the ready option may complete the quest objective and initiate the next step in speaking to Jorn, bypassing the performance entirely.
• He may hold a torch in his left hand and can even carry a two-handed weapon in his right, as if it was a one-handed weapon.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim