Thalmor Justiciar ( Skyrim ) Thalmor Justiciars are roving groups of Thalmor who are occasionally met while traveling the roads . They consist of both mages and soldiers , but all share the name Thalmor Justiciar . They are lead by Ondolemar . Should the Dragonborn converse with the Justiciar , they will have the option of saying whether or not they worship Talos . If they say that they do , the Justiciar will immediately turn hostile . Should they remain neutral on the subject , the Thalmor will assume the Dragonborn is hiding the fact that they are cooperating with the worship of Talos and turn hostile . The only way to avoid combat is to cancel conversation if things are turning accusational , or to exclaim a dislike for Talos . If the Dragonborn enters conversation with a Thalmor Justiciar twice , the second conversation will always end with the Justiciar deciding to attack the Dragonborn , regardless of the dialogue option chosen . Background . Agents of the high elven Aldmeri Dominion are known as Thalmor . After the signing of the White - Gold Concordat , they ' ve been authorized by the Empire to maintain an embassy in Skyrim , and have been known to secretly capture and imprison any Nord s who question their doctrines or beliefs . The Justiciars were sent to Skyrim to enforce the White - Gold Concordat and make sure that the Empire doesn ' t break it again . Not all Thalmor in Skyrim are equal in station , or purpose . In fact , there is one group in particular that operates secretly , in the shadows — watching and waiting for those Nords who break the law , and continue their worship of Talos . These are the Justiciars , and it is their job to enforce the Talos ban of the White - Gold Concordat . During the Skyrim Civil War , the Thalmor have a tangible presence in cities in which the Empire has the most secure foothold . Some claim these Thalmor have far too much influence over the Empire and Imperial loyal Jarls . Secretly , they have been instigating conflict between the Empire and the rebel Stormcloaks , directly interfering only in certain instances to keep the Skyrim Civil War going . Escorting prisoners . Justiciars may occasionally be escorting a Nord , presumably a Talos worshipper . The prisoner may be freed by starting a dialogue , which also allows for trading items . The Justiciars will immediately become hostile towards the Dragonborn , the prisoner , and any followers . Killing the Justiciars after they become hostile does not gain a bounty . After the Justiciars are dead , the freed prisoner will make his way to Windhelm . Thalmor Justiciars can be sent to kill the Dragonborn . This will start to happen when the Dragonborn has completed the quest " Diplomatic Immunity . " They can also be sent if the Dragonborn has attacked Northwatch Keep or if the Dragonborn has attacked Thalmor justiciars roaming Skyrim . They may also attack the Dragonborn after Ancano is killed during The Eye of Magnus . Prior to the completion of these quests , only the " assassin " squads sent specifically to hunt the Dragonborn will be hostile on sight ; regular Thalmor squads will initially be neutral to the Dragonborn . Behavior . Thalmor Justiciars often travel in small groups . During lower level they often can be seen wearing Elven armor or Elven light armor and using iron weapons , but at higher levels they equip glass armor and weapons . The mages always wear hooded Thalmor robes . If hostile , they will quickly attack the Dragonborn with their weapons and often fire spells . The mages will then support the soldiers from behind with shock and fire spells . They may prove difficult to defeat due to their numbers and surrounding of the Dragonborn during combat . Dialogue . Dialogue with a Thalmor Patrol . Dialogue with a Thalmor Patrol escorting a Talos worshipper .