Elisif the Fair

Elisif the Fair is the Jarl of Haafingar and the widow of High King Torygg, the last elected High King of Skyrim prior to the Stormcloak Rebellion. While Elisif is the head of court at her palace in Solitude, the provincial capital of Skyrim as a whole alongside being the hold capital of Haafingar, the majority of her courtly duties are handled by her steward, Falk Firebeard. Bolgeir Bearclaw serves as her Housecarl, Sybille Stentor is her Court Wizard, and Bryling and Erikur serve as her Thanes.
==Location==
Elisif can be found in the Blue Palace located in the southeast of Solitude. The palace stands directly across and down the street from Castle Dour, the headquarters of the Imperial military forces in Skyrim. Elisif rarely leaves the palace for fears she will be attacked by a Stormcloak Assassin,Dialogue with Bolgeir Bearclaw doing so only for rare occasions such as the wedding between Vittoria Vici and Asgeir Snow-Shod.Events of "Bound Until Death"
==Background==
Elisif was the wife of Torygg, the High King of Skyrim prior to the Skyrim Civil War. Elisif and Torygg were in a happy marriage, wanting to enjoy themselves at parties such as the one at the Thalmor EmbassyEvents of "Diplomatic Immunity" and were affectionate to each other.Dialogue with Torygg Torygg was loyal to the Empire, agreeing to the White-Gold Concordat and enforcing it, though this caused issue amongst some of his subjects.Nords Arise! It is unknown how Elisif felt about such matters, although since she does not worship Talos—unlike her husband—she was likely unaffected by the treaty.
===Widowed===
Following the killing of Torygg at the hand of Ulfric Stormcloak, Elisif was left grieving for her husband as she became the Jarl of Haafingar Hold. Following her assumption to power in Solitude, Elisif began to work in close cooperation with the Third Empire against Ulfric Stormcloak and the Stormcloak Rebellion. Elisif's support of the Empire can be traced to several factors, with the largest being her anger at Ulfric for the killing of Torygg; like many in Solitude,Dialogue during Roggvir's execution she believed this was murder. In addition to this, her husband willingly served under the Emperor, and although he might have considered an independent Skyrim,Dialogue with Sybille Stentor he was still subservient to the Empire until he died. The Empire also supports her to be the High Queen of Skyrim, seeing her as the successor to her husband.Dialogue between General Tullius and Legate Rikke during "The Jagged Crown"
===Skyrim Civil War===
Due to her support, Solitude serves as the base of Imperial military power in Skyrim during the Civil War; General Tullius works closely with Jarl Elisif in his attempts to squash the Stormcloak Rebellion. Elisif has faith in Tullius and trusts him a great deal, to the joy of some in court and to the dismay of others. She also wants to be in the loop more often and commonly asks Falk to set up meetings between them. This Imperial support, along with Elisif's marriage to the last High King, makes Elisif the most likely candidate for the position of monarch should the Empire succeed in ending the Stormcloak Rebellion.Dialogue with Falk Firebeard Elisif herself supports such a decision, going so far as to call it her "rightful place" while also not rushing to claim such a title until the war is over. However, Elisif's lack of experience and total dependence on Imperial support—specifically with regards to General Tullius—implies that Elisif will be greatly under the control of the Empire as High Queen of Skyrim,Dialogue with Erikur similarly to her husband under the Emperor.Dialogue with BeirandDialogue with Sayma
==Personality==
Elisif is sensitive to the death of her husband and is still mourning his loss. His death overshadows much of what she does, with her banning festivals such as the Burning of King Olaf by the Bards College as a result of this.Events of "Tending the Flames" Even in happy occasions, such as the wedding between Vittoria and Asgeir, she is a bit tense; when Vittoria dies, Elisif can only think of Torygg. When not overshadowed by Torygg's demise, Elisif's demeanor is rather positive to those around her, and she has decent patience for disagreement and for what people say about her.
===Reign as Jarl===
Elisif is young and inexperienced, relying on Falk Firebeard to see to many of her duties. She is very receptive to the advice of her court, commonly asking her thanes for their opinion and usually listening to them.Dialogue with Bryling Elisif has little confidence in her abilities, and as a result, she is very impressionable. Elisif also still mourns for her husband, and thanks to this, her lack of confidence, and her rather amateur ruling skills, some in Solitude see her as an ineffectual ruler. Ulfric merely refers to her as "Torygg's woman"Dialogue between Ulfric Stormcloak and Galmar Stone-Fist during "The Jagged Crown" and goes so far to say she is a "pet jarl,"Dialogue with Ulfric Stormcloak during "Season Unending" clearly seeing her as nothing more than a pawn for the Empire. Despite all this, she does retain some respect, such as from Tullius, Falk, and Beirand. Falk Firebeard has even gone so far as to attempt to teach Elisif in the ways of statecraft, giving advice on politics as a whole. 
===Stormcloak Rebellion===
An outspoken supporter of the Empire, Elisif is a Jarl whose court views are to keep Skyrim as a province of the Empire of Tamriel. Viewing the Stormcloak Rebellion as a blight upon the face of Skyrim, Elisif gives no explicit indication of any dissatisfaction with the Empire outside of wanting to speak with General Tullius more often. Elisif sees the war as a top priority, following Tullius's directives and submitting all resources she has to in order to defeat the Stormcloaks.Events of "Season Unending"
===Talos worship===
With regard to religious views, Elisif states that she does not worship Talos, thus it is unknown how she feels about the White-Gold Concordat. However, she nonetheless asks the Dragonborn to deliver Torygg's War Horn to a Shrine of Talos near Whiterun so that her late husband might have the funerary rites which he would have wanted, for High King Torygg was a worshipper of Talos even if she wasn't.Events of "Elisif's Tribute"
===Stormcloak victory===
If the Dragonborn sides with the Stormcloaks during the Civil War and captures Solitude, killing General Tullius and Legate Rikke, Elisif agrees to swear fealty to Ulfric Stormcloak with little resistance, but whether she does so out of personal interest or militaristic coercion is not entirely clear.Events of "Battle for Solitude" In any case, tension persists in Solitude under Stormcloak rule, and Ulfric's choice to garrison a number of his Stormcloaks in Solitude, following a Stormcloak victory, seems to imply that Elisif will only act as the Jarl of Solitude as far as Ulfric allows. She also holds no anger against the Dragonborn personally, rather regret that she has lost her claim to the throne.
==Interactions==
===Diplomatic Immunity===
Elisif is present at the Thalmor Embassy and can be asked to create a distraction if "The Man Who Cried Wolf" was already completed. In doing so, she will accuse Razelan of defying her authority, believing that the Dragonborn asked for the distraction as a joke to someone else.
===Season Unending===
Elisif joins the Imperial side during the negotiations, representing herself as the claimant for the throne of Skyrim. Elisif is quick to call out Ulfric's demands despite this being a peace council, though Tullius quiets her as negotiations officially begin. Elisif is largely quite otherwise until the end, where Ulfric taunts her about being an Imperial pawn. Elisif ignores him and reaffirms her devotion to The Empire.
===The Jagged Crown===
General Tullius and Legate Rikke decide to fetch the The Jagged Crown from Korvanjund in order to further legitimize Elisif's claim to being High Queen. Depending on the Dragonborn's chosen faction in the Civil War, the efforts will either succeed (if the Dragonborn is a legionnaire) or fail (if the Dragonborn is a Stormcloak). 
===Battle for Solitude===
Solitude is assaulted by the Stormcloaks, led personally by Ulfric Stormcloak and Galmar Stone-Fist, although their target is Castle Dour rather than the Blue Palace. After the death of Tullius and Rikke, Galmar sends his best men to bring her to Ulfric's speech, where the soldiers question what is to be done with her. Ulfric demands that she swear loyalty to him, and after she does, he declares that he will let her remain as Jarl of Haafingar, though he will also garrison Stormcloaks there to prevent Imperial insurrection. Elisif then witnesses the rest of the speech alongside the other soldiers, eventually returning to the Blue Palace and admitting that she will have to support Ulfric at the Moot.
===Bound Until Death===
Elisif can be found attending the public reception of the wedding of Vittoria Vici and Asgeir Snow-Shod at the Temple of the Divines in Solitude. Like the others, she will be horrified when Vittoria is murdered, but won't retaliate like the Snow-Shods if the Dragonborn is discovered or Veezara appears to deal with Vittoria's Penitus Oculatus bodyguard, opting to flee instead. Asgeir's death only reminds her of the recent murder of her own husband by Ulfric.
===Elisif's Tribute===
In order to pay her final respects to the gods, Elisif entrusts the Dragonborn with Torygg's War Horn and tasks them to take it to a remote shrine of Talos.
===Thane of Haafingar===
There is room for another Thane in the court, but before Elisif can give the Dragonborn this title they must be known throughout the hold. Once known among the people of Haafingar and purchasing Proudspire Manor as their new home in Solitude from Falk, Elisif will be able to proclaim the Dragonborn Thane of Solitude, awarding them the Blade of Haafingar.
===Tending the Flames===
Elisif forbids the Burning of King Olaf, a locally celebrated festival which involves the burning of an effigy, because the death of her husband has left her sensitive to this type of public defamation. Viarmo desires the festival to be reinstated and has The Dragonborn retrieve King Olaf's Verse. After finding that the verse is heavily degraded, the two craft a completed version of the verse and attend an audience with Elisif. After hearing the "truth" about King Olaf, Elisif is impressed, reinstating the festival and rewarding the Bards College with a sum of money determinant on how convincing the verse was.
===Fit for a Jarl===
Taarie, a tailor at Radiant Raiment in Solitude, sends the Dragonborn to Elisif, sporting one of their many outfits. The Dragonborn is tasked with receiving Elisif's opinion on the clothes. She receives the garments well, ordering the Dragonborn to return with promises of purchasing several gowns from the tailors in the future.
==Dialogue==
"If you have business, please see Falk Firebeard, my steward."
:Why did Ulfric kill your husband? "Because that's what traitorous cowards do when they desire power. Ulfric coveted the High King's throne. He thought he deserved it more than Torygg. And so he came before my husband and he... he shouted. With that terrible voice. Like something out of a legend... Or a nightmare. When Ulfric unleashed such fury, my husband he... he simply ceased to be. That is all I will say, for it grieves me to speak of it."
:Are you the High Queen of Skyrim? "Not yet, no. Although it is true my husband Torygg was the High King, and I am his widow... now is not the time to lay claim to such a title. This land is driven by war, and her people suffer for it. The Stormcloaks are a blight on Skyrim, and like any blight... must be purged. Only then will I take my rightful place as High Queen."
:Do you trust General Tullius? "Hmmm... A question I am all too familiar with. One my very Thanes ask often. They worry that Tullius is so focused on the war, that he risks forgetting what's best for our people. The real irony is that, while General Tullius is certainly no Nord, the people of Skyrim would be lost without him. Trust is always difficult, especially for my people. Yet we must trust Tullius' leadership. For what other choice do we have?"
: "Oh, I thought that matter was handled. I think Falk is taking care of that."
;Elisif's Tribute
"There's something... personal... I was hoping you would do for me."
:What can I do for you, Jarl? "Falk told me what you did for us at Wolfskull Cave. He says you're someone we can trust. As you may know Talos worship is outlawed in the Empire. When we buried my husband I made offerings to all the gods... except Talos. I would like you to take an item of his, a warhorn handed down from his father, and place it at a Shrine of Talos."
::I would be honored to help. "Thank you. It would mean a lot to me."
::I'm sorry, I can't right now. "That's all right. Return to me if you change your mind though."
::Do you worship Talos? "No but my husband Torygg would want a proper burial and this is the way Nords are buried in Skyrim."
After placing the horn:
I've placed the horn at the shrine. "Falk said I could count on you. You have more than earned the right to purchase property and take the next step to becoming a Thane. Speak to Falk when you have the funds. And thank you."
;Stormcloak Victory
"May the blessings of the Nine be with you."
:What do you think about Ulfric, now that he has won? "Ulfric coveted the High King's throne. He thought he deserved it more than Torygg. Now it would seem Ulfric has his wish. And there truly is no justice in the world."
:So, do you still claim to be the High Queen of Skyrim? "No. Although it's true my husband Torygg was the High King and I am his widow, I am in no position to claim such a title. Ulfric Stormcloak is victorious, and the Jarls have fallen in line. It seems I will never take my rightful place as High Queen."
;Bound Until Death
"A marriage of both love and political advantage. A rare thing indeed."
:Having a good time? "So far. I just hope things remain calm. Wine gets drunk, tempers flare. This may be a joyous celebration, but it's shadowed by a lot of animosity."
;Diplomatic Immunity
"Isn't this something? Elenwen really knows how to host a party!"
:Jarl Elisif, it's a pleasure to see you again. "Why, thank you. You are most courteous. I admit, I'm surprised to see you here. Normally these parties are reserved for the Jarls and business leaders of Skyrim. Elenwen must be very fond of you."
:Are you here with one of the Jarls? "	I beg your pardon? You must have me mistaken for someone else. I am Elisif, widow of High King Torygg and Jarl of Solitude. Lucky for you, I possess a forgiving nature and I'm not easily insulted."
:Enjoying the party? "Very much so, yes. Elewen's parties are always so elegant. She really has impeccable taste. My only regret is that she doesn't host them more often."
::I need your help with something. "I'm always glad to help a friend if I can. What do you need?"
:::I need you to cause a scene. Get everyone's attention for a few minutes. "Oh... perhaps not, then. I don't think the Jarl of Solitude should be participating in a childish prank."
::::Never mind. "Yes, this probably isn't really the place for your little jokes."
::::You'd be doing me a big favor... (Persuade)
::::*"I'm sorry, but I really can't." (Failure)
::::*"Go ahead and play your little joke." (Success)
"It was a pleasure, thank you."
===Cut dialogue===
;Boethiah's Bidding
If the Dragonborn approaches Elisif's room prior to speaking with Falk Firebeard, spoken through the door:
*"I'm not taking any visitors."
*"Please, just go away!"
*"Leave - me - a - lone!"
*"Go away!"
If the Dragonborn has spoken to Falk Firebeard, they will then be taken to Elisif's chambers with him, where the following scene will take place outside her room:
Falk Firebeard: "Elisif..."
Elisif the Fair: "Go. Away. Please!"
Falk: "I've brought a friend. Someone who can help. A bodyguard. To protect you."
Elisif: "I thought you didn't believe I was in danger!"
Falk: "It doesn't really matter what I believe, now does it? I've brought you someone who can protect you. That's what you want, isn't it?"
Elisif: "(Sounds of unlocking and unbarring a door) Well, what are you waiting for?!"
After opening the door, Elisif will hurriedly shout, "Come in, come in! Shut the door behind you!" When the Dragonborn approaches her, she will say the following:
"I'm glad they finally believed me. About the assassin I mean. It's been so hard since my Torygg passed. No one takes me seriously. So how's this work exactly? Do you just kind of stand there on the look out? That's what Bolgeir does. Well, he sort of looms more than stands. Bolgeir's loyal, but even he doesn't do what I ask. Case in point, this whole assassin thing. Well at least I have you now. Look at me ramble... Well, I guess I'll go about my business sulking in here. You can stand over there in the corner watching for assassins."
After attacking Elisif, she will scream, "Help! Assassin!"
==Conversations==
;Bolgier Bearclaw
Elisif: "Steward, I have an idea that might help to bolster the morale of our people in this difficult time. I think we shall have a grand parade, and let General Tullius march his troops from the Blue Palace to Castle Dour in all their finery."
Falk: "What a... fine idea, my Jarl. However, I would suggest we wait until the war has ended. After all, the General needs his soldiers out in the field, fighting battles against the Stormcloaks."
Bolgeir: "I must protest, my Jarl. A parade would make you an easy target for a Stormcloak assassin. You're safer here in the palace."
Elisif: "Oh, very well. I can see there's no changing your stubborn Nord minds. But when this war is won, I will have my parade!"
Falk: "Yes, my Jarl."
Bolgeir: "We lost another five guardsmen, my Jarl. If General Tullius continues to conscript our men and send them off to battle, we'll have none left to protect the city."
Elisif: "Yes, I know. The general acted with my blessing. It is vital that we bring Ulfric to justice, but that cannot happen until his army of Stormcloaks is defeated utterly."
Bolgeir: "Told you that, did he? I'm sworn to protect you, my Jarl, but I'm the last line of defense. The first line is the walls around this city and the men who patrol them. Men whom, I might add, we're precious short on."
Elisif: "I'm aware of that, Bolgeir, and I appreciate your dedication. However, if we lose the war, the guardsmen of Solitude will make little difference in the end."
Bolgeir: "No disrespect toward the general, but sometimes I wonder if he's got your best interests at heart. In any case he won't be turnin' me into no Imperial soldier. I know my place, and it's at your side."
Elisif: "It comforts me to know that, Bolgeir."
;Bryling
Elisif: "As you know, Solitude's coffers are much depleted by the war efforts. Thane Erikur, you have a strong head for business. What do you suggest?"
Erikur: "This is an unfortunate but unavoidable ebb in revenue. But as long as we continue to support the Empire, our sacrifices will be well rewarded."
Bryling: "Listen to you, speaking of sacrifice. You've never gone hungry a day in your life, Erikur!"
Elisif: "And what would my impetuous Thane Bryling suggest, instead?"
Bryling: "Simple. Let the Empire fight its own war, with its own funds, and without hijacking our supplies and soldiers. Let Haafingar rebuild."
Erikur: "My lady... Surely you're not that naïve. Such foolishness would only leave us defenseless. The rebels would storm the palace in an afternoon."
Bryling: "The Stormcloaks only rebel because the Empire uses Skyrim as its personal larder. The more they take, the more support the rebels gain!
Elisif: "That is quite enough. Perhaps I will raise these issues when I have an audience with General Tullius."
;Bryling & Erikur
Elisif: "Thane Bryling, what do you have to report about the state of Haafingar's defenses?"
Bryling: "The news is the same as it's been for the rest of the war, your grace. Our borders are secure, but at the cost of the guards for our towns and roads."
Erikur: "I don't see any reason why we'd need them. As long as those dogs stay outside of our borders, we're fine."
Bryling: "The Stormcloaks are far from the only threat to the hold. The roads are beset by bandits and beasts... and now there's even talk of bloody dragons."
Erikur: "My dear Bryling. Barring any... fancy and folly... the good people of Haafingar are surely capable of dealing with the odd highwayman or stray dog."
Bryling: "Trouble on the roads and cities means less commerce. Less commerce means less money and more starving people. And that means more crime."
Erikur: "Humph. That's only a problem for people who can't afford to hire their own security.
Elisif: "That may well be our only answer. I will empower my Steward to seek out capable individuals to secure Haafingar. Thank you, my Thanes."
;Falk Firebeard
Elisif: "Steward Falk, I have a task for you. I want to begin stockpiling food and water in the event we come under siege, and I would like you to oversee this work personally."
Falk: "A wise course of action, my Jarl. However, we have little food or water to spare."
Erikur: "General Tullius will never allow that. He's ordered all surplus food to be given over for the war effort."
Falk: "General Tullius does not run this city, Thane Erikur. Or have you forgotten your oaths of fealty?"
Erikur: "My apologies, Jarl Elisif. I was thinking only of the importance of the war effort."
Elisif: "There's no need for an apology, and you're right about the war. Perhaps this is a matter best discussed with the general in person."
Falk: "I will make the arrangements, my Jarl."
Elisif: "Steward, when is my appointment to meet with General Tullius? There are some issues we must speak about."
Falk: "I'm afraid he's had to reschedule, my grace. By all accounts, waging war takes his every moment."
Elisif: "Again? He can't simply cancel an appointment with the Jarl! He serves in my capital city!"
Falk: "I'm afraid he can. His authority comes from the emperor, whom you also serve, technically."
Elisif: "He uses all of Haafingar's resources, and doesn't answer to me in the slightest? This hardly seems fair."
Falk: ""Fair" is a word rarely applied to politics, my grace. I'm afraid you must learn to accept this."
;Varnius Junius
Varnius: "I swear to you, unnatural magics are coming from that cave! There are strange noises and lights! We need someone to investigate!"
Elisif: "Then we will immediately send out a legion to scour the cave and secure the town. Haafingar's people will always be safe under my rule."
Varnius: "Th... thank you, my Jarl. Thank you."
Sybille: "Your eminence, my scrying has suggested nothing in the area. Dragon Bridge is under imperial control. This is likely superstitious nonsense."
Falk: "Perhaps a more... tempered reaction... might be called for?"
Elisif: "Oh. Yes, of course you are right. Falk, tell Captain Aldis I said to assign a few extra soldiers to Dragon Bridge."
Varnius: "Thank you, Jarl Elisif. But about the cave..."
Falk: "I will have someone take care of the cave as well, Varnius, you can rest easy. You're dismissed."
==Quotes==
*"With the passing of my dear husband, Torygg, the weighty position of Jarl has fallen to me. Please direct questions to my steward."
*"Ulfric is a fool and a coward who naïvely believes he can bring about peace through warfare. It's rather sad, really."
*"Thanks to Ulfric's rebellion, countless innocent people can't feed or clothe their families. It's unacceptably tragic."
*"May the blessings of the Eight be with you."
*"Be well. Pray for Solitude, and my husband."
*"Have you tried the wine? It's better than anything in the Blue Palace." – During "Diplomatic Immunity"
*"I could learn a lot from the people in this room." – During "Diplomatic Immunity"
*"I'm here because it's required of me. But there's nothing to be gained by talking to that murderer." – During "Season Unending"
*"I understand this council was your idea, Dragonborn. I'm afraid I don't hold out much hope for success." – During "Season Unending"
*"When I married Torygg, he promised we'd go to lavish parties just like this. I wish he were here now." – During "Diplomatic Immunity"
*"We have the utmost confidence in you and Ulfric's guiding hands." – Stormcloaks control Solitude
*"The Emperor's cousin is dead! This is a disaster!" – After murdering Vittoria Vici in "Bound Until Death"
*"By all the gods, the groom has been killed. At his own wedding! I can only think of my own husband..." – If Asgeir Snow-Shod is killed in "Bound Until Death"
==Trivia==
*Elisif is the only Jarl who sits properly at her throne; the other Jarls sit in a slouched position with their heads resting against their hands. She usually sits with her arms either crossed or on her lap. 
*If Elisif is made non-essential via console and killed, Erikur will replace her as Jarl due to the script of the unfinished quest "Boethiah's Bidding" involved Elisif's assassination, and has dialogue with the player in the game files indicating a part in it. Also, Hold Guards will mention her death in several instances:
**"First Torygg and now Elisif. Damn those Stormcloaks. Let's hope that Erikur fares better than they did." (Imperial-allied guards)
**"We'll protect Erikur as best we're able, but I fear the throne of Solitude is cursed." (Imperial-allied guards)
**"It is whispered that one of the Daedric Princes himself is behind the murder of Elisif. It would seem even the nobility of Oblivion favors our cause." (Stormcloak-allied guards)
**"Filthy she-hound Elisif got what she deserved. Let her serve as "High Queen" of Oblivion, for all I care." (Stormcloak-allied guards)
*Elisif was voiced by Corri English.
*Elisif is the only Imperial Jarl who stays in power if the Stormcloaks take control of her hold.
==Appearances==
*
==References==
cs:Elisif Jasná
de:Elisif die Liebreizende
es:Elisif la Justa
fi:Elisif the Fair
fr:Elisif la Juste
it:Jarl Elisif la Bella
pl:Elisif Sprawiedliwa
pt:Elisif a Justa
ru:Элисиф Прекрасная
uk:Елісиф Справедлива
Category:Skyrim: Solitude Characters
Category:Skyrim: Quest Givers
Category:Skyrim: Essential Characters
Category:Skyrim: Jarls