Summary
The Blades are an organization that plays important roles in several games in theElder Scrollsseries. Their most noticeable appearances have been inMorrowind,Oblivion,andSkyrim, though they have appeared inother games in theElder Scrollsuniverse. Their history on the planet of Nirn also goes back further than many players realize.
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Usually appearing in the role of an intelligence service or as bodyguards, The Blades are tied quite closely to the Septim dynasty and the emperors of Tamriel. Though, many aspects of their origin and purpose are only ever hinted at vaguely.
Updated Jun 21, 2025 by Jake Fillery:The Blades are an important addition toSkyrim, and perhaps all of Tamriel. Without the Blades, it’s safe to say that the Dragonborn would be fairly clueless, and somewhat defenseless. The Blades have a long history, and fans of Skyrim and especially The Elder Scrolls will want to know the importance of this guild of proud warriors and dragon hunters that have given Tamriel their protection for centuries. Players may not have known much about the Blades before Skyrim, but their importance cannot be understated. It’s best to learn the Blades’ history, whether that be as a friend, foe, or just an avid knowledge keeper so that players have the power as the Dragonborn to invest their minds in things they didn’t know about the Blades.
17Akaviri Invasion
During the First Era, the Akaviri attempted to invade Tamriel. The Akavir come from a continent to the east of Tamriel, where little else is known about them other than what was seen from their invaders. These Raiders of the First Era invaded for unknown reasons. Whether it was to expand their empire, to find battle, or simply to explore the unknown. However, what is known, is that they were stopped on their first invasion thanks to the help of Lyrisius, the champion of Boethiah. Although, this is a questionable legend, like most things in Tamriel.
It was within this first Akaviri Invasion that the book ‘Rise and Fall of the Blades’ details Reman Cyrodiil’s voice booming with such power that they surrendered on the spot, proclaiming to him that he is Dragonborn, the one that they invaded to seek. The Akaviri joined the Dragonborn and helped to create the Reman Dynasty.
16Emperor Protectors
The earliest version of the Blades was formed after the formation of the Reman Dynasty. This was seen when Reman Cyrodiil, the Dragonborn, was named the Emperor after the Battle of Pale Pass. In this battle, the First Akaviri Invasion ravished Tamriel, until the Dragonborn made them surrender willingly due to his power being that which they seek.
Ever since the earliest days of the Reman Dynasty, the armies of Akavir have protected the Dragonborn, and his bloodline, hence why they would continue to protect the Emperors that followed Reman. Even if they did not possess the power of a Thu’um.
15Failed To Protect Uriel Septim The 7th
One of the most important tasks beheld by the Blades was the protection of the Emperor. They were the personal guards for a reason. Yet, The Oblivion Crisis saw them fail for the first time since records could prove. Uriel Septim the 7th was killed, as were his sons. This saw the end of the Third Era, in which the Blades suffered a great loss to their order withno Dragonborn to serve, and no purpose to provide them with life.
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These secret agents of the Dragonborn were hopeless and without cause with the death of Uriel Septim the 7th. The Oblivion Crisis was just the beginning of their demise, and the fact that they failed to protect him, only made them weaker when it came to their gravest threat: the Thalmor.
14Hunted By The Thalmor
It would make sense for the Thalmor to try and snuff out any remaining members of the Blades. After all, the Blades were competent, proud, and fierce warriors that could easily defend themselves and the Dragonborn, dedicating their lives to the Empire. They were prime targets of the Thalmor once they rose to power, hence why they have beenhunted for yearsat the request of the Aldmeri Dominion.
These Altmer supremacists want to outlaw the worship of Talos and disband the Blades by force. Whether that’s because the Blades have close ties to Talos, or because the Blades were a great espionage asset of the Empire. Without the Blades, the Thalmor have free reign with little political repercussions in the way.
13Cyrodiil Headquarters
Sky Haven Temple is an abandoned base for the Blades located inSkyrim. However, their main area of function was in Cyrodiil, thanks to the Cloud Ruler Temple. This temple is where the history of the Blades was formed. From the very first entry of the Dragonguards and Reman Dynasty to the last of the Septim Dynasty and the Blades.
Despite the importance of this Cyrodiil base, it was laid waste by the Third Aldmeri Dominion, who slaughtered everyone inside. Perhaps one day the Blades will grow in strength again to retake the temple. But the blind arrogance of the Blades and their refusal to grow without the death of Paarthurnax makes it unlikely.
12Acilius Bolar
An important member of the Blades that deserves recognition is Acilius Bolar, a warrior who met his death with honor as he attempted to fight the Aldmeri Dominion. Bolar was the only known survivor of the Thalmor attack at the Blade headquarters of Cloud Ruler Temple. It was after this that he traveled toSkyrim, and left his sword, Oathblade, and a writ at a statue of Talos located in Bloated Man’s Grotto.
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What happened to Acilius Bolar is one of the many secret tragedies of the Blades, and how their order and legacy were all but destroyed by the Thalmor. It is with the Last Dragonborn that the Blades hope to return to power and restore the purpose and history of their order. Hopefully, Acilius Bolar will be one of many that have their name remembered.
11Hate Of The Greybeards
There is much distrust between the Greybeards and the Blades. The Greybeards’ leader, Paarthurnax is a dragon, and they learn and meditate on the Way of the Voice, an ancient dragon language. This stands against what the Blades desire from a dragon-free world, and they believe that the Greybeards are just a cult that tries toprevent the Dragonbornfrom unlocking their true power.
However, the Greybeards believe the Blades to be untrustworthy, and diverters of the Dragonborn and their purpose on the Way of the Voice. This lack of trust and respect creates tension between the two factions, leaving the Dragonborn with an ultimatum between the two.
10The Paarthurnax Problem
This ultimatum from the Blades and the Greybeards comes from the dilemma with Paarthurnax, the leader of the Greybeards, and an ancient dragon who sits upon the Throat of the World.Paarthurnax was a dragonof great evil once upon a time. He was one of Alduin’s greatest allies, before betraying him for more meditative and peaceful processes. Yet, the Blades see Paarthurnax as an enemy who has evaded justice.
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The Last Dragonborn hasa choice to makewhen it comes to killing Paarthurnax inSkyrim, and a true ethical dilemma. Do they forsake the Blades, an organization that was built to serve the Dragonborn? Or do they betray the Greybeards and essentially wipe out their teachings by killing their immortal leader? It is a conundrum that has plagued many and speaks truth to the surface and misguided truth of the Blades.
Within the organization, there are three main ranks. The first, which all initiates are classified as upon joining, is Knight Brother/Knight Sister. These individuals make up the bulk of The Blades' forces.
Next are the Chroniclers, who are responsible for keeping the missions of The Blades secret, but also assure that this information is never lost. Finally, there are Grandmasters; the ones in charge of recruiting new knights.
8Used Akaviri Armor & Weapons
The Blades are tied quite closely with non-Tamriel sources. During the later parts of the First Era, Tamriel was invaded by forces from the eastern continent of Akavir, specifically the snake-people of Tsaesci. The Empire of Cyrodiil was quite small at the time, but they were still able to defeat the Tsaesci. Seeing their might and the potential for an alliance, the emperor of Tamriel at the time, Reman I, granted amnesty to many of these former foes. He gave some individuals prominent positions in court and the military, which benefitted the empire in the long run.
This even resulted in many Akaviri traits, both biological and cultural, being ingrained into the emperor’s surroundings. This included the armaments of The Blades, who became guardians of the emperor until the end of the Third Era.
