Skyrim talk:Esbern

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Appearance Confirmed?[edit]

The recently released promo video "World of Skyrim" shows an NPC at 1:50 into the video whose voice actor sounds a lot like Max von Sydow's narration in the trailer. I've uploaded an [[Media:SR-Esbern.png|image]] of the NPC under Esbern's name, but until we can confirm this, we shouldn't put his picture on the page. SpecOpsBear 16:54, 8 November 2011 (UTC)

I'm not sure it's worth using even if it is Esbern. In a few days we'll be able to get screenshots directly from the game, and there's no need to rush to get an image in place before then. Furthermore, the image you've uploaded is a .png, meaning that there's no way it can be directly replaced by a .jpg screenshot. So even in the best case scenario, this image is going to be put up for deletion before a week's gone by. It's just seems like more trouble than it's worth. --NepheleTalk 17:04, 8 November 2011 (UTC)
Well at least it's a mistake I can learn from. SpecOpsBear 18:09, 8 November 2011 (UTC)

Dialogue still missing[edit]

Esbern's voice is still missing, and he doesn't open the door. Wasn't this supposed to be fixed already? I'm running the game on PC via Steam. — Unsigned comment by 62.142.168.64 (talk) at 03:12 on 16 November 2011

Alternate bug solution, no console needed[edit]

No need even to use the console for a quick fix, but you'll probably need to use the BSA method soon after, so the TCL kludge probably isn't worth the time (nor is the solution I'm about to list... so why list it...? Hm.). You can simply save and restart the entire game (zoning out and back in doesn't work -- reloading the game didn't help me, either), then reload your last save, and Esbern should be able to open the door. However, back in Riverwood, he refused to go through the necessary dialogue with Delphine to progress in the main story quest, so I had to use the BSA method, anyway. BSA unpacker also needs admin privileges to unpack, in case someone was having trouble with that. — Unsigned comment by 107.9.198.99 (talk) at 13:33 on 17 November 2011

A simple method to force an NPC to restart a dialogue is to speak to him. So does Esbern. If he gets stuck, simply talk to him, this will trigger the dialogue again(worked for me, ended the quest without problems). — Unsigned comment by 178.200.57.210 (talk) at 20:08 on 17 November 2011
I tried console-spawning him back in the inn, but he just won't engage in conversation with Delphine. Any suggestions for that? — Unsigned comment by 84.228.95.61 (talk) at 11:29 on 26 November 2011

another one bug solution[edit]

you can just reenter location (room) where you meet him and when you enter room again door will be open, but dialoge will be skipped and no voice you will hear. however you can continue this quest line. if he is not talking to you press action (E) rapidly. — Unsigned comment by 91.77.155.42 (talk) at 11:41 on 22 November 2011

it worked... thanks — Unsigned comment by 223.176.208.169 (talk) at 18:22 on 6 August 2013‎

Verification for . . . .[edit]

  • In some PC versions of the game, Esbern appears to not open his door during the main quest. His voice is also missing and subtitles skip in under a second.
  • There is an easy solution:
1. Download BSA unpacker, which can be found here. <-t This is for Oblivion but can be used for Skyrim as well.
2. Use it to open (Make sure you right click the file and select 'Run as Administrator') the file named "Skyrim - VoicesExtra.bsa" in the Skyrim Data folder. If a window appears saying "This BSA archive has an unknown version number. Attempt to open anyway?", click "Yes".
3. Click on "Extract all" and choose the Skyrim Data folder as the destination.
This places Esbern's missing voice and subtitles, and he will open the door the first time you met him, and shouldn't give any more trouble from then on.
You can also download already unpacked bsa here instructions are inside
  • There is another way to solve the bug without installing anything. If the door will not open, you can open the console, and type in TCL. After that, fly through the door, press "TCL off" and rapidly press "E" (or whatever button is assigned to "Action/Use"), and after a few presses, Esbern should open the door. If anytime during Esbern's quests a strange silence happens, wait patiently. If nothing happens after a long time repeat the process. If "E" opens a dialogue with him press E then Tab instead of E. This method, however, might not work towards the end of the game.

That just sounds, far too much of a work around and an eye-sore on the page. Can someone verify this and cut it down/re-word it and then re-add it please? --Kiz ·•· Talk ·•· Contribs ·•· Mail ·•· 18:57, 30 November 2011 (UTC)

First Solution

Confirmed on PC, placing the unpacked files (from download link provided) into "The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim\Data" fixes the issue.130.86.210.92 20:00, 30 November 2011 (UTC)
Confirmed: the extracted voice files cleared the issue. Esbern has a voice! Until there's an official fix, this is an adequate workaround. 72.47.7.23 23:54, 4 December 2011 (UTC)

Edited First Solution

  • There is an easy solution:
1. Download BSA unpacker, which can be found here. <-t This is for Oblivion but can be used for Skyrim as well.
2. Right-Click PSAUnpacker.exe and "Run as Administrator"
3. Click "Open" and go to the location "Skyrim/Data/Skyrim - VoicesExtra.bsa". If a window appears saying "This BSA archive has an unknown version number. Attempt to open anyway?", click "Yes".
4. Click on "Extract all" and choose the Skyrim Data folder as the destination.
This places Esbern's missing voice and subtitles, and he will open the door the first time you met him, and shouldn't give any more trouble from then on.
You can also download already unpacked bsa here instructions are inside — Unsigned comment by 184.58.163.214 (talk) at 05:33 on 5 December 2011
Confirmed on PC. Apparently the PC had a problem with loading up Esbern's voice, which is the ONLY thing VoicesExtra.bsa is concerned with. Loading them up on Data fixes the issue. Very important that the "Run as Administrator" step is not taken lightly, as in some cases, the unpack will do nothing at all. --DaedalusMachina 08:53, 5 December 2011 (UTC)
(Feb 8 2012) The above filesonic link does not work, use this link instead. — Unsigned comment by 76.247.182.78 (talk) at 05:10 on 8 February 2012

Second Solution

This fixes a symptom, cheats to do so, and doesn't really work (Esbern will ignore your presence with closed door) Doesn't address the actual problem, which requires the install. --DaedalusMachina 08:53, 5 December 2011 (UTC)
FIXED Esbern not talking during Seasons Unending quest. (I did something else for the one with the door). Thanks!! (4-17-12) — Unsigned comment by 98.237.227.4 (talk) at 14:13 on 17 April 2012

Esbern's Potion Quest[edit]

After some digging in the console, I've discovered that the code for this quest is FreeformSkyhaveTempleD. Unfortunately, I've yet to find a way to remove the quest from the journal. It does not respond to CompleteAllObjectives, FailAllObjectives or CompleteQuest. 88.196.236.107 23:24, 5 December 2011 (UTC)

Easy solution for Esbern no voice (only paste 2 lines of text)[edit]

If esbern have no voice (the subtitle also skipping fast) and the door cant open,

here alterdate solution that no need unpacking the BSA file.

go to my documents, my games, skyrim, open skyrim.ini

on the most bottom, add this line

[Archive] sResourceArchiveList2=Skyrim - Voices.bsa, Skyrim - VoicesExtra.bsa

save, done.

sorry the bad english — Unsigned comment by 180.246.73.132 (talk) at 15:28 on 7 December 2011

I just confirmed that this does indeed fix the issue but was poorly worded. This is what i put in my skyrim.ini
[Archive]sResourceArchiveList2=Skyrim-Voices.bsa
sResourceArchiveLists2=Skyrim-VoicesExtra.bsa — Unsigned comment by 174.254.24.220 (talk) at 01:39 on 13 December 2011
It takes a minute and works great. Thank you very much :) Best solution — Unsigned comment by 78.8.245.9 (talk) at 19:42 on 24 August 2012

() Actually adding this did the trick :
[Archive]
sResourceArchiveList2=Skyrim - Voices.bsa, Skyrim - VoicesExtra.bsa
— Unsigned comment by 176.97.81.1 (talk) at 13:35 on 18 December 2011

Thanks! This (very bottom) worked for me. I took the liberty to bold it for emphasis. 99.254.74.122 06:18, 22 December 2011 (UTC)
Confirmed, works flawlessly. — Unsigned comment by 84.240.58.226 (talk) at 20:35 on 29 December 2011
Thank you so much, this worked and its so easy! — Unsigned comment by 192.148.117.99 (talk) at 02:24 on 10 January 2012
tanx a lot,this work easily!! — Unsigned comment by 2.181.114.114 (talk) at 18:55 on 30 January 2012
Cool for you, didn't work for me. Still no voice, and he "unlocks" (makes unlock noises) but doesn't open the door. — Unsigned comment by 24.8.228.66 (talk) at 20:22 on 21 January 2013
I had a problem with getting Esberns voice to work. The solution in bold worked like a charm for me. So thanks and keep up the good work. [28 Feb 2013 15:33 IST]
THX, it worked flawlessly, actually, wish i see this earlier, since the quest A Cornered Rat is one bugged quest!!
started from the reset trip wire that caused me some wondering, then the no-voice, and no door opened when i met Esbern, then going up through the reset trip wire wasn't possible, so i tcl'ed to the upper floor, but then Esbern is missing, so i needed to moveto player in riften, finally, when i got to riverwood, i thought, why he's not talking, so i saw this page...
and the rest is history!
but it was painfully to see the game being like this, after 200 hours of playthrough
oh well... --217.132.28.49 08:54, 12 September 2013 (GMT)

As of Jan 20, 2014 this fix works! Thank goodness. Now I can slay me some dragons!

No code/lazy version[edit]

To open the door in Ratway Warrens go in and out of the last loading screen door two or three times. To keep him moving/doing things/'talking' FUS ROH DAH him - further the better (seriously). — Unsigned comment by 111.69.242.229 (talk) at 12:11 on 14 December 2011

essential[edit]

is he essential because i dont want him to die — Unsigned comment by 68.231.197.3 (talk) at 16:53 on 18 December 2011

Why do I have to go to him?[edit]

When I kill the dragon in the Autumnwatch Tower, I am given a misc quest to return to Esbern. I had no quests realated to this place and I have never visited Riften or seen this Esbern. Why am I given this quest? --84.248.192.31 13:00, 12 January 2012 (UTC)

is this due Esbren's dragon hunt quest?--84.248.192.31 19:45, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
This happened to me too, though I may not have killed the same dragon, but it was a dragon at one of the dragon perches. I went to him, all confused-like, and I think I got dialogue related to the dragon hunting quests, despite the fact that I had not yet recruited any Blades (I hadn't, in fact, even talked to Delphine about the possibility and didn't know that was something I could do). It hasn't seemed to affect any other aspect of gameplay, ie. I'm able to recruit Blades just fine (I've done 2 so far, and Delphine has given me a line indicating that if I recruit one more, I'll be able to do dragon hunting quests) and as far as I can tell all other quests related to Esbern and Delphine are moving along fine (I'm not done the main quest yet, so who knows, but I can't see how the dragon hunting quests would affect the main quest). It also cleared just fine from my journal after I talked to him. I kinda just shrugged my shoulders and chalked it up to a harmless bug. Obax 22:19, 1 June 2012 (UTC)
I also for some odd reason got a misc quest that says "Return to Esbern". Esbern however will not have a proper dialogue with me. This is in the 1.6 beta version.
[Archive] sResourceArchiveList2=Skyrim - Voices.bsa, Skyrim - VoicesExtra.bsa does already exist in my .ini file 11 June 2012 — Unsigned comment by 46.9.96.251 (talk) at 19:19 on 11 June 2012
Do you have anything installed that might modify his dialogue (like the Unofficial Skyrim Patch)? Patch 1.6 breaks a whole bunch of these, and either you'll only get subtitles if you have them turned on, or nothing at all. In some cases, it even breaks a scene completely, halting back-and-forth dialogue and preventing it from finishing. The only solution I've found for those is to leave the area and return. Robin Hoodtalk 20:25, 11 June 2012 (UTC)

Dragon Hunting Bug?[edit]

It took me a long time to get around to the main quest, and during that time I think I found or was sent by the mysterious "friend" to every dragon roost (marked on map by a dragon head icon). I just recently finished recruiting Blades, and Esbern sent us on a dragon hunt to a wall I'd already cleared. There was no dragon on the wall when I arrived, though there was an apparently random dragon attack. The Blades killed the dragon, but won't go back to Sky Haven. Are they stuck there forever because I cleared the area before the Hunt began? Is there a way to get them to go home? Thanks. — Unsigned comment by 68.102.76.133 (talk) at 11:29 on 13 January 2012

Was it Autumnwatch tower? If it was I may have the same problem, because when I cleared that place I got a misc quest to visit Esbren even though I have never met the guy.--84.248.192.31 19:43, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
It was Lost Tongue Overlook, but I think if you got that message then you're past the point where you might have this problem. — Unsigned comment by 68.102.76.133 (talk) on January 16, 2012 21:32
I've got the same damn bug at Mount Anthor. the quest arrow on the compass had me running in the opposite direction than it appeared on the map107.3.12.211 10:49, 29 January 2012 (UTC)

A little update (18.01.2011)[edit]

I've rearranged some info between the Notes and Bugs section. Additionally I've also changed some formatting. About the "no-voice/door-not-opening-bug": I can confirm that the first and easiest solution (for PC) presented on this page successfully worked for me. (Just remove your *.ini after making a backup.) — Unsigned comment by 81.243.136.251 (talk) at 21:14 on 18 January 2012

Would it be worth mentioning that his spells can make followers aggressive?[edit]

I noted that Esbern's fireballs (and possibly Flame Cloak) are subject to friendly fire if a follower is in the way, which can cause them to start battling with each other. Sometimes they end combat if one is defeated and kneels down, but other times Esbern will get right back up and continue the fight - not sure how to get them to reliably stop apart from the stopcombat command. 69.229.7.79 21:02, 29 January 2012 (UTC)

I've encountered this too. You can stop the fighting by casting Calm on one (or both?) of them. Despite the message saying they are too strong to be affected by the spell, it will end the fighting. Iroh 07:40, 28 February 2012 (UTC)

Misc.Quest Glitch[edit]

After recruiting Blades members, Delphine told me to ask Esbern about Dragon Lairs. It pointed me to the Ratway Warrens where I found him in his old home with his door open. When I talk to him it just shows the dialogue option "What's so important about me being Dragonborn?" Everything besides the location and dialogue glitch works fine. Also, I can't sell him dragon scales after killing a dragon a bit before. — Unsigned comment by Noblaum (talkcontribs) at 04:01 on 12 February 2012

Additional Ally[edit]

Should we add a note about him making a pretty good ally? I've been using him and J'zargo to go around and do all but the main Alduin quest. It requires avoiding Riverwood like the plague, because he'll run to Delphine and leave the party, but other than that, he's a great boon. He even killed the Pale Lady for me. Skyrimport89 01:33, 18 March 2012 (UTC)

I think that's pretty helpful. There are few followers who are completely invincible, so this is good to know. ?• JATalk 01:55, 18 March 2012 (UTC)

"various lines of dialog are performed by another actor attempting (unsuccessfully) to mimic von Sydow's voice."[edit]

Is there a source for this? Because I have not noticed any such thing. What I have noticed is Sydow's terrible Swedish accent creeping in from time to time.--RumblePen 01:29, 20 March 2012 (UTC)

I'm not the one who added that text, but I did listen to the voices in the Creation Kit, and some lines sound like two very different people, though I heard no real attempt to mimic von Sydow's voice at all. Whether those lines are spoken in game or not is another question, though. For now, I've added a "Verification needed" tag to the line, and hopefully someone will be able to confirm somehow whether any of the lines that are questionable are actually a problem. If not, we should probably trim the note back to the just saying Esbern's voiced by von Sydow. Robin Hoodtalk 09:01, 16 April 2012 (UTC)
I've done listening, too, in the game and some of those lines mentioned above ARE spoken in game and DO sound horribly out-of-place. Several times I've been fooled to think that a third person has joined the conversation when in fact it was only the poorer voice actor of Esbern. So by game experience it is confirmable that there are lines that do not seem to belong to the same person. However, I have no clue who could be doing those lines. Even the color of the background voice is different - indicating that the different lines were recorded in different places. --88.113.200.35 14:01, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
Thanks. I've updated the note in the article slightly, just to reflect the fact that while we're assuming it's two different people, we can't really prove it unless someone from Bethesda (or Max von Sydow, I suppose) comes out and confirms it. Robin Hoodtalk 03:46, 7 June 2012 (UTC)

Misc Quest Bug[edit]

This happened to me after killing the dragon at Mount Anthor. — Unsigned comment by 82.183.147.196 (talk) on 6 April 2012

Comparison to Arngeir[edit]

Does anyone else think that Esbern sounds very similar to Arngeir? SFK363 16:35, 22 April 2012 (UTC)

They have different Voice Actors. Although I think some of Esberns talk is voiced by an unknown. The Silencer has spokenTalk 16:44, 22 April 2012 (UTC)
I know that they have different voice actors. They just sound similar. Esbern only has a lower pitch. I'm talking about Max von Sydow. Not the failed voice actor. --SFK363 05:49, 23 April 2012 (UTC)

Combat Locked[edit]

Esbern may become locked in combat inside the Karthspire (and maybe other places too). this is simple enough to fix, on PC; just open the console, click Esbern, and type "resetAI". it will force Esbern to quit combat, and have to search for another target (which he won't find) before he can go back into combat. Saromango 10:56, 3 May 2012 (UTC)

Esbern's dream[edit]

Would it be worth mentioning the dream Esbern describes to Delphine when they're standing outside together at night? I was looking for them at night one time (not sure what exact time of night) and they were out on the courtyard-type area of Sky Haven Temple, at the far end under a pergola-type thing. They stood side by side holding torches. As I approached, I head Esbern describing a dream he used to have to Delphine. I didn't pay attention at first, and had to reload to listen to the whole thing (admittedly not a big deal), but I was wondering if anyone thought it might be a good idea to mention this dream, and a description thereof, on Esbern's page? Unless this info exists elsewhere, then maybe link to it (if it exists, I couldn't find it...)?

Also, a related question: does his dream describe anything specific to do with events in the game? Or is it just dragon-related-but-not-game-related imagery? Obax 22:12, 1 June 2012 (UTC)

There's at least one additional conversation between Delphine and Esbern at Sky Haven Temple. When inside Esbern asks what he should write about her for the archives. Delphine just gives a terse response even though Esbern wants to hear about her years evading the Thalmor. Delphine then reminds Esbern that he hid out in the Ratways for a while. Delphine is such a snarker that I wonder whether Orgnar picked up something from her. (108.214.98.107 18:18, 14 June 2012 (UTC))
I dont think the dream is mentioned anywhere else. It will most likely be added at some point tho, I would guess there is alot missing from Esberns page. I guess this is the dream your talking about, its somewhat long tho! ... "I used to dream of it. In the dream, I was standing... someplace high up... a tower, or mountain. It was always just before dawn. The whole world was in darkness. Then came the flash of light - just on the horizon, within the clouds that mark the border between worlds. It could have been lightning, but there was no thunder. In the dream, the sense of foreboding grew, but I could never wake up. Then it came again, this time more distinct. Closer. Definitely not lightning now. It was orange - brilliant orange, the color of hearth and dawn. And a sound, too. Distinct and indistinct. Not thunder... something else. Something I should recognize, but in the dream I cannot place it. I want to leave my high place, to seek shelter. From what, I don't yet know. In the manner of dreams, I cannot escape. I'm forced to wait and watch. Then, finally, realization and horror arrive together. The orange is flame, heat. The sound a roar, a challenge in their ancient tongue. But now it's too late for escape. The dragon is upon me - fire and darkness descending like a thunderbolt. And not just any dragon, but the Dragon - Alduin, the World-Eater, the dragon who devours both the living and the dead. And then I would wake up. And hope that it was just a dream... but know that it was not." — Kimi the Elf (talk | contribs) 19:45, 14 June 2012 (UTC)

Lost Esbern[edit]

Been trying to find Him. Didnt show up,only Delphine did. It's for my ps3. I don't have the apropriate Saves to go back :/ any help please!? i think it had to do with the fast travel. Delphine is just standing around by the Sky Temple Door... — Unsigned comment by 75.1.73.31 (talk) at 21:20 on 7 June 2012

Talking bug[edit]

when I to go to Esbern I cant talk to him he just says do you need something. — Unsigned comment by 85.59.42.107 (talk) at 19:22 on 29 July 2012

After defeating Alduin at throat of the world, I am given the option to talk to the dragon, the greybeards or Esbern, so I went to talk to Esbern, He has the quest pointer above his head but all he says are generic lines such as "Need something?" etc. — Unsigned comment by Kaa (talkcontribs) at 04:52 on 30 December 2012

Esbern not telling me about dragon lairs[edit]

Esbern is just saying " do you need something " with no chat options

How do i fix this — Unsigned comment by 110.32.67.38 (talk) at 23:04 on 31 August 2012

This behavior is listed in the bugs section of the article. Unfortunately, nobody has found a specific fix for this. Your best bet at this point is to load a previous save. --XyzzyTalk 06:25, 1 September 2012 (UTC)

You should have acted[edit]

I've just thought of this: in the Skyrim trailer, Esbern gives his speech about "You should have acted. They're already here." etc. Assuming he is talking to the Dragonborn here (i.e. the player), what does he mean, you should have acted? What important duty has been forgotten, that might have prevented the dragons' return? Is this alluding to something in the Dragonborn's past? Or is he talking to someone else here? Delphine, who has been in hiding all these years and has only recently started trying to stop the dragons? The Greybeards, who just "sit on their mountain and talk to the sky"? Or did they just put it in there because it sounded good, to give his words a sense of urgency? — Unsigned comment by Norowane (talkcontribs) at 21:49 on 17 December 2013 (GMT)

This topic is more appropriate for the forums, consider asking about this there. However, I will say that Esbern is most likely not talking to you, as he says this: "But, there's one they fear. In their tongue, he's Dovahkiin: Dragon Born!" Referring to you as he instead of as you is odd, if this were the context. But once again, not the best topic for the wiki. --AKB Talk Cont Mail 21:49, 17 December 2013 (GMT)