There are many well known homages in Skyrim, but some of them are so obscure that even the most observant Dragonborn would have missed them.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim has a lot of unintentional humor, including odd ragdoll animations and choppy conversations, but there are also several intended Easter eggs that may improve the experience.
While some of these subtle references are easy to discover, others need a sharp eye and popular media understanding.
This is particularly the case with these ambiguous Easter eggs, which even ten years after the game’s release, the majority of Dragonborn would not have discovered or known were present.
This is another example of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim’s brilliance and capacity to endure the test of time, even in the realm of popular culture.
With that being said, here are some of the Easter eggs you most likely have missed playing the game!
Portal 2 Nod
Even though Portal 2 was released in April of 2011, just a few months before Skyrim, Bethesda nonetheless found time to include a reference to the revered puzzle game.
There is a little fireplace in Skuldafn, the temple where Alduin lived before the Dragonborn appeared, that has an odd collection of items within.
Three bits of charcoal, a potato, and a cooked crème treat are meticulously placed in front of the flames in a manner that comically resembles GLaDOS’ potato shape from Portal 2.
This Skyrim Easter egg is really easy to miss because it’s hidden fairly well from anyone who is not actively looking for it.
Additionally, because Skuldafn can only be reached via the “World-Eater’sEyrie” quest, gamers are likely to overlook it.
Game of Thrones Easter Egg
It’s hardly surprising that there is an Easter egg mentioning Game of Thrones given the parallels between the two.
According to Tor, the game was initially intended to be a Game of Thrones spin-off. A particular dialogue is remarkably easy to miss, particularly if the Dragonborn is unfamiliar with Westeros, but almost anyone who’s more familiar with House Lannister will be able to identify it.
Thonar Silver-Blood will give the player a ring and remark, “The Silver-Bloods pay their debts. You have my thanks,” if they kill Madanach in Cidhna Mine.
This is practically a word-for-word nod to House Lannister’s catchphrase from Game of Thrones, but it’s a tricky Easter egg to discover in Skyrim.
Romeo and Juliet Reference
There are plenty of love storylines in Skyrim, especially if the Dragonborn is in possession of the Amulet of Mara, but there is no greater way to represent heartbreak than by making a reference to the classic story of Romeo and Juliet.
The Reach is where you may find a particularly horrific scene.
The remains of two people who appear to be star-crossed lovers may be found at the bottom of a cliff, along with poison vials and even a dagger, which, anyone familiar with Shakespeare’s play knows what those mean.
It’s challenging to determine what caused this tragedy in Skyrim because the woman’s body is intact while her partner’s has decomposed already.
But given that the location of this easy to miss Easter egg is close to Markarth, Skyrim’s most intriguing city, it’s possible that this marks the tragic end of an unlikely union between Nord and Forsworn members.