Fans of Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls series know that factions and guilds play a huge role in each title's story and experience. After all, in most The Elder Scrolls games, organizations either enhance the player's overall gameplay experience or core narrative. Moreover, each faction and guild has sets of quests and features that cement their role in Tamriel's society. For instance, the Mages' Guild lets players master Magicka, while the Dark Brotherhood introduces players to a world of espionage and deceit.
Of course, of the many guilds across the games, some do stand out compared to the rest. After all, some guilds just have a huge impact on how players perceive an Elder Scrolls title and its overall experience.
10 The Dark Brotherhood
The black handprint remains an iconic symbol for the Dark Brotherhood - evidently one of the most prominent factions in Skyrim and among The Elder Scrolls fanbase at large. Unlike other guilds, the Dark Brotherhood specializes in covert operations - often dealing with assassinations, theft, and other forms of illegal activities. Likewise, Dark Brothers and Dark Sisters accomplish their contracts wearing the guild's signature black robes or fitted leather outfits.
Moreover, players can join the Dark Brotherhood using rather unorthodox methods. In most games, players who kill innocents will fall under the radar of the Dark Brotherhood. Additionally, players who get inside the Dark Brotherhood will still feel the air of mystery that surrounds its inner circle. After all, the Dark Brotherhood still has internal factions such as the more elite Black Hand and the Argonian-centric Shadowscales.
9 The Blades
The dragon insignia reminds citizens of Tamriel that the Emperor will always have his blades with him. As such, players who end up joining the Blades will take part in a centuries-old pact that dates back to the Akaviri Dragonguard. Moreover, players will instantly recognize the gold-tinted plate and signature katana of the Blades, all with their rightly regal sheen.
However, the Blades isn't just the stereotypical kingsguard. In fact, unbeknownst to the public, the Blades also have covert agents in charge of spying for the emperor. For instance, the Blades might formally be in a province for diplomatic affairs while dispatching agents to spy on potential threats. As such, players who join the Blades may feel like they're a part of an intelligence agency.
8 The Mythic Dawn
Players of Oblivion will remember the secretive Mythic Dawn, especially with their involvement in the assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim VII and his heirs. As it turns out, the Mythic Dawn were also directly responsible for the Oblivion Crisis that would bring about a Daedric Invasion in Tamriel.
Unlike other factions, players only join the Mythic Dawn temporarily as part of the main quest. However, they'll soon discover that the Mythic Dawn actually had many sleeper agents scattered throughout the region dedicated to their cause. Albeit not extremely remarkable as an enemy faction, the "fanatical cultist" spin on the concept adds a layer of terror otherwise not present in Oblivion's rather cheerful Cyrodil.
7 The East Empire Company
Factions in Tamriel aren't always about fighting, spying, and stealing. Interestingly, the East Empire Company expands one's view of Tamriel by providing a more business-minded approach to organizations. People in Tamriel know the EETC as a powerful trading company focused on the importation and exportation of various products. Aside from their multinational nature, the EETC holds control over prices as they don't have any competition in the market. Likewise, Morrowind players will recognize the EETC's control over the trade of products such as Cyrodillic Brandy, sujamma, mazte, and kwama eggs.
When players join the EETC, they can do quests for the Company to slowly rise through its ranks. Moreover, players who become Factor (the highest position) would be able to control the Company's affairs in the region within their EETC-sponsored estate.
6 The Thieves Guild
Players with a knack for stealth and stealing would likely end up running into the Thieves Guild. Interestingly, the Thieves Guild doesn't seem to be as hostile as others think. In fact, it's said that authorities have tolerated much of the Guild's activities given their tendency to unknowingly "regulate" crime. After all, the Thieves Guild doesn't appreciate competition and bad conduct. That seems humorous and harmless enough?
Interestingly, the Thieves Guild carries this reputation of being lighthearted and humorous throughout the games. Granted, a lot of Thieves Guild quests may have serious storylines. However, of all the guilds in Tamriel, the Thieves Guild constantly gives players a more in-depth look into the lives of Tamriel's citizens.
5 The Mages Guild
Citizens of Tamriel gifted in the arcane arts could join the Mages Guild to hone their skills. In Oblivion, players eventually go to the Imperial City's secluded Arcane University to master their spellcraft. Albeit now disbanded in Skyrim, the original Mages Guild holds a sense of exclusivity that makes any member feel special.
Moreover, members of the Mages Guild may belong to one of many schools of magic, each specializing in different forms of spellcasting. Aside from donning exclusive robes and being part of an exclusive area, the rich history of the Mages Guild make them quite compelling. Moreover, the scattered magic Colleges in Skyrim (such as Winterhold) further expand what happened to the Guild post-Oblivion.
4 The Twin Lamps
Players of Morrowind would soon discover that the eponymous province still allows slavery, despite its illegal status throughout the rest of the Empire. However, this notion didn't stop factions such as the abolitionist Twin Lamps to help various slaves escape Morrowind and find their way to freedom.
Albeit not a big faction, the Twin Lamps serve an extremely noble cause in Morrowind. Moreover, instead of missions, the Twin Lamps will simply task players to free as many slaves as they can throughout the province. Unlike other factions, the Twin Lamps doesn't operate too strictly within a hierarchy. Moreover, it feels awesome being part of such a cause.
3 The Arena
Fans of Oblivion will fondly remember the Arena, a battlefield located in Cyrodiil's Imperial City. As the name suggests, the Arena has various gladiators fighting to prove their strength and domination. Moreover, the Arena gives players a taste of what it might feel to become a gladiator. After all, the Arena has quite the colorful cast of combatants - from Blademaster Owyn to the Adoring Fan.
Unlike other factions, the Arena has straightforward "missions" - survive the match. Interestingly, players who join the Arena will fondly remember quite the hype from the announcer and its extremely challenging battles. Moreover, players may see the Arena as a great way to level up their melee skills.
2 The Volkihar
Players of Skyrim know full-well that supernatural creatures like Vampires and Werewolves exist in the eponymous region. Interestingly, players can become Vampires under the leadership of Lord Harkon in Castle Volkihar. In doing so, players can become a part of the more secluded Vampire Clan and partake in their activities.
Unlike other Vampires in other series titles, the Volkihar have their own compelling storyline and narrative. Moreover, players can learn more about the mysterious Lord Harkon and his family through texts scattered around the Castle. Lastly, players looking for an exciting faction conflict can see the tension between the Volkihar and the vampire hunters of the Dawnguard.
1 The Dawnguard
As long as hostile Vampires exist in Tamriel, the Dawnguard will hunt them down. Players of Skyrim will remember Fort Dawnguard in the Velothi Mountains and its occupants, the vampire hunters. Interestingly, the Dawnguard found their specialization early on. The Jarl of Riften built Dawnguard originally as a place to imprison his son, who contracted Vampirism. Unfortunately, the Jarl banished his guards after having to kill his son. However, despite their banishment, the Jarl's guards established the Dawnguard and continued their vampire-hunting throughout Tamriel.
Players would likely recognize the Dawnguard for their leather-clad members, as well as their prominent usage of silvered weapons. Moreover, its leader will hold the silver-and-gold Guardian's Claymore. Most notably, the Dawnguard assisted in the prevention of the Tyranny of the Sun, a prophecy that would eternally block out the sun and launch a reign of Vampires.