In a medieval fantasy setting like The Elder Scrolls series, looking the part is important. Helms play a large role in this endeavor. For warriors, in particular, choosing the right one can mean the difference between life and death. Not any old piece of rusty headgear found in a trash heap will do.
Luckily, there exists across Tamriel a plethora of magical helms that possess legendary backstories. Some are infused with the power of a Daedric Prince while others are holy relics of great import. Finding these fearsome helms may not always be easy, but obtaining them is always worth the risk.
10 Masque Of Clavicus Vile
A headpiece associated with Clavicus Vile the helm typically takes the form of a stern, bearded man with horns jutting from his helmet. Equipping the cursed artifact makes the wearer more popular. Like most deals with Clavicus Vile the popularity often comes at a cost.
According to legend, a disfigured noblewoman made a deal with the Daedric Prince to obtain the mask in order to hide her deformity. Wearing the mask improved her standing immensely among her peers. She married a handsome baron and became pregnant with his child. However, the deal for the mask was only temporary. Just when everything seemed right with the world, Vile reclaimed his artifact. The noblewoman's deformities were once again revealed and her husband left her, leaving her with nothing.
9 Helm Of Yngol
Yngol was a legendary figure from Tamriel's early history. The eldest son of Ysgramor, Yngol was one of the founding members of the Companions. He was known as a master blacksmith who purportedly forged the axe Wuuthrad for his father. He perished at sea whilst completing a mission for Ysgramor.
Yngol's remains were buried in Skyrim northeast of Windhelm. The Dragonborn can brave the dangers of the barrow and confront Yngol's shade. Defeating him grants the player the famous warrior's helm. It bestows upon the wearer 30 points of Frost resistance.
8 Helm Of The Crusader
Like Daedric artifacts, items associated with the Nine Divines hold great power. Relics belonging to Pelinal Whitestrake, in particular, are immensely valuable. The Helm of the Crusader is one such object. Crafted by Dibella herself it's a fearsome helm only true holy warriors may wear.
In The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine the helmet grants the player a boost to his bartering skills. In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim all the relics of the Crusader are creation club content, including the helm. It fortifies the Illusion skill in that game.
7 Gray Cowl Of Nocturnal
The Daedric artifact belonging to the Mistress of Shadows is the aptly-named Gray Cowl. Physically, the mask looks unimpressive, and to an outside observer could be considered useless. But behind it raggedy appearance lies a tremendous power that makes it quite unique from other cowls.
Wearing it grants complete anonymity, which makes it a valuable prize for aspiring criminals. However, the cowl also makes the wearer notorious, due to its association with the Thieves Guild. Thus, it simultaneously bestows a blessing and a curse. It's best to utilize caution when using this unusual hood.
6 Oreyn Bearclaw's Helm
A very old and prized artifact, the helm's history is a murky one. Oreyn Bearclaw was reportedly a Dark Elven hunter who slew an evil serpent that had inhabited a nearby forest. The helm itself appears to be made from the skull of a great beast. It improves the wearer's agility and endurance.
Other storytellers claim that Oreyn was a fraud. They say he stole the credit from the real hero: an Orc by the name of Kharag gro-Khar. Whether the helm is Elven or Orcish in origin is a matter of debate.
5 The Jagged Crown
The Nords place a lot of value in tradition and in the veneration of ancestors. The High King of Skyrim's Jagged Crown plays a large role in that tradition. According to Nordic legend, the crown was forged from the bones of ancient dragons from the First Era.
Possessing the crown imparts a large measure of legitimacy to whoever wears it. It's for this reason that the Stormcloaks and Imperials race to recover it for their respective faction in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. For the Nords, the Jagged Crown represents an unbroken line of continuity that started from the days of Ysgramor.
4 Bloodworm Helm
There are many artifacts associated with Mannimarco, the so-called King of Worms. Like his other artifacts, the Bloodworm Helm is a boon to necromancers. Made from the bones of a troll skull it's an intimidating sight to behold when equipped. It fortifies the user's Conjuration in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and can summon an ally in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.
The helm plays a role in the Mages Guild questline in Oblivion. The Order of the Black Worm attempts to recover the artifact for their master. It's up to the Hero of Kvatch to stop them and return the helm to the mages of Cyrodiil for safekeeping.
3 Adamantium Helm Of Tohan
Adamantium is a highly valuable metal that resembles silver. Its durability and the ease with which it can be enchanted makes it useful for crafting weapons and armor. The origins of the helm remain shrouded in mystery, but its power and value are unmistakable.
In The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind the Nerevarine has the opportunity to claim the headpiece for himself. It can be found within a locked chest in the ruins of Onnissiralis after aiding a pair of bickering brothers. It's a prize worthy of the Nerevarine's stature to be sure.
2 Deathbrand Helm
Haknir Death-Brand was a legendary and infamous pirate captain who was a scourge upon the northern seas for many years. Known as the "King of Ghosts" Haknir was renowned for his exceptional brutality and cruelty. After his death, Haknir's armor was divided up and buried in various locations across Solstheim.
Finding the helmet, like all other pieces of the armor set, requires a treasure map to find it. Wearing it allows the Dragonborn to breathe underwater and if paired with the rest of the set grants an additional 100 points of armor.
1 Ayleid Crown Of Nenalata
Cyrodiil was once ruled by an ancient race of Elves known as the Ayleids. One of the more powerful clans was the city-state of Nenalata. The crown itself was supposedly in the possession of the "Last King of the Ayleids," Laloriaran Dynar.
The crown resurfaces in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion when Umbacano, a shifty antique collector, tasks the player with finding it for him. His plan is to resurrect the Ayleid civilization by turning himself into an all-powerful king. The crown is the key to this plan. The player can either do as Umbacano asks or sabotage his plan by swapping the real crown for a different one.