The Elder Scrolls series has featured many notable villains over the course of its games. From behemoth dragons and merciless Daedric lords to vile necromancers and common thieves, the continent of Tamriel is overflowing with evil beings, creatures, and mortals who would gladly target the player with their wicked plans.

RELATED: Scariest Elder Scrolls Villains, Ranked

While many were born with nefarious motives, some villains started out with much more benevolent intentions – or at least were largely neutral - before treading down the path of darkness. Here are some Elder Scrolls villains who weren’t always so dastardly.

8 Lord Harkon

Elder Scrolls Skyrim Lord Harkon

Long before Harkon became the ancient pure-blooded vampire leader of the Volkihar Clan, Harkon was once a Nord king. Should the player ask how Harkon became a vampire, he will describe how he once ruled as a mighty sovereign, with power and riches beyond imagining but sought to take the next step and overturn his mortality to live forever.

He made a pact with Molag Bal and sacrificed a thousand of his subjects in return for the ‘blessing’ of becoming an immortal vampire. Harkon’s family then founded the Volkihar Clan, and he eventually became obsessed with his plot to blot out the sun and walk freely during the day. This malevolent figure is the one that the Dragonborn encounters and ultimately defeats in the Dawnguard DLC.

7 Mannimarco

Elder Scrolls Online Mannimarco

The King Of Worms has a storied past before becoming the infamous necromancer that players meet in The Elder Scrolls Online and Oblivion. He was born of royal descent and joined the Psijic Order, an exclusive society of High Elf mages dedicated to the study of magic.

RELATED: Elder Scrolls Online: Best Necromancer Builds, Ranked (For 2023)

Here, he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented students the Order had ever seen, with his magical capability only rivaled by that of his fellow student Galerion. Around the same time that Galerion left the Psijic Order to found the mages guild, Mannimarco left too, although his purpose was less altruistic, as he sought to wield necromancy in the pursuit of power, which eventually led him into the service of the Daedric prince of domination, Molag Bal.

6 Commander Maro

Elder Scrolls Skyrim Maro

Leader of the Penitus Oculatus in Skyrim, Commander Maro is the main antagonist of the Dark Brotherhood questline in Skyrim. After striking a deal with Astrid, he leads the Dragonborn into a trap, before betraying her and sending men to raze the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary to the ground.

While he may employ some underhanded and brutal tactics, Maro was simply carrying out his duty to protect the Emperor. Additionally, the Dragonborn kills his son Gaius during the quest line. By reading a note found on Gaius’ body, players can see that Maro was a loving father and dutiful commander before the death of his son inspired the vengeful (but understandable) attack on the brotherhood.

5 Dagoth Ur

Elder Scrolls Morrowind Dagoth Ur

Dagoth Ur was once known by a different name – Voryn, a chimer who was born into the great house of Dagoth. Voryn was a friend and ally to Indoril Nerevar and helped him defeat the Dwemer during the Battle of Red Mountain. It was only when they discovered the Heart of Lorkhan within the mountain that Voryn took a villainous turn.

RELATED: Why The Elder Scrolls 6 Should Have A Morality System

As Nerevar and the Tribunal discussed what to do with the heart, Voryn stole the heart’s power to transform himself into an immortal god, who was to be known as Dagoth Ur henceforth. It was only when the Nerevarine, the reincarnation of Nerevar, severed the heart from the mortal plane that Dagoth Ur was defeated for good.

4 Madanach

Elder Scrolls Skyrim Madanach

The leader of the Forsworn rebellion, Madanach - who can be found imprisoned in Cidhna Mine, briefly ruled over Markarth as a petty king. During the great war, the city was left weakly defended, and Madanach led the Reachmen to reclaim Markarth, subsequently petitioning the Empire to recognize their independence.

His reign, aside from a few crimes against Nord landowners, was relatively peaceful, with some accounts stating that Madanach’s rule was fair and just. After Ulfric Stormcloak retook the city, Madanach was imprisoned, and began leading the Forsworn as a violent insurgency from within, ordering the killings of innocents and doing the exploitative bidding of the Silver-Bloods. This became the barbaric Forsworn that players ultimately encounter in Skyrim.

3 Sheogorath

Elder Scrolls Oblivion Jyggalag

While not the worst of the Daedric princes, Sheogorath is still far from what one would call humane. He is utterly unpredictable, taking great pleasure from driving mortals insane, and even manipulating and tricking other Daedric princes to do his bidding.

The Madgod used to be known by a different name - Jyggalag, the Daedric prince of order and logic. Jyggalag was once so powerful that the other Daedric lords grew fearful and cursed him to live as Sheogorath, the opposite of everything he stood for. At the end of every era, Jyggalag returns to tear down the madness in his realm, before transforming back into Sheogorath. The Hero of Kvatch can end this torturous cycle by defeating Jyggalag in the Shivering Isles DLC.

2 Mercer Frey

Elder Scrolls Skyrim Mercer Frey

Before his betrayal of the guild was eventually discovered by the Dragonborn during the Thieves Guild questline, Mercer Frey helped oversee the guild during its golden age. The guild was feared and respected throughout Skyrim, and Guildmaster Gallus was developing plans for various heists, including the theft of the Eyes of the Falmer.

RELATED: Skyrim: The Best Villains In The Game, Ranked

At some point, Mercer began skimming funds from the guild’s treasury. After being discovered by Gallus, Mercer had him killed and pinned the blame on Karliah. He took over the Guildmaster position and stole the Skeleton Key, resulting in Nocturnal putting a curse over the guild leading to years of bad luck and decay, while Mercer drained the treasury of all resources.

1 The Thalmor

Elder Scrolls Online Ayrenn

Centuries before the Thalmor founded the Third Aldmeri Dominion, aimed at establishing elven dominance over the race of men, a different kind of Thalmor ruled over the Summerset Isles.

Responding to the chaos of the Interregnum and impending disaster of the Planemeld, Queen Ayrenn established the First Aldmeri Dominion, combining forces with the Bosmer and Khajiit, to end the chaos and restore elven rule to Tamriel. The governing Thalmor were made up of representatives from all three nations, and wanted to rule peacefully, a far cry from the tyrannical and supremacist faction that rose to power at the beginning of the fourth era.

MORE: The Best Games To Play If You Like Skyrim