The world of Skyrim is full of brave warriors, wise scholars, loyal friends, and keen manipulators. If these four archetypes sound familiar, it's because they align with the four Houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Every strong personality in the province of Skyrim can fall into one of the well-known houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin.
Just like in real life, some characters can show traits of more than one house. However, their strongest beliefs and clearest values define where they belong. Here's a list of some of Skyrim's most recognizable and beloved characters and the Hogwarts houses that best fit their personalities.
10 Delphine: Gryffindor
A devoted warrior, Delphine has dedicated her life to the fight. Strength and bravery in the face of adversity are core Gryffindor values and qualities that define Delphine's character.
Though she understands the value of learning about one's foes, Delphine has little patience for academia. She views the Greybeard monks and wizards like Farengar as valuable but remains overly cautious. Like a true Gryffindor, Delphine believes that progress is made through action. She refuses to let dragons threaten Skyrim, and refuses to let the Dragonborn stand idly by.
9 Maven Black-Briar: Slytherin
Skyrim has no shortage of schemers and manipulators, but Maven is the best of the best. Whether she's on the Jarl's throne or not, the Black-Briar matriarch runs Riften as she sees fit. She'll go to any lengths to achieve her own goals, just like any Slytherin will do.
Not all Slytherins are selfish or cruel, but some can be. Maven doesn't care who she crushes in her climb to the top. Ambitious and unrelenting, she'll ruin anyone who gets in the way of her plans.
8 Frea: Gryffindor
Brave, hardy, and endlessly loyal, Frea's warrior heart echoes the Gryffindor ethos. She doesn't let her fears get in her way, especially when something more important is at stake like the survival of the Skaal people.
Frea tells the player that she was an angry child, and became a warrior to put her fierce nature to good use. This evokes the hotheaded nature of many Gryffindors. By the time the player meets her, Frea has learned to channel her energy into the bravery that this house values.
7 Balimund: Hufflepuff
Hufflepuffs are few and far between in a harsh land like Skyrim. Riften's resident blacksmith, however, is kind, patient, and loyal. He took in his apprentice, Asbjorn, as an orphaned child, training him in the art of smithing to give him a better life.
Smithing is no easy craft and requires patience, strength, and precision. Balimund's skill with the forge could only have come from years of practice, benefitting from a hefty dose of tenacity and a hardworking nature. These Hufflepuff qualities make Balimund a great smith and a good man.
6 Neloth: Ravenclaw
A man who's dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge, Neloth is perhaps the truest Ravenclaw in the game. He focuses on experiments to the exclusion of all else, becoming at times, fanatical. Like some Ravenclaws, he can occasionally get so lost in his studies that he becomes detached from reality.
Members of this house are curious and love to pursue knowledge for its own sake. Neloth embodies this spirit wholeheartedly. He maintains that there is always more to learn, and pushes himself and others to seek it.
5 Brynjolf: Gryffindor
Energetic and jovial, Brynjolf is always ready for an adventure. Like many Gryffindors, he sometimes lacks the capacity to slow down, stop, and think. Though clever, he's more interested in taking action than inventing schemes.
Bravery is the best-known Gryffindor quality, but this house also values camaraderie and chivalry. Similarly, honor is important to Brynjolf, considering his outrage at Mercer's betrayal. Despite being a thief and working in the shadows, Brynjolf is never afraid to go charging in sword-first if need be, just like a Gryffindor.
4 Kodlak White-Mane: Ravenclaw
Though he may not be a scholar or a mage, Kodlak is renowned as one of the wisest minds in Skyrim. As a warrior, his battle prowess comes as much from tactical strategy as from physical might, demonstrating the logical mind of a Ravenclaw.
Like members of this house, the leader of the Companions is contemplative and values the power of reflection. He seeks to view matters from all sides and consider all information, whether it be found in ancient documents or his own dreams.
3 Balgruuf the Greater: Hufflepuff
This may not seem obvious at first glance, but consider this house's qualities. The core Hufflepuff values include loyalty, fairness, and an open heart. All of which are aspects that Balgruuf exhibits in his rule of Whiterun. He seeks to be a reliable leader, someone his people can trust.
With every decision he makes, Balgruuf's deepest concern is how it will affect his people. He demonstrates trademark Hufflepuff compassion as well as a sense of duty. In proclaiming that he "stands with Whiterun," Balgruuf shows himself to be steadfast and true, just like Hufflepuff House.
2 Serana: Ravenclaw
Conscientious and smart, Serana believes that intelligence and wisdom are the most powerful tools in her arsenal. Like a true Ravenclaw, she's meticulous and values a strategic offense. She's able to convince the Dawnguard and the Dragonborn that knowledge is the greatest weapon in the fight against her father.
Ravenclaws value not just studiousness, but wisdom and creative thinking. An excellent problem solver, Serana is often able to find solutions to tricky puzzles, like sneaking into Castle Harkon or finding a way into the Soul Cairn.
1 Ulfric Stormcloak: Slytherin
Cunning and clever, the leader of the Stormcloak rebellion is always planning several moves ahead. Like members of Slytherin house, he's set on his goals and isn't afraid to fight or manipulate others in order to achieve them. Proud and ambitious, Ulfric seeks power.
Ulfric does genuinely care about preserving traditional Nord ways of life, freedom of worship, and his people's liberation. However, his ambition ultimately drives him the most. Slytherins often seek status and influence, just as Ulfric's goal is to rule Skyrim as he sees fit.