Skyrimis still largely recognized as one of the “largest” games out there, both in terms of the number of hours its content provides and the size of the map, though these milestones have since been surpassed by other titles. It’s filled with lore stretching thousands of years and characters spreading from lawfully good in morality, such as many of the Companions, to chaotically evil, which may includethe Dark Brotherhood’s members.
Unfortunately, one character’s backstory, which is rumored to be unfinished content, still remains a mystery, even afterSkyrim: Anniversary Editionbrought in several new quests such as one where the player can retrieve the Gray Fox’s Gray Cowl of Nocturnal, an excellent piece of armor that any thief should have, though it makes guards hostile. But when it comes to another Thieves Guild member, Rune, his origins still seem like an empty hole in the world ofSkyrim.
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Rune’s Backstory in Skyrim
Rune is first met after players start theThieves Guild questline inSkyrimand meet several new faces down in The Ragged Flagon’s Cistern, or the group’s headquarters. He doesn’t have very much dialogue, but players can ask him about his “unusual name.” Rune will go onto explain that the name was given to him by his father figure that found him as a young boy on the coast near Solitude. In his pocket was a stone with some runes engraved into it, but unfortunately, nobody seems to know what they mean, including scholars at the College of Winterhold. Though, because he traveled by boat, it’s likely that Rune came from somewhere further away. While he claims that he doesn’t care what his birth name is, he’s at least gone to great lengths—spending “every last coin” he made working for the Thieves Guild—on finding clues that would help him reunite with his birth parents or figure out where he’s from.
It would seem that the runes paired with the shipwreck location are the key to thisSkyrimmystery, but because there’s no quest tied to his story, players have no place to look. After ten years of playingSkyrim, every corner of the province has been uncovered and yet no other clues to Rune’s past have been uncovered, leading some to believe that his story was the result of cut content. Players can tell him they’ll keep an eye out for clues about his past or parents, but no quest is added to the docket.
Some players believe that theshipwreck at Orphan’s Tearmight have been planned for Rune’s story, and the name of the location seems conveniently close. However, it’s already associated with The Restless quest. There are also a handful of ships and shipwrecks off the northern coast of Skyrim that could have been initially created for Rune’s story only to be later abandoned.
Many players have requested thataSkyrimmodderfinish Rune’s quest, and a few have taken a stab at it. But whileAnniversary Editionmade many fan creations canon through the Creation Club, no quests resolving Rune’s backstory is one of them, and it still remains a mystery. Of course, Bethesda games such asSkyrimandFallout 4are filled with areas and hints that don’t actually unlock a quest. Instead, they are left to either speculate or explore the nearby area for answers, hoping they come in the form of text.
Skyrimis out now for PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
