Template:SkyrimNPCs
- "You're wrong, Ulfric. We need the Empire. Without it, Skyrim will assuredly fall to the Dominion."
- ―Rikke[src]
Legate Rikke is the Chief Lieutenant of the Imperial Legion under General Tullius. Rikke is a Nord, and believes strongly that Skyrim should be part of the Empire.
Religious views
- "I am a loyal citizen of the Empire. My parents were Legionnaires, and I've followed in their footsteps. But more importantly, I am a daughter of Skyrim and wish to see her made whole again."
- ―Rikke[src]
Rikke is guarded about her religious views. When asked, she brushes off the question. If the Dragonborn sides with the Imperial Legion during the Civil War, she says, "Talos guide you," revealing her religious beliefs despite being part of the Legion. She also whispers "Talos be with you" to Ulfric Stormcloak after he is killed, only for General Tullius to react with alarm. Additionally, if the Dragonborn sides with the Stormcloaks, Rikke exclaims "For Talos!" during the battle with her. And in the final scene of Battle for Solitude, where Dragonborn along with Galmar Stone-Fist and Ulfric Stormcloak kills both Tullius and Rikke, she will say before fight "Talos preserve us".
Interactions
When asked about what she thinks of the Thalmor, she will also brush off the question, hinting that she doesn't respect them.
Civil War
Imperials
If the Dragonborn sides with the Imperial Legion, Rikke acts as commanding officer in the camps, and assigns the Dragonborn to recapture several of the major holds. She, along with General Tullius, is present at the Imperial attack on Windhelm, and assists the Dragonborn in the final battle with Ulfric Stormcloak and Galmar Stone-Fist. She is also present with Imperial Soldiers during the search for the Jagged Crown.
Stormcloaks
If the Dragonborn sides with the Stormcloaks, Rikke is killed while defending Tullius during the Civil War. Later, she can be encountered in Sovngarde, where she laments that the Legion wished to protect Skyrim, but only succeeded in killing men and women from both sides who are now being devoured by Alduin, she also laments that this has made her unable to find the way to Shor's Hall. Her coffin can also be found in the Solitude Catacombs with General Tullius.
Quotes
- "I don't fight for the glory of the Empire, nor do I glory in the death of my kinsmen. I fight to bring peace and order to my homeland."
- "Stormcloaks... even the name of their rebellion stinks of Ulfric's vanity. He wants to be king. That's all this is about. One man's ambition."
- "When we destroy the rebellion, perhaps the Thalmor will call off their damned inquisitions. It's just making things worse."
- "Many of my countrymen joined the rebels. They can't see the big picture. Skyrim needs the Empire as much as it needs us."
- "The General and I have our disagreements, but he's the best hope for both the Empire and Skyrim."
- "Sometimes I wonder if the gods have abandoned us... as we have abandoned them."
- "Damnit! Why can't Ulfric see he's tearing Skyrim to pieces?"
- "The sooner we end this rebellion, the sooner I'll be able to sleep at night."
- "Ulfric... what have you done, my old friend?"
- "What I do, I do for Skyrim and her people."
- "Sometimes I miss being out there in the middle of the action."
- "The general expects so much with so little."
Gallery
Trivia
- Rikke's relationship to Tullius is comparable to that of a housecarl.
- Legate Rikke is voiced by Claudia Christian, who also voices Aela the Huntress, as well as other characters.
- During the quest Dragonslayer, Legate Rikke may assist the Dragonborn with fighting Alduin if she happens to wander close to the site of the battle (this can happen only if Dragonborn has joined the Stormcloaks).
- While all Imperial soldiers come equipped with an Imperial Sword and Imperial Shield, Legate Rikke uses a Steel Sword and Steel Shield of her own, Nord design.
- Hadvar thinks that Rikke is sympathetic to the Stormcloaks. Evidence for this is witnessed when she says "Talos be with you." after the death of Ulfric Stormcloak. Despite this, however, Rikke remains a loyal legionnaire and doesn't hesitate to slay rebels whenever she encounters one.
- Rikke's hair will change to a ponytail during the Battle for Whiterun.
- After the Battle for Windhelm, she will sometimes state "Ulfric... what have you done my old friend", indicating that at one point she and Ulfric were friends. They could have served together during the Great War, when Ulfric was a part of the Legion.