Sender of Letters from a Friend Revealed 

Wouldnt this theory be proved/falsified by killing her and observing whether the letters stop coming in?

It's worth bring up that Mara had a appearance back in morrwind where she appeared as a normal imperial women stuck in a cave with monsters if you give her a scroll she will disappear and give you a skirt of Mara So gods pretending to be human isn't a new idea in elder scrolls

The friend is clearly the courier. He always knows where you are, never attacks you, and will run across bandit infested areas to simply give you a letter.

I always thought it was the Ebony Warrior sending the letters. Method: He knows the Thuum, so he could easily tell you where he found the words he knows, and maybe some others he didn’t learn. Motive: He not only wants an honorable battle with you, he wants you to kill him so he can go to Sovngarde. To achieve both those goals, he would want you to be as strong as possible. Logic: In a no-cheating playthrough, you would normally have learned every word there is to learn by the time you reach level 80, which is when the Ebony Warrior approaches you, therefore, his death would not influence the letters since, at that point, there would be no letters to send anyway.

Not entirely sold on Karita being A Friend, but you did open me up to the aspect of Kyne idea and I gotta say I’m pretty convinced of that. I remember encountering Karita on one of my first playthroughs and I’ve been curious ever since, especially why she disappears and only shows up during the greybeard quest. The fact she wore a circlet seemed important; NPCs generally don’t wear those unless they’re nobility or the like, and it could be symbolic of her divine status. If this is all true, then Karita and the Voice of Kyne reward from the tablets (note the statue of Talos at the final tablet) near perfectly mirrors the aspect of Talos NPC from Morrowind. The fact that both these NPCs also “manifest” at World Towers could also support this theory.

I've seen a lot of theories - Delphine (she her letter from the horn was adressed with "a friend") - Paarthurnax and the greybeards - Sheogorath (having fun in his weird ways and because it would never be weird to have Sheogorath, the whole madness thing) - the Dragonborn themselves from the future - Hermaeus Mora (training a new dragonborn to replace Miraak) - the Ebony Warrior (to get a proper fight) - the courier - a bunch of unrelated people who just happen to write the same kind of letter

Now I'm wondering whether or not having an amulet of mara when you speak to her will trigger a marriage option

When you fight mirmulnir, the guard inside the tower says "Kynereth save us, here he comes again, he also uses the nord voice.

Klemek or whatever his name is might be the middle man. He is the only person to frequently go up the mountain. Has more respect for the graybeards than anyone in my opinion. He goes all the way up there. To deliver food and supplies for nothing in return and has never even seen the graybeards. I'd imagine the mountain of Kyne wouldn't kill Kyne. Is basically her shine. He had probably noticed her there never leaving and there for knew she is a supernatural entity

Damn, I wonder if there are incarnations of other divines in the game and if so, who? Karita disappearing like the wind is also a bonus point.

The answer is Farengar. He's male, a "friend" by Skyrim standards, and he clues you in by writing the word with a capital F. The anonymity can be explained by the persecution the Blades (and anyone associated with them) are suffering. Ironically he wears a cloak and carries a dagger. He also conducts research on dragon history and the dragonstone, so it's not that farfetched to imagine he knows about word walls and some of their locations.

Delphine's anonymity isn't an issue its a solution, She is a blade, the blades are being hunted by the Thalmor. A known blade signing a letter with their name is a bad idea, hence the anonymity. So Delphine stays the most likely cantidate.

While I do agree that these hints can point towards Karita being Kyne, I think there are way more likely reasons for all the hints you mentioned: - First of all it seems very much you arrived at this conclusion because you were looking for „Who is the „A Friend“ person that writes all of these letters about Dragon word walls. This can be a source for false conclusions, because just like „When you have a hammer everything starts to look like a Nail.“ When you are looking for a specific conclusion, everything starts to hint at this conclusion. - She is presented as a Pilgrim of probably the most tiring Pilgrimage location in all of Tamriel. So she is pretty dedicated. And this pilgrimage is very much about the history of the Nords (the shrines tell the story of the first rebellion against the dragons). - So her having books about other Parts of Nord history only shows that she is interested in history. If I wanted to hint at Karita being Kyne I would not choose books that perfectly fit with her persona of being a Nord Pilgrim. - Same thing goes for her Name, it is not a direct link to Kyne by for example translating to Wind/Strom, Warrior-Wife, Mother of Men , … but instead only links to a very indirect role she has in relation to Shor. Beloved also fits as a Name simply given by loving parents, to Dibella (fits also better for her), Mara (fits better to her as well), … and seems again like an odd choice if you wanted to hint at an NPC being Kyne. So I liked this video and your conclusion I just think you could have reached a more convincing one by asking: Is there a simpler solution as to why this would be here? and If I had to job to hint at this conclusion, would I do the same? If the first one is no and the second one is yes, then you have a strong case for your hint being what you think it is.

I am definitely sold on Karita being Kyne, but not as certain that she's sending the letters. She may just have wanted a glimpse of you and placed herself on the mountain as you climb. Great video all round though, thanks for sharing an interesting theory.

No one will ever convince me that the sender is anyone other than Akatosh himself. You can receive a "letter from a friend" after using a thu'um way out in the wilderness, or in the depths of Blackreach, or on the top of Hvitkald Peak, with literally no one else around -- no witnesses. How is that possible unless the sender has some god-like ability to know exactly where you are and what you're doing? And who has the most vested interest in making sure the Dragonborn becomes stronger? For me, I will always believe it's Akatosh.

Great video! Sincerely, A Friend

Personally I assumed it was possibly the Ebony Warrior, as he seeks a foe with potential to be stronger than himself and a full strength Dragonborn well could be that final challenge. Never something I put an ounce of thought into tho. Interesting theories all around on this channel, always a good time and better thought out than my passing assumptions

So it's not Delphine because she signed a letter differently than how she signed a note, but it's Karita because she might somehow be the godess Kyne in disguise. Gotcha.

Love the video! I've always looked at Karita and wondered what story there was there. I went looking online for any theories anyone had come up with but found nothing. No one really seemed to care about Karita, but I'm glad you did!

The sender is just the courier himself. He is just sick of having to run around extra to avoid dragons. Hes practically been everywhere and hears rumors all the time so he knows where the words of power are. He has to anonymous because if he just told the dragonborn it would be a breach of duty as a courier to share information that wasn't his to share.

I can't say I'm convinced, but I do appreciate the detective work. Karita being an avatar of Kyne/Kynereth certainly is interesting, and while I don't think it's the case literally speaking, I can buy that the character might have been inserted with the intention to nudge the attentive player or someone interested in RP into thinking of the goddess in an immersive way at least. In that regard, she is, in a way, an avatar of a divine... It can't be denied that she was put in the player's path with only matters of Nordic faith to consider.

I am surprised that you didn't mention the boon attached to visiting every shrine of etched tablets, Voice of the Sky. This power gives the benefit of animals not attacking you for a period of time and can be regained by visiting every shrine going up or down whenever you want it. Sky and animals, must be Kyne I think. This was something I actually thought years ago so glad someone else thinks it too. 👍🇬🇧

I think this theory is compelling, but there's a small flaw. The reason she disappears after the Way of the Voice quest is probably just because she only makes the trip up the Throat of the World occasionally, and just happens to leave while you're at High Hrothgar. She literally says she only makes the trip every few weeks as one of her 3 lines of dialogue.

I've seen so many theories on the the "Friend" and yours is one of the more original, I really like it

For Karita to be Kyne makes sense to me, and her just disappearing makes sense too. For there's two times in which i think Kyne interferes in the path of the dragonborn. When we accept the help of Maurice Jondrele during the gildergreen quest, bro simply vanishes and the sampling appears exactly where he was. Since Kyne is the goddess of nature, it would perfect fit for her to protect it. (Since the other way to end this quest results in harming the tree) What prevents kyne from impersonating this other character? (As a way to protect gildergreen) It is worth mentioning that he is also a pilgrim just like Karita. Of course this isn't a way to make the dragonborn more powerful as the theorie of the video ended, but this event made me think.

Absolutely phenomenal video. Topic touched on perfectly with your supporting details being given clearly and also being engaging. I'm a sucker for new, fresh, and solid ES theories/themes/etc. Effortlessly earned a subscription my dude. Keep up the awesome work!

Makes sense to me. I've watched numerous lore related videos on Skyrim and you covered the points one could bring up about "the friend". Very convincing.

I remember in Morrowind before entering ghost gate to climb red mountain with the tools. There is an avatar of Tiber Septim named Wulf you can meet only briefly in this same way.

Finally, a Skyrim theory video that actually makes sense and presents something new! Subscribed.

Always warms up my heart whenever I see somebody still uploading Skyrim content ❤

This makes even more sense, if you remember that the Graybeards themselves call High Hrothgar the "blessed mountain of Kynareth". Makes sense she would appear there. Also if you read the shrines story it says that Kyne was the one who gave the voice to humans with the help of Pharthurnax. Giving the voice is literally teaching them shouts. If you add the fact that the "friend" knows where you use the Thu'um, even if its on the most isolated and mystical places; it suits an all seeing goddess.

You may be correct that Karita is Kyne personified. But I think the letter sender that hires the courier, the “He” in “He didn’t say” is Klimmek. That’s the guy who quests you to deliver food to the Greybeards. I’m thinking he is a middleman for middleman Argneir who represents Paarthunaax. P is a dragon and has a network of dragons on his side to help him easily talk to dragons and thus find all the word walls guarded by dragons.

After all these years.. I honestly think this makes the most sense. you explained it so logically and even if it isnt her...this discovery alone is so crazy dude. props! im subbin

Good video, but you missed probably the most compelling piece of evidence: According to Nordic mythology, Kyne was the one who taught the Thu'um to the Nords, to begin with. It makes complete poetic sense that she would teach the Dragonborn.

Great vid, keep em coming!

swear to god you were under 2k subs last night and now you gained another quick 200! You have a good backlog of videos for people to binge, so I think this is the start of something good for your channel :) Just keep at it with the uploads, you got this bro!

holy crap this is actually really good most of these theory videos are just conjecture but you've honestly convinced me.

Wow, this is interesting. In all my Skyrim playthroughs, I met her and completely forgot about her 2 minutes later. After seeing this I don’t think that will ever happen again. You really did think this through. Bethesda really should think about hiring some of you guys to develop the next chapter of elder scrolls, bc you guys seem to give it much more thought than many of it‘s current creators! Good thing it‘s weekend, you just made me play this marvellous game again! Instant sub, Greetings from Germany

Sound legit to me, thanks for this video and amazing work. Have a good one.

It is wulfgar who sends the letters, he senses the world walls, he knows you, He is also the ONLY NPC IN THE GAME WITH A PIECE OF CHARCOAL AND PAPER ROLLS in his inventory.

i can’t believe i have thousands of hours in skyrim and i’ve never seen or heard of her

I assure you, none of the greybeards writes that note. We don't have papers. We usually just shout to call someone from afar.

Odahvings Dragon faction is a really cool theory i never even considered before! We already know that the dragons are very smart and can speak. Its very plausible that the dragons have human servants (similar to dragon priests) who are able to write letters for them and contact the dragonborn. If anything, they probably know much more about thuum/ word walls than Delphine. They also want to remain anonymous because if other dragons learn which one betrayed Alduin, then it could come back to haunt them.

In this two books, "Arcturian Heresy" and "Five Songs of king Wulfharth", there are the mentions of High Hrothgar, and I think that is the case, not the mentions of Kyne. Because if we take exact term "High Hrothgar" outside of Pocket Guides, these two books are the only ones lorebooks from previous games that mentions that monastery. Kyne is opposite in that sense, she appears in many other books.

think about how sad this is. she knows, and likely remembers, but goes unrecognized. waiting for the time when she finally is recognized, but time continues to pass, and she still walks the world alone.

I often thought it was Kyne in some way but had absolutely 0 idea of these bits and pieces (had to do it) were even thinkable but I am on board with you 100% because this finished overall my theory that Kyne was indeed "Friend". I always thought the capital F meant something in relation to lore. Maybe it does maybe it doesn't but great work dude. You earned a sub from me!

You didn’t even need a deep dive to tell its not Delphine because she says herself that she had no idea who the dragonborn was until they ask for the attic room.

Finally, I've found another RU-vidr to binge during my long graveyard hours.

Love these detective types of videos

This is a really good theory, but in another video I saw, it explained that, if you look in the code (or something like that), the letters are shown to come from the word walls themselves.

Interesting idea, I'll be blunt. That quest marker thing sounds like a crackpot nonsense coincidence.

A good theory, but it leaves me asking: how does kyne have the power to manifest on nirn? Aedra are known to have very little power these days, and even a daedra struggles to manifest, which would be much easier for them than it would be for kyne.

Great perspective and sound rationale. I have many thousands of hours on the game. I recall receiving the letter when I popped off in dwarven ruins. That detail adds strength to someone hearing the thum supernaturally - which in turn supports kyne/karita as you theorize. I would love for you to be the one who finally puts the hammer down on a debate. Simply visit the bannered mare as a Thalmor in the early game. Someone will give you a gift. I have no doubt that you will connect the rest of the dots immediately. Cheers.

I think this is cool and interesting. You did a lot of research! I think this is a fun answer, and I like it. (It could certainly be Kyne, and it's fun for that to be the answer). As for whether or not I believe it, I think the answer is kind of a yes and no. I believe it because it's fun and interesting, and makes sense in a way. But Bethesda is also notorious for random throwaways because of cut storylines, so she could be just no one in the final game. But, it does make the game a little more interesting, for her to be Kyne.

This is just a passing thought, but it could also be the Ebony Warrior. He doesn't appear until you reach level 80 and his whole schtick is that he wants a powerful opponent to kill him in battle, so that he can go to Sovngarde. It would definitely be within his interests to help the Dragonborn grow in power, and you never learn his true identity so anonymity is right up his alley.

Cool video. I always assumed it was just whoever was in charge of the holds sending them since they’d have the knowledge of gossip and would like being anonymous since they have a reputation. My original suspicion was I had to shout near outdoor vendors as that’s what triggered my first letter from a friend. I figured if I bought from them they would want me to go on an adventure and then buy supplies from them. Silly but I had just started playing. Honestly I think the game devs just left it ambiguous to make it seem people were watching the player. But I do think you’re on to something with that girl being the god of nature. So perhaps you’re looking at things in a very significant way. That symbol in the mountains blew my mind

The idea of Karita sending these letters is an good theory. However I just have one issue with it. If you kill Karita, she still sends the letters to you

Greybeards. Only them would know your presence as a Dragonborn, Delphine is unlikely since she doesn't even know you're one until she saw you absorb a dragon soul. Greybeards on the other hand would know if you used the Thu'um, and they're the ones who called you first after you used Unrelenting Force

Gotta do more of these. Very entertaining

Her being Kyne might also explain the “glitch” that use to always cause a dragon to spawn there when you talked to her could it be Alduin sensed her and sent one of his minions to check it out

This is pretty well thought out and I'd say I've been convinced this is the case, head canon at least. Talos did much the same in Morrowind.

she disappears after the mission, and is never seen anywhere else even where you meet her for the first time, it's..., very strange

Damn you make some wild theories. I’d like to hear some other theories you have about Skyrim’s mysteries such as Konahrik, or what are Frost Giants and why do the ones in the Forgotten Vale have the paragons that activate the portal? Or even how Vulthuryol ended up in Blackreach?

Delphine is the only character [NPC] that uses the exact quote "I am 'A Friend' .". The stone on every shrine of Kynerath is Blue . Why would she have a green stone? PS: I have killed Karita , and still have gotten a Letter from a A Friend .

Well Bois, Kynes peace is everywhere.

Excellent theory...I always thought it was Esbern, considering he's in hiding, and would write the letters, knowing damn well where all the walls are, and would use the Thieves' Guild to send out the letters.

There is also a theory that its the Dragonborn himself from the future, using time magic to go back in the past and have the letters delivered to him upon certain actions his past self did. It's plausible because he used time magic with the Elder Scroll and the Wooden Mask in Labrynthian. He would obviously know to send the letters at those points because it was they themselves who did it.

I unalive that Karita on the steps every single playthrough, and the letters still come afterwards

Did you look in the construction kit at what was in her inventory there, as well as try to figure out within it where she is set to spawn? That would answer whether or not she can spawn in other locations without a mod or get a different circlet.

I find these theories as fun as anyone else; yet my question is why do so many people assume it has to be only one sender?

Shadow would not believe her, this one would be just confused.

Well, damn. I'm not often convinced but you know what they say. One point makes a dot, but several points makes a line.

Plot twist its the courier himself

Honestly, Bethesda has continually impressed me with their insane attention to detail. Sometimes their focus is so much on the details that I think they lose track of the larger picture, even. But I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that this whole necklace, map marker thing feels very "Pepe Silvia" to me.

My mind is blown away. Wow. That is cool.

That map marker bit was a huge stretch. You could resize it to point anywhere.

Very interesting. I always thought it was the Ebony Warrior

I always though it's Delphine, she uses the same signature when she lures you with the horn of juergen windcaller.

This seems like the most off-the-wall answer to this question but I'd buy it

Before I go Amy further than Delphine, I just wanna say I've always thought it was Ulfric, I got my reasons for that.

Darn. I always take both her & the guy lower on the mountain out cause no witnesses & free loot. Im doomed to Oblivion 😢

I’m 100% sold, I love this theory.

Ulfric Stormcloak, taught by the Greybeards, he's sharing their knowledge without their permission, hence the friend.

Would be cool to test if there would be a slightly altered interaction with her, if you get Kynes Blessing from Froki before meeting her or better before completing Dragons Rising. Sadly I'm already at Ustengrav on my ongoing playthrough and already deleted some older saves of it to ensure my bloated mess of modded Skyrim runs as good as it can. :D Also: I've played through the main quest many MANY times in a more and more extensively modded game which even alters NPCs to an extend and I've never seen her anywhere else but this tablet.

Great video. Many thanks! Convincing, although I must admit many of the evidence you present feels quite bonkers imho. The fact that she's an npc with a unique name, that particular dialouge, and sitting at that very spot, is enough evidence for me that she very well may be Kyne. If Karita means beloved, that could just mean that she's yet another candidate for "mother of Balgruuf's children".

I'm not sure it is Karita, because in one of my early playthroughs she was killed by a frost troll and I still got letters from a friend

just some experience to back further your theory, in one playthrough i attacked her for no reason and she fought back but as she is set as essential and I sheeted my weapon and after recovering so did she. I do not recall other NPC who would give up the fight after recovering the stamina, so clearly she has a better set predisposition towards the character of the player !

Karita being kyne and the one sending the letter makes sense also its even crazier to know that the last dragonborn may be an aspect of lorkhan kynes husband

I think it is faringard (the jarl of whiteruns court mage) he showed his experience and interest with dragons and ancient burial sites/ruins in the dragon stone quest and he works with dalphine the leader of the blades and I think the reason he only writes “from a friend” is because his pride and that after the dragonstone quest he could consider himself a friend to the Dragonborn

I have to wonder, is there any extra dialogue if you show up with the Blessing of Kyne?

a friend is just tod our god showing us where content id located

This is an insane theory, I really think the mystery might finally be solved, this sounds very very plausible

This is the first of your videos I've seen, but it's like listening to Caboose from RvB. I'm not sure whether that's intended, or even good or bad. Only 3 mins in though!

Karita gets instagibbed by the Frost Troll when I fled from it at level 5 and realised the sucker regen faster than I hurt him. And I still got letters from a friend after her death

Brilliant, just brilliant. Please do other videos on other Elder Scrolls, I'm sure there are lots to cover yet. Just a slight objection though : they should have given her a Kynareth amulet then, not a Talos' one...

Something I feel to be very contradictory is that based on lore, all of the Gods and Goddesses lost their mortal connection to nirn when saving it, and only the Dadreic Prince's have the ability physically interact with nirn. To support this, the Gods and Goddesses would not use alternative methods if they could physically stop the Prince's. They would put their physical bodies on the line instead of everyone and everything they wished to protect. At least, that's what I gather.

I always thought the letters were from ourselves from the future.

I don't think this adds up simply because there's been a couple of times that she's died during an attack, but the letters keep coming. So, while the theory kind of makes sense, in order for it to really work, she would have to be essential, otherwise it just breaks the continuity. I think the theory about Paarthurnax and The Greybeards fits better. Since The Greybeards heard the shout at the watchtower, it's likely they can hear shouts from all over Skyrim based on their vantage point atop the mountain (and also that Paarthurnax can probably sense it as well). It's true The Greybeards would not be the middlemen in the letter chain - and that's because they don't come down off their mountain, and also because Paarthurnax can't write letters since he doesn't have opposable thumbs. Therefore, The Greybeards are writing the letters, and Paarthurnax could be supplying information to them as to locations of word walls because he probably knows his brethren are there, or because he remembers when they were built. Also, the letter states that not everyone is happy for the Dragonborn's return, but as the prophecy foretells the Drgonborn will destroy Alduin - so the citizens of Skyrim would be happy for their return - but not the dragons, which Paarthurnax would consider as his peers, or "people" and who would stop at nothing to prevent the Dragonborn from succeeding. As you mentioned the ones who have a vested interest in Alduin's defeat is The Blades, but Paarthurnax also wants Alduin defeated because he has grown too arrogant and destructive. At this point, The Blades do not know about Paarthurnax - so who would "everyone" be to them? So again, it points to Paarthurnax because he has the motive, the knowledge, and the means. As for the delivery of the letter - Klimmek was delivering supplies to the Greybards until his knees gave out, but there is another who spends time on the steps - a hunter by the name of Barknar, who is found somewhere between the first and 2nd shrine, and feasibly within the distance Klimmek could walk. Who feeds The Greybeards if not Barknar and Klimmek? Since Barkner would be taking meat he has hunted to The Greybeards, he is likely retrieving the letter from the chest, and handing it over to Klimmek, who then gives it to the courier in Ivarstead, and knowing how The Greybeards like their privacy, and because he does not know who actually penned the letter, he is unable to say who its from.

Dragons not be able to write could be proven wrong because it’s shown that dragons write words via the Thu’um. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say they write the words by imbuing them with the Thu’um

I always thougt: "What if it's the emperror?" Because in the Dark Brotherhood quest, where you "meet" him he seems like a guy that has an overview over anything and he sort of tells you that he's been keeping an eye on you all along. It would also make sense for him to have a man in the middle and to have eyes everywhere. Also he does know about the Thu'um n stuff