Tying the Knot (or Not?) in ESO: A Guide to Marriage, Companions, and Skyrim Comparisons
So, you’re exploring Tamriel and fighting dragons. Perhaps you’ve found someone special to join you. The burning question in your mind is: Can you marry in The Elder Scrolls Online? Prepare for a deep dive into ESO’s marriage mechanics and a glance at its single-player counterpart, Skyrim.
Marriage in ESO: ‘Til Death, or Server Downtime, Do Us Part
Yes, you can get married in ESO! Before planning your digital wedding and debating guest lists, let’s discuss the rules. In Tamriel, love comes with conditions.
Who Can Get Hitched?
- Only player characters can marry each other. You can’t wed that charming Khajiit merchant or that brooding Dark Elf blacksmith. Player-on-player romance only.
The Altar of Aethel: Requirements for Wedded Bliss
- The Pledge of Mara: Your Marriage License. This is your in-game marriage certificate. You can buy it from the Crown Store for 1,000 Crowns. Love comes at a cost in Tamriel.
- The Shrine of Mara: Location! Once you have your Pledge and your partner, you both need to head to a Shrine of Mara. These shrines are spread across Tamriel, brimming with marital magic.
Cha-Ching! The Cost of Commitment
- Remember the Pledge of Mara? That will cost 1,000 Crowns. One player must purchase it, so someone has to cover this digital event. Choose wisely who pays.
Perks of Being a Married Adventurer: More Than Love
- After exchanging vows, brace for an exciting bonus: an XP boost! That’s right. Marriage here improves your leveling.
- Rings of Mara: The Bling of Binding. After you marry, you both get Rings of Mara. Equip these during adventures, and bam! XP bonus activated. Love becomes practical for grinding.
The Nitty-Gritty: Marriage Mechanics Explained
- Equipping the Pledge: Ready, Set, Marry! To start the ceremony, one player must equip the Pledge of Mara to their quickslot. Nothing shouts “I do” like hotkeying your vows.
- Performing the Ritual: Target Acquired. With the Pledge equipped, aim at your beloved and activate the Pledge. Voila! You’re officially hitched in the eyes of Mara.
- Rings of Mara: Double Rings, Double XP (Almost). These rings aren’t just for looks. For the XP bonus to work, both players need to be online, grouped, in the same zone, and wearing their Rings of Mara.
Forever and Ever, Amen? The Permanence of ESO Marriage
- Names in Stone (or Rings): Once names are on the Rings of Mara, they stay forever. No take-backs. Choose your spouse carefully or face eternal discomfort.
- Divorce? Not in This Lifetime. Want a quick divorce? Not in Tamriel. ESO doesn’t allow unmarrying characters. It’s a lifelong commitment digitally. So think twice before saying “I do”.
Companions in ESO: Your Loyal Sidekicks
Feeling that player marriage isn’t for you? Or maybe you’re already married and need extra company? Enter Companions! Introduced in Blackwood, they are customizable and less demanding than spouses. Plus, no messy divorces!
Unlock Your Adventuring Buddy: Companion Requirements
- DLC is Essential. To obtain these loyal companions, you often need specific DLCs: Blackwood, High Isle, or Necrom. Alternatively, an active ESO Plus membership unlocks these companions from DLCs. It’s like a subscription service for friendship.
- Update 44: New Companions Ahead! Stay alert for Update 44, offering Tanlorin and Zerith-Var. Buy them in the Crown Store or get them free if you’re an ESO Plus member. Who doesn’t want more friends?
Recruitment 101: Making Friends in Tamriel
- Questing for Companionship. To recruit a companion, finish their recruitment quests. Find these quests in the “Allies” section of Collections. It’s like speed-dating but with more dungeon crawling.
Meet the Crew: A Rogues’ Gallery of Companions
- Mirri Elendis: The Dark Elf Nightblade. Found north of Doomvault Vulpinaz in Blackwood. Just don’t let her loot everything.
- Bastian Hallix: The Dragonknight. South of Deepscorn Hollow in Blackwood. Always ready to help and judge your choices.
- Isobel Veloise: The Breton Templar. From High Isle. She’ll smite foes with a smile and a large sword.
- Ember: The Khajiit Sorcerer. Also from High Isle. Expect explosions, banter, and a fur-ball or two.
- Sharp-as-Night: The Argonian Warden. Master of nature magic, likely knows where to find the best swamp reeds.
- Azandar al-Cybiades: The Arcanist. This scholar brings arcane power and a love for ancient books.
- Tanlorin & Zerith-Var: The New Kids. Coming in Update 44, ready for adventures in Auridon and Reaper’s March.
Companion Interaction: More Than Combat
- Chat and Check In. You can talk to your companions! Explore their stories and manage skills and gear. It’s like they’re… people! (Sort of).
- Leveling Up Your Buddy. Companions gain levels too! Grind XP and help them reach Level 20. A well-leveled companion is effective.
Skyrim vs. ESO Marriage: A Comparison
Let’s quickly compare Skyrim, ESO’s single-player predecessor. Many of us began our Elder Scrolls journey in that icy realm.
Skyrim Marriage: A Different Experience
- Amulet of Mara: The Signal for Love. Want to show you’re ready for romance? Wear an Amulet of Mara. It’s like a neon sign that says “Swipe Right!”
- Orcish Spouses: Love Without Limits. In Skyrim, you can marry an Orc. Ghorza gro-Bagol and others make that dating pool surprisingly large. Love blooms on the battlefield!
Divorce and Remarriage in Skyrim: Complicated (and Messy)
- Vanilla Skyrim: No Escape Route. The base game offers no divorce. Once wed, you’re married until death or a server shutdown.
- The Skyrim “Divorce” Option: Accidental Death (Not Advised). Technically, you can’t divorce. But if your spouse encounters an “accident” involving a dragon, remarriage may be possible. Not endorsing spousal harm but Skyrim is lawless.
- Mods to Help: Modern Marriage. Thanks to modders! Mods allow for divorces and remarrying. You can even marry up to 11 NPCs with some mods!
Children in Skyrim: The Hearthfire Expansion Pack
- Hearthfire: Kids Join the Mix. Install this DLC and marriage can lead to children! Prepare for requests for sweet rolls and chores complaints.
- Limited Family: Two Kids Max. You can only adopt two orphans despite many seeking a home. Dragonborn parenting is hard.
- Choices must be made.
Intimacy in Skyrim: Keeping it PG-13 (Mostly)
- Vanilla Skyrim: Fade to Black Romance. You can marry. Expect no steamy scenes. Vanilla Skyrim romance is bland like plain boiled potatoes.
- Kissing Mods: Adding a Little Smooch to Your Spouse. Want a quick kiss? Mods like “Kissing – Immersive Lovers Comfort” enable kissing. You can kiss strangers if you install the unrestricted option, you daring dog!
Pledge of Mara: The Ring Bearer of ESO Marriages
Let’s return to the Pledge of Mara. This scroll unlocks all that sweet marital XP.
Pledge Power: Unlocking Marital Bliss (and Rings)
- Binding Bonds: The Pledge’s Purpose. Use the Pledge of Mara at a Shrine of Mara. This gets you Rings of Mara, binding you to your beloved.
- Crown Store Exclusive: The Price of Commitment (Again). You buy this Pledge for 1,000 Crowns. It’s a one-time purchase for eternal in-game love.
- One Pledge to Rule Them All: Sharing is Caring (and Economical). Only one Pledge of Mara is required for two players to marry. You could share the cost if feeling generous.
- Equip and Activate: Pledge Deployment Protocol. One player equips the Pledge to their quickslot. They use it on their intended. Marriage by hotkey is efficient and romantic!
- One-Time Use Only: Make it Count! Each Pledge of Mara is a single-use item. No do-overs, no refunds. Choose your moment wisely.
There you have it! Marriage, companions, and Skyrim comparisons come together. Whether you want to marry in ESO for XP, find loyal companions, or think about the messy marital landscape of Skyrim, Tamriel has something for everyone. Now go find your player two… or a good companion!
