On Writing Dialogue for Nords in Skyrim

[tippetariuswrites]

When I write dialogue for Skyrim Nords, particularly if they're not wealthy upper-crust types, I often try to make them sound a little like cowboys. To me that means speech that's straightforward, seemingly simple, but punched up with colorful expressions and metaphors like, "Mean as a bear with a burr up its butt."

For inspiration I've looked to the Lonesome Dove series, the Andy Griffith show, and even Applejack from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Seriously, when I'm writing my Nord OC Kell, one of the questions I've asked myself is, "How would Applejack say this if she were a Nord?"