Skyrim Players Just Discovering What Happens With The Farmer's Sacrificial Cow

Skyrim is turning hitting the big one zero on November 11 and the hype over the game's upcoming Anniversary Edition is continuing to build. Yet, once again, Skyrim has proven just how expansive and surprising it can be even after a whole decade since its release. 

Just when we think we've finally got to grips with everything Tamriel can throw at us, players are still discovering little extras in the game that they have never come across before, even after hundreds of hours of playing. Only recently, players have found a new breed of spider, mysterious boxes labelled 'Do Not Delete', and one player found an incredible hidden death move after dedicating 600 hours of gameplay. 

Now, it seems that Dragonborns are still only just discovering what exactly is the deal with the lonely Farmer on his quest to deliver a sacrificial cow to the giants. 

What Is The Story Behind The Sacrificial Cow?

Players can just be wandering around the roads of Tamriel when, suddenly, you come across a farmer travelling with a lone cow in tow, covered in a swirly pattern of blue paint. When you stop to question him, the farmer claims that he is on his way to give the cow to the giants as a sacrifice, believing that in doing so he keeps the giants away from attacking his livestock. The paint serves as a symbol that the cow is given in good faith.

However, the giants can be aggressive creatures if you get too near, or they feel threatened in any way. One big wack from a giant's club can send have you being catapulted into the air like a rocket. So, you can't help but feel a bit worried for the farmer, dressed in his simple slip shirt and little cap, while you're fully decked out in your Daedric Armour. However, when you offer to help, he basically says "thanks, but no thanks" because he has "everything under control". Then, off he goes on his travels, seemingly, never to be seen again. 

For many players, this seems like a fairly random interaction with the NPC, given how it's not related to any quests. Not to mention, Skyrim can be a treacherous place and, as any Dragonborn knows, the roads can be riddled with the threat of attacks from wolves, evil magical mages, and dragons. So, seeing the poor farmer confidentially stride off into the distance, you can't help but stand there and think: "You've had it, mate."

What Happens To The Farmer And The Cow?

However, hope is not lost. One player took to Reddit to share their experience with the farmer and the cow, and it turns out he does make it to the giants camp after all. Although, it doesn't go exactly according to plan. According to the player, RazcullUk, they followed the farmer to the giants camp only for them to kill him and the cow runs for its life to freedom. 

Although, what happens to the farmer and the cow can be different for every player. One player commented: "Been playing since 2012/13 and I've yet to see him successfully leave the cow with them. I didn't even know that was possible." Also, it seems that the cow itself is not entirely safe from danger on the roads as one player claimed: "Just yesterday I was wandering along a road and saw what I thought was a bear in the distance. So I shot it. Turns out it was this cow. And the farmer got all sad, and his dialogue changed to "now I'm going to have to tell my wife that we need to buy another cow for the sacrifice."" 

Long story short, it seems that things don't always go well for the farmer. But, then, he gives a resounding "no" when you offered to help so, the joke's on him really.