On the way to Whiterun from Riverwood, I rescued a Stormcloak prisoner from some Imperial guards. The Stormcloak guy didn't even say much of a thanks (although I did choose the option to free him). Will freeing prisoners like this affect my standing in the game at all or is it pointless behaviour?
35 Answers
To add immersion to the game, Bethesda added a bunch of "world encounters" that do nothing other than to provide some flavor as you travel around.
Among a ton of other things, Imperials escorting a Stormcloak around the map is one of these random world encounters. You can ignore them or help the Stormcloak: it doesn't matter.
There's another chance to help a prisoner outside of finding a chance encounter on the world map:
When you first enter Solitude, there's a prisoner being set up for an execution. You're technically not expected to save him: it's just a flavor event to give some background to what Solitude is (an Imperial stronghold). But it is technically possible. You don't get anything other than a "thanks, bro!" for doing it.
Some advice with the part about guards attacking: The Whiterun guards attacked you because attacking Imperial soldiers--even those holding Stormcloak prisoners--is considered a crime, and a bounty is obtained. However, freeing the prisoner before attacking the Imperials--thereby causing them to attack you--incurs no bounty, because you're reacting in self-defense. Hope that helps!
1Doesn't really affect the game, but I chose to free the a prisoner. I had Lydia with me, after we defeated the guards, she swung her shield and killed the prisoner as well.
I always thought if you killed enough Imperials or Stormcloaks it would actually affect their overall 'relationship' with your character.
Ie:: They become hostile if you approach their camps, ect.
Just from what I, myself, have experienced. I have played through once without joining either side of the 'war', but still did end up killing a few Imperials ((usually the ones holding prisoners, in attempts to try and free them)), and they were hostile towards me if I entered their camps.. But the Stormcloaks were fine with me in their camps... Untill a Dragon attacked one of the Stormclaok camps out side of Solitude and some Stormcloak soldiers sorta got nailed with a few arrows when they got in my way. They were kinda hostile after that. However after making a point in my most current play through not to kill Imperials or Stormcloaks, both pretty much allow me to walk right into their camps and chill with them.
I don't know how much it effects the game. I freed the prisoner and then he ran into a bolder and died. So it didn't do much.
