The Adoring Fan is as beloved as he is reviled. You probably belong to the latter if you lived through his adoration in your The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion gameplay.
This NPC’s return was confirmed at the Xbox Games Showcase where, among other things, Xbox revealed all the Starfield editions and a pair of Starfield-themed Xbox accessories. But, even after the revelation, fans wondered if The Adoring Fan will retain the same voice actor, which was part of the reason why the NPC was so effective.
Well, you’d be glad to know that Craig Sechler, the veteran voice actor, is reprising the role of the irrepressible character in Starfield.
As revealed in Bethesda’s Starfield Direct—a 45-minute comprehensive showcase of Starfield’s offerings—the Adoring Fan is set to be a recurrent and rather conspicuous character. In a characteristic splash of blond hair and an unsettling grin, the Starfield iteration of the much-meme’d NPC brings back the fervor and comic nuisance of its Oblivion counterpart. It is this enduring appeal that makes the return of Sechler, who breathed life into the original Adoring Fan, a delightful reunion for the Elder Scrolls enthusiasts.
This eccentric wood elf of Oblivion is now a gushing fanatic in the vastness of space, retaining his signature blond hair and ebullient enthusiasm, complete with intrusive mannerisms.
The TikTok video, which featured Sechler wearing a bright blond wig reminiscent of his character and spouting lines from Oblivion, showcased the actor’s commitment to the role and Bethesda’s homage to their past.
For those unacquainted with the Adoring Fan’s saga, it sprang from the character’s obsessive admiration for the player in Oblivion. Upon the player becoming the Grand Champion of the Arena, the Adoring Fan would gush out the now-iconic exclamation, “by Azura!”—a sentiment echoed in Sechler’s announcement for his Starfield reprisal. Despite being offered as an optional companion, the Adoring Fan often served as a comical target for player-induced mishaps, weaving a tapestry of memorable moments in the process.
Starfield’s rendition of the Adoring Fan takes a similar trajectory. In Starfield, the Hero Worshipped Trait—available to players during character creation—bears the quirky consequence of summoning an annoying Adoring Fan. This trait mirrors the NPC’s notorious behavior from Oblivion, replete with incessant jabbering and unexpected appearances. As a trade-off, however, the Adoring Fan will augment your crew and present you with gifts, which should make this choice a complicated one.
As the release of Starfield nears, its creators have expressed their confidence in the game’s stability, promising the fewest bugs of any Bethesda game to date. However, Starfield hasn’t been without its criticism, specifically aimed toward the FPS cap on the Xbox consoles. Although some have defended this perfectly understandable limitation, most gamers would’ve preferred to have the option to unlock the FPS counter, even if only on the Xbox Series X version of Starfield.
Ultimately, As we venture into the universe of Starfield, one can’t help but exclaim, “By Azura! By Azura! By Azura!”
Now, if only Bethesda could be bothered to backtrack and bring Skyrim’s infamous Angry Grandma onboard Starfield as a cameo.
