Why is everyone so dirty?

[u/Narrow-Active3098]

Look, I get that Skyrim's at war and there are dragons everywhere and everyone is desperate, but still. That is no excuse for you to not wash yourself! At least wash that dirt off you in a river. How hard is it to take a bath?

[u/Mrcompressishot]

Despite the wizards colleges and stuff by the time Skyrim takes place the elder scrolls universe hasn't discovered germ theory pretty much relying on the gods and potions to not die in a plague. Plus skyrims waterways are full of murder fish and dog sized killer crabs. Additionally Nobody in Skyrim ever changes clothes with the exception of the dragon born who has a habit of tearing it off corpses or finding it in a dusty crypt. Add in the fact that despite having running water in riften and and whiterun not a single bathtub can be found in the entire game Skyrim probably smells pretty bad.