Where is the location of this landscape?

http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3A9%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D347342%3C%3B9633%3Anu0mrj

In order to answer that question, I thought we could use basic geometric principles, knowledge of existing landmark features, and the Skyrim map to determine a likely spot in which that ‘picture’ was taken.

To start, let’s first calculate the height of High Hrothgar.

Height of High Hrothgar = (7000 steps) x (the average height of a step)
= (7000)x(7 inches)
= 49,000 inches
= 4083 ft.
= 0.77 miles

Next, let’s use the following geometric properties to determine the distance from the mountain to the picture location.

Distance = Height x Cotangent(angle of depression)

Based on Oblivion’s design specs, we can assume that the screen shot from Skyrim uses a 75 degree ‘Field of View’, which we can use to calculate our angle of depression.
Source: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Console

The peak of the mountain is just about at the top of the screen, and assuming the character is looking straight ahead, we should be able to reasonably suggest that the base of the mountain is then at the horizontal mid point. So dividing the Field of View in half should give us our ‘Angle of Depression’.

Angle = (75 degrees) / 2 = 37.5 degrees

Now that we know the angle of depression and the height of the mountain, we can use the simple cotangent geometric equation to find the distance from the mountain to the location…

http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3C%3A%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D3473447%3A4233%3Anu0mrj

Dist. = Height x COT (Angle) = (4083 ft.) x COT(37.5 degrees) = 4083 x 1.3 = 5307 ft. (or 1.005 miles)

This means that our landscape is about 1 mile from High Hrothgar.

Now all we have to do is determine the relative distance on the Skyrim map and draw a circle with a 1 mile radius, centered at High Hrothgar. According to Todd Howard, Skyrim is about the same size as Oblivion. Oblivion is 16 square miles. Thus, I assumed the Skyrim map can be broken in to a grid of 16 (4x4) blocks. Each block would then be about 1 square mile.

If you look at the Map from the Bethesda facility tour, you can see smaller squares. From the mid point, it looks like there are about 36 squares, thus, 36 / 2 means 18 squares roughly equals 1 mile.

Using that as a reference, let’s plot the circle with radius = 1 mile from High Hrothgar.

http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3B3%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D3473447%3A4633%3Anu0mrj

Next, our landscape image appears to be located in the middle of a large river or lake, so wherever our radius intersects a river/lake, that should be a potential location.

http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3B32%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D347344759633%3Anu0mrj

So there it is… the three potential locations. Personally, I think it happens to be located to the West. Mostly because I don’t think the landscape looks like ‘Fall Forrest’ nor is it open like a Tundra. Also, given the natural variation in my anolysis (because of many assumptions), I suspect that the location is not quite as far away, but probably a little closer to the mountain, where the river begins to narrow.

If that is the case, then it could possibly be very close to Dragon Shout Cliff!! For more on the Dragon Shout Cliff location anolysis, read my previous anolytical thread…

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1178609-detailed-trailer-anolysis-the-dragon-battle/page__hl__detailed

you are one crazy mofo lol, good work.

How do you know that is actually High Hrothgar? It could be any mountain.

Because it's been the focus of multiple screenshots and trailer scenes. I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that's the Throat of the World (which High Hrothgar is located on).

Pertaining to the topic: http://i51.tinypic.com/2qnsgmg.jpg

I know it's not much compared to your in-depth anolysis, which is impressive to say the least, but I made it quite awhile ago and figured it would give people some more visual perspective.

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Edit: Ok, I actually read the entire OP this time and realized the location of the screenshot was what was being discussed. As Dragonebone says below:


Sorry about that. Thought you were just trying to find the size of the mountain. :shrug:

Most of that didn't make sense but it's very impressive.

Good work

Haha, this is great. I still doubt it's High Hrothgar, but it's not that it matters anyways.

You're right. It's not High Hrothgar. It's the Throat of the World. High Hrothgar is a location at the top of that mountain (which is the tallest in Skyrim).

http://th03.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2011/109/b/d/skyrim_lake_mountains_by_minnan2-d3eep8w.jpg = http://static.zenimax.com/bethblog/upload/2011/02/vlcsnap-2011-02-24-11h23m58s200.jpg

My only problem with this is your assumption of a 7" rise on the stairs. A typical rise can be anywhere between 6" to 9". Some stairs and be more or less than that, too. That makes for a height of 3500' to 5250'. And that's assuming that those steps start at the base and go to the summit. So the actual radius could have you in significantly closer, or further than what you have calculated.

Okay, that's very fancy and all and I appreciate the effort put into it, but honestly it's obvious fromthe get go that it's on that lake Southwest of the Throat of the World. It's in a frikkin pine forest on a wide body of water. Only one of those locations is pine forest.

Also, we don't know the height of the steps OR thepoint from which they start OR if they are all directly connected or in seperate sets.

Awesome stuff but i have no remote idea what is about! :bonk: oh yes a mountain! and some geometric stuff :read: , share the love! , i saw a mudcrab the other day, annoying creatures! :dead:

"M'aiq thinks some people have far too much time on their hands."

As Dragonbone said, we have no idea about how the steps look. I'd assume they'd not be all connected. There's probably parts where you go up without any stairs, or where you go down again a bit. It'd be a strange looking mountain if it was possible to create steps that go straight up. I bet they went with something more natural.

Yes, if the stairs were each exactly seven inches tall and led continuously to the peak, then all of your predictions would be correct cpreston. If not, you may be far off.

I'm wondering why didn't you just use the map to find the location..

Well...if that, and if no fewer than 4 assumptions are accurate. On the other hand, cumulative error being what it is, that screenshot could be on the southern border of Skyrim just a day's walk through the mountains from Bruma, too.

Nice work, man. As a CS major, I have to do Calculus every day. It starts to become habit to apply calculus to everything I see, even without thinking. I was actually pondering this very question the other day. Very nicely done.

Not gonna say you are right, but not gonna say you are wrong. What else are theories and predictions for? Good work :thumbsup:

I would think the mountain to be a little higher than the amount of steps, but youre probably pretty close with your calculations. Good effort on your behalf.