So, for the past many games, we have been agents of the Septim / Third Empire of Tamriel, mostly under Uriel Septim VII. With Skyrim, we're thrown 200 years into the future where the Empire is fractured, where the might of the Aldermi Dominion is a constant threat, and where Vvardenfell is a flickering memory. We're experiencing a whole fresh set of lore with whole new perspectives.

Yet, with this entire new setting, it's hard to remove your thoughts from the former perils of Tamriel, the majesty of the Iliac Bay, the harsh life of the Dunmer of Morrowind and the heart of Cyrodiil. We met legendary figures, forged relationships with these, and fought for an empire we believed in.

I've nothing against the setting of Skyrim, mind - I think that is a cool idea. But every time I play it, every time I meet an NPC and enter a city, I think of the era that has passed, gone to dust. I think of Barenziah, Helseth, Uriel, Nulfaga, Eadwyre, Divayth Fyr, Gortwog gro-Nagorm, the Underking, Mannimarco. The now-destroyed cities of Wayrest and Orsinium, and the glory of Vivec City and White-Gold Tower.

I'd like to hear from the rest of you. Do you not miss these past legends? Do you also feel an empty hole that was formerly occupied by our adventures and trust in the Third Era?

And to whoever who says "Go play the past games then", I will answer: I have, and will again! But it'll never feel the same when you know the outcome of what you're fighting for / against.

I think it's a brilliant move. TES has always been steeped in rich history and lore, and now that you're actively thinking about the kings and heroes of old, there's an even greater sense of history about the world! You've even experienced some of it first hand

Eventually, we may even move into the Fifth Era, or perhaps just a couple hundred years further into the Fourth. Either way, we'll have yet another assortment of world leaders, heroes, villains, and jesters to fall in love with, and we'll look back at those we came to know in Skyrim with just as much nostalgic fondness as we do now for those from the Third Era.

I really like the decision to skip forward in time. My only complaint at this point is that I wish we'd gotten more information on the intervening years (esp. imidiately following the Oblivion Crisis). I'm still attached to Morrowind, but no more than I am attached to Alessian Cyrodiil or an exoticized early 3rd era Hammerfell, neither of which we got to visit.

Mh, yes, yes I certainly see you points, and agree - but I cannot help but feel sad that all that old stuff is... gone from the play. Wayrest's dust, we'll never hear the story of Morgiah, et cetera.

Such is the nature of the Elder Scrolls.

However, there is still room to break the dragon (i.e. participate in fan projects)

What'cha mean, friend? Sounds interesting.

A part of me does miss Tamriel under Uriel Septim, but the other part makes me wonder what the future holds for the land. I think this skip forward in time was for the best, as we can get to see how the world dealt with itself after the initial collapse of the empire, and now we're thrust into a whole new ball game where just about everything is thrown into the air. It makes everything seem a bit more...interesting, to say the least.

All you can really do is let go and trust that another Shezarrine will make Nirn-fall.

Personally, I much prefer the Fourth Era. Ironically for an Altmer / Anu fan, I just love the chaos. In the Third Era of mankind, a single strong empire dominated the entire continent, preventing war and providing stability. If a regional lord was openly sacrificing their people to daedra, for example, the empire would just step in and stop that nonsense. It was a wee bit boring, a tiny bit too much like the real world. In Skyrim, you have room for real conflict. Man and Mer clash on mundane and mythic battlefields. Jarls and Yoku feel free to rebel and make their own path. Necromancers are able to gather freely and attempt to create a revnant version of Queen Potema. Oh, and dragons have returned to Tamriel.

I liked the 3E, but I don't really miss it. I feel quite satisfied by the Fourth Era.

I think of it this way. We've seen the empire unified by legendary figures like Talos and Reman, and sure, Titus Mede was a complete badass, but he wasn't particularly legendary, so now we know what happens to an empire not ruled by the mandate of heaven.

So now we have the opportunity to see what Titus II brings to the table, and we'll be able to see an empire forged first-hand. He's already proved that badassery runs in the family, but can he compare to the likes of Tiber Septim?

I really like that they left the 3E, and the fall of the Empire. It wouldn't have made sense to stand without a Septim on the throne. Besides the Empire was already in decline during the events of Morrowind and possibly earlier, though I never played Daggerfell or Arena so I can't be sure. The Empire had to fall and a new time with war and strive everywhere is great in my opinion. The only thing I really miss is books on everything that happened. I want to know more about the great war and how individual provinces, especially Morrowind, did the last 200 or 203 years. Still a move into the 4th era especially with the background story that I've seen so far is, I think, brilliant.

Hopefully the real Mannimarco is still the god of worms we saw at the end of Daggerfall and could return in a future game (assuming he's not in Skyrim).

More on topic: change is inevitable, and good. I like that there are gaps too, it means we can fill more in with imagination and look forward to official snippets when they arrive.

I miss the Septims. I miss the time when the Empire didn't look like an Altmers puppy. I miss my home in Vvardenfel, and all those legendary figures.

Now...really. Did Morrowind have to be completely destroyed by pretty much every bad thing imaginable?

Indeed

This game is thick with story... and not that half hearted stuff but well thought out long lasting chewing gum for the mind.
Just talking with Parthunax and browsing the book shelves of High Hrothgar made me all happy inside.
I was a little weary of Skyrim being set in the 4th era but I see it now as being our slate to lay down history.
So many possibility's. I wonder what DLC could bring for the Dragonborn? War/Peace? Invasion? Election? Ascension? who knows.

For some of the intervening years--and a good story--read the novels by Greg Keyes. Amazing tale. Wish there was more to it. I feel like there is more to learn at the end. >_>




Blame Vuhon or maybe Sul. I guess it depends on how you feel about what happened exactly. Eventually, the Ministry was going to fall like it was intended to long ago. However, I guess we can blame Vivec. He could have just brought it down completely and safely when he was at full power, but no, he and the tribunal were just showman. Had to show off their power.

That's not the only thing that happened. Daedra, dirty lizards, civil war (Or so I've heard. Not quite sure on that. Something to do with Telvanni.) It just seems like nobody likes Morrowind anymore.

I've heard all of that except for the civil war? How did that happen? The Telvanni aren't very likely to go out conquering other parts of Vvardenfell and the other houses, never seemed to want a full out war with the Telvanni either. It would be a really strange war to fight from both sidse.

Again, I'm not sure. I saw it on one of these threads...A Skyrim one I think. Lemme check.

I haven't heard the Civil War yet, unless it happened after the Novels.

The state I know came from the destruction of Vvardenfel after the eruption of the Red Mountain which left the Dunmer in a weakened state that the Argonians took advantage of.

I can't find the thread, and I'm still not sure if it's true or not. I just remember something about a civil war and the Telvanni, and the poster talking about the fact his/her character was leading the Telvanni. "What happened to my character? Who was his/her replacement?"

The consequence of Morrowind was the loss of the Tribunal and the breaking of Red Mountain. The whole thing about the Ministry of Truth was explained in full in Morrowind (the game) itself. So much of the lore was about how the Tribunal protected Morrowind from numerous threats throughout their existence. Is it any surprise that things fell apart in the aftermath of the Nerevarine's actions? Perhaps what is notable is that Morrowind survived as long as it did without the Tribunal's protection.

My heart is broken. No more Balmora. No more Sadrith Mora. No more Ald'Ruhn. We were there walking through the Grazelands, marching through the muck of the Bitter Coast and now its all gone. What was the point of become Neravarine only for the Dunmer and Morrowind to become a shadow of what it was? It seems so futile.

I guess if everything remained stable and nice Tamriel may have cars and condos by now which makes for a very boring world to play a fantasy game so I guess cataclysmic change is necessary to prevent Tamriel from becoming too advanced. I guess the occasional fight with a god or Armageddon is a must for low tech and wizardry.

The 4E is like going from VHS to DVD for a person that is very old.

And I am still in shock of the Altmer's Domination over Tamriel.

And guess what gamesas is going to show us more crazy stuff in DLCs yet to come.

Its probably for the best that they skipped a couple hundred years in the future, because I mean, what would happen right after a massive Daedra invasion when the empire is still repairing and many still favor it.

I personally miss the Septim empire, and I miss its might as the most powerful and longest-reigning empire in Tamriel's history, but they were starting to get old - I think it was a great thing to change.

The point of becoming the Nerevarine was to stop Dagoth Ur from spreading Corprus to the rest of Tamriel. Keep in mind that the Emperor framed the Nerevarine to fulfill the prophecy and had the Blades help them succeed. But the whole thing about uniting Vvardenfell and fulfill the prophecy was specifically to stop the Sixth House. That purpose was fulfilled, and the fact that Cyrodiil and Skyrim in the next two games aren't filled entirely with Corprus-infected whatevers is the consequence of Morrowind's main quest.



Yeah, I actually really like the plot advancement. I do feel sad about Morrowind and I did feel attached to the places in Morrowind - I don't think I've ever played any game before or since the way I played that one, you know? But what happened there is a logical consequence of the world they gave us in Morrowind.

I'm growing attached to 4E Skyrim the way I was to 3E Vvardenfell. I do kind of wish I felt that way about 3E Cyrodiil.