All,

I recently began a http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/topic/231270-the-siege-of-something-like-malta/page__p__2046790__fromsearch__1#entry2046790 that aims to depict a lore-friendly siege akin to Malta. My initial choice for the antagonists were the Tsaesci, but I've since deemed them unfeasible (I'm too inexperienced to implement a new race, frankly). In light of this, I'm looking for new antagonists that fit within TES lore.

I've considered writing in marauders and mercenaries, but it doesn't fit; my real hope is for a nemesis with religious motivation (to fit with the crusading theme). Since I'm largely ignorant on lore (but eagerly learning), I humbly request your assistance on this matter. I'm open to any and all suggestions, and if I glean ideas from this forum, the progenitor of said ideas will recieve due credit when the mod is released.

Considerations for the antagonist:
- Fits in post-Oblivion Crisis timeline (which should afford flexibility, considering the lack of information)
- Should be opposed to the Nine or Saint Alessia
- Any race(s) (preferable, but not essential)
- Not utterly malelovent, but certainly zealous and fierce (I'd prefer a three-dimensional enemy, not just cardboard "bad guys", which admitedlly, was my initial instinct with the Tsaesci)

I appreciate any and all feedback on this matter, as I simply want to improve my mod. Thank you.

- Just pick a king. Most provinces have several kings or powerful nobles. Bretons have more kings per square mile than all the other races combined.
- It would make a better story if they weren't. Societies are generally henotheistic, not polytheistic in the elder scrolls. It's better to grind the smaller differences than emphasize the huge ones.
- Set it in the Iliac Bay to get the Redguards, Orcs, and Bretons involved.

Just off the coast of the former Anticlere there is a small island with a handful of towns and villages guarded by Castle Cathmore. You could pick a larger bay power to attack, or a smaller one nearby like Shalgora. They would take the island to control shipping in the nearby waters, and cut off the coastal cities from sea supplies.

Shades,

Thank you for the timely response; the information is extremely helpful, and I now have a plot framework that will accommodate the central theme. I will look into the regional lore immediately. Thank you again for the assistance!

And thank you for clarifying the obstacles to a full-blown religious conflict; economic interests are more than ample motivation for invasion!

The "Renrijra Krin," the Khajiiti separatist, freedom-fighters trying to reclaim lands annexed from Elsweyr. They're definitely antagonists to the Empire, but with the power the Empire had, they were doomed to fail. Now with the Septim Line dead and the provinces in chaos, who knows? They might be able to pull this one off.

*Just for your information, I'm working on a TES story that takes place in the late fourth era in which some catastrophe nearly wiped out the population of Leyawin, and killed off most people in the surrounding region, and with the Empire in shambles much earlier, the city and region was abandoned by the Legion and taken by Khajiiti bandits.

I appreciate the feedback! I'm definitely hoping to exploit the void after the Oblivion Crisis, but I'm leaning towards Iliac Bay. The Khajiit plotline holds promise for a separate project, especially with the "Elsweyr the Deserts of Anequina" mod.

XxChaplinxX' idea is sound with the Renrijra Krin.
Mercenary armies tend to Redguard, Orcish, or Breton, they fight from Morrowind to Valenwood.
The Redguard and Hammerfell would fit the Malta backdrop I think but that just me.