So I was just wondering what everyone thought about Skyrim's regions and environments. Unlike Oblivion it sounds like there is a lot more variety in the different areas, and I personally am very excited about the Northern half of Skyrim. A recent article stated (I don't have the source, but I saw a topic on it a few hours earlier) that the Northern reaches of Skyrim are dark most of the day, and the Aurora Borealis can be seen in the night sky. I'm hoping that they will be glacial formations up north as well, perhaps something similar to Solsteims glacier and ice formations. Nothing captures a Nordic fantasy experience like trudging across a wind swept glacier in my opinion.

My personal list of regions/holds I would like to visit are as follows:

1. Winterhold - Alpine Forests (?)
2. Solitude - Alpine Forests (?)
3. The Rift - Fall forests
4. The Reach - Canyons, and a lot of rock (?)
5. Falkreath - Temperate Forests (?)
6. Eastmarch - Volcanic Tundra
7. The Pale - Tundra (?)
8. Whiterun Hold - Plains and Grazelands



Enough about my desires, what does everyone else think? And does anyone have any idea whether or not we might see glaciers up north (on the http://mygaming.co.za/news/files.php?file=Map_of_Skyrim_559341415.jpg it sure looks like we might) or any other unknown environments?

I can't wait to check out "The Rift" (Capital city Riften? Will this region be one with a capital city? I want to live in this one.). I don't know why, but a decent bit of Skyrim seems sterile and dead, to me, and although the leaves are dying off, what we have seen of that fall forest area is very pretty and just looks as though it's vibrant. I like fall. Let's see what Falkreath is like, as well.

I think it was Eastmarch was supposed to have volcanic tundras...

EDIT: Yup, volcanic tundra.

I want to visit that one place in the official trailer at 1:21 seconds in; it reminded me a lot of the movie 'How to Train a Dragon.'

I like the look of the Reach. I love canyons and vast landscapes, especially if they are deserted.

Alright, fixed Eastmarch - Thanks Zendrex!

@Seti18: I completely agree, forests have always been my thing, and the fall forests in OB were a bit pathetic seeing that they were just recolored regular trees. But once I heard that the Northern holds have a severe weather difference than the rest of Skyrim, I cannot wait to get up there.

Volcanic Tundra? Sign me up!

I agree! Some environments reminiscent of Morrowind will be nice.

*Imagines golden saints strolling near lava*

^_^

lol, I never would have expected volcanic terrain in Skyrim, so it's definitely a nice surprise.

So no ones heard anything about the Northern holds terrain, only weather and day/night cycle differences?

I want to go to "The Reach" because canyons are pretty rare in games, and I absolutely loved the look of FO: NV's "Honest Hearts".

I was reading a book in OB about Solitude. I'm not sure if it still is infested with Undead, but if it is, I'll SO be there.

Hmm... Interesting tid-bit. With the cold, ice (hopefully) and swarms of undead, Solitude may give off a Game of Thrones "North of the Wall" feel - which would be awesome!

I love fall so I would love to see Falkreath first and battle in a place where the forest seems to be on fire with all the bright colors.^_^

No Windhelm?

Cant wait to see the dwarven ruins and the different dungeon types~

Based on what we know of Skyrim's map and size, has anyone calculated and ordered, roughly, the different regions from greatest to least greatest size, by any chance? I almost want to spend at least 70% of my time exclusively in the deciduous (Riften) and temperate (Falkreath) forest areas and I know that's unrealistic in the given scale of things in Skyrim, but those are going to be my areas... primarily the deciduous area. Fall colors are just awesome and I'll bet Riften is beautiful... although we haven't seen a screenshot or any video footage of it, yet, so it's still a surprise.

*starts to waver on her first choice* I love ruins! =D

Any of the forests appeal to me, too bad we cant smell the pine trees.

There's a link in the OP to a map, and you can take a look at the hold sizes - they're outlined on the map itself.

I choose "The Rift", i love fall forests and i Fall is my favorite season. I will be visiting everything in skyrim though, i have this strict rule about absolutely no quick traveling because i cant get enough of the scenery.

Ehhhhh... all? :tes:

If Riften is in The Rift I will definitely make it my home hold.