Does it seem like Cyrodil is ruined? : IV - Oblivion

» Tue Dec 21, 2010 10:27 am

It's true that you'd think they would have built some new ones by now... I guess the Imperials all just cower behind their city walls.

Why would they build new forts in the middle of their empire, when they're not at war with anybody?

» Tue Dec 21, 2010 9:31 am

You don't only build forts in times of war. You build them as defensive strongholds, in case of war. For example, the US has forts all over the place, without being in a land war on the North American continent.

The lack of fortifications (except Cloud Ruler Temple) makes Cyrodiil defensively weak. Ripe for invasion, if you ask me... ?_?

» Tue Dec 21, 2010 3:15 am

I dont know the history of Cyrodill, but the lack of intact castles may mean that they are either a recent, rising power that never had castles or that they regained territories from war enemies (and so their ancient castles were destroyed).

They'd not build / rebuild castles if they did not have the $ and man-power to maintain them. We do not see large populations in Cyrodill, so rebuidling these castles would be pointless.

» Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:18 pm

Just in case you were unaware, most forts are old Ayleid Elf ruins that have been abandoned for a long time. You must also rememeber (although I admit its hard

) that oblivion is JUST A GAME, and that all the hungry bandits and creatures are there to fight. Its almost not fair when you point out all the economically wrong things of a video game

» Tue Dec 21, 2010 5:46 am

I just now realise that there are hundreds of broken and deserted forts, but almost no intact ones. Seems kinda weird, doesn't it?

Not really, no.

I explained the exact reason for that earlier in this thread. The well maintained forts are all in other provinces or within the walled cities of Cyrodill. Until the Oblivion Crisis there was no need for manned outposts within the borders of the nation.

Cyrodill has been stable for centuries. There's no need for hundreds of active forts. In a medieval setting, forts are usually maintained along the borders of nations and in hostile territory, not in the peaceful seat of civilization.

» Tue Dec 21, 2010 1:03 am

But in real life there aren't as many ruins in one location as in Cyrodil. I think the presence of all these forts show how the importance the Imperials gave to military might.

no offense mate but it just shows the designers needed lots of dungeons

» Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:13 pm

That might be true, but it seems there are more bandits in Cyrodil than honest citizens. It also seems the most profitable business in Cyrodil is join the army or dungeon dive. Also the Cyrodillian cities seem pretty advanced, especially IC, though I agree with the fact that most people in Cyrodil seem intellectually stunted. And there would have to be a greater population atleast in the past for all those forts to have been built in the first place.

Actually the Shivering Isles seems more like a bastion for knowledge. There are many, many crazies, but it also contains many artists and scientists. Overall I think SI has better intellectual growth.

In my opinion the most concerning thing is the abundance of evil on the Imperial Isle itself. The sewers are infested (I mean atleast that shouldn't be overrun with goblins and vampires) monsters roam the isle just outside the city wall. Its no wonder that you rarely see people on the roads.

most people in cyrodil seem completly bonkers cos the ai is appauling,great game though

» Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:58 pm

It may have been because when the Oblivion gates opened that the monsters took them over,or destroyed them.

» Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:42 am

Graybing, I'm sort of talking from a lore perspective.

I guess the Imperials use offense as their best defense. I bet they have forts in the other provinces (I know for sure in Morrowind) but it would have been useful if they had maintained some forts in Cyrodil. When the invasion from Oblivion started, there would have been more holdout points to slow it down.

Of course I know its just a game guys

its just interesting to talk about the possibilities. And by saying ruined, I didn't mean anything was wrong with Cyrodil, by ruined I meant that there were many abandoned forts and ruins littered throughout the province.

Even in places like England, there aren't that many ruins. Maybe like a castle or two near historical towns and a couple in the countryside.

I am really enjoying the discussion. :celebration: