Skyrim Information Explanation and Compilation

Post » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:11 pm

Awesome job Sleign, and I have to say, best explanation of how Fallout 3's level scaling worked (so well) that I've read anywhere.
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emily grieve
 
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Post » Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:28 pm

Hey, is http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Esbern a thing?
It would make him very old, but that might be the idea.
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koumba
 
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Post » Sun Dec 19, 2010 8:25 pm

Hey, is http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Esbern a thing?
It would make him very old, but that might be the idea.

Nice find could be on to soemthing
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Penny Flame
 
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Post » Sun Dec 19, 2010 5:53 pm

Hey, is http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Esbern a thing?
It would make him very old, but that might be the idea.


I don't understand. Isn't he just some character added by KotN in the event that one of the original priets get killed? Apart from hin being a Nord, what is the connection with Skyrim?
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Campbell
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:57 am

Was it mentioned that binding a spell to a certain hand replaces the weapon that hand carries?
Remember Oblivion, the character casts spells with both hands busy, that'd be weird


I usually play an Archer Mage, so will be interested in seeing how two handed weapons work when combined with spell casting.

Storm
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Keeley Stevens
 
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Post » Sun Dec 19, 2010 8:29 pm

I don't understand. Isn't he just some character added by KotN in the event that one of the original priets get killed? Apart from hin being a Nord, what is the connection with Skyrim?


His name, his race. It seems Beth already had him planed in summer 2006.
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Nicole Kraus
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:56 am

Skyrim Geography-
Skyrim Map is http://apoapsis.net/images/skyrim_map.jpg (special thanks to Karstux for editing the map we saw in the video)
Cities include Whiterun, Windhelm, Riften, Solitude and Falkreath.
Skyrim is traditionally divided into nine "Holds," administrative subdivisions similar to Cyrodiilic counties. Judging by the map, each Hold will be a discrete geographical region with its own look and feel. The northern and eastern Holds are known collectively as the "Old Holds," and have a large Nord majority, are the bastions of Nord traditionalism, and are ruled by hereditary aristocracy. It seems likely that the Old Holds would be the main power center for the anti-Imperial Nords. The Old Holds are as follows:

- Winterhold consists of Skyrim's northeastern coast. Winterhold contains two cities - Dawnstar, and its capital, also named Winterhold. The city of Winterhold is likely one of the game's five major cities. Winterhold is historically one of the most important power centers in Skyrim, rivaled only by Whiterun and Solitude. It is a major trading port with a flourishing economy, and is located near the ruins of Saarthal, the original capital of Skyrim. After the destruction of Morrowind, Winterhold became the home of large numbers of Dunmer refugees. It contains both the famous College of Winterhold and the Ysmir Collective, a library rescued from the destruction of Morrowind.

- Eastmarch is in eastern Skyrim, on the border with Morrowind. Eastmarch is described as "Volcanic Tundra," and its only city is Windhelm, the ancient capital of the First Empire, traditional capital of Skyrim, and one of the game's five major cities. During Tiber Septim's reign, Windhelm was an important Imperial garrison, defending the Dunmeth Pass to Morrowind..

- Rift is located in southeast Skyrim. Rift is described as "Fall Forest," and its only city is Riften. Riften is one of the game's five major cities, but we don't know much about it other than that it sits on the edge of a lake.

- The Pale is a valley, located in north-central Skyrim. It is described as "Snow" and apparently contains no cities


The remaining holds are much more cosmopolitan. With one notable exception, while these Holds may have a hereditary aristocracy, they are effectively governed by elected councils called "Moots."

- Falkreath Hold is in southwest Skyrim. It contains the city of Falkreath, but Falkreath does not appear to be one of the game's five major cities.

- The Reach consists of western Skyrim. It consists of "Canyons and Mesas." The Reach is supposedly the most cosmopolitan Hold, with large Orcish, Breton, and Imperial populations. The Reach does not appear to contain any large cities.

- Whiterun is located in south-central Skyrim. It is described as "Tundra." Whiterun contains two cities: Markarth Side and its capital, also called Whiterun, one of the game's five major cities. Whiterun contains the Throat of the World, the tallest mountain in Skyrim, and the second-tallest in all of Tamriel, after Red Mountain in Vvardenfell. At the peak of the Throat of the World is High Hrothgar, the home of the ancient greybeards, masters of the ancient Nord art of thu'um. Tiber Septim established an Imperial College of the Voice in Markarth Side to promote the study of thu'um, but in practice the College serves more as a babysitter for young Nord nobles. The city of Whiterun was once known as the "Imperial City of Skyrim," but its fortunes declined late in the Third Era. Near the end of the Third Era, the city and Hold were effectively ruled by a witch named Jsashe, a self-proclaimed "priestess of Lorkhan." According to the map, Jsashe's Coven is still the supreme ruler of Whiterun.

- A Hold of uncertain name in northwestern Skyrim, on the northwestern bank of a large river delta. It contains the city of Solitude, one of the game's five major cities and Winterhold's traditional rival as the most important city in Skyrim. Solitude is the northernmost city in Tamriel, and a major trading port. It was also the home of Potema, the "Witch-Queen of Solitude," an aunt of the Empress Kintyra who attempted to usurp the Imperial throne. There is still a movement, called the H?rme, who considers Potema and her son Uriel III to have been the last true emperors of Tiber Septim's bloodline, and actively oppose the Empire. Solitude is an ally of Dawnstar in Winterhold, and is also an active sponsor of exploratory expeditions to the Sea of Ghosts and beyond.

- Another Hold of uncertain name in northwestern Skyrim, southeast of the river delta. We know basically nothing about this one.


Skyrim's royal family all claim descent from Ysgramor, the warlord who first conquered Skyrim. When the succession is in doubt, a Moot is convened, consisting of representatives from all nine Holds, to elect the new King from the members of the royal family. Given what we know of the Skyrim Civil War, this probably didn't work. (All information about the Holds are thanks to Arilias' hard work, thanks.)


There are nine holds in Skyrim. The four traditionalist Old Holds are:

- Eastmarch (Central East, Volcanic Tundra; Major Settlements: Windhelm)
- Rift (Southeast, Fall Forest; Major Settlements: Riften)
- The Pale (Central, Snow)
- Winterhold (Northeast; Major Settlements: Winterhold, Dawnstar)

The only other Hold identified before Skyrim was released was supposedly the most cosmopolitan and naturally diverse:

- The Reach (Canyons and Mesas)

Judging by the anolysis of this map, we now know at least one more:

- Falkreath Hold (Southwest; Major Settlements: Falkreath)

That means there are three more regions identified on the map that we haven't been able to make out the names of.

If anyone can get anymore information of villages or cities from the Skyrim map on the behind-the-scenes video please post it here so we can compile it.


I posted this before the magazine info and Behind the Scenes video, basically what i could comprise of the history of a warring Skyrim. The different holds and why/how they were formed. A good read if anyone has some free time.

But how does the idea of a civil war (seemingly confined to Skyrim) fit with that theory?


Good question I actually had compiled some stuff about that but thought it didn't directly relate so I didn't post it.

When the sons of Skyrim would spill their own blood.

The Sons of Skyrim to me indicates the http://oblivion.wikia.com/wiki/Nedic people who believe that they were created in Skyrim by Kyne when the sky breathed onto the peak of the mountain known as Throat of the World. where http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:High_Hrothgar stands.

The spiritual relationship between the Nords and breath, which is associated with the Sky Goddess Kyne, is also important. As Children of the Sky puts it:
“Nords consider themselves to be the children of the sky. They call Skyrim the Throat of the World, because it is where the sky exhaled on the land and formed them.”


Hence the Song of Return refers not only to Ysgramor's return to Tamriel after the destruction of Saarthal, but to the Nords' return to what they believe was their original homeland.

Atmora was the original home of the Nedic people before they migrated south to Skyrim.

The Nedic people are the ancestors of three of the major modern races that exist in Tamriel. http://oblivion.wikia.com/wiki/Nedic.

A civil war on Atmora had taken place and as a result rose one of the most legendary of all Tamrielic figures, a Nord named Ysgramor, from whom all Nordic kings are descended. Ysgramor gathered all those who wanted to leave Atmora and live in peace. They left Atmora by sea traveling south, eventually arriving at Skyrim at the extreme northern tip of the continent of Tamriel, at a place known as Hsaarik Head.

After arriving in Tamriel, the Nords met and befriended the Falmer, or Snow Elves. The Nords called the land Mereth, in tribute to the Elves that lived there. But the Elves took notice of the rate at which man's population was growing, and soon realized that these men were the first great threat to Elvish civilization on Tamriel.

Contrary to most stories, which erroneously credit Ysgramor with the first human settlement of Tamriel, he and his colonists were simply the latest of a long line of emigrants from Atmora. Indeed, the central continent was already populated by Atmorans and indigenous humans throughout.

Settlers from Atmora made landfall on Skyrim many times before claiming the region as their own. These spaced-out migrations often resulted in clashes with the Aldmer. As it goes, elves and men lived in relative peace and prosperity for a great deal of time. Racial tensions between the two species gradually rose however and it wasn't long before conflict erupted.

The Elves led raids throughout the settlements of men that had come to Tamriel. Most of the Nords were hunted down until only Ysgramor and his two sons survived. They fled back to Atmora on the last remaining longship.

Ysgramor gathered the armies of the nations of Atmora into one large army known as the Five Hundred Companions and set on south to invade Tamriel. When they arrived, they quickly slaughtered the Falmer and made possible the rise of men, eventually creating the Empire.


His clan expanded their territory, and it continued to expand and contract by winning and losing territories in Morrowind and High Rock. After quarrels from the rivalries of the Ysgramor clan however, Skyrim weakened and separated into multiple states during the War of Succession.

- The men that stayed in the cold regions of Skyrim became what we now know as the Nords.
- The Nedics that left to live in High Rock met the Aldmeri already living there. Over time, they interbred, and the Bretons were born.
- The Imperials formed after both the Nedic and Ayleid (wild elves) peoples arrived in Cyrodiil at approximately the same time. Inevitably, there was war, and the Ayleids enslaved the Nedics to create their empire, which was centered around White Gold Tower. Soon after the start of the First Era, the Nords of Skyrim inspired the Nedic slaves to rebel against the iron fist of the Ayleids. So, under the lead of the Slave Queen Alessia, the Nedics rose and fought for freedom in 1 E242. The Alessian Empire of Cyrodiil started in 1 E243 with the crowning of Alessia. At this point, the Nedics in Cyrodiil were becoming what we know as the Imperials.



The history of Skyrim shows that it was only united for brief periods.

The people of Skyrim are ruled by a hereditary King from the Ysgramor Dynasty bloodline. King Harald, at the beginning of the First Era, was the first to relinquish all holdings in Atmora (Until that time, the Nords of Atmora and Skyrim had been considered the same group the Nedic or Nedes.), proclaiming that the people of Skyrim were an independent people. King Harald died in 1E 221and his son, Hjalmer, becomes the next king. King Hjalmer died in 1E 222 and the second son of King Harald, Vrage the Gifted, takes the throne. Vrage the Gifted started the expansion that would eventually lead to the First Empire of Men.

The system which chose the successors to the empire eventually proved to be the Empire's undoing. For a great while the Moot, a gathering of the lords of the many different Holds, chose the successor to the Empire..The majority of Skyrim are ruled by petty Kings and chieftains of villages. The different Holds are ruled by mostly-elected Moots, as well as a Lord of some sort.


The concept of Civil Wars between Skyrim factions AKA Holds is not a new thing either…

When the last of the Ysgramor line of kings, King Borgas of Skyrim was killed in 1E 369 the Moot, arbiters of the succession, failed to choose the obvious canditate, Jarl Hanse of Winterhold. When the Moot failed to nominate the popular successor it sparked a civil war. The War of Succession was disastrous for Skyrim: it lost the provinces of High Rock, Morrowind and Cyrodiil and cities such as Windhelm were sacked. Skyrim and the Nords engaged in multiple clashes with High Rock over its western Reach, a civil war involving The Wolf Queen of Solitude, an invasion of Cuhlecain's Cyrodiil, and wars with Hammerfell and High Rock during the Imperial Simulacrum.

The war(s) did not end until when the Moot was established to convene only when there was no clear successor. In 1E 420, the Pact of Chieftains brought an end to the conflict.


We’re told that the cities of Solitude and Winter Hold hold a bitter rivalry between one another.

Solitude, also known as Haafingar, is one of the most influential and wealthy counties in Skyrim. Rival of Winterhold, It is famous for being the northernmost town in Tamriel and infamous as the seat of the so-called Wolf Queen, Potema.The home of the famous Bards' College, Haafingar is also one of Skyrim's chief ports, and ships from up and down the coast can be found at her crowded quays, loading timber and salted cod for the markets of Wayrest, West Anvil, and Senchal.

Winterhold, Solitude's ancient rival, is the capital of the namesake county and a coastal fortress, located on the northeastern tip of Skyrim. Somewhat isolated from the rest of Nord culture, but still wealthy and influential, it is known as one of the Old Holds. Due to its proximity to Morrowind's border, Winterhold is heavily affected by Dunmer ways and ideas, fueling part of its economy.



Spoiler
Another Take on this...

The "When the sons of Skyrim would spill their own blood." could also be a indicator of Time.

"Til the time after Oblivion opened"

The word "Til" to me indicates this line is just a marker in time. Til meaning "Until" onto the next line, is that too a continuation of the first part, just marking time?

"When the sons of Skyrim would spill their own blood"

(Guess this was right after all)



So much like when Tiber Septim used Thu’um to show the Nords that he was the true son of Skyrim (from the Ysgramor Bloodline perhaps) could that be what the Dovahkiin does?

I think the Dovahkiin will be from the Bloodline of Ysgramor making him able to unite Skyrim together again, making him the true Heir to the Empires of Man, the rightful leader of the Ysgramor Dynasty not some petty lord chosen by the Moot. AND

As the main story progresses and you earn your dragon shouts I think there will be a time come when the player (Dovahkiin) has to unite Skyrim and perhaps all of Tamriel together against Alduin.


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Marnesia Steele
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:07 am

And my other previous post is interesting as well, on the topic of who the Dovahkiin is and if there is any connection between him and Shor/Lorkhan.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1152130-the-story-behind-skyrim-v20/page__view__findpost__p__16863989
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Jessica Phoenix
 
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Post » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:12 pm

And my other previous post is interesting as well, on the topic of who the Dovahkiin is and if there is any connection between him and Shor/Lorkhan.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1152130-the-story-behind-skyrim-v20/page__view__findpost__p__16863989

You really know your TES.
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Gemma Archer
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:39 am

You really know your TES.

Thanks but I don't really. I just got swept up in hype for Skyrim that I went to the different lore sites and tried to catch up. I played Morrowind and Oblivion a lot but i never really dove deep into the lore or read all of the books, just started doing that when Skyrim was announced. Research i guess.

BTW can't wait for the game in your avatar. Dues Ex: Human Revolution looks great.
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Stat Wrecker
 
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Post » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:56 pm

And my other previous post is interesting as well, on the topic of who the Dovahkiin is and if there is any connection between him and Shor/Lorkhan.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1152130-the-story-behind-skyrim-v20/page__view__findpost__p__16863989


You did a good job compiling lore but the only problem with the connection between the Dovahkiin and Lorkhan is that Lorkhan is dead and thus can't really do anything hehe. There have been echoes (kind've like ghosts except ghosts can't really do anything) of Lorkhan over the years but Lorkhan is unfortunately dead and his body is the twin moons of Nirn. Also I made several comments about how I believe that Alduin will have to be comprised of some kind of remnant of Akatosh's power that was left behind when Akatosh put the finishing touches on Nirn since Akatosh and the other Aedra cannot interact with Nirn because of the sacrifice they made to create it, so it doesn't make since how Akatosh can destroy the world. But it was a really well thought out story for the Dovahkiin before we learned that the Dovahkiin were a line of dragon hunters.
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Nauty
 
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Post » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:12 pm

I just added in speculation of the stick in the left hand of the character on I think page 49 or something like that (don't have my mag on me atm.) It looks like some kind of staff/scepter combination. It doesn't look like a torch because of the light shining from it.
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Code Affinity
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 6:57 am

I just added in speculation of the stick in the left hand of the character on I think page 49 or something like that (don't have my mag on me atm.) It looks like some kind of staff/scepter combination. It doesn't look like a torch because of the light shining from it.


You can also see something like what you described in this piece of concept art from the Behind the Scenes of Skyrim video.

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/7006/skyrimconceptart.jpg

Maybe that's like a way to use magic or combine magic spells into one and still be able to use the other hand for something else. I like scepters and most definitely will look for powerful ones, or create, on my magic build character.
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Terry
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 5:36 am

You can also see something like what you described in this piece of concept art from the Behind the Scenes of Skyrim video.

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/7006/skyrimconceptart.jpg

Maybe that's like a way to use magic or combine magic spells into one and still be able to use the other hand for something else. I like scepters and most definitely will look for powerful ones, or create, on my magic build character.


Thanks for pointing that out, I completely missed that. Nice catch. I'll add that to the compilation.
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StunnaLiike FiiFii
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:25 am

Halberds have been discovered in the concept art!!!! You can see it http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/1909/54424078.png. It's two pictures to the left of the bottom right picture of the bearded man.
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Nathan Maughan
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:26 am

All I ask is huge map size and not a fishtank like Oblivion...

Apart that ....

Please Will there be Piecemental armour?????
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Bek Rideout
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:50 am

  • Quivers attach to a strap around your character, no longer just being "glued" to your character's back as in Oblivion (we can see this from the screenshot of the hunter with the bow and the elk).


Please Will there be Piecemental armour?????

The screenshots in the magazine lead me to believe there is more apparel customization.
  • The slain figure falling down on page 51 appears to have two different pauldrons.
  • The Dunmer on page 50 has the same set of straps on his back that the Nord does on the page about relating with NPCs. The difference is that the Dunmer has clothing underneath the straps while the Nord has none.
  • The Dunmer also has an iron/silver-looking left pauldron on top of another leather pauldron, while the Nord has a left pauldron of just leather, not the iron piece.

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Francesca
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 1:05 am

All I ask is huge map size and not a fishtank like Oblivion...

Apart that ....

Please Will there be Piecemental armour?????


HUH? Oblivion as more then big enough, name one game thats biogger? Also, size is over rated, style of substance, most of oblivion was mundane, shallow, give me better content not just lots.
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Suzie Dalziel
 
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Post » Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:04 am

All I ask is huge map size and not a fishtank like Oblivion...

Apart that ....

Please Will there be Piecemental armour?????


Oblivion was a pretty significant size. There was a comparison of game world size in 2007 I believe and it was 6th overall size of games. (Biggest is Daggerfall, that would be sweet if Skyrim was that big but that size would be incomprehensible.)

Also, size is over rated, style of substance, most of oblivion was mundane, shallow, give me better content not just lots.


Mundane? Just walk around Cyrodiil. It's beautiful and combined with the epic music, it just is amazing. Just because there is no other people doesn't make a place mundane or shallow.
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Tha King o Geekz
 
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