Why do Elder Scrolls ALWAYS start with you in prison with NO explanation as to why you're there?

They don't always start like that, only Morrowind and Oblivion did. They don't give you an explanation so you can start your own character and your own adventure. Though I would very much like it if the next game started differently.

Its only in Oblivion in Morrowind you start on a boat.

Lol, what? You only start in a prison in OB. In Morrowind, you start the game on a boat, under custody of the Imperial City.
So that's only 2 games you start incarcerated.

There's another one of these?

Anyway, there is an explanation in Arena, you don't start in prison in Daggerfall, and the lack of explanation for Morrowind(you may not technically be in prison, but you still are a prisoner in the beginning of Morrowind) and Oblivion is to let you decide what your origins are. Why should everyone be spoon-fed everything? Also, if one doesn't one to create their own beginning, simply accept "Perhaps the gods have placed you here so that we may meet" as the literal answer.

For Morrowind there was an explanation, you were born on a certain date in the prophecy, so the guards kept you in custody. I hope I remembered correctly, correct me if I am wrong.

Yeah Seti, to edumacate some.

Preeeeeeeeety sure you were "imprisoned" in a dungeon in Daggerfall. Or was that Arena. Point is, I have read somewhere that your character in TES is usually incarcerated in one form or another. It's just a dramatic starting point. I think that's how all the Wolfenstein games start, too.

That was Arena. In Daggerfall, you are sent to Daggerfall, by the emperor, to do some errands, but your ship crashes during a storm, you enter a cave, a rockslide caves you in, and you start the game in a dungeon.

Because the writers can't think of anything better.

Sounds like a geat start to the game. A pitty the graphics are awful.

The graphics aren't that bad. I enjoyed the game regardless of them.

I think Morrowind and Oblivion didn't start the same like OP is saying, so I can't see your comment applying to the situation. Unless, you mean something.

Its better than starting on the top of white-gold tower with no doors or stairs to get down and only your hopes and dreams. I think the custody version is the best to go off of. Or maybe KO'ed near a small village.

KO'ed near a big town a less people would care to see if you were alright, let alone ask you name, birthsign, or class.

I like these annonymous starts. It means you have no restrictions as to what your character is.

LOL, yeah. I'm sure that's it. :rolleyes:

It makes it easier for people to roleplay.

Thats a cheap answer and i refuse to accept it. Spoon-fed? are you serious? Thats not what this is all about. This is about the prisoner background. you're character could start out in so many other ways and you would still be able to invent the background you desire. Just skip the prisoner thing and try something new. the Daggerfall opening sounds promising. Why do every character i create have to be a prisoner?



That is not necessary true.

Darn right.

To be fair, it started in prison in Oblivion I think as a direct throwback to Arena, like most of the game's creatures and themes. Though we can all agree it isn't worth repeating the "start in jail motif" for the next game.

The series is done with the idea of starting in prison. It will be no more.

That stuff doesn't matter. You don't need an npc to ask any of that, it's all a poor farce. Just make a character creation sheet. There should never be an npc asking what your race and six are!

Actually, I'm quite fond of starting in a prison. :shrug:
Seems legit to me.

Good point
Though the guy from seyda neen had an excuse. He was lazy, sittin' there all day and night with nothing to do. I think he just wanted some interaction.
He is also like 117 years old with bad eyes and hearing. Why else would he repeatedly ask you if the information was correct.
And the birthsign. Horoscope.


I don't know if there is a saying, so I'll make one up.
"Hard time makes a man tough"

Only in Arena and Oblivion you start in prison, but keep in mind you're released from prison before the actual game starts in Daggerfall and Morrowind to carry out a task(s) the emperor wants you to do. So in some aspect you have ties to being a prisoner in every game of the main series.

Why do they keep it? Probably for role-playing purposes and that it has been a tradition for the entire main series.

Starting in prison gives them an excuse to start you with absolute zero. No armour, no weapon, no gold, just rags and a dirty look on your face.

I can understand the objection to physically starting in a prison. However, the prisoner beginning can work for almost any sort of background you might want, if it's written carefully.

Assuming Skyrim, imagine this:

The screen starts out all black with only the sound of a moving carriage, which stops. You are prompted for your choice of gender and race. That completed, you hear voices muffled by the wind. A small window opens and an officer of the Legion greets you with varying degrees of contempt depending on how the province's relations with Cyrodiil are. (Example: Altmer are likely independant, and therefore disdained moreso than a refugee Dunmer. Nords probably get a "happy to be home, eh?" type comment, etc). Then he says that you're at (insert name of border town) and that the Emperor ordered you to be released, which he then does. (Note: the exact wording should be just "released" or "turned loose" for a specific reason). The next character you'll have any meaningful interaction with is a sage/mystic who intends to tell your fortune. (Enter birthsign choice), get a unique fortune for each. At this point, you are given the first meaningful choice: you have the option of "taking the shortcut through the nasties" (tutorial dungeon) or "braving the bureaucrats" (actually shorter, but the "equipment stipend" is literally enough to buy a weapon and a small amount of armor). The officer recommends "the nasties" as being "the easy way". (If you choose the nasties, you'll find yourself confirming or denying a guess about your class, same as Oblivion, at the end of the tunnel, where you'll find a very bored guard).

Now, assume you're supposed to be a virtuous hero. You had to be framed or something, rigt? Actually, it says "released". It doesn't say from where or for what. All it has actually stated is "you were in custody" and "The Emperor wanted you released here." Is it protective custody? or did a jealous rival frame you? I don't know, and the game doesn't say. For all it has revealed, you might be "in custody" simply so the Emperor can point you where he wants you, a direction you may not have been going. He needs YOU in Skyrim, but you were too busy helping local peasants with rat problems. So you're in chains in a carriage, but never even charged with a crime. You're simply "being restrained according to the Emperor's will".

But wait: I'm actually a High Elf that hates the Imperials and my sympathies lie with the Empire's enemy. Well, I might be a prisoner of war. Even if there's no official war. And the wording on being given my first MQ assignment should imply that I know the reasons why I have to do what I do. Even if I approve of the goals, etc.

Or I'm a merchant. And a jealous competitor framed me. Or I could be a Mercenary arrested for brawling when the Emperor took an interest.

Wording and imagery have to work together, of course. Actually putting you in a cell rather implies your custody is not "protective", or "non-criminal". Depending on how you word what guards say as they release you from shackles, you might be able to indicate the player might have chosen a less-than-cooperative stance prior without confirming it. Example: "I think wwe can do without this precaution..."

So overall, there's no reason to insist that the player is/is not a prisoner. Were you bound because you are a criminal? Are you a POW? maybe it's simply that you were uncooperative, or because they were camoflaging you (a VIP) to avoid assassins. (A guard might say "Last week, Ambassador Regulus came in just like you did. Ambassadors don't wear shackles, and assassins don't waste time on petty thieves."). It confirms nothing, while suggesting possible reasons/motives for the player to reconcile.

I like the obscure beginnings. Perhaps in TESV they could have something a little different though.