This is for all the people that don't keep up with the lore (like me). What I'd like to know is what is happening around the world before this point in TES history? What important things are contributing to the plot, and what has happened to other provinces that other games have been set on.

Here's a timeline of the fourth Era (which starts immediately after the events in Oblivion) from www.uesp.net

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Fourth_Era

You should also find links to timelines for other Eras there too.