Alois, don't say that... The Elder Scrolls won't water themselves to Tolkien.

Ultimately this will always be the case because it's very existence is to entertain us.

I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you lore fanatics but you are far from being in the 75th percentile and though determining the actual number is impossible I could confidently guess that it's lower than 25%. Does that mean your opinion has no value or that the lore should be treated carelessly? Not in the least. I like the lore and do not want to see it miss treated but whatever will be will be. Just omit the "x # of people will react such and such way" from all your future debates and you'll be on righteous ground.

Okay, Tolkien would be better than that. Skyrim's the sign to abandon ship or hold on tight, though. I really, really hope it's the latter.

I have faith that the designers would be able to accomplish this to the satisfaction of the bulk of the game playing audience.

I just don't feel that potential gameplay elements, like new spell effects, should be outright denied because they "go against lore". I have faith that the designers would be able to accomplish this to the satisfaction of the bulk of the game playing audience.

The bulk don't care about lore. If they get to ride a dragon and kill another one, it'll be the best TES game ever... Does that mean they're bad people? Hell no. Does that mean they're TES fans, I wouldn't really classify them as TES fans personally. I honestly think for the majority of TES players probably don't even know who Galerion is.

I agree that the developers have a handle on this...somewhat at least.

But the OP of this thread had another one going where he chanted, almost like a mantra, that he didn't care about lore and all he wanted was cool gameplay, period. It's reasonable to assume, given who started the thread, that this is in some way a continuation of the concept: whether he and those who agree with him should get whatever they want, period, and to hell with the lore as long as the gameplay kicks ass...or not.

And perhaps the whole "dragons of fire and horses of water spells" argument isn't the best to illustrate this phenomenon- maybe it's better illustrated by those who insist that what would make Skyrim great is Sloads as a playable race? Nevermind that everything about them lorewise suggests them to be tropical in nature, that in lore they're universally hated and would likely be attacked on sight by...well...99% of the men and mer on Tamriel, and that one in Skyrim would likely be little more than a stationary Sloadsicle- that's all irrelevant, because: "it would be soooo kewl!!!one!!1!!"

Jimis, you know how I feel, but I will explain so you understand how I feel and why.

In The Elder Scrolls, lore is important. The games may have the technology to do the neat things you suggested, but the Elder Scrolls has a lot more lore than just the games. A LOT! The Elder Scrolls may have the tech to summon dragons of flame or create horses of water, but the huge world they've built disagrees with it. The world of Mundus, Oblivion, and Aetherius is far bigger than any of the games, or even all of the games.

If you delve into the world as I have, it isn't a series of games, it's an entirely different world. That's why I'm so fanatical when it comes to the lore. I'll give you a few examples so that you understand what I mean.

In Oblivion, we met Uriel Septim (as well as Arena and Daggerfall). But what do we not know about the Septim Dynasty? Pelagius is the craziest emperor to ever rule (think Nero of the Roman Empire). Tiber Septim was either betrayed by or betrayed the Underking, Zurin Arcturus and became known as Talos Stormcrown. That Uriel Septim isn't the direct descendent of Tiber Septim, but rather a cousin (2nd cousin or 2x removed).

In Morrowind, we met Vivec. But did you know that the mer (even dwemer) all came from the long lost land of Aldmeris and were all part of the Aldmer race (proto-mer). One branch of Aldmer followed Prophet Veloth and worshipped Boethiah, Azura, and Mephala. These eventually became the Dunmer, because Azura cursed them for the mistakes of three members of their race.

In Daggerfall (and again in Oblivion), we met Mannimarco. But did you know that he was an arch-rival of the founder of the Mages' Guild? He was also the first lich.

Just a few examples of the world. Again I say, it's not a game series, it's a wondrous world that is vastly different from ours. If given the opportunity, I'd love to travel to Morrowind and see Azura's Coast. Or see Cyrodiil's White-Gold Tower. Or view the Summerset Isles. It's an amazing universe that is so unique that I can't help but be immersed in it. Jimis, I hope this better enlightens you on why I contested you in your thread about controlled magic.

Galerion is the arch-nemesis of Mannimarco, King of Worms. He is also founder of the Mages' Guild. However, he left because it had become a beauracratical 'morass'

Kind of ironic I use that as an example you say you don't know who he is. And do you know why the sload are hated?

Alois, if 51% od the Oblivion fans wanted sloads, we'd have sloads.

I'm kind of enjoying the logical debate about lore, personally. But I think lore>gameplay, always

Then we, sir, are screwed. Just surf through some of the (countless) polls here and see what we're in for.

It's called a sample, heh.

It's called a sample, heh.