Summary
Looking forward to the eventual release ofThe Elder Scrolls 6, the question of the upcoming Bethesda RPG’s direction following the expanded nature of the franchise in recent years has begun to grow more prevalent. An immediate sequel toSkyrimcould have been similarly manageable enough, butthe success ofThe Elder Scrolls Onlineand the greater popularity of the series as a whole has introduced new issues of scale and player impact.
InESO, one of the most difficult tasks a player can undertake is earning the title of Emperor in PvP, a name that affects gameplay beyond just being a cosmetic reward. While it’s been a position of largely unreachable lore significance throughout the single-player adventures ofTES, becoming Emperor is an achievable goal for ambitious MMO players who are able to take and hold keeps around the Imperial City. Being able to kill the leader of Tamriel inSkyrimwas one consequential situation, but actually holding that seat might be too lofty of an expectation to place uponThe Elder Scrolls 6.
The Emperor of Tamriel’s Legacy in The Elder Scrolls Series
Mystique and great significance alike have been associated with the Emperor throughoutTES. Uriel Septim VII’s scripted assassination inOblivionsets the protagonist’s journey in motion and establishes a greater threat, while having the opportunity to kill Titus Mede II inSkyrim’s Dark Brotherhood questline, while largely inconsequential to the main plot, has a massive impact on the implied world state outside the player’s view. With several key figures throughout Tamriel’s history relating to the Septim line and its ties to the Amulet of Kings, the role of Emperor inThe Elder Scrollshas been shown to be the linchpin of the continent’s stability with a direct connection to the divine.
ESO is Free From the Lore Implications of Becoming Emperor
In the context of an MMO, where players are all progressing in a persistent world, Emperor is more of a prestigious title instead of a properly world-altering event. Gaining powerful exclusive abilities and bonuses definitely makes a difference in PvP combat, but this is also a temporary title that can be lost to another player if the game mechanics dictate it. The overalldesign ofThe Elder Scrolls Online’s storyallowed for this kind of situation without disrupting the broader story, operating under the assumption that multiple people can have such greatness without affecting the permanent lore.
Making an Emperor Achievement Work in The Elder Scrolls 6 Would Be One of the Series' Greatest Development Challenges
A Proper Depiction of Scale Requires Dealing with Localized Power Dynamics and Titles
Instead of being more tied to gameplay than narrative like inESO, thetitle of Emperor inThe Elder Scrolls 6would need to be part of a believable path through ranks and factions of different regions. The scale of ruling an entire landmass is an immense undertaking, with the attitude towards gaining influence, forming alliances, and asserting control being able to affect entire provinces. Between these responsibilities, alongside managing resources and commanding armies, the quest for the throne could easily overshadow every other element in the game.
An Emperor Path Might Create the Most Branching Narrative TES Narrative Yet
In terms ofThe Elder Scrolls Online’s mechanics, the Emperor title is the reward for having the highest rank of a faction’s campaign in the Alliance War over keeps in Cyrodiil, but the story of a mainline title would need more than just gameplay to depict this sort of rise. If the player’s decisions as Emperor have true weight, they could lead to innumerable world states with far-reaching differences. It would be more realistic to place the player in the adjacent role of an advisor or sworn knight, as this would leave room for balance with traditionalTESfare. Depending on whether this concept is ever followed through on or not,ESOcould remain the grandest example of what the player is capable of inThe Elder Scrollsfor years to come.
