How Morrowind’s world building found it’s way to Skyrim

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As a seasoned gamer who has traversed countless virtual landscapes, I can confidently say that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim stands tall among the pantheon of gaming greats. The world-building in this series is nothing short of extraordinary, with Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim each offering a unique yet immersive experience.

There’s no need to introduce The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – it’s a game that’s universally known and enjoyed. Remarkable world-building is a key feature of the Elder Scrolls franchise, with Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim standing out as particularly noteworthy examples.

In contrast to previous games in The Elder Scrolls series, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind made a monumental stride by transitioning into an entirely handcrafted, open-world environment. Unlike its contemporaries, it did not rely on procedural generation for its locations. Reminiscent of Skyrim and Oblivion, Morrowind’s expansive world was brimming with captivating locales steeped in lore.

In all three games, you’ll find both large towns and cities, but Morrowind and Skyrim shared a feature that Oblivion lacked: while Oblivion boasted some of the most impressive cities in the series, it didn’t include smaller settlements deeply rooted in lore.

In Morrowind, the game introduced Ashlander Camps, living spaces for the Ashlanders – elves who adhered to traditional lifestyles in Morrowind prior to the Empire’s arrival. Skyrim drew inspiration from these Ashlander Camps, manifesting as Orc Strongholds. Similar to the Ashlander Camps, there are four Orc Strongholds in Skyrim that serve a role similar to the Ashlander Camps.

The Orc Strongholds may seem unsuspecting, but they have a lot of lore and story behind them. The Orcs lived n Skyrim, originally part of a kingdom of Orcs, until the days of the Nords and the Empire. The Strongholds focus on Orcs living the old fashioned way, with their culture intact, against the wishes of the Stormcloaks. Much like how the Ashlanders live in their camps and keep the Nerevarine Cult alive, despite the wishes of the Tribunal Temple.

In contrast to the Ashlander Camps in Morrowind, which are crucial to the main quest, the Orc Strongholds in Skyrim may not directly contribute to the main storyline. However, they significantly enrich the game’s lore and narrative, making Skyrim feel more diverse and storied, just as the Ashlanders did for Morrowind.

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2024-10-15 18:27