Anyone who has played theElder Scrollsfranchise has experienced the incredible amount of lore that is packed into the games. While players are waiting anxiously for therelease ofThe Elders Scrolls 6,it is the perfect time to learn more about the game world. Many quests are centered on a recent or current historical event, so they do not even scratch the surface of the iceberg of historical lore created around theElder Scrollsfranchise. Luckily,The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimgives players a look into some incredible historical events, including the infamous Dragon War and more.
Despite the long and storied history of the game franchise, even the most seasoned players can need help keeping track of the lore that was created to make the game feel more realistic. Some players might even be surprised to know that there aresix different eras of Tamriel, each distinct and significant in creating the game world that fans know and love. While theElder Scrollsis famous for its luxurious open-world gameplay and freedom of choice, it could be known as the franchise that has the most complex historical timeline ever created.
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Creation of Nirn and Destruction of Dragons in the Dawn and Merethic Eras
The Dawn era inElder Scrollslore is when the world was created by two primordial forces,Anu and Padomay. When the two forces came into being, they engaged in a battle over Nir. In the resulting bloodshed, Anu and Padomy killed each other, creating Nirn and the Aedra. Elven history begins as Magnus and half of the Aedra pantheon leave Nirn, and a mysterious god named Lorkhan creates the mortal plane. This era ends with the “Convention,” a meeting to punish Lorkhan for creating the mortal plane through trickery.
The Merethic Era is the first time the Atmora - ancestors of the Nords - settled in the northern reaches of Tamriel due to civil war and began to worship dragons as god-like creatures. During this time, the Aldmeri peoples - the ancestors of the elven kind - fled their homeland Aldmeris to escape doom and destruction. They soon settled on the coasts of Tamriel, coming into conflict with the Nords. This era is defined by theDragon Warwaged between the Atmora and the dragons that ruled over them. The Merethic period ended with the founding of the Camoran Dynasty.
The Slave Rebellions and Daedric Invasions in the First and Second Eras
The First Era was defined by royalty, as the human races - known as Nedes - and elven - known as Ayleids - established formal settlements and royal families. Bosmer King Eplear of Valenwood founds the Camoran Dynasty in the first century. At this time, Ayleids had a considerable amount of power, and there were frequent clashes with humankind over power and control of the continent. Some Ayleidic figures in power enslaved large numbers of Nedes in present-day Cyrodil. This led to the Nede-ledAlessian Slave Rebellion, causing the creation of the human-led Alessian Empire of Cyrodill.
The Second Era marks a period of political instability in Tamriel, as the Imperial Reman Dynasty ends with the assassination of Akaviri Potentate Savirien Chorak. The absence of new Cyrodilic rulers - the Interregnum - caused significant in-fighting, insurrections, and bloodshed. A notable battle is the Alliance War, a conflict between the First Aldmeri Dominion, the Ebonheart Pact, and the Daggerfall Covenant over who would rule Tamriel. The Alliance War allowed for a massive Daedric invasion of Tamriel by Daedric Prince Molag Bal,led by Necromancer Mannimarco. At the end of the era, Dragonborn Tiber Septim was named emperor of the Septim Dynasty.
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The Oblivion Crisis and Dragonborn Prophecy in the Third and Fourth Eras
While the Third Era is relatively short, it is when the first four mainElder Scrollsgames occur. This era begins with the Septim Dynasty’s creation and Tamriel’s unification. During the rule of the Septim family, there were multiple civil wars and revolts against the dynasty, culminating in the assassination of Uriel Septim VII. With no Septim sitting on the throne, theDaedric Prince Mehrunes Dagonis given the power to access the mortal realm through the Oblivion gates, invading Tamriel and creating the Oblivion Crisis. The Third Era ended with the end of the Septim bloodline.
The Fourth Era is whenSkyrimis set. This era begins with the end of the Oblivion Crisis, with no emperor on Tamriel’s throne. As the provinces attempt to claim more power, the Blades, Elder Council, and others are left to keep the peace. During this time, the Thalmor rise to power, and the Third Aldmeri Dominion is created, resulting in the Great War. The Imperial Empire and Aldmeri Dominion fought for control, ending in the White-Gold Concordat. At the known end of the era, Ulfric Stormcloak begins the Stormcloak rebellion, Alduin returns to Tamriel, and the Dragonborn discovers their power.
The Elder Scrolls 5 Skyrim: Anniversary Editionis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
