If Bethesda wants The Elder Scrolls 6 to feel like a true sequel, I need it to wrap up a story that’s been building since Oblivion and Skyrim

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Across the Elder Scrolls games, we’ve encountered gods, beasts, and dragons. Heroes like the Kvatch Champion and the Dragonborn have been our saviors, but a different kind of menace has been subtly spreading throughout Tamriel – one that is more cunning than Mehrunes Dagon or Alduin. By the close of Skyrim, these antagonists might have dealt a fatal blow to Tamriel, making their influence a contentious topic.

It’s surprising that these villains aren’t all-powerful Daedric Princes or destined world-destroyers like dragons. Instead, they are a disciplined, potent, and extremely intolerant faction of elves called the Aldmeri Dominion.

In simpler terms, the Aldmeri Dominion is an empire primarily composed of elves who harbor a deep-seated belief in their own superiority over other races. Their conflict with Tamriel stems from resentment towards a human attaining godhood, which no elf has ever achieved. Consequently, they strive to prohibit the veneration of Talos and contest his divine status. Following the events of Oblivion, they managed to defeat The Empire in war and subsequently imposed a ban on Talos worship across all of Tamriel.

In Skyrim, the Stormcloak Rebellion commences when the populace persists in honoring a god they acknowledge as real, despite resistance. As this brutal conflict unfolds, The Dominion remains aloof, savoring the sight of their adversaries weakening each other. Worse yet, there are signs that similar internal struggles are flaring up throughout Tamriel.

If The Elder Scrolls 6 takes place in Hammerfell or High Rock, possibly following events beyond those of Skyrim, Tamriel might undergo significant changes. The ongoing Talos controversy may have affected regions beyond just Skyrim, stirring discontent among the people of Tamriel towards the Dominion, who are suspected to be the instigators of this turmoil.

Payback

In the locale where The Elder Scrolls 6 unfolds, it should embody a miniature version of Tamriel as a whole, ensuring each province retains a sense of belonging, even if we only explore the primary one. Additionally, this setting should prominently feature the Aldmeri Dominion as the main antagonists, providing an opportunity for players to witness their downfall. This, I presume, would be particularly satisfying for Skyrim gamers who missed that experience in the original game.

In other words, since it’s an Elder Scrolls game, it might offer a choice to support the Dominion and aid them in victory. However, such an action could prolong a narrative that desperately needs resolution. This is not only for players to finally avenge themselves against the Dominion, which has been a desire since Skyrim, but also to prevent the story from extending into Elder Scrolls 6.

In the game Skyrim, players recognized the Dominion as a danger, yet chose to postpone dealing with them for another day since they presented a less pressing concern compared to Alduin, an immediate threat. Meanwhile, the people of Skyrim were engrossed in their internal conflicts, allowing the root cause of their strife to go unnoticed. However, by the end of The Elder Scrolls 6, this oversight will no longer be possible as the underlying issues will become more apparent.

It’s important to remember that the creation process for Elder Scrolls games is extensive – spanning generations – and some enthusiasts have eagerly anticipated battling the Aldmeri Dominion since 2011. Given that it’s now 2025, if we’re not granted this opportunity in The Elder Scrolls 6 and forced to wait another seven years or so, our fascination with this story might wane significantly. Newcomers may not have the emotional attachment to Skyrim that many of us do, as they wouldn’t share the same history.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel that the extended development period is crucial for wrapping up this captivating storyline. Bethesda, in their creative endeavors, has crafted a formidable foe in the Aldmeri Dominion, and it’s time they face the consequences of their actions. The narrative needs closure, and the Dominion must receive their due retribution. Their saga is deeply intertwined with the veneration of Talos, so this element should significantly influence the resolution if we are to see a complete circle in this arc.

In addition to witnessing the Aldmeri Dominion’s armies and vessels go up in flames, and seeing them driven out of Tamriel as the land unites against them, true closure and a fitting sequel to Skyrim (and even Oblivion) demands that the Dominion experiences a moral defeat. This is achieved by observing the restoration of Talos worship throughout Tamriel. Once this occurs, the story can be brought to an end, allowing The Elder Scrolls 6 to progress beyond the Aldmeri Dominion – an adversary we’ve grown to despise for quite some time.

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2025-07-23 18:11