metheglyn wrote: »

I suppose, if you consider proper funerary rites a rude disposal.

metheglyn wrote: »

Just no! He could be as short as a Bosmer and it would still be wrong. Sloads are gross.

metheglyn wrote: »

You don't collect bits to make an item any more, but they still have things to find. Galen, I think it was, had the "pet the animals" one. Necrom had an antiquity scattered about in parts. Gold Road had special npc interactions. Solstice has the wine thing. I can't remember what High Isle had. I think they didn't want to always do the same type of thing every chapter, though Solstice would have been a good place to have scattered bits of local lore to find.

metheglyn wrote: »

They don't have to be hidden if you have multiple copies. Besides, he wanted us to find them, because he was playing the long con and all along he was using us to find the amulet of kings for him.

metheglyn wrote: »

He is very dramatic. He and Vanny have that in common.
"Where is the amulet of kings!?!"
"The Great Mage does not fall easily!!"
But, really, it's hard to take a villain very seriously when you know you're going to win in the end.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Just no! He could be as short as a Bosmer and it would still be wrong. Sloads are gross.

See. No one would expect the Great Mage to live amongst them, so that would be the perfect place for him to hide!

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

You don't collect bits to make an item any more, but they still have things to find. Galen, I think it was, had the "pet the animals" one. Necrom had an antiquity scattered about in parts. Gold Road had special npc interactions. Solstice has the wine thing. I can't remember what High Isle had. I think they didn't want to always do the same type of thing every chapter, though Solstice would have been a good place to have scattered bits of local lore to find.

Variety is always good, though I have to admit I miss the museum aspect a bit. It was nice to have a finalized thing or collection of items to look at in the end. The last thing I remember was the collection of musical instruments at the Bards College in Solitude.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

They don't have to be hidden if you have multiple copies. Besides, he wanted us to find them, because he was playing the long con and all along he was using us to find the amulet of kings for him.

So he could have just left them in his castle, after all. Would have been easier for all of us

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

He is very dramatic. He and Vanny have that in common.
"Where is the amulet of kings!?!"
"The Great Mage does not fall easily!!"
But, really, it's hard to take a villain very seriously when you know you're going to win in the end.

For me, it's not just that. I just find him horribly amusing. I could place him in one of my houses and listen to his dramatic blabbering all day. He's as funny/amusing as... well... I don't know; a tiny dog baring its teeth and rolling its eyes in anger? Well, no, that's a strange comparison. Although his threats leave the same impression to me. It's all just bark bark bark, but in the end I find it more quaint than threatening.

Also, there are lots of questions I'd like to ask him. Like: What does he even want to become a god for?

Syldras wrote: »

Just saw the Loremaster's Archive article is published now (which of course I do appreciate; I'm very thankful that they give interested players the possibility to ask lore questions) and this part of the introduction does concern me a little (posting it here because we've discussed the very topic in this thread before):



Is that an actual spoiler by mistake, or has our precious circus troupe Stirk Fellowship, including the pitiful prince, forgotten that Vanny isn't dead yet? I already had the feeling they forgot him as soon as Darien appeared... You know it left no positive impression on me and motivated my decision to join the Worm Cult, and this somehow confirms my impression once more.

Maybe Vanny's right place to be is at Mannimarco's side after all. At least he hasn't forgotten him.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

He likes his games!

Maybe he's bored. Is he even doing much when ever he's alive? Aren't his cultists doing most of the work anyway?

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Then he's got you right where he wants you. You aren't threatened by him, you let down your guard, and before you know it you're the one who is a thrall to the Necromancer King.

You can be sure that Telvanni never let their guard down, not even if they're amused by barking Altmer.

But seriously, it's amusing. And that's interesting since in real life, overdramatic people feel more like a nuisance to me. Guess they're usually less refined in the wording of their dramatic outbreaks, and that makes a huge difference.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Isn't the 'become a god' ambition the path to alaxon taken too far? Plus, he claims to be Aldmer. So his answer to that question would probably be something like, "It's my natural place." Or, "Why wouldn't I want to become a god?"

From what I've seen, he wants the rulers of Tamriel to bow before him. Why would one care for the admiration of mere mortals? Sounds like dependence to me.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I wondered the same thing when I saw that. Listing Vanny alongside the known dead gave me a moment of panic, especially considering our last talk with his projection. But Prince Azah did mention Vanny at the very end of the quest, so he hasn't forgotten him, though at that point he didn't seem to have given him up as dead. Maybe it was more like listing all those "lost" to us, whether by known death or imprisonment.

If in real life someone wrote an eulogy like that, listing one living kidnapped person amidst dead people, and then even ending it with "For those we live on" (at least that's how I interpret the "We live." right after the list of names)... Let's say it would cause a scandal. And that makes me wonder: A lore mistake? A spoiler? The fictional writer being clumsy?

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Also, if you really have joined the Worm Cult, I'm going to have to take you out. Nothing personal, but I have my orders.

I hear that from mercenaries all the time.

Also: You already failed at "rescueing" the Bosmer

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

He's delegating! Making schedules and so forth. Chore wheels don't create themselves!

Can't he just command some assistant to do that? Like Admiral nephew Wormblood, when he was still a seperate being?

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Well, we don't really see the full scope of his power and abilities in game, because if we did, we shouldn't have been able to beat him. So I'm pretty sure Mannimarco could win over a Telvanni. Maybe not Divayth Fyr, but others?

Or maybe he's just talking a lot and not actually that powerful (Would be my assumption if my Arcanist - an underweight boy, son of a silversmith, equipped with a dagger and dressed in some random shirt and pants - could defeat him within not even a minute; well, at least he used a dagger and didn't defeat Mannimarco with a spoon). Often the impression someone leaves has a bigger influence on others than what that person actually is.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I don't think he cares for their admiration. He wants their subjugation. That's not the same thing. He wants to rule over everyone and everything. Nothing else is good enough for him. That's what I got out of his dramatic speeches anyway.

But why rule over anything, really? What for? Isn't ruling over Tamriel basically like being the director of a flea circus, just on a larger scale?

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I don't know. "We fight for those who cannot fight for themselves" is a fairly common rallying cry, and doesn't mean just those who have died in conflict. It can mean those who are captured, who are under tyrannical rule, and so forth. That's how I ended up interpreting it.

Ah, I see. Cultural differences. I have never heard anyone ever saying something like that. People here fight for safety, freedom, a better future, justice, human rights, peace, or any other positive concept; and - logically - that would also benefit people, but it would usually not be directly said you fight for someone. I guess the notion that others can't fight for themselves would be understood as being disempowering or belittling. Like you say they need mommy or daddy to help them, and that would be rude.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I didn't fail at rescuing him; I ceased my attempt based on his assurance he was fine. But if you taunt me about it more, I'll resume my rescue mission and we'll see what happens.

Well, that would be interesting, as I'm quite sure you wouldn't be able to find him.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

If you're hearing death threats from mercenaries "all the time," I'm thinking the rumors about you have not been exaggerated after all.

That's just normal Telvanni business.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Well, I see a difference between lore Mannimarco and game Mannimarco. Of course we have to be able to beat Mannimarco to some extent, because the story says we do.

But how can we know how powerful he truly is? Not only are lore books unreliable - what does this man even do? Yeah, I know, he corrupted the Dragonfire ritual. Well, I can corrupt rituals too by adding random sigils to the ritual circle and funny tongue twisters to the incantation

The only thing I do believe is that he has rhetorical talent since he seems to be very much able to make people believe whatever he claims.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Plus, we're not meant to be just some hum-drum regular mortal.

Indeed, I'm not playing some regular mortal, but a mortal who received an open-heart surgery by Dr. Mannimarco.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Also, we don't fight him alone--Lyris and Sai and Abnur are there.

Well, I noticed they stood around and yelled something within the minute the fight lasted.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Besides, everyone knows arcanists are super-op.

In this case, it might even out a few difficulties. I'm roleplaying that character quite strictly, so he only carries whatever he's supposed to carry. Also, he only utilizes his own inventory and doesn't just get stuff from the bank. No store potions. No crafted set items because he's not a crafter, except for jewelry. I even play him with his second hand empty, because he's supposed to only carry a dagger for self-defense.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Mannimarco does, and he wants to be the top of the heap. Why? Well, why not?

He'd have more time for other things without the godhood plans. Things like searching for Vanny.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

And he wouldn't be ruling over just Tamriel; remember, he wanted to be the god above all the others. He'd rule everything. That might not seem like anything worthwhile to you, but he clearly values it.

What's his plan for the other Daedric Princes? A giant vacuum cleaner to make them all disappear?

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Thinking about it, a minute is actually a fairly long time for a solo fight to last. Not talking about power levels or lore here, just the actual ticking by of a full minute.
That's an interesting character path! I do try to make my characters self-reliant, but by the time they get to 50, I usually end up having my main craft them some gear.

I think it might have been about a minute, but of course I didn't stare at the clock while fighting. At least it wasn't over after 5 seconds, and I'm glad about that, since that would have felt even less meaningful. That's, apart from roleplay, also a reason why I actually like keeping my side characters less well-equipped: If everything feels too easy, that's one way to balance it out a bit. And since I don't run Archive or group dungeons with my side character (that's limited to my main who has carefully crafted gold-quality set gear with chosen traits and all that), it works fine.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I have to assume he's fine with the way his schedule works, because otherwise he would change it.

Well, in the end it did work out; Vanny's by his side now. And I am still concerned. Very concerned. Let's hope that if this is the end, we'll at least see something interesting in the remaining time.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I don't think he ever really mentioned them. He definitely fantasized about lording over Molag Bal, but whatever he might think of the other Daedric Princes, he didn't put them in his pictograph of everyone kneeling. Maybe he'll get Mora to make everyone forget them.

The plan somehow feels incomplete though, without considering that. How would it help him to take Molag Bal's place if the other Daedric Princes might be after him immediately?

Syldras wrote: »

The latest Loremaster's Archive did make me wonder about a few things, by the way - more than just Vanny's fate. It absolutely makes sense of course, considering the fictional person from whose perspective it's written, but we see such a clear juxtaposition there: The good heroes there, with life and light and what else, and the evil cult there. Life vs Death. And that's clear, what else would someone from the Stirk Fellowship say? Even if it gets a little nonfactual at times of course, based on the want or need to make them clear opposites - I don't think the Worm Cult seeks to destroy "prosperity, creativity, leadership, and stability", for example. Stability - certainly. They crush the status quo, the current rulers are supposed to fall and certainly also lose their riches/prosperity in that process. But I don't exactly believe that Mannimarco has an anti-creativity and anti-leadership stance, for example. As I said, considering who's saying that, it does make sense. But it also made me wonder whether that's only in-character roleplay writing, or whether we'll also get the whole story presented as such. Some moral "good guys here, evil guys there" story, assorted positive and negative aspects clearly attributed to the respective side. Of course the thread that started this whole discussion is a factor in these considerations.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I'm very concerned for Vanny, too. I keep telling myself they aren't going to kill him off, but...well, I actually don't know what they might do with him.

Maybe they'll replace him with a cool new fan favorite.

Now while replaying the main story, I actually don't find him annoying at all. He's much friendlier than I remember, and even his self-praise often sounds a little tongue-in-cheek, at least in German. Makes it even harder to understand why he's hated so much. But he seems to be. So much even that we got that dialogue option to insult him - I don't think you'd usually get that unless it's directed towards a clear enemy figure.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I think it also serves as a reminder to the reader of the depth of evil the Worm Cult is supposed to represent and possibly heighten the sense of emergency and urgency.

But does it work?

Syldras wrote: »

I think I already wrote once that I prefer to come to my own conclusions. I don't want to be reminded on which moral side a character is placed by the narration - "this is the bad guy, and that's the good guy". If a writer wants me to sell a character as the baddie, I want to see deeds that make them the baddie, so I make this judgement myself. Characters telling me "That's the baddie!" doesn't do it. Same goes for the good people: I want to see them do something good so I think "That's a good person". I don't just want them to be predefined as such by dialogue. Of course we do have such situations in game, but still I'd like to see more instead of just being told how to feel about a character or a situation in the story. Well, actually I don't want to be told something like that at all. It's an rpg, I want my character to have their own ideas and moral stance.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I would say Mannimarco is anti-creativity in that he wants to impose his views and his way of doing things on everyone--no room for individualism or other ways of thinking. It's not enough for him to lead a cult himself--he wants to remake the world to suit him and his cult, in which case he's destroying all other ways of life and all other leaders. Basically, there's the Mannimarco way, or there's no way.

I had interpreted "creativity" mostly as the act of creating here - not even specifically imagining diverse things, but creating as the opposite of destroying. Because the whole text is focused so much on that pair of opposites, as well as the life vs death thing:

Syldras wrote: »

Apart from being as repetative as the average dialogue currently, that's just not true. The Planemeld is not about just tearing everything down and then there's nothing left. It's about rebuilding something else - something sinister and horrifying and not exactly friendly towards the common person maybe - but this doesn't make it less an act of creation. Rebuilding things, reforming things are creative acts. Building a new society is a creative act. Mannimarco's elaborate plans? Creative. His dark castle and all those weird sculptures of screaming people - acts of creativity. The Worm Cult and its structures and ranks, Mannimarco's writings, all his plotting and diplomacy,... He's a creative character who achieved a lot. Dark things, but acts of creation nonetheless.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I do think they made it clear that they see the Worm Cult as the bad guys, and us fighting them as the good guys. While that isn't my favorite story outline, and I don't find the Worm Cult all that interesting in general, I doubt there will be some reveal that shows the cult in another light, or gives any type of morally grey reason for their actions.

I doubt it too, but sadly,... Well, I told you I have ideas, lots of ideas, about how it could have become so much more complex and interesting by giving it nuance. Of course we don't know yet what we'll get in Part 2, whether there might be some more interesting character lore than just "evil person is evil" - I'll just wait and see, maybe there'll be a positive surprise. But my hope keeps dwindling.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Is he hated a lot? (I really don't know the general opinion about him.)

And of course it colors everyone's view over time - including mine: Even though I never found him that annoying I could see why people came to that conclusion, so I was surprised in my recent playthrough that he's really not that bad at all, and I actually only remembered him worse. I don't deny he's braggy, but it's not at extreme as I remembered.

Syldras wrote: »

And that it often comes across as rather self-ironic in German makes it even more amusing. It feels more like he's aware he's talented and he enjoys that dramatic "Great Mage" thing in a way, but it's not like makes any demands based on his status or that he'd feel insulted if someone doesn't go along with that. And those are the aspects that would, for me, make someone dislikeable - actually making demands based on status or demanding admiration (and even worse, if that person isn't actually talented). He doesn't do that. If you're friendly with him, he probably would just be fine with it and not expecting any formalities or praise.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I figured the insult option was there for people who want to play their characters as fed up with him, or just kind of brash and rude in general--maybe their character is the type who isn't friendly, no matter who the npc is. I think the threatening responses are the ones reserved for clear enemies. You know, the "tell me what I want to know or I'll punch you," types of responses.

But do we get that insult option anywhere else? I don't think so. And if we can only insult him and no one else, it has a meaning and it shows how we're potentially supposed to feel about a character.

Syldras wrote: »

The same with the flirting options, all directed at Razum-dar, no one else. I generally don't like this telling us how to view someone. I can understand we don't get all dialogue options all the time, because that would be a bit much, and in some situations it just wouldn't fit (like randomly insulting the queen we're getting a quest from, or flirting with the wife of an authority person important for the questline while he's standing next to us), but if certain options are available for one specific npc only, and then usually only that one or a neutral one - I don't really like that and I hope there will be more openness in future stories.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I understand, and I prefer it that way, too. However, we have seen how evil the Worm Cult is before ever being told: our entire introduction to the game is being killed for our souls with no real explanation. I'm not sure we ever really find out why Mannimarco and, by extension, Molag Bal is collecting souls (or if we do, I forgot). We see the soul shriven being tortured and treated as slaves. We can't even escape without sacrificing someone. I don't think the reintroduction of the Worm Cult needed to show us anything more about how evil they are.

That's the point: We saw so much in the main quest which was more than sufficient to come a conclusion. So why would there be the need to explain to us (well, not even explain since there's no reasoning, it's just "this is the opinion one has to have") that "this is the evil baddie, they're bad"?

The more I think about it, maybe the thing I dislike isn't even that it's told to us, but more how it's done. There's no depth. Instead of all the create create life life death death it would have had a better effect on me if they had actually narrated again, in short of course, what cruelties were committed. Basically "Dark anchors were falling for x years, daedra destroying our homes, x people were sacrificed, and think of the people imprisoned and enslaved in Coldharbor... We have to prevent this happening again." - Something like that would have worked for me - if they chose to remind us at all.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Unfortunately, I think the RPG half of the game doesn't shine when it has to serve the MMO part--even if your character could decide what they think is evil and immoral, and which characters they actually believe and want to follow, there's no chance to put that into play. You can't actually join the Worm Cult, or help Mannimarco, or cut your own deal with Molag Bal. Or, if you are still against the Worm Cult, but don't care for the Stirk Fellowship's plans, you can't strike out on your own, or present an alternate way of doing things. I would like to see more meaningful choice in the game, but that might be beyond the scope of it at this point.

This is definitely true, very true. And to be honest, if I jokingly say in this thread that I've joined the Worm Cult, it's actually not about the Worm Cult. While I find Mannimarco amusing as a fictional character because he's so dramatic, the Worm Cult feels rather boring to me, they're not doing anything interesting, and the Planemeld also seems to be a rather dull plan to me. Why I'm doing it is because I just don't like the "good guys" in the story. I liked Gabrielle, but the rest?! They range somewhere between "boring" and "dislikeable" to me.

Syldras wrote: »

If there was a way to stop the Planemeld nonsense without them, I'd choose that path. And preferably bringing Mannimarco to reason at the end somehow instead of just defeating/imprisoning/banning him and that's it.

Syldras wrote: »

(And he does at some point give up the Planemeld nonsense, we know that - he still has godhood/immortality plans in later TES games, and he's still necromancing around, but we already see in Daggerfall that he's not doing any Daedra stuff anymore and doesn't seek to destroy Nirn or even rule over Nirn. At that point he's fully focussed on that "returning to the Aldmer's immortality" thing - which I like much more, because it feels more plausible and it's even a bit understandable that he as an Altmer might strive for that, basically having a longing to return to the primordial or mythical golden days of his people. There was even a lore source somewhere, although I can't exactly remember what it was, that claims that all Altmer have this longing somehow deep down in their soul - like a longing to return home. It's actually a pity that aspect actually comes up in the games rather rarely).

Syldras wrote: »

My view of the Companions of the main story wasn't that positive either (as persons - their characterization was well-written), by the way. Different than with the Stirk Fellows, but I can't say I found them generally awesome and enjoyed being part of their group. There's even a dialogue option in the end about that, actually - and I rejected calling myself one of the newly re-formed Companions. I do very much appreciate though that they gave us the choice to decide and make a statement! I wish we would see that more often, but now we usually just get a role assigned to us, or become a part of something (or not - not exactly clear with the Stirk Fellowship), whether we want it or not. I have the feeling we had a bit more agency in the base game and early chapters to make decisions, or sometimes just to state our view about a situation, which, even if it made no difference, was nice from a roleplaying perspective.

Syldras wrote: »

So, when it comes to the Companions, my view of them is less indifferent. Probably because we learn more about them - we learned a lot about their life decisions and their regrets, about the things that still haunt them, especially in case of Sai and Lyris. Somehow their feelings for each other also came across as more meaningful than what we saw with Gadayn and Leramil years later. And I do like that we did get these characterizations of the Companions while progressing through the base game main quest. It's well-written. So even if I find Lyris a little annoying somehow, I feel sorry for what she went through, especially in her childhood and youth. And while I don't find Sai much interesting, I can say I respect him as a honorful person. Tharn? Actually a horrible human, but amusing somehow. The Prophet? Well, not a good guy either, but he has found insight and humility over the years, at least. So even if I don't like them much, we at least learned through them and it was a good story. With our Stirk Fellow now - well... It never reaches that extent.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I think the issue comes from Mannimarco and the Worm Cult only creating after they have destroyed. First, he wants to destroy everything we already have and hold dear, and then he wants to create his version of the world. Who could appreciate that, if they even survived the destruction in the first phase? And since his creations only work on the suffering of others, it probably doesn't seem at all removed from destruction to the average denizen of Tamriel. So, yes, technically he creates. But stirring speeches tend to not get hung up on technicalities, and I doubt Prince Azah cares that Mannimarco does create, considering what he creates. Besides which, propaganda doesn't adhere strictly to the truth.

Of course I'm aware that in the fictional world, it's pro-Stirk propaganda by the prince (Although we're probably meant to agree with it?) and propaganda isn't meant to be nuanced and considering the enemy's view.

I'm saying it comes across as too obviously biased or too extreme in its exaggerations, too extreme in good/bad schemes, it might make people reject it as unreliable and therefore ignorable (in a negative way). "Good" or successful propaganda makes people get into the sentiment presented, so they agree and support the cause. If it's too obvious in its intentions, it has the opposite effect: You begin to doubt, to question, the view is shifted in a direction that's actually not intended - you feel the speaker has the intention to manipulate or brainwash you and get a negative view and question what you're told. And immediately the whole thing doesn't "fuction" anymore. Basically successful propaganda doesn't make people think that it's propaganda. And therefore it needs at least a bit of well-measured moderation.

Syldras wrote: »

But anyway, as Prince Azah's propaganda speech, I can accept it of course. It's a piece of fiction (obviously, written in-character from his perspective), and as such I don't treat it differently than any in-game lorebook. The only thing I'm wondering about is whether what we got presented in this speech will be limited to Azah's (or the Stirk Fellow's) view of the events in Part 2, or whether this will be the whole world we'll get presented in that narration and everything will happen and every character will behave as described in this speech. As if this was the "truth" of the game world. And that would be a pity, because we had hoped for more nuance, right? And for lore about Wormblood and Mannimarco that makes us learn about them as people and not just as antagonists.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I had the same experience in my recent jaunt through Coldharbour in that I remembered him being worse than he is. He's actually quite friendly at points, and I found myself thinking: why did I find him so annoying before?

I've not finished Coldharbour in my recent playthrough yet, but I'd also say there's a certain warmth and friendliness. He might be calmer and less naive now than he had been in his youth, but it's not like there aren't traces left of how he might have been back then.

I also found his interaction with Ayrenn interesting, by the way, in that quest where you had to convince the Alliance leaders to meet on Stirk. You'd only see that dialogue if your character does not belong to the Dominion.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

So far, no, we haven't had the insult option anywhere else that I can recall. That doesn't mean we won't. I think it is significant that the first time it showed up it was for Vanus Galerion, because that does seem to indicate the writers thought that the best situation for it. That could have been because he is generally disliked by players--but I actually haven't seen many comments about him on these forums (our conversations notwithstanding); certainly not like I see them for other npcs.

I think that's probably because he's not a character that returns all the time. Since we see him so rarely, people who dislike him might just be fine with it. Or maybe people don't usually think of him anymore. I mean, if you played the game since the beginning (or almost the beginning), in chronological order, the last time he showed up before the current content was in the Summerset prologue, plus that appearance as a young man in the projections on Artaeum in the Summerset chapter. That was in spring/summer 2018, over 7 years ago. Now, some people do repeat quest content on their side characters, of course, but it's still rather rare one comes across him. It's not like with Razum-dar or Naryu whom we've seen in half a dozen chapters/dlcs already.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I think Raz got all the flirting options because he is generally popular and, out of the characters we had to interact with, the one it suited the most. Since both times it came up, it was just one option out of three, it didn't seem to me like they were telling me how to view him. I didn't choose the flirt option, because my character doesn't see Raz that way. I suppose if you actively dislike him, it would have seemed to be pushing you towards a certain reaction, because there wasn't a brusque or serious reply you could choose

Ideally, from a roleplaying perspective, I think every time we get an obviously unfriendly dialogue option, there should also be an above-average friendly one (and the other way round). So we can freely decide our character's stance. I mean, why shouldn't we be able to say something mean to Razum-dar, or tell Vanny we're sincerely happy to meet him again after all those years?

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

The only one I'm really not sure about is Prince Azah. He's ok, but I haven't made a connection with him like I tend to do with npcs I like. I don't dislike him, really. I just barely remember him from the Alik'r zone, and the quests he was in there.

Honestly, I can't remember much about him from the base game zones either, but I had kept in mind that I had a positive opinion about him for some reason. Now since the prologue he somehow annoys me. Maybe because he comes across as not the smartest guy quite often and seems to be utterly unaware of that

It's basically another case where a returning character suddenly annoys me at their reappearance although I did like them in the base game. Another such case was Jakarn, although in that case it's clear at least why I liked him back then and truly hated him in High Isle.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Walks and Skordo are fine: I appreciate the former's pragmatism and the latter's taking the role of "not the brightest" away from the player character in the dialogues.

Still, we are the one who can (and sometimes needs to) ask several times throughout the new main questline what a Soul Reaper is. Or the Stirk Fellowship.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Though it seems unlikely we'll do anything but fight Mannimarco and imprison him in some manner, there's still the small possibility the ending goes differently. That would be an interesting change, if we could get him to see that a reverse planemeld is just a bad idea. But really he seems so intent on vengeance, hard to imagine us getting to that point.

It would be interesting to see that something fails horribly and threatens him so he might finally come to the conclusion that it might be wiser to pursue his apotheosis plans in a different way. I mean, we do have a few factors in the story that could spoil his personal plans: Namely Molag Bal (it's still unclear to me why there would still be an alliance with the Worm Cult and Mannimarco), and also Wormblood, who might not be too happy about being possessed and might turn against Mannimarco, if he ever finds a way to do so. It would be interesting to see a conflict between those three somehow, who ever might turn against whom and how so (there are lots of possibilies), which of course would also lead to one potentially siding with us (well, I'd rule that out for Molag Bal, but not for either Altmer). It would also more realistic somehow, and also more interesting, than them all just sticking together as "the baddies" that fight against us brave heroes (which is, unfortunately, probably the most realistic expectation - and in the end, Wormblood is dead, Molag Bal banished for a while and Mannimarco probably flees or gets locked up somewhere once more and decides to change his plans - until the next time).

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Yes, I do want more nuance to the story, and more lore about Wormblood (who needs and deserves it) and Mannimarco (who is quite mysterious to us overall). I think it will be strange if Wormblood really does turn out to be a literal placeholder, because otherwise why give us a meet the character article?

I mean, all those articles before a new release basically also serve as an ad for the upcoming content. So it's clear they want to make people curious - and some mysterious guy showing up with different rumours about him (Mannimarco's long-lost brother? An undead lich? What-ever-sounds-most-intriguing?) serves this purpose well. It would be a little disappointing of course if there's not more to it.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

As to this speech/declaration by Azah being the "truth of the game world," I hadn't thought of that.

It's my biggest concern because it basically rules out a more nuanced exploration of the situation and the "baddies" involved. Well, we'll see!

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I have done that quest on the other two alliances, but not for a long time, so I don't recall the specifics of that dialogue. I know in the Aldmeri Dominion one, he addresses her very correctly, and she tells him there's no need for such formality. It's actually a nice little scene.

If it's too small to read:
https://us.v-cdn.net/5020507/uploads/editor/73/vd2lrvsig68t.png

Although of course that doesn't really look like a neutral stance towards the war factions either...

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Although, since "all this time" is, canonically, the same year, maybe not.

We still don't know when the current story takes place. If it's still the same year, well, at least we know then that Mannimarco hasn't been dead for long - which makes the craftsmanship of his sarcophagus even more questionable, unless he had been keeping that thing for centuries already (I do think that a coffin, sarcophagus, urn or any other vessel to contain your remains is a really reasonable acquisition, by the way, since it's very probable you'll need it some day). But it would also be a little weird, no, to have the Worm Cult beginning their Planemeld activities, ending them by defeat, and the resurfacing again with another type of Planemeld in just one year?

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Well, yes, nothing will ever cure us completely.

It had been much better in the base game and early chapters. I've been seeing it lately with the old main quest; it was just a different writing style in which they conveyed info, also including it in our character's replies, so it made the impression that we were actively coming to intelligent conclusions together with the person we were conversing with. A return to that would already help. And making all kinds of lore questions optional.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I really could see Wormblood's soul (or whatever aspect of him) giving us useful information because he feels so betrayed. The dead never truly stay gone in Tamriel, at least not based on the number of quests I've done for ghosts!

Right now I guess his soul is not really gone, but locked away in his body, unable to do anything - or at least interact with the outer world; who knows whether he can, mentally, talk with Mannimarco. If he can, that might also be a reason why Mannimarco would want to kill him off entirely, to get rid of the voice in his head or intrusive thoughts or what ever he might cause. And then, maybe, we could interact with his spirit... It would be interesting. Although Mannimarco would probably be aware of that problem and think of a way to prevent that. Maybe banishing Wormblood's spirit to who knows where. But I already notice that this sounds like a much too complex story for those another 3 hours or so that we might get (if the main story length is about the same as it was for Part 1) - for everything.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I know they're part ad, part lore, but has a previous meet the character ever been followed by such a quick disposal of that character? That's what strikes me as particularly out of place.

I've just checked the category (yes, there's a category for that):
https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/category/meet-the-character
So we also had that about Torvesard, Nantharion, the Ascendant Lord, Sister Celdina, Arkasis and Lady Thorn (so basically 2 group dungeon end bosses), King Svargrim, Zumog Phoom, and lots of characters who disappeared so fastly again that I can't even remember them anymore. So, yes, they did that for some of the minor chapter story bosses and even for dungeon bosses.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Ok, that's pretty much the same, except for the final line. That final line is quite something, though!

I really do see a certain problem with the guilds being clearly led by people who have some strong connection to one of the war alliances. Being born at a certain place is one thing - and obviously unavoidable, unless you'd choose someone who doesn't live in an Alliance region: an Imperial, a Maormer, a Sload And Great House Telvanni also hasn't joined the Pact, but obviously, that also wouldn't work. But being friends with the Alliance's leader or even belonging to the royal family, like in case of Azah,...? Would anyone really trust that person to be neutral, trust the Guild to be neutral? I doubt it. It's not that I personally do not trust Vanny, but I think the average Tamrielian would be sceptical.

Unfortunately, that question also felt rather avoided in the Loremaster's Archive - it was included in the article, but I don't see an actual reply there. It's either unanswered or supposed to be muddled together with the question directly below it, and then the reply somehow only focussed on that second question.

Of course one could make a different story about it. But I'm not sure whether peace talks will ever not fail, since they seem to be interested in keeping Cyrodiil a war zone. Unless they rewrite the story to make it a vision or alternate reality or what ever and make an extra Cyrodiil story zone set in the time after the war - well, we'll see. Or maybe indeed just a Cyrodiil2 progressed in time, which might happen, if they indeed do a second version of other older zones set at a later time.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

It would make as much sense as everything else that's happened in this one overstuffed year.

At least other stories are unrelated, but the "great victory" over the Worm Cult doesn't feel that great, if it emerges again a month later. Also, the whole story doesn't feel that meaningful if there's some cult that dropped anchors for 2 months, then was defeated, and then planemelded Nirn once more a month later, just to be defeated again.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

They said "some amount of time" has passed. That could be one month. It could be ten years. They chose to not answer that question from the loremaster's archive. I don't know why they have to be so cagey about the timeline, but there it is.

It's strange. There's not even a risk that ESO's stories might begin to collide with the next events in the established timeline. There's a huge gap to the next events we already know of from the other games.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I would guess Mannimarco had a sarcophagus in keeping; he seems to have planned for every eventuality. Or maybe Wormblood had it crafted up real quick after Mannimarco's defeat. Or maybe it's a Mannimarco family tradition to have your sarcophagus commissioned the day you're born, and the thing has been hanging out all this time.

It must be a more or less recent work, considering the depiction on the lid. Although of course we don't know whether Mannimarco has only been owning that one piece of attire for the last 300+ years.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I remember instances of the player character being willfully stupid in the base game, too, in different quests. There's one in Shadowfen, for example, where an npc refers to an antagonist you've been tracking down as a spider, and your only option is to ask, "Ruuvitar is a spider?"

I don't know the context right now, but at least this may be read as repeating the statement out of astonishment. That doesn't work for all the Where/What/Who questions that we sometimes have to ask for very obvious things (or things that have been explained to us several times already, sometimes within the last few minutes).

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

And then there's the one where you're working with a spinner to change Aranias' story, and it's explained very clearly to you that you're going to her past, and yet when you get there, you not only start asking her about matters from the present, when you talk to the spinner again, you go on about how past Aranias doesn't remember the present. The spinner laughs at you (with good reason!) and explains to you, yet again, that of course she didn't, because it hadn't happened yet.

Well, okay, the first part could have been understood at testing whether that the spinner said was true, at least (you see I always go for the most benevolent interpretation, but sadly even that fails at times...), but what comes after that makes no sense.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

So perhaps it wasn't as common in base game as it came to be in later content, but we were never very bright.

Still, it has become worse, and a return to how it was, in scope, in the base game, would already help a lot.

Syldras wrote: »

Didn't we discuss item flavor texts in this thread before? What do you say about...
Magnifico's Majesty:
"Who says that necromancy has to be dull? Magnifico's power is revealed to his followers in its full glory, utilizing Redguard motifs in an unprecedented way to adorn his vessel as a lich. Undeath has never looked this good."
Again, no character source given for the quote.
This is how it looks like:
https://esosslfiles-a.akamaihd.net/ape/uploads/2025/07/ca4d85034aa0f9a6ac608cbe4cb94ad6.jpg
And this seems to be the person it refers to (it's not mentioned in the description, but that's the only character the description matches):
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Magnifico_Bahraha
I always did assume Magnifico was a title and not a name? So it's strange the description only says "Magnifico's power" and doesn't really mention his name anywhere.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Always with the Sloads!

Okay, fine, if you don't like Sloads

Syldras wrote: »

(They only have one name in English, haven't they? It's funny because in the German translation they have two that are used interchangeably), how about just replacing the mortal guild leaders with a super-smart CWC automaton? It may not be able to play the flute or the lute, but it can certainly make absolutely neutral and unbiased decisions.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I think, in Vanny's case, he's been around so long, and he started the guild that accepted everyone, that he might be perceived as neutral through association by now. He hasn't leant his efforts directly to the war effort, as far as I know. So it's possible the people of Tamriel, many of whom may know someone in the Mages Guild, do view him as neutral and not as a member of the Aldmeri Dominion.

Who knows, maybe he also ceased contact, more or less, to important Dominion people since the war began. In that dialogue it does sound like he's missing the days where he was on Summerset regularly. Although he does mention casually teleporting to Alinor in the Summerset prologue...

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Both guilds started long before the Alliance War, so perhaps that long-standing existence helped the Fighters Guild with neutrality, too, before Prince Azah took over. But it's a harder sell to convince me he's neutral. Because though right now he's leading a coalition of all three alliances, once the threat on Solstice has been dealt with, he's going back to being Prince Azah and a loyal member of the Covenant (I assume). I understand he's only interim leader, and the guild council will eventually choose someone who probably isn't Azah.

I'm curious whom they might choose then. Or will the old one return, because the dead mostly return in this game? Or might it become some "prince was so awesome, he's keeping the job" story?

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I did notice they avoided answering that question by focusing instead on the one about tensions between the alliances, and while I did like that answer (with some examples of how and when tensions erupted), I would have liked a little assurance from Azah that he's not giving the Covenant any special treatment.

I did like the replies we got, but at the same time find it a pity that some other very interesting questions remained unanswered.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I'm not too sure about this part of the lore, but can they even declare a winner of the war? I don't think they will regardless, because they wouldn't want to annoy two-thirds of the alliances by stating a clear winner, but is this war anything that can be ended before Tiber Septim?

Honestly, we don't know. The War had never been a part of lore before ESO. All we know is that at latest in the 9th century of the 2nd era, the war must be over. This calls for something horrible that ends it all, so there is no winner.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I would like to see another version of Cyrodiil, advanced in time, perhaps during a ceasefire if they can't end the war. Would they ever do that? I really don't know. (And I don't mean to get rid of the PvP version of it; I meant in addition to it).

Of course an extra version. I'm also not interested in taking anything away from the PvP people.

I just think it's a pity that the huge landmass that Cyrodiil consists of is basically unavailable for more complex PvE storytelling right now. I'm aware there are some smaller PvE quests on the PvP map, in different smaller towns, but I think that the region could serve as a background for some interesting longer questlines, too, just in terms of lore. So if we get a, let's say, "Vvardenfell 2 - 10 years later" extra map at some point, why not the same for Cyrodiil, this time as an after-war PvE story zone? I think it would work.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Well, I was just joking about it having been around for a long time. Since it has him in his King of Worms regalia, the image must have been modeled on him shortly before we killed (?) him.

He already wore the same things and carried the same staff as a projection in that Prophet mental movie theater show. Didn't seem to bother them.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Or maybe he crafted it himself the same way he made those disturbing statues.

Maybe we should be glad he didn't made it out of ground meat.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I saw that, and while I liked the flavor text in general, I did not remember who Magnifico was. A Redguard lich is fairly unusual occurrence, isn't it?

I think a lich should generally be something rather rare For that, we see them quite often, especially at dolmens. But maybe those are always the same two.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I think it's interesting that lately they've been giving us "necromancer things" that don't play fully into the common view of necromancers.

Interesting indeed, especially since in news articles, they emphasize the "hating evil necromancers", "good vs evil / life vs death" etc stuff so much.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I know I don't think of necromancers as caring about appearance much, especially their lich form, so it's funny to me that one would think to trick their lich body out in such a way.

Maybe it's more for practical reasons. Imagine your phylactery is some random pot. And to hide it, you put it into a cabinet with dozens of other pieces of tableware. Now try to remember which one of them is your phylactery, especially if you live a long lich life (or maybe "existing" would be the better term) of many centuries! That leads to problems. Admittedly, I would probably just mark the pot instead of marking myself to look like the pot, but I'm not Magnifico Bahraha.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

As for the automaton: when the machines take over, the fleshbags are in a lot of trouble.

If it's just the guild leadership, I wouldn't be worried too much. What are they doing much anyway? "Oh no, the local book club is led by a bot now!"

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

He probably just doesn't have the time to be in contact with Ayrenn much, especially now that she's queen. Whatever his role was in the royal family before, he clearly doesn't maintain it now (like if he was teaching young Ayrenn and Naemon how to wield their magic effectively--his services for that aren't needed now).

Kindergarten teacher amusing the royal offspring with magic tricks.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I've also wondered who they might choose. I really hope the former leader (any of the three) don't return, but I would think the prince can't keep the job, because he has duties as a royal that he'll need to get back to. Didn't his father send him to the Fighters Guild only temporarily? I assume the king wants him back at court at some point. Or, who knows, maybe he was glad to get rid of his son for a good long time.

I mean, he seems to be the only heir and his mother died during his birth,...

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Well, we'll never reach that date in ESO, so I guess it's just going to be a forever war.

It ended in the 9th century at latest. That means it might as well be over tomorrow. I really hope it will have some kind of conclusion at some point. They could continue PvP Cyrodiil just the way it is, but I'd like to have some ending defined in lore - whatever it might be.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

That's true. I wonder if they asked him about the Staff of Worms. "So, what's with the skull motif?" I mean, did they know he was a necromancer? I honestly don't know.

"Greetings! I'm Mannimarco the Traitor and I'd like to join your nice little group of adventurers!"

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Are they supposed to be rare? I guess it's not something just anyone would do, not even just any necromancer, but they seem to pop up all over the place. But considering Redguard views about necromancy specifically and magic in general, I would have thought a Redguard lich would be the rarest of the rare.

Well, he was a noble (the uncle of Prince Hubalajad), and nobles often tend to get bored.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

To be fair, I think the emphasis was mostly on hating the evil Worm Cult, not just necromancers. However, I do see what you're saying. Yet before this season ever started, we got Zerith-Var, who gave us a different view of necromancy, so perhaps this is continuing that trend: showing necromancers in different lights as a contrast to the ones we're meant to hate in the Worm Cult.

Now if we could go a step further and stop these clear good/evil schemes and portray more nuanced and morally grey characters, I'd be happy.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

That's one way to do it. I guess I thought something as important as a phylactery wouldn't be put amongst common items where it might get jostled and broken. But hey, not a necromancer; maybe they like the risk of an easily discoverable phylactery.

Honestly, I don't even get why they seem to use pots or bottles as phylacteries that often. I'd choose something unbreakable.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I pictured him more in a tutor role as royals tend to have. Aren't all Altmer supposed to have an affinity for magic?

All, except for Estre.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Right, so why is he spending his time with the Fighters Guild? Spending enough time to consider Merric a second father, no less.

Maybe the prince's father (what ever his name was) has secret plans to remarry and produce a new heir, so he has to get rid of the current one somehow. What's better for that than sending him to dangerous missions, a war, etc?

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I think the best they could do is have the leaders sign some kind of ceasefire treaty, where everyone gives up possible claim to the throne, and they promise to remain within the borders of their respective alliances. Of course that would leave room for all kinds of Cyrodiil shenanigans by those not bound by the alliances *cough* Telvanni *cough* but I really doubt they would declare a clear victor within the scope of ESO lore.

What would we do with Cyrodiil? Is there anything of use there?

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Lol! Well, at one point Lyris (I think) speaks of Abnur and Mannimarco as a matching set, like they couldn't have one without the other, which did make me wonder how Mannimarco fooled Abnur. Or maybe he didn't, and Abnur just calculated how useful he could be to the empire. Turns out he miscalculated in the end, but treating Mannimarco as a piece on the game board would fit with his general world view.

I actually think they were aware (or must have been aware, at least...) that Mannimarco was a necromancer and most probably not the most trustful person. Still, they were careless enough to entrust him with the ritual. There's a saying here about how "greed rots your brain", and I sense this could have been the case here.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Does it have to have the capacity to hold something within it? Because if so, that narrows your options down. An unbreakable container...hmm...they don't have access to plastic. Something made of iron? An iron lockbox, perhaps. Don't go to the same person who crafts the boxes for the Thieves Guild, though: those things are very easily opened and pilfered.

I don't think it has to, so you could just use a brick, an iron rod, or a grain of sand as a phylactery.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

That's a nice screenshot; Estre looks like she's about to cartwheel through the portal. It's funny, I just did that quest the other day on an alt, and I'd forgotten how abrupt it was: you inform the queen Estre is the Veiled Queen, and Estre silently portals out two feet away, and you just...let her. Guess it would be rude to interrupt the queen while she's talking.

The whole scene had something comedic to it, and I think it was intentional. We can debate now whether it was silly, but in a way I did find it funny back then - and it wasn't completely random. It did make Ayrenn look a little clueless, of course, but then again, royalty doesn't have to be witty

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

King Fahara'jad. I would have thought, after the murder of one of his daughters, he'd be less likely to play fast and loose with the lives of his children, but here we are.

Maybe the prince is causing him more troubles than anything the royal family would benefit from.

I've finished the base game main quest on my alt now, by the way, and now started replaying the Fighters Guild questline (and after that, I'll do the Mages Guild questline and after that I might repeat Solstice with him - only the main quest, this time; and if there's time left after that, Ill replay Morrowind, CWC and Summerset with him - it's interesting to get a comparison to the later chapters that I still remember well). Until now I somehow find Merric disinteresting. Not sure if it will get better over time, but it's strange, since I remember I actually did like him somehow in that playthrough years ago. Now I'm wondering whether it will still get more interesting or whether my perception has changed over the years. Maybe I just remember him as having been more likeable, and his untimely demise isn't that sad, after all... Although it of course "gave" us the prince, and that in itself... Ah well.

Syldras wrote: »

While we're at it, a few things I picked up while finishing the base game main quest:

Upon freeing Mannimarco, he just disappears from where he's shackled to. It's not like we see him running away or some dramatic magic effect, he just disappears. We don't really know what happens to him, where he might end up, where he might flee to if he even is in a condition to walk - we really have no info at all on that happens, except for that in one moment, he's bound to the altar, and upon pushing that button, he's vanished (Dialogue tells us we freed him, but actually, from what we see, we couldn't even say for sure whether he was truly freed or maybe moved to some other place as a prisoner, or maybe destroyed completely - he's just gone, and we don't know anything about what actually happened). If we think that's supposed to be his soul, it really leads to questions what it might have done after that situation, over all those... hours, days, years?! If it's not only his soul, but also his physical body (Molag Bal took everything with him at Sancre Tor, after all), it leads to the question how and why his body and soul were split again at some point. Because we do know from the new story that his body ends up with Wormblood somehow, and his soul is... who knows where. It's all rather unclear. What I found interesting was that he was clearly hallucinating while being bound there. But also that doesn't really answer the questions about what condition he actually was in, whether it was his physical form or not, etc.

Syldras wrote: »

Ah yes, and those depictions of weird bald men They can't be actual people or Soulshriven turned into stone - they're much too big for that. Not only too tall, but generally too big for any living human or elf, too wide, too big heads, etc. So they must be statues. And they're not only in Mannimarco's castle, but also at other locations in Coldharbour, mainly in the North. There's even some location that's called the "room of statues" or so, where there's lots of them. As for why they exist and why they're all bald human men with loincloths, and why Mannimarco also keeps them in his castle - that seems to be another mystery. I'm glad he went for depictions of Vanny later, although of course the material he used... it's a question of taste, I guess.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

If there was, I'm sure you'd find it.

I seem to have a tendency of finding things that are interesting, and most of all not meant for me

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

I like that saying! I think Mannimarco probably also preyed upon Varen's feelings of being an imposter. "Sure, you're the emperor now, but everyone knows you're not the real deal." Only said more elegantly, in that condescending way Mannimarco has. A greedy, insecure emperor...hmm...maybe it was for the best that he didn't remain on the throne for long.

Or he would have been just the right person as most Cyrodiilic emperors seem to be like that. Anyway, this time I sacrificed him.

It was strange though, to return to the moldy Harborage after that... Especially with also Tharn gone (although the fact that he ran away with the Amulet amused me), it felt really empty. A strange feeling to be left alone at that remote place with some weird couple and an insane old knight Made me wonder though how much dialogues would change according to whom you chose for sacrifice - they must have recorded a version each for every possible choice, which is probably the most of a choice we got in this game so far.

Syldras wrote: »

And after that I got to Cadwell's Silver, which is basically messed up since "play in any order" was introduced. While I do appreciate to be able to travel through Tamriel freely now, I'm not sure whether it was the best decision from a narrative point of view. It felt so meaningful back then to reach that point and finally got to see remote places that you only read about before (I made my first playthrough before One Tamriel). They really tried to much to raise the fascination and curiosity for the other regions. I've also reread the lorebooks at the starting location for the Covenant questline now, and there, I came across the same thing I described for the books found in the starting place for the Pact questline: They all try to evoke the feeling that there's some unknown exotic world out there - including in the other faction regions. You were really looking forward to reach the point where you would be able to travel there back then. It was really a great way to make people interested in the world, a great introduction to Tamriel as a whole, too. It was a huge part of the fascination the game invoked back then, at least for me (it didn't make me rush through regions because I wanted to see the next one, but it certainly did keep me motivated to continue the story - well, on top of them being interesting and appropriately written). Which made me wonder whether it's not much less exciting now that you can just go everywhere - doesn't it feel arbitrary somehow? It certainly makes the world feel smaller and less mysterious.

Syldras wrote: »

metheglyn wrote: »

Then I'd say use a pebble. A nice, non-descript pebble.

I'm wondering now whether there are any restrictions when it comes to phylacteries. Otherwise: Why not choose one of the moons?