Unresolved Plotlines of ESO

Benefactor · August 23

Unresolved Plotlines of ESO:

Throughout the 12 years of ESO being release there have been several thousand of quests and stories told. While many of these stories have a conclusion there are several that have introduced plot threads that have not yet been followed up on for many years. In this thread I will list the known plot threads that I am aware of but if I miss any please post in the comments. I will censor the actual descriptions for those who have not yet caught up.

Fate-bearers meeting player on Vvardenfell

During the sweetroll killer quest it is hinted that the player will meet the Fate-bearers again on Vvardenfell. This still has not occurred.

Quote: "That I can't promise. It's my burden to bear the dictates of fate, and that burden sends me where it will. But for now, we'll return to Vvardenfell. To our shrine of the changing fates.
Interesting. It appears we'll meet again there."

Clavicus Vile's deal with the player in Crystal Tower

The player makes a deal with Clavicus Vile in order to get into the Crystal Tower to stop Nocturnal.

Quote: And what do you get in return for this favor?
"I'm sure something of value will suggest itself when the time is right. I promise that whatever I ask for as a compensation, it will not unduly cost you— anyway, no more than you can afford.
On that, you have my word."

Lyranth's Plans for the Ambitions

Lyranth seems to have plans to fulfill a promise that she made by using the Ambitions of Dagon.

Quote: It doesn't need to end like this, Lyranth.
"Oh, but it does. Where I walk next, no mortal has even ventured. Possibly no Daedra, either, for that matter.
I will not allow anyone to stand in my way. Not even you. It is time to let me go, little mortal."
Wait, there's still more I want to ask you.
"Mortals. Always asking questions that do not require answers.
But I cannot discount your role in helping me achieve my goals, so I suppose I can try to satisfy your curiosity. Go ahead. Ask what you will."
Why do you need the Ambitions' power?
"To fulfill a promise made a long, long time ago, little mortal. And that is all I will speak of it."

Quote2: if you do The Skin-Stealer's Lair after:
How were you captured? Didn't you steal the Ambition powers?
"I do not seek to relive the insult of how I arrived in this predicament. But rest assured, mortal, the powers I claimed from the Ambitions are safe — where only I can reach them. And reach them I will, when the time is right. Now — free me."

Thaddeus Cosma' and the Vestige

Thaddeus Cosma has hinted that there are several more adventures they will have with the player and a fate they have not yet averted.

Quote: Do I know you?
"That depends. What year is it? No, wait! Don't say it, there's already enough temporal instability going on in this place.
My name is Thaddeus Cosma and I am a member of … you know what? That's not important right now. This device, however, is!"
You said you were from an organization?
"Ah, yes. We're the ones who ask questions. You provide the answers, usually in the most destructive manner possible.
I'm afraid I can't be more specific. The fragility of your brain and your understanding of space and time are rattled enough as is."

Quote 2: Thaddeus Cosma (alternate): "Thaddeus, you must listen closely. The fate of the planes depends on it."
Thaddeus Cosma (present): "So the rumors were true. Mora really did learn my fate."
Thaddeus Cosma (alternate): "Don't talk over me! Understand that when the time comes, you must say no."
Thaddeus Cosma (present): "I must say no? What in Oblivion am I talking about?"
Thaddeus Cosma (alternate): "In my timeline, things didn't go exactly to plan. But I hope you'll glimpse this causality in enough time to change our fate."

Clivia Tharn's fate

We have not learned the true fate of Clivia Tharn. We met a Daedric impersinator in White Gold Tower dungeon but have not met her.

Nature of the Vestige:

After completing Bal Sunaar the player is hinted to have much more to them by the Psijic.

Quote: "I manifest at many points. I am at my death. I am at your creation. Ah. I did not realize this about you. Interesting. Nonetheless, we have succeeded. Here. Your payment as promised. You will spend it wisely."
You saw something about me. Something you didn't realize.
"Yes. You already know it. Or you will. Your path is more difficult to see. Blurrier. Like seawater.
If you do not know, it is not my place to say. Do not ask again."

New in Town:

In Auridon there used to be a con artist by the name of Malareth. Sadly this quest was removed early on in ESO's life and never made a return. The PTS notes state she vows to return.

Quote: Malareth has been run out of Vulkhel Guard for the time being, but she vows to return at a later date.

The Octal Cage

Initially introduced in a book, this introduces the idea of an Ayleid creation that can block Daedric influences on Nirn through the use of a horn blown in 8 ruins across Tamriel.

Quote: "the Octal Cage was thought capable of sealing the Daedric Princes away from Nirn for good. Sounding a Hallowed Clarion in all eight ruins, all at the same time, may be enough to bring the Octal Cage to life."

Broken Ayleid Statue, Cyrodiil

In Cyrodiil there is a talking broken statue you can find near the bridge into the Imperial City proper. This statue is an Ayleid trapped that wishes for itself to be rebuilt.

Quote: "I have only one desire: to be whole again. But I sense you cannot help with that. I sense neither a sculptor's spirit nor his skills. Your abilities lie elsewhere.
But if you ever encounter such, in your aimless wanderings, send him to me."

The Mystery of Palagiad

The Garrison of Pelagiad is said to exist but is not on Vvardenfell. Where this Old Pelagiad is never revealed.
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Letter_to_Rana

The Ordained Receptacle

This was the object that Ada'Soom Dir-Kamal was after when he invaded Tamriel.
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Second_Akaviri_Invasion

Quote: "One report stated that Dir-Kamal was seeking someone or something called the "Ordained Receptacle"—but this could easily be a bungled translation."

The Osseous Crux

A mysterious object that appeared off the shores of the Abecean Ocean before disappearing again after being delivered to Sentinel.
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Vanishing_Crux

Blessed Crucible II:

It is hinted at in the dialogue that you would need to return to protect your championship.

Quote: "Truth? I'm thinking of retiring. Time will tell, though. I suspect you'll be defending your crown for years to come. I can't let you do that alone, can I?"

Volenfell II:

After completing Volenfell you did not obtain the Guardian's Eye. It is hinted that undead still roam Volenfell.

Quote: What have you been doing since we last crossed paths?
"I never solved the mystery of the Eye or its relationship to the undead that overran Volenfell. No one was willing to head back into that mess, so any clues we left behind are beyond reach."
So the undead are still there?
"Afraid so. Fortunately, they seemed content to remain within the confines of the ruins, and the authorities content to leave them there.
With no leads on where the Eye could have gone, I was back to square one, but setbacks don't keep me down long."

Blackheart Haven II

After completing Blackheart haven it is hinted that Shifty Tom has a master that desires something.

Quote: Shifty Tom: "My new master has waited long enough, and I think it's time you died for good. It's been fun, Captain. No, it hasn't."

Vaults of Madness II

After the Vaults of Madness is completed the ghost you help hints that they will take the Mad Architect's place.

Quote: "With the Mad Architect gone, I'll admit … this place has a homely look. I've work to do. If I could learn what he learned—perhaps I could fill his role."

Falinesti's disappearance

There are many theories of the disappearance of Falinesti but nothing has come of any of these yet.

Quote: Mephala: "Nothing like an empty mind, waiting, yearning for purpose. The lost city, the lost Faithful, the great Artificer, all tremble in the web of Mephala."

Discourse Amaranthine

A Memento we receive from complting the Vile Manse public dungeon. It used to give quotes when used during the first few years of ESO. Sadly these quotes no longer play even though they still exist. The following is one such quote that hints at a plotline.

Quote: "A crisis will come to Tamriel, when the bladed paths open."

Enchanting Hireling: Celerity Rune

Melina Cassel states that there is a special Runestone called a Celerity Rune that we have never seen. Mazular the researcher after the rune escaped. We have heard nothing since.

Clothing Hireling: Dream Curse

Madam Firilanya headed to Orsinium to get a cure for her curse of nightmares. Last we hear she is heading into the mountains in search of a hermit. We have heard nothing since.

Enchanting Hireling: Abavarlor

The Velothril Sisters organization seems to be feeding employees to a dangerous ruin called Hecul that all of the hirelings seem to fall to. They were not defeated and remain out there.

Mystery of Deadlight

The mystery of Deadlight and it's forgotten prince seems to not be solved. It does not appear to be Ithelia.

Quote: "Legends abound of destroyed realms and forgotten planes. Oblivion must be overflowing with such places, if the myths and rumors are to be believed. Take the story of Deadlight, for example. They say Mehrunes Dagon demolished the realm and then gave it to his supplicants."—Divayth Fyr

The Remnants Dremora Clan

This clan of Dremora serve Mora but do not seem to know why and may have served a previous Prince prior. There are hints they may be related to the Prince of Deadlight.

Cenotaph of the Remnants: An ancient Oblivion fortress drawn to the realm of Apocrypha by the currents of the Abyssal Sea, the Cenotaph was claimed as a final garrison by the Remnants, a fading Dremora clan in service to Hermaeus Mora.

Quote: "As far back as we can recall, the Remnants believed we directly served Hermaeus Mora. Our connection to him drove us to defend his will.
Perhaps that was a lie? The pact was nothing. A shattered plane with a rotting book."
Why's the book of the pact empty?
"Further, where does our power come from? We cannot say.
Now, we must decide. Do we tell the Remnants of our discovery? It would surely destroy us. Or, do we use the victory to reinvigorate the clan? Show that Apocrypha still needs our defense."

High Isle peace talks

Recently we have an update with Lady Arabelle's Favors. With the ongoing peace talks and the recent Stirk Fellowship peace might be a possibility. But this still remains an unresolved plot.

Ithelia's Power

Ithelia throws her power into the void but with recent quests from Sheogorath's Vacation we learn that the power of a Daedric prince can take it's own shape.

Quote: Ithelia: "Such is the nature of Daedra. Never changing. Never growing. I return your power to you, Mora! And I disperse mine into the Void!"
Ithelia: "My very nature makes returning me to prison a temporary reprieve at best. My power will always find a way back to me. And with it, the threat of the madness that overcomes me and can unravel reality. Mortal, talk with me more about change."

Quote 2: Maddy: What … are you?
"I'm a tingle. A thought. Lots of tingles and thoughts! I'm all the power contained in that broken vessel, finally set free!
I'm not sure how I know words, or think thoughts, or remember things. But I'm not … whatever that nasty man called me!"
You're Sheogorath's power?
"His power, his memories, his insanity, yes. It's nice to be out in the real world and not stuck in his head or that vessel!
Is that Sheogorath over there? He looks angry. Very angry. I should leave. Sort myself out. Tell him I said pumpernickel!"

The growing threat of the Hadolids

It has been hinted at since their introduction that the Hadolids are being more dangerous and are trying to learn spellcasting.
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Spellwright's_Notes
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Gorbrum
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:To_Anchorite_Odska,_From_Black_Mage_Tacitus.
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Anchorite_Odska's_Final_Report

Lep Seclusa Scrolls

The Elder Scroll's prophecy from this dungeon has not seemed to pass as of yet.

Quote: "It's not a very pleasant prophecy. Fires and rubble. Shadowy figures in the ruins of a city I've never heard of. Whatever future this scroll paints, it's not one Orpheon could use to gain power. That's what I tried to tell him."

Darien's origins & The Meridia Arc

This is perhaps the longest running and most anticipated ongoing plot thread since launch and the end of the Main quest of ESO. We have been getting hints that Meridia is not as benevolent as she appears and that we should be weary of her as a threat. See the below for examples through the years.

Molag Bal's warning:
Molag Bal: "For the moment, your world is spared, but my grand scheme has only begun to unfold. Excellent. Your power shall prove useful in the coming conflicts."
Molag Bal: "You've made a great and terrible enemy this day. Your world would have been better off if the Planemeld had succeeded. Had you bowed before me and accepted eternal servitude, I would have protected you. There are worse masters than I. Far worse."
Meridia: "You are but a phantom here in my domain, Stone-Fire. The mortal prophecies of the Scrolls have been fulfilled. Leave this place and return to your pit!"
Molag Bal: "You have a powerful ally. Did you know that she would bring you here? What future role has she to play in this grand, cosmic farce, I wonder?"
Meridia: "Your story has only begun. Molag Bal still has plans for you. In many ways, these events played out to his advantage."

Orsinium - Darien's Letter:
A letter from Darien appears. https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:A_Plea_for_Help

Summerset - Darien's letter:
After finishing the main quest you can find a letter from Darien. https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Words_of_the_Fallen

Wrathstone - Depths of Malatar
Player: We've crossed paths before. She's the enemy of our enemies, but not our friend.
Tharayya: "I know all too well about alliances of convenience. It seems like we aren't going to come to any accord with Meridia here, so we should keep searching for means of escape."

Elsweyr - Shrine of the Reforged to Meridia:
You mentioned Meridia before. Why do you dislike Meridia?
"Picked up on that, did you?
Meridia's not altruistic. No, she's got some qualities I'd call problematic. Greed, for one. And greed is bad enough in people like us, you know? In a Daedric Prince? It's way worse. So, yeah. Bad memories thanks to her."

Greymoor - Kilkreath Temple:
An unnatural storm hit this temple of Meridia. Her priests no longer trust in her.
"Such terrible things we witnessed today. An unnatural storm … vampires … innocent people turning into monsters … I fear this corruption cannot simply be prayed away.
It seems that Meridia has abandoned us to our fate. Why, I cannot say."

Blackwood - Magician's magic:
Ylahizu the Magnificent will show you an image of Darien falling when asked "I wish to see those in shrouds"

Solstice - Broken Light Temple
Sentinel Carisea
What do you want to be freed from?
"I am the sentinel for this temple. I once saw the role as a blessing. In truth, it binds mortals in eternal service to Meridia. Only destroying the cynosure can set me free.

Darien's true nature:
Summerset: Meridia: "My vessel thinks of itself as Darien Gautier, a simple Breton warrior, but in reality, it is my will and my power. When a darkness enters your reality, I send Darien to banish it.
Darien: "It felt real, but it couldn't have happened to me. Armies in gold, towers falling, a name shouted in some weird language. Like something out of Vanus's old tomes.
Yet … it seemed familiar. Like a dream I had every night but never remembered."
Darien has plans to find out more about his past. Darien: "Meridia is going to want whatever is inside of me back. She's going to keep sending more Daedra my way. I need to find some answers.
I have to ignore Vanus's warning if I want to figure out what or who I am. I can't keep running away."
What are you planning?
"I think it's time to visit dear old dad and ask him a few questions. Like who my mother was and why I can't remember her.
But that's later. Right now, let's just enjoy this moment. Just me and you. Who knows when we'll get another chance like this?"

Samara Gautier:
Your last name. Gautier. Are you related to my friend Darien by any chance? (Appears if you have met Darien Gautier previously)
"Who?"
Darien Gautier. Knight. Hero of Daggerfall.
"Sorry, never heard of him."

-Future events: Baron Othrok
We know for a fact that the Molag Bal/Meridia rivaly does not stop with ESO. There are references to them being opposed and seemingly at odd going all the way back to the original D&D campaign by the original developers of TES. https://www.imperial-library.info/content/julian-lefays-dd-notes

Books found in Scholarium

Mannimarco's return & Vanus Galerion's fate.

Not really a hint but to maintain continuity Mannimarco has to make his return and Vanus Galerion will face him to the death. This could take place after ESO so only slightly a loose thread.

Umbracat449 · August 23

Wow. That's some great work.

Well zos, if you wanted some starters for new stories, here you go!

Glorious_Platypus · August 23

Look at how many there. There's so many. Like... dang dude.

LunaFlora · August 23

it would definitely be interesting to see follow-ups for most of these

AVaelham · August 23

The Meridia Arc is what this game desperately needs narratively right now. Enough one-and-done silly adventures, we need to move the overarching main story plot forward. In this, we can include the Three Banners War Arc as well. With a bit of ambition, it can be ESO's "Hail Mary".

Solstice spoilers

I thought Seasons of the Worm Cult would be the story's soft reboot, concluding the Molag Bal Saga and the Three Banners War. With all the "let's all come together" motif, it all amounted to ...nothing in the grand picture. The Solstice story was disappointedly local.

DanteTheDeviant · August 23

Also forgot some more stuff foreshadowed during Necrom/Gold Road (correct me if I'm wrong, as my memory of these quests is a bit blurred):

Leramil's Deal with Mora

Leramil makes a deal with Mora to bring an alternate reality version of Curate Gadayn, since the one in ours was unmade during the Ithelia questline. The story hints of consequences to this, foreshadowing Curate Gadayn being evil or something.

Mora's Behavior at the End of Gold Road

The way Mora is presented to us in the beginning vs the end of the Necrom + Gold Road storyline leaves the impression that Mora has been corrupted: his emotional outburst when we point out he was wrong about something, perhaps the affects of the poison from two other daedric princes, him losing his power to Ithelia temporarily, the injury to his ego from having to hide memories from even himself, and the way his voice and color palette all present him has ominous and manipulative, oh and how we had very little choice in dialogue during the questline, as though we did not have full control over our own actions and we just went along with "Ithelia bad", rather than being able to criticism Mora's obsession and interference, which causes Ithelia to turn mad in the first place...

All of that makes it seem like Mora is a very dark/corrupted force, seeking power and absolute control, and with the only other Daedric prince seemingly capable of overpowering Mora's ability know everything banished to a world without magicka, and with that same Daedric prince's power free to claim in our reality, it seems like Mora is going to become the next major villain.

After all, the only way for him to know everything, is if he also has the power to manipulate fate itself, Ithelia's power...

tomofhyrule · August 23

Hot take: ESO should let the stories sit for a while until they have the ability to write them appropriately.

It was super awkward when they said “we’re going back to the strongest part of ESO: the stories” back in January. The writing has consistently been pointed to as one of ESO’s weakest parts, and it’s only trending worse. And now with the fact that the only recent stories that were universally loved (Zerith and Sharp’s stories) were written by the same person and she was let go in the layoffs, I basically have zero hope for ESO’s stories now.

I think “lazy” is the best way to put it. The Sheogorath line (remember, it was in the game before the layoffs, so that was not affected at all!) was so poorly done what with the Flanderizing the Prince of Madness into a literal cheesy quirk chungus with as much situational awareness as Lady Arabelle in High Isle (“Oh yes, I will absolutely leave this important thing/person with someone who literally just poisoned me!”).
But even beyond the poor characterization, there are real ‘did you spend more than one brain cell on the writing’ mistakes. Like how Sheogorath points out the Dremora of the Madfeaster clan… who are clearly Mazken. And how the cheese bandit tells us that Lazaki has muscles and four arms, so he’s a Ruinach… but he’s also a Mazken. Like… do the writers even know the difference between Dremora, Ruinachs, and Dark Seducers? Or worse… do they care?

I’m at the point where I don’t trust ESO’s writers to be able to do anything justice. Hopefully they turn this around. But…
…sigh…

And now we don’t even have new Dungeons to keep us busy, or no new Classes or even new refreshes to keep us busy.

Viridian_Wizard · August 23

Still remember coming across the talking statue in pvp, I wonder if it exists in TES OBLIVION, I don't think I ever looked.

Aylish · August 23

Samara Gautier was Sanguine who appeared during Heart‘s Week. Sanguine always appears with a similar name to his original one and is not related to Darien.

Silufadumar · August 23

A Dremora clan full Dark Seducers.... a Ruinach wearing a Mazken's skin....

Why, that would be.... Mad!.... Wouldn't it?

🤔

Silufadumar · August 24

As for the Necrom and Gold Road story.

We were definitely working for the bad guy.

Mora is all about knowledge, not hearsay, not rumours, not theory.... he wants facts, absolutes, any and all. Though he covets the secret, the obscurer and the powerful most of all.

Mora is the Prince of Fate... not Destiny. He has no interest in the what 'could be' or 'what should be' or 'what can be', that Destiny offers.

Fate, the inevitable, the inescapable, the absolute knowledge of what 'is' and 'will be'.

Mora seeks to be the scribe of everything.... and Fate is the absolute truth that allows him to be.

Which is why Ithelia was such a threat to Mora. She embodies change, free will and choice. She shatters Fate into the myriad possibilities that it 'could be', directly challenging the power of absolute knowledge that Mora relies on.

And that's why he sought to remove Ithelia's influence. And with the help of other daedric princes that he had convinced of Ithelia's threat to all creation (even though she hadn't been for millennia previously), managed first to imprison and then banish (with help from us, the Vestige, I'm sorry to say) Ithelia to a place where she could not use her power or influence.

Thus the Fate of all was sealed, including, though likely unknowingly, that of the other daedric princes as well.

And so we've helped a despot get rid of his only real rival, robbing everyone connected to Nirn and beyond of free will, leaving Mora as the Master of Fate and likely most powerful daedric prince, without anyone (except us, the Vestige) none the wiser.

theacefes · August 24

I vaguely recall the very end of Murkmire having some cliffhanger. Was that ever followed up on?

Harv3st · August 24

Great documentation, respect mate

cyclonus11 · August 24

And there's also the

whereabouts of Abnur Tharn after the end of the Elsweyr questline

LadyGP · August 24

Sometimes leaving things to mystery is better - fan theories - future game stories, etc.

Just look at what 343i did to Halo. Bungie Halo games were so good because there were so much mystery in some of the lore. People spent years and years discussing the lore, what they thought xyz was, etc.

343i came in and the game now feels like a c suite power point presentation. It's as if every possible question for every lore event was plotted to it's absolute conclusion. There is no mystery.. there is no aura.. there is none of that. It's just an if this then that kind of game.

Don't ask for every loose end to be tied up.. you might not actually like it.

- xcatguy

LunaFlora · August 24

LadyGP wrote: »

Sometimes leaving things to mystery is better - fan theories - future game stories, etc.

Just look at what 343i did to Halo. Bungie Halo games were so good because there were so much mystery in some of the lore. People spent years and years discussing the lore, what they thought xyz was, etc.

343i came in and the game now feels like a c suite power point presentation. It's as if every possible question for every lore event was plotted to it's absolute conclusion. There is no mystery.. there is no aura.. there is none of that. It's just an if this then that kind of game.

Don't ask for every loose end to be tied up.. you might not actually like it.

- xcatguy

How is that related to unresolved plotlines?

Why should it remain a mystery how Thaddeus Cosma met The Vestige? We have only met him when he already knew us so there obviously has to be a future quest in which we meet him before he met us.
You can only tell that story in this game as The Vestige is this game's protagonist, same goes for most of the other mentioned plotlines.

Benefactor · August 24

DanteTheDeviant wrote: »

Leramil's Deal with Mora

This definitely could be considered a loose end, but it's also something that might exist outside of the vestige storyline.

Aylish wrote: »

Samara Gautier was Sanguine who appeared during Heart‘s Week. Sanguine always appears with a similar name to his original one and is not related to Darien.

I included it in the ongoing Darien arc due to another Daedric prince using the same last name. Seemed more like a hint to the Daedric connection. Most of the Meridia arc stuff is just hints that Meridia is not benevolent than actually hinting at a storyline.

AScarlato · August 24

Unfortunately their having laid off most of the writers, including the only one I thought was doing well who wrote Sharp and Zerith-Var's story, isn't a great omen for them to resolve these plotlines.

I agree with Tom they may need to take inventory before rushing to write anything poor-quality.