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Do people care about Lore?
Woodenplank
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The Elder Scrolls game have, in my humble opinion, some of the best, most interesting and profound lore of any video game. And I really admire the world and all the rich history and characters that have been woven into the games.
But I wonder; am I just a lonely nerd among millions? Do people actually care to know about the lore behind the game?
Do people care who the Eight/Nine Divines, the Tribunal, and the Daedric Princes are?
Do people care how the various races came to be? How Tamriel came to be shaped like it is today?
I'm curious to know.
Edited by Woodenplank on January 23, 2017 7:33PM But I wonder; am I just a lonely nerd among millions? Do people actually care to know about the lore behind the game?
Do people care who the Eight/Nine Divines, the Tribunal, and the Daedric Princes are?
Do people care how the various races came to be? How Tamriel came to be shaped like it is today?
I'm curious to know.
No matter the setting, slamming Dawnbreaker and spamming Jabs into a bunch of enemies is still one of the most gratifying feelings.
Do people care about Lore? 318 votes
Yes! I want to know more/already know a lot
79%
252 votes
No! It's at best a distraction from gameplay
3%
10 votes
Honestly don't care, it's nice to have, but not something to look into.
17%
56 votes
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Nickernator✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotI do care a lot, lore is what makes a MMO interesting and unique for me.
Without lore it would be an empty and boring placeESO player since release
EU - PC
Meet the CP 350+ family:Nickernator, Imperial Dragonknight, EP
Dar'Dur, Khajit Nightblade, AD
Elidur, High Elf Sorcerer, DC
Gagane, Breton Tempelar, EP
Remos Hlaalu, Dark Elf Dragonknight, EP
Bazugor gro-Mazgulub, Orc Tempelar, EP
Halcan, Redguard Sorcerer, EP
Entros Longshot, Bosmer Nightblade, EP -
Foxic✭✭✭✭✭Honestly don't care, it's nice to have, but not something to look into.I paid alot of attention to the lore when I played Morrowind, like I know more about dark elf lore than I should.
However when playing an mmo I honestly couldn't care less. As long as the content is cool and I'm having a good time with friends I don't care what the objective is lorewiseMechanically Challenged, PCNA competitive raid guild
Head of The Council of Raiders
First NA vAS Hardmode(#2 world)
World First Immortal Redeemer & Saintly Savior
All #1 Trial scores Clockwork City patch -
Bouldercleave✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭Honestly don't care, it's nice to have, but not something to look into.I like a good story and in depth quest lines more than I worry about lore.
Lore is important as an overall game guideline, but I don't see me raging and quitting if they mouse it up a little to create a rich gaming experience. In a single player game you certainly can hold lore a bit easier but an MMO is so much more vast and fluid it just holds you back.The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.- Albert Einstein - -
EnemyOfDaState✭✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotI care about major plot points but ZOS can take liberties with the more minute details. -
CapnPhoton✭✭✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotI like the history as I always have in ES games. There is a really good vid on youtube describing the timeline:
Xbox One NA Aldmeri Dominion -
Karius_Imalthar✭✭✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotI enjoy the lore but i'm not a purist. I'm fine with some liberties here and there when it makes more sense or is easier to understand. Some of the Elder Scrolls lore, if not a lot, is some mind bending metaphysical mumbo jumbo.
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Abeille✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotIt's the only reason why I even tried this game to begin with, and about 90% of why I'm still here.
Also this. I am very flexible when it comes to parts of the lore that are not set in stone (TES lore is heavily dependent on unreliable narrators) and try to keep in mind something the current Lore Master said, that his work is not saying "this can't be done in TES", but "this is how this is done in TES".EnemyOfDaState wrote: »I care about major plot points but ZOS can take liberties with the more minute details.Just so that everyone knows, my Altmer still can't have black hair. About a dozen of Altmer NPCs in the game have black hair. Just saying.
Meet my characters:Command: Do the thing.
Zadarri, Khajiit Fist of Thalmor: The thing was done, as commanded.
Durza gra-Maghul, Orc blacksmith: The thing was done perfectly, in the most efficient way.
Tegwen, Bosmer troublemaker: You can't prove I didn't do the thing.
Sings-Many-Songs, Argonian fisher: Sure, I'll do the thing... Eventually. Maybe.
Aerindel, Altmer stormcaller: After extensive research, I've come to the conclusion that doing the thing would be a waste of resources.
Liliel, Dunmer pyromancer: Aerindel said I shouldn't do the thing. Something about "resources".
Gyda Snowcaller, Nord cryomancer: I will find a way to do it that won't waste resources and make Aerindel proud of me.
Beatrice Leoriane, Breton vampire: I persuaded someone else into doing the thing. You are welcome, dear.
Sahima, Redguard performer: Doing the thing sounds awfully unpleasant and really not my problem.
Ellaria Valerius, Imperial priestess: I'll pray to the Eight for the thing to be done, if it is Their will. -
theher0not✭✭✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotI find the lore interesting. I am not a "lore nerd" but I will from time to time read lore books I find that are interesting.
What I enjoy the most are books that is about the khajiit, anything from culture and religion to history and biology (like how the lunar phases at a khajiit's birth affects its biology, or that their religion says that the dragon god Akatosh is really "a really big cat"). The Dro-m'athra are also interesting even though I don't know anything about them except what a few NPCs have said.
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FluffyReachWitch✭✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotI love lore. But what's most important to me is how it builds the world up rather than acts as a backdrop (or worse: doesn't make sense unless you take the time to read extra materials that you would not otherwise be interested in).
The reason I picked up ESO was I wanted to enjoy some Elder Scrolls in the Summerset Isles, Valenwood, and Elsweyr and learn what these places are actually like. And ESO has excellent writing and great additions to the lore that have allowed me to enjoy the Elder Scrolls more overall. Weaving the lore carefully into the quests and demonstrating things in the world, through NPC interactions, zone design, even the little details in stolen goods just makes it that much better. The game even addresses lore conflicts and challenges you to think: "Is it true what this person or book is saying? Or is it merely true that they are saying it?"
So, lore to me is just as important as the game itself, and I love how ESO handles it.Edited by FluffyReachWitch on January 23, 2017 8:07PM -
BlackSparrow✭✭✭✭✭
✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotBasically, there are two fairly distinct types of players in this game: the MMO lovers who want to climb up to max level so they can participate in the endgame content, and the Elder Scrolls players who are happily exploring Tamriel while waiting for TES VI to come out. Granted, there is a little bit of overlap (I'm a TES nut who also enjoys MMOs), but as far as mindset goes, most players are either one or another.
See these two examples:
Isellskooma wrote: »Hurts balance.Nickernator wrote: »Without lore it would be an empty and boring place
Personally, I'm a TES lore nut. I've loved TES lore since Morrowind sucked me in (as it did so many people). The world's history is full of great cataclysms, divisive figures, mind-boggling mysteries, wonderful characters... the depth and breadth of the lore is staggering, and it keeps building on itself with each installation of the series.
That said... ESO is a bit of a blip for a lot of the really hardcore TES lore community. There are things that go against what we previously knew (2E Cyrodiil not being a jungle, for example), and not in the fun, "We just learned more about the world" way. For example, there are a great number of books in ESO that should not actually have been written yet.
One of my lore pet peeves is Vanus Galerion... I can't talk to him in-game without flinching, because I don't know if that personification of him is canonical, or if it was a design decision on the part of these particular writers.
But, if we know anything about TES lore, it's that it's malleable and prone to in-canon retcons, so I do try my best to turn that part of my brain off and enjoy the experience. Edited by BlackSparrow on January 23, 2017 8:07PMI am Queen of Typos. If you don't see "Edited by BlackSparrow" above this line, please assume my account has been taken over by scamps and react accordingly.
My Girls:"Elsweyr, yay or nay?"
Nephikah the Houseless, dunmer assassin: "If circumstances try to drive me there, maybe. Right now, it just sounds like a lot of sand in my boots."
Swum-Many-Waters, elderly argonian healer: "The simple thought of it dries my scales. I ventured into Elsweyr long ago, but I may be getting too old to make the journey again."
Silh'ki, khajiit warrior-chef: "This one looks forward to seeing her home sands again. Perhaps she will make her home village many fish sticks!"
Peregrine Huntress, bosmer hunter: "I could do much with a good dragon hide."
Lorenyawe, altmer mechanist: "I see little need to muck about some ancient tomb. Too much work to do elsewhere. No, that was not an intentional pun."
Lorelai Magpie, breton thief: "Stealing from the Ban Daar is always a fun challenge. Sometimes, they steal their stuff back!"
Rasheda the Burning Heart, redguard knight: "While I try to stay at Swum-Many-Waters' side, the whispers of an undead threat worry me."
Hex-Eye Azabi, khajiit daedric priestess: "Perhaps. The lady Mephala spins many webs, and I can see there being benefit in sending me into the path of an undead invasion."
Yngva Stormhammer, nord bandit (reformed...ish): "I hear there will be dragons. I would be a disappointment to my Nord heritage if I did not try to slay them."
Madam Argentia, dunmer aristocrat: "I have little desire to waltz across the desert for weeks at a time. It's terrible for the complexion."
Mazie gra-Bolga, orc scout: "Uh... I'm kinda busy up in Wrothgar, sorry!"
Felicia the Wanderer, imperial witch-for-hire: "The Khajiit usually throw some nice contracts my way. I'm sure Jimila will have something that will take me there."
Calico Jaka-dra, retired khajiit pirate: "This one is happy to check back on her homeland after grand adventures drew her away! Let the kittens call her -dra instead of -daro now!"
Shimmerbeam, blind altmer psijic: "My lady Meridia does detest the undead. I may need to sneak out on my duties on Artaeum to address it."
(Signature idea shamelessly stolen from Abeille.) -
RealLifeRedguard✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotThe wacked out high fantasy world of Tamriel is what seperates The Elder Scrolls from the endless sea of fantasy games out there. The lore is a large part of what distinguishes this series.#MakeSummersetGreatAgain! http://bit.ly/1sphMz7
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Mojmir✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭No! It's at best a distraction from gameplayIt's preached too much and an easy excuse.Raising floors and lower ceilings by zos standards has created an iron maiden.
No matter how well you played,when the game is over,the king and pawn go back in the same box.
Be careful what you ask for from zo$, you always get punished.
Call me toxic,your the one being slowly poisoned by greed. -
Glurin✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotLore is what makes games like this something more than a slightly more complicated version of Checkers."The man who learns only what others know is as ignorant as if he learns nothing. The treasures of knowledge are the most rare, and guarded the most harshly." -
k9mouse✭✭✭✭✭
✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotLore is the most important aspect of ESO game. If ZOS ever breaks lore (like adding items to the crown store just to make money but are not related to the game world), I will quit the game -
Woodenplank✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lot
I think that bit has been explained/excused by Hermaeus Mora. As Master Neloth points out (regarding the Black Books of Skyrim's Dragonborn expansion): "time is more malleable if you're a daedric prince." I believe the idea is that the books have been knicked by Herma Mora from other time lines, and somehow ended up back in the 2nd Era.BlackSparrow wrote: »For example, there are a great number of books in ESO that should not actually have been written yet.
Oh the Dragon Breaks and the tangled webs they weave...BlackSparrow wrote: »But, if we know anything about TES lore, it's that it's malleable and prone to in-canon retcons, so I do try my best to turn that part of my brain off and enjoy the experience.
Personally my favourite bit of TES lore is Vivec, and I think it's a shame if people miss out on the lore concerning the Tribunal. I know a lot of people don't like the trio, calling them treasonous and alll - which does have its merits.
But anyone who makes themself a god, seduces Molag Bal with felatio, and uses a (symbolical) *** to banish a daedric lord from Tamriel... is a pretty cool.
All that being said my favourite read is: "The Sword-meeting of Vivec and Cyrus the Restless" - found on the link below. It is fun, witty, and stars Vivec.
https://www.imperial-library.info/content/lord-vivecs-sword-meeting-cyrus-restless
Edited by Woodenplank on January 23, 2017 8:29PMNo matter the setting, slamming Dawnbreaker and spamming Jabs into a bunch of enemies is still one of the most gratifying feelings. -
Nestor✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotI enjoy the Lore as it is a framework for the story. I don't get my underwear in a wad if some individual element is not adhering to the Lore, but I do prefer the story at least make sense in the Lore. I do feel for the ones who just click through the quests and books without reading or listening (OK, I read it then click before they are done talking, but still). I miss in some ways the Morrowind/Daggerfall/Planescape:Tormet style of dialog that gives me rich meaty text to read. This can make the world come alive for me more so than something that is spoken to me which due to the constraints of the game is condensed.Enjoy the game, life is what you really want to be worried about.
PakKat "Everything was going well, until I died"
Gary Gravestink "I am glad you died, I needed the help" -
Molydeus✭✭✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotI wouldn't even be playing this game if I wasn't into the lore. It's the same reason I played WoW for as long as I did. I had beaten the Warcraft RTS games dozens of times, and playing WoW was the only way to further engage in the lore of the series. -
Nord_Templar✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotIf I hadn't liked to read the dialogues and not interested in the storyline of the game - I'd shall play at GTA. Or something like that, such stupid games a lot.
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maltinkilic✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotBut there are some errors in the lore in this game. In a book i foundin mornhold tells. Lord Nerevar was from Redoran. No he was Indoril. Maybe the author of the book was wrong(in game author) but then how can i trust which books are fact which ones are fiction in this game.
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MEBengalsFan2001✭✭✭✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotLore in a game increases it ability to engage the players. Without the lore you would have a void that would be filled up with boring fetch quest or grinding that would become over time boring.
Lore is the item that allows MMOs to flourish. WOW has lore, ESO has it own lore, etc...Any good MMO will have type of lore to it, especially in the earlier levels to bring the players into the game and get the players to fight on a specific side. -
MythicEmperor✭✭✭✭✭
✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotI've been taking in the lore of the Elder Scrolls for years. If It wasn't for the lore, I'd probably be playing another MMORPG. The lore gives me a real connection to the series, which is why I can be very passionate about it on the forums and in-game.With cold regards,
Mythic
Favorite Characters:Kilith Telvayn, Dunmer Telvanni Sorcerer (main)
Kilith, Dunmer Magblade (old main)
Vadusa Venim, Dunmer crafter (older main)
Hir Hlaalu, Dunmer Warden
Søren Icehelm, N'wah Warden
Fargoth of Morrowind, Bosmer commoner -
MythicEmperor✭✭✭✭✭
✭Yes! I want to know more/already know a lotmaltinkilic wrote: »But there are some errors in the lore in this game. In a book i foundin mornhold tells. Lord Nerevar was from Redoran. No he was Indoril. Maybe the author of the book was wrong(in game author) but then how can i trust which books are fact which ones are fiction in this game.
I do not know which book you are referring to, but the series uses a tool called the unreliable narrator. Basically, in-game authors, like their real life counterparts, can be misinformed or even biased. They could be attempting to spready misinformation, or they might even challenge preexisting books. It adds a lot to the depth as you can only truly trust what your characters see for themselves, and usually the general consensus tends to be accurate, at least mostly. Sometimes books like the Arcturian Heresy cause you to question everything you know about a subject, adding debates in-universe. It is all really clever.Edited by MythicEmperor on January 23, 2017 9:29PMWith cold regards,
Mythic
Favorite Characters:Kilith Telvayn, Dunmer Telvanni Sorcerer (main)
Kilith, Dunmer Magblade (old main)
Vadusa Venim, Dunmer crafter (older main)
Hir Hlaalu, Dunmer Warden
Søren Icehelm, N'wah Warden
Fargoth of Morrowind, Bosmer commoner -
lillybit✭✭✭✭✭Didn't vote because none of the options really covered how I feel.
One of the things I've always loved about Elder Scrolls games is that it's such a well developed world. From complex belief systems and histories down to racial tensions, it just feels real to me. I know if I was to get curious about almost any aspect of Tamriel I could probably find the answer.
That said, I don't feel any burning need to go looking for any. I'm happy they exist but I don't need the details to get something out of the game. I don't need to know how the fridge works, I just enjoy the cold coke!PS4 EU
