How to get into the lore of The Elder Scrolls...?

Seraphayel

Hey there!

I am very interested in lore-relating stuff. I love reading stories, books or journals (the TESO one is awesome and I am looking forward to get the Morrowind one as well) to dive into the background stories of the whole Elder Scrolls world. Getting into is difficult. Very difficult.

I never played Morrowing or Oblivion but I really want to get into their lore, especially with Morrowing coming back in 4 months. Is there a way I could enjoy the lore without playing the game? I simply don't have time to play Morrowind but the lore surrounding that game seems to be so magnificient... are there books, player made compendiums or other things that help me to get into the lore? I tried "reading" online wikis but that's pretty tiresome due to the massive amount of input and all the missing links and knowledge I need to know to understand what I read there.

Siekobilly_ESO

I would recommend starting with the Imperial Library; https://www.imperial-library.info/

Stovahkiin

The UESP Wiki is a relatively old website, and it has a TON of information. It has information ranging from history and timelines, to in-game books and lore that you can read.

If you want to learn about Morrowind's (the game) lore in particular, you can search in the UESP for articles about Nerevar, the Tribunal, and the Neravarine, among other things.

Lord_Wrath

Been thinking about the lore too, i wonder if youtube or something has some good audio stories i can listen to while i work.

Stovahkiin

Lord_Wrath wrote: »

Been thinking about the lore too, i wonder if youtube or something has some good audio stories i can listen to while i work.

There is at least one lore series on youtube, let me see if I can find it, then I'll post a link here

k9mouse

Siekobilly_ESO wrote: »

I would recommend starting with the Imperial Library; https://www.imperial-library.info/

That is an excellent site to read the in game books on line. Also, read wikis and youtube videos as well. Keep in mind that not 100% right, but it helps to get a general understanding.

Wiki
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Main_Page (the better one)
http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Lore (it is ok, but not as good as the 1st)

Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-chDClmdos&list=PL7pGJQV-jlzCPBUy9uAXQUXZ4UBaDLKS5
This is a good series of videos that explain the lore, however the shoddycast had turned their backs on ESO and their later video have become bais. The video series is still good overall.

Reading the in game books the books the best (see quote web site address), there are other ways to get into lore as well. One of the main reason that I got into TES / ESO is because of the lore.

Stovahkiin

Here is the first episode of a lore series on YouTube for those who are interested:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Od2lbw9N4

CapnPhoton

This is not really lore comprehensive, but it is a good walk through of the dates and timeline of Tamriel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAV1F7DAlnU&t=118s

Seraphayel

Siekobilly_ESO wrote: »

I would recommend starting with the Imperial Library; https://www.imperial-library.info/

I already found this website but I don't know how to handle this. When I am going to Storylines --> Morrowind --> Vvardenfell Chapter I get to this: https://www.imperial-library.info/content/arriving-seyda-neen - what is this? I mean just the in game NPC talk? I thought about something cohesive like some kind of lore book and not this kind of stuff. Tried to read it but it's pretty... exhausting. The same goes with the UESP Wiki. I simply don't know where to start. If I am getting to one site (e.g. Morag Tong) I read all that stuff but understand only 10% of it. Then I click all the other links that help me getting into it but then I know less than before lol.

No_True_Scotsman

HAHA you have no idea what you've just gotten into.

k9mouse

Keep reading, it takes time for it to sink in. TES lore is huge and complex. That what make the lore so good, IMHO. I read the wiki and videos over a year (hours per day) and I still do not know it all... LOL

Siekobilly_ESO

Seraphayel wrote: »

Siekobilly_ESO wrote: »

I would recommend starting with the Imperial Library; https://www.imperial-library.info/

I already found this website but I don't know how to handle this. When I am going to Storylines --> Morrowind --> Vvardenfell Chapter I get to this: https://www.imperial-library.info/content/arriving-seyda-neen - what is this? I mean just the in game NPC talk? I thought about something cohesive like some kind of lore book and not this kind of stuff. Tried to read it but it's pretty... exhausting. The same goes with the UESP Wiki. I simply don't know where to start. If I am getting to one site (e.g. Morag Tong) I read all that stuff but understand only 10% of it. Then I click all the other links that help me getting into it but then I know less than before lol.

@Seraphyel If UESP, and the Imperial Library are just too much at once for you, then I'd definitely recommend the ShoddyCast videos. There are two coments above that linked to them. I can't believe I forgot about them in answering your question. They do an amazing job when it comes to game lore.

Balamoor

The lore can be a hobby unto it'self it's vast, I mean D&D forgotten realms vast.

There are good suggestions here there are also a couple really good novels over at Amazon.

Rosveen

I don't recommend starting with the Imperial Library. It's a great resource when you know what you're looking for (particularly developer comments and semi-official lore), but it's very confusing for a newbie. My preferred method would be casually browsing UESP - start with a main article that interests you, like a particular game or province or even the general timeline, and jump from there to whatever seems interesting. Look at the sources too, you will find a lot of great in-game books. The lore is very expansive, so don't be discouraged if you don't understand something, it will fall in place as you learn more.

If you have questions, ask on TES Lore subreddit or Bethesda official forum (the old one, not the one on Bethesda.net). You can also ask here, but it's a matter of luck if your thread is seen by someone actually knowledgeable. We get a surprising amount of misinformation sometimes.

Kodrac

Stovahkiin wrote: »

Here is the first episode of a lore series on YouTube for those who are interested:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Od2lbw9N4

I recommend these since it's what I used pre-launch to get more familiar.

Seraphayel

Thank you! I will check that all out.

Publius_Scipio

Search Shoddy Cast Elder Scrolls on YouTube. Those two little elf brothers had a nice video series explaining a ton of the lore of the Elder Scrolls universe leading up to ESO's launch.

DarkMatter909

I would agree with checking out the UESP as I found it very easy to use and packed with info.
I would recommend trying to make time some day for the original Morrowind, the story is amazing. I enjoyed it so much more than the two games after it.
Researching ES lore is a job all its own lol