Anyone disappointed with Legacy of the Breton's racial exploration? (SPOILERS)

Aliyavana

Like I appreciate the delving into the ancient Druids of Galen (that term meaning Nedic ancestors of the Bretons, not druids from the isle of Galen) as that was something that hasn't been done for 28 years since they were first mentioned, but I feel like modern druids from the Systres were too close to the Wyrd and too disconnected from contemporary Bretons. I feel like with how focused they were on them, druids should have played a more active role in society on the Systres as being the Magical class, taking on roles such as being court mages and doctors. The Wyrd claim the druids of old embraced civilization, which made me sad that we didn't get that version of druidism and instead got "civilization bad" druids.

I also feel their worship of Y'ffre was way too similar to the Bosmer. I dislike that Y'ffre was made to be THE god of druidism, instead of just a Patron god and instead hoped they would have taken on a polytheistic theme, with obscure gods like Druagaa of the Flowers and Vigryl the God of the Sea first mentioned in Daggerfall. It would have been a perfect time to finally reinclude these gods from Daggerfall. At least we got Shandar's Sorrow and Mara's Tear references. I am tired of variations of the Eight Divines and the Daedra at this point.

I'm also disappointed that we did not get any significant Breton mages this chapter that could match the likes of Divayth Fyr, Shalidor, or Vanus Galerion. Bretons are one of the most magically inclined races, and we don't have any figures like them. It almost came close to that with Druid King Kasorayn, but they made him a complete pacifist with great Sage abilities that let him see thousands of years into the future for his prophecy. I think it was neat that he functioned as a Veloth type exodus figure, but when it was time to showcase his potential destructive capability, he was made to escape from the Direnni without a confrontation. Imagine hearing bard songs of Kasorayn turning nature against the Direnni themselves, with the sea swallowing a great elven fleet so his people could escape.

Also, it was a perfect time to bring Gabrielle Benele back, THE recurring Breton Mage character. Instead, we got Jakarn who we cannot deny his advances.

Aliyavana

Like they do imply that Druidism will return in the future, but that is left vague and up to player interpretation, and we will likely not see that in the future as ZOS does not want to move the timeline foward in favor of "play how you want in any order".

fizzylu

Aliyavana wrote: »

I'm also disappointed that we did not get any significant Breton mages this chapter that could match the likes of Divayth Fyr, Shalidor, or Vanus Galerion. Bretons are one of the most magically inclined races, and we don't have any figures like them. It almost came close to that with Druid King Kasorayn, but they made him a complete pacifist with great Sage abilities that let him see thousands of years into the future for his prophecy. That was a neat thing, but when it was time to showcase his potential destructive capability, he was made to escape from the Direnni without a confrontation. Imagine hearing bard songs of Kasorayn turning nature against the Direnni themselves, with the sea swallowing a great elven fleet so his people could escape.

Also, it was a perfect time to bring Gabrielle Benele back, THE recurring Breton Mage character. Instead, we got Jakarn who we cannot deny his advances.

I was definitely disappointed with the story in High Isle because of this. I thought the area itself was really well done; I especially love Gonfalon Bay.... but yeah, I expected some more mage focused stuff. I actually loved the baddies this chapter just because they felt most in line with the mage/knight vibe haha also I really enjoyed Jakarn back in the beginning of the game, but they made him unbearably annoying (and kind of stupid) in High Isle.
Also I agree with pretty much everything you said about the Druids and Druidism. The biggest thing I didn't really care for was how they seemed weirdly too disconnected or out of place most of the times I was interacting with them. It felt like they could've had a better balance between embracing civilization and tree hugging. Especially considering there's the whole quest with Isobel and the oaken order; I think they totally could have done something with some Druids being court mages trying to keep the balance between modernization and nature.
Like something that comes to mind here are the tidesages from WoW's BFA expansion. They're basically shamans/priests who use nature magic, but are of high standing and importance in their government/society.

ealdwin

I haven't played through any of this year yet (burnout), so my opinion's scope is limited. That being said, I honestly can't say that I'm sold or thrilled about the Druids of Galen, nature loving, and Y'ffre connection. As you said, it feels like a retread of themes and ideas that have already been done before in ESO, particularly with the Bosmer.

Honestly, considering the Nedic connection, I would have build on the star & constellation lore that was introduced with Craglorn and had the Druids be more like ancient astronomers. Perhaps some of the more obscure Breton deities from Daggerfall could have been explained as constellational avatars or heroes uniquely blessed by the constellations. Could have also had some interesting exploration of Bretons' innate magical abilities being connected to Magnus through the stars in that way too.

Just spitballing here, what's done is done.