Why not use vast Elder Scrolls lore more in the game?

Xinz'r · April 2015

Before ESO Tamriel : Unlimited was released, I was regular gamer who played all sorts of games, most of them fantasy MMORPGs, and The Elder Scrolls series by far has richest lore. It's a shame that developers don't use it much. In this topic I'm talking especially about NPC guilds. Why do ALL RACES AND ALL ALLIANCES have the same guilds? There are many guilds that have the same purpose as Dark Brotherhood/Thieves Guild/Fighters Guild/Mages Guild that are native to certain areas. Here are some alternatives:

DUNMER

Morag Tong - Dark Brotherhood

House Telvanni - Mages Guild

House Redoran - Fighters Guild Just look at this badass!

ARGONIANS

Shadowscales - Dark Brotherhood

An-Xileel Warriors/Sorcerers - Fighters/Mages Guild

NORDS

College of Winterhold - Mages Guild

Companions - Fighters Guild

Take_Up_Arms_(Achievement).png

REDGUARDS

Alik'r - Dark Brotherhood & Fighters Guild

ALTMER

Psijic Order - Mages Guild

I don't know much about other races so I don't know if they have some other guilds. If you do, please let me know in the comments.

Runhent · April 2015

Dunmer Houses aren't guilds, actually.

Xinz'r · April 2015

Runhent wrote: »

Dunmer Houses aren't guilds, actually.

I know -.- But they could be used to create certain questlines that could be an alternative to the some of these three guilds.

Runhent · April 2015

Xinz'r wrote: »

show previous quotes

Runhent wrote: »

Dunmer Houses aren't guilds, actually.

I know -.- But they could be used to create certain questlines that could be an alternative to the some of these three guilds.

More questlines will be good by themselves!

But Fighter and Mages Guilds, for example, were created for all Tamriel, and have... missions, headquaters in many regions - so all races and alliances members can join. If they wish, of course. And no one is deprived!

For example, I'm Dunmer, so I can't become a member of Shadowscales (and not all Argonians can!), but I may be interested in them, and can perform their tasks as an... outside expert.

Yeah, my position is quite uniting and... well, there is good Russian untranslatable idiom "в каждой дырке гвоздь" (or just I can't properly translate it), it means to take part in all possible activities

So say "no" to all too closed organisations!!

Xinz'r · April 2015

I understand what you mean and somewhat agree with it. I just think it's a pitty not to use lore like this. TES has one of the richest lores in the whole gaming industry, and they are just throwing it away.

Runhent · April 2015

Well, TESO is just starting its way - today is the first Anniversary. So there will be a lot of possibilities to add some new factions in the future. Seems Zenimax cares for the lore and doesn't forget to continue do it.

And I think Dunmer Houses will use mercenaries. Why not - it's cheaper and safer rather than risk on their own!

Enodoc · April 2015

To answer the question: "Why do ALL RACES AND ALL ALLIANCES have the same guilds?", it's because these guilds are Tamriel-wide, and accept members from everywhere. I like how they have used the Tamriel-wide NPC guilds for these quests, as it gives all players the chance to experience the content and introduces those guilds as fully alliance-neutral. Other factions, being native to the areas they are from, will likely have dispensation towards (or against) certain alliances. I'm sure that other cultural factions will make appearances in the future; we've already seen some Morag Tong, Shadowscales and Companions during the Pact quests, and there's scope for future content based on House Telvanni, the College of Winterhold, and others which can be more cultural.

Molagent · April 2015

All of the things you asked for are in the game... You may not be able to join the order, but that's for a reason very simple. Marketing and deploying the code.

For starters, Dunmer houses aren't guilds. They're nothing short of feudal clans.
The Psijic Order has already been formed in ESO. Read the lore or actually read quests and go for Tamriel Hero and you'd know this by now. It's made in response to Mannimarco's worm cult, yet Vanus and a thousand or so mages are killed in a battle between them.
The Companions are already formed. No the Companions never was Lyris, Mannimarco, the Prophet and so on... The Companions are led by Ysgramor and called "The Five Hundred Companions." We're in the wrong era for this, but nonetheless the companions are more then alive and kicking.
There's more than a few mentions of the Shadowscales.
You do know the Alik'r are a people right...? Similar to saying southerns are southerns. It's not a guild, but birthplace and culture.

If you think these things aren't already in the game I suggest a 10 second google search.

ArterionAU · April 2015

I agree hopefully they add more Guilds/Use the Elder Scrolls Lore more in the future because it is still early days for ESO. I'd personally like to see more of the Ansei or just tell some more lore about them, As well as the Psijic order (I thought they would play a part in the AD Quest at some point but was wrong). Hopefully in the future they add more in.

Runhent · April 2015

Molagent wrote: »

The Psijic Order has already been formed in ESO. Read the lore or actually read quests and go for Tamriel Hero and you'd know this by now. It's made in response to Mannimarco's worm cult, yet Vanus and a thousand or so mages are killed in a battle between them.

Actually no - Psijic Order was created before Mannimarco's deeds (first mention - 1E 20, Fragment: On Artaeum), and Mannimarco himself was a member of this Order and one of the greatest students. Until he was exiled for his Necromancy researches.

Rosveen · April 2015

Dunmer Great Houses aren't guilds.
Shadowscales ARE the Dark Brotherhood - a branch of it. You can't join, you have to be born into it as an Argonian under the sign of the Shadow.
Morag Tong doesn't operate outside of Morrowind these days.
An-Xileel are a political party formed during the Oblivion Crisis.
The Alik'r are simply that, the people of Alik'r. You might as well say "Redguard warriors".
The Psijiic Order is also a spiritual organization discouraging its members from recklessly pledging alliegiance to political leaders. I can't count all the political leaders with conflicting interests I worked for in ESO.

The reason why we have only the Mages and Fighters guild is that they operate internationally, aren't restricted to a specific race or strongly tied into any culture. To create faction-specific organizations, you need to triple the resources. Clearly ZOS doesn't want to do it, they haven't even given us the long-promised Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood. However, regional organizations often appear as quest-related NPCs. Members of almost all of those you mentioned can be met or talked about in ESO.