There are no back stories, this isn't some sandbox MMO. We are all soulless special snowflakes destined to save the world. Kinda like a millennial 20 something cubical office worker *zing*

My main:

Chocolate Thundar
High Elf
Sorceror

She was born into the wealthy Thundar family who resided on the Shivering Isles until Sheogorath used the wabbajack to turn her family into Sweet Rolls. She crawled and she crawled until she made her way onto a ship that bright her to Vauxhal Guard where she was taken in by a member of the Mages Guild. She trained from a child until she was 14 years old where she was separated from the group. As fate would have she found a spriggan who was friendly. His name was Strong Oak and her taught her the ways to survive in the forest and a new type of magic called Conjuring. After a few years passed Strong Oak died and again Chocolate Thundar was left alone in this world. With just her staff and a small supply of food she made her way back to the mages guild she mastered her craft in storm calling and conjuring.

After being denied entry into the mages guild she joined a renegade group of bandits called Night Stalkers. She became a guerrilla fighter for the Dominion striking the covenant and even heart pact in hopes to claim the throne for the High Elves who have promised to destroy Sheogorath. She was promoted to Senior Officer in a short amount of time due to her battlefield prowess and continues to be a force in the epic Chillrend campaign. Taking more keeps than she has lost she has been known to stand at the front gate screaming "THUNDARRRRRR" to scare the enemies. Through the time she has gotten tattoos down her arms to remind her of all the loss she has seen on the battlefield.

After taking a fortnight of leave she awoke in the prison at Cold Harbour with no recollection on how she arrived there. After escaping she returned to her life with the Night Stalkers and now fights to claim the throne and Molag Bol.

In order to explain the main background of my characters, I first have to say that my initial understanding of how a DragonBreak works, doesn't come from ES, it comes from the "So you want to be a Wizard" series by Dianne Dunne. Here is an excerpt that (hopefully) explains a little bit:

From inside our time flow, it can look as if the Lone Power is bound in one place-time and free In another ... and both appearances are true." S'reee rolled and stretched in the water. "Meanwhile, outside the time flow, where things don't have to happen one after another, the Lone One is eternally rebelling and eternally defeated -"

"We gave It a chance to do something else, when we fought last," Nita said. "We offered It the option to stop being a dark power-"

"And it worked," S'ree said, sounding very pleased "Didn't you know? It's also eternally redeemed. But meantime we have to keep fighting the battles even though the war's decided."

My understanding of the ES Dragonbreaks is that while after the fact it will look like a "single hero" saved the world, what happens is that time and reality splinter or fracture, and those people who are truly heroic will step up and attempt to save it. And some of them will succeed. And many of them will not.

And those Dragon Tattoos? They are symbolic of being a member of the order of the dragon. It was inspired a long time ago by an Altmer clan called the Caemaire. This is the original poem/song/prophecy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwp8UxIY_iM

The story of the first of the Heros of this particular dragonbreak (my spouse's character, and the inspiration for and older brother of several of mine) can be found here:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11311542/1/Once-Upon-A-Hero

Probably more complicated than I needed, but .... I have a weird brain.

Bugge X
Imperial
Dragonknight

Son of Bugge IX, the upper Nobility own a residence near Bruma in Cyrodiil.
But this placed was destroys by the Daedras.
I was a strong fighter, even in younger ages. I killed a few Dremoras wich destroyed my Homeplace
and killed my Family. But, i was forced to Couldharbor by Mannimarco and my Soul was banned.
i swore a bloody revenge , the day would come.
Within this years in imprisonment i became even stronger.
My Blood boiled with rage.

One day, I got the Chance to escape my Soul prison, and cant remember much, but it was a massacre.
I woke up near Auridon and was tooked to Queen Ayrenn.
She was a mercifully queen, we also mad a deal.
She would give me a Position in here army to conquer my Residence back if i swear here loyalty.
Well my first attempt wasnt that well, i lost good comrades in the fight with the Daggerfall Convenat.

But there wasnt just the war, there was also the rise of Molag Bal.
So upon this, i got a new quest. Finde the Amulet of Kings and fight Molag Bal.
So i did, it was a Long trip throught the Aldmeri Dominion.
I meet new comrades, tooked over the Amulet of Kings
and we fought Molag Bal and banned him, with the help from Daggerfall Convenat and Ebonheart Pact.

In this quest, i became stronger, strong enought to conquer Cyrodiil for our Queen Ayrenn, and take our home back.

But this will be a other Story, the Long fight upon the rubinthron and the massacre in Imperial City.
Now sleep well my Kids.

This is my first story!
I hope you will enjoy it.

Ra’Xzon came in this world when he was a little cub, he appeared out of nowhere but was found in Khenarti’s Roost by a travelling Bosmer called Elisbros Nightlock. He was a travelling healer and an expert in hunting. When Elisbros was travelling to Mistral he saw a portal opening and two deadra carrying a baby. Elisbros was surprised seeing that the deadra just put the baby down and went back into the portal. When the portal closed Elisbros went to the baby and found out that the baby was a Khajitt. Why the deadra brought this little Khajitt to this world was beyond him, but he was convinced that he would found out and brought the little cub with him on his journeys. The deadra left without saying the cub his name, so Elisbros called him Ra’Xzon. A native Khajitt name. The coming years went peaceful, Ra’Xzon was a quick learner and loved hunting with his Bosmer father. Elisbros also taught Ra’Xzon how to heal others but when he began his teachings Ra’Xzon healed very differently than himself. Ra’Xzon healed his allies by draining powers from enemies and so he became quite powerful at a young age. Still Elisbros learned nothing of why the deadra brought Ra’Xzon to this world. When Ra’Xzon turned eighteen the deadra came back and killed Elisbros, and took Ra’Xzon with them and locked him up in the soul prison. Why the deadra did this, was Ra’Xzon unclear but he knew he would avenge his father.

( Grammar can be a bit off, but hey I'm Dutch so yeah )

My wood elf is a scrub hunter. I find scrubs in pvp and find them alone in an alley and slowly kill them. Then I check their name off the list.

This one is a khajiit only serves the khajiit and nothing else. Only reason this one sides with the dominion is Razum-dar, this one does not care if Arreyn lives or dies, as long as Raz and the rest of the khajiiti people are fine this one is.

This one has no memories of before Lyris waking me in Coldharbour.

Edit 1:Since I am not really an RPer that is all I got, whenever I get the option in a quest I choose what is the best for the khajiit (like in Shadowfen i choose to release the prisoner back to AD even though the nords didn't really like it)

Edit 2: Her name is Shrödinger's Khajiit. She choose this code name after returning from Coldharbour, both because her enemies would not know if she is dead or alive (and they won't know untill they find her at which point it is too late) and becaude she thought it would be an ironic joke since she has been in both dead and alive. (Not really, I just choose the name because I thought it would be fun)

Edit 3: She is also a werewolf, after paying a man to show her the temple of the Moon gods she was tricked to go to the shrine of the hubter god, once there she was ambushed the moment she turned her back on him, her only chance for survival was to accept the "blessing", fourtunantley she has the beast under controll, she won't even have to turn into a wolf unless she wants too.

Okay, you asked. When it comes to roll playing, I can be a bit ... intense.

Step 1 ... we begin with a spreadsheet. Yes, really, we do. I have three spreadsheets. One tracks and manages all my crafting skills and traits across three characters. Another tracks skill point allocation and plans out how many skill points I can get and how they should be spent. The third tracks my overall character choices (race, class, weapon choice, crafting choice, moral alignment and personal philosophy).

I like to choose different characters in different zones. I rarely choose the exact same character twice.

Step 2 ... all my characters have a backstory, moral alignment and philosophy. Years ago there was a mod for Oblivion that added NPCs you could recruit - but they had a moral alignment. If you made choices they didn't like, they left. I loved that idea for my characters, and I brought it to Skyrim and ESO.

Moral alignment is deeply influenced by events in my character's life. What happened in their childhood? Was their family stable? What events brought them to this place? Once the alignment is chose, their choices will be driven by their alignment.

(This is where I wish there was a wider range of consequences for choices in ESO ... rather than, no matter what you choose, you end up in exactly the same place.)

Step 3 ... build my character based her backstory and her moral alignment. Now I finalize race, class, etc., based upon Steps 1 (considering how this new character fits into what I already have) and Step 2 (backstory, etc.). Age, race, skills are all managed to be realistic.

Example,

Aelyssa Locke: Aelyssa's like was inspired by one of my favorite books as a child, Frank Herbert's Dune. Aelyssa was the daughter of a Duke in Daggerfall, whose wife (Aelyssa's stepmother) betrayed him with another minor noble. One the eve of her betrothal, following the party, her father is killed and their castle is taken. Aelyssa barely escapes with her life, aided by her father's Redguard bodyguard, Rhevar Telan. Rhevar helps Aelyssa get to a boat, which is captained by an Orc smuggler in her father's service. Rhevar gives his life creating a distraction so they can escape.

Morally, Aelyssa is noble. She won't steal. She won't cheat (she's living the consequences). She will spare lives, if she can. Her distrust of Bretons is deep (despite being Breton herself and in the DC). Her allies are Orcs (she was aided by an Orc after she escaped). Her choices are consistent with her background.

Choice examples: In Bethnik, she clearly will not surrender the device to the DC. First, her allies are Orcs. Second, she has deep distrust of Bretons.

In Glenumbra, when given a choice between letting a certain Duke see his family again, she refused coldly. Again, her distrust of her own people runs very, very deep.

I've played some version of Aelyssa in Skyrim and ESO. In Skyrim, she fled Daggerfall and arrived at Solitude (thanks to a certain mod by @Arthmoor ... ). In ESO, she manages to escape to Skyrim, and is on her way to an Orc stronghold, when she is captured by cultists.

When she returns to Nirn, years have passed. The people who have betrayed her are dead. She has no way of obtaining revenge, which frustrates her. Part of her journey (e.g. Joseph Cambell) is to come to terms with her revenge and to learn to make choices, and sacrifices, for the good of everyone, even the people she despises.

I have worn the skeleton polymorph since i earned it a long long time ago.

The character beneath the polymorph no longer exists.

The polymorph represents an idea and ideas are bullet proof.

I have less of a backstory than a forward-story. My Breton main in ESO is the ancestor of my second Morrowind character, first Oblivion character, and second Skyrim character. Born a commoner, her exploits in the time of the Three Banners War led to being raised to minor nobility.

The house she founded spawned a line of brave adventurers who have a habit of getting arrested but redeeming themselves in rather dramatic ways.

My character, and his name is John Cena.

He is NB.

You cannot see him.

He is the champion.

Khajiit male nightblade: m'asad Lynx
Khajiit female dragonknight: Pakhet Lynx

The two siblings, hailing from the dense jungles of southern elsweyr, ate direct descendants of the dark mane's dar"mathra followers from the great war. Often looked down upon for their heritage, they tend to not get along with the khajiit of northern elsweyr much, and spend more time operating across tamriel as blades for hire.

M'asad practices the dark moon techniques of the ancient dar'mathra warriors, becoming incorporeal or invisible at, a whim and teleporting around his foes in battle like a ghost. He hefts a great dai-scimitar or dai-falchion in combat, cleaving through the opposition. His younger sister Pakhet wields the fire and earth magics of the southern Khajiiti shamans and a pair of scimitars.

Ill keep each one to a short summary.

Korith - is a gold loving mercenary captain in a company of sellswords. Raised in the lowlands of Whiterun as a commoner, Korith was never satisfied with the idea of farming the land his father worked so that some fat noble and lording jarl could take the kingshare of his efforts. Korith felt a Nord should do as the Nords have always done. Drink copious amounts of meade, bed bar wenches, fight and kill, conquer and cut out an empire of their own, chase treasure and die long before you get so old you could no longer hold a sword and shield. So when Korith was old enough he set out on his own. Eventually falling in with a sellsword company that was recruiting for a new contract they had won. He would go on to fight in numerous conflicts including King Ransers War in 2E 566 at the young age of 16. He can often be found drunk in a tavern or in the bed of women of ill repute. Oddly enough Korith styles himself some sort of knight. Though he shows little in the way of honor and dignity one might expect of a knight. He fights dirty and to no ones knowledge ever even attempted to save a damsel in distress. With all of this said, Korith now 32 as of 2E 582 has climbed the ranks of the company to become one of its captains. Distinguishing himself as one of the toughest members of the company with no one questioning his bravery and ferocity.

Enrerion - is a long standing member of the same company of sellswords. Over 200 years old he is one of the oldest members of the company and serves as one of the companys many mages. A highborne Altmer who once participated in the early years of the Mages Guilds expansion across Tamriel. Enrerion doesnt speak much of what lead him to the company but what is known is that he has a taste for the finer things in life. Things a typical Mages Guild member would not be able to afford otherwise. Rumors from sources within the Mages Guild claim Enrerion was guilty of selling blacklisted potions, enchantments, ancient artifacts that somehow never made it onto Mages Guild ledgers and magical knowledge to anyone that was willing to pay the exuberant price. And that he was known to overcharge for the actual services the Mages Guild did provide. Only to skim off the top and list the sale in ledgers as much less. For all the rumors Enrerion is especially gifted with magic. He's known to be one of the more powerful members of the company and is regularly approached to handle such matters that may arise dealing with magic.

Laerinel - has been a wandering thief and at times assassin. She was picked up by Koriths sellsword company during a visit to Eastmarch. She had been betrayed by one of her handlers during a contract to assasinate Thane Jeggi and was in the cells awaiting her beheading. The sellsword company had just entered into negotiations for a contract to enter Cyrodiil under the Ebonheart Pacts Banner when Gallisten, another captain in the company, acquired her release. She would have to serve as a scout and assassin for the company or face the executioner. This was back in 2E 580 when the Three Banners War was just beginning. At first Laerinel was reluctant to work for the company but eventually warmed up to the idea when she realized how much she could make as a sellsword during a time of war. For all the gold and treasures shes secured over the years with the company Laerinel still falls back into her old ways often enough that Korith has threatened to behead her himself. Shes no longer allowed to accompany company leaders to secure contracts as shes been caught pickpocketing and even at least once known to have collected on an assassination contract while on company business. Both Gallisten and Korith now keep a close eye on her out of fear she may stir up trouble for them with potential employers. Going as far as randomly tossing her belongings after discovering the possible use of skooma with a Khajiit that went by the name of Powdered Paws. While Laerinel can be known as the typical Bosmer troublemaker amongst her fellow sellswords. Shes one of the best scouts and archers in the company. And often leads scouting parties and has on occasion been tasked with the assassination of enemy leaders.

Caius - was once a battlemage with the Imperial Legion before being framed by a fellow battlemage by the name of Idareth. Idareth was a son of one of the nobleman in Cyrodiil and had up to that point failed to make much of himself that his birth right and privilege hadnt already gained him. He saw Caius as a threat and once they found themselves competing for the same promotion. Idareth set out to frame Caius for necromancy and Daedra worship (this is prior to the rule of Emperor Leovic and the legalization of Daedra worship in Cyrodiil). Caius was quickly expelled from the Legion and cast out of Cyrodiil. He would eventually fall in with pirates before a battle with Maomer scarred him for life and left him for dead on a beach in Elsweyr. His burned and broken body would be taken to some monks at a monastery belonging to Mara. After long reflection and soul searching while recovering from his wounds he came to the decision to put his gift of magic to good use as a healer. Caius would spend the next 10 years studying and praying to Mara at the monastery. But he never felt comfortable there and he would eventually leave the monastery to roam Cyrodiil during the early months of the Three Banners War healing any fallen soldier he came upon. At some point he came upon Gallisten who was severely injured and left for dead. After patching Gallisten up enough for travel. Caius accompanied Gallisten back to the companys campsite just outside of the Northern Morrowind Gate. Caius would remain on with the company as a healer and cook. Often joining Korith and Laerinel on scouting missions. Out of all of the sellswords Caius seems the most out of place amongst the ex criminals, brigands and treasure chasers. His biggest vice would be drinking but he still cant hold a candle to Koriths alcoholism. If there is any skeletons in this mans closet. Its the things that he did while pirating. All of which he has left behind except in his nightmares.

Tenarei - is a recent recruit to the company and the cousin of Laerinel. A Tree Witch back in Malabal Tor, Tenarei grew up in the wild. While she wasnt outwardly shunned by her own clan most of her time was spent alone with the Green as she preferred it over contact with others. She would eventually discover her affinity for magic and begin studying anything she could get her hands on regarding the subject. She spent countless hours honing her abilities through trial and error. To finance her self teaching and search for new books and resources she began healing minor ailments and injuries. Quickly becoming known amongst her clan as the Tree Witch of Valeguard. But things would change for her when the Aldmeri Dominion began arriving in larger numbers in Velyn Harbor. Quiet rumors of Tenarei using dark magic practices that once kept the local Bosmer entertained quickly became a concern for local Thalmor Officials. Tenarei left Malabal Tor and sought out her cousin after Fists of the Thalmor began hunting her for supposed crimes against the Eight. Tenarei had long known of Laerinels exploits with the sellsword company and decided to seek her out. After months of travel aboard ship and caravans Tenarei would finally run into Laerinel and the company in the Rift. There Gallisten would sign her on as a hedge mage and placed her with Korith as one of his scouts. In the short time that Tenarei has been with the company shes proven herself to be a talented archer and scout. Shes still quite green when it comes to fighting but has shown great promise with her use of offensive magicka and restoration.

Dazsh Ro Kar - the aging mercenary and healer has been with the company longer then both Gallisten and Korith. Dazsh has never shown an interest in leadership but has on occasion lead the company in the midst of some of the fiercest battles the company has ever been part of. Due to the fact that no one currently leading or participating in the company has been around longer then Dazsh. Little is known of where he comes from or his full story. When pressed for details he can often be secretive and misleading. Telling one person a story that almost always contradicts what hes told another. And when hes not out scouting or fighting he spends the majority of his time amongst other Khajiit in the company. The few times hes been in taverns with Korith and others hes quickly been kicked out under suspicions of being a thief and skooma peddler. Though no ones ever seen him with stolen goods or skooma within the company. He is often quite misleading as to what the exact details were that lead to him being removed from these taverns and his Khajiiti companions have a known history of skooma use and thievery. For all the mystery surrounding Dazsh what is known about him is his bravery and fearlessness in the face of great danger.

Aban - the historian and mage is also a former member of the Mages Guild. While he is no where near as powerful a mage as Enrerion, he is probably far more knowledgeable about magic then most of the mages within the company. Aban has struggled to adapt to the lifestyle of a sellsword and has spent most of his time acting as a company historian and clerk rather than actually doing any fighting. Typically he remains behind to tend to the camp when the company marches out to meet the enemy. And while generally regarded as a coward among some more loose lipped members of the company Aban has come to gain the respect of Gallisten, Korith and the other company captains through his invaluable knowledge of magic and the history of many of the locations the company visits. Most of his time has been spent reading and memorizing books on magic and the histories of Tamriel. He can be quite skittish around blood and has been known to cower when fighting has broke out. Hes rightly earned the nickname the Book Mage as hes been rarely seen using magic and rumors abound among some that he has no actual affinity for it. Coward or not, he has proven himself to the company through his ability to advise the captains on everything from magical artifacts, drawing up binding contracts and his salesmanship to potential employers. Gallisten is said to never approach a future employer without the Book Mage in tow.

Keshna - the Black Orc is the companys Quartermaster. Her nickname was given to her because of her black armor and rumored black heart. She is quite hot headed and has been known to start brawls with other members of the company for no other reason than shes in a fighting mood. They often put her on the leading edge of attacks because of her ferocity in battle. Keshna is one of the most dangerous members of the company and has killed atleast three active members. The first one was dismissed as self defense when it came to light he had entered her tent in a drunken stupor. The second and third kills were much more ambiguous or outright questionable. But Korith has been known to stand up for her and at times refuse to let the others remove her from the company. Its rumored that they are lovers but its advisable not to bring this up to Korith especially when he is drunk. As one might end up with a tankard to the side of the head. And no one is brave or dumb enough to say such things in front of Keshna when she has been known to have killed men for less. While Keshna might seem as if shes a raging mammoth in Orc skin. She is not always as unapproachable as many might lead newcomers to believe. Shes the daughter of a deposed Chieftain and exile from her own clan. Raised in the shadow of the once ruins of Orsinium. Her father, though an outcast by the time of her arrival, showed her little love, was often abusive and treated her as if she wasnt worthy of the Traghar name...as if the name had any worth anyway. Before her 13th birthday the Orc that had exiled her father showed up in her encampment. Her father hadnt actually been exiled but fearing death at the hands of his challenger had somehow slipped away after being severely injured. The man that had often claimed to have been betrayed and had his clan stolen from him by cowards turned out to be the true coward. She watched her miserable father die that day only to be spared by her fathers killer if she left Wrothgar forever. Giving her a days head start he chased her mercilessly for five days and four nights before she reached the border of Stormhaven. With the roar of bear mounts and Orc berserker screams behind her she was nearly cut down by the Breton guards in front of her only to be saved by a knight that just so happened to have been inspecting the embattlements at that particular border crossing. From the arms of the knight with eyes full of tears and rage Keshna swore to never be so weak again and live a life of bravery her father could never muster.

My concept for my Dunmer Templar was that he was a low-ranking member of House Indoril and an Ordinator in training before he was abducted by the Worm Cult.

Imagine my disappointment when I got to Davon's Watch and was told, "Since you're not a member of House Indoril...."

Made my Redguard Stamblade some actual Redguard medium armor at V10 after using just about every other style my crafter can do. Dyed it black with dark gray trim and a few red hilights. It looks very secret agenty, so I sort of think of her now as the Black Widow of Hammerfell. She just wanders around freelance avenging. The red belt buckle sorta kinda looks like a spider if you don't look directly at it.