Why boats take you to Alinor? How to properly start the main Summerset quest? [spoilers]

maboleth · May 2018

I'm one of those people that want to start quests like a story. I like to be approached or to witness something that will pull me in. I like to think as a character that I play, rather than use my own knowledge about zones and quests.

Anyway, I went to the Mage's guild in Auridon and talked to Galerion. He offered me a quest and the story about the Oracle. I finished it, saved the Oracle and was told to go to Summerset to investigate further.

I took a boat to Summerset and arrived in - Alinor!

Why Alinor? Shouldn't I be in Shimmerene, closest city to Auridon island. Alinor is a beautiful and majestic city, I was blown away, but don't know what to do there? How can my character get a clue to go somewhere and start the main quest? Any hint or clue in Alinor? People in the zone told me there's none.

I find it strange and awkward to take a boat to Summerset only to arrive in Alinor and then travel with my horse to Shimmerene, without any clue. :-/

Ajaxandriel · June 2018

I agree ! I had the same, and I did ride to Shimmerene right after landing.

Only new characters spawn in Shimmerene... That's a bit awkward.
When landing on Vvardenfell, Seyda Neen was the entry both for new and older characters

maboleth · June 2018

Yes. Actually, for Morrowind we were given two options - travel to Seyda Neen or Vivec.

Having both Alinor or Shimmerene destinations would do the trick here too. But now we have "Travel to Summerset" that will take you straight to - Alinor. :-/

The only boat I've found that takes you to Shimmerene is from the Vivec port. I really don't understand the rationale behind this. I know Alinor is the capital, but still, there's zero clue in that city about meeting with someone that will help you (Raz).

Eporem · June 2018

maboleth wrote: »

I'm one of those people that want to start quests like a story. I like to be approached or to witness something that will pull me in. I like to think as a character that I play, rather than use my own knowledge about zones and quest=

would this not be then a perfect opportunity to play as a character not having previous knowledge of zones and quests

Vuldovahkriid · June 2018

My character was chilling in Auridon before heading over, and there was a boat at the dock that took you straight to Shimmerene. Go to the Chapter's tab in the menu, and accept the quest it'll put an icon on it.

Also I have to say ZOS actually did a really good job with this expansion. When I logged into my character the first night, I could see Shimmerene from where I was on Auridon's coast(plus other small ruins). That attention to detail is always a plus.

maboleth · June 2018

Vuldovahkriid wrote: »

My character was chilling in Auridon before heading over, and there was a boat at the dock that took you straight to Shimmerene. Go to the Chapter's tab in the menu, and accept the quest it'll put an icon on it.

Thanks for that. Yes, accepting the quest from the "stories" really puts the icon on the boat that will take you to the Shimmerene. I find it a bit awkward, because the selected boat is being used by other sailor that, when talked, will take you to Morrowind. The arrow head is there only if you start the quest via "Stories". I never do quests like that though.

There's no doubt that this boat decision (default to Alinor, without other options) has been made on purpose. Though I fail to see the rationale. A simple option "Travel to Alinor or Shimmerene" would do the trick.

Vuldovahkriid wrote: »

Also I have to say ZOS actually did a really good job with this expansion. When I logged into my character the first night, I could see Shimmerene from where I was on Auridon's coast(plus other small ruins). That attention to detail is always a plus.

Absolutely. I *love* Summerset and Alinor in particular (the only city I've seen so far). It's my new home for my high elf.