Maintenance for the week of April 15:
• [COMPLETE] ESO Store and Account System for maintenance – April 16, 8:00AM EDT (12:00 UTC) - 6:00PM EDT (22:00 UTC)
I'll admit, the inclusion of parts of Black Marsh in the zone had me a bit worried that we were going to see one of the two potentials for an Imperial focused zone relegated to more of a focus on Argonians, effectively depriving Imperials of a zone. However, having seen the trailer and preview footage/images from the reveal, my confidence is a restored that the Imperials will not once more be relegated to side characters and mustache-twirling villains. (I take the fact that the player's representation in the trailer is "The Imperial", indicating that they may perhaps play the larger role.)
Much remains to be see, but I will be at least pleased if the end result is more Imperial "stuff" than there is Argonian "stuff". At least then it won't feel like the Imperials have been cheated out of a zone.
What we do see of the Imperials looks promising so far. Leyawiin appears to be interesting. The Niben Forest will without a doubt be my favorite biome from the new chapter. And what appears to be the Ivory Brigade's motif is definitely one I'll be looking to farm. It's got a good Imperial flair to it, and a welcome break from the fur-lined thick armors we've seen last year. Alas, it does continue the tradition of hip and crotch flaps.
Overall, this year could be more varied when we have Imperial and Argonian locations (as well as Daedric ones) and learn more about both cultures, which are very different. In Elsweyr, the Khajiit for example really got on my nerves after a year. In Oblivion I actually liked Leyawiin the least of all corners, too musty, too wet. And then this shack that you could buy as a house ... But on the pictures it looks as if this region is now a little more friendy. I imagine it will be a strong contrast to other parts of Blackwood.
Those new uniforms look really nice. My Imperial Legion character has been holding out for an "Ancestral Imperial" to be added to the antiquities system but perhaps this will be even better.