New Expansion Idea: Falinesti and the Hunting Grounds?

Raltin · July 14

If/When time comes for another expansion to hit, or a nice juicy zone season, and bosmer content needs another bone throwed to it, picture this... Throughout vanilla's Dominion storyline, we find the four seasonal sites of Falinesti, and the bosmer left behind try to find out what happened to it. In one site, one of the Falinesti faithful speculated that the city was spirited away to Oblivion. We know Hircine covets the bosmer people, even tried to take over during Malabal Tor's questline. So...

Join the Falinesti Faithful and brave the depths of Oblivion, as we enter the heart of Hircine's realm; explore the savage Hunting Grounds, and discover the fabled Walking City! Find out the truth over its disappearance, and meet the lost creatures of Valenwood that were taken with Falinesti: forgotten bosmer clans, Centaurs and even the Imga. Prove yourself to Falinesti's people and take your place as their champion, as The Great Hunt looms: the Prince's contest that will decide the fate of The Walking City...

Yay or Nay? Once the time is right and the mood strikes us all for more content like this, of course. We recently got more bosmer content with Gold Road, so I understand if we need a break before something like this comes along.

Erickson9610 · July 14

I like the sound of this! Plus, I'm down for anything related to Hircine and/or werewolves. It would be nice to get a new zone with lots of story content like this again.

TX12001rwb17_ESO · July 14

Remember when we get new zones based on a race we will usually get furniture items associated with that area, the Bosmer were already too much of a focus in the West Weald zone so I would not add anymore Bosmer zones as adding them now would make it look trying to blatantly squeeze them into areas they do not belong, what I would add though is Solstheim and the Hunting Grounds, a node to TES 3: Bloodmoon.

Both Zones don't need to be massive

The Hunting Grounds would have "Pursuits" not be confused with Golden Pursuits, a powerful enemy will hunt players, players will have to either avoid it by hiding when it appears or they will have to kill it, not something that breaks the game but something akin to a final boss at a Harrowstorm or Geyser.

Solstheim can feature Thirsk Mead Hall and can be a player home on Solstheim earnable during the main quest that can be upgraded by doing various achievements, the house would have Kegs that give you unique consumables once per day.

Skaal Village can be the main hub where the daily quest givers and merchants are.

Miraak's Temple can be present but only partially exposed, most of it is buried under snow.

Raltin · July 14

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

Remember when we get new zones based on a race we will usually get furniture items associated with that area, the Bosmer were already too much of a focus in the West Weald zone so I would not add anymore Bosmer zones as adding them now would make it look trying to blatantly squeeze them into areas they do not belong, what I would add though is Solstheim and the Hunting Grounds, a node to TES 3: Bloodmoon.

Both Zones don't need to be massive

The Hunting Grounds would have "Pursuits" not be confused with Golden Pursuits, a powerful enemy will hunt players, players will have to either avoid it by hiding when it appears or they will have to kill it, not something that breaks the game but something akin to a final boss at a Harrowstorm or Geyser.

Solstheim can feature Thirsk Mead Hall and can be a player home on Solstheim earnable during the main quest that can be upgraded by doing various achievements, the house would have Kegs that give you unique consumables once per day.

Skaal Village can be the main hub where the daily quest givers and merchants are.

Miraak's Temple can be present but only partially exposed, most of it is buried under snow.

Keep in mind that with the sole exception of Lair of Maarselok, bosmer haven't had any content since VANILLA. And when an expansion DOES finally come along that gives them some love, they don't even get a whole expansion... they get half of one.

There's also the fact that of all the crafting motifs in the game that are tied specifically to a race, as in: this race MADE this style (not just use it, but it is literally lore that they made this), bosmer only have 3. Reachmen, technically a non-playable race, have 8. Let that sink in.

While gold road might've given us bosmer content recently, eso has been seriously lacking, and is still lacking, in wood elf content for years. Falinesti would be a great chance to have a whole, focused bosmer content package, including giving us a whole daedric realm to explore, which we've not had since technically vanilla with Coldharbour (since necrom split apocrypha, deadlands was split with fargrave, etc etc)

Even if not, your idea has some narrative snags, recycling tes 3 solstheim content could potentially conflict over the bloodmoon prophecy. Hircine's time on Solstheim will come, lets not rush it when Solstheim could have another, distinct story separate from Hircine and Mora. Likewise Thirsk Mead Hall wasn't built until the Third Era, eso's set in the Second Era, so there'd be a time mix up with that one as well.

TX12001rwb17_ESO · July 14

Raltin wrote: »

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

Remember when we get new zones based on a race we will usually get furniture items associated with that area, the Bosmer were already too much of a focus in the West Weald zone so I would not add anymore Bosmer zones as adding them now would make it look trying to blatantly squeeze them into areas they do not belong, what I would add though is Solstheim and the Hunting Grounds, a node to TES 3: Bloodmoon.

Both Zones don't need to be massive

The Hunting Grounds would have "Pursuits" not be confused with Golden Pursuits, a powerful enemy will hunt players, players will have to either avoid it by hiding when it appears or they will have to kill it, not something that breaks the game but something akin to a final boss at a Harrowstorm or Geyser.

Solstheim can feature Thirsk Mead Hall and can be a player home on Solstheim earnable during the main quest that can be upgraded by doing various achievements, the house would have Kegs that give you unique consumables once per day.

Skaal Village can be the main hub where the daily quest givers and merchants are.

Miraak's Temple can be present but only partially exposed, most of it is buried under snow.

Keep in mind that with the sole exception of Lair of Maarselok, bosmer haven't had any content since VANILLA. And when an expansion DOES finally come along that gives them some love, they don't even get a whole expansion... they get half of one.

There's also the fact that of all the crafting motifs in the game that are tied specifically to a race, as in: this race MADE this style (not just use it, but it is literally lore that they made this), bosmer only have 3. Reachmen, technically a non-playable race, have 8. Let that sink in.

While gold road might've given us bosmer content recently, eso has been seriously lacking, and is still lacking, in wood elf content for years. Falinesti would be a great chance to have a whole, focused bosmer content package, including giving us a whole daedric realm to explore, which we've not had since technically vanilla with Coldharbour (since necrom split apocrypha, deadlands was split with fargrave, etc etc)

Even if not, your idea has some narrative snags, recycling tes 3 solstheim content could potentially conflict over the bloodmoon prophecy. Hircine's time on Solstheim will come, lets not rush it when Solstheim could have another, distinct story separate from Hircine and Mora. Likewise Thirsk Mead Hall wasn't built until the Third Era, eso's set in the Second Era, so there'd be a time mix up with that one as well.

And Cropsford was built in the third era, I also never said anything about Hircine invading besides Morrowind came out 25 years ago, a lot of people playing ESO were not even born when it came out, the focus can be on Werebears and even grant a Werebear skill style for the Werewolf.

Erickson9610 · July 14

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

the focus can be on Werebears and even grant a Werebear skill style for the Werewolf.

Knowing that a werebear style would need an entirely separate rig and set of animations, I don't think it's likely. Maybe after the Combat Refresh efforts are done and there is leftover budget for these new animations.

Emeratis · July 14

I personally would rather they bring Falinesti in with the teases they set up all the way in base game relating to Mephala. I also as a bosmer fan would like bosmer content that isn't somehow overlapping with Hircine since bosmer lore/culture/etc is so much more than Hircine related/adjacent things. I'm not saying I never want to see it but it's been done to death and imo needs a bit of a break.

Also since Hircine already has a lot of things in game including the upcoming trial I would much rather them continue with the Mephala teases in base game. Mephala is also lacking a lot of major story content and there is a lot of interesting things they could talk about such as how priests of Y'ffre and Mephala are both callled spinners that could enrich all aspects involved.

Raltin · July 14

Replaying valenwood content atm... anyone else remember that lovable goof Dringoth, from the Bone Orchard in Grahtwood? The Falinesti elves were the ones to plant the barrowbough and imprison the wandering bones... this idea could help us meet Dringoth again for anyone who misses the guy xD

Raltin · July 14

Emeratis wrote: »

I personally would rather they bring Falinesti in with the teases they set up all the way in base game relating to Mephala. I also as a bosmer fan would like bosmer content that isn't somehow overlapping with Hircine since bosmer lore/culture/etc is so much more than Hircine related/adjacent things. I'm not saying I never want to see it but it's been done to death and imo needs a bit of a break.

Also since Hircine already has a lot of things in game including the upcoming trial I would much rather them continue with the Mephala teases in base game. Mephala is also lacking a lot of major story content and there is a lot of interesting things they could talk about such as how priests of Y'ffre and Mephala are both callled spinners that could enrich all aspects involved.

ohhhh, i forgot about the mephala tease set up at the final falinesti site in reaper's march. It's been just over ten years now since I played that bit of content. Good catch.

that said... we'd have to figure something out, because mephala has banned mortals from the spiral skein... and it's probably not the healthiest environment for graht oaks if they somehow ended up there... perhaps a spun-story reality, pocket plane of some kind?

Emeratis · July 14

Raltin wrote: »

Emeratis wrote: »

I personally would rather they bring Falinesti in with the teases they set up all the way in base game relating to Mephala. I also as a bosmer fan would like bosmer content that isn't somehow overlapping with Hircine since bosmer lore/culture/etc is so much more than Hircine related/adjacent things. I'm not saying I never want to see it but it's been done to death and imo needs a bit of a break.

Also since Hircine already has a lot of things in game including the upcoming trial I would much rather them continue with the Mephala teases in base game. Mephala is also lacking a lot of major story content and there is a lot of interesting things they could talk about such as how priests of Y'ffre and Mephala are both callled spinners that could enrich all aspects involved.

ohhhh, i forgot about the mephala tease set up at the final falinesti site in reaper's march. It's been just over ten years now since I played that bit of content. Good catch.

that said... we'd have to figure something out, because mephala has banned mortals from the spiral skein... and it's probably not the healthiest environment for graht oaks if they somehow ended up there... perhaps a spun-story reality, pocket plane of some kind?

It was not just the final site. The Winter Site dealt with an aspect of Rajhin which also has ties to Mephala and the questline there went into a lot of Mephala's sphere of influence, especially with themes of betrayal and deception.

We've already visited parts of the Spiral Skein briefly in stories and who's to say there isn't some relic or magic or even another daedra or divine interceding for us to visit there. If the writers want us to go there there are plenty of ways we can go there.

Besides ESO stuff, Falinesti comes up in the Betrayal of the Second Era game that runs alongside eso but has separate stories for each zone and in that there is talk of Falinesti being in a pocket dimension which also gives a lot of writing/narrative mileage. It doesn't necessarily have to be in the Skein itself, it could very well either be hiding while besieged by Mephala's daedra or in one of the various liminal spaces of oblivion that may or may not be claimed by Mephala. Again, there are a few ways this could go.

ESO has left Falinesti open enough to pick it up at any time but they have at least teased Mephala will (or should be) involved in some capacity and we're probably going to get more planar weirdness which is right up my alley so I'm happy for that. Either way, all of these lead a different direction than a Hircine story. Personally I'd prefer a more going into the weirdness that are bosmer and more abstract concepts of Mephala (I have on more than one occasion vented I am tired of mephala=spiders/budget lolth). Imo it's a fitting two birds one stone for more content and going into more of the deeper parts of both. For me the main question is when is this story told in eso.

LunaFlora · July 14

i would love Falinesti.
but it does not need to be in the same update as a Hunting Grounds zone.

TX12001rwb17_ESO · July 14

Erickson9610 wrote: »

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

the focus can be on Werebears and even grant a Werebear skill style for the Werewolf.

Knowing that a werebear style would need an entirely separate rig and set of animations, I don't think it's likely. Maybe after the Combat Refresh efforts are done and there is leftover budget for these new animations.

You know Werebears were in Skyrim, they shared the same skeleton as a Werewolf.

Gabriel_H · July 14

WWs have got a lot of attention recently, and the upcoming trial is Hircine themed, I think it's time to retire the theme for a bit.

Raltin · July 14

Gabriel_H wrote: »

WWs have got a lot of attention recently, and the upcoming trial is Hircine themed, I think it's time to retire the theme for a bit.

not arguing there, that's why I said 'when it is time', rn hircine and bosmer could use a little cool-off.

Erickson9610 · July 14

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

the focus can be on Werebears and even grant a Werebear skill style for the Werewolf.

Knowing that a werebear style would need an entirely separate rig and set of animations, I don't think it's likely. Maybe after the Combat Refresh efforts are done and there is leftover budget for these new animations.

You know Werebears were in Skyrim, they shared the same skeleton as a Werewolf.

I know that. But, according to ZOS:

ZOS_Erin wrote: »

New were-models, other than the female Werewolf, are not currently being discussed. New models require new rigs and animations, all of which have a significant impact on memory and performance.

So, don't expect other werecreatures to be added to the game any time soon. I know Skyrim cut corners to add werebears, but ESO is not Skyrim.

Rungar · July 14

not there will be another expansion but if there was it should be called: Dark days (of Tamriel)

features would include

1) hard overland invasion zones which replace current overland zones until defeated featuring various daedric princes and their armies. Basically the original zone on steroids with much burning and pillage, the towns and cities becomingstrongholds to be defeated.

2) old dungeons brought back to like with a completely new dungeon system and some trials converted to dungeons under the new system.

3) Combat system overhaul.slightly slower, more weight, more situational, more crowd control, less buttonmashing.

4) NPC guild system

The Elder Scrolls Online

New Expansion Idea: Falinesti and the Hunting Grounds?

New Expansion Idea: Falinesti and the Hunting Grounds? 18 votes