The rumor aboutThe Elder Scrolls: Arenais that it was inspired by aDungeons & Dragonsgame that the developers were playing during development. Whether this is true or not, the latest game in the seriesThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrimstill carries the TTRPG blood. Everything from its focus on dungeon diving to its races, and how it approaches its lore all feels like a direct branch from its fabled origins.Related:The Elder Scrolls 6 Needs to Take One Cue From D&D
SinceThe Elder Scrolls: Arena,all the games have taken place on the continent of Tamriel. Creating a world is a mountain of a task for a GM. It can be hard to know where to start, but using an already-realized world allows the GM to focus more on the plot and characters the players will encounter. This can be beneficial for a struggling Game Master.
10Everyone has a Mutual Understanding
One of the best parts about using a fictional setting that is widely popular as Tamriel is everyone around the table will have an understanding of the world. This can save time from players asking if something can work and instead get down to whom the player characters are. While there is a threat of meta-gaming, after all the Argonian from Black Marsh probably won’t know about the location of Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim, the shared understanding of the world can lead to less head aches.
This mutual understanding can also extend to the tone of the world. WhileThe Elder Scrollsworlds have many different tones but if everybody has an understanding of what is found in the world even thewildest joke charactercan still feel grounded.
9A Classic Start
AllThe Elder Scrollsgames start with the player in prison. A prison start forD&Dcampaign is almost as classic as starting out in an inn.The Elder Scrollsgames show a wide range of ways that prisons can be used for inspiration.
Players could escape a literal dungeon crawl like in the earlier games. Are they released on a mission like inThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowindor does something set them free like inSkyrim? This tradition allows the GM to get past the most challenging part of the first session, getting the party together. Escaping jail together can a very bonding experience.
8Change The Setting To Fit The Table
BeforeThe Elder Scrolls Onlinethe province ofCyrodiil was described as a jungle in the second era. This was changed in the development ofElder Scrolls Onlineto a more war-torn version of the landscape that players saw inThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. This even happened to some of the lore aroundSkyrim. For example Markarth in older lore was the bread basket of Skyrim, instead of the mountainous region.
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A GM can choose whether to include older lore into their version of Tamriel. They can even change the era that the game is set. If a GM is worried about ruining the cannon ofThe Elder Scrollsthere is always an early third era. This is a time that is never shown in any of the games making it a great sandbox for both GMs and Players.
7Ten Main Races Plus More
Man, Mer, and Beastfolks are the three types of race that are found on Tamriel. The nature of the races ofSkyrimis one of the unique parts of its world-building. While all the classic fantasy archetypes are all there, but each have a slight twist. Orcs and dwarfs ofThe Elder Scrollsbeing elves is just the tip of the weird iceberg of races.
This mix of recognizable and strange twists can be enticing to play. There are also numerous other races, which while some have appeared in the games,are never playable. From the sea elves of Summerset Isle to the Fox people of Black Marsh. This gives players enough freedom to still play what they want if they don’t find it in the core races.
6Star Signs Are Great For Characters
One aspect which makesThe Elder Scrollscharacter creation interesting is the Star Signs. These signs are basically the horoscope of the universe, but they actually give people powers like being able to carry more things or even turn invisible for a short time.
Related:All 13 Standing Stones In Skyrim, Ranked
While some star signs like the atronach stone are nearly impossible to translate into the mechanics ofD&D. The benefits to a character’s role play out weights the difficulty of home brew. Taking inspiration for character traits, or even a theme for a character can stand out. A book inThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowindeven goes over each personality traits linked to the star signs.
5A Whole Mine Of New Magical Metals
A great reward for a long grueling dungeon is a new magical weapon. Luckily Tamriel is full of them. Though they differ a lot from other fantasy worlds metals. The metals ofD&Dare metals like cold iron, mithril, and adamantine.
Though these metals aremoonstone, ebony, and even glassinElder Scrolls. While the looks of each of these metals have changed throughout the series they still make the setting stand out. Tamriel is the only place you’ll find a Glass Helmet. Perfect for mixing things up from the standard mithril breastplate.
4The Deep Lore Is A Well Of Inspiration
One job of the GM is to make sure the player’s story is mapped out with all twists and turns. How much the player will know about the plan is up to the table, but twists tend to be kept secret.The Elder Scrollsworld is full of twists that a GM could draw from.
From fan theories to information only mentioned in one side quest or one in game book is great for inspiration. From many different chosen ones, minor gods and McGuffins the GM should be able to find a coat of plot hooks. Some of the deepestElder Scrollslorecan become very meta, perfect for big scale plots.
3Use Old and New Locations
Skyrimhas three maps in its history. Each has locations that the other does not. This gives a treasure trove of maps, history, and surprises for GM to use. Just because the players know theElder Scrolls V: Skyrimmap like the back of their hand that doesn’t stop the GM putting Sungaurd fromArenato make the world fill just a little bit bigger.
Unlike the limit of video games, the players can wander outside the province. This means the GM could spin a content-wide adventure visiting the old dungeons of Morrowind and to the never-before-seen villages in the forests of Valenwood. Both nostalgia and the awe can be used by an imaginative GM to set the scene.
2A World Full Of Enemies
Despite how many demigods gamers have killed throughout their playthrough ofSkyrimthere is still plenty out there.From goblin tribesto the great empire of the Thalmor there are plenty of threats to keep the party dungeon crawling.
Related:Skyrim: The Strongest Mages, According To Lore
Though, not all threats are made equal. A bandit leader doesn’t exactly stand up to the God of Necromancy, but this escalation is perfect for a game with set levels likeD&D,unlike the scaling levels ofSkyrim. This doesn’t mean players can’t be fighting daedra at level 1, but they may only be dealing with scamps for a while.
1A Range Of Adventures
One of the best experiences of replayingSkyrimis finding new quests or discovering new caves. Whether it is a cave leading to a quest to kill an undead queen or a mysterious beacon found in rewards chestSkyrimis full of different adventures. Though many people want to experience this adventures with friends to the point that one of largest mods allows the game to be multiplayer.
Wanting to go on a fantasy adventure with friends is what draws a lot of people to games likeD&D.Tamriel is known for its sense of adventure making it perfect for a TTRPG. Not only for inspiration that a GM can use, but players can really experience climbing any mountain described to them.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis available now on PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
