Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-26400653-20150608022111/@comment-9212235-20150727041204

I'll touch on all things.

OP: We don't know what event begins the 5th Era, but we know it isn't Alduin's defeat. Eras begin with a crowning of an Emperor/Empire (Camoran/Ayleids and Tiber) or the death of the reign of one with no heir (Reman and Martin). Neither of these has happened. I find it highly unlikely that Bethesda would set up all of this story for the 4th Era just to that quickly end it. The story of the 4th Era, i believe, will revolve around the Empire's struggle against the Thalmor and their Dominion and the continued colapse of Mudus and the Dream as well as the colapse of the Towers. Every single game has seen the loss of a Tower (save for Arena) and I doubt that will stop. Green-Sap, Khajiit, and Orichalc are potential candidates. While it is theorized that all three are disabled, there is potential for this to not be true.

On Alduin's return: It is completely possible that Alduin will return some day. However, his defeat marks the major event that prolongs the life of this kalpa in order to birth the Nu-Man, the Amaranth of the next Dream. Landfall was Numidium destroying Nirn. If Alduin showed up, it would be the complete end and eating of this kalpa. Jubal could not exist within this story.

On Alduin: Akatosh is not his father. They are immortal et'ada and cannot procreate. Akatosh did not create Alduin, but instead is a piece of the whole that the Dragon once was. The line about him being his father was nothing more than Aluin attempting to explain a very complex relationship to a simple mortal brain in a very short period of time.