Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-50.10.177.94-20130209065558/@comment-6685058-20130225022551

Tarkastio wrote: Lemonizerchimp wrote: Actually it makes no mention to a fourth or different empire it just says it is a different dynasty, and I would agree with Jdarkdorsett as it is the same empire essentally just a different dynasty. Pardon me, but yes it does. Mede Empire is held seperate from the Septim Empire, besides the difference in dynasties. If you shall pardon the affront, did you even look at the wikia link?

In essence, they may be similar and play all the same roles as in the other Elder Scroll games, they are in fact different if you care enough about the lore to make the distinction.

In the Septim Empire wikia page:

"The Empire went for 15 more years before the death of Chancellor Ocato which cause a brutal civil war in Cyrodiil 'and' ended when the Colovian warlord Titus Mede conquered the Imperial City and took over what was left of the Empire and a new empire was born."

This statement rather clearly indicates a difference between the two empires, is why I spoke out concerning them being the same empire, which has been stated as untrue by the wikia. "Unfortunately, ever since the beginning of the Fourth Era, the Septim Empire has undergone heavy changes and loss of provinces. The death of Martin Septim and the end of the Oblivion Crisis marked the end of the Septim Dynasty, only to be lead by the Mede Dynasty. The province of Black Marsh was lost as a result of the Oblivion Crisis, Morrowind became independent when the Empire had pull its forces from Morrowind to defend Cyrodiil during the Oblivion Crisis. Slowly, the Altmer of the Summerset Isles recreated the Aldmeri Dominion, taking the provinces of Valenwood and Elsweyr with them. The Empire went for 15 more years before the death of Chancellor Ocato which cause a brutal civil war in Cyrodiil and ended when the Colovian warlord Titus Mede conquered the Imperial City and took over what was left of the Empire and a new empire was born.

By the time of the Great War, the Empire was only a shadow of its former self. Only by signing the White-Gold Concordat was the Empire was able to survive the endless attacks by the Dominion. The treaty only lead to the loss of Hammerfell, where the southern part of the province would have been handed over to the Dominion, if not for the Redguard uprising. Since then, the northern portion of Hammerfell has been warring with the Dominion-held southern portion. Also in the treaty was the banishing of all worship of Talos, which would go on to cause the Stormcloak Rebellion in Skyrim. (Many Nords and other Talos-worshiping races now simply worship in secret.) All that is left of the new empire are the provinces of High Rock, Cyrodiil and the war-torn province of Skyrim."

Based on this there seems to be some incosistencies with the facts whether it is a new empire or just a continuation with a new dynasty. It says both. I think it is the same empire with a new dynasty ruling because of several facts: they still have SEPTIMS for currency, the Blades were still around as the bodyguards to the MEDE Emperor until after their destruction during the Great War and cancilation by the treaty that followed, not the dragon blood filled Septims, they still have the Imperial Legions with the Imperial Dragon in a diamond from the Red Diamond heraldy of the SEPTIM dynasty. All in all, it is the same empire with a different dynasty, pretty weakened and might die soon, but still the Third Empire. The SEPTIM Empire.