The Elder Scrolls Online

"From Bethesda Softworks and Zenimax Online Studios Comes The Next Chapter In The Elder Scrolls Saga; The Quest To Save Tamriel Begins Spring 2014"

- The Elder Scrolls Online Gameplay Trailer

The Elder Scrolls Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game that was announced in May 2012.

Developed by the team at ZeniMax Online Studios, The Elder Scrolls Online merges the unmatched exploration of rich worlds that the franchise is known for with the scale and social aspects of a massively multiplayer online role-playing game.

An entirely new chapter of Elder Scrolls history will be revealed in this ambitious world, set a millennium before the events of as the Daedric prince, Molag Bal, tries to pull all of Tamriel into his demonic realm, Coldharbour.

This game is scheduled for a Spring 2014 release, and will have a player-vs-player component to it. The game is currently accepting sign-ups for the beta stages.

Storyline
The game is set in the Second Era, in 2E 583, during a period of time known as the Interregnum. It was a period of time known for its political instability. Daedric prince Molag Bal has taken advantage of this instability to try and pull all of Tamriel into his realm of Coldharbour. The Daedric prince is doing so by sending devices called "Dark Anchors" into Tamriel. The Fighters Guild have taken it upon themselves to remove them.

The Tharn family, current rulers of Cyrodiil through Empress Regent Clivia Tharn, has made a pact with, Mannimarco, The King of Worms, who has agreed to supplement the Imperial's forces by resurrecting their soldiers. Secretly, Mannimarco is conspiring with Molag Bal, the Daedric Prince of Corruption and Domination, to take over Mundus. Molag Bal is also harvesting the souls of mortals. The Hero, known as the Soulless One, is an adventurer whose soul has been taken, which allows them to constantly return to life.

Factions
In this game, there are three major playable factions. Those factions are the Aldmeri Dominion, the Daggerfall Covenant, and the Ebonheart Pact.

Aldmeri Dominion
This alliance, led by Queen Ayrenn, consists of Altmer, Bosmer, and Khajiit. It controls the Summerset Isles, Elsweyr, and Valenwood.

The Dominion was formed through simple conquest by the Altmer once they conquered the Bosmer and Khajit.

Daggerfall Covenant
This alliance, led by King Emeric, consists of Orcs, Bretons, and Redguards. It controls High Rock, Hammerfell and the recently-recognized 'province' of Orsinium.

The Covenant was formed by the Bretons through much diplomacy, trade, and marriages.

Ebonheart Pact
This alliance, led by Jorunn the Skald-King, consists of Dunmer, Argonians, and Nords. It controls Skyrim, Morrowind, and Black Marsh.

The Pact was formed by the Dunmer, Argonians, and Nords through diplomacy due to external threats.

Other factions
Other factions that are confirmed to be in the game include:
 * Fighters Guild: Largely involved with destroying Molag Bal's Dark Anchors
 * Mages Guild: Largely involved with collecting "old books and lore"
 * Thieves Guild (Available after launch)
 * Dark Brotherhood (Available after launch)

Locations
Nearly all of Tamriel will appear and will be playable in The Elder Scrolls Online. Each of the Provinces of Tamriel will be playable to some degree. Cyrodiil will be accessible once the character reaches level 10. Some provinces, such as Black Marsh and Elsweyr, will only be able to be traveled to in a limited capacity.

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Black Marsh

 * Shadowfen (Region)

Cyrodiil

 * Bruma
 * Cheydinhal
 * Chorrol
 * Cropsford
 * Hackdirt
 * Imperial City
 * Skingrad

Elsweyr

 * Anequina
 * Dune
 * Fort Sphinxmoth

Hammerfell

 * Bergama
 * Bangkorai (shown in Introduction video, on compass)
 * Hegathe (Added after launch)
 * Lainlyn
 * Leki's Blade
 * Sentinel
 * Stros M´kai (island)

High Rock

 * Camlorn
 * Daggerfall
 * Evermore
 * Shornhelm
 * Wayrest (Capital)

Morrowind

 * Ankledeep Marsh
 * Bal Foyen
 * Crow's Wood (Public Dungeon)
 * Davon's Watch (Town)
 * Deshaan Plain
 * Ebonheart
 * Mournhold (Capital)
 * Stonefalls (Region)

Skyrim

 * Bleakrock
 * Hozzin's Folly
 * Last Rest
 * Nimalten
 * Orkey's Hollow
 * Riften
 * Skuldafn
 * Skyshroud Burrow
 * Windhelm

Summerset Isles

 * Auridon (Island)
 * Firsthold
 * Skywatch

Valenwood

 * Elden Root (Capital)
 * Greenheart
 * Grahtwood
 * Haven
 * Strid Estuary
 * Southpoint
 * Woodhearth

Other

 * Khenarthi’s Roost - "just off the coast of Tamriel". Starting point for Aldmeri Domion (Province unspecified, may be just South of Elsweyr).
 * The Crypt of Hearts - A Dwemer ruin located somewhere in Tamriel. It is a public dungeon. >
 * }

Creatures
A number of creatures will be featured in The Elder Scrolls Online. Many of these creatures have appeared in Elder Scrolls games previously, however, five new Daedra types will be appearing in the game.

The following creatures have been confirmed to be appearing in The Elder Scrolls: Online:

Confirmed Features

 * Player vs Player (available after Level 10)
 * This game will be available in three different languages: English, French, and German.
 * Time-travel will be featured in the game. In one example, the player puts on some old armor and is put in the owner's role, participating in a battle of long ago.
 * Mundus Stones will be used to give characters special abilities.
 * Fast Traveling will be available through unlocked Wayshrines.
 * Mounts will also be included.
 * Classes will be used., including Dragonknight and Templar Other classes include Sorcerer, Warden, and Nightblade. Classes will only define the special abilities of the characters, not the weapon choices.
 * One of the major Skills will be Synergy
 * One Synergy ability is called "Conduit" (Which turned a non-lethal lightning buff into an Area-Of-Effect Lighting Attack).
 * Synergy abilities are those that naturally blend players' abilities together to bring down tougher enemies.
 * Another example: A mage casts fire. A warrior can then go in and start throwing fireballs in every direction". (Quote from Maria Aliprando)
 * Combat
 * Players will be rewarded for successfully attacking, blocking and dodging through the "Finesse" system. Once significant finesse points are earned, players are able to use a designated Finesse attack, called Ultimate Abilities, which level up the more it is used. Ultimate Abilities are Class-based, meaning that each class will have different Ultimate Abilities
 * Crafting: Crafting elements can be done in cities as well as in the wilderness.
 * Players will be able to own a pet, which they can use in combat.
 * Daedric Artifacts will exist in the game, and will be tied to the Fighters Guild storyline.
 * Only 5 Abilities will be available at once, however these can be changed.
 * Abilities can be leveled up to become more powerful the more they are used.
 * 6 Skills can be used at any one time:
 * The first two are weapons skills.
 * The next three are class skills.
 * The final skill is the Ultimate Ability.
 * PVP: In Cyrodiil, combat will revolve around the capturing of Keeps and its surrounding buildings. It is designed for 10-15 players to take a keep, 10 for an Outpost, and 4-6 for a support structure such as a farm or Lumber Mill.
 * Fast Travel in Cyrodiil will be different from the rest of the game. Instead of the Wayshrines, players will travel to the Keeps that they control (Other than those currently under attack)
 * Siege Weapons will not only be in the game, but will be craftable and customisable.
 * Alliance Points: An Alternative advancement system, with 23 ranks at launch. A "lifetime alliance point tally", each rank will give a new title and alliance icon. (Similar to faction ranks in Morrowind and Oblivion).
 * Guilds will exist in the game . Players will get advanced information regarding a keep if it is controlled by their Guild.
 * Guilds will be specific to a Faction's campaign.
 * Public Dungeons will be instanced. That is to say, once you reach Level 50, new areas of the dungeon will open up, and you will be able to see the results of your actions previously in that dungeon. These are known as Adventure Zones
 * Morality and Criminality will be added to the game after launch.
 * Emotes will be available, as will flags for the Megaserver to group players in.
 * Dragon Temples will be in the game


 * A list of wieldable abilities so far includes : Two-Hander, One-Hand and Shield, Dual Wield, Bow, Fire Staff, Ice Staff, Lightning Staff, Heal Staff, or One-Hand and Rune
 * There are a total of eight ranks for increased character weapon proficiency.
 * Daedric Ruins are confirmed to be appearing in the game.
 * Crouching (Sneaking) will use Stamina, as will sprinting and blocking

Skill Perks

 * Like Skyrim, each time your character levels up, you can choose to increase Health, Stamina, or Magicka. Choosing these unlocks passive skills, as seen below.

Trivia

 * Undead werewolves will be featured in the game.
 * A werewolf named Faolchu has amassed a werewolf army and has taken over Camlorn, High Rock.
 * The landscape of Cyrodiil is similar to.
 * Akaviri Invasion: At some point prior to this game, there is an Akaviri Invasion, which sets up the alliances that are formed.
 * The Daggerfall Covenant: 50 years prior to the game, there is a war called King Rancer's War, which players will get to experience.
 * The Tribunal will be in the game.
 * There is a pretender trying to become part of the Tribunal.
 * There will at some point be a battle for the Imperial City.
 * Ruins are confirmed to feature in the game, with the following ruin types confirmed so far: Ayleid Ruins, Daedric Ruins and Old Forts.
 * The contents of books found often relate to the area in which they are found. These books can be read at any time, and, unlike the Elder Scrolls games, will not be part of the inventory.
 * Dragons are not going to be part of the game at this stage.
 * Vaermina is confirmed to appear in the game, and is very important to the questline of one of the regions.
 * Some armor types have been confirmed to appear in the game. These include: Dwarven Armor, Daedric Armor, and Elven Armor . Another is Glass Armor.
 * Vampires will exist from several different houses (Clans).
 * The Mane, the Khajiit spiritual leader, is confirmed to be included in the game
 * The Knahaten Flu will be featured in the game, with various causes and cures offered.
 * At level 50, dungeon raiding becomes more common.
 * Quests: The game will also have "entertaining" twists with some of its quests. For example, with the Ebonheart Pact: In the Bal Foyen area, there is a quest to throw Netch Eggs at Daggerfall Covenant troops, to make Bull Netches attack them.
 * Bleakrock, the starting location for the Ebonheart Pact, will begin with the town being attacked by an opposing faction, the Daggerfall Covenant. Players will have a choice as to where to send the NPCs. (i.e. the fort or the docks). NPCs who go the alternate route will be "lost forever", whilst those that follow you will be seen later on in the game.
 * Enemies have Synergy abilities as well (for example Dwemer Constructs).
 * Keeps will have multiple objectives that must be controlled, whereas Outposts and support structures will only have the one objective.
 * In Cyrodiil, non-PVP-specific quests will be available.
 * The resources surrounding a keep make it more difficult to capture, "in terms of making it get stronger walls, better guards, tougher doors, innate repair meaning without needing players to repair the walls it will repair itself slowly, and then the resources themselves also upgrade too."
 * Each of the factions controls a city in Cyrodiil, and it is unable to lose control of that city. The Ebonheart Pact is in control of Cheydinhal and the Aldmeri Dominion is in control of Skingrad.
 * If the Alliance controls the Empire at the current time, then all players will gain bonuses from this (not just those in Cyrodiil)
 * Bleakrock is commanded by a character known as Lieutenant Rana. Also, there are a total of 15 citizens that can be rescued from Daggefall Covenant attack.
 * Dragon Priests will be in the game, with the shade of one requesting help in Skyshroud Burrow
 * There will be a Perk awarded for being the current Emperor.
 * Dragonknights description: These skillful masters-at-arms use the ancient Akaviri martial arts tradition of battle spirit, and wield fearsome mason that pounds, shatters and physically alters the world around them.
 * Templar description: These traveling knights call upon the powers of light and the burning sun to deal massive damage to their enemies, while restoring health, magicka, and stamina to their allies.
 * Character Customization will currently include: Both a First and Last name; Body type (muscular/large/thin); body color; face type (Heroic, Soft, Angular); Hair Style; Age; Adornment/Clothing; Eyes; and Brow.
 * Increasing the Level cap (50) sometime after launch is something being considered.
 * The Orcs of Orsinium have a king named King Kurog, who insists that the Orsimer worship Mauloch
 * The Creatures' AI system is such so that they not only will work together, but will also be aware when they are being outnumbered by players.
 * Almalexia, Goddess of the Dunmer Tribunal, will feature prominently in the game.
 * Worship of Tu'whacca, Zeht, and Ruptga exists strongly in Hammerfell
 * Archcanons at this time rule over certain sections of Argonia. One such archanon is Heita-Meen
 * The Maormer will be making a "visiting" appearance as NPCs, but are not playable.
 * There will be 300 collectible books to be found throughout Tamriel. There will also be 700 other books, such as journals and notes.
 * Items such as Nirnroot, Mountain Flowers (e.g. the Red and Blue Mountain Flowers), and Vampire Dust will appear in the game, and can be used for Alchemy.