User blog comment:Blood Reaper/Todd Howard Hinting at Future DLC's and Patches/@comment-200.79.231.109-20120221000518/@comment-28584497-20120221002324

I'm not sure the people of Tamriel would be one to invent something like that (regarding muskets). They've been going on for what, 10000+ years? And in all that time not only has their tech level stayed almost the same, the only civilization that logically would make that step (the Dwemer) died out in the first era (again, 6k years ago, give or take).

Remember, before there were muskets, there were hand-cannons (basically staves with a small cannon mounted on them). Before those, the only real gunpowder weapons were rocket-arrow devices used by Chinese archers.

I can only see it happening if another continent brings it about. If Akavir or some unknown nation are more innovative, then certainly I could see them bringing it with them in some future conflict. Or else, only a return of the Dwemer...