The Elder Scrolls Timeline Explained

The Elder Scrolls Timeline Explained

Welcome to MojoPlays, where well be doing an overview of all the major lore and plot in The Elder Scrolls franchise.

Well be skipping over spin-offs and less significant tales, such as minor DLCs. The scope of the series lore is unparalleled in gaming, it would take days to cover everything. Its history is separated into six eras, with the main games happening in the final two. Most of its told via in-game books and dialogue, making it tedious to find while playing. Thankfully, weve got you covered, so without further ado, lets dig into The Dawn Era, the first era.

The series home planet is Nirn, on the continent of Tamriel. Their cosmology includes three primary realms. First is Mundus, the mortal realm, hosting Nirn, the moons, and stars. Secondly, theres Aetherius, the plane of magic and divinity, home to the Aedra, also known as the Mortal Gods. Finally, theres Oblivion, the chaotic void between Mundus and Aetherius, home of the Daedra. Initially, Anu and Padomay, order and chaos emerged. Their interplay created Aurbis, the totality of existence. Within Aurbis, divine spirits arose, the ancestors of the gods and mortal souls. From here, there are multiple creation myths, but well only focus on three. The elves believe the Aedra were tricked by Lorkhan into creating Mundus, losing most of their power in the process. The humans instead consider Lorkhan as a hero, who sacrificed himself to give Mundus to mortals. Finally, theres the Anuad, an elven text that says Lorkhan created Mundus with help from fellow deities. Those who helped became the Aedra, and those who refused became the Daedra. Regardless of myth, they all agree that Lorkhan was central. Also, the Aedra all became weaker after Nirns conception. During this era, the ancestors of elves and men lived on Nirn, along with beastfolk, like the Khajiit and Argonians. The Dawn Era ended with Lorkhan getting punished by the other gods. His heart was ripped out, and it became a source of divine power. It created the island of Vvardenfell, with Red Mountain on top. The gods finally leave Nirn for good, thus ushering in a new era - The Merethic Era.

This is a pre-historical era, with loose dates, lasting approximately 2500 years. During this time, elven cultures spread across Tamriel. The Aldmer colonize the Summerset Isles, and the other elven races, namely the Dwemer, Chimer, Bosmer, and Falmer, splinter off. Importantly, the elven settlers in Cyrodiil became the Ayleids. Men also migrate into Tamriel, sailing from Atmora, a continent north of Tamriel. Except for Redguards, they come from the western isles of Yokuda. Midway through the era, the Prophet Veloth leads his Chimer kin from the Summerset Isles to Morrowind. Aldmer tried to stop them, but Daedric Prince Boethiah stepped in, consuming their leader. From his remains, the Daedric Prince Malacath appeared. Malacaths followers were also transformed, and thus began the Orcish race.

Later in the era, tensions between humans in Skyrim and the elven races reached a boiling point. This led to the Night of Tears, where Elven forces burned Saarthal, Sykrims first human city. Humanitys leader, Ysgramor, fought back and won, claiming Skyrim for his people, who later became Nords. One final major event was the Dragon War. Humans at the time praised dragons, who ruled over them. Eventually, their leader Alduin became so cruel that mankind revolted. They were unable to destroy the dragons, so instead banished Alduin from time itself. It was done with an Elder Scroll, but it was only temporary. The era concluded with the founding of the Camoran Dynasty in Valenwood, which would rule the regions Bosmer for centuries.

Now weve finally reached the First Era, when Elven rule declined in favour of human empires. First came the Nord Empire in Skyrim, with Windhelm at its heart. South, in the jungle province of Cyrodiil, the Ayleid rule supreme, for now. They kept humans as slaves, using them to build grand structures, like the White-Gold Tower at the centre of Cyrodiil. 243 years into the era, the slaves revolted, led by the Slave-Queen Alessia. They succeeded and formed a new kingdom for humans - the Alessian Empire. Alessia also founded a new religion - the Eight Divines, which is still practiced in Tamriel. Upon her death, the god Akatosh confined her soul to the Amulet of Kings. The amulet became hugely important, as it protects Tamriel from the plane of Oblivion, but if its lost, then the planet becomes vulnerable.

After around 2,000 years, the War of Righteousness, a rebellion against the Alessian Orders rule, caused the Empire to splinter. 400 years later, and Reman unified Cyrodiil once more, founding the Reman Empire. He united them against a common enemy, the Akaviri, foreign invaders from an eastern continent. Instead of driving them away, he absorbed them into his empire. His empire then conquered most of Tamriel, except for Morrowind. They tried, in an invasion known as the Four-Score War, which ended when the Morang Tong, a guild of assassins, killed King Reman III. With his death, the Second Era began.

We havent yet discussed the First Eras most important event, the War of the First Council. By the year 1E 700, the Dwemer called Vvardenfell, Morrowinds central island, home. Theyd spread across the northern provinces, settling deep underground, building huge metropolises. The Chimer also called Morrowind home, moving in after a long exodus from the Summerset Isles. Tensions rose when a Dwemer leader, Lord Kagrenac, tried to ascend to godhood. He created Kagrenacs Tools, which could tap into the Heart of Lorkhans divine power. Theyd discovered it deep within Red Mountain, but soon after, their Chimer neighbours learned of the plan. Chimer Lord Dagoth Ur discovered it, then told his ruler, Nerevar. Lord Nerevar led his people into a war against the Dwemer. Alongside him were the Tribunal - his wife Almalexia, Lord Sotha Sil, and Lord Vivec, who will become very important later.

It concluded with the Battle of Red Mountain, where the Dwemer mysteriously vanished without a trace. Its believed that they were either destroyed or transported to another dimension, achieving the godhood they deeply desired, but no one knows for certain. Things get quite confusing here, since the battle has multiple conflicting accounts. What we know for certain is that Nerevar died shortly afterwards in suspicious circumstances. Before dying, the Tribunal secretly used the heart to gain powers, against Nerevars wishes. Dagoth Ur felt betrayed, arguing the Heart should belong to the Chimer, so he took the power for himself. They presumed he was dead, but he was lying dormant, slowly being corrupted by the Heart, while also gaining power. The Tribunal became the gods of Morrowind, ruling for millennia. Their decision to ascend angered Aedric goddess Azura, who cursed the Chimer, darkening their skin, transforming them from the Chimer into a new race - the Dunmer.

Now for the Second Era, which began with the fall of Alessians Empire. The era is characterized by chaos and fragmentation, which youll know if youve played The Elder Scrolls: Online. After Reman IIIs death, the Akaviri Potentate took control over the Second Empire. Before, they were simply Akaviri advisors, but they took charge and declared martial law. After ruling for four centuries, their Emperor was assassinated, ending the Empires dominance, beginning the Imperial Interregnum. The Second Empire survived as a rump state in Cyrodiil, dominated by warlords. Outside of Cyrodiil, the continent experienced varying levels of chaos. Three major factions formed, all vying for control of the Imperial Citys Ruby Throne. In the South West was the Aldmeri Dominion, aiming to restore elven rule to Tamriel. They were the High Elves, the Wood Elves, and the Khajiit. In the North West, the Bretons, Redguards, and Orcs formed the Daggerfall Covenant, hoping to restore the Second Empire. Finally, there was the Ebonheart Pact, a coalition of Nords, Dark Elves, and Argonians, formed out of necessity, with their only common interest being survival.

Finally, weve made it to The Elder Scrolls Onlines primary plotline. Cyrodiils Empress Clivia Tharn became militarily aggressive, which began the Three Banners War. Each empire aimed to claim Cyrodiils capital and dominate the continent. Ultimately, no alliance canonically wins, meaning its still unresolved in the games timeline. While this is happening, Molag Bal, the Daedric Prince of domination and enslavement, is trying to fuse his realm, Coldharbour, with Nirn. He abducts numerous mortals souls, including the players, whod later be known as the Vestige. This invasion was the Planemeld, similar in scale to the later Oblivion crisis. The Vestige allies with a group called the Five Companions, who banish Molag Bal. Hed need thousands of years to recover his power, explaining why in Skyrim all he does is ask the Dragonborn to fight a priest.

So we dont know who won the Three Banners War, but we do know that Tiber Septim united Tamriel at the end of the Second Era. Originally known as Hjalti Early-Beard, or Talos depending on your faith, he served King Cuhlecain as his General. Chulecain was the ruler of Colovia, a petty kingdom in Western Cyrodiil. He wanted to unify Tamriel, like many others, and began the Tiber War to do so. It didnt take long before hed captured the Imperial City, but before he could crown himself emperor, he was assassinated. So, they crowned Hjalti Early-Beard instead, who changed his name to Tiber Septim. In the following decade, he unified the continent, forging the Third Empire. One crucial moment was when Skyrim and High Rock retaliated against Septim. When the Nords realised he was a Dragonborn, possessing a mighty Thuum, or Dragon Shout, they flocked to his banners. When unification was completed, Septim began the Third Age. His rule was considered a Golden Age, bringing peace and prosperity to the continent.

The most fascinating thing about Septim was that he achieved CHIM. This is when a mortal achieves a higher state of being, similar in power level to the Dawn Eras gods. Its confusing, but it's basically the realization that you are both a part of the universe and separate from it. Those who achieve CHIM can manipulate reality, which Septim used to transform Cyrodiil from a jungle into a temperate and more habitable environment. This change confusingly affects all of time, hence why Cyrodiil isnt a jungle in The Elder Scrolls: Online. After his death, Tiber became a god, with the Eight Divines becoming the Nine.

Now weve made our way to Arena, released in 1994. Its set on the entire continent, set over 300 years after Tiber Septims death. Now, Uriel Septim VII is Emperor. You might know him best from Oblivions intro, where hes voiced by Sir Patrick Stewart. The plot starts when Septims battlemage Jagar Tharn traps the Emperor in an alternate dimension. Tharn then took the throne by disguising himself as the Emperor. Magician Ria Silmane witnesses the coup, but Tharn realises and murders her. After death, she magically tells an imprisoned hero, the player, to escape the dungeon and stop Tharn. Thus begins the cycle of imprisoned heroes saving Tamriel from ruin. The hero must then embark on an adventure to assemble a staff fragmented across the continent. When completed, at the Imperial City, they combined the staff with the Jewel of Fire. Tharns lifeforce was contained in the jewel, which exploded along with the staff, killing Tharn but saving the Emperor. The world is saved, with the hero going down in history as the Eternal Champion.

The second game, Daggerfall, is impressive for having a gameworld roughly the size of Great Britain. It was released in 1996, and is set in the Iliac Bay, between High Rock and Hammerfell. It begins with Uriel Septim VII sending the hero on a mission to free the ghost of the King of Daggerfall. His ghost has been wreaking havoc upon the kingdom, as hes angered that he was murdered. His widow asks the hero to investigate. Eventually, the investigation leads the player to the Mantella. This powerful artifact is essential to unlocking the Numidian, a Dwemer colossus. It was created by Kagrenac, but was only ever used once by Tiber Septim during his conquests. Afterwards, it was destroyed, but now in Daggerfall, its being rebuilt. This leads to the Warp in the West, also known as a Dragon Break. Thats when time itself fractures, causing multiple contradictory events to occur simultaneously, a cool way to have multiple endings. The game ends with the player deciding the Mantellas fate. Ultimately, the player decides who controls the Iliac bay, depending on who they align with. This means theres no canon ending, and later games have not revisited the region.

Wake up, were here. Why are you shaking? Is it because youre eager to finally see what happens to Morrowind after the Battle of Red Mountain? Thankfully, the third game from 2002 explains that and more. Since the Tribunal rose to power, Morrowind has been home to the Dunmer. Almost 2,000 years have passed since the Dwemers disappearance, and in that time, the Tribunals power has decreased significantly. Additionally, theres a new blight devastating Vvardenfell, with a cause unknown. Prophecies say the Lord Nerevar will return as the Nerevarine, and they will defeat Dagoth Ur, expose the Tribunals betrayal, and restore the Dunmers true faith. The player takes the role of an outlander, a foreigner fresh on the shores of Vvardenfell. They are ordered to join the Blades, the Emperors secret service. After a few tasks, the player becomes trusted to learn that the Emperor believes theyre the Nerevarine. To fulfil the prophecy, they must earn the trust of the nomadic Dunmer, the Ashlanders. Along the way, they learn Dagoth Ur is regaining his strength, and hes causing the blight.

To defeat him, the Nerevarine must find the Dwemer tools Sunder and Keening, built to exploit the Heart of Lorkhan. This task brings the Nerevarine into a meeting with the final Dwemer, Yagrum Bagarn. Unfortunately, he has no idea what happened to his kin, also the tools can harm the user. This is solved when false-god Vivec gifts Wraithguard to Nerevarine, allowing them to use Kagrenacs Tools safely. The game concludes in Red Mountain, climaxing with a battle with Dagoth Ur. He tries to convince the Nerevarine to join his side, but theyre unconvinced, so they destroy the Heart, and Dagoth Ur with it.

In the expansion Tribunal, the Nerevarine visits the capital city, Mournhold. They become involved with Almalexia, who is losing her sanity after Hearts destruction. She tasks the Nerevarine with stopping Sotha Sil, claiming hes betrayed her. Turns out, Almalexia already killed him. After an epic battle, the Nerevarine defeats Almalexia, leaving Vivec as the final member of the Tribunal. Roughly a decade later, Vivec disappears. In his absence, Baar Dau, the meteor he held in place above Vivec City, crashes into the ground. This triggered the eruption of Red Mountain, and Vvardenfell was decimated.

Six years after Morrowind, Uriel Septim VII is assassinated by a cult, in the intro to Oblivion from 2006. Worshippers of the Daedric god Mehrunes Dagon, known as the Mythic Dawn are responsible. Before dying, the player, later known as the Hero of Kvatch, is entrusted with Uriels Amulet of Kings. The hero must take it to his final heir, Martin Septim, played by Sean Bean. With the Emperor dead, the mortal world is unprotected from Daedric invasion. Oblivion gates open across Tamriel, and Megrunes Dagons forces try to invade the whole continent. Martin is initially reluctant, but after some convincing accepts his destiny. To stop the crisis, the Dragonfires must be lit, resealing the barrier between Tamriel & Oblivion. In the climax, Dagon appears in the Imperial City, but Martin saves the day, using the Amulet of Kings to become the avatar of Akatosh, the Dragon God of Time. He loses his life, but ends the invasion, banishing Dagon. With the crisis over, the Fourth Era begins.

Skyrim is the only game set in the Fourth Era, originally released in 2011, then again in 2016, 2017, and 2021. It focuses on two major plotlines: the nations civil war and the return of dragons. The Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks are fighting to determine whether Skyrim is independent or an Imperial state. You begin the game as a prisoner, as is traditional, doomed for execution. The ancient dragon Alduin appears, derailing the execution, allowing you to escape in the chaos. It turns out, the player is the Dragonborn, a mortal with the soul and voice of a dragon. The Greybeards, masters of dragon shouts, summon the Dragonborn to their mountain temple. They teach them the Thuum, or the shout. As the story progresses, the Dragonborn discovers they need an Elder Scroll to learn the ancient shout that banished Alduin the first time. After doing so, they travel to Sovngarde, the Nords afterlife. With the help of ancient heroes, they finally defeat Alduin together, ending the age of dragons once and for all.

What region would you love to see in the next game, and do you have any ideas for what youd like it to focus on? Whether thats an Akaviri invasion or an all-out war with the high elves, leave it in the comments below!