One of the most important elements ofThe Elder Scrollsfranchise’s success over the years is the locations that its many entries take place within, with the continent of Tamriel being a now-iconic major setting that fans have come to love. The franchise has found a winning formula by using its mainline entries to usually focus on a single province within Tamriel, with this often playing a massive role in the kinds of narratives, locations, and themes of a given project.
This is why so many fans are locked in debate regarding what major locationThe Elder Scrolls 6might choose to explore, with most of the current theories surrounding this question pointing towards Hammerfell asTES 6’s chosen province. While Hammerfell has appeared previously in older mainlineThe Elder Scrollsprojects, there are still a number of Tamriel provinces that are yet to make a mainline appearance, leaving an untapped goldmine of potential stories to be told in the franchise’s future, even if only through minor mainline appearances.
Three Important Provinces Still Need Mainline Elder Scrolls Appearances Sooner Rather Than Later
While the first-ever release forThe Elder Scrollsfranchise, 1994’sArena, technically allowed players to explore parts ofevery province in Tamriel, the limited technology of the time makes these portrayals hardly worthy of being representative of the rich lands and history of the continent. Subsequent entries toThe Elder Scrollssmartly took a more focused approach to their major locations, withDaggerfallexploring Hammerfell and High Rock,MorrowindandSkyrimbeing set in their namesakes, andObliviontaking place in the Empire’s capital of Cyrodiil.
Little is currently known about the mysterious but massively anticipatedThe Elder Scrolls 6, although early theories surrounding the project overwhelmingly point towardsHammerfell once again being the central location of a mainlineTEStitle. Of course, otherTESprojects likeThe Elder Scrolls Onlinefeature a massive playable area that delves into regions that are still largely underrepresented in the franchise’s mainline games, although it is hard to beat the level of immersion, detail, and importance that a mainline portrayal of a specific province can bring.
Elsweyr, Black Marsh, and the Summerset Isles Each Have Undeniable Strengths That Should Be Explored
One major province that is still yet to make a mainline appearance is Elsweyr, situated to Tamriel’s south. Crucially,Elsweyr is the home ofThe Elder Scrolls' fan-favorite Khajiit race, with these feline humanoids often playing unmissable secondary roles in most mainlineTESgames. The portrayal of the Khajiit in priorThe Elder Scrollstitles often depicts them as shady vagabonds embroiled in crime and addiction, and while Elsweyr may not be suitable to be the sole location of a mainlineTESgame, it should definitely appear in one to finally give a much-needed glimpse into the race’s homeland.
Tamriel’s south-eastern province, Black Marsh, is another neglected location that is a prime candidate for a mainline appearance. Home to thelizard-like Argonian species, the main allure of Black Marsh comes from its dangerous and untamed lands. As the name suggests, Black Marsh is an unforgiving and swampy province, being home to an untold range of dangerous wildlife and unusual weather phenomena, and a well-incorporated visit to Black Marsh within a game likeThe Elder Scrolls 6would provide a tense and stark contrast to the deserts and shimmering seas of Hammerfell.
Rumors surroundingThe Elder Scrolls 6expect the game to exceed expectations by featuring locations beyond its core provincial setting, and this could be the best way to finally give mainline representation to the likes of Elsweyr, Black Marsh, and the Summerset Isles.
Lastly, Tamriel’sSummerset Islesare also yet to receive proper mainline representation, with the southwestern archipelago being home to the mysterious Altmer elven species. Existing off the coast of Tamriel itself, the Summerset Isles may not be large enough to warrant being the sole major location of a future mainlineTESgame, but they could be the perfect DLC destination for a Hammerfell-setThe Elder Scrolls 6. The Summerset Isles are not far away from the coast of Hammerfell, and with many theories suggesting thatTES 6may feature ship mechanics to make the most of the province’s Iliac Bay, the Summerset Isles could be an amazing way to bolster the title as a major DLC location.
