The Elder Scrolls 6: Will it Rise Up Against Skyrim's Civil War?

The highly anticipated Elder Scrolls 6 is rumored to transport players to the dry terrain of Hammerfell, a region situated to the west of Skyrim and north of Cyrodiil. While Hammerfell's departure from the Empire following the Great War between The Empire and The Aldmeri Dominion is well documented, it would be prudent for The Elder Scrolls 6 to first clarify which provinces still belong to The Empire before immersing players in a land that no longer does.

The Civil War that unfolded in Skyrim has the potential to reshape Tamriel's political landscape, making it a crucial element that cannot be overlooked in The Elder Scrolls 6. Unlike earlier questlines that offer players easy outs, the complexity of the Civil War plot demands a definitive ending. Bethesda should establish one ending as canon, thereby opening up new storytelling opportunities and providing fans with a more satisfying experience that doesn't skirt around the issue.

Skyrim's Civil War is a Problem for The Elder Scrolls 6

Skyrim's opening sequence immediately delves into the Civil War, making it a central aspect of the game. However, the introduction of the two factions through the cart ride with Ralof and Ulfric may not have been the most balanced approach. The Empire's attempt to execute the Dragonborn and the Stormcloak's flaws are not presented equally. Nevertheless, the game does an excellent job of establishing the Civil War as a crucial event in the kingdom's history.

The war was sparked when Jarl Ulfric of Windhelm killed Skyrim's High King Torygg, but opinions differ on whether it was a fair duel or a murder. Regardless of Ulfric's character, his goal is to restore the Nord's right to worship Talos, a god in The Elder Scrolls universe. This objective requires freeing Skyrim from Imperial rule, and players can choose to support, oppose, or ignore this campaign entirely.

Compared to Skyrim's other faction questlines, the Civil War offers a unique feature of having two different endings. However, the Dark Brotherhood questline and Dawnguard DLC are less impactful for future games. In Dawnguard, Hakkon's attempt to block out the sun is unsuccessful in both endings, and the destruction of the Dawnguard or Volkihar Vampires has minimal impact beyond Skyrim. Similarly, the Dark Brotherhood's secretive nature means that the Emperor's death may occur without their involvement, and the survival of Cicero and Babette suggests the Brotherhood may persist regardless of the questline's outcome. Even if the Dragonborn helps rebuild the Brotherhood, it may not necessarily establish a presence in High Rock or Hammerfell. Ultimately, TES6 will likely remain unaffected by the Dark Brotherhood's fate in Skyrim.

Bethesda Needs to Pick a Winner for Skyrim's Civil War

However, avoiding the impact of Skyrim's Civil War in The Elder Scrolls 6 would not be a simple task. Even if the Empire were to survive a defeat, it would undoubtedly suffer severe economic and military repercussions. Moreover, the political landscape of northern Tamriel would be fundamentally altered in ways that even the death of the Emperor could not achieve.

Despite the challenges, Bethesda could potentially sidestep the issue in a few different ways. Some fans speculate that The Elder Scrolls 6 may recognize the Season Unending Quest as the canonical conclusion to the Civil War, leaving both sides in a state of indefinite truce. Another option might involve setting the game concurrently with Skyrim or introducing a time warp to overwrite the multiple endings of Daggerfall. However, such solutions might ultimately undermine player agency and detract from the game's overall impact.

If Skyrim were to become independent, it would create unique opportunities for storytelling. However, it would also weaken the Empire's hold on High Rock and cut off Orsinium's only reliable ally. On the other hand, an Imperial victory could help legitimize the Mede Dynasty following their defeat in the Great War and represent a significant reversal of fortune. Regardless of the outcome, the Skyrim Civil War will have massive implications for the political situation in The Elder Scrolls 6.

If the Stormcloaks win, it's unclear why the kingdoms of High Rock would remain loyal to an empire that can't protect them from afar. This is especially true considering High Rock's historical ties to Hammerfell, which is thriving on its own. During the events of ESO, both regions were part of the Daggerfall Covenant and fought together against the Orcs, including the sacking of the Third Orsinium in the early Fourth Era. With Imperial influence gone from Skyrim, the Orcs are once again vulnerable to Redguard attacks.

The aftermath of the Civil War could lead to the Empire attempting to regain its influence in Hammerfell, potentially leading to conflicts between the Forebear faction's support for an alliance with the Empire and the Crown's opposition to such entanglements. Additionally, the Empire and Dominion may exploit the Redguard kingdoms in proxy wars. These political tensions could provide rich material for Bethesda-style storytelling in future games, but the outcome will depend on the Empire's strength and whether Skyrim achieves independence.

The Elder Scrolls 6 is in development.