Highlights
In The Elder Scrolls series, the Daedric Princes, known for their strength and intelligence, hold a significant role. Their questlines have gained popularity among players over time. The previous games have already showcased a number of Daedric Princes, but there are still several that have yet to be featured. These include Boethiah, Clavicus Vile, Jyggalag, Malacath, Mephala, Meridia, Molag Bal, Namira, Nocturnal, Peryite, Sanguine, and Vaermina.The likely Daedric Princes to be featured in The Elder Scrolls 6, based on potential storytelling and player interest, are Malacath, Clavicus Vile, and Sanguine. Jyggalag, Nocturnal, and Meridia are also possibilities, while the darker Princes have a lower chance of appearing.
Daedra are inhabitants of the planes of Oblivion and exist in various degrees of strength. The most powerful and intelligent among them are the Daedric Princes, who govern entire planes of Oblivion and possess power comparable to that of gods. Unlike the Aedra or Eight Divines, the Daedric Princes have extensive interactions with mortals, which has led to Daedra worship in Tamriel. The quests involving the Daedric Princes have always been highly popular in The Elder Scrolls series and are sure to be included in The Elder Scrolls 6, although it remains uncertain which Princes will take the spotlight.
The Daedric Princes That Still To Be Featured in The Elder Scrolls
Since The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, each game in the series has prominently showcased a Daedric Prince through its expansion packs. In Morrowind, the main game highlighted the presence of Azura, while the Bloodmoon expansion introduced Hircine. In Oblivion, the primary antagonist was Mehrunes Dagon, whereas The Shivering Isles expansion delved into the realm of Sheogorath. Lastly, the Dragonborn expansion for Skyrim granted focus to Hermaeus Mora.
One of these five is unlikely to be chosen as the Daedric Prince for The Elder Scrolls 6 since it would just repeat previous content. Instead, players should focus on the Daedric Princes that offer the most potential for an intriguing story, regardless of the game's setting. While it's not confirmed that The Elder Scrolls 6 will take place in Hammerfell, it is widely speculated and considered the frontrunner. However, this speculation doesn't help much when it comes to the involvement of Daedra in Hammerfell, as it doesn't have many connections in the lore leading up to TES6.
The Daedric Princes who haven't been featured in The Elder Scrolls:
Boethiah: The Prince of Unlawful Overthrow of Authority
Clavicus Vile: The Prince of Bargains
Jyggalag: The Prince of Order
Malacath: The Prince of the Ostracized
Mephala: The Prince of Plots and Discord
Meridia: The Prince of Life and Energy
Molag Bal: The Prince of Domination and Enslavement
Namira: The Prince of the Ancient Darkness and Repulsive
Nocturnal: The Prince of the Night
Peryite: The Prince of Pestilence
Sanguine: The Prince of Hedonism
Vaermina, also known as the Prince of Dreams and Nightmares, is a prominent figure among the Daedric Princes in The Elder Scrolls universe. While Peyrite and Namira are expected to have less prominence in The Elder Scrolls 6, Peyrite is commonly viewed as the weakest and least remarkable of the Daedric Princes, despite being depicted as a dragon. On the other hand, Namira's realm, which revolves around repulsive elements, may not resonate well with players, particularly due to her quest in Skyrim that involved a group of cannibalistic cultists.
The Daedric Princes With Storytelling Potential
Jyggalag's absence in Skyrim, despite being restored as a Daedric Prince, may prompt Bethesda to rectify this in The Elder Scrolls 6 by granting him a significant role, although this possibility could be unlikely following The Shivering Isles.
Although Nocturnal already plays a crucial part in the Thieves Guild storylines, her domain of night and darkness holds vast potential, especially considering her immense popularity as one of the prominent Daedric Princes.
Meridia's role as a lesser-known but benevolent Daedra suggests that she would be better suited to a role similar to Azura in Morrowind, rather than having an entire expansion pack dedicated to her.
On the other hand, an expansion centered around Sanguine, the Prince of Hedonism, would be highly suitable due to the unique nature of his realm, the Myriad Realms of Revelry. Known to encompass countless planes and environments, Sanguine's realm allows for exploration of people's darker inclinations. Unlike the other Princes, who focus on murder and exploitation, Sanguine encourages individuals to embrace their own desires and instincts. This concept presents vast potential for captivating roleplaying experiences, with endless possibilities for character development and storytelling. While it may evoke memories of The Shivering Isles, this expansion would differ in that individuals willingly choose to succumb to temptation rather than being driven to madness involuntarily.
Clavicus Vile, a lesser-known Daedric Prince in The Elder Scrolls, possesses untapped storytelling potential. As the Prince of Bargains, he is hailed as a mischievous trickster. Often at his side is Barbas, a shapeshifting Daedra who houses a significant portion of Clavicus Vile's power and frequently manifests as a dog. The floating island Umbriel, a fragment of Clavicus Vile's plane known as the Fields of Regret, was once trapped above Tamriel but has since been banished back to its original realm.
The current state of Clavicus Vile's plane remains a mystery. However, the prospect of exploring the realm and engaging in deals and bargains with a Daedric Prince while facing the repercussions of one's choices holds tremendous potential for storytelling. The presence of Barbas could also serve as a valuable ally to aid the player character throughout their journey.
Another viable option is Malacath, who holds great significance for the Orcs and was once the Aedra Trinimac. Malacath, known as the Prince of the Ostracized, is despised by the Dunmer but is generally considered a caring Daedric Prince for his followers. The intriguing narrative surrounding his role as a savior for outcasts, along with his past as a former Aedra, adds depth to his character.
The more violent and sinister Daedric Princes like Molag Bal, Boethiah, Mephala, and Vaermina have not received as much exploration as compared to other Daedric Princes. Given that their realms in Oblivion are likely too dark to be visualized in The Elder Scrolls 6, any storyline centered around them would have to align more closely with Morrowind: Bloodmoon. Additionally, Hammerfell's lack of strong Daedra worship tradition suggests that these Princes will probably not be extensively explored beyond their usual quests involving artifacts.
Hence, it appears that the top contenders are Malacath, Clavicus Vile, and Sanguine. Following them in ranking are Jyggalag, Nocturnal, and Meridia, whereas those who have garnered significant attention in previous games (along with the more malevolent Princes) are deemed less probable.
Currently, The Elder Scrolls 6 is undergoing development.