Forums » Elder Scrolls

Modern Governments of Tamriel

    • 177 posts
    January 12, 2016 6:35 PM EST

    So, Tamriel is quite obviously a fantasy setting. Though, throughout the series we have seen insy weensy hints of modern culture, and even technology! The most obvious of these modern influences are the Dwemer and robots and piping and etc., though I am more concerned with modernization of governments, and this has showed itself in the series as well! Something that sticks out to me is slavery being outlawed, as this is a very modern and progressive idea for a fantasy setting, though there are others, such as the moot for a high kind showing a semblance of democracy. 

    My main question here is this, would you like to see Tamriel's politics become more modern or stay that of a fantasy setting? Would you like to see countries adopting democracies and communist governments, or would like it to stay kings, emperors and queens?

    Or

    • 133 posts
    January 12, 2016 6:53 PM EST
    This makes me think of A Song of Ice and Fire and the governments and politics that reside within those fantasy novels. George R.R Martin has created a very good balance of medieval traditions with modern policies (such as the abolition of slavery).

    Personally I feel things like democratic and communist clashes are more of a Fallout thing, I prefer the Kings and queens. Either serving an honorable bloodline as a valiant knight or tearing an oppressive tyrant of their false throne or even sitting on said throne myself, mwahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!
    • 177 posts
    January 12, 2016 7:01 PM EST

    I do agree there, George does do a great job on Game of Throne's government system! And it is always fun to take power in fantasy games, thrones are just so tempting to sit on! 

    • 700 posts
    January 12, 2016 7:26 PM EST

    Both, I think. I don't know if the lore has anything to say about it, like if some obscure god in another dimension forbade democracies because it felt like it, but I think it would at least be interesting to see how new systems of government not only survive, but emerge in this universe. I'm sure the wars that come out it of it would be fun.    

    Though to be fair, I've never felt like I was in an empire while playing Skyrim or Oblivion. I think because the nature of the game that allows the player to get rich quick really helps sever that feeling of being in an empire where a clear separation of wealth exists between the leaders and the lead. Starting as a prisoner in an empire and being able to work your way up to being more rich than the Emperor is a very good way of reminding people that the game world exists only for the player character. Of course, the Thieve's Guild makes a lot more sense now. 

    Maybe a form of government that requires more from the player than simply existing would be better. More interesting maybe. 

    • 273 posts
    January 13, 2016 1:23 PM EST

    I'll be honest here, I would HATE  if TES changed from a fantasy setting to a modern setting, simply because fantasy is my favorite genre. I'm sure Bethesda could make it work somewhat, but it just wouldn't be the same for me.

    Now that I think about it, it reminds me of a book I wanted to write a while ago about Elves and other fantasy creatures in a sci-fi style world, like a magic and technology crossover, it was a nice idea to toss around and if TES became something like that, I guess I could deal with it, although I'd rather that it didn't.

    • 411 posts
    January 13, 2016 1:37 PM EST
    C0da makes it canon
    • 177 posts
    January 14, 2016 5:10 PM EST

    I can see why that many people would see things that way, It would be VERY different and would definitely take some adapting! And that book sounds like a good read for sure! I bet many fans of sci-fi and fantasy would love it! I hope if you decide you decide to write it you have fun and it does well!

    • 273 posts
    January 15, 2016 5:39 PM EST

    Thank you, Pinkie, I hope to work on it at some point in my life 

  • Tom
    • 624 posts
    January 16, 2016 2:09 AM EST

    I'm all for the People's Republic of Nibenay.

    Or the Union of Velothi Socialist Republics.

    Or the United Kingdom of Daggerfall, Wayrest, and Orsinium.

    How about the Confederacy of Independent Skyrim? *roger roger*

    I mean, the Thalmor are literally Elf Nazi's.

  • January 16, 2016 3:18 PM EST

    Something that sticks out to me is slavery being outlawed, as this is a very modern and progressive idea for a fantasy setting, though there are other

    The Persian empires might reveal there is more nuance to these things and that our ideals are not as modern as oft-asserted. That aside, there is no reason why a faux medieval (human provinces, mostly) world has to follow - assumed - medieval politics or why fantasy should be such either. TES is a mixture of things and its governments should reflect that.  

    • 1595 posts
    January 17, 2016 3:56 AM EST

    It's probably a really hard balance to strike. Dunmer have a hell of a lot of fans but their culture and government is rather conservative. Despite (or maybe because of) the slavery thing they are very unique and we love 'em. Yet fast forward to TES V and the Thalmor government of the Old Mary Dominion and their right-wing policy of restricting religious freedom and rooting out Talos worshippers have earned them a lot of hatred. A large proportion of players have said they enjoy hunting and killing Justiciars whenever the opportunity presents itself. The irony of that is apparently lost.

    So to some degree I think the setting has to stay vaguely modern as it allows the average gamer to relate to the world's themes better.

    • 558 posts
    January 18, 2016 10:15 PM EST

    I would love to see a national socialist Skyrim, maybe with an Altmer Prime Minister (because racism doesn't exist in modern governments).