#cyrodiil landscape design

[mikatesmods]

[onedivinemisfit]

My personal opinion has always been that Skyrim lore alone spits in the face of established lore in the TES universe, which is hardly the first time. The retconning of Cyrodiil’s ecology comes to mind immediately.

I’ve long had a headcanon that the tale of the World-Eater Alduin is, if not wrong, then misunderstood. Certainly he’s supposed to be inspired by the Wyrm, Nidhogg, from Nordic mythology.

But what if that was a corruption of his sphere of influence?

Anu and Padomay were Stasis and Change, Order and Chaos, respectively. Paarthurnax and Alduin seem to be a reflection of these primordial siblings, and given they are “children” of Akatosh, that adds a layer of bittersweet tragedy to their roles. Imagining a lonely Akatosh/Auri-el/Anu recreating himself and his lost sibling makes my heart ache.

Going by the idea that Akatosh, Auri-el, and Anu (among others) are just facets and interpretations of the same godly being, him assigning to Alduin the almost identical purpose as what ended up corrupting and causing the fall of Padomay feels cruel.

And beyond strange, given that Nirn is the corpse of Anu’s wife Nir, and their many children. Whom Padomay slew. Why on earth would Anu want anything to devour Nirn, least of all a son he himself created to maybe [fill the void] of his previous loss. And this is the same guy who chucked Lorkhan’s heart to fuck for daring to intervene with Nirn even a little, and established a dynasty of mortals infused with his blood and will to protect Tamriel from Daedra. Who sent Padomay to the Void, whence he can never come back.

Change itself isn’t even an evil by design. Lorkhan’s desire for change won out, even if he was punished for it. Mehrunes Dagon, the Daedra of Change, Natural Catastrophes and Revolutions, is not evil by what he influences, so the same can be argued for Alduin, even if he’s more demigod than Daedra. And demigods are also an established thing, there have been several mentioned throughout Tamriel’s history, like Morihaus Breath-of-Kyne. Alduin claiming to be a son of Akatosh isn’t farfetched.

The idea of a World-Eater who regularly eats the world flies in the face of all lore about Anu. We know this because the Aedra are actual living things in this universe, who influence, appear to, and even talk to the people on Nirn. Auri-el walked among the Aldmer for a long time, just to have a walk. No biggie. The Septim line could all summon his Avatar in dragon-form as part of their bloodline’s contract. Note that the Avatar is one of Protection, not Destruction. The Septims could destroy as many mortals as they liked, even reshape lands and landscapes, but notice how they were still duty-bound to protect Nirn. From forces that could actually harm [her corpse].

So who exactly would benefit from Alduin the World-Eater?

Whose sphere used to be Change, whose corruption led to Nir’s death [the corpse of the world], who wishes for all things to come to the Void, to be Ended, more than anyone else?

Padomay. Sithis.

Hell, even the color palette of Sithis’ legion is the same as Alduin; black and red. The painful irony of the Betrayer Brother corrupting the son Anu created in his very image is just. No words. Even more so if Alduin doesn’t realize, doesn’t know he’s fighting under the banner of his father’s enemy. And what an amusing showdown it’d be; instead of a Dragonborn just Shouting the Problem away for Someone Else To Deal With, it’s trying to talk someone out of continuing down a path they were never meant to tread. A classic “come back to your senses”, only it’s aimed at a giant demigod dragon with a daddy complex.

[breadknight-likes-things]

Through The Realms Of Oblivion: The Heartlands

(Well that sure took awhile!  Sorry it’s been so long since I wrote one of these....or anything!  It’s been....a time in the world hasn’t it?)

When you think about the environmental design of Elder Scrolls Oblivion what do you see?  I’d wager that the most common answer given would be the exact screenshot I’ve used to open this post.  Centered around almost the dead middle of the map, to the north of The Imperial City, The Heartlands are Cyrodiil.  This, to me, is the iconic vision of the Cyrodillic landscape.  Long vistas, of rolling green, trees and mountains surrounding everything and an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility with nature.

Plus it has this little unmarked lake here, which for some reason has given me more joy that....a lot of things that should have probably given me more joy.

I know there’s some crazy piece of lore for this franchise that says The Heartlands were once a thick jungle, but I’m glad they didn’t go that route with in Oblivion, I feel it would have denied us this perfection.  Notably, The Heartlands are liable to be the first place a player see’s when they start a game of Oblivion.  Not just because you get a big blast of them in the face when you leave the intro dungeon (but that’s a big part of it) but they invite exploration simply by existing.  Who’s first instinct in a big game like this isn’t just to move forward?  Forward towards the natural splendor.  

I mean I’ve said it before people but I really love this damn video game.

[darkelfguy]

The first official release of the VSW Project, originally released as part of the 2019 Morrowind Modathon Modding Competition, Solstheim Remastered is a completely new take on the island of Solstheim, building upon the designs first introduced in Solstheim - Tomb of the Snow Prince, adding new mountainous terrain, ancient Nordic barrows, ruins, forests and natural cave systems to the island of Solstheim, transforming this once dull and uninspiring Nordic land into a truly epic vista worthy of song. Solstheim Remastered is a part of VSW, otherwise known as the Vvardenfell Solstheim Worldspace Remaster Project, an effort to make the landscapes and graphics of the vanilla game better fit in with the more modern content of the province mods, like Tamriel Rebuilt, Skyrim - Home of the Nords, and Province: Cyrodiil. Taking a similar approach as Unique Landscapes for Oblivion, VSW aims to overhaul a number of the regions of the game, providing more dynamic and epic looking landscapes, as well as new content and graphical features and support. The project is currently being worked on by a number of modders, including Corsair83, Wollibeebee, Remiros, Rytelier, and Leyawyyn, among others. Progress is currently on-going with new visual updates to the Bitter Coast, Ascadian Isles, and West Gash regions, and you can follow progress on this project for yourself over on the VSW Discord Channel. Project Links: Solstheim Remaster Download Remiros' Groundcover (Compatible with Solstheim Remaster) VSW Discord

[skyrim-se-mod-best-cr]

The best Skyrim mods in | Rock Paper Shotgun

💾 ►►► DOWNLOAD FILE 🔥🔥🔥 When the game was released in November of , players were blown away by the vast world, breathtaking landscapes, and engaging questlines. When Bethesda released Skyrim Special Edition , it breathed new life into the game for the modding community to take advantage of. This included a wealth of housing mods that went far beyond and above what the standard vanilla experience had to offer. These mods allow players to live like virtual Kings and Queens in a variety of abodes both humble and grandiose. This list has been expanded on to provide a few more options for the latest Skyrim modders looking for that perfect domicile to put their feet up after a long day of "Fus Ro Dah'ing" foes off the cliffside. Here's a total of fifteen that represent some of the best. Updated on December 27, by Talha Bin Rizwan: Thanks to a robust modding community, the world of Skyrim has been kept alive and fresh despite the fact that the game was released a decade ago. From small cosmetic changes to DLC-sized mods, players have a plethora of content to explore and enjoy thanks to these mods including some excellent house mods. While the vanilla game allows players to own multiple houses, even build their own homesteads in a few holds, some players find them lacking and wishing for more. From overhauls that modify existing houses to new ones that add entire castles, the modding community has multiple mods that can provide players with their dream home. The Haven Bag adds an entire home in a bag that players can keep in their inventory, which is added when the mod is activated. Players can access it by selecting the bag in their inventory and using it. The Haven Bag comes with some basic amenities, a few crafting stations, and a bed to rest on. The house is exited by reactivating the bag in the inventory, whereby players will find themselves back in Skyrim. They will not be able to take their followers inside the home, which means it's best suited for players who prefer to go solo throughout the province. This classic house mod gets the Special Edition treatment thanks to mod author noyjr. It's perfect for would-be monks and celibate adventurers who need a little faith in their lives since it's built as a priory instead of a traditional player home. Still, the priory can be used for that particular function. Not only is White River Priory big on spiritual atmosphere and decor, but it's close to both Riverwood and Whiterun, making for easy travel between the three locations. It's certainly one of the most atmospheric home mods in Skyrim. Those who prefer the Thalmor or High Elf design aesthetic will find Aldmeri Proudspire Manor to be right up their alley. It takes the existing Proudspire Manor located in Solitude and overhauls it into a totally redesigned abode that fits well with Altmer culture. Players have a choice of 3 to 6 beds while enjoying such amenities as a spa, a study, shrines, and a loft-style living room, to name a few. It's another attempt by the modding community to overhaul the rather basic and bland vanilla homes that can be purchased in-game in favor of something far more luxurious. The Dragonborn that likes to travel a lot will find right at home with Airship - Dev Aveza by Deapri. As the name suggests, the mod adds a flyable airship to the province of Skyrim which players can live in. The mod comes packed with the usual refinements including all the crafting tables, tons of storage, a kitchen, bathing area, and displays for different weapons and armors. The ship can be found parked behind the Blue Palace in Solitude, and players will have to battle a small group of Thalmor to get to it. Dev Aveza is one of the Skyrim house mods better suited for the single Dragonborn or one that has not adopted any children. Located south of Helgen and near the Cyrodiil border, Winter Cove is a small to medium-sized house boasting a stable, outdoor crafting area, plenty of storage, and room for up to 3 followers. Players will enjoy the warm and cozy atmosphere inside the house, especially after trekking up the snow-covered mountain path to get to there. The house also comes with a secret armory to display and store equipment, and a nice indoor hot tub to soak in after a long day of adventuring. It looks like a cozy off-the-grid cottage that one can escape to in order to be around nature, and away from the bustle of towns and villages. JK's Riverfall Cottage is a medium-sized home located just north of Riverwood. Players need only to follow the road out of town and they will find the house at the location. The mod adds an alchemy tower, a stable, an outhouse, and a fish hatchery alongside the main house. Inside, players will find room for three followers and three children, along with displays and storage, a fully equipped kitchen, and a bathtub to soak in after a long day of questing. Players will need to buy the house before they can live in it and will cost them a fortune in order to do so. This mod does not add a new house, but rather takes an existing one added by the Hearthfires DLC and changes it into something worthy of the Dragonborn. Lakeview Manor - As It Should Be adds a dynamic lighting system, custom displays for all weapons and armor, a treasury, 6 beds for followers, 2 beds for children, and a functional bathtub with a toilet. Players who want to enjoy something new, yet still want to keep close to the vanilla Skyrim experience will feel right at home with this mod. It's essentially a booster shot for an existing abode that boasts a few more bells and whistles. Wind Path is perfect for players who want to live in a small, yet comfortable house. Players can find it close to the town of Ivarstead by following the river past the bridge and down the hill. Those who want to enjoy a quiet and simple life will appreciate Wind Path. The house has a homey and rustic feel that fills the player with warmth from the second they set foot inside. A must-have house mod in the load order, especially for players who love a more rugged home aesthetic. This mod adds a dark castle rather than a cottage or a manor. Winterstone Castle is perfect for players who wish to roleplay a noble and rich Dragonborn in Skyrim. The castle is located between Riverwood and Falkreath and can be purchased for 40, septims. The mod is best suited for those who like to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle in their playthroughs. The interiors remind players of Castle Volkihar, sans the vampires and death hounds lurking about. It is better suited for late-game use, and can't be lived in until players manage to raise enough money to buy it out. Players who opt for a minimalist character will find that The Riften Garret is the perfect house for them. This house is perfect for players who are just starting out and need a place to stay and rest. The house is better suited for bachelors because the interiors can get a bit cramped with followers or a spouse. The mod provides plenty of storage options for players to store away their loot, and plenty of clutter to give off a deep sense of immersion and aesthetic value. The Citadel is located just north of Whiterun near the base of the mountains. This Skyrim house mod comes with full lore and a progression system through which players can acquire the castle. Players may not be able to access all areas of the castle immediately, but they can work up to it by following the progression system. This mod delivers the quintessential royal experience, thanks to the addition of an entire city built alongside the castle home. Utilizing a building system similar to Hearthfires homesteads, The Scarlett allows players to build a ship they can live and sail. Players will need to complete two small quests before they can work on the ship. It is located in a unique area that is accessed by reading a note placed at the East Empire Company building at the Solitude Docks. The mod also adds an economy system through which players can enjoy a regular income source. The ship can be taken via fast travel to Windhelm, Winterhold, Solitude, and Solstheim, making it an all-purpose transport vehicle, as well as a floating player home. A newcomer to the house modding scene is Frostspire Tower , a full player home with an ancient people that has been slightly retrofitted to add some comfortable amenities to the mix. This Skyrim House Mod can be located in the northeast portion of the province and features everything from training rooms to a bathhouse for a mixture of utilitarian and comfortable. Aside from the obvious aesthetic appeal, Frostspire Tower also boasts 40 new spells that can be learned, plus a portal hub for quick transport to various areas of the province and thralls that can be assigned duties including ore mining and ingredient gathering. For those who love the idea of living in a Hobbit-style home, Oldhollow Chalet might be the premier choice. This cozy little home is built into a cliffside and features the same traditional doors one might find at Bag End, not to mention the rustic and charming qualities that make for a comfy abode. Inside the house is an incredibly comfortable collection of nicknacks, decorations, and furniture designed for a simple, yet somehow luxurious living style. It's probably not well-suited for followers or spouses, but as a getaway, it's hard to beat. While most Skyrim house mods add only one building, Blackthorn by Ld goes the extra mile and adds an entire town that players can build similar to how they make Hearthfires homes. The town also generates regular income which players can collect from various merchants and shops. To start, players will need to go to the Blackthorn Trader and then start building the town. This will add only the building exteriors and to add interiors, players will need to enter the buildings themselves and add the interiors using the workbench. Solitude gets a shot in the arm with this player home mod that injects some high-life beauty into the city. Springwood Estate is a luxurious mansion with a beautiful outside courtyard featuring a biophilic design and furniture to enjoy a warm day in the sun as citizens pass by. Inside, the home is beautifully laid out with high-quality furniture and decor, plus multiple functional areas including a dining room, living room, and a fully stocked kitchen. There's a wealth of things to see and do inside the home, making it one of the most glorious house mods around. Breezehome is the first house that players get as a reward during the main quest of Skyrim. It is a small, cozy home that is perfect for the Dragonborn who is starting out on their journey but may not be enough as players level up. The Breezehome by Elianora mod rectifies that problem by overhauling the iconic Whiterun home to be worthy of the legendary Dragonborn. The house includes nearly all of the crafting stations, tons of unique storage and displays, lockable doors, a bathing area, and a mirror that can change the player's appearance. Players with Dunmer or Dunmer-influenced characters will feel right at home with Ebongrove. The mod adds nearly all the crafting stations, up to eight beds, and even a small indoor fish pond, making it one of the most unique player house mods ever made. Riverwood is the first region that players visit and get the chance to explore after their escape from Helgen. The town doesn't offer much but being a starting area, it always has a homey feeling whenever players visit. So, it is only natural that Skyrim house mod Leaf Rest by aukmat also be located in Riverwood to maximize that feeling of home. The mod adds an interactive and customizable house that includes a full forge, an interactive gardening system, a wood-burning fireplace, a business ledger trading system along with numerous other features. Players will find the marker for the house when they install the mod and only need to follow it to locate their new home. Elysium Estate continues to be one of the best player homes ever made, thanks to its atmospheric and comfortable design; not to mention a wealth of beneficial add-ons. This home is located outside the walls of Whiterun near the Western Watchtower and can be accessed by completing a lore-friendly voiced quest that takes only a few minutes. This mod is geared towards family-oriented players who want to live in a house with their spouse , their adopted children, and perhaps a few followers. The mod adds two indoor baths, an automatic loot sorting system, custom planters, and the option to purchase cows, goats, and chickens. It also features a grand basement with multiple mannequins to decorate with armor sets, plus interactive bookshelves, wall racks for shields, daggers, arrows, weapons, and unique items like Dragon claws, Thieves Guild treasures, and artifacts. It is highly suggested that Elysium Estate be paired with the Great Forest of Whiterun Hold mod for the ultimate atmospheric experience. Just make sure to add the compatibility patch to your load order to prevent terrain conflicts.

[aion-rsa]

Why The Elder Scrolls 6 Could Take Place in Hammerfell

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The long wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 (and confirmation of its console exclusivity) was recently broken up by this tweet from the Elder Scrolls team which many fans believe is somehow related to the upcoming sequel:

Transcribe the past and map the future. 📖 Here's to a Happy New Year!🕯 pic.twitter.com/bL44CzLDIE

— The Elder Scrolls (@ElderScrolls) December 31, 2020

The meaning of that tweet is very much open to interpretation, but the placement of the lights, the wording of the text, and, admittedly, a few leaps in logic have led many fans to believe that the Hammerfell region featured at the bottom of that image is actually the setting for the next mainline Elder Scrolls game.

While that may sound like little more than wishful thinking fueled by information starved fans, this latest Elder Scrolls 6 rumor is really just the latest entry in an ever-growing case file that clearly points to Hammerfell as the leading location candidate. In fact, you could disregard that tweet entirely and still convince yourself that The Elder Scrolls 6 will take place in Hammerfell based on these pieces of direct and circumstantial evidence:

The Name “Redfall” Is Loosely Connected To The Elder Scrolls 6

There are a couple of trademarks and copyrights loosely connected to The Elder Scrolls 6, but the most fascinating of these potentially related terms has to be “Redfall.”

As we’ve discussed before, sci-fi author Jay Falconer previously disputed a ZeniMax Media trademark application for the phrase Redfall as he had written a series of books under the same name. The dispute has since been settled under undisclosed terms.

While the Redfall trademark could pertain to nearly anything, the term relates to the Hammerfell region in a couple of fascinating ways. The “fall” and “fell” connection is probably obvious enough, but the “Red” part of the term could be a reference to the Redguards that call Hammerfell home. Could The Elder Scrolls 6 deal with some kind of tragedy that befalls the Redgaurds and threatens their domain?

It’s also been pointed out that the Redfall name could apply to a plague that was briefly referenced during Skryim (the disease turned your skin red), but it honestly feels like that connection is slightly looser.

Hammerfell is a Large Region Perfect for an Open-World RPG

Unless The Elder Scrolls 6 is going to swerve everyone, it feels safe to speculate that the upcoming project will be an open-world RPG in the style of previous games in the franchise.

It’s the open-world part of that genre that makes Hammerfell an obvious location choice. At a glance, Hammerfell is obviously one of the largest regions of Tamriel. At the very least, it’s clearly bigger than High Rock, Velenwood, Elsweyr, and Black Marsh. It’s a prime candidate for a sequel location if “escalation” is one of the design team’s main goals.

More importantly, the lore of Hammerfell’s layout makes it a perfect candidate for this genre. Most of Hammerfell’s cities are located along the region’s coast while the bulk of the area is actually a dangerous desert. While there are locations and people in that desert that make it more than endless stretches of sand, the idea of a kind of “badlands” that you must traverse between cities certainly matches the navigational expectations of an open-world RPG.

Hammerfell’s Landscape (Kind of) Matches The Elder Scrolls 6 Teaser Trailer

The lone teaser trailer that’s been released for The Elder Scrolls 6 so far is light on details (to say the least), but it’s honestly not much of a stretch to suggest that the teaser features an early glimpse at Hammerfell.

Not only does the teaser showcase a somewhat arid region that emphasizes the coastline (which, again, matches the basic layout of the Hammerfell region), but it notably features a prominent mountain range that some fans have already “matched” to the mountains of Hammerfell.

We should also point out that an alternate read of that trailer suggests that it’s actually teasing the High Rock region which shares a border and certain geographical features with Hammerfell. At the very least, High Rock and Hammerfell are the most popular location candidates at the moment.

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Hammerfell Borders Relevant Elder Scrolls Locations

Speaking of Hammerfell’s borders, it’s potentially significant that the Hammerfell region shares a border with some important Elder Scrolls locations.

Not only does Hammerfell touch Cyrodiil and Skyrim (the locations of the two previous mainline Elder Scrolls games), but as we just mentioned, it neighbors the High Rock region which is undoubtedly one of the most historically significant corners of The Elder Scrolls universe.

The fact that Hammerfell touches the locations of the most recent Elder Scrolls games would just be a potential throwaway factoid were it not for the idea that so many other clues directly point to it as the leading location candidate.

Hammerfell Offers A Direct Visual Contrast to Skyrim

When you think of Skyrim, you probably think of snow. Whereas many large fantasy games feature beautiful and colorful worlds that are being seized by some humorless evil force (Oblivion is a great example of this), Skyrim emphasized a comparatively barren wintery landscape that was harsher but beautiful in its own way.

Assuming that The Elder Scrolls team doesn’t want to go back to a more “traditional” fantasy setting (which High Rock would certainly provide) Hammerfell offers a fascinating alternative. On the simplest level, Hammerfell is easily identified by its desert regions whereas Skryim was mostly about snow and winter.

The contrast between the two areas may be a bit on the nose, but Hammerfell would certainly immediately distinguish itself from Skyrim while retaining some of the more muted geographical elements that made that game notable.

Redguards Are Fascinating Leads For the Modern Elder Scrolls Franchise

We briefly mentioned the Redguards before, but they really are fascinating characters. As humans hardened by the sometimes inhospitable Hammerfell region, Redguards as typically described as the greatest warriors in Tamriel.

That last bit of information could prove to be relevant from a gameplay standpoint. Skyrim made combat much more fluid and “active” than it has ever been in previous Elder Scrolls games, and Fallout 4 furthered the idea that Bethesda is interested in utilizing more reaction-based combat in their open-world RPGs.

If they continue along that line, then it would make sense for The Elder Scrolls 6 to primarily feature a race of characters renowned for their combat abilities. Granted, that’s a bit of a stretch, but when you’re talking about a game that is years away from being released, that’s kind of what you’re left with.

The post Why The Elder Scrolls 6 Could Take Place in Hammerfell appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/2JQCqqy

[finsaraan]

HEADCANONS;          This is kind of a big one but I can’t help it. Oblivion, beloved as it is to me, dearest video game of my heart and childhood, can honestly fuck off with that fashion. I’ll forgive the landscape retcon, but I refuse to acknowledge the muddy field ensemble of casual outfits we got. I am gonna shriek till I die that archetypal Roman stuff is where Cyrodiil began and is the heart of their culture. But I also like to think that built into that there’s a ton of diversity to their fashion, because influences from all over Tamriel have seeped into Cyrodiil what with it being so central both physically and politically. The sheer volume of tradespeople that travel to or via the Imperial City means that it's like every culture in Tamriel got put into a blender and mixed on the high setting.

Also, I’m retconning Skyrim’s ‘every woman is born already wearing her generic fantasy lace-up bodice’. We all know what you did, Bethesda, you said ‘it’s vikings’ and then gave them Tamrielic gods, but then apparently handed the women’s clothing design off to someone who didn’t even bother googling something as bloody simple as ‘viking women’s clothing’. That simple! But apparently Gary, who clearly has some kind of corset kink, was too busy drawing waist-clinchers and saying ‘that looks vaguely medieval right’. (I bet it was Gary who designed the women’s version of the Stormcloak officer armour, too) 

And don’t get me FUCKING started on the FUCKING JEWELLERY IN THESE GAMES GOD  D A M N.

[mikatesmods]

Oblivion Greening Overhaul

All cities

Default resources only

[mikatesmods]

Cyrodiil Landscape Design

Update to 1.1

+ Settlements

[mikatesmods]

Cyrodiil Landscape Design

Cities and Settlements

Screenshots, part II

[mikatesmods]

Cyrodiil Landscape Design 1.2

Global greening of all Cyrodiil cities, made on the basis of only default resources.

UPDATE to 1.2 +settlements+ stables and courtyards of castles

[breadknight-likes-things]

Game Journal 04/24/20:  Through The Realms Of Oblivion: The Great Forest

(Surprise!  Remember this little sub series of posts?  I’ve been writing everything else in these Game Journal dailies, may as well get back to these too!)

The Great Forest?  More like the....no actually it is pretty great!  Far and away my favorite region in Cyrodiil, The Great Forest has the unique distinction of more or less being two different zones all in one.  Each of those zones is a type of forest, to be fair, but they have different vibes that I love, even among all the wildly varying and beautiful zones you can find in Cyrodiil.  I’ll go through the sub zones in this post, and say a little bit about why they mean so much to me!

The Highlands:  I call this section of The Great Forest “The Highlands” because they’re.....at a moderately higher elevation?  Really though this part of the woods is mostly just characterized by a more open placement of the trees.  It’s not exactly what you’d call a thicket of woods.  The trees are far apart and frankly, it feels a bit more like the other sections of woods we’ve already explored in the game before now!  That’s not a bad thing though, because when taken as a part of the whole that is The Great Forest “The Highlands” have a calming, more open vibe that I really appreciate.

This screenshot is more or less exactly what I picture when Elder Scrolls IV pops into my head.

The Redwoods:  This half of The Great Forest?  This is entirely my brand.  Characterized by the titular redwood trees that dominate the landscape, this is both my favorite section of Cyrodiil and, i’d argue, the most unique zone in the game.  There’s really nothing else quite like the redwoods anywhere else in Oblivion.  I grew up around redwood tree forests, hell I went to preschool through first grade at a Buddhist monastery school dead in the middle of the most gorgeous redwood forest in the world (this is, in fact, all true!) so it’s little wonder that this ended up my favorite environmental design in one of my favorite games.  Hilariously, my favorite location in this section of the Great Forest is a monastery.  Tucked away in the middle of nowhere, hidden among the redwoods, there’s a peaceful little monastery staffed only by the four or so monks who live in the little cabin next door.  In a game world full of violent and dangerous locations, finding something so peaceful in the middle of the woods just....it just works for me.

Random Screenshot Of The Day:

Hold on!  This is no screenshot at all!.....solid information though.  (From R.L Stines “Man Thing” comic series, it rules!)

Stray Game Notes:

- I’m really not kidding about going to school for a time in a Buddhist monastery school, I had an interesting childhood!  Meditation and a more or less belief in reincarnation are still the closest things I have to anything resembling religion. 

- No other real game notes today honestly, I was actually in something of a funk all day and didn’t really play anything.

- I uh....I bought a new bicycle helmet though?  So that’s cool huh?