Summary
The Elder Scrolls 6is likely still several years away, but there are rumors that it will be set in Hammerfell. The prospect of settingThe Elder Scrolls 6in Hammerfell is an exciting one, as the former Province is known for its majestic landscapes and the Alik’r Desert, which could prove to be a great environment for an open-world game.The Elder Scrolls 6could learn a valuable lesson fromSkyrimconcerning its different environments where, instead of just one singular type of landscape, it provided an unexpected mix of tundra, swamps, woodlands, plains, and grasslands.
Despite all the variations, Skyrim was still identifiable as a cold Province, no matter where the Dragonborn went. While Hammerfell doesn’t need to include these exact environments, a clear identity for Hammerfell’s climate and how the people living there have adapted to it is essential.
Skyrim’s Unique Worldbuilding is Steeped in Identifiable Biomes
Rather than just featuring a tundra or snowy mountains across the entirety of its open world,Skyrimhad a variety of environments. These locales helped to differentiate the different regions of Skyrim and create a sense of scale. In addition to the changing landscapes and flora, the kinds of fauna encountered, particularly hostile ones, differ from region to region.
Examples of this include the giant spiders in the woods that surround Riften and the ice wraiths found in the coldest, snowiest northern regions of Skyrim.
The variations in the environment turned Skyrim, the Province, into a character of its own, with each Hold bearing a unique identity shaped around the environment that it featured. The Reach’s high cliffs inform the Nords' silver mining and the Forsworn’s goat rearing,Hjaalmarch’s swamps shape the fate of Morthal, while the freezing cold of Eastmarch informs the history and architecture of Windhelm.
Despite the variation in the environment acrossSkyrim, the climate remained consistent in terms of being icy and prone to snow. The mountains that cradle any of the warmer environments are almost always covered in snow and provide a constant reminder of the harsh climate. While many Holds do offer a reprieve and variation from the snow,much of Skyrim, especially the northern half, is covered in snow and is subjected to blizzards, while its northern coast gives way to ice fields.
Possible Worldbuilding in The Elder Scrolls 6
Hammerfell’s defining environmental feature is the Alik’r Desert, the largest desert in Tamriel. The Alik’r Desert stretches across northwestern Hammerfell, dominating much of the nation’s western territory. Despite being a desert, theAlik’r encompasses several cultures, and any open-worldElder Scrollsgame that takes place in Hammerfell is likely to feature the Alik’r Desert in some capacity.
Climates in Hammerfell
However,Hammerfell isn’t all desert landscapes. What has been depicted of Hammerfell inThe Elder Scrolls: Onlineshows that Hammerfell’s environment is as diverse as Skyrim’s, with the Alik’r Desert making up only a fraction of the land mass of the nation. Bordering the Alik’r Desert are jungles, swamps, wetlands, mountains, and plains. Beyond the Alik’r Desert, and on the border with High Rock, the landscape transforms into the high cliffs and mountains that are characteristic of High Rock.
With this in mind, all of these biomes feature a contrast to Skyrim’s in that they’re hot climates rather than cold. The sandy desert is a very different environment to a jungle or swamp, especially for an open-world game asThe Elder Scrolls 6will likely be, but similar architecture, clothing, and food should be transferable across the different regions of Hammerfell, as they were inSkyrim.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
WHERE TO PLAY
Winner of more than 200 Game of the Year Awards, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim celebrates 10 years of adventuring in stunning detail. The Anniversary Edition includes a decade worth of content: the critically acclaimed core game and add-ons of Skyrim Special Edition, plus Creation Club content released on or prior to June 15, 2025.EPIC FANTASY REBORNSkyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose.LIVE ANOTHER LIFE, IN ANOTHER WORLDPlay any type of character you may imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.YOU ARE WHAT YOU PLAYChoose from hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities. The new character system allows you to play any way you want and define yourself through your actions.BATTLE DRAGONSBattle ancient dragons like you’ve never seen. As Dragonborn, learn their secrets and harness their power for yourself.
