SeasonedSkyrimplayers have been exploring the province for the last decade. That longevity makes it incredible to think thatTheElder Scrolls 6will be coming out as anext-gen Xbox console exclusivewithin a few years. While there have always been several player characters throughout the franchise’s history,Skyrim’s longevity has given players close ties to their Dragonborn. Throughout a playthrough, there are myriad ways to customize the player character, from choosing armor and cosmetics to making important decisions about their combat style and the company they keep.
TheSkyrimmodder community hasn’t made things any easier for dedicated players. Hundreds of mods are designed to create further immersion for a player’s Dragonborn, allowing for advanced customization, deeper connections with NPCs, and extensive quality-of-life improvements to the role-playing game. WhileThe Elder Scrolls 6is unlikely to be the staple “decade game” that its predecessor has become, there is a good chance that the title will do away with the Dragonborn completely, allowing a new player character to take the stage.
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Why The Dragonborn Won’t Be In Elder Scrolls 6
While it may be a surprise to some players thatElder Scrollsdeveloper Bethesda might retire the Dragonborn, there are clues hidden inSkyrimthat allude to this being the case. In fact, theBook of the Dragonbornstates that the Dragonborn who will face off with Alduin and his army of resurrected dragons is prophesied to be the last Dragonborn in existence. Whether this is true remains to be seen, but it does lay the groundwork for no new Dragonborn in future games. To add, the player character inSkyrimis even called “the last Dragonborn,” leaving no room for misinterpretation.
TheBook of the Dragonbornstates that whileAkatosh is rumored to bestow the Dragonborn’s blessing, there is no clear logic around who is picked and why. When looking at theElder Scrollsfranchise, it would be thematically consistent to build the new title around a new player character. Each game has a character with a clean slate, allowing players to create and customize to their heart’s content.Skyrimis one of the most comprehensive games ever made, allowing for significant character development - enough that there might not be enough left to mine in a future game slated to be more involved.
The Elder Scrolls' Next Player Character
While very little is known aboutThe Elder Scrolls 6,there are quite a few rumors about where the game might take place and the events involved. Some players surmise that the game will take place inHigh Rock or Valenwood.While some believe that the next player character will be tied to the history of the game’s location, it would be thematically consistent with having the player character take on a role that allows for the most player choice. With this in mind, it would be awesome to see players experience multiple locations across the game.
Given the rapid evolution of gaming technology, the game could allow players to explore multiple locations on a full scale. Fortunately, almost all the areas mentioned inElder Scrollslore are connected by land, allowing easy travel across provinces. The upcoming game could have players traveling across the continent to solve the disappearance of theDwemer, whose empire stretched from Morrowind to the western coast of Hammerfell at the height of their power. The player character could even explore the world beyond Tamriel or originate as one of the Akaviri peoples under-explored in the franchise.
