With discussion aroundThe Elder Scrolls 6still being fervent despite its far-off release date, it is worth exploring how past elements of the wider franchise may come into play in the title. While things like game mechanics and scale are worth talking about, more lore-specific aspects of the IP could have fascinating permeations if they reappear in the franchise’s next installment.
Vampirism is one of these elements that could have huge implications forThe Elder Scrolls 6, especially if the rumors about the title being set in Hammerfell are true. When considering the wider lore of vampirism within the franchise, Hammerfell could paintTES 6’s vampires in a very different light than what fans have come to expect.
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The Lore Behind Vampires in The Elder Scrolls
Vampirism is a disease that is considered a powerful and destructive blight on Tamriel, plaguing the continent for many Eras. Those who have the disease are considered undead, undergoing dramatic physical and psychological changes that makes them almost unrecognizable compared to their past selves.
The Elder Scrolls' vampires possess the usual vampire tropes of having an uncontrollable bloodlust and burning in sunlight, although more unique lore comes from the creation of vampirism. It is said that all vampires are the offspring ofthe Daedric Prince Molag Bal, who supposedly created the first vampire and is therefore responsible for all subsequently infected people.
Vampirism has spread all around Tamriel, varying in severity and frequency between provinces.Vampirisim featured prominently in 2011’sSkyrim, where players could come across several prominent covens of vampires throughout the province. Vampires are usually portrayed in packs or covens withinThe Elder Scrolls, providing a fascinating dynamic for quests and interactions. The covens ofSkyrimwere so powerful and devious that they even attempted to take over the city of Morthal in the game, requiring the player character to stop their nefarious plan.
How Vampirism Could Work in The Elder Scrolls 6’s Hammerfell
It is strongly believed thatThe Elder Scrolls 6will be set in Hammerfellthanks to the 2018 reveal trailed for the title. With the size of Hammerfell making sense for such a high-profile title, and the imagery of the trailer matching up with the landscapes of the province, a Hammerfell-setTES 6seems like a sure-thing in the eyes of many.
LikeSkyrim, Hammerfell possesses a range of imposing vampire covens.With Hammerfell being a hot and arid environment in many places, the intense sun of the province wreaks havoc with its vampire population. As Hammerfell’s vampires spend more time around intense and longstanding sunshine, their desperation and suffering can lead them to be some of the most ferocious and cruel vampires in all of Tamriel.
Hammerfell has three main covens of vampires that have been previously explored, living right across the province from its unforgiving deserts to its snowcapped mountains. The Selenu clan dominate a huge swathe of Hammerfell, with their resistance to elemental damage making them a feared scourge of many travelers. The Anthotis are present in otherregions of the province including the Alik’r Desert, only surviving the extreme environments through their renowned intellect and cunning. Finally, the Khulari live in the Dragontail Mountains, often paralyzing their prey.
The different vampire covens of Hammerfell reflect the harsh conditions that they live in, offering a fascinating glimpse as to how they have adapted over time. WhileSkyrim’s vampires were limited to the same environments, the geographical variation of Hammerfell and its vampire-unfriendly climate will lead to some fascinating portrayals of the disease inThe Elder Scrolls 6.
The Elder Scrolls 6is in development.
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