Many of us fell in love with The Elder Scrolls series through either Oblivion (2006) or Skyrim (2011). Because each entry in the series is largely self-contained, every title serves as an excellent opportunity for the uninitiated to give the games a shot. You really can jump into Skyrim fresh without an inkling of confusion (Oblivion is pretty great, though).
All this isn’t to say the games are disconnected. Many of the challenges and crucial moments caused by the Oblivion Crisis directly lead to the world we find in Skyrim two centuries later. That’s kind of amazing considering the gap in time and the fact we’ve gone from traditional medieval fantasy to the frigid Nordic lands more akin to the Beowulf legends. While some mega-fans might seek these connections, not all of them are so easy to find or will even make sense when taken alone. And that’s why we’re here.
Today we’re going to dive the lore connecting Oblivion and Skyrim. From how the Oblivion Crisis changed entire nations to the political maneuvers that would set up Skyrim’s Civil War (and you thought Cersei Lannister could scheme); we’re going to break down the major events that took place in the centuries not covered in the games. Who knows, maybe by the end of this list we’ll even get an idea of how Skyrim might set up The Elder Scrolls VI.
So let’s all sit back and prepare for a multi-course meal of Elder Scrolls lore with 20 Wild Things That Happened Between Oblivion And Skyrim.
Rise of the Thalmor
The Oblivion Crisis wreaked havoc throughout Tamriel. It wasn’t until the Champion of Cyrodiil and Martin Septim overcame Mehrunes Dagon that the merciless hordes of Daedra stopped. Yet, in the Summerset Isles, other heroes arose.
A political fringe group called the Thalmor used the crisis to gain clout. Blown up tales about the Thalmor delivering victory spread and those who questioned this version of events disappeared (including a commander who defended the Crystal Tower). This strategy built up into a bloody uprising and purge of anyone who opposed the Thalmor or did not have “Aldmer blood”. From the ashes of the Oblivion Crisis, the Thalmor were born.
Thalmor Meddling
Emboldened by their success during the Oblivion Crisis, the Third Aldmeri Dominion sought greater power. Doing so meant challenging the Empire for land, riches, and . The Dominion did so in spectacular fashion by outright assassinating Potentate Ocato in 4E 10.
Ocato held the title of High Chancellor during Oblivion. As the Hero of Kvatch, you may sharing several conversations with him including when he congratulates you on behalf of the Elder Council with Imperial Dragon Armor. After dubbing you the Champion of Cyrodiil, Ocato went on to lead the Empire as Potentate, essentially the interim emperor. By removing Ocato the Thalmor left the Third Empire fragmented.
The Civil War (Not That One)
During the events of the Oblivion Crisis, the Third Empire lost two emperors in the course of a year. This left the burden of rebuilding in the hands of the Elder Council, specifically, Potentate Ocato. After so much destruction and loss, the Empire needed stability if it had any hope of surviving.
The assassination of Potentate Ocato led to a civil war called the Stormcrown Interregnum. Many began making claims for the Ruby Throne, triggering seven years of bloodshed and the kind of political warfare George R. R. Martin would probably appreciate. Thules the Gibbering, a witch-warrior and warlord, came out on top until the Colovian warlord Titus Mede seized the crown in 4E 17.
More Mede, Please
Emperor Titus Mede took a protectionist approach to ruling. This is in stark contrast to the Thalmor, who actively postured to gain power and prestige as the Empire eroded. Titus Mede’s focus on immediate threats ultimately allowed the Thalmor to seize the Summerset Isles and for Umbriel to threaten the empire.
Prince Attrebus Mede was different. Hungry for adventure and glory, the only son of Titus Mede sought glory in battle and heroic feats including the destruction of Umbriel. While a number of accomplishments were quietly orchestrated by his father, this ambition offers some insight into his eventual rule. That’s pretty helpful since there’s no record between 4E 17 and 4E 168.
Umbriel
A being known as Umbra stole a piece of the Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile’s power. Such treachery saw Umbra imprisoned in Vile’s realm of Oblivion. However, when the Ingenium keeping the Ministry of Truth was destroyed, those responsible were hurled into Oblivion with Umbra, who took them captive. This chance meeting led to the creation of another ingenium to power the floating city of Umbriel.
Umbra struck a deal with the Chief Minister of Emperor Titus Mede to summon Umbriel into Tamriel. When this was done, Umbriel appeared with a horde of undead that threatened Black March, Cyrodiil, and Morrowind. The Umbriel Crisis only ended thanks to a band of heroes, including Prince Attrebus Mede.
Penitus Oculatus
With the sacrifice of Martin Septim, the line of Dragonborn emperors came to a close. This meant the Blades, who served as bodyguards and protectors for emperors in this bloodline, would not do so for Emperor Titus Mede. In their place, a new organization known as Penitus Oculatus formed.
The Penitus Oculatus became bodyguards, enforcers of the law, and an espionage force for the Empire. All of these roles come into play when they are encountered in Skyrim during the Dark Brotherhood questline, in which the agents orchestrate the near destruction of the already crippled faction.
Void Nights
Imagine looking to the sky to find the moon had disappeared. All of that fear and curiosity spread throughout Tamriel in 4E 98 when both Masser and Secunda vanished from the celestial plane. The event is known as the Void Nights.
For the Khajit, the moons play a role in their religion and are critical to their birth patterns -- for example, specific lunar alignments can signal the birth of the next leader, called the Mane. To find Masser and Secunda gone understandably sent shockwaves through Elsweyr. In 4E 100, Masser and Secunda reappeared. The Thalmor claimed the use of newfound magic to restore the moons. Without any other explanation, Elsweyr embraced the Thalmor as heroes.
The Elsweyr States
The Fourth Era proved tumultuous for the land of the Khajit. Around the same time the Empire was sorting out who would claim the title of emperor, Elsweyr suffered the assassination of their own leader known as the Mane. After the Void Nights some years later and the Aldmeri Dominion claimed to return the moon's core to the Khajit’s way of life.
Thinking the Aldmeri Dominion had saved their way of life, the Elsweyr Confederacy turned away from the Empire. This set the grounds for a coup in 4E 115 that ended the Confederacy and split Elsweyr into the deserts of Anequina and Pelletine jungles -- both client states of the Aldmeri Dominion.
Going to Solstheim
The Oblivion Crisis saw great battles against the Daedric forces. One major loss for the races of man and mer is known as the Fall of Ald'ruhn. Suffice to say that a faction of Dunmer known as House Redoran suffered awful losses and a city to this battle. The effects could be felt after the end of the crisis, leading many to relocate to Solstheim.
Shortly after this move, in 4E 5, Solstheim changed from a welcoming chance to rebuild a life into a harsh, ash-covered land. Despite this fact, refugees continued seeking new lives in Solstheim until the High King of Skyrim gave the land back to the Dunmer in 4E 16.
Good Time to Be Argonian
Connected to the Hist, the Argonians of Black Marsh were ready for the Oblivion Crisis. They successfully repelled Daedric attacks like so many other nations struggled for survival. Perhaps unimpressed by how Cyrodiil was ravaged or simply in confidence for the An-Xileel, Black Marsh left the Empire shortly after.
New opportunities arose in the wake of the Red Year. Morrowind had suffered greatly since the eruption of Red Mountain and the Dunmer were vulnerable. Years of slavery left a divide between the Argonians and Dunmer, so naturally, the lizardfolk found this the perfect chance for vengeance. By the time House Redoran pushed the Argonians back southern Morrowind had their mark.
