General:Tamriel, Now and Then – Places

Originally published October 18, 2012. The original article can be found here.

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In The Elder Scrolls Online, you’ll be able to revisit some familiar places from previous Elder Scrolls games, including areas in the Tamriel regions of Skyrim and Morrowind.  Our team has gone to great lengths to carefully recreate many beloved Tamriel locales (those with a keen eye might even spot a few Easter Eggs while exploring ESO).  Past meets future as we take a trip down memory lane and revisit great moments in Tamriel's history with a few "now and then" comparisons, featuring locations from previous Elder Scrolls games and The Elder Scrolls Online.

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The first image, above on the left, is from Skyrim and shows The Rift's beautiful birch forests. This southeastern Skyrim hold is initially occupied by the Stormcloaks, and is a contested area during the Stormcloak Rebellion. It is also home to Throat of the World’s base and the 7,000 steps that lead to High Hrothgar.

This image features the same birch forests of The Rift region as they appear in The Elder Scrolls Online. During this time, The Rift borders Cyrodiil, the capital province and central theater of war in Tamriel, and is a key area in the Ebonheart Pact's territory.

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This image depicts the ancient city of Windhelm, as viewed from a distance in Skyrim. During the events of Skyrim, Windhelm is home to Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Eastmarch and leader of the Stormcloak Rebellion.

In The Elder Scrolls Online Windhelm is the home of Jorunn the Skald King, the de facto leader of the Ebonheart Pact. It is a bustling city, and a center for commerce and war activity.

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Southern Eastmarch, shown here in Skyrim, is a land of volcanic geysers and mineral water pools. A few scattered encampments of hunters call this land home, but it is otherwise largely empty and tranquil.

In The Elder Scrolls Online, this same area of southern Eastmarch is inhabited only by a few hardy settlers, and formidable creatures including giants. Locals sometimes exchange whispers about dangerous menaces that stalk the land ....

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Riften is a bustling port city in Skyrim (pictured above, on the left). Officially, it is run by the Jarl Laila Law-Giver, but unofficially it is controlled by Maven Black-Briar, who has ties to both the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood.

In The Elder Scrolls Online, Riften is a city bordered by both Morrowind and Cyrodiil, making it a prime location. It offers a busy marketplace and port to Ebonheart Pact visitors from near and far.

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In Morrowind, this province nestled in the northeastern corner of Tamriel is afflicted by unrelenting volcanic ash and mysterious diseases. A hero arises to quiet the Red Mountain, end the mysterious afflictions, and defeat Dagoth Ur.

In The Elder Scrolls Online, Morrowind is a land of contrasts, with volcanic regions and lush, green areas, and flora that has alien-looking qualities.  Morrowind is at the heart of the Ebonheart Pact, and is populated with many cities and small towns.

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Chorrol is an idyllic town in the heart of Cyrodiil during the events of Oblivion. It is a boulder-strewn area near the Colovian Highlands. Large oak canopies shade its streets. One of its most famous landmarks is the Chapel of Stendarr (seen above).

Chorrol is located at the heart of the war-torn province of Cyrodiil, in The Elder Scrolls Online. Surrounded by war on every side, its streets are patrolled by soldiers belonging to one of the three Alliances. As the ebb and flow of war results in territories changing hands, so do soldiers and the banners they fly. At the heart of the village, the glorious Chapel of Stendarr stands, a testament to grand Imperial architecture.