Waiting for The Elder Scrolls: VI isn’t fun. A quick development cycle is the last thing we can expect from Bethesda, though it is understandable with Starfield looming. Now with E3 cancelled, the hope of receiving concrete information about the upcoming entry is a faraway dream. Luckily, fans have already conjured up a number of compelling theories surrounding the mysterious title.
High Rock/Hammerfell Theory
So far, Redditor “kaylenivy” has constructed the most compelling argument regarding its potential setting. One of the most popular theories is that The Elder Scrolls: VI will be located in High Rock and Hammerfell. Many believe that the far city in the trailer is Sentinel on Iliac Bay, with Volenfell in the foreground. Although Volenfell is known as a Dwemer ruin, VI will likely be taking place over 1,000 years after the events of The Elder Scrolls Online – so a lot can change, visually. In addition, another Redditor who claimed to be an insider leaked the same location.
That being said, the theory is not without its detractors. Some believe that it would be unwise to make assumptions based off of singular images, as microclimates easily disrupt regional stereotypes.
Yokuda Theory
Another theory is that the trailer shows off the coast of Yokuda, a formerly massive continent to the west of Tamriel. This is a less-popular idea, but the very same, self-proclaimed informant confirmed this as well. Yokuda is known as the great sunken continent, and if it has risen again, a massive conflict over its inheritance would surely make for an interesting plot device.
Some fans are convinced due to a few geological giveaways. First, there are three small peninsulas protruding from the eastern coastline of Yokuda’s largest remaining island, Akos Kasaz; The geography from VI’s reveal trailer is quite similar. Also, some hypothesize that the trailer showcases a ruined Orichalc Tower – located on Yokuda.
The Aldmeri Dominion Will Serve As The Main Antagonists
Although the Aldmeri Dominion was largely hands-off during the events of Skyrim, their influence lingered throughout the game’s story. The Thalmor want to destroy the Imperial Empire and rule over all of Tamriel, so they could easily emerge as VI’s main antagonists. The White-Gold Concordat is flimsy to say the least, so it would be unsurprising to find that tensions have boiled over in the next entry.
The theory is decently compatible with the aforementioned settings, as the Dominion’s roots would only be a bit southward. Hammerfell is also a point of heavy contention; The Redguards recently fought for their own independence from the Dominion, resulting in the fragile Second Treaty of Stros M’kai.
Sources: VGR, Reddit, YouTube
