Where Will We Go Next? Exploring the Most Likely Options for The Elder Scrolls VI Setting

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim left an indelible mark on gaming history, but players have spent over a decade looking toward the horizon. Few questions in the gaming industry spark as much intense debate and speculation as the potential location of The Elder Scrolls VI setting. As fans eagerly await Bethesda's next massive fantasy RPG, analyzing the clues left behind in previous lore and official teasers helps us narrow down where The Elder Scrolls VI setting might actually be.

To understand where the franchise is heading, we must look at both the geographical layout of Tamriel and the historical gaps in Bethesda's library. While some provinces have been thoroughly explored in modern single-player titles, others remain shrouded in mystery, waiting for their time in the spotlight.

The Leading Contenders: Hammerfell and High Rock

For many long-time fans, the arid deserts of Hammerfell and the high-fantasy kingdoms of High Rock represent the most logical choices for the next game. The initial teaser trailer released by Bethesda showcased a rugged, mountainous coastline bordering a vast body of water, which strongly resembles the Iliac Bay area. This region lies directly between High Rock and Hammerfell, making either province—or a combination of both—highly likely.

Hammerfell is the homeland of the Redguards, a proud and martial race known for their unparalleled swordsmanship. The province features a diverse geography ranging from the harsh sands of the Alik'r Desert to lush coastal cities like Sentinel and Stros M'Kai. Many lore experts point to the Iliac Bay region as the most logical anchor for The Elder Scrolls VI setting. A setting centered here would allow Bethesda to explore the political fallout of the Great War, as Hammerfell successfully resisted the Aldmeri Dominion after the Empire abandoned them.

High Rock, on the other hand, offers a more traditional European medieval fantasy aesthetic. As the home of the Bretons, High Rock is defined by its fractured political landscape, numerous petty kingdoms, and grand stone castles. The province is also home to the Direnni Tower, one of the oldest structures in Tamriel, which holds immense metaphysical significance in the series' lore.

Valenwood and Elsweyr: The Call of the South

If Bethesda decides to move away from the rocky northern climates, the southern provinces of Valenwood and Elsweyr present vibrant, exotic alternatives. According to community reports and player speculation, these regions would offer a drastic visual departure from the snowy peaks of Skyrim and the temperate forests of Cyrodiil.

Valenwood is the ancestral home of the Bosmer, or Wood Elves. Unlike the traditional forests of High Rock, Valenwood is a dense, subtropical wilderness dominated by massive, migratory trees. The Bosmer adhere to the Green Pact, a strict religious code that forbids them from harming the plant life of their homeland. This unique ecology makes Valenwood a fascinating candidate for The Elder Scrolls VI setting, especially for players tired of traditional medieval European fantasy landscapes.

Directly to the east lies Elsweyr, the arid and tropical homeland of the Khajiit. Elsweyr is divided culturally and geographically between the harsh northern deserts and the southern rainforests. The Khajiit are one of the most diverse races in Tamriel, with their physical forms determined by the phases of the moons at the time of their birth. Exploring the complex caste system of the Khajiit and their production of moon sugar would provide a rich narrative backdrop.

Black Marsh and the Summerset Isles: High-Risk, High-Reward Locales

For players seeking a truly alien experience, Black Marsh and the Summerset Isles represent two extremes of Tamriel's cultural and geographical spectrum. However, both present unique challenges for developers aiming to create a welcoming open-world environment.

Black Marsh, also known as Argonia, is a treacherous wetland filled with poisonous swamps, deadly predators, and the mysterious Hist—a race of sentient trees worshipped by the native Argonians. Community discussions often highlight the lore obstacle of the Knahaten Flu, a deadly plague that decimated non-Argonian populations in the Second Era. If Bethesda decides to go a completely different route, Black Marsh could serve as The Elder Scrolls VI setting, offering a highly alien environment where players must navigate hostile swamps and complex tribal politics.

Conversely, the Summerset Isles (or Alinor) serve as the homeland of the Altmer, or High Elves. This archipelago is characterized by its breathtaking, crystal-like architecture, beautiful orchards, and advanced magical academies. However, setting a game here would place the player directly in the heart of the Aldmeri Dominion. This could create a tense, politically charged narrative where non-elf characters face severe discrimination and hostility from the ruling Thalmor faction.

The Scope Debate: Single Province vs. Combined Territories

A popular theory within the gaming community suggests that Bethesda might merge multiple smaller provinces to create a larger, more diverse game world. While some players worry that combining provinces might dilute the detail of each region, historical game design proves that Bethesda can manipulate scale effectively.

During the early days of the franchise, games like The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall utilized procedural generation to create a massive map spanning parts of both High Rock and Hammerfell. Modern entries like Skyrim and Oblivion opted for smaller, hand-crafted maps that prioritized density and detail over sheer geographical size. The possibility of a multi-province map for The Elder Scrolls VI setting has also been a major talking point among fans who want to see the contrast between the Breton kingdoms and the Redguard deserts.

To understand how map sizes have evolved over the history of the franchise, we can look at the estimated in-game areas of previous titles.

Returning to Past Lands: Is Morrowind or Cyrodiil Possible?

Some players have expressed interest in returning to provinces featured in older games, arguing that modern technology could bring these classic regions to life in ways previously impossible. While returning to Vvardenfell is highly improbable, the mainland of Morrowind represents an unexplored frontier that could theoretically shape The Elder Scrolls VI setting.

Only a portion of Morrowind was explorable in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, which focused almost entirely on the volcanic island of Vvardenfell. The mainland, which accounts for roughly 60% of the province's total landmass, features unique locations like Mournhold and the Telvanni peninsula. However, because these areas have been partially depicted in The Elder Scrolls Online, Bethesda will likely prioritize entirely new territory for their next single-player landmark.

For players who want to track the history of the series' settings, the franchise has slowly mapped out the continent of Tamriel over the decades. You can view the official history of the games and their releases on the official Bethesda Softworks website to see how the world has grown.

Ultimately, whether we find ourselves sailing the Iliac Bay, trekking through the Alik'r Desert, or navigating the political intrigue of High Rock, the next chapter of this storied franchise promises to expand the lore of Tamriel in ways we have never seen before. Until Bethesda officially pulls back the curtain, the mystery of the setting remains one of the most exciting topics in gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Hammerfell considered the frontrunner for The Elder Scrolls VI setting?

Hammerfell is considered the most likely candidate due to the visual clues shown in the original 2018 teaser trailer, which featured arid coastlines and rocky mountains characteristic of the province. Additionally, the lore of the Redguards and their conflict with the Aldmeri Dominion provides a perfect narrative continuation from the events of Skyrim.

Can we expect to see multiple provinces in the next game?

While Bethesda has traditionally focused on a single province for its modern single-player games, player experiences and community theories suggest that a dual-province setting featuring both High Rock and Hammerfell is highly possible. This would allow the developers to contrast the medieval castles of the Bretons with the desert landscapes of the Redguards.

Will the game take place in Akavir?

It is highly unlikely that Bethesda will set the game in Akavir, the mysterious continent to the east of Tamriel. Community consensus suggests that exploring Akavir too early would ruin the mystique of the region, and Bethesda still has several major provinces in Tamriel that have not yet been fully explored in a modern single-player game.