## Description

_The Elder Scrolls Online_ is an MMORPG and the first game in the long-
running RPG series not only to feature multiplayer, but also making it a
multiplayer-only environment. The game begins with character creation with
four classes (Dragon Knight, Nightblade, Sorcerer and Templar). The game
consists of three factions with three races each: Aldmeri Dominion (Altmer,
Bosmer and Khajiit), Daggerfall Covenant (Breton, Orc and Redguard) and
Ebonheart Pact (Argonian, Dunmer and Nord). A tenth race, Imperials, is
exclusively available through a collector’s edition of the game. Regardless of
the chosen option, the story always starts with the character as a prisoner
with amnesia in Coldharbour. Just like the other games in the franchise it is
set in Tamriel with many ties in the storyline to the other games. It offers
the entire continent for players to explore, with a specific region for each
of the three factions, and certain regions locked off and saved for future
expansions. It is set 1,000 years before The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and circa
800 years before The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and The Elder Scrolls IV:
Oblivion. The main antagonist is the Daedric Prince Molag Bal who attempts to
fuse Tamriel with Coldharbour through dark anchors. These giant anchors are
shot at random intervals, can be seen from a large distance and act as large
events similar to those in RIFT.

The game does not entirely follow the open environments and storyline from the
previous games. Instead, each faction has its own campaign with a linear
progress through regions. They consist of elements typical for the series,
such as large cities to visit, dungeons, quests, and various characters to
talk to. Eventually the campaigns bring the three factions together in the
central region of Cyrodiil to join the Alliance War that provides the PvP
section of the game. In that area each faction wrestles for territory control,
resource nodes and travel routes with its own strongholds. It also emphasizes
control over the Elder Scrolls, powerful artifacts that can be stolen and need
to be taken to the faction’s stronghold, and benefit every member of the
faction that holds them. The idea is that power and balance will constantly
shift as two factions will work together to retrieve the scrolls from the one
that holds them. There are siege weapons to attack strongholds and the highest
ranking player of the faction that controls the Ruby Throne in Imperial City
is crowned emperor. When fighting for a faction points are earned during
scouting or bounty missions that can be used to buy resources for the faction.
The game uses a scaling battle system where lower-ranked players can still
take on higher level players, starting from level 10.

Other game elements where players can work together include boss monsters,
Delves (mini-dungeons), regular dungeons (for four to twelve players), and
Dolmens, a cycling sequence of waves of monsters. Unlike many other MMORPGs
players are not divided over separate realms tied to a server, as the game
puts all players together in a single environment with dynamic population
assignment. Attacking does not rely on auto actions and automatic targeting.
Instead, it puts more emphasis on movement (positioning, evading) and free-
flowing attacks based on magic, ranged, light and heavy weapons, but there is
also a timer system where a cycle of skills is activated automatically. Visual
elements show where opponents will strike and this can be used to dodge and
evade. During fights up to five skills can be used, along with a special,
powerful skill called Ultimate.

Each character class has three specializations, but separate weapon and armour
specialization paths with their own set of passive and active skills. These
are further determined by race and guild alignments and like previous games
these can eventually open up new lines such as vampire or werewolf. Leveling
up is generally done by completing quests, gaining experience and locating
skyshards. A new level is awarded with skills points spent in a skill tree.
Different resources and recipes are used to craft items.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Murkmire