Indeed. Unless you are at or near CP810, coming up against a group of two or more players on your own is an automatic death sentence. I haven't gone out of my way to do so; it only happens when I am just exploring or completing quests.



Ha, I doubt the title of Emperor is in Cincy's future. He would have to get insanely powerful and proficient at PvP.

And it you like seeing familiar locations, wait until you see this list (unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot to them in this game, but it is still nice to see them). This list is of Cyrodiilic Explorations.


"Jauffre would be one to know. He lives quietly as a monk, in..."

Our guild's hometown!

Oh...oh no...That's not supposed to be there...

You can't see me...

In timeout

The long fall from White Falls Mountain

Not so sinister a place this time

Bruma's Dark Anchor

Cloud Ruler Temple heading up the clouds (unfortunately, you can't even enter)

Imperial City in the distance

Master of art

I'm not as think as you drunk I am

Away from the rage of battle

Still need that beauty rest

The Pact Sentinel

These shots are absolutely spectacular! I don't know how you even managed to hit the screenshot in the middle of all that; but this really brings back so many wonderful memories of the Alliance War gameplay. In my opinion; the war in Cyrodiil was one of the most fun gaming experiences I've ever had; and you have really captured it by explaining who is attacking and the retribution; etc. What a blast Cyrodiil is to play when grouped!

Amazing shots!!!

Good to know! I hope they'll include even more zones in Cyrodiil in the future and that not all of them will be PvP.



Buffy didn't need any help so I could take a screenie in between. Heck, I could have taken 20 screenies. You can expect screenies of Pia and Shonta in a few days.

Here's a screenie of my camera settings, although I have the game set to German, you can easily figure out which settings is which.

Thanks Lopov! I will try to adjust mine; and hope it works!

Oh, and by the way = Acadian is right about the Gold Coast making you feel nostalgic to Oblivion = it absolutely does; and moreso than Cyrodiil will = but seeing the familiar names in Cyrodiil does give me a warm feeling too.


*

I just wanted to post these pics of Dagoth-Malan. He is supposed to be a Chimer; but I had to use the High Elf face to make him. I didn't have the picture of Vivec to go by; so was going by my crappy memory of what the original Vivec from Morrowind looked like for his facial features (the only male version of what Chimer look like that I could find). The last pics are what Dagoth-Malan looked like in my Oblivion game = which unfortunately I used the Dark Elf base for, so he turned out greenish in Oblivion.


https://imgur.com/a/kvtOlN4

Good job, mALX! A very unique-looking character. I see he already participated in bringing down the Shellcracker.

Thanks! I added some more (and better) pics of my old Oblivion game Dagoth-Malan to the link too.

Great job, mALX! The bald head really carries it.

Lol, he had to be bald = but I have taken A LOT of ribbing over his bald head being so shiny people can't see to play beside me in daylight (etc) from my friend Aussie (mostly) and others at SneakyBo, lol.

If I put a hat on him I could call him "Heisenberg" and use it as one of his disguises,


Heisenberg:



https://image.businessinsider.com/505879f3e...g&auto=webp

mALX, Dagoth Malan looks a bit like a Nosferatu, which is perfect for his story! Well done!

Yes he did! (but with plenty of help, thank goodness), lol.










Thank you so much! I am pretty sure that is what Bethesda was going for when they created Vivec's image in the original game:


https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/eldersc...=20140330095518





This is def the image I was going for; just couldn't find it while in Character Creation, lol.

Just a screenshot

GAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!! You got the Achievement!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!! Geez, don't we get any details about your Cyrodiil fishing trip?

I'm still busy cropping pictures.

The Cyrodil part got off to a good start this morning, as we found that the Salt water and River fishing holes were all in Dominion territory, making it easy to get there. And there were a decent number of lakes too. In the first hour we had all those done. Nine out of twelve fish.

But the foul water fishing is all around the edge of Lake Rumare, and that's contested territory. So getting there was an issue. And there are notices about not going in the deep water because of slaughterfish. It appears that "deep water" includes damp patches of grass, because he was suddenly back at the start with scarred ankles.

Once we had that lesson learned, we did a complete circuit of the lake, fishing at every hole on the way - at least thirty of them. Plenty of the green fish - Pufferfish and Quillfish - but no sign of the blue. We'd gone through a whole Tamriel day at this point. WE started in the dark, and it was dark again, before we finally found a Sewer Eel.

Then he ran into the lake and let the slaughterfish send him back home.

It took almost as long to fillet the 550 white fish he caught, but that did mean a lot of Perfect Roe.

This sounds wonderful!!! What a great fishing story!!!! (and yeah; all the water in Cyrodiil is filled with Slaughterfish. You even have to swim across them to get one of the skyshards; it is not easy, lol).

Since they changed it so you can transport directly to the Imperial City Sewers (instead of having to ride to them from your Alliance base) = the area around the Rumare has become pretty safe; no reason for Players to go there unless they are fishing.

Committing suicide to get back to your base in Cyrodiil is pretty much standard practice; just don't ever do it in the Imperial City or Imperial City Sewers; because even the beasts can steal your Telvar stones there if they kill you. (I buy the magic transport stones for the Imperial City to magically travel back to your Alliance Base).

@RaderOfTheLostArk - great screenies from Cyrodiil. Nice to see that there are peaceful ares too. Cincy, as always, looks great in red & black.

Hackdirt is that old already? Is there some story involved with it?

Looks like Bruma is destined to be in the clutches of Oblivion.

---

Pia Khan & Shonta Quassan

"This dame will help me find the final skyshard of Deshaan."

"Done and done."

"Good morning."

Lute player in Stormhold

Egg-kin

---

The name of the lute player was Universal Deity, I wrote it down if we ever see him again. Shonta enjoyed watching him, he clapped and danced around. He was playing the lute almost the entire time while I was online, because Shonta passed him many times. Later on Shonta wanted to give him some gold, but by then he was already gone.

Lopov - Wonderful shots of Shonta and Pia. I know what you mean about bards. Buffy can rarely pass by one without stopping to dance.

Much of the design around the edges of Lake Rumare really bugs me in this game. I'm fine with a slaughterfish infestation preventing crossing over to the Imperial City island, but when I am standing in actual two-inch water I shouldn't be getting eviscerated by them. You can't even see them! This became even more of a nuisance when I was doing this quest called "Nirnroot Wine." You have to retrieve something called Red Mountain Ash (which you mine apparently, instead of pick like a reagent as I expected), which only grows on the edges of Lake Rumare. Very "conveniently" a bunch of them were in spots where I had to jump down to the shore but could not climb back up outcroppings. The only way out, theoretically, is to...swim through the slaughterfish-infested waters, but you won't be able to get out in time before you die.

Another thing that annoys me is that if you jump in to help Imperial soldiers fighting the daedra at the bridges, you often inexplicably get an invincible Daedric Titan and/or Daedroth(s). Usually one of them can be killed, but the others you can't do any damage to at all. One time in my latest excursion to Cyrodiil, I actually managed to kill all three of them (1 Daedric Titan, 2 Daedroths) and even damage that Dremora spellcaster on that particular bridge from a distance (you can't get too close, or whatever spell suspends the bridge automatically kills you). I got the Dremora down to 0 health...and they still didn't die! They kept casting spells at me.

I just don't get some of the design choices there. Very frustrating. On the bright side, it is still interesting to go around those areas to explore a bit.




Thank you. I like the peaceful ones more, especially from an aesthetic standpoint. There's something captivating about really peaceful places being within shouting distance of war-torn battlefields.

Unfortunately, there is little story to be told about some of these familiar haunts. Hackdirt is completely occupied by a bandit group called the Black Daggers, who are also in a bunch of other spots in western Cyrodiil, and all of the buildings are chained up. Hence, the title of the shot referenced how there was no creepy factor like in Oblivion. Weynon Priory has some repeatable quests that are necessary if you want the "Chorrol Weynon Priory Adventurer" achievement (which is one of the achievements needed for the "Tamriel Hero" title), but they aren't "real" quests.

Cheydinhal, Cropsford (much bigger than it was in Oblivion), Chorrol (lots of "Cs" in regards to Cyrodiil, now that I think about it), and Bruma are major landmarks somewhat similar in that regard, although the respective issues for all those places make them a bit more interesting.
-Cheydinhal is stuck in a never-ending battle between Imperial soldiers and Imperial rebels.
-Bruma has the dark anchor right in town and Dremora plaguing the streets. It is also one of the 10 dolmens to destroy in Cyrodiil.
-Chorrol has those giant, lava-filled fissures, and it isn't uncommon to see Pact, Covenant, and/or Dominion honor guards go at it. I have even seen one of each Alliance attack each other at the same time multiple times.
-Cropsford is a major settlement that constantly changes hands between the Alliances, as it can be captured in PvP gameplay.

_____________________

Nice screenshots. Glad to see Shonta has been able to go home to the Marsh. From where exactly does he hail in your backstory for him?

None of Khajiit’s characters have ever stepped foot in Cyrodiil (unless you count the Gold Coast, which we don’t because it’s separate from the rest of Cyrodiil in this game).

Lore-wise, it is separated from the rest of Cyrodiil in ESO as well, seceding from the greater province. But there is a lot of fun to be had in Cyrodiil, as long as you like PvPing or don't mind the threat of it too much. And if you were looking for some skill points, there's 15 from skyshards alone.

But yeah, if you are not into PvP at all, then it is probably not going to be a fun time for you.

Especially as BG's give you access to the skill lines, and you get your Caltrops and Vigor, just by losing enough times. You don't need to go to Cyrodiil itself at all.

Except that ZOS keep on finding new ways to include it in events, and achievements. I suppose the PvP-only crowd argue the same the other way round, but events themselves aren't a PvP thing, and the one Midyear Mayhem event isn't popular with them, I've heard.

Cyrodiil/the Alliance War is some of the greatest role play in a game that I've ever experienced. That Alliance War with the siege weapons and breaking down the Keep walls/repairing them; destroying bridges so the enemies can't reach you without repairing the bridge; etc. = a total blast to play; and you can't help but immerse yourself into the role for your Alliance.

Not just that; but in PvP = you are not fighting a mindless monster whose AI can be learned and overcome; you are fighting a thinking foe who can come up with tricks you never even dreamed of; and can use stealth; and sometimes can decide the fight isn't worth it and salute you and go your separate ways without a kill, etc.

I LOVE gameplay in Cyrodiil; despite I am not great at PvP.









Oh, I LOVE the Gold Coast! And yeah, it is most def separate from the rest of Cyrodiil = not a PvP zone. But didn't they do a great job of making it feel like Anvil? I get really great nostalgia feelings every time I go there (minus the Dark brotherhood part of it, lol).

I loved the feeling of finding these places in ESO; though they didn't do as good a job of keeping the feel of the place like they did in the "Skyrim" areas like Eastmarch; "The Rift" (and especially Riften), etc. I guess they didn't realize people would remember what the town's layouts were; or that we might expect it to look at least similar (like they did with Riften, Anvil, etc). (which is what Acadian meant by the nostalgia being only in the names of the places).

Cheydinhal and Cropford were other warm feely names that they didn't do as well in the execution as the name gave hope to; but I think they did pretty good on making the Ayleid Ruins look closer to what we expected. Another one they did really well was the Ancestor Moth's place.

Some of the problem might be Molag Bal's attack on the major cities of Cyrodiil with his Dark Anchors; but that can't account for all of it.

On your screenshots:

The Artist ones are hysterical!!! I haven't run into that NPC yet; boy will I talk to her if I do after this,

I love how you captured the moment as you arrived in each of the towns; especially since you had just seconds to get those shots!!!

My favorite shots are the relaxations away from battle = really can feel how tired one might be and wanting to catch a moment in war where you can just rest for a second and notice the beautiful land around you = really great shots!!!

Oh = on that "Pact Sentinel," is that the Southern Morrowind Gate? I like that base; it used to be a nice place to hang out between missions!

Aw, you got shots of Pia and Shonta's meeting! I forgot to, darn it!

Your fiery lizard pet is adorable!!! I have the yellow baby; which is not nearly as cute!

I am dying to know more about this pic: "Good Morning." Where was that taken? What an interesting pic!!!

All great shots!!!

You were able to solo the Titan? HOLY CRAP !!!!!!! That is just a group World Boss; you can't get to the Imperial City by crossing that bridge anyway. The only way to get to the Imperial City used to be by going through the sewers (entrances along the shores of the Rumare) = now, of course you can go there by choosing it as a campaign just like choosing a campaign for Cyrodiil. That bridge has never been accessible.

Nice, look at Pia and Shonta hanging out. That's amazing you can take pics in the middle of the game like that. I'm always too caught up in the moment if Ana or Anita meets up with someone else.

[u]Rader: nice, Chorrol looks like Chorrol! Funny how over a thousand years have passed .... place hasn't changed much.

Whoa look at White Gold Tower from a distance! Looks like an alien ship!



YES I discovered this feature buried in the menus at some point, and so therefore my character is always dead-center on the screen, unless I zoom in really close.

See it's good in a way I had so much trouble setting up my Xbox/PC controller, because I literally went through every function and feature and toggle in those menus, and discovered quite a few cool things.

As promised, boring pictures of a Khajiit fishing. Note the lack of variety in the poses.

From the rocks - there are a lot of places where it's hard to find anywhere you can stand and still reach the fishing hole.

From the Docks

On a box

For a Lox

It was about this time he decided to go to Artaeum and invest time in finding the Pickled Fish Bowl recipe.
Khajiit has an Idea

Warm Waters

Shadowfen Dawn

He got stuck for a while in Auridon with one particularly rare fish, but ...
The one that DIDN"T get away!

And Cyrodiil left its (slaughterfish) scars on him, but eventually ...
Final Fish
Achievement
Trophy

What looks like an alien ship over the White Gold Tower is actually a "Dark Anchor" = meaning Molag Bal is attacking the Imperial City. The Imperial City is over-run with Daedra just like it was in the final battle of Oblivion's main questline. (but with the added fun of PvP on top of the Daedra, lol).










WOOOOOOOOOOT !!!!!!!!!!!! I love getting the scenic tour of the fishing Master Fisher Achievement !!!!!!! I have two absolutely tied as my favorites here: "Khajiit Has An Idea," and "Shadowfen Dawn." Spectacular photography skills in both of these!!!!

** And as a side note; loved the Doctor Suess too!!!


A HUGE Congrats on getting that Achievement; that was hard and well earned !!!!!!

'Grats, ghastley! I think fishing screenshots are all about posing for the background - and you've got several beauties in there.

@ghastley - is that vessel a reward for completing the fishing "questline"? Can you use it to travel around?



From some small village deep in the Black Marsh but he spent most of his time on ships in employ of various trading companies.



It was taken in the Stormhold Inn.

---

Nen Ria

"My friend Billy."

Against the Mummy

Foggy

Shonta & Anita Greatsword at the Lady's

Dungeoneering

Where did Shonta's hand go?

On the coast

Skyshard for Anita

Shonta Quassan as close as can get

ghastley consults his Dr. Seuss book. All we need now is "In his Socks."

I love the sun-halo around Cat's head.

------------------

Dang, Lopov beat me to it! (I knew you would). Wow, I really like the sideways shot of Anita on the beach. Funny thing is, you're about to see a mirror image of a similar shot.

We had great fun dungeoneering!

Dear Anita

Posing at Adrano

Seyda Neen

Shonta meets my Nord

Cooling our britches (Anita was afraid the nearby billies would attack. They don't seem to like water, though).

Bread & Soup

Wanderlust

Anita's new mate



Pwning a nix hound (I think)

Lopov -
Nen Ria is a beautiful example of why Buffy enjoys Shadowfen.
How nice that Shonta and Anita were able to get together and adventure some.
Getting handy with Anita there.

Renee –
So nice to see your shots of Anita.
Looks like she and Shonta had fun!
Anita's new mate. Awww.

Yes, it's the reward for the Master Fisher/Angler achievement, but no, it's just a furnishing, and stays stuck in one place. Not only that, but you have to buy it.

But it's the only boat furnishing, which is why we got it. Having built a dock at Hunding's, a boat was necessary. Well, we wanted a ship, but there's no option.

I must get some in-game shots of Clark, but in the interim, here's his bio page.

Candidates for my unused character slot that came with Elsweyr:

I can't make a Silanu in ESO, the sliders don't go that far. Even a Gilda would be out of range. The opposite end, the slender Bosmer, has been done already, and I already have a pure archer. Meena the Breton would insist on riding a Unicorn.

So the options left included Kintyra of Falkreath who appeared in one of the Red Dragon Club quests, and the stand-alone Falkreath mod.

Cybelline of Sunhold, derived from the "damsel in this dress" recruited from Bravil for Gweden, after she failed to get Gellius Terentius to give up his skooma.

And one from the latest mod - Leveque Lazare, a necromancer who's been bothering Gilda's cousin, Greta, and turning her into a Succubus.

Should I take a vote? I won't be doing anything until Clark is completely built, anyway.

@Acadian - Shadowfen isn't just Shonta Quassan's favorite region, it's mine as well. I love swamps, that's why I also love Point Lookout in Fallout 3. Swamps and deserts are my favorite settings, followed by snowy regions.

@ghastley - Clark is looking good! I'd go with Leveque Lazare, becaose of his cool robe and because necromancers seem to be rare.

---

One for SubRosa

Absorbing

No chances for Urrai

Dancing in Hissmir

Dolmen explodes

Destroying the anchor

On the bridge

Beautiful blue-eyed kitty.

Neat angle on grabbing that skyshard.

Wow, you’ve got some well-timed good action shots here!

Dance of the lizards and salamanders!

On the bridge is a good example of why those who love Shadowfen feel that way.

Aww, cute kitties, happy dances, and Death Star explosions.

Wow, now THAT is a close-up! "On the Coast" is a gorgeous screen! All of these shots are great; but that one is my favorite!








Anita is beautiful! And I'm so glad she is getting to spend time with Shonta still! Really great screenshots of your visit together!!!







Wow, you did an amazing job on Clark's face! Awesome to see him in this game; it just wouldn't be Gweden without Clark!







My vote is for Kintyra of Falkreath!!!!









These are all great shots; but "On the Bridge" is my favorite = you have a knack for conveying a mood with your setting screenshots! Awesome screen!!!

Some more pics from Shonta's last days in Shadowfen:

Bandits, chest and Dragonknight

"Where's Cat Man Dhou?"

Behind the enemy lines

Buffy helped Shonta in bringing down Captain Bones

Shonta "Liberator"

Fishing in Stormhold

Oh, I love these screenshots! You really captured Shadowfen in that first shot! I think Zenimax did a spectacular job with making Shadowfen feel like a (somewhat creepy to non-Argonians) marshy jungle = actually even more like the original Murkmire from the Elder Scrolls earlier game felt than the Murkmire DLC gives; though I very much love the Murkmire DLC.

There is no doubt which screenshot is my favorite = HAS to be your Fiery lizard sitting in the chair!!!! What an Awesome shot that is!!!! All great shots; but that one can't be beat for one of those random things the pets do to keep us laughing!

Shonta Quassan looks at home deep within the marshes and swamps. His scaly blue skin gets soothed by the constant humidity down there.

Aw, it's Buffy! I really like her attire. Seems like she'd really blend into that environment. Ana Khanda approves; she's all about blending in.

I had a few crowns from my ESO+ subscription sitting around so I decided to get a little something for Feng-Do. I picked up the Sunspire motif and combined it with the Khajiit and Tsaeci motifs. Dude now looks like he stepped out of a kung-fu movie!

Monk Feng-Do

Hee hee yeah he could be in a Kung Fu flick for sure.

He looks like he is straight out of House of Flying Daggers!

I love that hat/helmet! Really nice style; I have eyed it in the Crown Store, but have to wait till I can get the Crowns, lol.

I like the hat too. It’s the one piece of the Tsaeci motif that actually fits any of my characters. Don’t get me wrong, it (the motif as a whole) is pretty damn perfect for a Samurai style character, but unfortunately Khajiit doesn’t have any Samurai inspired characters.

^If Raiden from Mortal Kombat was a Khajiit. Cool outfit.

Lol, looks more like Kung Lao!

Lopov –
First shot is a beauty of Shadowfen.
Contemplating his tailed and furred brother.
Buffy was glad that she made it in time to help with Captain Bones.
Liberator is a wonderful shot!
Fishing in Stormhold now, is it?

Renee –
Thanks for the kind words. Buffy has settled on ‘her colors’ and generally favors a mix of buckskin and silk for fabric.

Khajiit –
Monk Feng-Do looks good. Mysterious, and that nifty hat can double as a dinner platter when needed.

From swamp...

...to snow

Shonta Quassan and unknown warrior, together absorbing the power of skyshards in the Halls of the Dead

Saxhleel on the Throne

Anita the Nordic Queen

In giant company

Rageclaw down

Ah, from Shadowfen to Eastmarch. Handy that Shonta Quassan has a fire-salamander to keep him warm. I adore the picture with the giant!


Valdi enjoyed her time fighting dragons in Elsweyr. Mostly she just enjoyed riding around and not being bothered since everyone else was fighting the dragons.

Spaghetti junction

Sugar fields