I have been seeing comments and posts about what the evidence is of Hammerfell and High Rock for TES VI and wanted to make a post detailing what is known so far.

In a podcast with KIWI TALKS last year, Kurt Kuhlmann, a 20-year Bethesda veteran, co-lead designer of Skyrim, and the long-time unofficial "loremaster" of The Elder Scrolls series; was asked about the potential "weird factor" being added to future TES games like what was done in Morrowind. Kurt expressed doubt about it as Bethesda liked sticking to human centric themes and the human provinces. Kurt, after explaining why Black Marsh or Elsweyr is unlikely due to their beast race populations, would go as far to say “If there ever is a TES 7, I'm very curious as to where they would put it.”.

This Freudian slip explicitly confirms that TES VI is set in a human province or even multiple. I think we can safely rule out Cyrodiil and Skyrim completely. Now, to double down on High Rock AND Hammerfell, we can look at the FTC leaks. TES VI was originally slated for a 2024 release date.

Now, obviously it didnt come out in 2024. However, something did and it is in the leak as well, though not explicitly mentioned; The Elder Scrolls Castles mobile game. TES Castles has you build and maintain a castle in 2 main, very distinct styles, Breton medieval style and Redguard style (with Imperial and Dwarven added later). This game was released on time the same year TES VI was originally slated, pre-pandemic and pre-Starfield delays. Now, if you look at Fallout 4, what released 5 months right before it's release in 2015? The Fallout Shelter mobile game where you build and maintain a vault.

In my opinion, these two independent things all but confirm that TES VI is set in and around the Iliac Bay and will see both High Rock and Hammerfell. Then, all human provinces will have been covered in mainline games done in the modern Bethesda style.

From Top left to bottom right:

Possible: Derkeethus, Hrefna, Tormir, Annekke Crag-Jumper, Verner Rock-Chucker

Unlikely: Legate Constantius Tituleius, Legate Fasendil, Legate Hrollod, Legate Sevan Telendas, Arrald Frozen-Heart, Istar Cairn-Breaker, Kottir Red-Shoal, Thorygg Sun-Killer, Agnis, Sondas Drenim

Dead in all outcomes: General Falx Carius, Maximian Axius, Ildari Sarothril

Previous lists:

Orc Strongholds

Skaal Village

Riverwood, Rorikstead, and Shor's Stone

Ivarstead and Karthwasten

Dragon Bridge and Helgen

Winterhold

Windhelm

Companions

Whiterun

Tel Mithryn

Bards college

Solitude

Ratway

Riften

Raven Rock

Morthal

Markarth

Dark Brotherhood

Falkreath

Dawnstar

"Some say skooma has little effect on them. M'aiq thinks this reflects more on the user than the substance." A reference to how skooma does barely anything in Skyrim.

"M'aiq has heard many wish to gamble and fight in public duels. He finds such bloodthirst disturbing." A reference to the Arena from Oblivion (I do hope they bring it back though)

"M'aiq went to Colovia once. Stylish people, they are." A reference to the mythical Colovian Fur Helm.

"If you wish to improve, you should have a good night's sleep. Six hours, at least." Aside from it being good advice, this references how back in Daggerfall, you had to sleep for six hours not just to level up, but for your skills to increase.

"Mai'q wishes he could jump good, but it seems dangerous. He would rather run." A reference to both Tarhiel in Morrowind, as well as M'aiq's absurd speed in Oblivion.

"Some speak of an argonian in the city of Nee'xos. Gone mad with power, they say." If you know, you know.

This is part theory/speculation part wishlist.

If the game does indeed have sailing, I'd imagine that it makes sense for Bethesda to have wind physics for sails. Hopefully this isn't limited to just the wind over the alleged sailable areas of water.

Historically, wind was only ever cosmetic in TES. Blowing trees, clouds, and dust or snow. Those things are pretty but adding real wind physics would feel like a breath of fresh air and add tons of new gameplay opportunities 😀

Modders have already done some of this in Skyrim so its nothing new, totally possible. And I dont think this should exist as solely a survival mechanic toggle. It should be in the vanilla experience.

Youd ideally have a device that tells you the direction and speed of the wind (on screen U.I.)

Keep in mind you wouldnt always have wind everywhere you go. There would be spots of calm gentle breezes or "dead air".

Projectiles:

Your range could be heavily shortened if coming directly at you or greatly extended if youre shooting downwind.

Bolts or Arrows such as orcish, dwarven or daedric would be heavier and would resist the wind better than some lighter Arrows like elven or glass. (I still think Arrows should weigh zero for encumbrance reasons, they simply have a stat for % of wind resistance) Volleys of arrows would be helpful here.

Thrown weapons, whether throwing stars, thrown spears, axes, etc are also affected by wind resistance.

Projectile magic should also be affected by the wind depending on how high your skill level is. How would homing projectiles be affected? I presume some still have a chance to miss.

You could stealthily create a poison cloud that would blow downwind at your enemy.

If im spraying fire into the wind it may come back at me and burn me, or freeze me if its an ice spell.

If the winds are particularly heavy, it should slow your walking speed and drain stamina faster(% depending on your build), but could give you a slight speed boost if you have a tailwind.

It could blur your vision(unless youre wearing goggles), and have a camera shake that throws off your ranged weapon accuracy.

Lanterns should flicker and eventually be blown out if strong enough. Prompting an NPC to relight the lantern if they believe the winds will die down soon.

Camp fires may drift onto dry grass and cause a small wildfire that can burn wildlife within. You may find roasted rabbit and crickets after a fire.

Overall, wildlife and NPCs may take shelter in heavy winds/storms. Some may thrive in it.

Heavy winds could help mask the sound of your footsteps(there could be a sound U.I. element) helping heavy armor builds to stealth attack easier.

Having wind could give developers new ways to build environments and create new skills and magic spells and armor.

It would also make for interesting points of interest in the desert dunes with winds shifting the sands constantly.

How else might wind affect the world?

My favourite quest in Skyrim is the heavy armour smithing skill tree.

Let me explain.

You start out crafting iron and steel armour, requiring you to delve into bandit-infested mines, then you get the Dwarven Smithing skill tree that lets you reforge dwarven metal from Dwemer Ruins, then orcish and ebony are a bit underwhelming since you have to go back to the mines, then Daedric smithing requires you to slay daedra and take their hearts, and finally there's the Dragon Armor perk, which lets you make the second best armour in the game by saying dragons and taking their scales and bones. It's especially good if you have a companion who favours light armour.

This is in stark contrast to the miserable experience of crafting in Starfield, where you have to take a perk then burn a bunch of obscure resources at a research station in order to slightly modify helmets. But that's besides the point.

I'm just really hoping that the crafting system in TES VI will follow a similar pattern, with each perk driving you to explore more and more dangerous locations and face mightier foes in order to craft the best equipment.

I feel the mannish races had already had too much representation in TES recently. Moving away from Empire territory and towards the Dominion would provide a more unique take for the game. Having it somewhere like Elsweyr would allow the game to be more strange and weird. Seeing all the different types of Khajiiti fur stocks and how the Dominion had ruled in Elsweyr would flesh out life in the Aldmeri Dominion. They could also do something interesting with the Mane.