Oblivion Remastered: How The Entire Tamriel Fought Back Against Daedra Invasion

In “The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered“, players are once again plunged into the heart of Cyrodiil as they confront the Oblivion Crisis – a significant event in Tamriel’s Third Era that reshaped the entire continent and set the stage for the conflicts discussed in “Skyrim”. Although the game is confined to Cyrodiil, capital of Tiber Septim’s Empire, the Oblivion Crisis had far-reaching consequences across Tamriel. Initially planned as a multi-front assault, different regions reacted differently, with each suffering varying degrees of hardship. While it may seem that Cyrodiil was hit hardest, other countries also endured severe turmoil.

In the story of “Oblivion”, the Empire of Cyrodiil stood as the most expansive ever known on the continent, leading a completely unified Tamriel. Notably, it surpassed both the Alessian (first) Empire and the Reman (second) Empire in size. Regrettably, the Empire was unable to withstand the Daedric invasion that swept across the land. The hardships were equally felt by elves and men, although Bethesda doesn’t delve deeply into many countries. Important battles during the Oblivion Crisis are highlighted to have taken place in Cyrodiil, Morrowind, The Summerset Isles, and Black Marsh.

Cyrodiil Isn’t The Only Country Invaded During Oblivion

All Of Tamriel Fell Prey To The Invasion

It’s believed that Oblivion Gates appeared throughout Tamriel, with Skyrim possibly experiencing some negative impact, becoming increasingly wary of magic despite its history of magical practices. While not explicitly stated, Kvatch wasn’t the sole city to be affected; the Dunmer of Morrowind also lost Ald’ruhn to a Daedra attack, similar to what happened in Kvatch. Even the fire resistance of the Dunmer didn’t seem to help much against this onslaught, as evidenced by the fall of Ald’ruhn, despite the return of the Ald Skar Emperor Crab.

In the Summerset Isles, located further south, elves also faced the wrath of the Daedra. A detailed account tells of a battle where the Crystal Tower collapsed. This Crystal Tower served as a hub for high elf mages, much like the Arcane University or College of Winterhold. Prior to these institutions, it existed. Despite numerous powerful mages making valiant efforts to protect the Crystal Tower, it ultimately succumbed to the destructive forces of Mehrunes Dagon’s Daedra. The Altmer believed the tower to be invincible and poured its refugees within its walls, but even this did not prevent its destruction by the seemingly impenetrable Daedra horde.

After the Oblivion Crisis, it was primarily the Thalmor who orchestrated the unification of the Summerset Isles, as they found themselves without Imperial support during the invasion. This situation echoed across Tamriel, with the demise of the Emperor causing a delay in Empire’s aid to its various territories, fostering mistrust that was evident in Skyrim. However, it’s important to note that not all regions faced the same level of hardship; some actually gained strength relatively speaking during the Oblivion Crisis.

Argonians Counter-Invaded Oblivion With Super Soldiers

The Hist Gave Black Marsh A Unique Edge

In Black Marsh, the Argonians were ready and managed to thwart the Daedric invasion thanks to the Hist, intelligent spore trees that are widespread throughout the land and can converse with the native populace. Somehow, these Hist sensed the impending Oblivion Crisis just before the initial Oblivion Gate appeared, urging most of the Argonian residents back to their homeland to prepare. The Argonians share a deep bond with the Hist; they hatch their eggs in Hist Sap. This alliance proved beneficial when the Hist started generating super soldiers capable of combating Daedra during the crisis.

The specifics aren’t clearly outlined anywhere, yet it is suggested that the Argonians possessed the ability to enter and interact with Hist trees, which in turn granted them genetic enhancements that significantly boosted their strength. Following this mysterious transformation, akin to the Captain America storyline, the Argonians gained an advantage over the Daedra. As recounted by the An-Xileel, a political group that emerged during the crisis and eventually governed the nation, they successfully pushed back the Daedra. While other regions suffered significant setbacks, such as Bruma, the Argonians were victorious in numerous battles across Black Marsh, ultimately leading them to plan a counter-offensive of their own.

Instead of allowing Daedra to reoccupy the country, Argonian forces pushed them out on a large scale,. To prevent their return, they began attacking Oblivion, causing flooding in the Deadlands and capturing territories within Mehrunes Dagon’s domain. This aggressive action was so bothersome that the Daedric Prince was forced to seal the Oblivion Gates in Black Marsh, halting the invasion there. It’s unclear if the invading Argonians were trapped in the Deadlands because the Sigil Stone wasn’t taken and the gates were simply closed by Mehrunes Dagon, but what mattered was that the Argonians had a significant impact on the war’s outcome.

The Oblivion Crisis Devastated Most Of Tamriel

It Ended The Third Age And Shattered The Empire

The catastrophic Oblivion Crisis left Tamriel in ruins, altering the balance of power significantly. With the Septim dynasty’s demise following Martin Septim’s selfless act, the Empire suffered a severe blow and started to disintegrate, leading to a lack of unity across the continent. The Thalmor, who had been growing influential in the Summerset Isles, seized this opportunity to form the Aldmeri Dominion, emerging as the new continental superpower. This development made the Thalmor the persistent menace they are in Skyrim, banning Talos worship and stirring up unrest across Tamriel.

Following the Oblivion Crisis and noticing the Empire’s vulnerability, Black Marsh, under the guidance of the An-Xileel, gained independence, renaming the country Argonia. As the Aldmeri Dominion emerged as a competitor to the Empire, Argonia generally stayed neutral, avoiding conflicts with either party. They further showcased their military strength by invading Morrowind during the Red Year, which led to the influx of Dunmer refugees seen in Skyrim and its Dragonborn expansion on Solstheim island. The Oblivion Crisis also sparked a widespread fear of the Daedra, and rightfully so.

In the fictional world of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, the narrative unfolds around the aftermath of a catastrophic event known as the Oblivion Crisis. This crisis, which nearly wiped out the Mythic Dawn cult members across Tamriel, led to the formation of the Vigilant of Stendarr whose mission was to hunt down Daedra Worshipers, aiming to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster. In essence, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion provides an in-depth portrayal of the Oblivion Crisis and delves into its eerie aspects, but it’s crucial to remember that the impact of this crisis was far-reaching, affecting all of Tamriel rather than being confined to specific regions like Aldiun and his dragons, who were previously only capable of causing havoc in Skyrim until they were finally vanquished by the Dragonborn.

2025-05-02 15:19