With 2013 just around the corner and the release of The Elder Scrolls Online drawing nearer, ZeniMax Online Studios calls your attention to the alliance to which you will pledge your efforts.
The Elder Scrolls Online will feature three different alliances: Daggerfall Covenant, Ebonheart Pact, or the Aldmeri Dominion. Varying locations and races pertain to each, as well as unique story quests.
No matter what your alliance choice, the ultimate goal of the game is to retrieve your soul, which was taken from you by Molag Bal. Despite this similar end goal, the individual quests throughout actually differ according to each region, adding variety and significance to your decision. Reach the end of your story in one alliance? Fear not, there are two other alliance stories across Tamriel to explore.
Giving insight to sway your initial decision and convince allegiance, each of the alliances has issued a plea, along with alliance specific details that are important to know before committing.
Here’s the quick summary:
Daggerfall Covenant:
High Rock and Hammerfell in Northwestern Tamriel play host to the Daggerfall Covenant. Led by High King Emeric, this alliance — consisting of the Bretons (magically gifted humans), the Redguards (athletic warriors), and the Orcs (noble warriors) — seeks the ultimate goal of reclaiming the Ruby Throne.
CALL TO ARMS
Our supplies dwindle. Our trade routes are shut down. Our people suffer.
Why? Because a pretender sits upon the Ruby Throne.
Let us take up arms! Let the fields of Cyrodiil run red with the blood of our fallen enemies!
But let us spare the lives of a few, so that they may return to their homelands to tell their fellows the fate they met at the hands of the Daggerfall Covenant.
One land! One Emperor!
Who among you will stand with me?
-Emeric High King
Ebonheart Pact:
The alliance of the Ebonheart Pact encompasses the lands of Skyrim, Morrowind and Black Marsh. The races of the Pact have a history of conflict, making their unity an unlikely one. The Nords (natural-born warriors), the Dark Elves (affinity for magic) and the Argonians (well versed in magic, stealth and blades) fight side by side in an effort to claim the empire as their own.
Blood for the Pact!
Before Ysgramor led the Nord people south, our descendants flourished in the frozen continent of Atmora, and to this day our people prefer the bitter climes of northern Tamriel.
The Dark Elves abide in Morrowind, a harsh land of ashfall and perpetual earthquakes.
The Argonians endure the treacherous and impenetrable depths of Black Marsh.
The alliance between our races was born in dark times, when Nord, Dunmer and free Argonians fought as one to repel the invasion of the Akaviri slavemasters.
Our greatest strength is the adversity we have overcome.
Our resolve is glacial, our might is forged in fire, and our courage, cultivated by the beasts of the jungle.
We are Ebonheart. We are as one. And by this, our victory is assured.
-Jorunn
Aldmeri Dominion:
Queen Ayrenn leads the Aldmeri Dominion in an effort to protect Tamriel from any threat it may face. From Valenwood to Elsweyr to the Summerset Isles, the Dominion is sworn to by the High Elves (powerful mages and warriors), the Wood Elves (experts of defense and archery) and the Khajiits (fearsome warrior felines).
Your Queen Commands:
I have no hatred for the races of Man, but they are young. Like all children, they are driven by emotion. They lack the wisdom that comes with age. I would sooner place an Altmer infant on the Ruby Throne than surrender Tamriel to their capricious whims.
The Altmer, the Bosmer and the Khajiit share the common traits of intelligence, patience and reason. We do not seek riches or plunder. Domination is not our goal, nor is the acclamation of power for its own sake.
Today we make our stand. Today we take back the Ruby Throne, which is ours by ancient right and the blessings of the Divines.
Stand with us.
-Ayrenn Arana Aldmeri
So there you have it — all three alliances have made their statements and request. Now the only question is, to whom do you swear your allegiance?
What will be the ultimate determining factor in your decision: a particular race, or geography? Let us know below.
For more information on the Elder Scrolls Online and each of its alliances, be sure to visit the main site, ElderScrollsOnline.com