August 11, 2019 7:40 AM EDT
What year did you become involve with the TES franchise, and what was your first TES game?
I think it was somewhere around 2014-15 that I became involved in the TES franchise. Skyrim was my first TES game, and back then I only knew it as "that Skyrim game" and not "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim". It was amazing the first time playing it. Back then, first-person fantasy RPG wasn't something I've heard of, so it's fun just wandering around while viewing from the perspective of your character.
When did you start becoming involved in the TES fandom?
I'd say it was somewhere during my first playthrough. At first, I wasn't actively involved, only using the TES wikia to search for tips, guides, and references. Then I heard about Skyrim character builds (builds were a new thing for me since I'm just fresh into the RPG genre), which led me to the TamrielVault, where made friends with some wonderful people and discovered equally wonderful builds, with some using exploits in the game which I didn't even know of.
However, I soon discovered that my interest in Skyrim waned from builds, guides, and tips and tricks, to the in-game lore. And boy, oh boy, did I not realize what sort of rabbit-hole I would jump into. In Skyrim, I was always interest in the issue surrounding Talos, particularly why the Thalmor were banning the worship of him. I had a very simplistic mindset, and given Skyrim's portrayal of the Thalmor, I was pretty against their actions. Then I stumbled upon a few posts in TamrielVault discussing the Thalmor and the history of the Altmer (High Elves), which opened a new perspective for me.
The posts led me to discover new information like Numidium, and the conquest of Summerset Isle. They also introduce me to a new word: "Mantling". Thus began my transition from the mundane lore of TES, to the esoteric and metaphysical aspects. It was there that I experienced my first "mind-fuck". I was bombarded with more weird words and concepts (Godhead, CHIM, Amaranth, Enantiomorph, Dreamsleeve, etc). It was like reading an encyclopedia, but full of scientific and abstract words that my poor 15-year old brain couldn't comprehend. (And don't get me started with the Lessons of Vivec.)
In search of answers, I was directed to UESP and The Imperial Library by some of the resident lore enthusiasts of TamrielVault. I also somehow found my way in the TESlore Reddit community, which provided a simple, though sometimes apocryphal, explanation on certain metaphysical topics. My time reading about TES lore had also changed the way I view the world. It encouraged me to look at things from different perspectives and not always accept what is told as true, but instead make your own judgement.
What platforms you started talking to the fandom on, and what ones you interact on now?
Then and now, TamrielVault has always been my go-to place to talk about Elder Scrolls or just to simply interact with people. I do sometimes visit the TES lore subreddit, but I'm usually a passive lurker there.
How do you think the fans have reacted to new games?
Well, in terms of new TES games, the only one I'm somewhat familiar with is Elder Scrolls: Online. It had a rocky start, but so far its doing okay for itself. Lots of content and a good playerbase. I've heard fans are worried that TES VI might include microtransactions given Bethesda's recent history, and I share their concerns. Hopefully it won't turn out that way.
How the communities you are part of now are different from the ones you started in (are they?)
Can't say. TamrielVault has been the only community I've ever been involved in. There has been a noticeable decline in productivity on the site these past few years, but the community itself is still friendly and happy to help. I do miss the good ol' days, but now that we have a Discord server, at least everyone chat together.
Hopefully that answers your questions, Aramithius, or at least some of it did. :)
Good luck on your article. The Tel Mora Independant Press looks like an interesting place. Might pay a visit there someday and read a few articles.
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