Morrowind FAQ version 1.5
                 by Gavin "kathode" Carter
                          (Part 1)
                (kathode@themasquerade.org)

          Submitted with permission by Dave Booth.

This document has been compiled from information revealed about
the game through various interviews and previews, and postings on
the Elder Scrolls message boards
(http://www.elderscrolls.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi). Its purpose is
to introduce people to the features of the game, and give an
overview of what to expect, as well as be an up-to-date list of
what general knowledge is known about the game... It is not meant
to be a tutorial for any part of the game, nor is it meant to
replace the game manual. If you have further questions about the
game, visit the messageboard, and post your questions there. If
Bethesda staff don't respond directly to your questions, then one
of the many frequent visitors to the messageboard likely will.

As with any description about a work in progress, the information
discussed within is subject to change, and could be inaccurate or
incomplete. The mention of or reference to any company or product
in this document should not be viewed as a challenge to the
trademark or copyright concerned.

About this FAQ: This document has been compiled by Gavin Carter
(kathode@themasquerade.org) for those who frequent the
messageboards and "Destination: Morrowind"
(http://morrowind.telefragged.com). Any corrections or additions
can be forwarded to me, and appropriate changes will be made.
kathode is the webmaster of "Destination: Morrowind". He also is a
pre-medical student at the University of Arkansas
(http://www.uark.edu), and works part time as an iHTML commercial
web designer.

You can always find the latest version of this FAQ at
"Destination:  Morrowind".


Section 1: The Elder Scrolls

1.1 What are the Elder Scrolls games?
The Elder Scrolls are a series of CRPGs set in the world of
Tamriel. The Elder Scrolls series basically introduced the idea of
non-linearity to the gaming world. The first game in the series
was Arena, winning several RPG of the year awards for its
innovative design. Following Arena was Daggerfall, which expanded
upon the base of Arena in virtually every way. Daggerfall had one
of the largest worlds of any computer game to date. It also
offered unparalleled free-form design, a non-linear quest, and
tons of customization options.  Two non-RPG spin offs included
Battlespire and the 3rd-person action/adventure game Redguard.
Morrowind is the third game in the direct line of Elder Scrolls
titles.

1.2 What are the features that are hallmarks of the Elder Scrolls
games?
The first and foremost is non-linearity. Allowing the players to
do what they want when they want. The goal of every Elder Scrolls
game has been to create the experience of a pen & paper RPG on the
computer, where a player is only limited by his or her
imagination. The next, falling right alongside non-linearity, is
detail. The worlds in the Elder Scrolls series are some of the
most detailed in the industry, complete with histories, multiple
cultures, and varied locales. This allows the player to feel as
though their character is really a dynamic part of that world.

There are always major quests in Elder Scroll games, but they are
always able to be ignored. The primary goal is to simply allow the
player to explore, roleplay, and be immersed in a grand, detailed
environment.

1.3 Tell me about Morrowind, where the game takes place.
Morrowind is the province of the Dunmer, or dark elves, in the
world of Tamriel. The major part of Morrowind is a very large
island called Vvardenfell, where the game takes place. The island
is huge, and has many different terrains. However, the stand-out
feature of the island is the volcano of Dagoth-Ur. In the early
history of Tamriel, the water around the island, combined with the
intimidation of the volcano effectively separated the island from
the mainland, allowing the Dunmer to develop separate from the
other Tamriel races. Around 400 years prior to the time of
Morrowind (the game), the Empire of the mainland took over the
province of Morrowind. Morrowind also suffers from its own
internal power struggles. The five great Ruling Houses are in a
constant power struggle with one another. To complicate matters is
the obscure Dunmer religion known as the Tribunal. To an outsider,
the Tribunal priesthood is where the true power of Morrowind lies.
Other powers will almost certainly show their faces over the
course of the game.

1.4 Why are the Dunmer so dark skinned and red-eyed? And why do
they wear those gas-mask looking things?
The Dunmer are perfectly adapted to their harsh volcanic
environment. The volcano spews out great amounts of ash from time
to time, blanketing the island. The odd headgear are not gas-masks
per se, but rather simple coverings. As stated in the Pocket Guide
to the Empire included with Redguard, "While this makes for an
outlandish appearance, the traveler will understand the utility of
these garments the first time he is caught out of doors in one of
the frequent ash storms without such protection".

1.5 What are the general dispositions of the Dunmer to the other
races of Tamriel?
The Dunmer are proud and harsh to the highest degree. So far, that
they often take members of other races, including the humans, as
slaves.

1.6 Isn't the volcano a danger to life on the island?
The volcano has not experienced a full-scale eruption for
thousands of years. However, a previous eruption is purported to
have destroyed a civilization of Dwarves inhabiting the island.
The volcano has its rumblings, but the populace doesn't seem to
mind all that much.

1.7 Does Morrowind have it's own king?
Straight from designer Ken Rolston: "The Empire has revived an
archaic titular "king" from early Chimer traditions of a "high
chief of the clans," like the High Elven High King. This replaces
the "military governor" of the early years of the occupation. The
titular king is descended in line from Hlaalu Brevur, and he and
his "court" are generally despised by natives. King Hlaalu Athyn
Llethan resides in Castle Mournhold in the city of Narsis [on
mainland Morrowind]."

1.8 Will Vvardenfell (and by extension the game) feature races
other than the Dunmer?
Yes. When the empire took over Morrowind (the province) 400 years
prior to game time, the island of Vvardenfell was opened to
general civilization. Newer settlements feature just as many
outsider faces as Dunmer faces.

1.9 Where can I go for more information on the history of the game
world?
I would recommend Xanathar's Library (http://m0use.net/xanathar/),
a site featuring basically all the background info to all of the
Elder Scroll series. All of the background info presented here was
garnered from that site.

1.10 Where can I go for more information on the game?
For continuing coverage over the development of Morrowind, there
exist a number of reputable fansites. Destination: Morrowind
(http://morrowind.telefragged.com), TESGurus.net
(http://www.tesgurus.net), and any of the http://www.m0use.net
sites in addition to the Official Elderscrolls.com site
(http://www.elderscrolls.com) are all good sources of news.
Bethesda generally releases screenshots to outside media sources
before giving them to fansites or posting them on their own site,
so also check out generic gaming news sites such as VoodooExtreme
(http://www.voodooextreme.com), Blue's News
(http://www.bluesnews.com), Telefragged
http://www.telefragged.com), and RPGVault(http://www.rpgvault.com)

@~To be continued




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