The Elder Scrolls Online: Travels In Tamriel – Prize Pigs And Online Play

This is the second part of our ongoing Travels in Tamriel diary, which comes from the perspective of both myself, in standard font, and my in-game character, in italics. Last week’s issue can be read here.

It took some effort to return to Tamriel this time round. While other Elder Scrolls games pulled me in and didn’t let go until I managed to worm my way out hundreds of hours later, with a false sense of accomplishment and many memories of fantastical lands, I didn’t quite get the same sense of exploration and excitement when I played a few hours of the online version. So, returning was a bit of a task.

But when I got back, it was business as usual. Avoiding the main quest as soon as I could, I took to exploring Daggerfall, coming across many animals along my way, including my pet mudcrab. Animals can be more interesting than people, so when a man told me of his prize pig being stolen, I was on the case, hoping to find an interesting quest, and perhaps even get myself a pig companion.

Swineherd Wickton’s prize pig, Glutton, was stolen, and he couldn’t even look for it himself, the swine. While he said that the Rosy Lion’s innkeeper, Lafont, had taken it to serve for supper, I didn’t believe it was stolen; I saw plenty more people arrive just for him to tell them the same thing, but I was the one who investigated. I entered the Rosy Lion, and questioned Lafont, who told me that the animal was likely to be lost of its own accord, and that I should investigate the north alleyway. Pork was off the menu.

When I approached, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The alley was dark, and as I crept around the corner, I saw some overgrown vines. There he was: the pig, chewing on these wretched weeds growing from the soil as if there were no tomorrow. “Glutton, a suitable name for this pig” I remarked, and headed back to tell Wickton where he could find his animal, claiming gold as my reward.

Alongside those virtual gold coins, I got some virtual trousers which I couldn’t wear until my character reached the next level, for some reason. In truth, it wasn’t a very interesting quest, though did open up a new questline, as I spoke to an Orc – who saw himself as somewhat of an expert botanist – and learned more of this strange plant that the pig was chewing on. I put that quest away for now, as I wasn’t eager to explore the mystery behind a plant, and wandered around the town.

A dog soon approached me, and led me and my pet mudcrab – you can see him fending off a rat in the image above. It’s not staged, honest, he’s a fierce battler and the most feared mudcrab in all of Tamriel. Anyway, this dog led me to a dead body. Next to the body was a shopping list, so naturally I headed off to question some merchants.

A merchant led me to a curious plot indeed, and directed me to speak to Captain Aresin, who told me I needed to speak to someone within the inn. Once there, I learned of Leveque, and questioned him. He told me the man I sought was Martine Lerineaux. A powerful man, and owner of the manor, it wasn’t going to be an easy battle. An arrow in the head and he barely flinched, knocking me down soon after. I was dying; no one could save me at this point. But then I saw him – another like me – and whispered while hidden “help me kill him”. He obliged, and together we took down Lerineaux.

That was some of the online magic coming to play – it’s really nice being able to ask a player to help you, particularly if they’ll do so rather than leaving you to die. I even sent the chap a friend request soon after, which was of course denied.

The online gameplay isn’t always a good thing – I’m used to exploring caves, dungeons and tombs in the Elder Scrolls universe alone, often sending away any companions, but when I entered my first area like this, I really didn’t enjoy it.

You see, the cavern was full of others, who were running ahead, taking out foes and getting to the end before me. I felt rushed, and as though I couldn’t be tactical or stealthy. And then, if I went back to the start, the enemies respawned for new players. It’s turned one of my favourite bits of the game on its head, and I’m extremely disappointed, but then again, that’s just the nature of the game.

At least I levelled up. “Maybe I can put those trousers on now”, thought my character and I simultaneously.