"The Elder Scrolls VI" (hereinafter "TES6"), whose official title was announced in a video celebrating Bethesda's 40th anniversary, features "Sentinel" as its subtitle—a name that also refers to a city that appears in previous games in the series.In this article, let’s take a brief look back at the role “Sentinel” has played in the series.
A trading city bordering the desert and the sea
In previous games, “Sentinel” appeared as a port city located in “Hammerfell,” the western region of the continent of Tamriel, where the series is set. Geographically, it faces the Illiac Bay, and beyond the wasteland behind it lies the vast Arikul Desert.
Open to the sea, this city thrives on trade, with a large market stretching from the harbor to the inland gate. The Sentinel Palace serves as the city’s landmark. Having undergone numerous expansions over the centuries, this palace is considered the oldest and largest Redguard structure.Sentinel is not only a city of trade but also serves as the political center where the king resides.
Hammerfell is the homeland of the Redguards, one of the races in the game. It is said that their ancestors once crossed over to Tamriel from the continent of Yokuda, most of which has since sunk into the sea and been lost.
In previous titles, Sentinel has appeared in *The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall* and *The Elder Scrolls Online* (hereinafter referred to as ESO); in the former, it is one of the major kingdoms of the Iliac Bay, alongside Daggerfall and Wayrest.
Before the story of *Daggerfall* began, a war broke out with the Kingdom of Daggerfall over control of Betony Island, which lies in the bay. Sentinel was defeated and lost the island, but afterward, the Princess of Sentinel married the new King of Daggerfall, and peace was maintained between the two nations.
Additionally, in *ESO*, players can visit Sentinel in the Arikur Desert, where King Fahrajad, who rules the region, and his son, Prince Aza, make appearances. The game is set in the Second Era, long before the Fourth Era in which *Skyrim* takes place. This illustrates how the same city has been depicted in different eras across the various titles.
Is *TES6* Set in “Year 206 of the Fourth Era”?
In the newly released teaser video, a message resembling a journal entry appears toward the end, mentioning “Yazar, a priest of the Holy Silkworm serving High Queen Iradne of Hammerfell.”
As mentioned earlier, the name “Hammerfell” matches the location of the Sentinel. When the subtitle is combined with the description in the video, it can be interpreted as suggesting that the region will serve as the setting.
Furthermore, the signature includes the date “4E 206” (the 206th year of the Fourth Era), which is just five years after the events of *Skyrim*, set in the 201st year of the Fourth Era.While this is merely a date included in the video, if it is close to the timeline of the main story, *TES6* may take players on an adventure through Tamriel not long after the events of *Skyrim*.
▼Translation
: “The book revealed nothing but a faint light. Before my eyes, the curtain was lifted ever so slightly.
A lost future. A victory overturned. The sands of time scattered by fate.” — Yazar, a priest of the Holy Silkworm serving High Queen Iradne
of Hammerfell
(4E 206)
It should be noted that Hammerfell has a history of rifts with the Empire and conflicts with the Aldmeri Dominion. The book *The Great War*, which appears in *Skyrim*, recounts that the Platinum Accord—signed between the Empire and the Dominion in the Fourth Era 175—included a provision requiring the cession of southern Hammerfell territory.
However, Hammerfell rejected this agreement, and the Empire severed Hammerfell from its territory to maintain peace. The Redguards continued their resistance, and under the Second Treaty of Stros M’Kai in 206 E.S., the Aldmeri Dominion forces withdrew from Hammerfell.
Given this background, the phrase “victory turned into defeat” is particularly intriguing. Will the relationship between Hammerfell and the Empire and the Dominion play an important role in *The Elder Scrolls VI* as well?
Additionally, the Japanese translation of “Sentinel” means “sentry” or “lookout.” The city name “Sentinel” also appears to derive from the story of a ship’s lookout spotting the harbor.
The subtitle “Sentinel” may also refer to “protecting something”—such as the independence that Hammerfell defended by repelling the Dominion. We eagerly await further official updates.
