If, like me, you’re one of those hopeless nerds who actually takes a break from dragon fighting and dungeon delving in Skyrim to read all the virtual lore books in your backpack, this might interest you.
Bethesda has announced two physical book series that will fill in the ludicrously detailed history of Tamriel, the continent in which the Elder Scrolls games take place. Note that these aren’t recreations of the actual in-game books, but entirely new creations.
The Elder Scrolls Online: Tales of Tamriel Vol. 1: The Land and Vol II: The Lore will gather “a vast collection of in-game lore”, chronicling the struggles between the Aldmeri Dominion, the Daggerfall Covenant, and the Ebonheart Pact, and the invasion of the man with the magical mace, Molag Bal. And lots of art. Lots of lovely, lovely art, in total “close to one hundred specially commissioned, never-before-seen pieces.”
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - The Skyrim Library Vol I: The Histories, Vol II; Man, Mer and Beast and Vol III: The Arcane, will, you guessed it, focus on Skyrim instead. It’s a “lavishly bound, three-volume series” that tells the history, culture and myths of the frozen homeland of the Nords. I imagine there will be a lengthy chapter on dragons somewhere within. Praise Paarthurnax.
No price is mentioned in the press release, but this sort of thing is generally not cheap. Expect to fork out a pretty sum for the entire collection.