Possible Expansions, Well, one expansion in particular... Options

[Captain Hammer]

So, since this is Bethesda we're talking about, let's all talk about the number 1 expansion that you want to be included in Skyrim, based on what we know so far.

What do I want? Simple. The Ruby Throne.

I mean, seriously, the way the game is currently presented, the final big-bad will involve some manner of sealing away Alduin (Akatosh/Auri-Eil, based on your pantheon of choice) and saving the world. So, why not build on that, by, say, using your newfound status as Dragonborn God-Binder to do something productive.

Example of Productive Endeavor: Kick-start the Fourth Empire of the Dragonborn. Alessia did it. Reman I Cyrodiil did it. Tiber Septim, the Divine Talos, did it. Why in Oblivion's Infinite Chaos should the next Dragonborn not have a shot at becoming Emperor (or Empress)?

I know, I know, there's a large degree of difficulty in trying to figure out how an Elf would become the ruler of the very human-centric Tamriellic Empire. One Dark Elf Empress was difficult enough, even though she did get the job on account of her husband and minor son. Let's not get into the problems that most of the human races would have with an Argonian or Khajiit as Emperor/Empress. I'm sure there's a way to get around this. Even if it does require adopting an appropriate heir from a human household and/or being adopted into that household, giving other members the claim on the Ruby Throne.

According to the lore, periods of severe civil war always come at the end of an Interregnum. And it is always the forging and renewal of the Tamrielic Empire that ends such strife. Historically, when an individual controlled all of Skyrim, it was either as a supporter and ally of the Cyrodiilic rulers (the line of Ysgramoor in the High Kingship of Skyrim allying with Alessia and the First Empire), or that person was Emperor (both Reman I and Tiber Septim unified Skyrim behind them before they could conquer the rest of Tamriel).

And besides, if you can whistle up a dragon with a careful shout, who could stand against an army with that in its arsenal. It worked great against the Redguard Crowns at Stros M'Kai, and that was some of Tiber's most difficult opposition.

[mALX]

I know, I know, there's a large degree of difficulty in trying to figure out how an Elf would become the ruler of the very human-centric Tamriellic Empire.

Can anyone say Barenziah?

[Captain Hammer]

Can anyone say Barenziah?

Barenziah is actually an example of why it doesn't work. She was Queen of Morrowind till the Imperial Simulacrum, and only became Queen of Wayrest as Queen Consort, i.e, Queen by marriage to the King Eadwyre, and not in her own right. And the subsequent expulsion of Barenziah and Helseth by Elysana was facilitated by the animosity of Wayrest's populace towards what they viewed as "Dunmeri foreigners."

Katariah was only able to be Empress on account of extreme political skill, a marriage to a mad Emperor (Pelagius), and the fact that she managed to conceive his son and thus ruled as Regent for the Emperor for both her husband and her son was a major part of her ability to rule. Still, as a Dark Elf, she had run-ins with the Elder Council, and the Imperial nobility distrusted her.

@ Destri:
The Kingsmoot is an interesting idea. The lore doesn't specify whether Skyrim was fully unified under a single king after the end of the Reman Dynasty (though Reman I had clearly found a fractured province that he successfully unified) and whether Talos had to subdue any rebels following his victory at Sancre Tor. Given the lore and in-game books, it appears that the use of Thu'um in battle was enough that the majority of the Nords went over to his banner, though what happened and what appeared to happen are obviously different things (witness: the betrayal of the secret entrance to the citadel of Sancre Tor).

However, Talos clearly had a strong backing in Skyrim, that whether he felt the need to proclaim himself High King of Skyrim separately from Emperor may have been a matter of semantics and politics, and not necessarily a required step in his military plans. But why leave the borders of Skyrim for the reins of power?

Like I said, the Ruby Throne.

I. Want. It.

It's more than just getting recognized as most powerful figure in Skyrim. It's getting recognized as rightful Emperor and sovereign overlord over all of Tamriel. I don't want the Nine Holds to recognize me as king, and leave it there. I want a bloody continent and every citizen therein to be ready to acknowledge me as Emperor. The last Dragonborn to use Thu'um managed to forge an empire. He had a dragon in his army for a while, and later became a god. I'm busy stopping another god from consuming the world, I too get to use a dragon as an ally, and I get to use Thu'um. Why shouldn't I get a chance to become the Mother-Fu*&ing Emperor of Tamriel as well?

This post has been edited by Captain Hammer: Mar 28 2011, 11:02 PM