One conversation that really stuck with me as a kid playing through this for the first time was Vivec discussing his transcendent state of existence. It challenged my understanding of deity, and eventually led me to study Philosophy of Religion in my undergrad. Fascinating topics to delve into. I went back to this game after school (and many times since then), and rereading those same conversations 1. made a whole lot more sense, really, and 2. were just as exciting and interesting. The writing in this game is top-notch. So much "show, don't tell" (like your feelings of being in the out group without even realizing it at first), and a very accessible depth that I wish more people would explore. This game is a gem.
Comments like this remind me why I have to get back into video essay-ing. Thanks for your thoughts. This game still captures our imaginations and I love hearing how it literally influenced the course of people's lives.
As a child, starting my first character I took a swing at an NPC (I think it was deliberate, but I think I was also used to games that didn't let you hurt friendly NPCs) The fact that it then hurt them and I got taken to prison blew my mind and instantly convinced me to explore the world of this game as a person, not an game character. The idea of just being a person in a world was revolutionary to me, and I was hooked.
I still love that when you reach Caius Cossades, he lets you do your own thing, joining guilds and progressing your character before the first main story quest. It not only further encourages the player freedom, but also applies an in universe reasoning in that doing so can help you build a cover identity as a member of the Blades
It really pleases my soul that people are STILL writing about and making videos about Morrowind to this day. Really shows you the staying power of such a haunting and intricately woven world as that one. It's still the best entry in TES by far. Dated, yes, but once you actually figure it out, it pulls you in like nothing else out there. It did to me, almost 20 years ago.
I only really played Morrowind for the first time about two or three years ago and honestly its easily the best TES game and probably THE best game overall. Its the only game that makes me feel like i visited Vvardenfell, ate its food, drank its alcohol, smelled their perfume, talked to its people, worked with various factions, and ultimately saved it's people from an ancient threat as well as from their own narcissistic god kings. It's just incredible. Since i started playing it, i have basically been unable of playing the newer TES games because of how shallow and basic they are in comparison, in terms of mechanics, character progression etc. I really like that unlike the newer games, Morrowind doesnt shy away from making the player character feel like they are actually powerful. Reasonably speaking, if im level 50, creatures that posed substantial threat should become critters to my character, and the only challenge i face should be only the most powerful inhabitants of this world. Oblivion was particularly terrible in this aspect but even Skyrim level scaling is fairly noticable, where the challenge level is almost always consistent. Morrowind understands that this shouldnt be the case, and honestly i way prefer making the start way tougher than the end of a playthrough. It's kinda what RPGs are about. I like that all my characters end usually with killing Almalexia, essentially becoming gods in their own right. And Almalexia is appropriately challenging for a god even for maxed out characters with absurd gear. Oh and also gear doesnt suck like in their future games, again particularly Skyrim. Idk i feel like Morrowind is just this unapologetic game that doesnt shy away from punishing or rewarding the player. It doesn't railroad you, and that's exceptionally rare. Deus Ex is another such game. They allow you to make mistakes and fuck up, but also allow you to exploit the game and reach absurd levels of power, but also push you to try different approaches to playing the game, like idk i just love Morrowind so much and openMW makes it so appealing to play on modern hardware too so it doesn't even feel dated with just a few openMW quality of life options and a few minor mods (i hate magicka not regenerating naturally personally, its a big bottleneck for magic characters and imo the one thing newer games improved on in terms of magic, but with one simple script mod this is just solved)(weapon enchantments do however and that was lost in future games for some reason, its awesome that i can just leave a weapon in my inventory for a few in game days and it recharges without any soul gems and soul trapping, something that i always found annoying to do in Skyrim and Oblivion)
You fool, you think these videos are regarding Morrowind?! What a grand and intoxicating innocence. It is homage to the tribe unmourned and paying tribute to your lord and saviour: Voryn Dagoth.
@@frankbacon1002yeah I've always loved Morrowind ❤ especially the armor or clothing mechanics of how you can layer yourself. Under garments like a shirt and pants then shoes. Then on top you have grieves, pauldrons, gauntlets, cuirass, then you can apply a robe followed by 2 rings (one for each hand left and right) and an amulet. All of it can be enchanted essentially making you a God 💪 and the fact you can stack potions 😂😂❤ God I miss Morrowind.
I always find games to be the superior media because most people say "show, don't tell" but in games you go past that; it becomes "don't show, make them experience it themselves"
When games take advantage of their form and/or use the expectations built up by their own artifice, I agree with you. Just like literature though, they can also cause harm due to exactly what you're describing, which is something I'm also interested in discussing in the future.
These videos shows that Morrowind is considered beyond gaming. It's something unexplainable and it shows as videos about it are still being made today. Thank you
After first playing Morrowind as a niave 12 year old this game has gone on to become my personal favorite game. I have played so many games over the years and this game holds the highest place in my heart. It opened my eyes to what games COULD be and gave me a sense of hope on what the future of gaming could be. I won't say what followed lived up to those expecations, but there are still titles which pushed the bar. But none have effected me, in my life, quite like Morrowind has.
Well said. Ever since making this video I've met plenty of people with their own stories of how this game has affected and influenced them. It's a true testament to Morrowind's brilliance
A few of the things I loved about the game was playing as a Dunmer Outlander. I wasn't from their land, even though we shared the same face and they made that very apparent to me as I played. Sure some people were more amenable but it was a constant reminder that kept being rung. I wasn't their kin. Joining the Imperial cult, a faction not viewed well by both the games denizens and the player base my character would find a level of begrudged acceptance. Begging money from the Nord Enclave, the Argonians for promises made, asking for alcohol from several towns and collecting items and doing small tasks ingratiated my character with an ever growing amount of people which eventually led me to do the Oracle quests for some of the best loot in the game. The thing was normal people for the most part acknowledged the loot I found as much of it was part of Dunmer local legends. My work for the Imperial Cult transitioned into a reputation for many a faction. Same thing with being clan friend with the tribes and Hortator of the great houses. Your character becomes accepted, by the people, by Asura, by Vivec and eventually by everyone. It made that long walk into the depths of Red Mountain MEAN something. You had the hopes and wishes of an entire continent on your back pushing you forward and the promise of prophesy guiding you through the ashstorm to that fated inevitable duel of wills. It had a weight Oblivions Mankar and Dagon couldn't instill and that Alduin failed to instill try as the devs had with him. Wrap this all up with Squaring off as a practical demi god yourself now against Daedric God Hircine blow for blow and undoing the pathetic ego induced madness of Almalexia, leaves Morrowind as such a complete experience that so few mediums of entertainment can match.
Seeing the connections people have with this game never fails to blow me away. It's so true also, and that's why I push back against people that say the Imperial Cult is one of the worst questlines. You really do feel a good sense of progression in their ranks and as a foreigner it totally makes sense to join and make a name for yourself.
@@traversingthedark I think the primary issue with that questline is once you get a quest from them they refuse to talk to you, so you never really get to know the Cult itself since the quest givers really can't talk to you much until the questline ends. Its something that could be patched out, at least that was one problem to me.
A prisoner about to be released into a strange land, sounds like Australia without the endenturerd servitude. Always planned to go back to Morrowind, I will do one day.
Beautiful video. It's a shame that so many people these days have become so reduced to "Right and Wrong". There's no more nuance, No more middle ground. You're either this or you are that. We see it in all media these days, where they tell you what to think, rather than allow you to explore greater ideals.
I also loved this video, but I would be disturbed if this was the overly simplistic conclusion that was drawn from it. There is no automatic nobility and purity to be found in a 'middle ground' in and of itself. You aren't going to understand the nuances and be able to decide whether you can accept them ethically and morally unless you are prepared to examine exactly what it lies in the 'middle' between; whether those poles are simply mirror images of ideologically driven belief systems, each categorically negative, or whether they differ qualitatively in the impact that they have upon people who may have to live under their strictures, and the consequences of their enforcement or removal; how susceptible to amendment and change are they, and who holds the power and authority to effect such change?; and finally whether your own ethical and moral values can accept and live with some or any of these things, or instead values something else. If not grounded in these considerations, exploring the nuances simply becomes an exercise in moral equivalence based upon being in the middle between whatever ideas happened to be around you in the society you are in. Since these are determined more according to the interplay of diverse social interactions over centuries rather than any rigorous philosophical debate, and are subject to change, reinterpretation, and the fortunes of popularity over time, trying to be in the middle of any of them will require a lot more mental acrobatics than it might seem, and can lead to tacit acceptance of each of their negative consequences for fear of challenging the right to live by that tenet. At worst, it can resemble an idealisation of the status quo - whatever it may happen to be at the time. Or, instead, you can make choices. You're part of the world, and it's your life. Decide what you stand for, and what you cannot stand for. That's the beauty of Morrowind.
People have always been like that. But thanks to the internet more and more we can see this side of humanity. And we must embrace it, face it, and tame it. We must humanize villains, humanize monsters, abusers, and all the men considered most heinous, we must humanize them. Because they are human, there is an understanding to be learned, of us and them. Picture all the warlords in third world countries, using child soldiers. There is still humanity to them too, despite the with hunting rage that makes your blood boil just thinking about them. We all are capable of being monsters, is the lesson here, and we must know why and how. So that we can better understand others, so that we may communicate better and get actual results. But i'm just a dude writing pretty words into nothingness... been a while since i went of like that. Just take my ramblings as they are.
How clever to articulate the appeal of RPG's to the layman. Unbelievably well written content and great delivery. The racial inequality part was a stand out for me. Closely followed by 'Crassius' and the related wider question in our lives. This is a big hit. Well done traversing the dark.
Love the video! Personally one aspect of Morrowind I have been obsessed with since I was a kid is the transformation/ascendance of sixth house members. There is something so horrifically fascinating about these people undergoing an outwardly disturbing transformation yet in some sort of rapturous bliss the whole time (the ash ghoul's smile). I wish we could explore that side of dagoth ur and the sixth house more. I think we get a lot of history on Dagoth Ur himself and his place as the false dreamer, but I am more interested in the experience of the ascended sleepers, significance of the bells and the idea behind some concept art of them playing their tentacles like an instrument in a way that invokes some sort of tonal-architecture-like effect. Got a bit sidetracked there, but I am definitely excited to hear about more dark fantasy from you!
I agree, the bells and progression of sleepers is underrespresented. The bells aways creeped me out for some reason and the small amount of dialogue if you calm the various ash creatures is very interesting, just like their appereance
One thing to note about the Telvanni, those slave owning wizards that live in tree tower: They don't have stairs. If a character is not skilled in the magical art of levitation (i.e. a peasant) they can't even enter the upper levels of those tower. There is probably a glass ceilling analogy hidden in that but it's 4am and I am kinda tired. Very nice video!
Yeah I love that. Its the kind of design choice that totally works in the context of their world but also a choice that developers today would probably say frustrates the player. Personally, I'm okay with a little frustration XD
This video was an eye-opener. Not only did it contain an interesting perspective, it also made me re-examine my own. That personal story of making an argonian character, only to step off the boat and find not just active hostility, but people who genuinely and fully believe that you should be treated as nothing more than property made me realize that I kind of just... gloss over the entire issue altogether. I don't go to sadrith mora and look at the slave market with disgust, i brush past it because I'm here to talk to master Neloth's mouth on the council for some more work. I ignore it because I'm here for some more fighters guild work. I pay off the slave master for his ring in the bal molagmer questline because pickpocket is a badly tuned skill and killing him would get me a bounty and I don't want to end up in jail today. I let it slide because I, from my own perspective, have better things to be doing. I don't know why or how I came to this position, but I just did over time. Goes to show just how much an individual can filter out if the thing being filtered doesn't immediately affect them. Also makes me question my goodness as a person; am I really a good person if I can see active chattel slavery and keep walking without even trying to help? Perhaps this is the same root cause behind why racism continues in the US. Sure, most people aren't deeply hateful of POC. They may say something a little questionable somewhere, but they most likely don't know any better. The problem is that when they are confronted with genuine examples of discrimination, they simply brush it off. They would never say something like that, they would never not hire someone with the sole reason being the fact that they're Latino or Latina, they would never counter-protest a black lives protest. In fact, they have plenty of black friends. So what if there are a few bad eggs, I'm a pretty good person and everyone around me is a pretty good person, what does it matter? Sorry for the rant, it's almost 3 in the morning and I'm maybe a little scared that my ingrained biases of growing up rich and white in the United States will never leave me, no matter how much I educate myself.
The fact that this video about my experience with Morrowind could prompt any kind of introspection at all is more than I ever expected or hope for. Hope to see you around these parts, mate. I've a lot more to dissect
@@traversingthedark Thank you for the opportunity for introspection. I love morrowind so damn much, from its janky combat trying to demonstrate character progression through more than higher dps to its beautiful and varied landscapes. I love hearing people talk about it and its complexities, videos like this will always teach me at least one new thing. Complete topic change, you wouldn't happen to have a mod list posted somewhere, would you? Your game looks really good and I love the new magic cast animations you have set up.
The heart of lorkhan reminds me of a quantum computer. Literally a divinatory device, even the IBM qc has a heartbeat, it rhythmically pumps liquid helium into the enclosure that holds the chipset.
Thank you! Yeah, I have to admit it took a while to think of an angle to approach a game as immersive as Morrowind from. I don't think one video alone can do it justice!
I think you missed the fact that Master Aryon took the fort by force, all the imperials were killed and then he built his tower into the fort itself to style on them as a show of force and to see if they would uphold the charters (they did not). What makes him a progressive force in House Telvanni (as in, actual progress for the house) is that his ambition isn't prideful and selfish, he seeks to further his people and those under him instead of just hoarding power. That's their chief issue and why they aren't the ruling political force, they lack strong leaders who would give the house direction beyond hoarding personal power. It has nothing to do with yielding to imperials or slavery or whatever.
My favorite moment in the game, and maybe any game, is the moment after you grab the ring in the Cavern of the Incarnate, and the spirits of all the Failed Incarnates who came before appear to counsel you, with the repeated refrain of "I was not the one. But I wait and hope." It really makes it hit home that thousands of years of hope, of longing and despair for freedom from oppression, rest in your hands now.
i played this game out of an advice of very trust worthy friend when i was so depression and angry all the time, and after the hardship i had to endure i stoped and listen , let the world took me as part of it, and let me felt the fency adevnutre as an outsider to very strenge land, by the end of the afternoon , i felt oddly a part of it, and forthermore , an peace,
I love hearing this. Video games can be just as cathartic and therapeutic as a walk in the countryside or an amazing book. Glad you feel better, friend.
I recently just finished my first playthrough of the Main Quest. UA-cam picked a great time to recommend me your channel. Instant Subscribe. Can't wait to see more from you.
Approaching Morrowind from a morality angle. Brilliant. I loved every second of this video. It's definitely the game I've put the most hours into of all time. I grew up in that game, and I'm sure it shaped my outlook on life. In fact, after watching this video, I know it did. Thank you for highlighting a part of the game I had largely forgotten. When we discuss games, we tend to simplify, but with ORPGs, it really doesn't do them justice to simplify them too much, to try and boil them down into a few sentences. You did a great job, and I'm definitely subscribing and checking out what other stuff you've made. Again, thanks.
You're so welcome. Taking a deep dive into the philosophy behind interactive storytelling (and traditional storytelling) in the realm of Dark Fantasy/Sci-Fi is exactly what I'm here for.
Great video- Im not sure the ashlanders are actually based on indigenous people of North America as much as they are nomadic peoples in Central Asia - they live in Yurts not teepees or Wigwams, and they have a Khan not a Sachem. The idea of the nerevarine cult remaining among them seems to be in part derived from messianic prophecies in Judaism (messiah as divine warlord) and also perhaps from the tradition of khanate era Tengri (venerating Genghis Khan as in some sense divine). In many ways, the Skaal with the All Maker - similar to Creator, and their specific relationship to the land and divinity resembles certain Algonquian belief systems, despite also incorporating of course Nordic Celtic and Germanic traditions.
I played Skyrim last year and remember not caring much about the Dunmer refugees (because the game doesn't give much opportunity to get envolved with them), but after playing Morrowind this year I just got really sad to know that the beautiful/ugly land of Vvardenfell doesn't exist anymore.
I downloaded a mod for Morrowind called Live Free, it lets you free all the slaves or sell them to the slaver. I chose to sell them to the slaver as I’m playing a Dunmer.
Worth mentioning that despite being the most progressive, House Hlaalu also has the most slaves owned in-game. They also have very clear connections to the anti-empire, pro-slavery criminal organization of Camona Tong, who in turn have connections to Dagoth Ur. The leader of Camona Tong, the duke's brother and owner of Morrowind's greatest slave plantation, is Dagoth Ur's ally plotting the assassination of his pro-imperial brother. Historically, Hlaalu relied on trade with the Empire even before Morrowind was incorporated into it, due to their lands' proximity to Cyrodiil and their relatively weaker military compared to other Great Houses. When the Imperial Legions came, the other Great Houses were too preoccupied with infighting (Indoril and Redoran) or completely indifferent due to their isolationism (Telvanni), so Hlaalu were all but left alone to fend off the Empire. Which they obviously didn't. Even the Empire isn't a clean-cut good faction. It's a colonialist power that only respects other cultures' traditions and principles, good or bad, on a surface level, which was formed by a war criminal declared god on blood of countless peoples and nations, and which is stated to be now on decline, on the brink of collapse, ruled by an old man unfit for his office, with growing opposition. Riots in Imperial City are said to have been violently quelled by the legions, the Empire is killing and imprisoning its own citizens while sending off spies and impostors to distant lands in order to coerce their natives to sympathising with those imperial inserts, such as player's character in Morrowind, in a desperate attempt to set things right.
One last thing: Morrowind has its own, official and legal, Temple-sanctioned guild of assassins, the Morag Tong, who exist specifically to avoid the Great Houses going into open war with each other; instead, conflict is resolved through ritualistic murder, and not even Imperial guards are allowed to arrest the Morag Tong if they have a document legitimizing their deed. Hell, as of Oblivion, it is stated that citizens of the Empire can hire Morag Tong to perform murder even *outside* of Morrowind, because it's still a better outcome than getting the Dark Brotherhood involved. Morag Tong assassins were even used by Tiber Septim, the founder of the Empire, to get rid of opposition during his conquest and rule over Tamriel. And the grand master of Morag Tong? His name is Eno *Hlaalu*. The Morag Tong also worship Mephala, one of three demons that the dunmer used to follow before the Tribunal rose to power.
Morrowind truly feels like a lived in fantasy world. It achieved that with npcs that stand in 1 spot blankly for eternity, but by giving key npcs dialogue and histories that show everyone has their unique view of that world and its conflicts
The craziest part of the slavery is, they somehow managed to make slavery nuanced, little as it may be. Sure, slavery is truly awful and should be abolished, but the main argument supporters of slavery makes is that people just want slavery gone because of the Empire and they kind of have a point. Why should Morrowind roll out the red carpet and bend over for the Empire? They shouldn't sacrifice their culture, history and people for the wishes of an outside power that by all means have no place in their land. All this made more interesting by how the usually fairly morally upright Imperials are portrayed in this particular game, as imperialists trying to exploit their brand new land before it's even officially theirs, going so far as to use slaves themselves to mine out the ebony Vvardenfell is rich in. Bethesda drags you in with slavery, but just before you can properly partake in your abolitionist crusade, they stop you and make you look around to see how what you're doing is just a part in a far, far more nuanced world with really interesting debates to be had. It's not just slaves vs slavers or natives vs imperialists, it's immoral people fighting immoral people over their right to exploit the other side for their own gain, the only arguably good guys are the politically irrelevant commoners and peasants who will get hurt by the end result, regardless of what it is and none of this is explored in the main quest, it's completely naturally introduced to you through exploration and conversation. You gotta find this stuff on your own, it's just an interesting quirk of the world you're saving. This game has some of the best writing in any game ever, I really hope we get a true spiritual successor one day.
This situation, in my opinion, especially shines with House Redoran, who typically defend the practice of slavery when asked, even though they almost never use slaves themselves. I like that it adds nuance to the slavery situation not by deliberately downplaying the wrongness of the practice, but rather by asking what's the RIGHT way to get rid of it - whether it's right for outsiders to force their views on another culture, even for good intentions - and not putting forth a concrete answer to that question.
Well said! In addition to free choice, exploration, lore, and atmosphere, the darker, tougher concepts weaved into Morrowind’s world has kept this title in my list of favorite RPGs.
I like games that treat us like three-dimensional people instead of kids that want nothing more than a power trip. Well said and thank you for watching!
I love morrowind so much that I literally have 5000 hrs on it I wish it was all on my computer but it was on the og Xbox lmfao 😭 ohh the pain I had but it was so good
Well done! I've just subscribed. The discussion on Morrowind was enough to get me, but your mentioning of taking that same analysis to multiple subjects sold me. Well done indeed.
Great video. One note is that by the time of the game, Morrowind has been part of the empire for over 300 years. Bethesda has always had a difficult relationship with timescales though. You captured the feeling of the game.
I absolutely loved this video. You did a great job breaking down the complex world of morrowind and how it has depth to the storytelling and the characters living within it. Really wonderful to watch and listen to.
Slavery is kind of a really difficult topic to present adequately, and not just because its a touchy topic these days. Thing about slavery and other forms of servitude, serfdom, etc is that... Any preindustrial advanced civilization ran on it. This is something that was noted even as far as ancient Greece in a satiric form of writing, where the author describes a utopia where citizens are equal and there is justice and its wonderful. And the punchline is "well, thats all well and good, but who will till the soil?" "The slaves, of course". That is, the author was aware of the way their civilization was dependent on slave labour, was, if not appaled by it then certainly highlighting the lackadaisical attitude greeks had towards slaves, but could also not really see much of a way to have civilization and not have that institution. Remember that the industrial revolution is the primary reason for abolition of slavery in United States, it made it obsolete in some sense. And in other senses, we hear about how global trade results in use of sweatshops which is not quite slavery except you dont need to make sure the slave has enough food and has shelter because if one of them keels over, you have a crowd of hungry eager people to fill in the position. And we still rely on slave labour to produce minerals such as cobalt which powers the phone im using to chat with you. So it seems really strange to see a society that is clearly Roman coded who... Are abolitionists? In an agrarian/feudal society to boot. Which raises the question of, who tills their soil? Or can the Imperials abolish that practice and look down on it because they recieve their tribute from the other races and provinces? These questions are never touched in neither Daggerfall nor Oblivion nor Skyrim, where we see a feudal society (serfdom being similar to slavery, although I suppose a better situation - but serfdom is also a hallmark of a less developed, less advanced civilization. Medieval europe had a feudal system, but until about 14th, 15th century it was not as developed as the Roman Empire was in terms of culture and accessibility of learning. And 15th century was roughly when the new world was discovered, and slavery was used quite aggressively in that time period in carribean and latin america), but its never explored the relationship between the farmers and miners and other workers you see in those games and the lords. We see magick in the game and potions, but it seems like magick practitioners have no head for putting their powers to good use instead preferring to learn how to summon sexy fire ladies and kill each other in increasingly gruesome and cheesy ways. And maybe the nature of magick is that it doesn't really lend itself to solving inherent problems of society, because good fantasy is not an escape from reality, but it is its mirror (i really liked that quote i gotta rewatch the video for it) The writers of morrowind still wrote the game from our perspective, that is, without really considering why this institution is so prevalent throughout history. And the way the dunmer are so assured in their supremacy seems more like 18th century racial theories, which to me always seemed like a massive cope with the fact that slavers at that time recognized the practice as evil, and were looking for a way to appease their conscience. Whereas in ancient societies, like say, the Romans, no one really thought too much about it, it was just the way things worked. Im not saying this because I support the institution of slavery. Quite the contrary. Ive thought much about this topic because of interest in videogames and literature, and having asked enough questions, ive arrived at some unpalatable answers which I struggle with. Personally, Im trying to make my life as simple as I can, to focus on ethical cooperation and fair trade, but i feel like "becoming a hippie" isn't really a solution many people will embrace, and barring that I dont really see a way to make things right, because the industrial revolution mostly allowed us to keep a distance between us and the effects of our unethical consumption (or at least, delay the effects, but thats another rant)
You got the procedurally generated bit wrong. Daggerfall dungeons were proceedurally generated, but not by your computer. Bethesda just used generation to build everything, and then shipped what it produced.
Well done. This video was a journey. I love morrowind for the adventures we all have that leave memories and impressions, but are vastly different in a world with the same rules.
I think I recognise dialogue from the good old LGNPC Redoran mod. Am I right? LGNPC as a whole is a bit hit and miss, but it really helps flesh out Redoran, which is indeed one of the less elaborated houses in MW.
Excellent video. I've never heard of relativism before, it makes a lot of sense! Fantasy and sci fi are great Genres for exploring nuanced concepts and aspects of society, human nature and psychology. It's really cool to see a game set up this way and how indepth it goes. I've never played Morrowind myself but it looks like a great game!
I knew you'd understand the main point of the video :) thanks so much and yes, fantasy and sci-fi need more credit for not only what they can discuss, but the methods they use to do it.
@Traversing the Dark thanks! I totally agree. There's so many mediums to explore complex narratives. Video games are often looked down on in this area which is very unfortunate. They're excellent mediums for interactive and engaging story telling. Some of the best narratives I've experienced in the last few years has been video game based, like with Red Dead 2 and The Last of Us. Fall out new Vegas didn't exactly have an indepth narrative in the same way some other character focus games do I liked how the open world and choices allowed players to interact with the world in a nuanced way that sort of enabled them to build their own story.
@@TheQueenofGremlins Oh Red Dead could bring a tear to a glass eye. Same with The Last of Us! New Vegas is probably my favorite post-apocalyptic game and totally agree about the worldbuilding going on there.
@Traversing the Dark definitely!! I certainly got teary at Red Dead 2. New Vegas is probably my favorite game all together just for how much I enjoyed it over all
Relativism has been around for a long time and is the root of many people's beliefs today, which is unsurprising since so many are confused and have long lost their sense of right and wrong. Like all "isms" (ideologies), relativism might make sense at a particular point of its logical trajectory line, but following the line to its endpoint, i.e. taking it to its logical conclusion, reveals it's utterly incoherent and self defeating. TLDR: relativism is bologna
To me Morrowind is the best sandbox game ever. I appreciate small things that it did better that Oblivion and Skyrim, like placing items from inventory into world. You can even stack them, or put things inside bowls
the expulsion of the N'wah's following the end of the Septims was Azura's gift for her people. multiracial hellhole Vvardenfell is ended, saving morrowind
Makes you think, maybe letting those same creatures who can be riled up to murder you live among you is not a good idea. Also ending multiracial Vvardenfell is part of the prophecies. Dagoth Ur wasn't a bad guy because of his wants but because of his methods in usurping divinity. If there's an actual message to the story it's about the dangers pride and selfish ambition pose over the virtues of honor and duty (both to ideals and to your race). I mean, you literally play as the reincarnation of a hero warlord who led a war against an opposing race for their profaning of your religious practices and furthered them along to their complete disappearance from the world.
💯 Superb and well thought out presentation. Thank you. By the age of 7 (1962) I was reading Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov the minute my parents put them down. I knew that I wanted to explore this world and every other world I could reach initially through books and when I was old enough becoming an astronaut. I think that of all the PC games I have ever played Morrowind, Planescape Torment and Betrayal at Krondor truly encourage deep thought, compassion, empathy and deep soul-searching. They are my 3 all time favourite games to date. Thank you again and now that my PC has been re-built I am going to install Morrowind again :D
@@traversingthedark it originally came on 8 x 3 inch discs and is based on the books of Raymond E Feist who actually was involved in the game design. It came out in 1993 - I am so old :D
If you love Morrowind or darker themed fantasy in general, come join the Discord and chat about games, books, and anime. It's also where you can keep updated on new work by me including videos and books. Lizardmen welcome: discord.gg/a8mssF9SnH
Yesss, so much love and appreciation for the world that's been crafted. Writing and storytelling as good as Morrowind's is hard to come by. I'd love to hear more analysis like this from you, subbed!
I'm not a huge fan of playing RPG's but I love listening to essays about them. So much thought goes into the good ones. Edit: I have played several (including skyrim obviously lol) but they aren't my go to Also, I'm obviously American but my dad's family is Native American and Irish and my mom's parents are of Irish extraction but lived in Canada for many generations until right before my mom was born when they moved to the states. So this puts me in a crazy position where I'm accused of being a white colonizer all the time. I appreciate media taking a look at these issues to help us understand ourselves
Coming back to these comments and I just have to say that I totally appreciate this sentiment. There's no greater compliment than hearing that this video might have prompted some critical thinking. That means a lot.
What I also think helps out is there are no cutscenes. When you meet an NPC you can ask them a ton of generic things. Ever get lost in the wilderness and emerge into an unknown city? Their text based dialogue will tell you where you are, where the services are, and if you feel like lingering in the area they will tell you more - all if you decide to ask or not. Sometimes it is a little jarring to re-read the same exact paragraph you've seen before, but I think it remains superior.
@@traversingthedark You are 100% correct about the moral relativism of Morrowind. Comparatively, Skyrim is very black and white... Sure, you can pick between the stormcloaks and imperials, however, the game sort of seems to guide you towards choosing the stormcoaks because the other option is not very attractive. No matter which perspective, everyone seems to hate the imperials, and even if you choose the imperials, every imperial or altmer you speak to comes across like an A-hole. Bethesda got lazy with the world building...
I know im late to the partybut i figured I'd put in my two cents anyway. I think the biggest thing going for morrowinds story is the depth of its perspectives and how the story draws you in. You start as a literal nobody with virtually nothing to your name, be it knowledge or physical possessions, and even if you only follow the main storyline, you'll be introduced to all the major powers and players of Vvardenfell and their perspectives. For example, the blades are one of the ways the empire keeps an eye on things and keeps the peace, but it can also be argued that having a secret police force is a bad thing. On the other hand, the morag tong is a formally recognised guild of assassins who give their skills to prevent all out war between the houses but on the other hand ot can be argued assassination is just murder. Throw in the fact that the dunmer can live for centuries (or thousands of years in the telvanis case), and you can see how traditions and a way of life can be built up and slow to change.
Really good video, got you a new subscriber from me at least. As a side note what mod(s) do you use for those spell animations and the temple shield thing?
Thanks! I was actually thinking about adding a mod list but apart from the ones you mentioned my setup is pretty vanilla OpenMW The new animations are MCAR animation overhaul (spells only - although there's an optional new weapons animation plugin) Not sure what you mean by the temple shield?
As an American, I think we have several issues, as well as other good parts (right? Lol), but i will say that I think one of the few things our history likes to tell us is that some issues cannot be solved diplomatically. This directly relates to our cival war hsitory is that we choose not to make that concession, and that means you fully integrated your own experience in a deeply intimate way. In other words, you fully picked up on that american pathos, and you should totally feel successful in that regard
Love me some Tyranny, Pillars, and other oldschool isometric RPGs. I'd love to look at the Granddaddy Baldur's Gate for a video but wouldn't say no to Tyranny either.
kingdom come deliverance. pretty cool medieval rpg no spells or dragons. you need to sleep and eat. lots of quests are timed, meaning world isnt waiting on you to come. etc... combat system is quite fun with using sword that is following the side where you mouse is. so you can attack from different sides and do cool combos.
Mate nice video, thanks! Just a head's up, your voice volume is a bit badly leveled, play around with audio compression in post-process it will make your videos top notch! cheers
You mention that Morrowind was slowly being influenced by the Imperial empire and the traditionalists should just accept change. I am not sure if you said that, and other things, to admonish Athyn Venim? As you mentioned earlier, the same thing happened to Native-Americans. I think it’s all complicated.
I agree with you re: the complicated nature of the conversation. Morrowind (to me) seems to present a nostalgic clinging to the past in the wake of a globalized world as ultimately futile. It laments this (as is the case with the fall of the Tribunal) but also seems to suggest that at the very least cultural rigidity and isolationism will lead to the death of any culture. Integration (the negotiation between cultures) seems to be the point, not assimilation (as is the case with the terms of the Armistice ensuring the continued practice of slavery). In general, the world of The Elder Scrolls is always changing - by the time of Skyrim the same Empire that conquered Morrowind has been pushed to the brink of collapse by a Fascist confederacy of Elven-Supremacists. So, in a way, the same 'traditionalists' end up fighting back after years of imperial rule and the cycle of violence just repeats itself. Again this is all just my own interpretation of the games framework. I myself don't think we should ever blindly accept 'the march of progress' (whatever that may be labelled as at any given time) but should understand that there's value to be had in conversation with our ideological opponents, and these conversations should be allowed to take place.
I would argue that Fable (1)'s morality system isn't "insulting" or really a bad thing at all (3 in particular tried too hard to take the concept of morality seriously and present "grey" moral choices while still passing black and white moral judgments on what the player chose, and seriously fumbled it, especially in the baffling part where it implies that the rich have the choice to be evil but the poor are intrinsically evil because sometimes the only way to be good is to spend money the poor don't even have; But I digress, you mentioned the first game and that's also the only one I would seriously defend). It's about context- The goal of the system is not to establish or punish taboos, nor to establish or reward orthopraxy, and it's also not to establish or educate about a serious moral system. Rather, Fable, the RPG spiritual successor to Lionhead's previous major title, literally called Black & White to acknowledge that it was representing an extremely dumbed-down, overly straightforward version of morality for the sake of the game's aesthetic and intelligibility, had two clear design goals. One was to present players with the option to be unambiguously good or evil in an RPG, and have neither one be the "wrong" option as is (or was) usually the case. The other, and more important one, was for the game to acknowledge those good or evil actions explicitly and to shape your character's aesthetic and eventually their gear and abilities around them, to the point that cartoonishly "grinding" morality could even become an aspect of the game. To that end, morality wasn't just assessed as black and white, but the actions available to you were mostly either completely evil, completely good or completely neutral (not that they dragged you toward neutrality, but that they had no impact on morality, eg fighting animals that attack you in the woods is not good or evil), and it was always very obvious which was which (Human sacrifice, with no explanation except that you personally might stand to benefit? That's pretty evil! Giving to charity? Good, of course!) because the game's design hinged on the player deciding which type of moral acknowledgment would be a reward for them, and then being rewarded with good boy points or bad boy points when they expected to be. And no, that is not as substantial nor as artistically accomplished a representation as what Morrowind gives us, and it certainly isn't realistic. Similarly, a slapstick comedy film does not have the same substance or artistic accomplishment as a frank and illuminating coming-of-age film, for example, but I would not call the comedy insulting or bad because its goal is to make me laugh rather than to make me think, and I would hate to live in the bleak world where nothing meant for enjoyment or satisfaction exists and we have only "artistically valid," serious and painful media to consume (not saying that Morrowind is particularly painful or pretentious, but even what is enjoyable in it tends to be more serious, eg the joy of discovery and "exotic" wonder as opposed to cartoonish fun).
One conversation that really stuck with me as a kid playing through this for the first time was Vivec discussing his transcendent state of existence. It challenged my understanding of deity, and eventually led me to study Philosophy of Religion in my undergrad. Fascinating topics to delve into. I went back to this game after school (and many times since then), and rereading those same conversations 1. made a whole lot more sense, really, and 2. were just as exciting and interesting. The writing in this game is top-notch. So much "show, don't tell" (like your feelings of being in the out group without even realizing it at first), and a very accessible depth that I wish more people would explore. This game is a gem.
Comments like this remind me why I have to get back into video essay-ing.
Thanks for your thoughts. This game still captures our imaginations and I love hearing how it literally influenced the course of people's lives.
As a child, starting my first character I took a swing at an NPC (I think it was deliberate, but I think I was also used to games that didn't let you hurt friendly NPCs) The fact that it then hurt them and I got taken to prison blew my mind and instantly convinced me to explore the world of this game as a person, not an game character.
The idea of just being a person in a world was revolutionary to me, and I was hooked.
I still love that when you reach Caius Cossades, he lets you do your own thing, joining guilds and progressing your character before the first main story quest. It not only further encourages the player freedom, but also applies an in universe reasoning in that doing so can help you build a cover identity as a member of the Blades
Exactly! It's such a great way to naturally get the player to explore the world
It really pleases my soul that people are STILL writing about and making videos about Morrowind to this day. Really shows you the staying power of such a haunting and intricately woven world as that one. It's still the best entry in TES by far. Dated, yes, but once you actually figure it out, it pulls you in like nothing else out there. It did to me, almost 20 years ago.
I only really played Morrowind for the first time about two or three years ago and honestly its easily the best TES game and probably THE best game overall. Its the only game that makes me feel like i visited Vvardenfell, ate its food, drank its alcohol, smelled their perfume, talked to its people, worked with various factions, and ultimately saved it's people from an ancient threat as well as from their own narcissistic god kings. It's just incredible. Since i started playing it, i have basically been unable of playing the newer TES games because of how shallow and basic they are in comparison, in terms of mechanics, character progression etc.
I really like that unlike the newer games, Morrowind doesnt shy away from making the player character feel like they are actually powerful. Reasonably speaking, if im level 50, creatures that posed substantial threat should become critters to my character, and the only challenge i face should be only the most powerful inhabitants of this world. Oblivion was particularly terrible in this aspect but even Skyrim level scaling is fairly noticable, where the challenge level is almost always consistent. Morrowind understands that this shouldnt be the case, and honestly i way prefer making the start way tougher than the end of a playthrough. It's kinda what RPGs are about. I like that all my characters end usually with killing Almalexia, essentially becoming gods in their own right. And Almalexia is appropriately challenging for a god even for maxed out characters with absurd gear.
Oh and also gear doesnt suck like in their future games, again particularly Skyrim. Idk i feel like Morrowind is just this unapologetic game that doesnt shy away from punishing or rewarding the player. It doesn't railroad you, and that's exceptionally rare. Deus Ex is another such game. They allow you to make mistakes and fuck up, but also allow you to exploit the game and reach absurd levels of power, but also push you to try different approaches to playing the game, like idk i just love Morrowind so much and openMW makes it so appealing to play on modern hardware too so it doesn't even feel dated with just a few openMW quality of life options and a few minor mods (i hate magicka not regenerating naturally personally, its a big bottleneck for magic characters and imo the one thing newer games improved on in terms of magic, but with one simple script mod this is just solved)(weapon enchantments do however and that was lost in future games for some reason, its awesome that i can just leave a weapon in my inventory for a few in game days and it recharges without any soul gems and soul trapping, something that i always found annoying to do in Skyrim and Oblivion)
You fool, you think these videos are regarding Morrowind?! What a grand and intoxicating innocence. It is homage to the tribe unmourned and paying tribute to your lord and saviour: Voryn Dagoth.
@@frankbacon1002yeah I've always loved Morrowind ❤ especially the armor or clothing mechanics of how you can layer yourself. Under garments like a shirt and pants then shoes. Then on top you have grieves, pauldrons, gauntlets, cuirass, then you can apply a robe followed by 2 rings (one for each hand left and right) and an amulet. All of it can be enchanted essentially making you a God 💪 and the fact you can stack potions 😂😂❤ God I miss Morrowind.
I always find games to be the superior media because most people say "show, don't tell" but in games you go past that; it becomes "don't show, make them experience it themselves"
When games take advantage of their form and/or use the expectations built up by their own artifice, I agree with you.
Just like literature though, they can also cause harm due to exactly what you're describing, which is something I'm also interested in discussing in the future.
These videos shows that Morrowind is considered beyond gaming. It's something unexplainable and it shows as videos about it are still being made today. Thank you
You are more than welcome
and Morrowind did all of that with potato graphics and almost no voice acting. what a magical experience.
There is a good voice acting mod using ai. I tried it recently and was shocked how good it was.
@@crillianmarvin6256no thanks, I'd rather be deaf than listen to Morrowind with AI
Perhaps because it had no voice acting.
After first playing Morrowind as a niave 12 year old this game has gone on to become my personal favorite game. I have played so many games over the years and this game holds the highest place in my heart.
It opened my eyes to what games COULD be and gave me a sense of hope on what the future of gaming could be. I won't say what followed lived up to those expecations, but there are still titles which pushed the bar. But none have effected me, in my life, quite like Morrowind has.
Well said. Ever since making this video I've met plenty of people with their own stories of how this game has affected and influenced them.
It's a true testament to Morrowind's brilliance
That morrowind music always puts a smile on my face
Every time :)
Me, seeing another Morrowind deep dive video: "your content will make a fine addition to my collection".
A few of the things I loved about the game was playing as a Dunmer Outlander. I wasn't from their land, even though we shared the same face and they made that very apparent to me as I played. Sure some people were more amenable but it was a constant reminder that kept being rung. I wasn't their kin. Joining the Imperial cult, a faction not viewed well by both the games denizens and the player base my character would find a level of begrudged acceptance. Begging money from the Nord Enclave, the Argonians for promises made, asking for alcohol from several towns and collecting items and doing small tasks ingratiated my character with an ever growing amount of people which eventually led me to do the Oracle quests for some of the best loot in the game. The thing was normal people for the most part acknowledged the loot I found as much of it was part of Dunmer local legends. My work for the Imperial Cult transitioned into a reputation for many a faction. Same thing with being clan friend with the tribes and Hortator of the great houses.
Your character becomes accepted, by the people, by Asura, by Vivec and eventually by everyone. It made that long walk into the depths of Red Mountain MEAN something. You had the hopes and wishes of an entire continent on your back pushing you forward and the promise of prophesy guiding you through the ashstorm to that fated inevitable duel of wills. It had a weight Oblivions Mankar and Dagon couldn't instill and that Alduin failed to instill try as the devs had with him. Wrap this all up with Squaring off as a practical demi god yourself now against Daedric God Hircine blow for blow and undoing the pathetic ego induced madness of Almalexia, leaves Morrowind as such a complete experience that so few mediums of entertainment can match.
Seeing the connections people have with this game never fails to blow me away.
It's so true also, and that's why I push back against people that say the Imperial Cult is one of the worst questlines. You really do feel a good sense of progression in their ranks and as a foreigner it totally makes sense to join and make a name for yourself.
@@traversingthedark I think the primary issue with that questline is once you get a quest from them they refuse to talk to you, so you never really get to know the Cult itself since the quest givers really can't talk to you much until the questline ends. Its something that could be patched out, at least that was one problem to me.
I hope to see your channel grow as it deserves much more views and subscribers. Best of wishes from Serbia.
Thank you my friend!
I can never watch enough elder scrolls video essays... this deserves more views.
*Generic Oblivion Beggar voice* Thank you, kind Sir!
Damn that intro to this day is unparalleled.
A prisoner about to be released into a strange land, sounds like Australia without the endenturerd servitude. Always planned to go back to Morrowind, I will do one day.
Its filled with dangerous, ridiculous and honestly incredibly annoying creatures as well so
I really liked your perspective on playing as an Argonian and seeing your kin enslaved all around the gameworld. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! #freethelizards
Nah, that marshmerrow ain't gonna pick itself. Back to the fields He- who-shirks-work-duty.🧝🏿♂️
@@thefranken-thingMorrowind belongs to the Argonians
@@thescatologistcopromancer3936 YOU N'WAH!!!🧝🏿♂️👐🏿🔥🔥🔥
Came here from your stream with Malcolm, great stuff. This video honors the Sixth House and the Tribe Unmourned.
Awesome to see you here and love the profile pic! You did not come unprepared :)
Beautiful video. It's a shame that so many people these days have become so reduced to "Right and Wrong". There's no more nuance, No more middle ground. You're either this or you are that. We see it in all media these days, where they tell you what to think, rather than allow you to explore greater ideals.
I totally agree. Preaching and moralizing do nothing but virtue signal. We have to teach empathy
I also loved this video, but I would be disturbed if this was the overly simplistic conclusion that was drawn from it. There is no automatic nobility and purity to be found in a 'middle ground' in and of itself. You aren't going to understand the nuances and be able to decide whether you can accept them ethically and morally unless you are prepared to examine exactly what it lies in the 'middle' between; whether those poles are simply mirror images of ideologically driven belief systems, each categorically negative, or whether they differ qualitatively in the impact that they have upon people who may have to live under their strictures, and the consequences of their enforcement or removal; how susceptible to amendment and change are they, and who holds the power and authority to effect such change?; and finally whether your own ethical and moral values can accept and live with some or any of these things, or instead values something else. If not grounded in these considerations, exploring the nuances simply becomes an exercise in moral equivalence based upon being in the middle between whatever ideas happened to be around you in the society you are in. Since these are determined more according to the interplay of diverse social interactions over centuries rather than any rigorous philosophical debate, and are subject to change, reinterpretation, and the fortunes of popularity over time, trying to be in the middle of any of them will require a lot more mental acrobatics than it might seem, and can lead to tacit acceptance of each of their negative consequences for fear of challenging the right to live by that tenet. At worst, it can resemble an idealisation of the status quo - whatever it may happen to be at the time. Or, instead, you can make choices. You're part of the world, and it's your life. Decide what you stand for, and what you cannot stand for. That's the beauty of Morrowind.
People have always been like that. But thanks to the internet more and more we can see this side of humanity. And we must embrace it, face it, and tame it. We must humanize villains, humanize monsters, abusers, and all the men considered most heinous, we must humanize them. Because they are human, there is an understanding to be learned, of us and them. Picture all the warlords in third world countries, using child soldiers. There is still humanity to them too, despite the with hunting rage that makes your blood boil just thinking about them. We all are capable of being monsters, is the lesson here, and we must know why and how. So that we can better understand others, so that we may communicate better and get actual results. But i'm just a dude writing pretty words into nothingness... been a while since i went of like that. Just take my ramblings as they are.
@@DaxterL We need more authentic ramblings!
I genuinely don't believe that's just an issue "these days," tho I've seen it _a lot_ lately unfortunately.
Anyway, I love _Morrowind,_ great game.
How clever to articulate the appeal of RPG's to the layman. Unbelievably well written content and great delivery. The racial inequality part was a stand out for me. Closely followed by 'Crassius' and the related wider question in our lives. This is a big hit. Well done traversing the dark.
Thank you! This one took a while and seeing the response has been very reassuring
Love the video! Personally one aspect of Morrowind I have been obsessed with since I was a kid is the transformation/ascendance of sixth house members. There is something so horrifically fascinating about these people undergoing an outwardly disturbing transformation yet in some sort of rapturous bliss the whole time (the ash ghoul's smile). I wish we could explore that side of dagoth ur and the sixth house more. I think we get a lot of history on Dagoth Ur himself and his place as the false dreamer, but I am more interested in the experience of the ascended sleepers, significance of the bells and the idea behind some concept art of them playing their tentacles like an instrument in a way that invokes some sort of tonal-architecture-like effect.
Got a bit sidetracked there, but I am definitely excited to hear about more dark fantasy from you!
I agree, the bells and progression of sleepers is underrespresented. The bells aways creeped me out for some reason and the small amount of dialogue if you calm the various ash creatures is very interesting, just like their appereance
Sixth house was planned to be a joinable faction, but they had to cut it due to time constraints. There's mods that add questlines for it
One thing to note about the Telvanni, those slave owning wizards that live in tree tower:
They don't have stairs.
If a character is not skilled in the magical art of levitation (i.e. a peasant) they can't even enter the upper levels of those tower. There is probably a glass ceilling analogy hidden in that but it's 4am and I am kinda tired.
Very nice video!
Yeah I love that. Its the kind of design choice that totally works in the context of their world but also a choice that developers today would probably say frustrates the player.
Personally, I'm okay with a little frustration XD
It is a pretty cool touch.@@traversingthedark
This video was an eye-opener. Not only did it contain an interesting perspective, it also made me re-examine my own. That personal story of making an argonian character, only to step off the boat and find not just active hostility, but people who genuinely and fully believe that you should be treated as nothing more than property made me realize that I kind of just... gloss over the entire issue altogether. I don't go to sadrith mora and look at the slave market with disgust, i brush past it because I'm here to talk to master Neloth's mouth on the council for some more work. I ignore it because I'm here for some more fighters guild work. I pay off the slave master for his ring in the bal molagmer questline because pickpocket is a badly tuned skill and killing him would get me a bounty and I don't want to end up in jail today. I let it slide because I, from my own perspective, have better things to be doing. I don't know why or how I came to this position, but I just did over time. Goes to show just how much an individual can filter out if the thing being filtered doesn't immediately affect them. Also makes me question my goodness as a person; am I really a good person if I can see active chattel slavery and keep walking without even trying to help? Perhaps this is the same root cause behind why racism continues in the US. Sure, most people aren't deeply hateful of POC. They may say something a little questionable somewhere, but they most likely don't know any better. The problem is that when they are confronted with genuine examples of discrimination, they simply brush it off. They would never say something like that, they would never not hire someone with the sole reason being the fact that they're Latino or Latina, they would never counter-protest a black lives protest. In fact, they have plenty of black friends. So what if there are a few bad eggs, I'm a pretty good person and everyone around me is a pretty good person, what does it matter?
Sorry for the rant, it's almost 3 in the morning and I'm maybe a little scared that my ingrained biases of growing up rich and white in the United States will never leave me, no matter how much I educate myself.
The fact that this video about my experience with Morrowind could prompt any kind of introspection at all is more than I ever expected or hope for.
Hope to see you around these parts, mate. I've a lot more to dissect
@@traversingthedark Thank you for the opportunity for introspection. I love morrowind so damn much, from its janky combat trying to demonstrate character progression through more than higher dps to its beautiful and varied landscapes. I love hearing people talk about it and its complexities, videos like this will always teach me at least one new thing.
Complete topic change, you wouldn't happen to have a mod list posted somewhere, would you? Your game looks really good and I love the new magic cast animations you have set up.
The heart of lorkhan reminds me of a quantum computer. Literally a divinatory device, even the IBM qc has a heartbeat, it rhythmically pumps liquid helium into the enclosure that holds the chipset.
Love this comparison!
Brilliant overview of what makes Morrowind such an incredible game!
Thank you! Yeah, I have to admit it took a while to think of an angle to approach a game as immersive as Morrowind from. I don't think one video alone can do it justice!
I think you missed the fact that Master Aryon took the fort by force, all the imperials were killed and then he built his tower into the fort itself to style on them as a show of force and to see if they would uphold the charters (they did not).
What makes him a progressive force in House Telvanni (as in, actual progress for the house) is that his ambition isn't prideful and selfish, he seeks to further his people and those under him instead of just hoarding power. That's their chief issue and why they aren't the ruling political force, they lack strong leaders who would give the house direction beyond hoarding personal power. It has nothing to do with yielding to imperials or slavery or whatever.
My favorite moment in the game, and maybe any game, is the moment after you grab the ring in the Cavern of the Incarnate, and the spirits of all the Failed Incarnates who came before appear to counsel you, with the repeated refrain of "I was not the one. But I wait and hope." It really makes it hit home that thousands of years of hope, of longing and despair for freedom from oppression, rest in your hands now.
i played this game out of an advice of very trust worthy friend when i was so depression and angry all the time, and after the hardship i had to endure i stoped and listen , let the world took me as part of it, and let me felt the fency adevnutre as an outsider to very strenge land, by the end of the afternoon , i felt oddly a part of it, and forthermore , an peace,
I love hearing this. Video games can be just as cathartic and therapeutic as a walk in the countryside or an amazing book. Glad you feel better, friend.
I recently just finished my first playthrough of the Main Quest. UA-cam picked a great time to recommend me your channel. Instant Subscribe. Can't wait to see more from you.
More to come soon, friend. Glad to see you here and good luck in Tribunal and Bloodmoon!
Here we go again. I'm reinstalling Morrowind.
Every time someone mentions this game, someone reinstalls. My work here is done :)
Why was it ever uninstalled tho🤨
Who uninstalls Morrowind??????? 😝
Approaching Morrowind from a morality angle. Brilliant. I loved every second of this video. It's definitely the game I've put the most hours into of all time. I grew up in that game, and I'm sure it shaped my outlook on life. In fact, after watching this video, I know it did. Thank you for highlighting a part of the game I had largely forgotten. When we discuss games, we tend to simplify, but with ORPGs, it really doesn't do them justice to simplify them too much, to try and boil them down into a few sentences. You did a great job, and I'm definitely subscribing and checking out what other stuff you've made. Again, thanks.
You're so welcome. Taking a deep dive into the philosophy behind interactive storytelling (and traditional storytelling) in the realm of Dark Fantasy/Sci-Fi is exactly what I'm here for.
17:30 the barrier is ghost fence.
Great video- Im not sure the ashlanders are actually based on indigenous people of North America as much as they are nomadic peoples in Central Asia - they live in Yurts not teepees or Wigwams, and they have a Khan not a Sachem. The idea of the nerevarine cult remaining among them seems to be in part derived from messianic prophecies in Judaism (messiah as divine warlord) and also perhaps from the tradition of khanate era Tengri (venerating Genghis Khan as in some sense divine).
In many ways, the Skaal with the All Maker - similar to Creator, and their specific relationship to the land and divinity resembles certain Algonquian belief systems, despite also incorporating of course Nordic Celtic and Germanic traditions.
I played Skyrim last year and remember not caring much about the Dunmer refugees (because the game doesn't give much opportunity to get envolved with them), but after playing Morrowind this year I just got really sad to know that the beautiful/ugly land of Vvardenfell doesn't exist anymore.
Three blessings, sera!
I downloaded a mod for Morrowind called Live Free, it lets you free all the slaves or sell them to the slaver. I chose to sell them to the slaver as I’m playing a Dunmer.
I'll have to check this one out! Some of the bracers simply don't have associated keys
Worth mentioning that despite being the most progressive, House Hlaalu also has the most slaves owned in-game. They also have very clear connections to the anti-empire, pro-slavery criminal organization of Camona Tong, who in turn have connections to Dagoth Ur. The leader of Camona Tong, the duke's brother and owner of Morrowind's greatest slave plantation, is Dagoth Ur's ally plotting the assassination of his pro-imperial brother.
Historically, Hlaalu relied on trade with the Empire even before Morrowind was incorporated into it, due to their lands' proximity to Cyrodiil and their relatively weaker military compared to other Great Houses. When the Imperial Legions came, the other Great Houses were too preoccupied with infighting (Indoril and Redoran) or completely indifferent due to their isolationism (Telvanni), so Hlaalu were all but left alone to fend off the Empire. Which they obviously didn't.
Even the Empire isn't a clean-cut good faction. It's a colonialist power that only respects other cultures' traditions and principles, good or bad, on a surface level, which was formed by a war criminal declared god on blood of countless peoples and nations, and which is stated to be now on decline, on the brink of collapse, ruled by an old man unfit for his office, with growing opposition. Riots in Imperial City are said to have been violently quelled by the legions, the Empire is killing and imprisoning its own citizens while sending off spies and impostors to distant lands in order to coerce their natives to sympathising with those imperial inserts, such as player's character in Morrowind, in a desperate attempt to set things right.
Morrowind inspired me so much as a kid, it compelled me to create my own fictional universe. It's inspired *and* inspiring
One last thing: Morrowind has its own, official and legal, Temple-sanctioned guild of assassins, the Morag Tong, who exist specifically to avoid the Great Houses going into open war with each other; instead, conflict is resolved through ritualistic murder, and not even Imperial guards are allowed to arrest the Morag Tong if they have a document legitimizing their deed. Hell, as of Oblivion, it is stated that citizens of the Empire can hire Morag Tong to perform murder even *outside* of Morrowind, because it's still a better outcome than getting the Dark Brotherhood involved. Morag Tong assassins were even used by Tiber Septim, the founder of the Empire, to get rid of opposition during his conquest and rule over Tamriel. And the grand master of Morag Tong? His name is Eno *Hlaalu*.
The Morag Tong also worship Mephala, one of three demons that the dunmer used to follow before the Tribunal rose to power.
Morrowind truly feels like a lived in fantasy world. It achieved that with npcs that stand in 1 spot blankly for eternity, but by giving key npcs dialogue and histories that show everyone has their unique view of that world and its conflicts
The craziest part of the slavery is, they somehow managed to make slavery nuanced, little as it may be. Sure, slavery is truly awful and should be abolished, but the main argument supporters of slavery makes is that people just want slavery gone because of the Empire and they kind of have a point. Why should Morrowind roll out the red carpet and bend over for the Empire? They shouldn't sacrifice their culture, history and people for the wishes of an outside power that by all means have no place in their land. All this made more interesting by how the usually fairly morally upright Imperials are portrayed in this particular game, as imperialists trying to exploit their brand new land before it's even officially theirs, going so far as to use slaves themselves to mine out the ebony Vvardenfell is rich in. Bethesda drags you in with slavery, but just before you can properly partake in your abolitionist crusade, they stop you and make you look around to see how what you're doing is just a part in a far, far more nuanced world with really interesting debates to be had. It's not just slaves vs slavers or natives vs imperialists, it's immoral people fighting immoral people over their right to exploit the other side for their own gain, the only arguably good guys are the politically irrelevant commoners and peasants who will get hurt by the end result, regardless of what it is and none of this is explored in the main quest, it's completely naturally introduced to you through exploration and conversation. You gotta find this stuff on your own, it's just an interesting quirk of the world you're saving. This game has some of the best writing in any game ever, I really hope we get a true spiritual successor one day.
Amen to that!
This situation, in my opinion, especially shines with House Redoran, who typically defend the practice of slavery when asked, even though they almost never use slaves themselves.
I like that it adds nuance to the slavery situation not by deliberately downplaying the wrongness of the practice, but rather by asking what's the RIGHT way to get rid of it - whether it's right for outsiders to force their views on another culture, even for good intentions - and not putting forth a concrete answer to that question.
Well said! In addition to free choice, exploration, lore, and atmosphere, the darker, tougher concepts weaved into Morrowind’s world has kept this title in my list of favorite RPGs.
I like games that treat us like three-dimensional people instead of kids that want nothing more than a power trip. Well said and thank you for watching!
It made me learn that pottery and slavery is cool.
I love morrowind so much that I literally have 5000 hrs on it I wish it was all on my computer but it was on the og Xbox lmfao 😭 ohh the pain I had but it was so good
Right there with you. Og xbox is exactly how I started way back when I picked it up in a forgotten Gamestop
Well done! I've just subscribed. The discussion on Morrowind was enough to get me, but your mentioning of taking that same analysis to multiple subjects sold me. Well done indeed.
Thanks a lot! I love making connections between different works in everything I do. Glad to have you along for the ride :)
This was delightful, Thank You for sharing!
Thank YOU for coming along and giving this a watch!
I love Morrowind and now i love your video too. Thank you for this great content!
You're welcome! More to come :)
Great presentation.
Great video. One note is that by the time of the game, Morrowind has been part of the empire for over 300 years. Bethesda has always had a difficult relationship with timescales though. You captured the feeling of the game.
Vvanderfel, the island, was no accessible to outsiders in that time though
Great perspective and well said!
Thank you! (and excellent name :P)
I absolutely loved this video. You did a great job breaking down the complex world of morrowind and how it has depth to the storytelling and the characters living within it. Really wonderful to watch and listen to.
Thanks so much for this! I know, Morrowind is and will always be one of my favorite RPGs of all time.
This is a great analysis! Made me want to play the game again and dive deep into its complex, nuanced world.
Amazing video, I’m not a fan of video essays but you done good
Happy to see you here, Dave!
Slavery is kind of a really difficult topic to present adequately, and not just because its a touchy topic these days.
Thing about slavery and other forms of servitude, serfdom, etc is that... Any preindustrial advanced civilization ran on it. This is something that was noted even as far as ancient Greece in a satiric form of writing, where the author describes a utopia where citizens are equal and there is justice and its wonderful. And the punchline is "well, thats all well and good, but who will till the soil?" "The slaves, of course". That is, the author was aware of the way their civilization was dependent on slave labour, was, if not appaled by it then certainly highlighting the lackadaisical attitude greeks had towards slaves, but could also not really see much of a way to have civilization and not have that institution.
Remember that the industrial revolution is the primary reason for abolition of slavery in United States, it made it obsolete in some sense. And in other senses, we hear about how global trade results in use of sweatshops which is not quite slavery except you dont need to make sure the slave has enough food and has shelter because if one of them keels over, you have a crowd of hungry eager people to fill in the position. And we still rely on slave labour to produce minerals such as cobalt which powers the phone im using to chat with you.
So it seems really strange to see a society that is clearly Roman coded who... Are abolitionists? In an agrarian/feudal society to boot. Which raises the question of, who tills their soil? Or can the Imperials abolish that practice and look down on it because they recieve their tribute from the other races and provinces? These questions are never touched in neither Daggerfall nor Oblivion nor Skyrim, where we see a feudal society (serfdom being similar to slavery, although I suppose a better situation - but serfdom is also a hallmark of a less developed, less advanced civilization. Medieval europe had a feudal system, but until about 14th, 15th century it was not as developed as the Roman Empire was in terms of culture and accessibility of learning. And 15th century was roughly when the new world was discovered, and slavery was used quite aggressively in that time period in carribean and latin america), but its never explored the relationship between the farmers and miners and other workers you see in those games and the lords. We see magick in the game and potions, but it seems like magick practitioners have no head for putting their powers to good use instead preferring to learn how to summon sexy fire ladies and kill each other in increasingly gruesome and cheesy ways. And maybe the nature of magick is that it doesn't really lend itself to solving inherent problems of society, because good fantasy is not an escape from reality, but it is its mirror (i really liked that quote i gotta rewatch the video for it)
The writers of morrowind still wrote the game from our perspective, that is, without really considering why this institution is so prevalent throughout history. And the way the dunmer are so assured in their supremacy seems more like 18th century racial theories, which to me always seemed like a massive cope with the fact that slavers at that time recognized the practice as evil, and were looking for a way to appease their conscience. Whereas in ancient societies, like say, the Romans, no one really thought too much about it, it was just the way things worked.
Im not saying this because I support the institution of slavery. Quite the contrary. Ive thought much about this topic because of interest in videogames and literature, and having asked enough questions, ive arrived at some unpalatable answers which I struggle with. Personally, Im trying to make my life as simple as I can, to focus on ethical cooperation and fair trade, but i feel like "becoming a hippie" isn't really a solution many people will embrace, and barring that I dont really see a way to make things right, because the industrial revolution mostly allowed us to keep a distance between us and the effects of our unethical consumption (or at least, delay the effects, but thats another rant)
You got the procedurally generated bit wrong. Daggerfall dungeons were proceedurally generated, but not by your computer. Bethesda just used generation to build everything, and then shipped what it produced.
Well done. This video was a journey. I love morrowind for the adventures we all have that leave memories and impressions, but are vastly different in a world with the same rules.
Guess that's the beauty of a truly open world RPG. Thanks for watching!
I think I recognise dialogue from the good old LGNPC Redoran mod. Am I right? LGNPC as a whole is a bit hit and miss, but it really helps flesh out Redoran, which is indeed one of the less elaborated houses in MW.
My favorite game let alone favorite RPG is Dragon Age: Origins, love the story
My friend, you're a being after my own heart. DAO is in my top 3 RPGS all time. Gotta do a video on it and it'll be an absolute labour of love.
Fantastic video, so happy to see a revival in Morrowind, from memes, essays, what a grand and intoxicating innocence.
It turns out that, in the world of cRPGs, you really CAN'T kill a God.
love this video! really verbalizes why i love this game, keep up the good work!
Like commented and subscribed 👍
Much appreciated :)
his soul goes marching on
John Brown?
Excellent video. I've never heard of relativism before, it makes a lot of sense! Fantasy and sci fi are great Genres for exploring nuanced concepts and aspects of society, human nature and psychology. It's really cool to see a game set up this way and how indepth it goes. I've never played Morrowind myself but it looks like a great game!
I knew you'd understand the main point of the video :) thanks so much and yes, fantasy and sci-fi need more credit for not only what they can discuss, but the methods they use to do it.
@Traversing the Dark thanks! I totally agree. There's so many mediums to explore complex narratives. Video games are often looked down on in this area which is very unfortunate. They're excellent mediums for interactive and engaging story telling. Some of the best narratives I've experienced in the last few years has been video game based, like with Red Dead 2 and The Last of Us. Fall out new Vegas didn't exactly have an indepth narrative in the same way some other character focus games do I liked how the open world and choices allowed players to interact with the world in a nuanced way that sort of enabled them to build their own story.
@@TheQueenofGremlins Oh Red Dead could bring a tear to a glass eye. Same with The Last of Us! New Vegas is probably my favorite post-apocalyptic game and totally agree about the worldbuilding going on there.
@Traversing the Dark definitely!! I certainly got teary at Red Dead 2. New Vegas is probably my favorite game all together just for how much I enjoyed it over all
Relativism has been around for a long time and is the root of many people's beliefs today, which is unsurprising since so many are confused and have long lost their sense of right and wrong. Like all "isms" (ideologies), relativism might make sense at a particular point of its logical trajectory line, but following the line to its endpoint, i.e. taking it to its logical conclusion, reveals it's utterly incoherent and self defeating.
TLDR: relativism is bologna
Wonderful video man, hope more people can find it.
Many blessings, sera!
Interesting perspective!
Appreciate that, mate!
To me Morrowind is the best sandbox game ever. I appreciate small things that it did better that Oblivion and Skyrim, like placing items from inventory into world. You can even stack them, or put things inside bowls
the expulsion of the N'wah's following the end of the Septims was Azura's gift for her people. multiracial hellhole Vvardenfell is ended, saving morrowind
...and the Thalmor-sponsored Argonian invasion was also a part of that plan, too, yeah? XD
@@traversingthedark no, but that is a managable problem, over half the country being not dunmer is a much bigger problem
@@irishcream9004 My brother in CHIM, if ethnic diversity scares you more than literal beheadings, feel free to watch a different channel's content.
@@traversingthedark will do
Makes you think, maybe letting those same creatures who can be riled up to murder you live among you is not a good idea.
Also ending multiracial Vvardenfell is part of the prophecies. Dagoth Ur wasn't a bad guy because of his wants but because of his methods in usurping divinity. If there's an actual message to the story it's about the dangers pride and selfish ambition pose over the virtues of honor and duty (both to ideals and to your race).
I mean, you literally play as the reincarnation of a hero warlord who led a war against an opposing race for their profaning of your religious practices and furthered them along to their complete disappearance from the world.
💯 Superb and well thought out presentation. Thank you. By the age of 7 (1962) I was reading Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov the minute my parents put them down. I knew that I wanted to explore this world and every other world I could reach initially through books and when I was old enough becoming an astronaut. I think that of all the PC games I have ever played Morrowind, Planescape Torment and Betrayal at Krondor truly encourage deep thought, compassion, empathy and deep soul-searching. They are my 3 all time favourite games to date. Thank you again and now that my PC has been re-built I am going to install Morrowind again :D
Ok, Betrayal at Krondor's going on my list!
@@traversingthedark it originally came on 8 x 3 inch discs and is based on the books of Raymond E Feist who actually was involved in the game design. It came out in 1993 - I am so old :D
@@Akatharie Yet you're still a gamer. Be welcome here and mad respect to you friend.
Video should be retitled: How the Cliff Racer teaches us the path to Nirvana.
*SCREETCH*
Absolutely solid explanations of your points and experiences, really great video.
Thank you!
If you love Morrowind or darker themed fantasy in general, come join the Discord and chat about games, books, and anime. It's also where you can keep updated on new work by me including videos and books. Lizardmen welcome: discord.gg/a8mssF9SnH
Wow I'm seeing so many videos on Morrowind lately
DAMN right
Yesss, so much love and appreciation for the world that's been crafted. Writing and storytelling as good as Morrowind's is hard to come by. I'd love to hear more analysis like this from you, subbed!
I agree and Thank you! Definitely more to come
I'm not a huge fan of playing RPG's but I love listening to essays about them. So much thought goes into the good ones.
Edit: I have played several (including skyrim obviously lol) but they aren't my go to
Also, I'm obviously American but my dad's family is Native American and Irish and my mom's parents are of Irish extraction but lived in Canada for many generations until right before my mom was born when they moved to the states. So this puts me in a crazy position where I'm accused of being a white colonizer all the time. I appreciate media taking a look at these issues to help us understand ourselves
Coming back to these comments and I just have to say that I totally appreciate this sentiment. There's no greater compliment than hearing that this video might have prompted some critical thinking. That means a lot.
What I also think helps out is there are no cutscenes. When you meet an NPC you can ask them a ton of generic things. Ever get lost in the wilderness and emerge into an unknown city? Their text based dialogue will tell you where you are, where the services are, and if you feel like lingering in the area they will tell you more - all if you decide to ask or not. Sometimes it is a little jarring to re-read the same exact paragraph you've seen before, but I think it remains superior.
This was beautifully done. TY 💖 🙏
Thank you!
You just get it man. subbed
Henselt, welcome to the Darkzone
only 11 minutes in and this analysis is amazing - "only to find...they dont WANT to be free"
Thank you! Your animations are so sweet
Just subscribed, best of luck with your channel!
This is one of the best videos I've ever seen!
Thank you so much! I really need to get back to making more video game analysis essays.
@@traversingthedark You are 100% correct about the moral relativism of Morrowind. Comparatively, Skyrim is very black and white... Sure, you can pick between the stormcloaks and imperials, however, the game sort of seems to guide you towards choosing the stormcoaks because the other option is not very attractive. No matter which perspective, everyone seems to hate the imperials, and even if you choose the imperials, every imperial or altmer you speak to comes across like an A-hole. Bethesda got lazy with the world building...
I know im late to the partybut i figured I'd put in my two cents anyway.
I think the biggest thing going for morrowinds story is the depth of its perspectives and how the story draws you in.
You start as a literal nobody with virtually nothing to your name, be it knowledge or physical possessions, and even if you only follow the main storyline, you'll be introduced to all the major powers and players of Vvardenfell and their perspectives.
For example, the blades are one of the ways the empire keeps an eye on things and keeps the peace, but it can also be argued that having a secret police force is a bad thing. On the other hand, the morag tong is a formally recognised guild of assassins who give their skills to prevent all out war between the houses but on the other hand ot can be argued assassination is just murder.
Throw in the fact that the dunmer can live for centuries (or thousands of years in the telvanis case), and you can see how traditions and a way of life can be built up and slow to change.
Really good video, got you a new subscriber from me at least.
As a side note what mod(s) do you use for those spell animations and the temple shield thing?
Thanks! I was actually thinking about adding a mod list but apart from the ones you mentioned my setup is pretty vanilla OpenMW
The new animations are MCAR animation overhaul (spells only - although there's an optional new weapons animation plugin)
Not sure what you mean by the temple shield?
>recent incorporation into an empire
Morrowind had been a part of the septim empire for over 300 years at this point.
Very well done. Subscribed!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed :)
Deep man, I like it.
Good video, man😎👍. Interesting take
As an American, I think we have several issues, as well as other good parts (right? Lol), but i will say that I think one of the few things our history likes to tell us is that some issues cannot be solved diplomatically. This directly relates to our cival war hsitory is that we choose not to make that concession, and that means you fully integrated your own experience in a deeply intimate way. In other words, you fully picked up on that american pathos, and you should totally feel successful in that regard
Morrowind is great, crassius curio on the other hand..
Morrowind it is a great masterpiece and I've completed it, but it is so desolate and lunar, so alien and deserted to be disturbing
31:26
He promised he'd be gentle...
I hope you'll cover Tyranny one day. Very dark fantasy.
Love me some Tyranny, Pillars, and other oldschool isometric RPGs. I'd love to look at the Granddaddy Baldur's Gate for a video but wouldn't say no to Tyranny either.
i agreed with alot of this, good video.
Glad to see you here, limey. Was Morrowind a childhood game for you?
Interesting video so far. I had to stop because I still have only just started Morrowind. Thanks for the spoiler heads-up!
No prob. Enjoy your playthrough!
0:41
0:51
0:57
I’m a bit out of touch these days. What are the game(s) on display here?
All three clips are from Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
Probably the best First person medieval sim that exists.
kingdom come deliverance.
pretty cool medieval rpg
no spells or dragons.
you need to sleep and eat.
lots of quests are timed, meaning world isnt waiting on you to come. etc...
combat system is quite fun with using sword that is following the side where you mouse is.
so you can attack from different sides and do cool combos.
Good shit, brother.
Mate nice video, thanks!
Just a head's up, your voice volume is a bit badly leveled, play around with audio compression in post-process it will make your videos top notch! cheers
You know, you could free the slaves in this game. There is a whole questline for this.
You mention that Morrowind was slowly being influenced by the Imperial empire and the traditionalists should just accept change. I am not sure if you said that, and other things, to admonish Athyn Venim? As you mentioned earlier, the same thing happened to Native-Americans. I think it’s all complicated.
I agree with you re: the complicated nature of the conversation. Morrowind (to me) seems to present a nostalgic clinging to the past in the wake of a globalized world as ultimately futile. It laments this (as is the case with the fall of the Tribunal) but also seems to suggest that at the very least cultural rigidity and isolationism will lead to the death of any culture. Integration (the negotiation between cultures) seems to be the point, not assimilation (as is the case with the terms of the Armistice ensuring the continued practice of slavery).
In general, the world of The Elder Scrolls is always changing - by the time of Skyrim the same Empire that conquered Morrowind has been pushed to the brink of collapse by a Fascist confederacy of Elven-Supremacists. So, in a way, the same 'traditionalists' end up fighting back after years of imperial rule and the cycle of violence just repeats itself.
Again this is all just my own interpretation of the games framework. I myself don't think we should ever blindly accept 'the march of progress' (whatever that may be labelled as at any given time) but should understand that there's value to be had in conversation with our ideological opponents, and these conversations should be allowed to take place.
I would argue that Fable (1)'s morality system isn't "insulting" or really a bad thing at all (3 in particular tried too hard to take the concept of morality seriously and present "grey" moral choices while still passing black and white moral judgments on what the player chose, and seriously fumbled it, especially in the baffling part where it implies that the rich have the choice to be evil but the poor are intrinsically evil because sometimes the only way to be good is to spend money the poor don't even have; But I digress, you mentioned the first game and that's also the only one I would seriously defend). It's about context- The goal of the system is not to establish or punish taboos, nor to establish or reward orthopraxy, and it's also not to establish or educate about a serious moral system.
Rather, Fable, the RPG spiritual successor to Lionhead's previous major title, literally called Black & White to acknowledge that it was representing an extremely dumbed-down, overly straightforward version of morality for the sake of the game's aesthetic and intelligibility, had two clear design goals. One was to present players with the option to be unambiguously good or evil in an RPG, and have neither one be the "wrong" option as is (or was) usually the case. The other, and more important one, was for the game to acknowledge those good or evil actions explicitly and to shape your character's aesthetic and eventually their gear and abilities around them, to the point that cartoonishly "grinding" morality could even become an aspect of the game. To that end, morality wasn't just assessed as black and white, but the actions available to you were mostly either completely evil, completely good or completely neutral (not that they dragged you toward neutrality, but that they had no impact on morality, eg fighting animals that attack you in the woods is not good or evil), and it was always very obvious which was which (Human sacrifice, with no explanation except that you personally might stand to benefit? That's pretty evil! Giving to charity? Good, of course!) because the game's design hinged on the player deciding which type of moral acknowledgment would be a reward for them, and then being rewarded with good boy points or bad boy points when they expected to be.
And no, that is not as substantial nor as artistically accomplished a representation as what Morrowind gives us, and it certainly isn't realistic. Similarly, a slapstick comedy film does not have the same substance or artistic accomplishment as a frank and illuminating coming-of-age film, for example, but I would not call the comedy insulting or bad because its goal is to make me laugh rather than to make me think, and I would hate to live in the bleak world where nothing meant for enjoyment or satisfaction exists and we have only "artistically valid," serious and painful media to consume (not saying that Morrowind is particularly painful or pretentious, but even what is enjoyable in it tends to be more serious, eg the joy of discovery and "exotic" wonder as opposed to cartoonish fun).
Talos approves.
BY THE NINE
So little views for such a mastwrful video. Keep it up, youll find success soon :)
I'm not native english user and vid keeps me wondering what accent is used here? edit nvm it's Scottish
THICC Scottish XD
If you're interested, check out some of my story readings. All 100% pure Scot
I like your voice dude
Cheers man! That's me without any whiskey in me