My only problem with the Ebonheart Pact is the same problem that Scott from Fudgemuppet has with it. The races that made up the alliance were too different and barely could be in the same room as one another without drawing their weapons. The pact just didn't make that much sense when you consider the relationships between the Nords, Dunmer, and Argonians
@@matthewbrewer7174 Very true, and it’s weird how the Dunmer seem to be the most invested in the pact as the Nords are their ancient enemy and the Argonians are nothing but boots in their eyes. I could get more behind the idea of the Pact if maybe House Indoril and House Dres weren’t associated with the pact similar to House Telvanni.
@masterneloth I'm surprised that Dres even considered the alliance with the Argonians and Nords in the first place, seeing that they are the most conservative Dunmer great house who view any other race as inferior. True, the Tribunal had a lot to do with forcing Dres to accept the pact, but still.
Things I can see happening: Dunmer and Nords being able to align through pure, vitriolic spite alone. They each have that in excess. Would it last long? No. Would they kill in an absolute frenzy for a good handful of years and then piss each other off into dissolution? Yes. That I can see coming together and falling apart throughout years and history. Depending on how poopy other people decide to act up around them, the whole demon you know thing with a bit of enemy-of-my-enemy going on. I can stomach that. I can suspend my disbelief that far. What I can't see at all: The Argonians being buddied up with at all outside of individual, specific battle cases. Nords aren't fond of Argonians. Dunmer aren't fond of Argonians. Argonians aren't strictly all that fond of anyone who isn't also an Argonian... Wouldn't much work out. Absolutely cannot get my disbelief to stretch over that hurdle. That I cannot try to squint and stand on my head and maybe a little bit see. It just ain't clicking.
Gotta say, when I started playing ESO, I chose Ebonheart Pact as it seemed the best ideologically to me, but then by my inexperience, I accidentally ended up in Bangkorai and started 100%-ing the region as I've done so far with the tutorial regions, but when I got to the point where High King Emeric himself showed up to help a widowed queen who pulled through despite seemingly impossible odds to help win the fight, I fell in love with the Covenant.
And I choose whatever pact the game said my race is in since the game doesn't really let you choose your alliance unless you spend money lol. People act like it's an actual choice when everyone is just gonna choose the race they want
My favorite is Daggerfall. I personally like Emeric more than the other leaders, doing the quests for him make me respect him. And the lore about his life is really interesting.
The Ebonheart Pact has the three coolest and my personal favorite Elder Scrolls races sure....but realistically this is an alliance that simply should not work at all lol
It didn’t work technically if you look at elder scrolls history. In the real world many nations can make unexpected treaties and pacts too that falter later on in the years.
I mean with the multiple quests of proving that Dunmer and Argonians aren’t soft to Nords make them warm up a bit to the thought of fighting with them Over the quest lines the Dunmer are shown the Nords and Argonians are resourceful and are warranted a begrudged respect And the Argonians seem to just care for the pacts survival
@@padd6007Yes but you never see countries that hate eachother become part of one Kingdom. It would be like France becoming part of the UK when a lot of French don't like the British
@@supersaiyangoddess4293its less that and more like France and The UK being attacked by a much larger force. Yes, the Ebonheart nations hate each other, but this, according to almost everyone in the Pact is a group made of neccesity. Because, when two huge factions are in the world, and are looking to try and conquer the continent, it makes sense that races that hated each other are willing to put their differences aside to prevent themselves from being conquered
Exactly, I dislike how biased he is againt ayrenn. Even though yes she did go about the whole ascension to the throne situation wrong I geninuly believe she wants a peacful tameriel. Her adventures exploring tameriel gave her experience with other cultures instead of being contained to summerset and most likely would've grown with the typical closeted (racist/supremist) altmer mindset.. I mean i guess it's also forgotten in the AD storyline about the orrery (an ancient alyied device that literally reveals the type of person you are on the inside; turned her brother naemon into and ogrim because he had hateful ideas for tamriel's future. Better ruler my ass). But, when she stepped into the orrery she came out whole and glowing revealing to all her intentions are indeed pure. I like that she's flawed, i mean...who isn't flawed? she also repeatedly states disdain for the veiled heritance and calls them racist yet he screams that she is the racist?! lol I can agree saying fuck AD to 2nd and 3rd AD because it appears the veiled heritance more than likely swept back in after ayrenn's death to further instill that supremist/elitest bs. In conclusion, my personal ranking from worst to best is EP>AD>DC. Hopefully neloth won't kill me for it lol. At least, i can agree emeric would probably be the most fair as ruler followed by ayrenn and...i just dont like the idea of jorunn at all on the throne. Even though i play AD in game i could see the potentional downfall of AD leading because once ayrenn died a veiled heritance leader would take her place and undo her work. Which is basically what 2nd and 3rd AD are.
she didn't go on pirate adventures she traveled between the capital cities of each hold of each provence to learn the cultures and ways of life of every other race, she returned when her father was killed and its presumably that word of such a thing took time to reach her. remember queen Ayrenn was only 19 years old as of the events of vanilla ESO, she's very young for an altmer
I ALMOST agree with you. While making this video you forgot that Daggerfall also didn't treat their members equally. There are proofs that Bretons and Redguards are treating Orcs more like a meat shields than equal members. I recall at least one quest about it in Dominion storyline (I think it was around Northern Beacon or somewhere around it), and few quests in the Daggerfall storyline. I think there was also one quest in Orsinium DLC, where group of Daggerfall soldiers refused to accept Orcs as allies and kept attacking them. Other issue is with Daggerfall war crimes. While you mention Fort Virak and the mess there, you forgot to mention about the whole mess they did in the Stonefalls. Or the massacre of Bleakrock Isle, which didn’t had any military importance. Not to mention the cooperation between Daggerfall soldiers with Fildgors Storm Brigade in Eastmarch, or with Worm Cult in Rift. Last thing… I have a lot of issue with Emeric. In short way, while reading about him, I always felt like he takes credit for others' achievements. Also he could have taken better approach with King Ranser. After all Emeric knew that Ranser was furious, but he preferred to stay on his honeymoon instead of meeting with him and trying to calm him down. Also sending him an invite for his wedding in this situation was really rude in my opinion. Oh and the Orcs attacking Shornhelm during the Ransers War… they did it only because Emeric told them to do so. So Breton king asked Orcs to go and burn down the city of other Bretons. No thank you! But outside of that… BLOOD FOR THE PACT and F*CK THE DOMINION
I believe that the incident with Bleakrock and Stonefalls are connected to General Serien and I don’t feel he represents the entirety of the Daggerfall Covenant, however that in no way excuses their actions and the Daggers do have blood on their hands. However I will say, F*CK THE ALDMERI DOMINION 😎
My perspective of the ebonheart-pact is that they only seek the ruby throne so that nobody else will claim dominion over them. The Pact was created as a response to the Akaviri Invasion and still exists because of the threats the other 2 factions pose. Once the faction war cools off, the Ebonheart Pact will crumble as they no longer have anyone to defend against.
Sure, but that still makes no sense. The Argonians can just hide in the Black Marsh and no one will bother them cuz the entire place is toxic to non-Argonians, and the Dunmer have the Tribunal to protect them, three extremely powerful living gods, all at fullpower since Dagoth Ur doesn't show up to steal the Heart of Lorkhan for another couple of centuries. And the Nords could just have joined with the Daggerfall if they wanted to remain free.
Awesome video but I disagree with your assessment on who won the Three Banners War. The Ebonheart Pact’s main goal was to prevent the other alliances from securing the ruby throne. To that end the Pact was successful as neither the Aldmeri Dominion nor the Daggerfall Covenant managed to survive and Tamriel was free for more than two centuries before the rise of Tiber Septim. The claim that the Daggerfall Covenant had won because of Tiber Septim does not make any sense, not only because it collapsed before the rise of Tiber Septim, but also because there is absolutely no similarity between the Empire Emeric envisioned and the one Talos created. High King Emeric envisioned a federal empire where each race enjoyed equal representation under the Ruby Throne which would hear and protect their respective interests as equals. The Septim Empire instead was a top down feudal regime where everyone existed to serve the emperor and if anyone was even remotely neutral towards the dynasty, he would be brutally removed by the Numidium until the Underking stopped it. Granted the provinces were eventually allowed autonomy as time went on but that was due to the decline of the empire’s central authority not by design. Tiber Septim’s empire was mostly created by Cyronords (Colovian imperials) and the Nords of Skyrim. Its foundation myth and identity is based on Skyrim as the fatherland of humanity and structured upon an Imperial-Nordic axis, with Cyrodiil as the heart and Skyrim as the arm of the empire. It had nothing to do with the Breton-Redguard alliance as their respective provinces were inhumanely conquered. If Talos and Emeric lived at the same time they would be enemies. After the interregnum it was the imperials and Nords who had the last laugh, not the Bretons neither the Redguards. As for why I prefer the Ebonheart Pact is for the same reason I prefer the Stormcloaks. I find a free Tamriel where every province is independent far more preferable than when it’s ruled either an empire or a dominion. Though we do agree that the Aldmeri Dominion sucks no matter the iteration.
I completely agree with you. I havent played ESO in a couple years but was a day one player, and was Daggerfall Covenant from the beginning. I also came to the defence of the Ebonheart Pact when many other ES UA-camrs said it was a stupid pact that didnt make sense because nords and dark elves hated each other. There are many instances in the real world where historical enemies united to face a greater foe. The EP were pretty interesting because of that. AD sucks lol.
You mentioned the High Elves a lot for the Dominion section but lets not forget the Bosmer are literal cannibals that eat the opposing soldiers that definitely a war crime
And all ya’ll who keep bringing that up also conveniently leave out the fact of the Green Pact that says that they have to eat the meat from whatever they kill within three days and they also forget to mention that it’s mostly the extremely tribalistic and back water Bosmer that still follow that part of the teachings.
unfortunatly queen Ayrenn permits the customs of each of the member races in the dominion including the meat mandate which majority of the bosmer follow as it is a part of their religion, so it isn't uncommon for covenant and pact armies to literally lose the bodies of their men to dominion soldiers so the bosmer can practice the meat mandate as their religion dictates
A bit of an extra fact when it came to what the Dominion did in Shadowfen, there is a good chance that mnemic egg could have been used to cut the argonians off from the hist altogether if it had been worked on long enough. I think I remember hearing some of them say that their connection to the hist was damaged after the egg was corrupted for the first time.
Love the Aldmeri Dominion because there are no boring humans in it. Humans in fantasy settings are generally lame as fuсk, especially in the Elder Scrolls universe. I couldn't care less about Bretons, Nords and Redguards when all the elf and beast races have so much more interesting cultures. Also I'm a Khajiit player for life
Love the Video. Fuck the AD. For the Pact! DC has the best drip. Slight correction. Talos did come from Skyrim, not Daggerfall/High Rock. Specifical he's from Falkreath. Talos was likely born a Breton but grew up/raised as a Nord. This would make sense since, as you put it, Western Skyrim is more neutral towards the Ebonheart Pack and not Part of the Daggerfall Covenant. The Jarl's ambition led to the initial conquering of Cyridil before they themselves got axed by the dark brotherhood... Regardless. Love that Talos is likely a breton, but no way in Oblivion the man wasn't raised as a Nord, blessed with the Voice, raiding with the boys as a Nordic general.
The Covenant is the best and we'll put together but also the one the Daedra focus the most on messing with. The Jarl ruling the Pact couldn't even fight his own brother and that is why it is so weak. Their leader is weak. The Queen of the Dominan is totally.. well yeah actually this video is spot on.
This made me give the game a try again after all these years. I remember being extremely hyped about it before launch but after playing for a while I fell off. That was back in the CD Rom days, which is insane. Great video and very fun to watch.
I originally joined the AD as a nord and they didn't seem to take issue with it. but idk. After joining all the other factions I kinda just felt like.... ehhh, I don't really wanna side with anyone. Currently I'm doing a run where I side with the Daggerfall Covenant. Mostly because I just really like the area. Highrock, Wrothgar, and Hammerfell.
As someone who almost always prefer independence over empires and hates imperialism with my whole being, I'm a die-hard Pact supporter, and that comes from guiding entity (aka player) whose characters are mostly Breton, Argonian (so only 1 out of 3 founding races) and Khajiit (Khajiit and Breton siding with Pact has even pragmatic sense - as is stated in "Pact Pamphlet: Congratulations!", if you are citizen of the Pact, you cannot be enslaved regardless of your race) nowadays mostly playing as Necromancer (although following path of "benevolent necromancy" taught by the likes of Vastarie the Altmer and Yisareh the Redguard of Undaunted) and having closest to worshipping (or at least respecting the most) Daedric Prince Malacath/Trinimac (I consider them same being, a sort of "split personality" thing). Since every playthrough made by different player is different, I take it as we create our own timelines (CHIM anybody?) and sort of fan-fictions, and in my playthrough of ESO, in spite of all hardships, Pact triumphs in the end and no new Empire is formed (that's right, F-you Tiber "Talos" Septim!). Blood for the Pact!
As an Aldmeri main (my first character ever, and my current main, is a Bosmer which is my favorite race overall, so Aldmeri was my first Alliance,) I can say, totally unbiased, that the Aldmeri Dominion is the best faction. Jokes aside, I do lean slightly towards the Aldmeri Dominion just due to the fact it was my first Alliance, but later I grew to like Emeric so I've developed a slight love for the Daggerfall Covernant too, not as much as the Aldmeri Dominion, cuz it has Bosmers and Khajiits which is automatically a win, but I do like it, and honestly, it might have been my favorite faction had it been my first. Bretons are my favorite Human race so... And while I do like Nords, (I am a Norseman, afterall) Argonians and Dunmer, I don't understand how the Ebonheart Pact stays together. It's literally the most frail of the Alliances and it existing has to be some divine blessing from a Daedric Prince :D
i like that he took the Aldemeri dominion out of context because of the fact that queen Ayrenn had to be tested by the Orrery which would reject her if she wanted elven superiority like her twin brother did. the fact is Queen Ayrenn is a good queen and wants to unite all under her banner as equals its just that not all felt the same, the Veiled Heitance wanted Elven supremicy and they wanted Namon on the throne because he would give them what they wanted since he was in on the Veiled Heritance the entire time and knew Estri was its leader and knew Pelidil was also a member of it also
@@fangslore9988 Indeed, I still do like Ayren, it's just that I've also gained a lot of respect for Emeric. But Ayren isn't a bad ruler, if you actually think Ayren is a bad person, you must have missed well, all of the Aldmeri Story D
@@Lupinemancer87 very true, she basically whats best for everyone mer or non-mer it doesnt matter but the Aldmeri dominion in eso is often viewed as no different than the 3rd aldmeri dominion who's the elven supremisist as described and thats mostly due to the absorption of the veiled heritence into mainstream altmer society after the leadership and a watered down version of their ideology was then brought into the thalmor through recruitment of former veiled heritance or their descendants over time including Queen Ayrenn's own Descendent who is the ruler of the 3rd Aldmeri dominion in the 4th era though it is unclear if their king at the time has legitimate authority or a figurehead. there's almost 1500 years between the the 1st and 3rd Aldmeri Dominion
Politics is trivial? Ho ho, my friend, you couldn't be further from the reality. They ARE Dunmer after all, and the fact they don't engage as much in global politics, doesn't mean their inner politics are just "you do you and you will be a succesful great mer, no cons attached!"
Big fan of your content but not one of your best videos in my eyes. You use the Veiled Heritance as a big negative of the AD yet admit half of Hammerfell & not all Orcs are with the DC & actually the new King of Orsinium fully declares leaving the DC i’m pretty sure not just ‘less enthusiastic.’ The same goes for the EP. Most of Argonia are not involved with the EP & half of Skyrim isn’t either yet you bring this up but hardly. Yes the VH were actively working against the AD but the PC wipes them out. You used the PC’s actions for the Orcs but not for the VH? You complain a lot about the AD attempting to commit genocide on the Argonians of Shadowfen yet sound extremely glad when discussing Talos’s genocide on the AD which is the 2nd biggest genocide in Tamriel history just after the Sload’s genocide of half of Tamriel. You brush aside the fact that the DC kill the most civilians of the 3 factions like it’s nothing which ends up being the biggest war crime thanks to the PC stopping AD’s genocide too. Like what? Makes no sense. I’m a DC player myself & I do agree DC is the best & makes the most sense even though again all 3 races hate each other that’s why they’ve been at odds throughout Tamriel’s history but this video really doesn’t do the discussion of the 3 factions justice. Not trying to be rude, it’s genuine criticism. I love your videos otherwise, just think this one isn’t one of your best. Coulda done a lot more.
Master Neloth, I completely agree with you! And I would add, that even the faction storyline of Daggerfall Covenant in ESO seems to be more consistent, logical and even complete, however open to any addons, like Orsinium or High Isle, for example.
I've challenged myself to play all three alliances in the last year. Like I know you get the chance in the game but it is different starting out. So far the Pact is coming out on top since far less war crimes. Practically I think the Covenant is the best overall. Granted I'm giving Fahara'jad the side eye. He isn't who he says he is that is for damn certain and that is going to take out yet another piece of the alliance. I think Bazrag will come around he just needs the time. But Hammerfell is weaker than it appears.
I haven't played in ages, but when I did, I used to play as the Pact, but yeah, only because they had the Nords in it. Otherwise it's simply an unstable alliance because let's be real, these races are the most likely to backstab each other and would probably be the least cooperative if things go wrong, therefore making it the weakest faction.
My take before watching this video: Ebonheart Pact: First faction i joined back in latest Beta of ESO. Stuck with them out of Nostalgia feelings for Nords and Dunmer (Can't help it, Morrowind was my first Elder Scrolls Game and Skyrim still has me hooked to it) Daggerfall Covenant: Has Bretons. I like Bretons as a playable race. A lot. And don't deny it 50% magick absorption is absolutely brilliant. Redguards are also cool and the most die-hard fan in me, who doesn't want to lose hope in Bethesda still is hyped to potentially *maybe* see more of them in TES 6. Never cared much for the Orcs, although i have to admit not even having a place to call home is kinda wrong and they don't deserve this. Aldmeri Dominion: Has Queen Ayrenn. Who is a hot elven biatch. And not only that, she is kinda cool and actually wise and (as far as i remember) kinda based. I also like Bosmer, even though they're cannibals and Khajiit, even though they are catfolk and you know, "i'm something of a dog person myself". In Conclusion: I have no frikkin idea which faction is better. Still would choose Ebonheart Pact every god damn time, because Skyrim belongs to the Nords, you filthy N'wahs! *Starts hissing like a reptile*
11 days late but God I remember when my mum (divine smile on her) bought me the imperial edition (I love Imperials, OK?) I remember the bloke at GAME asking me who I support, lard ass me then began a short lecture as to why I support the Daggerfall Covenant.
if Queen Ayren was as you said a bad leader and wanted elven supremecy then the orrey would have rejected her, when asked she will say she saw a tamriel united under her benevolence where all were equal, she's actually a good person, the Thalmor later on after the second era ended up absorbing members of the remnent veiled Heritance members began their rhetoric of elven supremacy and believing man was unfit to rule and the altmer all knew it was Mannimarco who did it and as he is the shame of their people. in fact no altmer even blame humans for the planemeld and the one that they do blame is Emperor Varen Aquilarios specifically not for being human, but for not listening to the reports about Mannimarco. the fact that Queen Ayren wasn't for elven supremacy sparked the formation of the Veiled heritance, the clandestine secret society run by High Kin Lady Estri which grew into a militant order who were all about elven supremacy and their ultimate goal was to assassinate Ayren and put her brother namon on the throne since he himself harbored elf supremacist views, and was a willing co-leader of the heritence behind his twin sister's back until the orrery revealed him to be a monster on the inside. there are good and bad in each faction each leader of each faction are good people who have good intentions but somewhat misguided. the reality is that Queen Ayrenn Arana Aldmeri, High King Jorunn the Skald-King, and High King Emric all have the same goal in mind, to unite all races all provinces and all people in peace and equality which is the reason for the war its just that all three monarchs do not know every detail their soldiers and even generals are doing which has led to bad apples being amongst their forces. remember these words "i saw a dominion of peace were all were equal under my banner" ~High Queen Ayrenn Arana Aldemeri after the ratification ceremony at the orrery under eldenroot. she also said that she would have all be her people. also ruvatar wasn't ordered to genocide the argonians, he was sent to determine if flora and fauna of black marsh could be used in viable ways also let us not forget that the jackdaws were under ebon heart pact employ and were paid to raise the dead in Haven however the one who hired them were also working for the worm cult. also the pact is more known to delve and sanction necromancy and in some of the delves there are a lot of pact necromancers and the covenant also has just as many bad eggs. the leaders of the alliances are all good people however the alliances also reflect the grit of irl conflict, there is never going to be a faction 100% good despite how good and benevolent the leaders are, because atrocities are made and covered up by generals who order them. it literally is for these rogue generals a "what our king/queen does not know can't hurt them"
@@fangslore9988 Altmer are the most long lived of the mer player races thus 300 years means nothing. When not even a generation has passed the line between First and Second Dominion is trivial. It entirely possible Ayren was still even Queen.
Apparently Mankar Cameron is actually a bosmer who like...transformed himself into an Altmer with the power of that xerxes book. Because he's that kind of crazy. Doesn't really change your point though, just thought I'd mention it for fun.
I have 2 thing to say: 1. Damn... I think I'll have to buy the upgrade "all races, all alliances", to play Aldmer as Daggers alliance. 2. Sorry I couldn't hold my laugh when you say the fact about Tiber Septim. Was right on the point.
Lets be real if Tiber s Septim hadnt stepped in, AD realistically wouldve won. EP cant even get along with each other let alone fight a war, which is the dunmers fault btw. DC is really cool but their strength relys on their redguards who have the capability to BLOW UP A CONTINENT. Not many intervene though. ADs magical prowess is better than any other race. Sorry but thats reality. KHAJIIT HAVE 16 FURSTOCKS THAT CAN MASTER 16 DIFFERENT THINGS. Have you ever tried to fight a Polar Bear Sized Senche-raht who can easily rip your head from your shoulders with your teeth? Or an Alfiq who can easily be mistaken for a house cat nuke an entire intel with their wit and magical abilities? What about dagi who can climb better than anyone else and shoot from the trees. What about Pahmar who stand almost as tall as giants with a weapon heavier than the fighter. If you dont like AD, thank Tiber. Cause Tamriel wouldve been all Yellow. 😂
Not really as the Dunmer could have always unleashed Numidium, as it was more the giant war robot demi-god than Talos that stopped the Dominion, and if it was powered by the heart instead of an inferior alternate it would have been even more unstoppable.
One of my favourite characters is a female High Elf Templar who was a proud supporter of the Dominion and deeply admired the Queen. She had a cheerful personality, loved to dance, play music, and was always looking out for her allies as a tank and healer. Why was she so kind and generous? Well, because she was superior, of course! With her power and privilege, she had more to offer the ‘younger’ races! I found it fascinating, and kind of fun, to play a character with the juxtaposition of being a genuinely nice person while also being massively racist.
I’m sorry but the Dominion has the best city of all, Alinor, besides the coolest-looking armour for their knights. Give me a beautiful capital and I'll pick your side.
I strongly disagree… “… then they came from the seas, folded steel in their hands… our families were slain before our eyes… forged by war the Ebonheart rose… when the enemies begged for the mercy the lacked… three voices as ONE shouted BLOOD FOR THE PACT!” The most heart hitting verses in the Ebonheart Pact anthem, “Three Hearts as One”.
My two favourite races are easily the Bretons and Dunmer. I love their histories, cultures, abilities, and aesthetics. As much as i love to idealize the Dunmeri life, the Bretons have far fewer problematic tendencies than the Dunmer. Also, King Emeric is an incredible ruler!
While I do like my boys in Red, the Covenant do make the most sense. The Dunmer and Argonians have too much bad blood with one another over the course of centuries. That, and all three races are so different ideologically and culturally that it is honestly amazing the entire pact is yet to burst into flames. That being said, at least it isn't on the same level as the Dominion.
This is a great take. I understand they’ll always be some infighting with races allied with each other because let’s face it, all of the TES races are racist/xenophobic to a certain degree. That being said, DCs races, and the Bosmer to a degree, are the least racist. Nords, Dunmer, and Altmer are definitely the worst 😂 I’ve done a lot of research on what could be considered the canon alliance for the Vestige, and most of it points to DC, the main quest also fits in nicely with the Daggerfall Covenant storyline and since there was another empire started by Tiber Septim who was probably a Breton, I’d say DC was the most likely to win the war.
Tbh I never join this war at all I'm a dragon priest in eso and I rather collect there historical records and that's it the alliance I continue my travels too never cared about the war or the throne love the video btw also just to clarify I'm a Khajiit vampire
Omg THANK YOU. I've been trying to tell my friends for years that Ayrenn is a twat, Jorunn is a waste of space, and Emeric is the only actual leader of the bunch. Next time they try and simp for Ayrenn, I'll link them this video for sure.
I had to give up ESO a few years ago, *iykyk,* But thank you for reminding me of the DC's demonstrable superiority. That being said, I'm pretty sure DC always got mopped on ps4/ps5 LMAO I ended up leveling characters in each alliance, depending on which campaign I wanted to play that week. DC just struck me as the obvious choice, ideologically. I noticed the dissonance between Ayrenn's presentation and the actual events of the AD. and the EP looked like about what you'd expect.. lmao. Oh, those early days, playing ESO like a normal TES title, questing thru Alikr and Rivenspire, before I was corrupted with the pvp disease. Molag Bal definitely had a hand in it..
Emeric is the most sympathetic of the leaders, IMO. But the Covenant has a serious Worm Cult infiltration problem within the leadership of its expeditionary forces. The Pact doesn't really seem to want to take the war to its enemies' shores the way the Dominion and Covenant do. No large-scale invasions (e.g., Stonefalls), no genocidal plans (e.g., Shadowfen). Heck, I'm not sure the Pact made even a token effort to mess with the Covenant. I do remember a tiny Pact force in Auridon, but that's about it. tl;dr: Covenant has the least bad leader, but Pact seems to be the least bad faction in practice. Which is ironic given the leadership of the Dunmer. If you know, you know, amirite?
In the intricate tapestry of the Three Banners War, it becomes unequivocally apparent that the Aldmeri Dominion stands as the paragon of enlightened governance, cultural supremacy, and martial prowess. Nevertheless, it is an undeniable travesty that Queen Ayrenn, an erstwhile pariah whose ascension to power is nothing short of a monumental blunder, was not extinguished in her nascent state. Her continued existence and misguided leadership undermine the very fabric of the Dominion's grandeur. In stark contrast, the Veiled Heritance emerges as the rightful custodians of true Altmer heritage, their zealous advocacy for purity and tradition embodying the quintessential ethos that should govern the Aldmeri Dominion's illustrious future. Moreover, I remain resolute and impervious to the ramifications of potential banishment from Morrowind at your hands "Master" Neloth. Such an expulsion is but a trifling inconvenience, for I would never deign to forsake the paradisiacal splendor of Alinor-a realm of unparalleled beauty and sanctity that Ayrenn incessantly desecrates with her cadre of foreign interlopers. The Dominion's destiny lies in the preservation of its pure and unblemished lineage, a vision that the Veiled Heritance valiantly upholds against the pernicious influence of Ayrenn and her pet outsiders. The sole point of concurrence between us, perhaps, is the lamentable truth that I am not in a position to personally rid us of Ayrenn and enthrone our rightful sovereign, Prince Naemon. This grievous limitation is a shared regret, an impediment to the realization of a Dominion governed by its true and worthy king. Signed, High Kinlord Rilis XIII Representative of the Veiled Heritance
I, Duinor the Wood Orc, thoroughly say to take this Veiled Heritance propaganda and place it in the waste basket. It will not be tolerated and as one of the eyes of the great Queen Ayrenn this will be relayed to her by the second sundown from today. I trust you will have better judgment in the future in terms of your outlook towards those who only wish to see the world in a better place. As this is only your first written notice you will not be fined but should this occur again there will be a sum attached to the next letter to be paid to her royal highness in a not insignificant amount. I hope we do not have to communicate in this manner again. Have a nice day. Duinor, Eye of the Queen.
the funny thing is that she is a strong benevolent queen who has good intentions its just that not all of her soldiers and generals are as benevolent as her. such as the general in the shadowfen invasion who tried to genocide the argonians, queen Ayrenn would never have sanctioned that and didn't because said general who was an alchemist went rogue and his men started skin stealing
@@fangslore9988 Your Queen, Ayrenn, epitomizes self-serving ambition and hypocrisy. She abandoned our venerable culture to indulge in frivolous pursuits with beasts, engaging in zoophilic behavior and only the eight divines know what else. Now, she returns, driven solely by a thirst for power, seeking to impose foreign values and contemptuously disregarding our cherished traditions. Her actions are far from benevolent; they reveal her as a hypocrite of the highest order. If she truly desires to rule-or "guide," as she euphemistically calls it-the rest of Tamriel, then you and your misguided ilk must renounce any and all claims to genuine Altmer heritage. Depart from Alinor forever, and govern the creatures you so dearly cherish. Perhaps they will demonstrate their appreciation for your misguided attempts to assist them. But, for the love of our sanctified homeland, leave us out of your nonsensical war. As for the extermination of a few lizards, what of it? One less disease-ridden blight upon our blessed island.
It feels like the various pacts were made primarily for gameplay reasons rather than in-world logic. As I understand it, Bretons and Orcs do not get along. Dark elves and Argonians… well the Dark Elves and most everyone. The High Elves and wood elves I guess kinda works. The Khajjiit feel included more just from geography, but it’s not weird to hear at least. I feel like a better breakout would have had the Bretons with the high elves. The orcs, nords and redguard for another, and the Khajiit, Argonians and wood elves for the third. The dark elves sitting out alone, hating everyone. But that would make the factions pretty lopsided and the games geography difficult. Probably better to just use the establish three and hadwave away the awkward bits
Daggerfall covenant is by far the best. They have the best fighters in the orcs and redguard, some of the best battlemages in the Bretons, the Breton hero in the trailers is by far the coolest and Emeric is voiced by bill nighy (although Ayrenn is voiced by Kate beckinsale and the only reason I don’t wimp for ayrenn is because she’s a knife ear)
I don’t support Aldmeri Dominion, and yet I joined the faction mainly bc of Khajiit and the scenery. Also, is it possible to have my Khajiit join Daggerfall Covenant? Or just only Breton, Red, and Orc?
You have to purchase an "upgrade" "any race, any alliance", and then you can choose freely whichever alliance you want regardless of race. I have it just for RP sake, any my Bretons (and sometimes even Khajiits) are fighthing for the Pact.
Lmao…the stealing Khajiits joke was hilarious..I can’t help but laugh through the entire video though…it seems like as the video goes on the angrier you get.
In military, politics and maybe economy side Daggerfall conveant is strongest faction, bretons, redguards and orks have long history of never ending wars with each other, so it they are in peace huge experienced forces are free to conquer other provinces, also hight elfs are very well organized and have best defence potential being on own islands but forest elfs most time been unorganized tribes and cats aren't big or strong nation. Nord haven't single leader, aragonian don't want join to dark elves but don't have many choices and most story of Ebonheart pact is about defending from Daggerfall invasion so they aren't very strong
This one thinks the thing that happened in shadowfenn was just an "oopsy daisy" so it doesn't count and not all khajiits steal... this one is a good example and has only stolen once or twice, or mayhaps even thrice... Jo'khar doesnt remember 🐱
I gotta say i wouldn't have noticed the problems of the aldmeri dominion at all if not for this video and tbh the only reason i go through their campaign story besides skill points and xp is cause of raz cause i find him more interesting then the queen
Exactly! Part of what ruins my ability to enjoy the Ebonheart Pact is the fact that ESO takes place during a time when the tribunal is in charge. In the Pact Quest you have no choice but to help Almalexia against the Maulborn, when that’s the last thing I want to do because F*CK ALMALEXIA
Pretty sure Daggerfall is most stable and arguably has most chances to win orks and redguards alone are force to be reckon with after that you have Breton mages, also stable economy, of trading Bretton , armor and weapon making orks and rich lands of redguards
I enjoyed your little screed. From the game story standpoint AD is the best. There are through lines from the starter island Khenarthi's Roost all the way through Reaper's March. Second best story wise is DC and the worst is EP, which is like a ridiculous mishmash of dumb stories thrown against the wall to see what sticks, especially the Shadowfen story is amazingly dumb. We don't even meet the king until Eastmarch!
The Dominion quests are also like… kind of boring? There are some very cool locations you get to go to when you’re playing the dominion storyline but that’s kind of it. Covenant is the most fun and you meet the most plot relevant characters in that storyline
Having played through all three's storylines repeatedly... Daggerfall Covenant all the way! Their alliance is by far the strongest and Emeric is the most accomplished and level-headed ruler. The Dominion will tear itself apart soon enough, the Pact will implode the moment there's no external pressure keeping them together, but the Covenant has strong connections made stronger by the rebuilding of Orsinium, ties of marriage, and the support of groups like House Ravenwatch.
@Master Neloth you left out how the Bretons rejected Tiber Septim (Talos the Atmoran/Stormcrown), but the Nords bent the knee immediately upon hearing/seeing his Thuum. The Nords would champion the cause of Tiber Septim, painstakingly unifying Cyrodiil piece by piece from the fractious upstart kingdoms/territories of Cyrodiil. The Bretons gave him hell before joining with him and it would be a High Rock Nightblade that would slit his throat. The Bretons are too pompous, fractious and power hungry to accept. All that being said, you did not account for the lore behind the Bretons and their own Alliance. Again, far more backstabbing, manipulation, and culling took place with them. There's a reason for New Orsinium and Old Orsinium. There's a reason why Redguard don't trust Bretons. They're as fractious as all the others. The Nords, however, really are the linchpin of Tamriel. They are unifiers through might, freedom, and autonomy. There's no way around that. They have a strange faith about them that no other race has. Of the three alliances, AD does actually survive, but indeed would make the worst rulers. They would bring back the same customs as the Ayleids. Outside of High King Emeric, the Bretons are too pompous to succeed and would sooner be at the necks of their neighbors again, which they did. EP is truly led by the Nords in Cyrodiil. The other two races could care less and have enough to worry about in their borders and enough beef with each other that Cyrodiil is not their primary concern anyway. It comes down to AD trying to exterminate and subjugate as usual. DC falls apart with Emeric's death and the conflict that follows immediately after. The Bretons will rise again, but still fractious. EP, they actually have a stronger reason for their alliance than the other two because of the Akaviri Invasion, The Great Moot that followed, the numerous incursions and invasions by AD and DC, and finally because their peoples would benefit most from annexation of Cyrodiil. They have a stronger purpose than the other two alliances. United by war, invasions, and harsh climates, this faction/alliance actually functions. What ends up happening in the lore corroborates this as even though EP doesn't persist, it's because of history between two of the races and same pomposity and pwer hungry nature of the Bretons, exhibited by the Chimer. Nords carry EP. Nords carry Talos Stormcrown/Tiber Septim. Nords carry Elder Scrolls.
Bro nah, Queen Aryenn is BAE, AD is the best. Elves are the best. High Elves are the best elves. Cat people are just here because they are cute and good slaves.
I haven't played TESO for a long time, but the thing I remember very clearly, is khajit's CONSTANTLY complaining about cultural oppression from high elves. There are a lot of lines like "why do we even call them allies, if they treat us worse than our enemies". How can you say it's not an elven supremacy
The pact despite being the only reasonable faction and usually winning and being on the path to respecting eachother the strongest and dumbest deadra ever Lord Todd Howard decreed "nah thats too cool"
I have to say the thanking of Miraak for being a channel member instantly killed me so 10/10 video
Your welcome
@@miraak2213 💀
My only problem with the Ebonheart Pact is the same problem that Scott from Fudgemuppet has with it. The races that made up the alliance were too different and barely could be in the same room as one another without drawing their weapons. The pact just didn't make that much sense when you consider the relationships between the Nords, Dunmer, and Argonians
@@matthewbrewer7174 Very true, and it’s weird how the Dunmer seem to be the most invested in the pact as the Nords are their ancient enemy and the Argonians are nothing but boots in their eyes. I could get more behind the idea of the Pact if maybe House Indoril and House Dres weren’t associated with the pact similar to House Telvanni.
@masterneloth I'm surprised that Dres even considered the alliance with the Argonians and Nords in the first place, seeing that they are the most conservative Dunmer great house who view any other race as inferior. True, the Tribunal had a lot to do with forcing Dres to accept the pact, but still.
Things I can see happening: Dunmer and Nords being able to align through pure, vitriolic spite alone. They each have that in excess. Would it last long? No. Would they kill in an absolute frenzy for a good handful of years and then piss each other off into dissolution? Yes. That I can see coming together and falling apart throughout years and history. Depending on how poopy other people decide to act up around them, the whole demon you know thing with a bit of enemy-of-my-enemy going on. I can stomach that. I can suspend my disbelief that far.
What I can't see at all: The Argonians being buddied up with at all outside of individual, specific battle cases. Nords aren't fond of Argonians. Dunmer aren't fond of Argonians. Argonians aren't strictly all that fond of anyone who isn't also an Argonian... Wouldn't much work out. Absolutely cannot get my disbelief to stretch over that hurdle. That I cannot try to squint and stand on my head and maybe a little bit see. It just ain't clicking.
I highly agree. I like these three races, I like all the Races, but I agree. The EP makes no sense.
there is a lot of struggle to keep old scars from reopening
Gotta say, when I started playing ESO, I chose Ebonheart Pact as it seemed the best ideologically to me, but then by my inexperience, I accidentally ended up in Bangkorai and started 100%-ing the region as I've done so far with the tutorial regions, but when I got to the point where High King Emeric himself showed up to help a widowed queen who pulled through despite seemingly impossible odds to help win the fight, I fell in love with the Covenant.
And I choose whatever pact the game said my race is in since the game doesn't really let you choose your alliance unless you spend money lol. People act like it's an actual choice when everyone is just gonna choose the race they want
The Daggerfall Covenant is the best faction, since they're wanting to restore an Empire similar to Reman Cyrodiil
My favorite is Daggerfall. I personally like Emeric more than the other leaders, doing the quests for him make me respect him. And the lore about his life is really interesting.
The Ebonheart Pact has the three coolest and my personal favorite Elder Scrolls races sure....but realistically this is an alliance that simply should not work at all lol
It didn’t work technically if you look at elder scrolls history. In the real world many nations can make unexpected treaties and pacts too that falter later on in the years.
Eh, it's basically the Horde. Bunch of misfits who allied eith eachother just for the sake of survival and to be left alone.
I mean with the multiple quests of proving that Dunmer and Argonians aren’t soft to Nords make them warm up a bit to the thought of fighting with them
Over the quest lines the Dunmer are shown the Nords and Argonians are resourceful and are warranted a begrudged respect
And the Argonians seem to just care for the pacts survival
@@padd6007Yes but you never see countries that hate eachother become part of one Kingdom. It would be like France becoming part of the UK when a lot of French don't like the British
@@supersaiyangoddess4293its less that and more like France and The UK being attacked by a much larger force. Yes, the Ebonheart nations hate each other, but this, according to almost everyone in the Pact is a group made of neccesity. Because, when two huge factions are in the world, and are looking to try and conquer the continent, it makes sense that races that hated each other are willing to put their differences aside to prevent themselves from being conquered
I just find Ayrenn cool. Adventuring queen going on pirate adventures, out drinking Nords, etc. Daggerfall for life
You think Ayreen is cool yet favors the Daggerfall Covernant?
Exactly, I dislike how biased he is againt ayrenn. Even though yes she did go about the whole ascension to the throne situation wrong I geninuly believe she wants a peacful tameriel. Her adventures exploring tameriel gave her experience with other cultures instead of being contained to summerset and most likely would've grown with the typical closeted (racist/supremist) altmer mindset.. I mean i guess it's also forgotten in the AD storyline about the orrery (an ancient alyied device that literally reveals the type of person you are on the inside; turned her brother naemon into and ogrim because he had hateful ideas for tamriel's future. Better ruler my ass). But, when she stepped into the orrery she came out whole and glowing revealing to all her intentions are indeed pure. I like that she's flawed, i mean...who isn't flawed? she also repeatedly states disdain for the veiled heritance and calls them racist yet he screams that she is the racist?! lol I can agree saying fuck AD to 2nd and 3rd AD because it appears the veiled heritance more than likely swept back in after ayrenn's death to further instill that supremist/elitest bs.
In conclusion, my personal ranking from worst to best is EP>AD>DC. Hopefully neloth won't kill me for it lol. At least, i can agree emeric would probably be the most fair as ruler followed by ayrenn and...i just dont like the idea of jorunn at all on the throne. Even though i play AD in game i could see the potentional downfall of AD leading because once ayrenn died a veiled heritance leader would take her place and undo her work. Which is basically what 2nd and 3rd AD are.
@@okami9020 I like the Covenant. I think its because Ayrenn once said she would rather see an Mer toddler on the throne than a human
@@chrisdiokno5600 i think you meant to @ lupinemancer87
she didn't go on pirate adventures she traveled between the capital cities of each hold of each provence to learn the cultures and ways of life of every other race, she returned when her father was killed and its presumably that word of such a thing took time to reach her. remember queen Ayrenn was only 19 years old as of the events of vanilla ESO, she's very young for an altmer
I refuse to be anything but Daggerfall
I ALMOST agree with you. While making this video you forgot that Daggerfall also didn't treat their members equally. There are proofs that Bretons and Redguards are treating Orcs more like a meat shields than equal members. I recall at least one quest about it in Dominion storyline (I think it was around Northern Beacon or somewhere around it), and few quests in the Daggerfall storyline. I think there was also one quest in Orsinium DLC, where group of Daggerfall soldiers refused to accept Orcs as allies and kept attacking them.
Other issue is with Daggerfall war crimes. While you mention Fort Virak and the mess there, you forgot to mention about the whole mess they did in the Stonefalls. Or the massacre of Bleakrock Isle, which didn’t had any military importance. Not to mention the cooperation between Daggerfall soldiers with Fildgors Storm Brigade in Eastmarch, or with Worm Cult in Rift.
Last thing… I have a lot of issue with Emeric. In short way, while reading about him, I always felt like he takes credit for others' achievements. Also he could have taken better approach with King Ranser. After all Emeric knew that Ranser was furious, but he preferred to stay on his honeymoon instead of meeting with him and trying to calm him down. Also sending him an invite for his wedding in this situation was really rude in my opinion. Oh and the Orcs attacking Shornhelm during the Ransers War… they did it only because Emeric told them to do so. So Breton king asked Orcs to go and burn down the city of other Bretons. No thank you!
But outside of that…
BLOOD FOR THE PACT
and
F*CK THE DOMINION
I believe that the incident with Bleakrock and Stonefalls are connected to General Serien and I don’t feel he represents the entirety of the Daggerfall Covenant, however that in no way excuses their actions and the Daggers do have blood on their hands.
However I will say, F*CK THE ALDMERI DOMINION 😎
you are quite right because after the 3 banners war, the bretons and redguards will attack Orsinium 15 more times
There are three characters you do not dare disrespect.
Raz, Naryu, and Count Ravenwatch.
My perspective of the ebonheart-pact is that they only seek the ruby throne so that nobody else will claim dominion over them. The Pact was created as a response to the Akaviri Invasion and still exists because of the threats the other 2 factions pose. Once the faction war cools off, the Ebonheart Pact will crumble as they no longer have anyone to defend against.
Perhaps, but the idea of the Tamrielic Pact is the main reason why the Ebonheart Pact existed for so long.
Sure, but that still makes no sense. The Argonians can just hide in the Black Marsh and no one will bother them cuz the entire place is toxic to non-Argonians, and the Dunmer have the Tribunal to protect them, three extremely powerful living gods, all at fullpower since Dagoth Ur doesn't show up to steal the Heart of Lorkhan for another couple of centuries.
And the Nords could just have joined with the Daggerfall if they wanted to remain free.
its not even like all the Great Houses are in the Pact anyway, the Telvanni kept out of it
Awesome video but I disagree with your assessment on who won the Three Banners War. The Ebonheart Pact’s main goal was to prevent the other alliances from securing the ruby throne. To that end the Pact was successful as neither the Aldmeri Dominion nor the Daggerfall Covenant managed to survive and Tamriel was free for more than two centuries before the rise of Tiber Septim.
The claim that the Daggerfall Covenant had won because of Tiber Septim does not make any sense, not only because it collapsed before the rise of Tiber Septim, but also because there is absolutely no similarity between the Empire Emeric envisioned and the one Talos created.
High King Emeric envisioned a federal empire where each race enjoyed equal representation under the Ruby Throne which would hear and protect their respective interests as equals. The Septim Empire instead was a top down feudal regime where everyone existed to serve the emperor and if anyone was even remotely neutral towards the dynasty, he would be brutally removed by the Numidium until the Underking stopped it. Granted the provinces were eventually allowed autonomy as time went on but that was due to the decline of the empire’s central authority not by design.
Tiber Septim’s empire was mostly created by Cyronords (Colovian imperials) and the Nords of Skyrim. Its foundation myth and identity is based on Skyrim as the fatherland of humanity and structured upon an Imperial-Nordic axis, with Cyrodiil as the heart and Skyrim as the arm of the empire. It had nothing to do with the Breton-Redguard alliance as their respective provinces were inhumanely conquered. If Talos and Emeric lived at the same time they would be enemies. After the interregnum it was the imperials and Nords who had the last laugh, not the Bretons neither the Redguards.
As for why I prefer the Ebonheart Pact is for the same reason I prefer the Stormcloaks. I find a free Tamriel where every province is independent far more preferable than when it’s ruled either an empire or a dominion. Though we do agree that the Aldmeri Dominion sucks no matter the iteration.
I completely agree with you. I havent played ESO in a couple years but was a day one player, and was Daggerfall Covenant from the beginning. I also came to the defence of the Ebonheart Pact when many other ES UA-camrs said it was a stupid pact that didnt make sense because nords and dark elves hated each other. There are many instances in the real world where historical enemies united to face a greater foe. The EP were pretty interesting because of that. AD sucks lol.
You mentioned the High Elves a lot for the Dominion section but lets not forget the Bosmer are literal cannibals that eat the opposing soldiers that definitely a war crime
Used to. Some still do but most don’t. Still your point stands.
You know it’s bad when the kajit are the best of the faction
And all ya’ll who keep bringing that up also conveniently leave out the fact of the Green Pact that says that they have to eat the meat from whatever they kill within three days and they also forget to mention that it’s mostly the extremely tribalistic and back water Bosmer that still follow that part of the teachings.
unfortunatly queen Ayrenn permits the customs of each of the member races in the dominion including the meat mandate which majority of the bosmer follow as it is a part of their religion, so it isn't uncommon for covenant and pact armies to literally lose the bodies of their men to dominion soldiers so the bosmer can practice the meat mandate as their religion dictates
No that is just recycling all the useful parts. You're already dead why do you care if worms or elves eat you? Or anything else for that matter.
To be fair, Argonians are delicious.
A bit of an extra fact when it came to what the Dominion did in Shadowfen, there is a good chance that mnemic egg could have been used to cut the argonians off from the hist altogether if it had been worked on long enough. I think I remember hearing some of them say that their connection to the hist was damaged after the egg was corrupted for the first time.
Love the Aldmeri Dominion because there are no boring humans in it. Humans in fantasy settings are generally lame as fuсk, especially in the Elder Scrolls universe. I couldn't care less about Bretons, Nords and Redguards when all the elf and beast races have so much more interesting cultures. Also I'm a Khajiit player for life
Love the Video. Fuck the AD. For the Pact! DC has the best drip.
Slight correction. Talos did come from Skyrim, not Daggerfall/High Rock. Specifical he's from Falkreath. Talos was likely born a Breton but grew up/raised as a Nord. This would make sense since, as you put it, Western Skyrim is more neutral towards the Ebonheart Pack and not Part of the Daggerfall Covenant. The Jarl's ambition led to the initial conquering of Cyridil before they themselves got axed by the dark brotherhood... Regardless. Love that Talos is likely a breton, but no way in Oblivion the man wasn't raised as a Nord, blessed with the Voice, raiding with the boys as a Nordic general.
The Covenant is the best and we'll put together but also the one the Daedra focus the most on messing with.
The Jarl ruling the Pact couldn't even fight his own brother and that is why it is so weak. Their leader is weak.
The Queen of the Dominan is totally.. well yeah actually this video is spot on.
>The Aldmeri Dominion seek to rule through Elven Supremacy
Yes and? 🗿
Exactly. 💯 😂
Dirty knife ears
@@vegetableman3911never trust em *pats rock* rock tho wont betray you it will only try to block you.
This made me give the game a try again after all these years. I remember being extremely hyped about it before launch but after playing for a while I fell off. That was back in the CD Rom days, which is insane.
Great video and very fun to watch.
I originally joined the AD as a nord and they didn't seem to take issue with it. but idk.
After joining all the other factions I kinda just felt like.... ehhh, I don't really wanna side with anyone. Currently I'm doing a run where I side with the Daggerfall Covenant. Mostly because I just really like the area. Highrock, Wrothgar, and Hammerfell.
As someone who almost always prefer independence over empires and hates imperialism with my whole being, I'm a die-hard Pact supporter, and that comes from guiding entity (aka player) whose characters are mostly Breton, Argonian (so only 1 out of 3 founding races) and Khajiit (Khajiit and Breton siding with Pact has even pragmatic sense - as is stated in "Pact Pamphlet: Congratulations!", if you are citizen of the Pact, you cannot be enslaved regardless of your race) nowadays mostly playing as Necromancer (although following path of "benevolent necromancy" taught by the likes of Vastarie the Altmer and Yisareh the Redguard of Undaunted) and having closest to worshipping (or at least respecting the most) Daedric Prince Malacath/Trinimac (I consider them same being, a sort of "split personality" thing). Since every playthrough made by different player is different, I take it as we create our own timelines (CHIM anybody?) and sort of fan-fictions, and in my playthrough of ESO, in spite of all hardships, Pact triumphs in the end and no new Empire is formed (that's right, F-you Tiber "Talos" Septim!).
Blood for the Pact!
As an Aldmeri main (my first character ever, and my current main, is a Bosmer which is my favorite race overall, so Aldmeri was my first Alliance,) I can say, totally unbiased, that the Aldmeri Dominion is the best faction.
Jokes aside, I do lean slightly towards the Aldmeri Dominion just due to the fact it was my first Alliance, but later I grew to like Emeric so I've developed a slight love for the Daggerfall Covernant too, not as much as the Aldmeri Dominion, cuz it has Bosmers and Khajiits which is automatically a win, but I do like it, and honestly, it might have been my favorite faction had it been my first. Bretons are my favorite Human race so...
And while I do like Nords, (I am a Norseman, afterall) Argonians and Dunmer, I don't understand how the Ebonheart Pact stays together. It's literally the most frail of the Alliances and it existing has to be some divine blessing from a Daedric Prince :D
Best questline in my opinion also Queen A is the best leader
i like that he took the Aldemeri dominion out of context because of the fact that queen Ayrenn had to be tested by the Orrery which would reject her if she wanted elven superiority like her twin brother did. the fact is Queen Ayrenn is a good queen and wants to unite all under her banner as equals its just that not all felt the same, the Veiled Heitance wanted Elven supremicy and they wanted Namon on the throne because he would give them what they wanted since he was in on the Veiled Heritance the entire time and knew Estri was its leader and knew Pelidil was also a member of it also
@@fangslore9988 Indeed, I still do like Ayren, it's just that I've also gained a lot of respect for Emeric. But Ayren isn't a bad ruler, if you actually think Ayren is a bad person, you must have missed well, all of the Aldmeri Story D
@@Lupinemancer87 very true, she basically whats best for everyone mer or non-mer it doesnt matter but the Aldmeri dominion in eso is often viewed as no different than the 3rd aldmeri dominion who's the elven supremisist as described and thats mostly due to the absorption of the veiled heritence into mainstream altmer society after the leadership and a watered down version of their ideology was then brought into the thalmor through recruitment of former veiled heritance or their descendants over time including Queen Ayrenn's own Descendent who is the ruler of the 3rd Aldmeri dominion in the 4th era though it is unclear if their king at the time has legitimate authority or a figurehead. there's almost 1500 years between the the 1st and 3rd Aldmeri Dominion
@@fangslore9988 Actually, ESO takes place 1000 years before Skyrim.
The best faction is house telvanni: stay out of the way and do your spellcraft. Politics is trivial
Politics is trivial? Ho ho, my friend, you couldn't be further from the reality. They ARE Dunmer after all, and the fact they don't engage as much in global politics, doesn't mean their inner politics are just "you do you and you will be a succesful great mer, no cons attached!"
Big fan of your content but not one of your best videos in my eyes.
You use the Veiled Heritance as a big negative of the AD yet admit half of Hammerfell & not all Orcs are with the DC & actually the new King of Orsinium fully declares leaving the DC i’m pretty sure not just ‘less enthusiastic.’
The same goes for the EP. Most of Argonia are not involved with the EP & half of Skyrim isn’t either yet you bring this up but hardly. Yes the VH were actively working against the AD but the PC wipes them out. You used the PC’s actions for the Orcs but not for the VH?
You complain a lot about the AD attempting to commit genocide on the Argonians of Shadowfen yet sound extremely glad when discussing Talos’s genocide on the AD which is the 2nd biggest genocide in Tamriel history just after the Sload’s genocide of half of Tamriel.
You brush aside the fact that the DC kill the most civilians of the 3 factions like it’s nothing which ends up being the biggest war crime thanks to the PC stopping AD’s genocide too.
Like what? Makes no sense.
I’m a DC player myself & I do agree DC is the best & makes the most sense even though again all 3 races hate each other that’s why they’ve been at odds throughout Tamriel’s history but this video really doesn’t do the discussion of the 3 factions justice.
Not trying to be rude, it’s genuine criticism. I love your videos otherwise, just think this one isn’t one of your best. Coulda done a lot more.
Master Neloth, I completely agree with you! And I would add, that even the faction storyline of Daggerfall Covenant in ESO seems to be more consistent, logical and even complete, however open to any addons, like Orsinium or High Isle, for example.
Calling aldmeri racist while loving dark elves is beyond wild 😂
They kill we enslave its different
I've challenged myself to play all three alliances in the last year. Like I know you get the chance in the game but it is different starting out. So far the Pact is coming out on top since far less war crimes. Practically I think the Covenant is the best overall. Granted I'm giving Fahara'jad the side eye. He isn't who he says he is that is for damn certain and that is going to take out yet another piece of the alliance. I think Bazrag will come around he just needs the time. But Hammerfell is weaker than it appears.
Another home run video. I can watch this video over and over. Can you ever get around to making the greatest videos on races in elder scrolls?
I haven't played in ages, but when I did, I used to play as the Pact, but yeah, only because they had the Nords in it. Otherwise it's simply an unstable alliance because let's be real, these races are the most likely to backstab each other and would probably be the least cooperative if things go wrong, therefore making it the weakest faction.
Played one pact quest (orcs murdered a bunch of darkelves, took their heads, and other war crimes), been a part man since; orks die in sight now.
My take before watching this video:
Ebonheart Pact: First faction i joined back in latest Beta of ESO. Stuck with them out of Nostalgia feelings for Nords and Dunmer (Can't help it, Morrowind was my first Elder Scrolls Game and Skyrim still has me hooked to it)
Daggerfall Covenant: Has Bretons. I like Bretons as a playable race. A lot. And don't deny it 50% magick absorption is absolutely brilliant. Redguards are also cool and the most die-hard fan in me, who doesn't want to lose hope in Bethesda still is hyped to potentially *maybe* see more of them in TES 6. Never cared much for the Orcs, although i have to admit not even having a place to call home is kinda wrong and they don't deserve this.
Aldmeri Dominion: Has Queen Ayrenn. Who is a hot elven biatch. And not only that, she is kinda cool and actually wise and (as far as i remember) kinda based. I also like Bosmer, even though they're cannibals and Khajiit, even though they are catfolk and you know, "i'm something of a dog person myself".
In Conclusion: I have no frikkin idea which faction is better. Still would choose Ebonheart Pact every god damn time, because Skyrim belongs to the Nords, you filthy N'wahs! *Starts hissing like a reptile*
11 days late but God I remember when my mum (divine smile on her) bought me the imperial edition (I love Imperials, OK?)
I remember the bloke at GAME asking me who I support, lard ass me then began a short lecture as to why I support the Daggerfall Covenant.
So glad I play Bretons and support the Daggerfall Covenant.
I'm so glad my Bretons flip a bird to the Covenant and stay side-by-side with members of the Pact
As a guy whom mains Khajiit , I agree with the Khajiit.
if Queen Ayren was as you said a bad leader and wanted elven supremecy then the orrey would have rejected her, when asked she will say she saw a tamriel united under her benevolence where all were equal, she's actually a good person, the Thalmor later on after the second era ended up absorbing members of the remnent veiled Heritance members began their rhetoric of elven supremacy and believing man was unfit to rule and the altmer all knew it was Mannimarco who did it and as he is the shame of their people. in fact no altmer even blame humans for the planemeld and the one that they do blame is Emperor Varen Aquilarios specifically not for being human, but for not listening to the reports about Mannimarco. the fact that Queen Ayren wasn't for elven supremacy sparked the formation of the Veiled heritance, the clandestine secret society run by High Kin Lady Estri which grew into a militant order who were all about elven supremacy and their ultimate goal was to assassinate Ayren and put her brother namon on the throne since he himself harbored elf supremacist views, and was a willing co-leader of the heritence behind his twin sister's back until the orrery revealed him to be a monster on the inside. there are good and bad in each faction each leader of each faction are good people who have good intentions but somewhat misguided.
the reality is that Queen Ayrenn Arana Aldmeri, High King Jorunn the Skald-King, and High King Emric all have the same goal in mind, to unite all races all provinces and all people in peace and equality which is the reason for the war its just that all three monarchs do not know every detail their soldiers and even generals are doing which has led to bad apples being amongst their forces.
remember these words "i saw a dominion of peace were all were equal under my banner" ~High Queen Ayrenn Arana Aldemeri after the ratification ceremony at the orrery under eldenroot.
she also said that she would have all be her people. also ruvatar wasn't ordered to genocide the argonians, he was sent to determine if flora and fauna of black marsh could be used in viable ways also let us not forget that the jackdaws were under ebon heart pact employ and were paid to raise the dead in Haven however the one who hired them were also working for the worm cult. also the pact is more known to delve and sanction necromancy and in some of the delves there are a lot of pact necromancers and the covenant also has just as many bad eggs. the leaders of the alliances are all good people however the alliances also reflect the grit of irl conflict, there is never going to be a faction 100% good despite how good and benevolent the leaders are, because atrocities are made and covered up by generals who order them. it literally is for these rogue generals a "what our king/queen does not know can't hurt them"
Ah yes trust the old Aylied ruin that people barely understand as your right t rule.
@@anvos658 it divines one's intentions presumably based on morality that the alyieds determined would not bring ruin to the people they want to lead
@@fangslore9988 Ayren leads to a death robot demigod crushing the Domion and the Thalmor so.....
@@anvos658 wrong Aldmeri dominion, she formed the first and the numidium happened during the 2nd aldmeri dominion almost 300 years later
@@fangslore9988 Altmer are the most long lived of the mer player races thus 300 years means nothing. When not even a generation has passed the line between First and Second Dominion is trivial. It entirely possible Ayren was still even Queen.
Apparently Mankar Cameron is actually a bosmer who like...transformed himself into an Altmer with the power of that xerxes book. Because he's that kind of crazy.
Doesn't really change your point though, just thought I'd mention it for fun.
@@Davanthall Mannimarco ≠ Mankar Cameron
Daggerfall is stacked
You forgot to mention the war crimes at Bleackrock Isle and Bal Foyen by the Covenant.
Nice video, now I want to join Aldmeri Dominion.
I have 2 thing to say:
1. Damn... I think I'll have to buy the upgrade "all races, all alliances", to play Aldmer as Daggers alliance.
2. Sorry I couldn't hold my laugh when you say the fact about Tiber Septim. Was right on the point.
Lets be real if Tiber s
Septim hadnt stepped in, AD realistically wouldve won. EP cant even get along with each other let alone fight a war, which is the dunmers fault btw.
DC is really cool but their strength relys on their redguards who have the capability to BLOW UP A CONTINENT. Not many intervene though.
ADs magical prowess is better than any other race. Sorry but thats reality. KHAJIIT HAVE 16 FURSTOCKS THAT CAN MASTER 16 DIFFERENT THINGS. Have you ever tried to fight a Polar Bear Sized Senche-raht who can easily rip your head from your shoulders with your teeth? Or an Alfiq who can easily be mistaken for a house cat nuke an entire intel with their wit and magical abilities? What about dagi who can climb better than anyone else and shoot from the trees. What about Pahmar who stand almost as tall as giants with a weapon heavier than the fighter.
If you dont like AD, thank Tiber. Cause Tamriel wouldve been all Yellow. 😂
Not really as the Dunmer could have always unleashed Numidium, as it was more the giant war robot demi-god than Talos that stopped the Dominion, and if it was powered by the heart instead of an inferior alternate it would have been even more unstoppable.
Good video. This was quite funny to from a Pact player. 😂😂😂
great video thanks because im thinking of getting eco online soon
One of my favourite characters is a female High Elf Templar who was a proud supporter of the Dominion and deeply admired the Queen. She had a cheerful personality, loved to dance, play music, and was always looking out for her allies as a tank and healer. Why was she so kind and generous? Well, because she was superior, of course! With her power and privilege, she had more to offer the ‘younger’ races! I found it fascinating, and kind of fun, to play a character with the juxtaposition of being a genuinely nice person while also being massively racist.
Sorry I missed the last live stream but is there a way you can post the video. I enjoy relaxing and watching them
I’m sorry but the Dominion has the best city of all, Alinor, besides the coolest-looking armour for their knights. Give me a beautiful capital and I'll pick your side.
All my N'wah hate the Aldmeri Dominion.
EBONHEART ALL THE WAY! I hate Emeric which is I avoid Cadwell's nonsensical Silver and Gold, not to mention Emeric's quest
Team Icereach Coven! Bring back our true Reachmen rulers!
I strongly disagree…
“… then they came from the seas, folded steel in their hands… our families were slain before our eyes… forged by war the Ebonheart rose… when the enemies begged for the mercy the lacked… three voices as ONE shouted BLOOD FOR THE PACT!” The most heart hitting verses in the Ebonheart Pact anthem, “Three Hearts as One”.
My two favourite races are easily the Bretons and Dunmer. I love their histories, cultures, abilities, and aesthetics. As much as i love to idealize the Dunmeri life, the Bretons have far fewer problematic tendencies than the Dunmer. Also, King Emeric is an incredible ruler!
While I do like my boys in Red, the Covenant do make the most sense. The Dunmer and Argonians have too much bad blood with one another over the course of centuries. That, and all three races are so different ideologically and culturally that it is honestly amazing the entire pact is yet to burst into flames.
That being said, at least it isn't on the same level as the Dominion.
This is a great take. I understand they’ll always be some infighting with races allied with each other because let’s face it, all of the TES races are racist/xenophobic to a certain degree. That being said, DCs races, and the Bosmer to a degree, are the least racist. Nords, Dunmer, and Altmer are definitely the worst 😂
I’ve done a lot of research on what could be considered the canon alliance for the Vestige, and most of it points to DC, the main quest also fits in nicely with the Daggerfall Covenant storyline and since there was another empire started by Tiber Septim who was probably a Breton, I’d say DC was the most likely to win the war.
Havent watched the video yet, but you got the Nords, the Dunmer, and the Argonians in one faction? How could you choose anything else
The real question is how does it not fall apart immediately
@@miraak2213 True lmao, but still. Messy sandwich though it may be, I'll keep on devouring that shit
This was my thinking from the start, how can this faction be absolutely front loaded with the best races like that and you not support it
I BELIEVE IN QUEEN AYRENN SUPREMACY
As a former eso player I'm just goa sit back with some popcorn and watch the comment section.
The daggerfall alliance has the best leadership, the Ebonheart pact has the best races
Daggerfall all day every day
Tbh I never join this war at all I'm a dragon priest in eso and I rather collect there historical records and that's it the alliance I continue my travels too never cared about the war or the throne love the video btw also just to clarify I'm a Khajiit vampire
Omg THANK YOU. I've been trying to tell my friends for years that Ayrenn is a twat, Jorunn is a waste of space, and Emeric is the only actual leader of the bunch. Next time they try and simp for Ayrenn, I'll link them this video for sure.
I had to give up ESO a few years ago,
*iykyk,*
But thank you for reminding me of the DC's demonstrable superiority.
That being said, I'm pretty sure DC always got mopped on ps4/ps5 LMAO I ended up leveling characters in each alliance, depending on which campaign I wanted to play that week.
DC just struck me as the obvious choice, ideologically.
I noticed the dissonance between Ayrenn's presentation and the actual events of the AD.
and the EP looked like about what you'd expect.. lmao.
Oh, those early days, playing ESO like a normal TES title, questing thru Alikr and Rivenspire, before I was corrupted with the pvp disease.
Molag Bal definitely had a hand in it..
Emeric is the most sympathetic of the leaders, IMO. But the Covenant has a serious Worm Cult infiltration problem within the leadership of its expeditionary forces.
The Pact doesn't really seem to want to take the war to its enemies' shores the way the Dominion and Covenant do. No large-scale invasions (e.g., Stonefalls), no genocidal plans (e.g., Shadowfen). Heck, I'm not sure the Pact made even a token effort to mess with the Covenant. I do remember a tiny Pact force in Auridon, but that's about it.
tl;dr: Covenant has the least bad leader, but Pact seems to be the least bad faction in practice. Which is ironic given the leadership of the Dunmer. If you know, you know, amirite?
In the intricate tapestry of the Three Banners War, it becomes unequivocally apparent that the Aldmeri Dominion stands as the paragon of enlightened governance, cultural supremacy, and martial prowess. Nevertheless, it is an undeniable travesty that Queen Ayrenn, an erstwhile pariah whose ascension to power is nothing short of a monumental blunder, was not extinguished in her nascent state. Her continued existence and misguided leadership undermine the very fabric of the Dominion's grandeur. In stark contrast, the Veiled Heritance emerges as the rightful custodians of true Altmer heritage, their zealous advocacy for purity and tradition embodying the quintessential ethos that should govern the Aldmeri Dominion's illustrious future.
Moreover, I remain resolute and impervious to the ramifications of potential banishment from Morrowind at your hands "Master" Neloth. Such an expulsion is but a trifling inconvenience, for I would never deign to forsake the paradisiacal splendor of Alinor-a realm of unparalleled beauty and sanctity that Ayrenn incessantly desecrates with her cadre of foreign interlopers. The Dominion's destiny lies in the preservation of its pure and unblemished lineage, a vision that the Veiled Heritance valiantly upholds against the pernicious influence of Ayrenn and her pet outsiders.
The sole point of concurrence between us, perhaps, is the lamentable truth that I am not in a position to personally rid us of Ayrenn and enthrone our rightful sovereign, Prince Naemon. This grievous limitation is a shared regret, an impediment to the realization of a Dominion governed by its true and worthy king.
Signed,
High Kinlord Rilis XIII
Representative of the Veiled Heritance
I, Duinor the Wood Orc, thoroughly say to take this Veiled Heritance propaganda and place it in the waste basket. It will not be tolerated and as one of the eyes of the great Queen Ayrenn this will be relayed to her by the second sundown from today. I trust you will have better judgment in the future in terms of your outlook towards those who only wish to see the world in a better place. As this is only your first written notice you will not be fined but should this occur again there will be a sum attached to the next letter to be paid to her royal highness in a not insignificant amount. I hope we do not have to communicate in this manner again. Have a nice day.
Duinor, Eye of the Queen.
the funny thing is that she is a strong benevolent queen who has good intentions its just that not all of her soldiers and generals are as benevolent as her. such as the general in the shadowfen invasion who tried to genocide the argonians, queen Ayrenn would never have sanctioned that and didn't because said general who was an alchemist went rogue and his men started skin stealing
@@fangslore9988 Your Queen, Ayrenn, epitomizes self-serving ambition and hypocrisy. She abandoned our venerable culture to indulge in frivolous pursuits with beasts, engaging in zoophilic behavior and only the eight divines know what else. Now, she returns, driven solely by a thirst for power, seeking to impose foreign values and contemptuously disregarding our cherished traditions. Her actions are far from benevolent; they reveal her as a hypocrite of the highest order. If she truly desires to rule-or "guide," as she euphemistically calls it-the rest of Tamriel, then you and your misguided ilk must renounce any and all claims to genuine Altmer heritage. Depart from Alinor forever, and govern the creatures you so dearly cherish. Perhaps they will demonstrate their appreciation for your misguided attempts to assist them. But, for the love of our sanctified homeland, leave us out of your nonsensical war. As for the extermination of a few lizards, what of it? One less disease-ridden blight upon our blessed island.
Fantastic video man!
It feels like the various pacts were made primarily for gameplay reasons rather than in-world logic.
As I understand it, Bretons and Orcs do not get along. Dark elves and Argonians… well the Dark Elves and most everyone.
The High Elves and wood elves I guess kinda works. The Khajjiit feel included more just from geography, but it’s not weird to hear at least.
I feel like a better breakout would have had the Bretons with the high elves. The orcs, nords and redguard for another, and the Khajiit, Argonians and wood elves for the third. The dark elves sitting out alone, hating everyone. But that would make the factions pretty lopsided and the games geography difficult. Probably better to just use the establish three and hadwave away the awkward bits
The obvious correct choice are the Longhouse Emperors.
I'm a soldier for the Ebonheart Pact but if Queen Ayrenn gave me that look and asked me to bend the knee I'd fold like laundry. Yes, my queen o7
13:05 do you mean magic UN peacekeepers? NATO is not a world police and is so far effective in its purpose as a defensive alliance
bump
nato is actually not even defensive alliance. they are heavily instigatory as admitted by usa military officials themselves.
Obviously, a dunmer would say such things about the altmer.
Daggerfall covenant is by far the best. They have the best fighters in the orcs and redguard, some of the best battlemages in the Bretons, the Breton hero in the trailers is by far the coolest and Emeric is voiced by bill nighy (although Ayrenn is voiced by Kate beckinsale and the only reason I don’t wimp for ayrenn is because she’s a knife ear)
I don’t support Aldmeri Dominion, and yet I joined the faction mainly bc of Khajiit and the scenery.
Also, is it possible to have my Khajiit join Daggerfall Covenant? Or just only Breton, Red, and Orc?
Yes u can we have a lot of khajit in DC
You have to purchase an "upgrade" "any race, any alliance", and then you can choose freely whichever alliance you want regardless of race. I have it just for RP sake, any my Bretons (and sometimes even Khajiits) are fighthing for the Pact.
Lmao…the stealing Khajiits joke was hilarious..I can’t help but laugh through the entire video though…it seems like as the video goes on the angrier you get.
In military, politics and maybe economy side Daggerfall conveant is strongest faction, bretons, redguards and orks have long history of never ending wars with each other, so it they are in peace huge experienced forces are free to conquer other provinces, also hight elfs are very well organized and have best defence potential being on own islands but forest elfs most time been unorganized tribes and cats aren't big or strong nation. Nord haven't single leader, aragonian don't want join to dark elves but don't have many choices and most story of Ebonheart pact is about defending from Daggerfall invasion so they aren't very strong
all 3 factions are economically in the same state which is why the 3 banners war is at a literal standstill with no side getting the upper hand
This one thinks the thing that happened in shadowfenn was just an "oopsy daisy" so it doesn't count and not all khajiits steal... this one is a good example and has only stolen once or twice, or mayhaps even thrice... Jo'khar doesnt remember 🐱
I gotta say i wouldn't have noticed the problems of the aldmeri dominion at all if not for this video and tbh the only reason i go through their campaign story besides skill points and xp is cause of raz cause i find him more interesting then the queen
I hate the Altmer
As an Azura worshiper, I hate the tribunal and those false gods (Vifake, Sotha Shit, Almalhoaxia)
So, it"s an easy pick. :-)
Exactly! Part of what ruins my ability to enjoy the Ebonheart Pact is the fact that ESO takes place during a time when the tribunal is in charge. In the Pact Quest you have no choice but to help Almalexia against the Maulborn, when that’s the last thing I want to do because F*CK ALMALEXIA
@@ryhi5 can you imagine my pain while playing the chapter "Morrowind" ? 😅😅
Pack wins the most of the times in Cyrodiil campaigns though it seems
Of course they do as Nords and Dunmer have two of the most fervent player bases thanks to ES 3 and ES 5.
I enjoyed DC for about 9 years, but I recently switched to EP. Change is good
King Kurog did nothing wrong. We would've had Orsinium and Trinimac worship with the Daggerfall Covenant.
For damn sure isnt the Smurfs or the Tampons... Hail the Queen and her Eagle Banner! AD forever!
Bang on the money mate.
Listen guys i am definitely not a queen aryenn simp
@@miraak2213 Personally I’m a Rigurt the Brash simp.
@miraak2213 "You are either with us or you are against Skyrim."
@@matthewbrewer7174*Ulfric says as he slaughters a bunch of innocent farmers
@@masterneloth Ruh Roh Raggy
Its okay the sup upon her glorious sweat
Proud nord player and ebonheart pact stan. TRUE NORDS BLEED RED
"elven supremacy is wrong because... it just is okay! lorkuck sepremacy is epic tho"
Hello master Neloth 😊
Long Live the Empire! Clivia Tharn rules! Screw the three banners 😆😆😆
Pretty sure Daggerfall is most stable and arguably has most chances to win orks and redguards alone are force to be reckon with after that you have Breton mages, also stable economy, of trading Bretton , armor and weapon making orks and rich lands of redguards
I enjoyed your little screed.
From the game story standpoint AD is the best. There are through lines from the starter island Khenarthi's Roost all the way through Reaper's March.
Second best story wise is DC and the worst is EP, which is like a ridiculous mishmash of dumb stories thrown against the wall to see what sticks, especially the Shadowfen story is amazingly dumb. We don't even meet the king until Eastmarch!
The Dominion quests are also like… kind of boring? There are some very cool locations you get to go to when you’re playing the dominion storyline but that’s kind of it. Covenant is the most fun and you meet the most plot relevant characters in that storyline
Having played through all three's storylines repeatedly... Daggerfall Covenant all the way! Their alliance is by far the strongest and Emeric is the most accomplished and level-headed ruler. The Dominion will tear itself apart soon enough, the Pact will implode the moment there's no external pressure keeping them together, but the Covenant has strong connections made stronger by the rebuilding of Orsinium, ties of marriage, and the support of groups like House Ravenwatch.
@Master Neloth you left out how the Bretons rejected Tiber Septim (Talos the Atmoran/Stormcrown), but the Nords bent the knee immediately upon hearing/seeing his Thuum. The Nords would champion the cause of Tiber Septim, painstakingly unifying Cyrodiil piece by piece from the fractious upstart kingdoms/territories of Cyrodiil. The Bretons gave him hell before joining with him and it would be a High Rock Nightblade that would slit his throat. The Bretons are too pompous, fractious and power hungry to accept. All that being said, you did not account for the lore behind the Bretons and their own Alliance. Again, far more backstabbing, manipulation, and culling took place with them. There's a reason for New Orsinium and Old Orsinium. There's a reason why Redguard don't trust Bretons. They're as fractious as all the others. The Nords, however, really are the linchpin of Tamriel. They are unifiers through might, freedom, and autonomy. There's no way around that. They have a strange faith about them that no other race has. Of the three alliances, AD does actually survive, but indeed would make the worst rulers. They would bring back the same customs as the Ayleids. Outside of High King Emeric, the Bretons are too pompous to succeed and would sooner be at the necks of their neighbors again, which they did. EP is truly led by the Nords in Cyrodiil. The other two races could care less and have enough to worry about in their borders and enough beef with each other that Cyrodiil is not their primary concern anyway. It comes down to AD trying to exterminate and subjugate as usual. DC falls apart with Emeric's death and the conflict that follows immediately after. The Bretons will rise again, but still fractious. EP, they actually have a stronger reason for their alliance than the other two because of the Akaviri Invasion, The Great Moot that followed, the numerous incursions and invasions by AD and DC, and finally because their peoples would benefit most from annexation of Cyrodiil. They have a stronger purpose than the other two alliances. United by war, invasions, and harsh climates, this faction/alliance actually functions. What ends up happening in the lore corroborates this as even though EP doesn't persist, it's because of history between two of the races and same pomposity and pwer hungry nature of the Bretons, exhibited by the Chimer. Nords carry EP. Nords carry Talos Stormcrown/Tiber Septim. Nords carry Elder Scrolls.
DAGGERFALL COVENANT 4 LIFE !!!!
Bro nah, Queen Aryenn is BAE, AD is the best. Elves are the best. High Elves are the best elves. Cat people are just here because they are cute and good slaves.
7 Years is like a 3 day weekend for the High Elves bro.
Just played ESO for the first time ever and I picked the Dominion. Just so you people can point your LESSER fingers… and say “thats the bad guy”
10:21 WTF. BEST FACTION CONFIRMED?!?!?!?!??!
gotta make a new character under them now
Aldmeri dominion elven superiority and moral highground
I haven't played TESO for a long time, but the thing I remember very clearly, is khajit's CONSTANTLY complaining about cultural oppression from high elves. There are a lot of lines like "why do we even call them allies, if they treat us worse than our enemies". How can you say it's not an elven supremacy
I side with the tall cat lady because i like her cat
Me
I am
The entire faction
The pact despite being the only reasonable faction and usually winning and being on the path to respecting eachother the strongest and dumbest deadra ever Lord Todd Howard decreed "nah thats too cool"