What year is Skyrim set?

The Year of Skyrim: Exploring the Timeline of Tamriel

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a critically acclaimed action role-playing game set in the fictional world of Tamriel. The game’s story unfolds in the province of Skyrim, a vast and stunning region filled with ancient secrets, mythical creatures, and epic battles. But exactly when does the game take place? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Tamriel and explore the timeline, revealing the answer to this question.

The Second Era: A Brief Background

Before we dive into the specifics of Skyrim, it’s essential to understand the broader context of the Second Era. The Second Era began approximately 1,000 years after the disappearance of the Aedra, the ancient gods who created the world of Tamriel. During this period, the Tamriellic peoples, including the Elves, Men, and Beasts, began to emerge and establish their own kingdoms and empires.

The Events Leading Up to Skyrim

Fast-forwarding to the events leading up to Skyrim, we find ourselves in the midst of a tumultuous period known as the Third Era (3E). The 3E began with the Oblivion Crisis, a catastrophic event that resulted in the Breaching of Oblivion, a dark and malevolent realm of the Daedra, the followers of the Prolonged King Azura. This crisis weakened the fabric of reality, allowing the Daedra to gain foothold on the mortal plane.

Skyrim: The Year

Now, let’s tackle the question at hand: what year is Skyrim set? According to the lore, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim takes place during the year 4E 201, approximately six years after the events of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. This period is marked by turmoil and upheaval, with the return of the great dragon Alduin the World-Eater, who begins to ravage the countryside, bringing destruction and terror to the people of Skyrim.

The Timeline

To better understand the placement of Skyrim in the greater context of the Elder Scrolls lore, here’s a summary of the timeline:

• The Merethic Era: The earliest era, marked by the ancient wars between the Elves and the Men.
• The First Era: Begins with the disappearance of the Aedra and lasts for approximately 1,000 years.
• The Second Era: Covers the period from the discovery of the Aedra’s disappearance to the 3E.
• The Third Era: Begins with the Oblivion Crisis and features the events of Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim.

Other Important Dates

Here’s a list of significant events and dates that occurred around the time of Skyrim:

• 3E 427: The events of Morrowind take place in this year, where you play as the Nerevarine, a reincarnated hero tasked with saving the world from an ancient evil.
• 3E 433-4E 1-4: The events of Oblivion occur in this period, where the protagonist must stop the daedric prince Mehrunes Dagon from destroying Tamriel.
• 4E 201: Skyrim takes place in this year, where the Dragonborn must stop Alduin’s destruction of the world.
• 4E 201-4E 210: The events of the Dragonborn DLC unfold in this period, which sees the return of many characters and plotlines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is set in the year 4E 201, amidst a tumultuous period filled with ancient prophecies, mythical creatures, and epic battles. Understanding the timeline of Tamriel’s world is crucial to appreciating the rich lore and storyline of the Elder Scrolls franchise. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a new adventurer, exploring the vast world of Skyrim is a journey you won’t forget.