Anyone wonder how strange or why that in every single elder scroll game you start off in a prison?

[REDSHADOW]

I mean, I get the whole thing about you starting off with nothing to get everything. Its just funny how that is so or even how they allow that. What are your thoughts?

[Nerevars Goat Univeron]

Thats kinda the only constant across the games, other than the world of tamreal, and the empire.

[[TA] Rofak]

they do that because it lets you make a new toon without having to have a back story.

[Rhuto]

Humm....another popular RPG series like Final Fantasy...in every game the Heroes are orphans...so I think the bottom line is...even if you are "low status" you can build yourself up to a great hero :)

[Rockhead Gaz]

It's one of those things that just is, isn't it? It's like the old RPG standard of fighting rats in the celler as a first quest. I'm guessing that Bethesda are aware of it and do it on purpose. Like Rhuto said, it gives that whole "hero can come from anywhere" vibe. It never feels like retreading old ground though, as there's always some little variations on it - Morrowind, boat. Oblivion, dungeon. Skyrim, horse and cart/execution. It's kept fresh enough to remain believable.

[steeny]

this was in the Oblivion game hub too

[Rockhead Gaz]

Then I hereby vow to copy and paste my answer there, too.

[Spec: Hazy Shade]

Actually in Daggerfall, you're on a ship being sent to Daggerfall to investgate something for the Emporer. Then your boat crashes... It's just easyer to start as a imprisoned person too so you can set up in your mind, how your char. got into prison, and his life before it...

[weaf]

Every Single Elder scrolls game?
Someone clearly hasn't played the mediocre spin offs.

[REDSHADOW]

Oprindeligt skrevet af Wergild:

Every Single Elder scrolls game?
Someone clearly hasn't played the mediocre spin offs.

im not counting the redguard

[map]

Starting from nothing and grinding your way to the top is one of the most inspirational and enjoyable archetypes ever. It's the human condition.

[Elazul]

Because it lets each person use their imagination to create their own characters back story.

[blackmon_4]

It allows you to be a part of, and yet seperate from the setting.

[Rockhead Gaz]

Oprindeligt skrevet af blackmon_4:

It allows you to be a part of, and yet seperate from the setting.

There is something very profound about this. I think you've nailed the reasoning behind the whole thing in 14 words.