The Dungeons of the Elder Scrolls | Deep Dive

[@Rockercdc]

Legendary algorithm pull

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@Rockercdc I hope you enjoy it!

[@jeffreylangr7369]

It too hit me right in the special interest.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

@@jeffreylangr7369 I'm already back for my 3rd re-watch!

[@fearjunkie]

The algorithm gacha has blessed us with a 5-star video

[@ryan.1990]

shut up

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I'm ecstatic at the reception of this video! Thank you all so much for enjoying it. I had told multiple people in my personal life that, if this video didn't work, I was done trying. Now it's looking like I can continue to do what I love. Again, thank you all so very much and I hope you stay with me for future adventures!

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

I'm already exploring your back catalogue & this is getting saved in my Emotional Support Videos file bc 3rd re-watch already! Thanks for creating this.

[@LeuNoeleeste]

@@OnyxLeviathan The entire thing was really relaxing. You are beaming with passion for this universe and it shows.

[@coreycahill6836]

You do really great in-depth deep dives, I subscribed after first seeing your timesplitters 2 video because it’s very noticeable how much passion you put in to your videos regardless of how niche a game or idea. Someone just saying they’re going to tell you about the dungeons in the Elder Scrolls series sounds like a slog but you make it an adventure.

[@IcepersonYT]

This is genuinely one of the best TES related deep dive videos I've ever seen. I really hope you make more stuff like this.

[@williamguy88]

Congratulations on the algo success. Well deserved. I will be subbing and watching this video in its entirety.

[@thorinpeterson6282]

Legit didnt realize this wasnt from an established youtuber until I had listened to multiple hours already. Very good shit.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m so glad you enjoyed! More where that came from.

[@bowaster57]

If the bandits in the bar area of Lost Knife Cave haven't detected you, they can be overheard warning eachother that the boss has gotten drunk again and is in the pit challenging the others to get in and fight him. It's a fun little touch.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Oh sweet, I missed out on hearing that since I went in free cam

[@bowaster57]

​@@OnyxLeviathanThe Vampires in Fellglow Keep are also supposed to be (bar one) alive and you effectively stumble in half-way through the process of them being culled by the Necromancers. You can free them and they will remain friendly to you as thanks and immediately run to the next room to (attempt to) kill their captors in an act of revenge, before turning back and fleeing the fort, they say stuff like 'Out of my way, meat' if you try to talk to them. There's also a guy who has trained Frostbite Spiders with unique dialogue, who will yell at them to sic you as if they were attack dogs. The location is tied to a College of Winterhold quest, which may be why these didn't appear to you, I think the more generic necromancers might just be a stand-in whilst the quest is inactive. That quest explains that the Necromancers are a group of rogue mages from the College that left due to the 'no necromancy' rule.

[@bladdyboi2962]

This video is incredible, if I can't fall asleep I watch it and I'm immediately calm and get tired pretty quickly. It's a blessing actually

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m glad you’re enjoying it! Makes the effort worth it.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

Sweet dreams, Adventurer!🌛

[@ThePilot4ever]

This is the first time someone explained the history of each ruin type in the games that I could comprehend. Thanks bro!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@ThePilot4ever you’re absolutely welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@WoobertAIO]

Among the ocean of negativity that is the current gaming environment, it's nice to find a video that has nothing but praise and _actually fair_ criticism for the games I love

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@WoobertAIO I thank you so much for this comment, because this is exactly what I aimed to create. I’m so glad you found the video.

[@toytacambery9427]

I second this comment. Thank you, sincerely, for just keeping it professional and not uploading another hours-long "retrospective" that just devolves into the content creator repeating the same cliché criticisms 100 times over.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@toytacambery9427 Heck yeah! I'm also very sick of the negativity on youtube. Every game I like sucks apparently, and I have to hate every new thing that is somewhat different. Hopefully videos like this will bring some more positivity to the platform.

[@bokrugthewaterserpent3012]

Oh my way to go make a 55 hour long review of the Skyrim Thieves Guild just to annoy you

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

@@bokrugthewaterserpent3012 Hey Bokrug, I watch anything from Any Austin's 5min lantern deep analyses to multi-hour personal meditations on play-throughs & all things in-between, so I refuse to accept this as a joke & not anticipate your healthy competition/trolling lol. Clearing my schedule for your upcoming video, 55 hours. Check. On a more serious note, it's fantastically refreshing having a positive but fair video with well meaning vibes like this (& natural history!)...YT offered me one recent series I'm not sure how to interpret, it's the only thing I couldn't watch at all --- have you run into the channel where a dude apparently is "Saving My Marriage By Playing Morrowind"? I have no idea how real that one is & I couldn't tell if it was bait or a crisis or an ARG or what & it spooked me.

[@Pantherrrr]

After all these years and the countless Elder Scrolls videos on KZbin I'm still so happy to be finding new and interesting content. Great video, very good format and interesting.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much!

[@KLMalint]

This may be the most comprehensive piece of scholarly work on the elder scrolls Fauna, Flora and history… that I have ever seen: you definitely got a sub for life

[@KLMalint]

Not to mention the fact that you help me find a place I’ve never seen before and I’ve been playing this game since it came out. I actually was playing it while I was watching the video.

[@KLMalint]

Morrowind**

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed. I will definitely be doing more. Which place did you discover in Vvardenfell??

[@AngusOfDarnassus]

Instant subscribe, didn't even watch yet, just heard a decent mic, saw 3.5hrs, and knew. Patrician grade algorithm pull

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@dr.bright2446]

Hey Onyx, small criticism, the claw doors in skyrim are not meant for alive humans but for the draugr so that they don't wander into sections of the tomb where they don't belong.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

That’s right! Someone told me that yesterday I think but I didn’t actually know. Makes more lore sense once you understand it was meant to prevent those with decrepit minds from escaping.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

That makes so much sense! Had no idea, I hear so many people just mock the claw doors as inadequate puzzles, point to them as evidence of Skyrim "shallowness" but that makes total lore sense. Thanks. The best videos always draw comments I learn from too. Thanks for new2me-info, best wishes to you.

[@happyenoughtodie7059]

this is mentioned in a single skyrim book, probably written by a person not involved in designing the dungeons. this does not show that this is in fact the intended interpretation. it could just as well be a writer making fun of the game in a book that is never in the spotlight

[@Noaartetc]

​@@happyenoughtodie7059 Explanation fits, no matter which developer came up with it, so why not 🤗

[@Joynink]

In the mines of Skyrim, the fact that the orcs know how to deal with minerals and metals makes a lot of sense since if you visit their settlements you will see that many young orcs are in the mines, contributing their part to the clan great video btw

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@Joynink isn’t it dope? They really knocked it out of the park. And thank you so much!

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

That's cool, I didn't know that, thanks!

[@colorblockpoprocks6973]

not only that, but matronly roles within orc culture are especially *meant* to be talented smiths! i suppose the idea is that women make the armor and men go to wear it, but i still find that both men and women are seen as necessary in battle lol

[@wumbosaur6111]

You’ve got what it takes to be a top elder scrolls KZbinr with this kind of content it’s just a matter of the algorithm at this point

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I really appreciate that! I’m gonna keep trying. Thanks for tagging along.

[@Ch4oTiK]

Morrowind will forever be one of my favorite games, and my favorite Elder Scrolls game. I love the handcrafted dungeons, and never really liked when dungeons that are supposed to be "natural" like caves, started circle back to the beginning from the end (like you enter, there's an opening way above you you cannot jump high enough to get into, or a locked door, and when you go through the dungeon you go through that opening and drop right by the entrance). I also really loved the hand placed loot stuff in Morrowind. The realistic fast travel (boats and silt striders that connect towns, as well as teleport spells). The rest you had to hoof it, and use NPC given directions to find things. The alien feel of the game and its world. The overall quest and the mystery of it all. Etc. Morrowind really was amazing.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I am in complete agreement, right down to transportation and disdain of looping dungeons. Such a wonderful game.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

Morrowind's art style really holds up. I understand people find it dated but I think when something's that stylish & the worldbuilding is solid, it transcends the limitations of the era's tech. The PCs or NPCs aren't unattractive unless people go out of their way to make their PCs so; it peeves me when channels deliberately make a grotesque PC then pretend it's the game's fault. I don't mind when they're having fun, that's cool, but you know --- the folks who use it to illegitimately criticize the game & act like it's impossible to get characters to look good in MW or Oblivion? Oblivion Argonian NPCs in dialogue are the only characters I find more attractive than MW characters. Something about them head-on in that potato style with Oblivion's popping colours makes them irresistibly cute to me --- as well as Sir Mazoga; but I'm simply fond of her, so I'm biased --- but overall MW I think does the Beast races + Mer best, I like the limitations on gear for Khajiit + Argonians in MW + their special skills too. I watched an Argonian play-thru recently & he got everything he needed in early game just by collecting pearls from water breathing. Same player was lamenting the lack of staffs & throwing stars etc in later games.

[@DrugsForRobots]

I had been watching for 30m when i realized this vid was 1 day old. Amazing stuff, great work

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[@dividewalker5673]

I saw someone post a screenshot of your comment with this video on discord, and it led me here. Nice job advertising it, DFR, and nice job making a good long video for me, Onyx!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@dividewalker5673 hey, you got it!

[@squishgod9094]

The algorithm better pick this up, expected a surface level but still worth my time look at base design philosophies between games and got much more. Great work brother, instant sub Edit: AND a Timesplitters Retrospective!?!? Aw shit, new favorite channel just dropped

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@squishgod9094 thank you so much bro!!! Let’s cross our fingers.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

Onyx's Timesplitters is on my weekend watch schedule. It'll be a fun early Oct watch.

[@alexshadowfax1119]

Never played any of these games, just love fantasy medieval type stuff and listening to someone calmly talk about a subject that they are passionate about, no arguing or yelling, no politics or modernity. Thank you for the video

[@OnyxLeviathan]

You are very welcome! Thank you for dropping by 😊 I will be making similar content in the future, and currently have a video at 15% completion that should be out within the month!

[@theamazingbatboy]

I love how you've structured the video. It's cool how you explore the lore for each kind of dungeon first-very well written btw! Then you pick an example and delve into it in detail, discussing the meta-narrative and reasoning for its inclusion-these mostly host generic enemies, smugglers and slavers, sites for common quests; these are special locations, home to daedric questlines and 6th House monstrosities; these elaborate on and expand Dunmeri culture; these ones explore an extinct and mysterious civilization and these ones are home to eccentric Frankenstein villains. Wonderful video, full of nostalgia for me as you evoke the different vibes of all these terrific and unique locations and I'm only up to the Oblivion section!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m so glad you’re enjoying the ride! I hope you’ll hang around for the next TES video!!!

[@theamazingbatboy]

@@OnyxLeviathan Absolutely-subbed. Still working my way through the Oblivion section. It's interesting how the dungeon types narrowed down in TES: IV. You've got caves and mines serving the same purpose; forts doing the same thing as Dunmer strongholds; Ayleid ruins are pretty much Dwemer sites but also assume the place of Ancestral Tombs, alongside forts, for the undead vibe (since no real burial tradition is presented in Oblivion). I guess the huge technical leap of Oblivion over Morrowind resulted in some scope reduction and cuts here and there. Would be quite interesting to see the original design options put forward for the Oblivion versions of all the Morrowind dungeon types. Thankfully Oblivion had lots of bespoke and unique side-quest locations which helps make up for this imo.

[@davemonkey26]

Not even 1K views? Absolutely criminal, let me know when this blows up cause this is some quality stuff

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@davemonkey26 thank you so much! I do my best.

[@Dralchemy]

it has in fact blown up

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

Pretty cool, I'm only here 3 days since this released, good indication of potential is the channel's views that convert to subs seems pretty high, to a casual glance. I'm glad to see more great creators, love natural history incorporation.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@Dralchemy I’m hoping! It seems like people are enjoying it.

[@goosewithagibus]

It's got 30k now 😂

[@1whospeaks]

YT Algo really did me a solid and blew my back out with this recommendation, exceptional vid.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@1whospeaks thank you haha

[@trainerred113]

Watched for hours before realizing this was an up and coming channel. Commenting for the algorithm. I love your straightforward and fast narrative style my friend, keep up the good work.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@trainerred113 thank you so much! I’ll keep doing my best.

[@ethanlong7565]

The work that went into this is insane! Great job!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thanks!!!

[@Propagandhizer_07]

This is seriously one of the best videos I’ve ever seen related to the elder scrolls. Maybe even gaming. Just so dang informative. Your going places dude

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed, and I hope you’ll enjoy the next one as well 😊

[@guydunn8259]

I rewatch/put this video on every night just for comfort. Sometimes I stay up watching it, and sometimes I pass out through it. God damn what a great video.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much, this is very kind of you and I’m glad you enjoy it!

[@cascadiarising2788]

I absolutely love when people explore the locations and then deep dive into said location. You capture the small things that most never look at. It's a field trip and you are the teacher. Thank you for your time put into this.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@cascadiarising2788 you are absolutely welcome! Thank you so much for watching!

[@Amknownas_743great_explainer]

Maaaaan, drewmora, the guys still at fudgemuppet and Nate at camelworks are in for some good new company, keep up the good job. Honestly, Great work! Definitely got one new sub today!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@Amknownas_743great_explainer thank you so much! There’s more where that came from :)

[@devunit2369]

A 3 hour video by a creator i've never heard of? I wont lie, I certainly had my doubts. But you have completely knocked this video out of the park! Really hope the algorithm picks this up more. You deserve it

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you very much! I’m glad you liked it. I hope the algo takes it too haha

[@froggyranger]

This is one of the most thoughtful and well constructed videos ive ever seen on the elder scrolls! im in the middle of watching it a second time right now. i cant wait to see more stuff from you

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@froggyranger wow! Thank you so much froggy. I will continue making content in this vein as long as I can haha happy to have you for the ride!

[@kiptheott]

It's actually kind of interesting, if you look at concept art for the Kwama not only is your theory about the Worker being an amalgamation of the Worker and Forager explicitly stated to be the idea behind the design, but the scrib is nowhere to be seen. Given the wild morphological differences between it and the other stages of kwama, it's possible that it was originally designed as something else and only later added to the kwama life cycle.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I really do think so! It makes a lot of sense. I can’t believe I had never seen the concept art and I still came to that conclusion. That’s good game design right there.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

Is there a good site or video you recommend to look at MW concept art? That's cool. I swear I'm learning SO MUCH from the comment section too!

[@ix8750]

Honestly this is the first time I'm hearing about the scribs being related to the kwama. I'm not saying you're wrong or anything it's just as a kid I always thought of the kwamas as insects with queens, hives that the dwemer domesticated somewhat and I never considered they were related to scribs as I always thought they were another species of solitary foraging insects.

[@Parttous]

Congrats on getting picked by the almighty algorithm, this is quality content.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@Parttous thank you so much! I’m hoping this ride can continue. I’d love to be able to keep making videos like this.

[@Too_Ty]

A 3 hour deep dive into dungeons in elder scrolls? Say less, this is amazing work

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@Too_Ty thank you so much! I hope you like it.

[@DudeWerewolf]

Absolutely amazing video, thank you for this. That “Mournhold” jumpscare was perfection 😂

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m so glad you enjoyed! And yes haha definitely not my own voice

[@cybernomad5971]

It always felt to me that in order of diagetic storytelling (either in overall storyline or dungeon stories) that morrowind comes out first skyrim a close second and oblivion a mid to distant third. For example the cave you talked in morrowind the cave near Seyda Neen puts in a lot of work in terms of a tutorial of systems and mechanics, a mini story of the town and area and an introduction to the broader story of the region of vvardenfell. You covered the cave itself with the three enemy archetypes of warrior, wizard and thief. But talking around the town will yield rumors of the smugglers and how they may be bribing the guards. Also exploring the coast towards Vivec you can find a dock with a sunk ship (presumably sunk by a storm or imperial raid) that could conceivably be a smugglers dock.

[@Dr.W.Krueger]

Enjoyable video, thanks. I played all the Elder Scrolls games since their respective launch and loved them all equally for very different things.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for checking it out.

[@Geobacter]

One barely can imagine the amount of nostalgia concentrated in this video. Found myself agreeing with most things you said. :)

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Morrowboomers stick together! Lol

[@dudeskeela]

I love being on the ground floor of an awesome channel in development, great content

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@dudeskeela thank you so much! I’ll keep working hard.

[@annijaklamer]

Started this thinking itd be a fun, light comparison and now I know where Welkynd stones come from and why theyre used. Well done

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@annijaklamer thank you so much! I love to share this fun info.

[@justmustard3338]

amazing work theres so much info compacted in each section 30 minutes in and you don’t waste a breath

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! Yeah, it’s a fine line between leaving no gaps, having it sounds natural, and pleasing the algorithm haha

[@andrewlewis2123]

What a thoughtful delve! I never thought about comparing the actual weight-to-gold ratios of rare materials, or thinking about alchemy in the context of the world and that powerful ingredients would be valuable to everyone, not just my character. There were also things that flew way over my head, such as bonewalkers being composed of rhe remains of previous trespassers, or the implied true nature of “The Punished” and the sigil keep walkways in the Deadlands.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@andrewlewis2123 I’m so glad you enjoyed! It feels really cool to be able to share and converse about these ideas with you all. If you enjoyed the ingredient mentions, I have a video idea that goes way deeper there. Hoping to work on it soon!

[@KoGFathom]

Great video! I'm listening through for the second time now, can't wait for more content. Super chill voice, I'll be watching this before bed for a while I'd say. Some interesting little lore tidbits too

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you! I’m glad you like it. I’m almost done gathering footage for the next one!

[@KoGFathom]

@OnyxLeviathan Can't wait!

[@Skyrionn]

This is brilliant. So well put together. Looking forward to more!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! More in the works :)

[@belles_library]

Probably one of the best videos on the Elder Scrolls series in KZbin. Amazing job.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! Can’t wait to do more.

[@Pumkin-Wylee]

This is so quality and so well paced. I love the passion you have for the story telling here! I’ve been playing these games since I was a child, but I’ve never engaged with them so creatively and earnestly as this. You’re a real gem!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m so glad you liked it! I will continue to work on similar content such as this in the future.

[@andrewmcghee3662]

I've watched this quite a few times now, it's well put together and is so easy to have on when working, modding etc. Same with the fungal biology and wastelanders guide videos. It's seen me through Starfield ship building and monthly Microsoft patch Tuesdays recently. I enjoyed your TimeSplitters videos too. Thanks buddy, look forward to your future work.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

This was heartening to read. Thank you so much! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them. I’m recording more footage for the next big project as we speak!

[@ElinRydbjork]

I am so unbelievably happy my algoritm brought me here. I've been looking for something exactly like this for so long. Keep up the amazing work!!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! That’s the plan :) currently working on finishing out the alchemy of the elder scrolls, but I have plenty ideas ^_^

[@karolynemuniz4054]

Welp, I guess i now what ill for the next 3 hours Thank you for feeding my addiction to ES series

[@mcrgames2666]

You can tell bro poured his heart and soul into this video. I admire you. Thank you for this!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@mcrgames2666 you’re very welcome! I’m glad you’re here.

[@NineEyeRon]

I’m sick with corvid, aching and in pain. This brings me some relief and comfort as I try to sleep.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@NineEyeRon hey, I really hope you feel better, and I’m glad this video can help you relax a bit!

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

Gah, feel better soon & hope nothing lingers! 🧸

[@prophecyking3448]

I keep playing this before going to sleep, so I have several "full" watch times. Lovely video

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m glad you’re enjoying it! Makes all the effort worthwhile. I do have another one coming out soon(ish). They take a long time to make haha thank you very much for watching

[@jasoneardley9311]

The parts where you describe the potion properties of Minotaur horns and the screen shot of the double mushrooms cracked me up. Great video.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m glad you enjoyed!

[@ladyincarnate9314]

It feels like tina belcher is telling me about elder scrolls and i love it.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I don’t know how to feel about this lol

[@abyss9316]

It's amazing to see a dedication to a topic you go into such detail this video will surely get millions of views

[@OnyxLeviathan]

One can hope! Thank you so much for watching. 😊

[@brandonanderson8497]

This video is amazing. I didn’t realize just how different each game’s dungeons are and I was enthralled by the video the entire time

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@brandonanderson8497 I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’ll continue to try and match this quality.

[@Vibinou]

I’m hoping this stays in algorithm, because HOLY I haven’t seen a quality Elder Scrolls video that reminds us of why these games are so iconic and enjoyable in quite some time. Cheers!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you! That is very kind of you. I’m glad you enjoyed :)

[@Psistarstormer]

The algorithm mostly sends me garbage, but occasionally there's a little gem in the rough like this. Absolutely love deep dives into minor details I'd normally never pay attention to, looking forward to seeing more in the future and binge-watching the rest of your videos once I wrap this one up.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@Psistarstormer I’m glad you found it! I’m going to be continuing this sort of content down the road, but eventually shaking it up with long videos about extensive projects I do!

[@deamos318]

Very thorough analysis thank you for the effort Morrowind has my favourite dungeons cause the loot is unique and hand placed. Its easy to find potions and enchanted items. Even though Oblivion dungeons have a similar layout I found them less enjoyable and there is often no notable loot

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@deamos318 you’re very welcome, thanks for watching! Also, I very much agree. Though growing up with Morrowind definitely had a hand in things.

[@cyberlingbot3d896]

This is such a chill relaxing video I just keep going back to it.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m glad you enjoy it! I’m almost done gathering footage for the new “of the Elder Scrolls” video. Hopefully I can start editing this weekend.

[@drewgoin8849]

Wow! This was a serendipitous find! Long-form videos covering The Elder Scrolls aren't hard to find on KZbin. THIS one, however, explores lore and game elements typically neglected by other creators. I was shocked to see you have fewer than 4,000 subscribers. Subbed!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@drewgoin8849 Thank you so much! Every bit helps, and I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I have quite a few ideas for more TES related stuff!

[@attton]

You got me when you started analysing the mouth shape of fish. Yeah there a high chance you're giving the dev too much credit but I live for this kind of analysis. Plus I love learning new things and will think about fish and their mouth shape for the rest of the day. Well done :)

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m really glad you enjoyed! Yeah haha probably reading way too far into it, but that’s part of the fun.

[@attton]

I absolutely agree - it's super fun and makes those games SO interesting. Similar to from soft games where people read stuff into EVERY little detail. It's silly but humanity has done the same with literature over the past centuries so why not - plus if you're not making stuff up but drawing from real life it's a cool way to learn new stuff. (Also I did indeed think about fishes way too much over the last day..)

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

He had me at mushrooms!

[@barnsleyman32]

i'm 40 minutes into this excellent video, having first watched your fungi of morrowind video which was a random algorithm find, and i just wanted to say that your relaxed commentary style with such well-edited gameplay is excellent, and also that the idea of making a historian/archeologist character that specialises in a particular field (in your case the dwemer) is brilliant and one that i will be copying! subbed :)

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Comments like yours make all the work worth it. Also, definitely dig into some of those ideas! I have another character that is an alchemist, and her goal is to fully describe and explain all the biology of Vvardenfell. That is a hint for my next TES video 👀

[@barnsleyman32]

@@OnyxLeviathan wow, i'm really looking forward to that! i've had an alchemist character on my mind for a while, but i'm waiting for the release of tamriel rebuilt's next big expansion grasping fortunes, which will extend mainland morrowind to the cyrodiil border and introduce a new biome with tonnes of new ingredients - the plan is for an imperial alchemist to show up at the border of morrowind in their quest for alchemical mastery, haha. keep up the great work, your videos are great!!

[@bigbadbyrnes]

Excellent perspective, explanation and editing. Great content

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it. There will be another coming out soon!

[@BigYank12]

click it thinking it was like 30 min not 3 hours and 30 min great work seems like the channel is underated

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much!

[@PaperFlare]

Another day, another multi hour Elder scrolls video to listen to. Loving it so far, and I hope to see more in the future!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@PaperFlare will do! I’m glad you enjoyed.

[@Sbaliosa]

God I love stumbling on smaller creators that are just dripping with passion for their projects.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I love me some TES lol thank you for watching

[@alliesotherness9456]

3 and a half hour video on Morrowind? Instant subscribe. **Not all Morrowind but still here to stay! Thanks for the video!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I'm so happy you're enjoying it! Thank you a ton.

[@kiowatucker4594]

As someone who’s never played Morrowind but is endlessly fascinated with it this video is particularly my shit Good work

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@kiowatucker4594 thank you! I’m very glad you enjoyed it. Maybe someday you can walk Vvardenfell with your own feet.

[@FallingStary]

I have literally never played elden scrolls and dont even know what platform it's player on nor when it was made but you have provided such an entertaining video with the occasional joke as I braid my hair. Finally, as someone exposed to no information about the topic i was able to follow along quite well and learn enough to question if I should be playing.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much for watching! I definitely recommend playing the games, as there is so much to enjoy. In fact, I’m working on another video about a different aspect I really like. Keep an eye out!

[@Shaymuhs]

Fantastic video, you made this in 2.5 months? Well done. I loved Morrowind especially because nothing respawned at all, which meant my Dunmer roleplay character could leave fabulous offerings at his ancestral tomb as well as the shrine of Azura. All the dungeons in that game were the most fun to explore and sometimes occupy for yourself, for example I used the stronghold of Hlormaren (with a new npcs moved in with console magic) as a base alongside Rethan Manor and a house in both Seyda Neen & Balmora. Thank you for the bookmarks as well. 👍

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@Shaymuhs I fully agree! Love Morrowind for those reasons and many more, and I really dig that idea! The dungeons are also my favs of course, no shade to 4 or 5. Thank you so much for enjoying it! There will be more TES content down the road!

[@cmndchny]

i know this video excludes arena and daggerfall and main quest dungeons, but a followup on those games handcrafted story dungeons would be a good time. arena is basically an old school dungeon crawler with town sections and daggerfall is still heavily influenced by that kind of game. the dungeons are massive and youre really meant to get lost in them. theyd be fun to analyze imo

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Y’know, that’s definitely not off the table. As I get myself more and more comfortable with the older games, I’d like to include them in future videos.

[@s7nseer]

5th time watching perfect cadence and voice for when I’m going to sleep and need some nerdy but interestingly niche shit to keep me calm yet vaguely intrigued. Perfect for my adhd 😂 many thanks.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much for enjoying. These comments make my night. I’ll keep making more :)

[@Tragedyking]

Here to help the algorithm, this is one of the best vids I've been recommended in a long while

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@Tragedyking you’re an absolute legend, thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed!

[@mackowens7234]

Awesome video man! I really like how in depth you get with each category I’m definitely gonna go play some Oblivion tonight!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! These games have a ton to offer, so much more under the surface. Enjoy oblivion! And if you want, let me know what kind of character you’re going for

[@mackowens7234]

@ I actually have a character I’ve been working on it’s a lvl 1 max difficulty hand to hand only build. Kind of a challenge run to see how much of the game I can beat with at lvl 1 at max difficulty while using my favorite style with only hand to hand!

[@dankmurphy216]

The moment i saw a new longform Elder Scrolls video i almost died, you've got my sub😁

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@dankmurphy216 glad to have you along! I hope you like it.

[@ciaranbyrne6255]

This video is just what i was looking for i listened to all of it in work (nearly) Fantastic work i hope you get some good recognition this must have taken a crazy amount of work!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@ciaranbyrne6255 I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I worked on this every night after work for 2.5 months. I’m happy it seems to have paid off.

[@novuswojtek9346]

Fanatic video and very interesting. Also top notch edit

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@novuswojtek9346 I’m glad you found it so! Thank you for watching!

[@artblob]

Leaving a comment and a like for the algorithm to pick up. This channel is criminally underrated and deserves way way more interaction

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@artblob I appreciate this a ton!

[@stefan1924]

10 pm, only one more video. The video:

[@jonisabin4938]

Awesome video! Hope it hits the algorithm you put it in so much work and you can tell. You know more than the Bethesda devs themselves. Immediately subbed!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m glad you enjoyed!

[@TheEmpireDabsBack]

It's such a great feeling to find a new KZbinr with hours on hours of deep dives that's quitely escaped you till one amazing algorithm lineup 👌🙌

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m glad you found the channel! More in the works 😁

[@WastedPot]

The algorithm thirsts for Elder Scrolls content. The sun seems to have set on Halo, for now.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Unfortunately, it does seem that way. But I will still be making Halo content at some point!

[@tapetenklaus1869]

I love Morrowind smaller dungeons! When I come across a dungeon in Skyrim, I am stressed, investing half an hour to satisfy my curiosity. In Morrowind, its a quick detour.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

How'd you find Oblivion's?

[@Thetrueazuregrimoire]

Great video. Hoping it gets the recognition it deserves, and you as well.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! I’ll keep up the hard work.

[@IkesDaddelbox]

14:49 The most logical explanation would be ground water. There are massive amounts of water flowing under the surface and I can imagine that a cave section would fill up if it goes deep enough or hits a spot where the earth is leaking ground water. Probably through digging, no visible source, it just slips through the cracks. In real life many quarrys had to be abandoned because they filled up when the workers hit ground water. What's left are very deep lakes with heavy machinery on the bottom. Fantastic video! Most of the scenery in video games we never notice because we just run to the next objective. It's fascinating how much thought developers put into the environments as reward for players who just stop and smell the roses.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@IkesDaddelbox Agreed! It’s so cool and somewhat creepy to see those filled mines (I should have used some footage of them in the video!!!), but that’s a great point. Also thank you so much! I guarantee I read a little too far into some things haha but it’s always fun to create headcanon as well. P.S. Totodile best starter.

[@chrisv9414]

this is the kind of video i've always looked for but never found, untio now

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I hope you enjoyed it! I felt the same way. So I decided to make it!

[@VUNAkhichuri69]

who needs to watch movies at the weekend while you can just learn about Elder Scrolls dungeons ❤️

[@erikl530]

I love the idea and I love the execution, great video!! Best thing the algorithm has shown me in a while

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I'm very glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching. I'm actually working on another similar video soon as well.

[@erikl530]

​@@OnyxLeviathangreat to hear! The storytelling segments about each location which leads into lore and game design discussion was such an addictive format to me. I've played atleast a thousand hours of Elder Scrolls over the years but I learned a lot of new things!

[@protomato6427]

Such a fine piece of scholar work. Very informativee and comfy vvideo!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it and that it was cozy for you 😁

[@erikl530]

I already commented on this yesterday but I just have to add that I really like yout explanation for Cyrodiils mostly abandoned or unfinished mines. I'd like to imagine the Imperials, upon discovering Cyrodiils poor yield of ores, decided to abandon the mining business and import their raw materials from elsewhere. Specialized economies are usually more efficient, assuming a good trade network exists. Most cities in Cyrodiil seem pretty well off to me so I can also assume the cost of labor in Cyrodiil would be higher than in othet regions. I doubt Bethesda had that in mind when designing the dungeons though, but it certainly would fit the lore.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Couldn't reply because I was at work - but definitely, this is exactly what I was thinking. They must import a ton of their materials since money really seems to be no object to the imperial city (which makes sense).

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

Have you seen anyone map out economic zones across the continent(s) yet? Now I'm curious, your comment piqued my Khajiit curiosity.

[@StefanStefan-uv4cc]

I can definitely see why you would write a book. Very articulate and in-depth!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@StefanStefan-uv4cc thank you!! I can’t wait to get back to that project. Since I’ve graduated, I’ve been able to put more time into things like this, so it may not be far off!

[@StefanStefan-uv4cc]

The viewing doubled since this comment and it hasn't even been a day xD I hope you get at least 2.5mil for the 2,5 months of work​@@OnyxLeviathan

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@StefanStefan-uv4cc BRO my surprise this morning at seeing the number. If it hit 2 mil I would be absolutely dumbstruck.

[@TheParadox3000]

THIS is the deep deep ES essay-style content I was looking for. Great work!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much! Stay tuned for more! I have the next video in the works.

[@omrivanpeer9041]

damn- I thought all the good Elder Scrolls content was made years ago! It's cool to see new stuff made with quality and passion! Good work, Onyx! :)

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you so much!! I’ll do my best to keep it coming.

[@Crazozourus]

Great video. Makes me want to play Oblivion again.

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you! And Oblivion is a beautiful game, you should definitely start a new playthrough

[@-Plushy]

Thank you for this video Onyx! Such a great deep dive into all the different types of ruins and their background! I would love to see the dungeons of the Elder Scrolls Online and the lore behind them as there are so many Khajiit, Argonian etc. hope to see more in the future!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m glad you enjoyed! Doing the lore of the ESO dungeons and such would be pretty cool - though those dungeons have a completely different design philosophy, so it may take a while to consider.

[@DreadArkive]

I always loved wandering into the wilderness and slowly seeing a Daedric ruin come into view from the fog in Morrowind. I was recently introduced to Lovecraft, so the connection was awesome.

[@daydreamerX200]

This video is so well thought out and well put. You have put a lot of effort into this and it shows

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I’m glad you enjoyed :) more to come. And thank you for the kind words!

[@dmwelchdw]

Only 7 minutes in, but I really hope the "______ are dealt with mercilessly, as their crimes are unforgivable" bit becomes an on going gag. Egg poachers are dealt with mercilessly, as their crimes are unforgivable. Rogue Telvanni are dealt with mercilessly, as their crimes are unforgivable

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I should’ve done that! Lol

[@dmwelchdw]

​@OnyxLeviathan I'll forgive you this time lol You still got my subscription from your dedication though. A+ video

[@batialite5080]

I was enjoying the video immesnely but the moment you said you have a video on Morrowind fungi I knew i had subscribe

[@OnyxLeviathan]

I hope it lives to expectations! I’ve considered making a new and revamped version of that, but perhaps my next video will serve the purpose well enough. Thank you for watching!

[@Lucax97]

I love getting recommend a new channel. The views on your Morrowind biology video upset me because you're clearly following a passionate niche. You deserve an audience!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

Thank you a ton! Yeah, me too haha but hey. If this video is any indication, there are people interested in these things. I’ll keep following that passion. Again, thank you so much!

[@Lucax97]

​@@OnyxLeviathan Honestly don't let it be a reflection of your quality. The algorithm ™️ comes down to a lucky mix of variables. Even the biggest channels are at its mercy lol. But this video here will be one I'll rewatch. I was cleaning whilst doing it and will probably sleep for the rest. It's because your writing is enjoyable and relaxing. I love that you engage with the game spaces as actual spaces (the focus of my dissertation!) anyway, thanks haha.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

They'll go up as more people discover the channel, I hope. I'm going thru the channel backcatalogue as a new sub but holding off on that one specifically til I can pass my real Earth botany/mycology IDs (birdwatching was my gateway drug to natural history, I'm re-learning my local fungi + flora bc I was weak on it this season).

[@EnshitificationStation]

This video slaps. Proud to be a ground floor subscriber, please keep it up :)

[@OnyxLeviathan]

@@EnshitificationStation I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’ll keep on it.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

Cory Doctorow reference, nice.

[@izadoks3672]

Thank the Divines for long form content still being made!! And thank you!!

[@OnyxLeviathan]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you like it. There is another TES video in the works as we speak. I just finished gathering the bulk of the footage!

[@izadoks3672]

​@@OnyxLeviathan excited for that! I'm a big fan of TES but never really dove into Morrowind and Oblivion as I've done with Skyrim, so I'm learning a ton about Vvardenfel right now and will likely learn a lot about Cyrodiil. Thank you for that!