Everything we know about The Elder Scrolls 6's setting as Sentinel to be set 5 years after Skyrim

Bethesda has finally revealed the full title of The Elder Scrolls VI after more than an eight-year wait, with The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel expected to take place in Hammerfell, potentially just five years after the events of Skyrim. But what does that mean for the Elder Scrolls timeline? Here's everything we know so far.

As revealed in the official name-reveal trailer, The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel is expected to take place in 4E 206, just five years after Skyrim. This would mark the shortest chronological gap between mainline games in the franchise's history, beating the six-year gap between Morrowind and Oblivion.

Information on the next Elder Scrolls game remains limited, and Bethesda says it'll be some time before further updates land. Nevertheless, let's look at what we know about the Skyrim sequel and what we think we know.

What The Elder Scrolls 6's name-reveal trailer tells us

Aside from revealing the game's full title as part of Bethesda's 40th anniversary celebrations, this is our first significant update on The Elder Scrolls VI since it was officially announced at E3 2018. We also have a strong indication that the game will be set in Hammerfell.

The new trailer's closing quote specifically references the province. “The scroll offered only a shimmer, a veil thinly lifted to my eyes. A future lost. A victory undone. Sands of time scattered by fate,” it reads. The quote is attributed to Yazar, Moth Priest to High Queen Iradne of Hammerfell, and is dated 4E 206.

Moth Priests are associated with studying and interpreting the Elder Scrolls, making Yazar an interesting addition to the game's reveal. They are also the first named character associated with The Elder Scrolls VI, although Bethesda hasn't confirmed whether Yazar will actually appear in the game.

The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel, Bethesda Softworks

As for the location itself, Sentinel is a major city in Hammerfell, which is home to the Redguards. The Redguards are a proud warrior-like clan of humans native to Hammerfell, known for their expert combat skills and resistance to magic. The province also features the Alik'r Desert, one of the most recognisable locations in Elder Scrolls lore, as well as the Lost City of the Na-Totambu. The subtitle continues a tradition of mainline games being associated with a significant location in Tamriel. Bethesda has never confirmed a definitive winner of the civil war. Neither ending has been officially established as the canonical outcome, although the Dragonborn's defeat of Alduin is part of the established history of Tamriel.

This could give The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel an opportunity to explore the aftermath of Skyrim without jumping centuries into the future, as Bethesda did between Oblivion and Skyrim. For reference, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion takes place in 3E 433, the final year of the Third Era, while Skyrim is set in 4E 201, around 200 years later.

It will be interesting to see whether Skyrim's civil war has any significant impact on Sentinel. We could finally learn which side ultimately prevailed, how the conflict affected the wider Empire and whether the Dragonborn's legacy is still remembered, even if the character doesn't return.

READ MORE: The Elder Scrolls VI: Every important detail about Bethesda’s next game

What we still don't know about The Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel

Despite the official name reveal, there's still plenty we don't know about The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel.

We haven't been given a story synopsis, seen a world map or had confirmation of whether other provinces, such as High Rock, will feature alongside Hammerfell. We've also yet to see any gameplay or learn how some of its mechanics will work.

Perhaps most importantly, Bethesda hasn't announced a release date or window, and we don't have a confirmed list of platforms. While Xbox and PC seem likely given Bethesda's ownership by Microsoft, PlayStation has yet to be confirmed.

As soon as Bethesda shares more official updates on The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel, we'll be sure to let you know.