Elder Scrolls Online storyline divides Tamriel into three alliances fighting under deadra invasion

Elder Scrolls Online is upcoming MMORPG from Bethesda who have come out with early bits of the storyline. They recently launched their official website which presents the storyline in a nutshell as following:

The Story

Four years before the game's happenings, at age of 2E 578 there happened large arcane explosion in Imperial city causing mages go either mad or die. The explosion caused aftershocks that swept over Nirn. After this the Daedra started to appear in large numbers from Oblivion.

This is where Daedric Prince of domination and enslavement, Molag Bal, steps in. He has a cunning plan to weaken barriers between the worlds of Nirn and Oblivion to merge them into one, huge nightmarish hellspace to take over Tamriel.

Amongst all this madness running over plains, forests, marshes, and deserts of Tamriel - The Elder Scrolls Online storyline divides the world of Tamriel and it's inhabitants into three alliances who wrestle over control of Imperial City, the White-Gold Tower, and the Throne of Tamriel. The leader (top player) of the alliance who controls Imperial City may be crowned as Emperor!

Three Alliances

I. The Daggerfall Covenant. Formed by areas of High Rock, Sentinel, and Orisnium united under the rule of the High King in Wayrest. In other words races included in the pact are Breton, Redguard, and Orc.

II. The Aldmeri Dominion. Formed by areas of Valenwood, Elsweir, and Summerset Isle. In other words races included in the pact are High Elf, Wood Elf and Khajiit.

III. The Ebonheart Pact is formed by areas of Black Marsh, Morrowind, and Skyrim (my favorite setting of the three). In other words races included are Argonian, Dark Elf, and Nord.

The World

Bethesda promises most intense and large PvP (player vs. player) experienced so far in any MMORPG (but can they claim it?).  They promise hundreds of onscreen players similarly battling on the field in the heat of the battle.

They say that the game's area will focus within Cyrodiil which is split into strategic territories, which each alliance may control. Those include large fortresses, farms, lumber mills and so on.

According to IGN's own wiki the game should also feature Skyrim and Elsweyr region in addition of perhaps other Tamriel's region's appearing in reduced size or partly, but this information is not yet unconfirmed. Yet seeing their concept art it involves art also from Valenwood, what ever that means.

(Valenwood concept art)

(Alik'r Desert concept art)

Each alliance has it's own special stronghold in Cyrodiil ("home base") which is the main key area to protect. They hold artifacts called "Elder Scrolls". When one alliance attacks to another's Stronghold it has a chance to steal the artifact which must then be returned to the alliances own home base to gain special bonuses and powers over it. Bonus is then granted to all members of that alliance. Bethesda also promises that siege weaponry is included in the game which may bring nice element to the conquering phase.

Other than PvP, PvE path (player vs. environment) is also included although not much information has yet been let out of it other than storyline bits.

Level Scaling?

I find it hilarious to say but Bethesda aims to level scale things up again. Whenever one hears words level scaling it brings Bethesda to my mind every time. Bethesda has been notorious about level scaling things up in their single player RPG's whereas many hardcore computer role playing fans have bashed them over it.

This time they will be level scaling at least PvP combat. How much of it we don't know. But their website clearly states that "The Elder Scrolls Online features battle leveling system that temporarily increases a player's combat effectiveness to compete against higher level players, ensuring that everyone enjoys the experience".

Good thing or not? Enjoy some early in game screenshots below and go for more to the official Elder Scrolls Online website!