Though every game is set in Tamriel's timeline, none have explored the continent prior to the First Empire. In real life and in-game, Tamriel's ancient history is told through contradictory accounts and theories based on surviving records.
With five mainline installments, multiple spin-offs, and The Elder Scrolls: Online, players have a lot to chew on and many have gone to great lengths to collect and document all in-game literature in order to piece together a cohesive timeline. Tamriel is filled to the brim with books that recount the stories, legends, and lives of those who have long since passed, but not every narrator is a reliable one as many groups skew history in their favor. One of the most impressive feats of The Elder Scrolls series is the depth and complexity of its lore.
