Elder Scrolls 6 offers a prime opportunity to delve deeper into the franchise’s rich lore by introducing a wider variety of Khajiit furstocks. This would not only enhance the game’s storytelling but also expand roleplaying opportunities for players. With more diverse Khajiit variants, the game could foster an immersive gameplay experience by enabling specialized builds for each race.
Incorporating different furstocks could also enrich NPC interactions and narrative possibilities, adding layers of depth despite any constraints the developers might face.
As each installment in the Elder Scrolls series takes longer to release, Elder Scrolls 6 feels like a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bring more of the fascinating lore to life. With every new entry, Bethesda has the resources to embellish the richness of its worlds and create more expansive roleplaying scenarios.
Since Skyrim’s debut, fans have stayed connected with the series thanks to regular updates in The Elder Scrolls: Online. One update that caught widespread attention was the Elsweyr expansion, which introduced a multitude of Khajiit furstocks. This expansion included everything from the well-known bipedal Cathay to the impressive, four-legged Senche-raht. Given this precedent, Elder Scrolls 6 has a golden opportunity to not only visually diversify the Khajiit but also to alter gameplay dynamics based on these differences.
Among the diverse races in Tamriel, Khajiit are particularly popular. Yet, only a fraction of the 17 identified Khajiit furstocks have appeared in the mainline games. The forms of these feline characters are influenced by the moons at birth. Therefore, it’s somewhat disappointing that in games like Skyrim and Oblivion, players encounter only the Cathay furstock.
This lack of diversity has been a recurring critique, with some fans concerned that Bethesda isn’t embracing the more unusual aspects of Tamriel’s background. By standardizing the races for balance, some unique qualities might have been sacrificed. This is one of the reasons why ESO Elsweyr was so well-received; it showcased the intriguing but often overlooked Khajiit in more varied forms, making the world feel more complete.
Advancements in graphic rendering today make it easier to differentiate each furstock. It’s not just about having more detailed models; it’s about highlighting the features that make each furstock unique. For example, Cathay could be portrayed as the “standard” furstock, while the Tojay-raht might have a more graceful, feline outline.
Adding more Khajiit varieties would also elevate the game’s immersive quality. In Morrowind, Khajiit were depicted as Suthay-raht, closely resembling felines and unable to wear certain clothing. While limiting options may seem counterintuitive, it also paves the way for richer roleplaying experiences, offering race-specific builds unique to each furstock.
Perhaps in TES6, character creation could allow players to choose from a selection of furstocks, each with their distinct limitations. While not every Khajiit variant needs representation, showcasing a select few could demonstrate the race’s diversity, allowing players to encounter a range of Khajiit NPCs.
In Skyrim, Khajiit are often stereotyped as thieves, barred from cities due to fears they will pilfer anything not secured. Imagine the narrative possibilities a more varied array of Khajiit could bring. Perhaps the feline-like variants continue to be seen as thieves, while the more human-like Ohmes are suspected to be Thalmor operatives. The Ohmes and Ohmes-raht, more human-appearing furstocks, were playable in older games. With the current storyline focusing on the Aldmeri Dominion’s expansion, meaningful dialogues might arise from mistaken identities, wherein NPCs confuse these Khajiit with Elves.
The buzz among fans suggests Hammerfell could be the setting for TES6, hinting it might not feature all Khajiit varieties. Nonetheless, this setting presents an opportunity for Bethesda to rekindle the eccentric and dynamic elements that long-time fans adored in previous games like Morrowind.
