As the 90th hour spent with Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has come and gone, I submit to you that it is very possible that I am too close to this subject matter to write about it. I further submit that by sitting on the brink of the century mark the game has begun make itself a bit too cozy in my brain. Coupled with an already nasty tendency to over think and you find me pondering the long-term consequences of the events that conclude the main quest of the game. Something about vacuous state in which the plot dumps the player at the end made me wonder if some simple tweak could have been made by this fictitious populace that could have avoided this fictitious calamity in the first place.

In fact, I bet a well-timed memo would have done the trick.

(contains spoilers)

MEMORANDUM

From: Imperial Chancellor Ocato
To: Emperor Uriel Septim

Re: Alternatives To Monarchy

Most Esteemed Emperor,

I am writing to discuss a most contentious topic, and I hope that you will understand that I bear no ill will to either yourself nor the Septim lineage. Indeed, it is because of the Septim family's wise stewardship that Tamriel has flourished.

However, it is at the height of this success that the fragility of a hereditary monarchy system become most apparent. Intelligence reports that we are being shadowed by a hidden enemy - one that no doubt wishes to destabilize the empire. It is not inconceivable that a coordinated attack could decapitate the whole system of government, leaving no clear line of succession, and create a power vacuum that would plunge the whole of Tamriel into chaos. Is it truly wise for all direct and implied power to be concentrated in a large jewel which hangs around the Most Esteemed Emperor's neck? I must also humbly submit that your secret illegitimate son born from an immensely unwise tryst with that chambermaid is not an acceptable backup plan.

Is this really the best Tamriel can do?

What, then, should we do instead?

I have attached a document that described in detail an initial proposal for a new system of government. The crux of the system is that the power to govern should be derived from a mandate from the masses. This mandate would be tallied in some manual form every few years and those chosen would represent the very people who designated them. These representatives could then choose a single leader for the empire but would be essential in creating laws. Furthermore, it would establish a tiered system of representation for all the kingdoms in the empire as well as lay out rules of succession that would be impervious to anything short of the entire world exploding.

Of course, there would be nothing stopping the Most Esteemed Emperor from running for a post himself!

Naturally, this system is not perfect. Immediate downsides you would be correct in pointing out include:

• Most of the people in Tamriel are idiots - if one were to wave a sword in the air, a Tamriel resident would surely attempt to jump onto it.
• The population has little interest in conversing about anything other than food or shopping. Discussions about more important matters to the empire are terminated immediately.
• Without significant incentive, no one will break with their routine to vote in this new system, preferring instead to further beat a rut in their well-traveled daily routes.

It is my opinion that these pitfalls are far outweighed by profound freedom of self-determination. I believe that with this system Tamriel could usher in a new era. The Fourth Era, in fact, in which power comes from people not jewels or dragon fires, or any of that rubbish.

Your humble servant,

Chancellor Ocato