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D&D author says alleged plagiarism from The Elder Scrolls Online is "surreal"

An Elder Scrolls-themed tabletop RPG adventure meant to tide players over until the beginning of the Bethesda MMO's upcoming Elsweyr update has been taken down following allegations of plagiarism. The short campaign was originally shared on Bethesda Netherlands' Facebook page, but some fans noticed similarities with an official Dungeons & Dragons campaign released in 2016.


As pointed out by Paige Leitman, co-author of D&D owner Wizards of the Coast's The Black Road campaign (via Ars Technica), significant swathes of that adventure seem to have been carried over into Bethesda's promotional RPG. A comparison between the two seems to show significant similarities, including passages of descriptive text, gameplay details, and even character names.


In a tweet last night, Bethesda said that "we have pulled a previously shared ESO tabletop RPG adventure while we investigate the source. Thank you to those who reached out with concerns." In a statement to Ars Technica, the company also said that "we're digging in deeper to find out what happened, but in the meantime, we've pulled the adventure based on what has been brought to light."


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Watch the Dark Heart of Skyrim Year-End Preview on Twitch

Discover what adventures await in the finale of the Dark Heart of Skyrim epic as we preview the new DLC game pack, outline the upcoming in-game events, and share our end-of-year promotion, all in one amazing digital event!
  • What: ESO Dark Heart of Skyrim Year-End Preview Digital Event
  • Where: twitch.tv/Bethesda
  • When: Saturday, September 19 at 3PM EDT

Tune in to Twitch.tv/Bethesda on Saturday, September 19 at 3PM EDT, to watch a special digital event and ESO Live from the Elder Scrolls Online team that showcases everything coming to ESO in the final months of 2020. This includes the latest DLC, which we’re happy to announce has a new name: The Elder Scrolls Online: Markarth*!

We’ll preview the Markarth DLC game pack and talk about its zone, storyline, and place in the Dark Heart of Skyrim year-long epic. In addition to this, the team will outline 2020’s remaining in-game events and share information on the exciting end-of-year promotion we’ll be running throughout. After the digital event, we’ll host a special ESO Live to talk about the recent announcements and dive deep into some of the new DLC’s features.

We’ll have Twitch Drops enabled throughout the show, and anybody who watches the digital event with a linked account will also receive a free Purple Torchbug pet (to be delivered by Monday, September 21).


Get a free Purple Torchbug pet

It’s sure to be an exciting show, so tune in this Saturday, September 19 at 3PM EDT on Twitch—we’ll see you there!

*Why the new name? We just like it better!

ESO Live: August 28 @ 4PM EDT/9PM BST—Stonethorn Community Dungeon Run

Join us as the Community Team tackles one of Stonethorn’s exciting new dungeons with special guests.

Check out ESO Live on twitch.tv/Bethesda this Friday, August 28 at 4PM EDT/9PM BST as community managers Jessica Folsom and Gina Bruno delve into one of the two new dungeons just released with the Stonethorn DLC. Don’t worry, they won’t have to do it alone, as they’ll be joined by special guests content creator NefasQS and Stream Team member Prestonality!

You can vote on which of the two dungeons, Stone Garden or Castle Thorn, you want to see them run via a poll on our official Twitter account, so keep an eye out for it. Will it be the dread laboratory of Arkasis? Or the grim ramparts of Lady Thorn’s castle? You decide!

We’ll have Twitch Drops enabled throughout  (link your accounts), so tune in to twitch.tv/Bethesda this Friday, August 28 at 4PM EDT/9PM BST.

Fight for the Ruby Throne during the Imperial City Celebration

Battle your fellow players and Daedra under the shadow of the White-Gold Tower during the Imperial City Celebration and you’ll earn bonus rewards and collectibles.

[h2]Capture the Capital[/h2]
The Imperial City Celebration begins Thursday, September 3 at 10:00AM EDT, and will run until Tuesday, September 15 at 10:00AM EDT. During this in-game event, you can earn bonus rewards within both the Imperial City PvP zone and its two PvE dungeons: White-Gold Tower and Imperial City Prison.

To begin your fight for the capital, you must have access to the Imperial City DLC game pack either via ESO Plus™ membership or free from the DLC section of the in-game Crown Store.


Battle in the city

To enter the Imperial City PvP zone, open your Alliance War menu, select the Imperial City category, choose either Champion Point or non-Champion point Campaign, and select “Enter Campaign.” (It’ll take you to the Imperial City Sewers to begin.)

To take on the Imperial City’s four-player dungeons, you can queue for them via the Dungeon Finder or by finding their entrances in the Imperial City districts (White-Gold Tower) or Imperial City Sewers (Imperial City Prison).

[h2]Loot Lost Riches [/h2]
During the Imperial City Celebration event, you can loot the lost riches of a city under perpetual siege as you earn the following bonus rewards:
  • Double the amount of Tel Var Stones dropped from all monsters
  • Bonus chance of picking up either the Stonefire Scamp pet or the Soul-Shriven skin
  • Double the amount of Key Fragments
  • Bonus loot dropped by Trove Scamps and Cunning Scamps
  • Bonus drops from bosses (including within the Imperial City itself and its dungeons)

To earn the above, take part in any of the regular Imperial City activities, including battling in the Imperial Sewers and city districts, and taking on either the White-Gold Tower or Imperial City Prison dungeons.

Legion Zero Strongboxes

Those willing to fight shield-to-shield in the heart of the lost empire are a special breed of warrior. To reward those few braving the dangers of Cyrodiil’s close-combat warfare, Legion Zero Strongboxes have been added to this event.

The first time you complete (turn in) an Imperial City district daily quest or defeat the final boss within the Imperial City Prison or White-Gold Tower dungeons, you’ll receive a Glorious Legion Zero Strongbox. These reward boxes can contain valuable and useful items, such as:
  • Tel Var Stones
  • Crafting Materials
  • Xivkyn Motif style items
  • Key Fragments
  • Valuables to be sold to vendors
  • Pages from the Legion Zero Vigiles armor style
  • Pages from the Tools of Domination weapon style
  • Xivkyn Motif chapters


The Legion Zero Vigiles armor style

After you’ve received your daily Glorious Legion Zero Strongbox, you have a chance to earn regular versions of this box by completing Imperial City activities such as defeating patrolling or sewer bosses, opening chests or safeboxes, defeating bosses in White-Gold Tower or Imperial City Prison, and from subsequent Imperial City district daily quests.

While the rewards found within regular Legion Zero Strongboxes are not as plentiful as those found in their Glorious counterpart, they still have a chance to contain useful and rare items, including the new style pages if you’re lucky!

[h2]Impresario & Event Tickets[/h2]
During the Imperial City Celebration, you can earn three Event Tickets per day, awarded the first time you either complete a daily quest in the Imperial City districts or sewers or defeat the final boss in the White-Gold Tower or Imperial City Prison dungeons—make sure you loot your kills! 

Throughout the event period, the Impresario will stock the following items:
  • Legion Zero Vigiles armor style pages (bound to your character on purchase)
  • Tools of Domination weapon style pages (bound to your character on purchase)
  • All four Indrik Feathers (to get a Nascent Indrik)
  • Mossheart Berries of Bloom, Budding, and Growth
  • Group repair kits
  • Assorted Imperial- and Daedric-themed furnishings
    • Daedric Chandelier, Ritual
    • Imperial Bed, Canopy
    • Imperial Dresser, Scrollwork
    • Imperial Mirror, Standing
    • Imperial Divider, Folding
    • Imperial Wardrobe, Scrollwork
    • Imperial Footlocker, Scrollwork
    • Imperial Tapestry, Akatosh
    • Imperial Simple Wall Lantern
    • Imperial Shrine of the Bay
    • Imperial Brazier, Caged
    • Imperial Nightstand, Scrollwork
    • Daedric Brazier, Standing


[h2]Crown Store Sales & New Items[/h2]
Throughout the event, you can pick up special Imperial City-themed items from the Crown Store, too. This includes ESO Plus membership deals on the Imperial Battlemage Pack, the Imperial Officers Pack, the Imperial War Mastiff pet, and an exclusive free Wolf and Warrior Statuette. In addition to these, the Legion Zero Charger mount will be available for gems for a limited time only.

The unstoppable Legion Zero Charger mount

Even better, starting Thursday, September 10, you can pick up the Imperial City Collector’s Bundle at up to 33% off—phew!

[h2]Battle in the Streets[/h2]
Glory awaits those who fight in the heart of the capital during the Imperial City Celebration event. Whether you’re battling to capture Cyrodiil’s districts for your faction or striving to rid the Ruby Throne of Daedric influence, there’s a host of great reasons to take part in this PvE/PvP event! Will you be joining us in the shadow of the White-Gold Tower? Let us know via @TESOnlineInstagram, and Facebook.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Stonethorn &Update 27 Now Live

Continue your Dark Heart of Skyrim adventure with The Elder Scrolls Online: Stonethorn. Explore Castle Thorn and the Stone Garden in this all-new dungeon DLC.

The Stonethorn DLC game pack and Update 27 is now available on PC/Mac, Steam, and Stadia* and brings a host of new stories, challenges, tools, and improvements to ESO, including:
  • Two new four-player dungeons: Castle Thorn and Stone Garden
  • The continuation of the Dark Heart of Skyrim year-long storyline
  • New rewards, including unique gear sets, Achievements, and collectibles
  • The new Character Pathing tool for the Housing System
  • Performance improvements and bug fixes
  • And more!

This DLC game pack is available free for all current ESO Plus™ members or available for purchase with crowns from the in-game Crown Store. Read the patch notes for both Stonethorn and Update 27 on our official forums.

If you play on Xbox One or PlayStation®4, get ready, as Stonethorn and Update 27 will be making their way to consoles September 1!
"> [h2]Stonethorn DLC Game Pack[/h2]
The threat of the Gray Host did not end with the events of Greymoor, and new dangers arise from ancient holds and deep, hidden places. In The Elder Scrolls Online: Stonethorn, you can challenge yourself and your team with two exciting new dungeons: Castle Thorn and Stone Garden. As part of the Dark Heart of Skyrim, Stonethorn leads into the events of the upcoming Q4 DLC and final part of this year-long adventure!

Stone Garden

What horrifying new evils is the mad alchemist Arkasis crafting within the hidden laboratory of Stone Garden? Venture into Blackreach, discover the terrible creations of this twisted genius, battle your way through his empowered minions, and put a stop to his dread experiments before he births a new terror for the people of Western Skyrim. Check out our Stone Garden preview for more.

Battle your way through empowered beasts in Stone Garden Castle Thorn

Isolated within the mountains of Western Skyrim, Lady Thorn raises a fearsome new vampire army behind the strong walls of her keep and prepares to march on Tamriel. You must infiltrate Castle Thorn, seek out the horrifying secret behind this rising force, and confront the ancient Vampire Lord at its heart. Discover more about Castle Thorn in our preview.

These two new dungeons will challenge your team in exciting ways and provide rewards in the form of unique gear sets, monster masks, collectibles, and Achievements.

Earn brand-new rewards

Both can be completed in Normal and Veteran Difficulties, and should you truly wish to challenge your party’s skills and teamwork, Stone Garden allows you to attempt a Hard Mode version of each of its three bosses—good luck!
[h2]How to Get Stonethorn[/h2]
The Stonethorn DLC game pack is free for all ESO Plus members and available for purchase for 1,500 crowns from the in-game Crown Store (listed under DLC).

Note that if your ESO Plus membership lapses, you lose access to the DLC dungeons until you renew or purchase the DLC with crowns. You won’t lose any items or rewards you earned while you had access.
Stonethorn Collector’s Bundle

The Stonethorn Collector’s Bundle is also available for 4,000 crowns. This includes access to the DLC game pack, the Frostborn Durzog Mangler mount, the Snowsnarl Durzog pet, and five Crown Experience Scrolls. You can find and purchase the Stonethorn Collector’s Bundle from the Featured section of the in-game Crown Store.

The Stonethorn Collector’s Bundle
[h2]Take on Stonethorn & Get a Unique Pet[/h2]
Once you have access to the Stonethorn dungeons, you can continue your Dark Heart of Skyrim adventure by the following methods:
  • By teleporting directly into the two dungeons from your map
  • By using the Dungeon Finder tool
  • By walking up to the dungeon entrances in Western Skyrim (Castle Thorn) and Blackreach (Stone Garden)


By simply entering these two new dungeons, you receive the Energetic Dwarven Shock-Spider pet!

The perfect companion for Tamriel’s adventurers!
[h2]Update 27[/h2]
Releasing with Stonethorn, Update 27 brings new features and improvements for all ESO players, free!

Character Pathing

With the new Character Pathing tool added to the Homestead System, you can now give your pets, mounts, and assistants unique paths for them to follow throughout your home, helping it feel more alive than ever. By simply assigning your companions nodes, you can have them move all around your home along a set path. You can even define speed, set wait times, and choose whether you want them to return along the same path or loop. For more on this new tool, check out our preview.

Create unique paths for your pets, mounts, and assistants

Performance Improvements

The team has been working hard on various performance improvements in this update. These include improvements to how persistent AoEs work (starting with the Dragonknight Standard), an item set scripting update, new Critical Memory systems, physic engine improvements, server load handling improvements, database caching, and some intermittent load screen fixes—phew! With these updates, you’ll see fewer crashes, improvements to overall server stability/performance, and fewer random load screens.

For everything arriving in Update 27, check out the Patch Notes section on our official forums.
[h2]Delve into Skyrim’s Dark Heart[/h2]
Continue your Dark Heart of Skyrim adventure with Stonethorn and put a stop to two deadly new threats before they are unleashed upon the Nords of Western Skyrim. Shut down a terrible experiment and defeat an unholy army with two exciting and challenging dungeons that expand upon the year-long narrative that began with Harrowstorm and will continue throughout the rest of 2020! Are you excited to enter Castle Thorn or the Stone Garden? Tell us via @TESOnlineInstagram, and Facebook.

Part of the Dark Heart of Skyrim year-long adventure, the Stonethorn DLC game pack is now live for PC/Mac and Stadia* and arrives September 1 for Xbox One and PlayStation®4. This new DLC game pack arrives in tandem with Update 27, a free base-game update for all ESO players.

*Available only in select territories. Find out if Stadia is available in your region here.