


Visiting shrines scattered around Tamriel grants the protagonist specialized skills, some permanent and some temporary.

The player is free to roam the world without a particular goal, exploring towns, forts, caves, mines, and old temple ruins. There are numerous side quests that help the hero advance his or her abilities as well as gain fame. The skills of the foes are "leveled" to be approximately equal to or slightly above those of the main character. In time the protagonist can become an Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert, and Master and gain certain bonuses for the skill. NPCs offer training (for a price) to help in advancing to the next stage. When the player repeatedly uses one of the skills, it improves. The advancement system, as was the case in previous games, is based on skill usage. The game allows the player to develop multiple types of characters without being limited to a specific role. The player's chosen race and class determine the abilities the protagonist has in the beginning. The game sticks to the style of its predecessors featuring action-based combat, first-person and third-person views, and vast free-roaming environments. Oblivion is the fourth title in Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series. The Septims and the Amulet are the last barrier between the continent Tamriel and the dark dimension of Oblivion, and the delicate balance is threatened by the Daedra Prince of Destruction, Mehrunes Dagon, the prisoner being Tamriel's only hope. Before the last assassin delivered the lethal strike, the old emperor entrusted the prisoner with the Amulet of Kings and asked him to find his illegitimate son, the last of the Septim bloodline.

But even an emperor cannot escape his destiny. The fate of this prisoner suddenly changed when Emperor Uriel Septim descended into the prison with his guards, fleeing from unknown assassins who have already slaughtered his children. A lowly prisoner has been cast into the depths of the dungeon in the Imperial capital of the province Cyrodiil.
