Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re doing something a little unorthodox: I’m diving into what The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion—yes, the 2006 RPG recently remastered—can teach us about writing unforgettable fantasy novels. From its cult-favorite guild quests to the eerie Oblivion Gates, this game isn’t just a nostalgic masterpiece. It’s a creative writing course disguised as a game.

We break down why Oblivion’s worldbuilding still holds up, how its implied history and lived-in lore set the gold standard for immersive storytelling, and what every fantasy author can learn from its layered factions like the Dark Brotherhood and Mages Guild. I unpack how Oblivion builds stakes through specificity, uses cozy peace to sharpen chaos, and lets its clunky weirdness become a strength instead of a flaw.

Have a question or topic you want me to get into for the show? Email us at [email protected] or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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