Summary
The Elder Scrolls OnlineUpdate 44 introduces the game’s firstnon-binary companion, Tanlorin, voiced by Our Flag Means Death star Vico Ortiz.
It’s a huge step forward for representation in the game, but a vocal subsect of the community has voiced outrage and spouted transphobic abuse, justifying their anger by saying that Tanlorin’s inclusion is ‘immersion breaking’ and that they supposedly ‘don’t fit into the world of Elder Scrolls’. To that, narrative director Bill Slavicsek says, “They’re wrong.”
“We have mixed marriages and gay and lesbian characters in abundance throughout the game,” Slavicsek tells TheGamer. “It just makes sense to us that all possibilities exist in Tamriel. We treat it as a real and living world. You just might not notice because we don’t shout it from the rooftops or put signs proclaiming it everywhere. And you know why? Because in Tamriel, this is just the way the world is.
“No character in the world blinks an eye or thinks there’s anything unusual about meeting the baker and his husband, the serving woman and her wife, or to have Naryu and Jakarn flirt with you, regardless of your character’s gender. And that’s not even mentioning Alchemy, the three Living Gods of the Tribunal, or the Daedric Princes who can appear as any gender they so desire! It’s part of the world and so it’s no big deal.”
Getting A Non-Binary Actor For The Role Was “Extremely Important”
Slavicsek stresses that designing a new character like Tanlorin is a team effort, and so he worked closely with VO lead Rebecca Ichnoski “to make sure we match actors to the characters they play very meticulously”. And so, getting a non-binary actor to play the role of Tanlorin was “extremely important”.
Vico Ortiz did a great job bringing Tanlorin to life!
Having that representation is likewise vital behind the scenes so as to authentically bring to life characters such as Tanlorin with care and intimacy. ZeniMax ensured it incorporated queer voices to do just that: “We have a diverse group of people working throughout the team, including the writer of this content who identifies as non-binary, Andrew Siañez-De La O.”
ESO has always been a diverse game, fromthe in-game Pride Paradesheld by the community to the rich, queer cast and talent who have brought so much character to its world. So, despite all the fury that might be spilling out online, it was a no-brainer to take that a step further with an LGBTQ+ companion. As Slavicsek says, “it just felt right to make Tanlorin non-binary”.
The Elder Scrolls Online
WHERE TO PLAY
The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMORPG enjoyed by millions of players, set in the continent of Tamriel. Initially launched in 2014, multiple expansions take you to Skyrim, Morrowind, and other iconic locations from the series. You can choose from one of ten races and five classes before taking on a multitude of quests, dungeons, and trials.
