This page contains posts and writings by developers that were published outside of the games. This section combines what were the Obscure Texts and Post Archives on previous versions of the Library.
Where possible, we’ve provided dates of publication and links for each post and text. Because these writings span decades of Elder Scrolls and real world development, it is very important to consider them in their historical context. They may no longer reflect the state of Elder Scrolls lore, or the current opinions of the writers.
Alan Nanes
Game designer at Bethesda Game Studios. He started with the company in 2002 and is currently serving as Design Director.
Brad Derrick
The Audio Director on Elder Scrolls Online. He has been with the studio since 2009.
Cartogriffi
Longtime forum moderator and Community Content Manager at Bethesda Game Studios, currently focusing on Creation Club content and modding in general.
Christiane H.K. Meister
Character artist at Bethesda Game Studios. She has been with the studio since 1999, and is currently a Senior Character Artist. On the official forums, she posted as Maverique.
Douglas Goodall
Designer at Bethesda Game Studios 2001-2002. On the official forums, he posted as Affa Mu and Jo-Basha. He returned to the Elder Scrolls community in 2023, and has since published mods and writing on his Substack.
Gary GT Noonan
Animator at Bethesda Game Studios. He has been with the studio since 1997. On the official forums, he posted as Wormgod and VXSS, and roleplayed Divayth Fyr.
Ken Roslton
Lead Designer for Bethesda Game Studios 1994-2006. In addition to his work at Bethesda, Ken is a famous designer of tabletop RPGs.
Ken Rolston’s Posts
– Covers a variety of topics, mostly about the lore of TES3-era Vvardenfell
Kurt Kuhlmann
Designer with Bethesda Game Studios 1996-1998 and again between 2003-2023. On the official forums, he posted as Maturin and roleplayed as Hasphat Antabolis.
Lawrence Schick
Writer and Loremaster at Zenimax Online Studios 2009-2019. In addition to his work on Elder Scrolls Online, Lawrence is a celebrated tabletop RPG designer.
Lawrence Schick’s Posts
-Clarifications on the lore of Elder Scrolls Online
Leamon Tuttle
Designer, writer, and Loremaster for Zenimax Online Studios 2013-2022. He is currently still with Zenimax Online, but not working on Elder Scrolls.
Marilyn Wasserman
Quality Assurance tester for Bethesda Game Studios, and author of several books in Daggerfall. The Aedra Mara is named after her.
Mark Nelson
Designer at Bethesda Game Studios 2000-2007. He posted as BlueDev on the official forums.
Matt Grandstaff
Served in various Community Management related roles for Bethesda Game Studios 2007-2019. On the official forums, he posted as Gstaff.
Michael Kirkbride
Artist, writer, and designer for Bethesda Game Studios 1996-2000. Continued to contribute to the series after his departure, including shipping TES3: Morrowind as part of the E-Nexus (Bethesda West) team and contracted writings for TES4: Oblivion and its Knights of the Nine DLC. On the forums, he posted as MK, Vehk, Mery Eyesore the Elk, Ald Cyrod, Mkirkbride, and assumed roleplay accounts as needed.
A pervasive rumor is that Kirkbride wrote Morrowind lore while on drugs and was subsequently fired from Bethesda. This did not happen.
Michael Kirkbride’s Undated Posts – Posts which were archived without associated dates
Michael Kirkbride’s Posts: 1990-2006
Michael Kirkbride’s Posts: 2007-2011
Michael Kirkbride’s Posts: 2012-2014
Michael Kirkbride’s Posts: 2015-2023
Pete Hines
Part of Bethesda Softworks 1999-2023 in various marketing and communications roles. On forums and social media, he posted as DCDeacon.
Shane Liesegang
Designer at Bethesda Game Studios 2009-2013. On the official forums, he posted as SJML.
Ted Peterson
Designer at Bethesda Game Studios 1992-1996. Continued to contribute to the series after his departure, authoring numerous books for TES3 and TES4 in a contractor capacity. On the official forums, he posted as Tedders and roleplayed as Sheogorath.
Ted Peterson’s Posts
– Huge collection of posts about a variety of topics, with a focus on early Elder Scrolls games, Ted’s contribution to lore, and the Pocket Guide the Empire 3rd edition
Todd Howard
Designer, producer, and game director at Bethesda Game Studios since 1994.
Tori Schafer
Writer-Designer at Zenimax Online Studios 2016-2019.