Bethesda's former Elder Scrolls loremaster on why he left, Starfield's 'communication breakdowns', and how he wanted The Elder Scrolls 6 'to be The Empire Strikes Back'

Kurt Kuhlmann, the longtime Elder Scrolls "loremaster", hasn't revealed why he left Bethesda in 2023 after more than 20 years—until now.

His departure didn't make headlines but it rumbled those who know the series best. Michael Kirkbride, who worked alongside Kuhlmann on Morrowind and Oblivion, wrote at the time that "Kurt was the best writer that TES ever had… his leaving will be to the creative detriment of [The Elder Scrolls] 6."

"It was almost certainly time for a change," Kuhlmann...