There’s quite a bit of trepidation surrounding The Elder Scrolls Online, the upcoming MMO set in the world of the Elder Scrolls series. Though co-op gameplay was an frequently requested feature for Skyrim and Oblivion, throwing thousands of players together into Tamriel can seem like overcompensation for years without Elder Scrolls multiplayer. Also, fears that the normal MMO formula and quests will bury the extensive lore of the Elder Scrolls series are not without justification.

Today, Bethesda released a preview trailer for Elder Scrolls Online that could reassure fans that the history of Tamriel will be well taken care of in the MMO. In the video, “Loremaster” Lawrence Schick describes just what the different factions in the game hope to gain from their all-out war.

The three factions, the Aldmeri Dominion, the Daggerfall Covenant, and the Ebonheart Pact, are all fighting over Cyrodiil, the setting of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Cyrodiil is led by a family who has made a pact with the evil daedric lord Molag Bal and his powerful necromancer servant. The Daggerfall Covenant, according to Schick, feels it is its place to bring peace to Cyrodiil and Tamriel. The Ebonheart Pact seem to simply want to make sure Molag Bal can’t cause any trouble on Tamriel. The Aldmeri Dominion has a personal grudge against the humans, and believes the elves should rightfully rule Cyrodiil.