It is the year 4E 171. Titus Mede II rules over Tamriel- or at least, enough of it to claim the title of Emperor.
Delphine, an agent of the Blades, has been abruptly recalled from her posting in Alinor.
In the capital of the crumbling but resolute Empire, the Empress Mariana is aiding her husband in putting out the fires of the court- some of which were of their own making, others the legacy of enemies. In Skyrim, the court mages are having to be more diplomats than scholars- and Morgen, the court wizard of Whiterun, is busy trying to maintain support for the College of Winterhold in Dragonsreach.
None of the three is giving a thought to the others- the Empire's soul is fragmented.
In the midst of all this, war is waiting to greet Tamriel. The 30th of Frostfall has almost arrived, and unlikely alliances may be required to withstand the Dominion.