SkyrimProvement: Moonpath to Elsweyr

Since I started looking at mods for Skyrim, one has been sitting on my hard drive, brooding in the corner, its hulking mass shifting from side to side every month or so, just to remind me that it was still there. It's called Moonpath to Elsweyr, and it's one of the largest slices of fan-made content you can add to Bethesda's open-world RPG. Recently, I was finally able to set aside the time required to "tread the moonpaths" and I discovered a new narrative, a fresh new world to explore, and one of the finest Skyrim mods available.

Two Khajiit's Walk Into a Bar...

Elsweyr is the Khajiit homeland, a jungle paradise that's being slowly encroached on by the Thalmor wizards, and after spending so long in the cold of Skyrim, it's a welcome change of scenery. To get there, I first slipped into the rear barn of the Dead Man's Drink in Falkreath, where I found a pair of Khajiit travelers planning to return to their homelands.


Being an adventurer with a penchant for exploration, I asked if they might be open to making their duo a trio, and before long we were on the road. With a lovely touch, creator muppetmuppet set up a number of little traveling vignettes, like when our caravan broke down and was attacked by bandits, or when we needed to find another way across a river whose bridge was out. The vignettes made it feel like a genuine journey out of the frozen wastes of Skyrim.

Upon reaching Elsweyr I was immediately presented with my own sprawling encampment, complete with alchemy, blacksmithing, enchanting and tanning stations, and my own comfy bed. There were even sentient tigers patrolling the lands, making sure no opportunistic thief snuck in to nab my stuff. On its own, the journey and encampment would make Moonpath to Elsweyr a terrific add-on; a nice little bit of context for your latest home, with its own quick teleport back to Skyrim. But that's just the beginning of what this mod has to offer.

Join the Rebel Alliance

Airships, dinosaurs, giant ape slaves, gorgeous vistas filled with palm trees and strange statues, and a quest line that puts players in the middle of the war between Khajit rebels and their Thalmor oppressors. Told you Moonpath to Elsweyr was big. It's kind of incredible, really, what's been achieved here, and easily enough to rival even the most accomplished DLC on Bethesda's part.


It's all fully voiced, too, and even though it's clear these aren't professionals doing the voice acting, it feels entirely authentic, with the trademark Khajiit growl slipped into the cadence. By the time I got my own airship transport, complete with grizzled Khajiit pirate captain, I was fully invested in a story of guerrilla warfare and drug smuggling. The Thalmor want the moonstones, you see, and that's all that's keeping the Khajiit from being entirely enslaved by the bastard dark elves.

Moonpath to Elsweyr is what everyone always hopes modding can be: an accomplished addition to the game that doesn't break the tone, or show all the cracks in the scenery. Some of the areas are a little linear or too conveniently placed, but when it all looks so gorgeous, especially so vibrant when compared to Skyrim, I can hardly complain. It's a holiday away from the holiday that is Skyrim, a change of pace and environment that makes returning to the likes of Winterhold and Solitude something to look forward to, rather than just the old familiar.

Download Moonpath to Elsweyr