User:Marduk Kurios

About me

Hi there. :-)

I'm 25-years old, male, and I come from Belgium (Europe).

I'm currently employed as a professional historian in the service of Ghent University, where I am currently preparing a doctoral thesis. I obtained my Master's Degree in History at the same University in 2008 (specialisation: medieval history of Flanders).

The UESP, Elder Scrolls and me (and my nickname)

I have chosen to use the same nickname here as the one I use on the official Bethesda Forums, solely for recognisability. I post there sometimes and depending on the nature of the discussion I tend to refer to information from lore books (from the TES universe) from time to time. That was also the reason why I joined the UESP: I thought I might add in some the information I've gleaned from the lore books and help out a little. I didn't want people to think I was ripping myself off (from the official forums) though, which is why I've taken up the same username. :-)

I've been with the Elder Scrolls series since TES II: Daggerfall. I played alot of that and a lot of TES III: Morrowind, but not alot of TES IV: Oblivion. I thoroughly enjoyed Shivering Isles, though. I'm currently also playing TES V: Skyrim, of course.

As a player, I'm mainly the roleplaying type. My first character will generally be a classic meelee sword 'n boarder with little or no magic. After that, I tend to go the illusive route: a sneaking hunter or magic-user. I'm not much for thieves or assassins, though. :-)

Currently, my favourite race are the Orsimer. I liked them in Daggerfall, but in Morrowind and Oblivion they were a bit bland. They're portrayed too much as 'stupid' or used for comic relief. As of Skyrim, however, I've gained a new appreciation for them. As characters, they've become deeper - almost tragic. This led me to delve deeper into the lore surrounding them and the lore surrounding that lore etc. Because of that, I'll mainly be helping out on the pages where it concerns Orcs, Orsimer, Malacath etc.

I'm still learning the ropes, though, so please bear with me. :-) I don't intend offence nor do I want to annoy people. I have read the rules & guidelines and try to stick to them as much as I can. As to the code and what is preferable - I'm learning as I go.

Interests

First of all, perhaps a word about what I'm like: I'm an outgoing person, but not really a party animal. I much prefer a good conversation over a cool pint of ale to an 'exciting' evening in a dancing. Not that there's anything wrong with the latter - it's just not for me. In general, I tend to think and listen more than I speak.

My main interests usually involve my passion for history, of which I've had the extraordinary fortune to also make it my job. I'm interested in the political, social and ecomomical history of the high and late middle ages, concerning Flanders in particular. I'm mainly occupied with the history of nobility and knighthood, noble houses and their patrimony, and the material culture of medieval elites: chiefly heraldry and seals, moated sites and castles, fiefs and seigniories, and weapons and armour.

Apart from that, I read and write alot. Most of my reading and nearly all of my writing is job-related, but I do enjoy a good book or a well-written story. Apart from that, I also enjoy gaming to take my mind off work. Once in a blue moon I also watch a movie.

My favourite books include the 'Discworld' series of T. Pratchett, the Cadfael series of E. Peters (Pargeter), Steven Saylor's Gordianus the Finder and the oeuvre of the J.R.R. Tolkien (The Silmarillion, History of Middle Earth, Forgotten Tales, Children of Hurin, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings). I'm partial to The Song of Fire and Ice series.

Favourite games would, of course, include the Elder Scrolls series (TES II: Daggerfall, TES III: Morrowind and expansions, TES IV: Oblivion and expansions, TES V: Skyrim). Other favourite games would be Stronghold Crusader, Anno 1503, the Civilization series, and the Dawn of War series.

I guess that's it for now. :-) Thanks for taking the time to read!