County

A county was a division of land within the Imperial Province of Cyrodiil, centered around one of Cyrodiil's eight major cities. A county was traditionally ruled by a count or countess, and guarded by a City Watch and the Imperial Legion. The counties as they were at the end of the Third Era were the result of years of evolution within the province of Cyrodiil, many counties having been independent or Cyrodiil-specific kingdoms prior to the formation of the Septim Empire and the unification of Tamriel. It is unknown when the modern borders of the eight counties were set, though each county was prescribed a roughly equal share of land, with most counties being specific to one geographical region of Cyrodiil. The counts and countesses held absolute power in their own counties, but as a whole reported directly to the Imperial City, which served as capital of both Cyrodiil and the Empire. It is unknown if direct jurisdiction over the counties fell to the High Chancellor, the Emperor, or some other authority.

The Empire was directly responsible for the defense of the counties, the Imperial Legion patrolling all areas outside the major cities. The exact extent of this responsibility seems to fall within the realm of policement, however. During times of crisis, the counties were expected to be able to defend themselves, though they could request aid from the Imperial Legion. In 3E 433, this was seen in evidence during the Oblivion Crisis, wherein the counties were forced to defend themselves when the Elder Council chose to commit the Imperial Legion fully to the defense of the other provinces, despite the Crisis being worst in Cyrodiil. While the ability of the various City Watches to defend against the Daedric onslaught was, on the whole, woefully inadequate (as witnessed in the destruction of Kvatch), the counties did assemble under the command of Prince Martin Septim and the Hero of Kvatch to defend Bruma against the Daedric army. The subsequent destruction of the Daedric Siege Crawler, as well as the recovery of a Great Sigil Stone, ensured a brief respite for the Cyrodiil province and allowed the eventual defeat of the Daedra in the Imperial City.

Counties

 * County Anvil
 * County Bravil
 * County Bruma
 * County Cheydinhal
 * County Chorrol
 * County Kvatch
 * County Leyawiin
 * County Skingrad

Appearances

 * The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (First appearance)