User:Aramithius/Sandbox



Morrowind, formerly known as Resdayn and sometimes called Dunmereth, is a province in the northeastern corner of Tamriel. It is divided into two main parts: the mainland of the same name, and the island of Vvardenfell, which are separated by the Inner Sea. Solstheim is also considered to be part of the province as of 4E 16, before which it was a part of Skyrim.

Morrowind was formerly the homeland of the Dwemer and Chimer, and now of the Dunmer, also known as Dark Elves. Although the Tribunal was a great influence in politics, Morrowind was ruled by King Hlaalu Helseth and the Grand Council during the events of and  in 3E 427. The island of Vvardenfell serves as the setting for.

Merethic Era
The prophet Veloth led the Chimer to the land that would be known as Morrowind at some point in the Middle Merethic Era. The Dwemer also settled the area around this time. It is unclear exactly which group of mer arrived in the area first, although the records of the Dwemer allegedly reach back further. The Veolthi built many towers at this time, alongside a number of "High Elven" towers. The term "High Elven" is unexplained in this text, as the Altmer are not mentioned by name as having any political involvement with the Chimer at this time.

This period of success was followed by an unexplained period of decline of the original Velothi Chimer culture, which allowed the Dwemer to gain a more established foothold on the land, and the first known Dwemer settlements date from this period. This ultimately led to intercine war between the Chimer and Dwemer, which lasted into the First Era.

Chimer-Dunmer Warfare
Disputes over territory marked the early interactions between the two groups of Mer in Morrowind in the First Era. These battles were allegedly fueled by conflicting religious beliefs of the two cultures, with the Chimer affronted by the Dwemer's lack of respect for the Daedra they worshipped, and the Dwemer either worshiped an unknown force or were more agnostic in their beliefs.

Invasion of the Nords and the Formation of the First Council
This disorganisation contributed to the conquest of Morrowind by the Nords under Vrage the Gifted, which took a mere 50 years. conquest of the Nords forced the Chimer and Dunmer to overlook their differences and unite, forming the First Council. This coalition drove out the Nords and formed the nation of Resdayn, which stimulated the formation the Great Houses. It was achieved largely because of the friendship between Indoril Nerevar and Dumac Dwarfking, but ended with the War of the First Council.

The War of the First Council
Some claim that the war was simply due to continued religious differences between the Chimer and the Dwemer, others because the Chimer found various Dwemer sorcerous practices detestable. The event that likely sparked the march to war was the discovery by House Dagoth that the Dwemer had discovered the Heart of Lorkhan beneath Red Mountain. This led to heated negotiations between Nerevar and Dumac Dwarfking. Upon being told by Azura that the Dwemer were building a new god under the mountain, Nerevar and the Tribunal, currently only advisors, issued an ultimatum to the Dwemer to stop work on their new god, or face destruction. Dumac, ignorant of the discovery of the Heart, refused. And so the Chimer and Dwemer went to war.

The war saw the Chimer divided, as House Dagoth sided with the Dwemer against the other Dunmer houses. House Dagoth invited Orcs and Nords as allies, which the Nords saw as time to reclaim their old domains and claim the Heart of Lorkhan. The exact course of the war is unclear, but all sources claim the war ended in the Battle of Red Mountain.

The Battle of Red Mountain
All forces involved in the War met at Red Mountain. During the battle, there was a major standoff at the chamber where the Heart of Lorkhan was kept. One tale claims Nerevar, the Tribunal and Dagoth Ur snuck into the chamber where the Heart of Lorkhan was kept, and confront Dumac and Kagrenac. In the ensuing battle, Dumac is killed, although precisely who killed Dumac is uncertain. Some sources claim Nerevar,  others Wulfharth,  and yet others a Khajiit called Dro'Zira. Sources are similarly unclear as to whether Nerevar was killed during the battle,  died from his wounds after the battle,  or was murdered by the Tribunal. All sources agree that the Dwemer disappeared, and som elaborate that Kagrenac's Tools fell into the hands of Nerevar and the Tribunal. Voryn Dagoth, a traitor of House Dagoth, was left guarding the Tools with the Heart while the Tribunal and Nerevar discuss what to do. When they returned, he refused to hand them over but was defeated and fled into the depths of Red Mountain.

The Tribunal's Apotheosis and Azura's Curse
Following the battle, either directly after or some years after, the Tribunal use Kagrenac's Tools to tap the power of the Heart and become living gods. Either at this point, or the point where they murder Nerevar, Azura appears to curse them for their treachery, turning the Chimer into the Dunmer as a punishment, and prophesying Nerevar's return.

Formation of the Temple and Grand Council
Following their apotheosis, the Tribunal formed the Tribunal Temple, claiming that they were better-suited to look after the people of Morrowind than the fickle Daedra. The Tribunal also outlawed the inter-house conflicts that had been a part of much of Chimer history, sanctioning the Morag Tong guild to carry out assassinations in lieu of full-blown inter-house conflict. However, there are instances of conflict between the Houses even after this time.

The First Council was renamed the Grand Council, and consisted of only the victorious houses. The Ashlanders, nomadic Dunmer arranged into tribes rather than settled Houses, refused to worship the Tribunal, continuing in ancestor and Daedra worship. Over time, the webs of allegiances between the settled Dunmer and the peace brought by the Grand Council meant that they developed rapidly, forcing the nomadic Ashlanders into the less fertile lands of the province.

The First Akaviri Invasion
In 1E 2700 or 2703, a force of Tsaesci invaded Tamriel. The Tribunal joined with the Second Empire to defeat the Tsaesci, Vivec allegedly forming an alliance with the king of the Dreugh as part of this effort.

The Four Score War
Relations ultimately worsened between the Empire and Morrowind, resulting in the the Four Score War breaking out in 1E 2840. The Tribunal took an active role in both the battles and negotiations of the war, which ultimately ended with no change of territories in 2920, the last year of the First Era.

At the same time as the treaty was being negotiated, Reman III and his sons were murdered by the Morag Tong. Some claim this was done on the orders of the Akaviri Potentate Versidue-Shaie, who also ratified the final treaty between the Empire and Morrowind.

The Second Akaviri Invasion and the Ebonheart Pact
Kamal from Akavir invaded the kingdom of Eastern Skyrim in 2E 572. The Dunmer joined with the Nords and Argonians to drive them out, forming the Ebonheart Pact. Following the expulsion of the Akaviri, the Pact made a bid for the Ruby Throne of Cyrodiil, led by the Nord Jorun Skald-King. The reasons for the traditionally insular Dunmer following this venture are unclear, but it may be that they believe that the divine nature of the Tribunal and their ability to defend Tamriel from external threats gave them that right, or as part of a desire to remain independent of any continent-spanning empire.

The Pact ultimately disbanded before the end of the Interregnum, in unknown circumstances.

War and Armistice with Tiber Septim
Tiber Septim made clear preparations to invade Resdayn after conquering Hammerfell. The Great Houses were divided on how to oppose the Empire, leaving House Redoran standing alone against the legions. There were several border skirmishes, and Mournhold was destroyed by Imperial troops.

Shortly after this, Vivec met with Tiber Septim and signed an armistice which integrated the new province of Morrowind into the Empire while guaranteeing "all rights of faith and self-government." The Empire installed Barenziah as a figurehead queen, and the Imperial Legions occupied Morrowind, but also agreed to not interfere with the affairs of the Tribunal, and left most of the local government to the Great Houses and the Temple. There are also rumours that Vivec offered Tiber the Numidium as part of the agreement.

The Armistice was unilaterally declared by Vivec, and came as a surprise to most of the Grand Council, and the Temple. It was accepted by Houses Hlaalu, Redoran and Telvanni, while House Indoril, backed by House Dres, swore to resist to the death. The head of the council, an Indoril, refused to sign the treaty, was assassinated and replaced by a Hlaalu, who also seized control of several local councils. Many remaining Indoril nobles committed suicide rather than submit to Imperial rule, further weakening the House.

Arnesian War
The Arnesian War started as an Argonian slave revolt during the Imperial Simulacrum (3E 389-3E 399). The revolt escalated into full conflict thanks to the alleged torture and death of Roris, who was later canonised by the Temple. The revolt caused the death of the Imperial general Symmachus, and the flight and abdication of Queen Barenziah. Despite these setbacks, Morrowind ultimately prevailed in the war, taking land from the Argonians.

The Rise of Dagoth Ur and the Nerevarine
The uneasy truce between Temple, King, and House was beginning to crumble. Dagoth Ur was ascending, the Tribunal was collapsing, but, according to current popular rumor, a miracle occurred. Indoril Nerevar was reborn and returned to Morrowind to set things to right, but it was only supposed, just as much as the Nerevarine traveled to Akavir. No one really knew what happened, but what is certain is that the Dunmer rapidly changed the way they were organised both politically and culturally in a relativity short period of time.

Firstly, the Tribunal would collapse upon the defeat of the "Sixth House" with Almalexia and Sotha Sil missing, rumoured to be dead, and Vivec renouncing any right to rule the Dunmer of Morrowind. This led to a huge social revolution in which many began to renounce their reverence towards the "fake gods of the Tribunal" in favor of the traditional Daedric Lords Boethiah, Mephala, and Azura, as the Dunmer had done back when they still were the Chimer. Nowadays, the Temple scorns the Tribunes, whom they consider villainous charlatans, and worships the three Daedric Lords; they are now the "Reclamations", as they have reclaimed their place in the hearts and minds of the Dunmer. The Ashlanders, who were previously seen as heretics, are now regarded as a wise people who knew the truth about the Tribunal all along. It is now not uncommon for Dumner to make lengthy and dangerous pilgrimages to the lands of the Ashlanders in order to get council from their wise women. King Helseth Hlaalu, despite opposition from House Dres, and his own House of Hlaalu, abolished slavery by 3E 433, and also, during his reign, reformed the Grand Council, taking it to a more traditional Dunmer system of government, all of which also had profound effects on Morrowind's society.

Fourth Era
In 4E 5, despite repeated efforts by the mages of Vivec City to keep it in place after the disappearance of Vivec, the Ministry of Truth, suspended above the city, continued its initial trajectory and fell. The city, once the jewel of the isle, was now merely a bay of boiling water. The impact was so immense that its shock waves were felt far across the land, rupturing the island and causing Red Mountain to erupt. The eruption produced a massive amount of casualties and devastation, with most of the land on Vvardenfell and in the immediate vicinity of the Inner Sea obliterated. The effects were widespread, having plunged Vvardenfell into chaos and spreading its remains across Morrowind and into the surrounding lands of Skyrim and Solstheim. The immediate effects caused catastrophic damage to the surrounding regions, but indirect effects were also observed, including climatic changes in the surrounding region and the spread of flora and fauna indigenous to Vvardenfell. It is reported that the eruption also had profound effects on the unique nirnroot plant. The initial eruption lasted from 4E 5 to 4E 6,, but the caldera remained violently active centuries later, including continuously emitting smoke and causing shock waves which still directly effect the land.

In the wake of the catastrophes of both the Oblivion Crisis and the eruption of Red Mountain, Morrowind was as weak as it had ever been. A large portion of its lands now lay in ruins and in the aftermath of the collapse of both the Tribunal and Imperial rule, the Great Houses were left bitterly divided. Despite renouncing slavery and abolishing the ownership of peoples of any kind, the newly independent Argonia remained bitter toward its northern rivals. Spearheaded by the extremist An-Xileel, the Argonians began their invasion of Morrowind, a conflict know as the Accession War. They began with Tear and gradually advanced North sacking both Narsis and Port Telvannis, crippling the Great House of Telvanni. With the absence of the Imperial Legion, little resistance was present and after years of of brutal slaughter the Argonians finally reached Mournhold, the seat of Morrowind's government. The capital city fell after a prolonged siege, and with its fall the Argonian forces held half of Morrowind - a victory which, however, would prove to be short-lived.

House Redoran, famous for its warriors, who fought courageously at Ald'ruhn in the Oblivion Crisis, rose in superiority as House Hlaalu dwindled, rallying the remaining Great Houses together, forming a well disciplined militia. After a long counter-offensive lasting a year, the Great Houses pushed the Argonians back to a point where, by 4E 201, An-Xileel only held the border regions including the city of Tear. Despite this victory, however, Morrowind still lay ruined, with much of the south pillaged, and Vvardenfell would remain uninhabitable for longer still. House Redoran would reform the government of Morrowind and relocate the Great Council and Capital of Morrowind to the Rootspire, located in the new Redoran capital of Blacklight.

From Blacklight the houses of Redoran, Indoril, Sadras, Dres and Telvanni would rule Morrowind; however, most houses were a shadow of their former glory. House Indoril was now left without its ruined capital Mournhold, and was also bereft of the guidance of the Tribunal (although it soon effectively became part of the New Tribunal, to the point where being a priest of the New Tribunal is considered to be a member of House Indoril). House Telvanni suffered from the destruction of Sadrith Mora and the sacking of Port Telvannis. The loss of the slave trade would cause House Dres to lose its main source of revenue; additionally, many of its plantations were destroyed. House Sadras rose to prominence, filling the void as the influence of House Hlaalu began to wane. In less than fifty years, House Sadras grew from nothing to an integral political faction, filling the void left by Hlaalu  in the governance of the province. House Hlaalu, arguably the most influential house of Imperial Morrowind, had also lost out after the abolition of slavery. Worse was to come; when the Empire released its grasp from Morrowind, leaving the Dunmer exposed, the Great Houses placed blame on the Imperial-aligned faction and, as a result, the Great Houses striped them of their right to rule; House Hlaalu was no longer one of the Great Houses.

In 4E 16, the elves of Morrowind were presented with the lands of Solstheim by the High King of Skyrim, as a safe haven for refugees that were fleeing poverty, harsher volcanic conditions, and violence which ravaged their homeland. The East Empire Company settlement of Raven Rock took on many influences from the south as it took on these refugees. Upon the Company leaving the island in 4E 170, House Redoran took it upon themselves to administer the land. House Telvanni would also have a hand in colonizing the island, in the form of Tel Mithryn.

Many refugees, however, would flee the province itself, seeking greater opportunities elsewhere. Many Dunmer, especially those aligned with House Hlaalu, would flee to Cheydinhal. Cheydinhal already had an established Dunmer populace, including in the nobility, and had a long history of accepting migrants escaping Morrowind's rigid society and heathen Tribunal Temple theocracy. Skyrim would also be a port-of-call. Riften would accept many of those attempting to flee; however, many would succumb to rising levels of poverty. Thousands of refugees would pass through Dunmeth Pass in order to reach Eastmarch. The decrepit tower Refugees' Rest, located on Skyrim's side of the pass, served as a meeting place for the refugees who achieved safe passage into Skyrim and where they could find loved ones, and leave notice for others who could not be found, suggesting that many fell foul of the harsh mountainous conditions that lay before them. In Eastmarch, many would try to recreate the societies and cultures they knew and loved back home. In the mountains south of Winterhold, those faithful to the Daedric Prince Azura would construct a glorious shrine in thanks to her warning of the eruption.

It is to be believed that the people of Skyrim felt pity for the Dunmer's plight, as expressed by the gift of Solstheim and the memorial at Dunmeth Pass. Some of the Dunmer who fled Morrowind during the Red Year came to Windhelm and were given their own section of the city to occupy in the "Gray Quarter" (previously known as the "Snow Quarter"), re-named in reference to the Dunmer skin color. During the civil war in Skyrim, some Dunmer expressed discontent for Ulfric's governance as Jarl, feeling that he should allocate more resources to improve the living conditions of the Gray Quarter.

It is unclear whether, after the Imperial abandonment of the province, the Dunmer retained their Imperial imposed monarchy. In the Imperial days, the Monarch served as the head of the Grand Council and was the representative of the Emperor in the province. He was served by a variety of nobility such as the Duke of the Imperial District of Vvardenfell, and, with the aid of House Hlaalu, solidified the Empire's grip on a province, which was in theory guaranteed a large amount of autonomy. It would be wise to predict that the Monarchy, especially as its Imperial aspects waned after the Oblivion Crisis, and the eruption of Red Mountain, or, if it had not been overthrown or had fled already, would have been slaughtered during the Argonian advance. It is unclear if there is a single person who heads the Grand Council in the absence of both a Monarch and the Tribunal, as it is also unclear how the system of government functions as a unified province. The Great Houses may elect a leader, or a leader may be chosen from the most influential house (currently House Redoran). There may not be a leader at all, and in the event that the Houses act as a unified province the leaders of the Houses work together, one can only guess.

Government
The government of Morrowind was composed of a central governing hand known as either the King or Queen of Morrowind, which was put in place by the Emperor for the Empire of Tamriel. The person holding this office was also a member of the Elder Council of the Empire of Tamriel.

The province was also controlled by five clans, known as the Great Houses. The head members of each Great House were all part of the Grand Council, which was under the command of the King of Morrowind and indirectly by the Tribunal.

Great Houses
The Great Houses of Morrowind were political parties that ruled over the province. The Great Houses derived from ancient Dunmer clans and tribes, from their ancestors, but in the modern era, were political parties.

As of the modern era, there were five Great Houses: House Hlaalu, House Redoran, House Telvanni, House Indoril, and House Dres. Of these five Great Houses, three were interested in Vvardenfell. These three Great Houses included House Redoran, House Telvanni, and House Hlaalu. House Indoril and House Dres were not involved in the affairs of Vvardenfell, and instead centered themselves on the mainland.

Being a member of a Great House usually meant being a part of the corresponding family that owned the Great House. However, if one was not a part of a Great House, that person could become a retainer or be adopted into a Great House. If an outlander wanted to become a member of a Great House, they could gain status as a servant and/or hireling and pledge exclusive loyalty to a single Great House. After working hard enough, showing faithful service, loyalty and honor, and advancement in lower ranks, the outlander could be adopted into a Great House. Adoption into a Great House and advancement in ranking required that a Great House councilor stand as sponsor for the candidate. Finding a council to sponsor an outlander often had the outlander performing a great, important service to the councilor.

House Indoril
House Indoril claims kinship with all three of the legendary Tribunes, which doubtless accounts for Indoril's preeminence among the five clans. Indoril's capital is Almalexia, also the capital of Morrowind itself, and the Temple priesthood (which is one and the same as the bureaucracy of civil government) is dominated by the Indoril and their subclans.

House Hlaalu
House Hlaalu is the smallest and weakest of the five clans, clinging to Great House status in their ancient capital of Narsis, but have since been thrown off the Grand Council, their seat taken by House Sadras. Traditional enemies of the Indoril, who have controlled the levers of government for 3,000 years, the continued resilience of the Hlaalu must inspire a certain respect. Merchants and traders in a land that despises outsiders, the Hlaalu nevertheless maintain a limited commerce with the Empire, trading stout Imperial broadcloth and Cyrodilic Brandy for the elegant trinkets produced by the admittedly skilled craftsmen of Morrowind. In the Fourth Era House Hlaalu lost its position in the Grand Council due to its ties to the Empire, it was replaced by House Sadras.

House Sadras
House Sadras is a Great Dunmer House that rose to prominence during the Fourth Era. Having past ties to the Empire immediately turned House Hlaalu into the scapegoat for the Dunmer people's suffering. This led to House Hlaalu no longer being recognized as a Great House and were dismissed from the Council. Therefore, House Sadras joined the ruling Council of Morrowind, along with House Telvanni, Dres, Indoril, and Redoran.

House Redoran
House Redoran guards the western flank of Morrowind, and are known as the best warriors among the Dunmer. Each warrior of the house is sworn to a strict code of honor as to maintain the Redorans warrior reputation. Redoran towns and strongholds, such as Ald'ruhn, generally have distinctive buildings made from the shells of Emperor Crabs, large creatures who are long extinct.

House Telvanni
House Telvanni is the most xenophobic of a xenophobic race, shunning all contact with outsiders, preferring to tend their herds of giant insects amid the rocky hills and islands of the extreme northeast. Telvanni Bug-Musk is a highly prized perfume among the Dunmer, and their riding-insects command the highest prices in the markets of Almalexia and Narsis. House Telvanni is controlled by a high council of wizard-lords. Each Lord has domain over his or her own stronghold, which is usually the center of a small town of which they also rule. Wizard-Lords are often extremely powerful Dunmer wizards, often reigning for hundreds or even thousands of years. Telvanni towns are often distinguished by their towers which are entirely organic structures that are literally grown as plants. These towers often house the wizard-lords and their subjects who live nearby. The other Dunmer clans give the Telvanni the worst reputation, mostly because they choose to stay out of struggles among houses and remain isolated, caring only for their own.

House Dres
House Dres rules the southern sweep of Morrowind, where the fertile Deshaan Plains merges with the swamps of Black Marsh. The Dres are the great slave-traders and plantation owners of Morrowind. Thousands of wretched captives, mainly Argonians, but including a few Khajiits and even Imperial citizens, pass through the infamous slave-pens of Tear, the Dres capital, from whence most find an early death on the plantations which surround that ill-omened city.

Military
It is argued by Historians and Scholars that, aside from Cyrodiil, the Dunmer nation of Resdayn is the most powerful province in terms of military might, yet political division has always prevented this from being utilised effectively. Only during invasion has Morrowind stood united.

While under Imperial rule, Morrowind was under the protection of the Imperial Legion. The Legion works for the Imperial government with support from the Emperor. In peacetime, the legionnaires serve as guards; in war, they are used as an invasion force. Their huge numbers and strict discipline cause even the most battle-hardened army to question their tactics. With wide ranks of hundreds of disciplined soldiers, the Imperial Legion is a force not to be trifled with. During the Oblivion Crisis, however, it fell to House Redoran to organize the Dunmer into an effective fighting force against the Daedra. House Redoran had a very effective army by the end of the crisis and were able to hold their own when the Argonians invaded. While the southern half of Morrowind was ravaged, House Redoran led the Dunmer in the defense of the northern half and was able to hold the invaders. This gained the Redoran much respect from their people, and from then onward they became the most powerful and respected Great House in Morrowind and has the most effective army in Morrowind.

Dunmer warriors favored a wonderfully light armor made from the carapace of insects, covered over with a finely-woven cloak of spider silk and wrapped several times around the torso. A turban protected the head and face from the ubiquitous ash, with goggles of transparent resin; loose trousers and high boots completed the dress. While this made for an outlandish appearance, travelers would understand the utility of these garments the first time one is caught out of doors in one of the frequent ash storms without such protection. This natural, light armor was known as Chitin Armor.

Warriors of the Great Houses wear a unique heavy plate armor called Bonemold Armor. It was fashioned from actual bone that was reinforced with a resin-like material and then shaped to form the armored plating. Although it appeared brittle, it was said to be comparable to iron or steel armors. The entire armor set included a chest piece, helm or helmet, greaves or gauntlets, bonemold boots, and shield. There were also two variants of the chest piece, which included a pauldron armor and guard armor.

Economy
Morrowind was originally an agrarian aristocracy; mostly free farmers and herders and fishermen, all ruled by the Great Houses and their noble councils. After the Imperial occupation, and especially on Vvardenfell, the Dunmer developed a mercantile economy based on the model of the Empire, ruled by the Emperor, law, and legions, but driven by trade in crafts and goods.

Morrowind's production was based on the mining of Kwama Eggs, Ebony, and Raw Glass. Morrowind was considered to have vast supplies of these rare resources beneath Red Mountain, yet these had been barely tapped until the recent defeat of Dagoth Ur, which opened Red Mountain up to expansion in the mining industry.

Geography
Located in the north-east of Tamriel, Morrowind is a largely alien and inhospitable place where the sky is darkened regularly by furious ash storms belched forth from the mighty Red Mountain, the largest volcano in Tamriel. The familiar flora and fauna of Tamriel is exchanged for bizarre and twisted forms that can survive the regular ashfall. In the ash lands, cloaked and masked Dunmer tend herds of giant insects and Netch. One can also observe Dunmer riding extremely large insects. Much of the landscape is as twisted and mountainous as its neighbor Skyrim, but it is a hot and desolate land, even far from Vvardenfell, where the Red Mountain is located. Previously named Resdayn, Veloth, Dwemereth, and Dunmereth, it had been called "Morrowind" for the last two Eras.

Stonefalls
The Stonefalls region is a volcanic region located south of the Inner Sea and Vvardenfell. Because of the two volcanoes situated on the eastern and western ends of the region, Stonefalls is flowing with lava. The eastern Ashland is where Ash Mountain is located, the city of Davon's Watch is located on the coast. The north is more fertile and is where the city of Ebonheart is located. The south is more inland and is where the Tormented Spire is located. The city of Kragenmoor is located near the border.

Deshaan Plain
The Deshaan Plains are a fertile grazeland located in south central Morrowind, south of Stonefalls, and north of the border. The central mountains are where Mournhold, the capital of Morrowind is located. The eastern farmlands are where many Velothi ruins are found. The city of Tear is located here. The western basin is where the House Hlaalu capital of Narsis is located.

Solstheim
The island of Solstheim was a gift from the High King of Skyrim. It has an ashen landscape in the south where Raven Rock is due to the eruptions of Red Mountain, but the north of the island is covered in icy glaciers home to the Skaal at the Skaal Village. Solstheim is ruled by House Redoran; the Redoran Guard there wear a large armor set called Bonemold Armor. Solstheim makes an appearances in both and.

Vivec City
Named after one of the Tribunal gods, Vivec lies on the southern coast of the island of Vvardenfell and projects well into the sea. The city of Vivec lies firmly in the jurisdiction of the Tribunal Temple. Ordinators serve as both the temple guard and city police, and operate in a dual capacity. In one sense, the Ordinators are tasked with keeping the peace and maintaining the law. In the other sense, they are theocratic police and are charged with identifying, arresting, detaining, and processing dissidents of the Temple. After Baar Dau fell, the city was destroyed.

Mournhold
The city of Mournhold, sometimes called the City of Gems, is home to King Helseth Hlaalu, the ruler of Morrowind, and the god Almalexia, a member of the Tribunal, as well as birthplace of Queen Barenziah. It is referred to as "The city of light and magic" by the local people. In, it is stated that Mournhold was sacked by Argonians some time during the Fourth Era, but is in the process of rebuilding.

Balmora
Balmora is located in the southern part of Vvardenfell and is the district seat of House Hlaalu, one of the Dunmer Great Houses, and the largest settlement on Vvardenfell after Vivec City. The Hlaalu Council Manor, the location of House Hlaalu's bureaucracy and leadership, was located within the city of Balmora. Imperial-constructed roads led south to Pelagiad, Seyda Neen, Ebonheart, and Vivec City, and led North to Hla Oad, Caldera, and Ald'ruhn.

Ebonheart
The town is composed of several islands, surrounded by walls and connected by small bridges. There is also a port, offering ship transfer to various coastal towns on Vvardenfell. Ebonheart is the seat of Imperial rule on the island of Vvardenfell, the regional headquarters of the East Empire Company, the Imperial Legion, and the home of Castle Ebonheart, wherein the Duke of Vvardenfell, Vedam Dren resides. It is named after the city of Old Ebonheart on the mainland of Morrowind, across the Inner Sea. The castle is very well protected from attack, since it resides on hills surrounded by water. The Second Era faction the Ebonheart Pact is believed to have been named after the city.

Sadrith Mora
The coastal city Sadrith Mora is located on an island on the eastern side of Vvardenfell. It is ruled by House Telvanni, and home to Neloth, a Dunmer mage of the Master rank in House Telvanni. Sadrith Mora has the Imperial Fort, Wolverine Hall, which includes a Fighters Guild, a Mages Guild, and an Imperial Shrine. Stalls, shops, and homes line the curving main pathway that runs around the base of the central hill on which Master Neloth's tower, Tel Naga, is built. Following Red Mountain's eruption in the Fourth Era, it was believed to have been destroyed.

Ald'ruhn
Ald'ruhn is a major city located in the region known as Vvardenfell, in the home of the Dunmer race, Morrowind. Ald'ruhn is the district seat of House Redoran, one of the Dunmer Great Houses, and a large settlement. The Redoran Council Chambers are located inside the shell of an ancient, extinct giant crab. Imperial-constructed roads lead north to the villages of Maar Gan and Gnisis, and lead south to the major city of Balmora. Ald'ruhn is one of the largest settlements in Vvardenfell.

Blacklight
Blacklight is a city located on the northwestern coast of Morrowind, near the border of Skyrim. Following the Red Year and the sack of Almalexia by the Argonians, it became the capital of Morrowind and home to House Redoran. Many citizens of Blacklight moved to parts of Skyrim, most notably Windhelm, and also a large proportion moved to Solstheim. A Temple of Azura is known to exist, where Neria Relethyl resides.

Necrom
Necrom, also known as "The City of the Dead", is in the east of Morrowind. Necrom perpetuates a religious tradition that predates the Tribunal cult. From across Morrowind, Dark Elves of every clan bring their dead in solemn processions that can last for months. From the mainland, Necrom, with its lofty walls and white towers, appears to be an immense necropolis, an impression that is strengthened by the constant traffic of corpses across the causeway into the city, a traffic which never ceases, day or night.

Narsis
Narsis, situated in the south of Morrowind, is the capital city of the Great House Hlaalu. In the Fourth Era, it was sacked by the Argonians of Black Marsh, during the Argonian Invasion, which is one of the reasons why House Hlaalu has lost great influence in Morrowind.

Tear
Tear is the southern most city of the province of Morrowind. It is the capital of House Dres, and, as such, had a large population of slaves. And as such, the Argonians destroyed the city, to take revenge on years of slavery by the Dunmer.

Culture
Three major cultural groupings settled Morrowind: the Great House groups, the Ashlanders, and the Imperials. The smallest settlements were the Ashlander nomadic camps, compromised of small, portable huts. Recent Imperial colonies like Pelagiad display the same half timbered homes and stone castles as might be found in High Rock or any other western province. But the dominant culture is the Dunmer Great House culture.

Tribunal Temple
The strange heathen religion of the House Dark Elves deserves special note. They worship three gods known as "the Tribunal", and believe these gods walk the earth and rule Morrowind directly. To an outsider, the priesthood of the Tribunal seems to be the true power in Morrowind. Each Tribune, who go by the names of Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec, has an eponymous city dedicated to its worship, and a palace or temple within each city where the god supposedly resides. The priests of the Tribunal Temple are omnipotent in Morrowind; strange processions of fantastically garbed priests roam the land, selecting new candidates to serve the Tribunal, who are seized without resistance and never seen again.

Only the highest of the Tribunal priests, or persons of spiritual greatness chosen by a Tribunal themselves, come into contact with these revered figures. Tribunal temples are in every native Morrowind city, generally in circularly-shaped buildings, and the Tribunal religion is often referred to as just the Temple. The Temple is spread to all Great Houses and is the religion practiced by all native Dunmer, excluding the Ashlanders, whom the Temple looks down upon.

Worshippers must go on a quest to many pilgrimages to become full, respected members of the Tribunal Temple, many of these involving offerings to shrines. The Tribunal and the Dunmer saints of the religion are worshiped at three-sided shrines which offer healing and blessings to the followers with the proper offerings as necessary. The Temple has strict rules and is a formidable power in Morrowind, and it is dangerous to attack it in anyway, verbally or physically. The Temple makes strong campaigns against Vampires, Daedra worship, and Necromancy, and is, at all times, trying to diminish their numbers.

Each god is a distinct figure to temple members. Vivec the Poet is known for his generosity and skill in battle, and is a patron for rogues and artists. Almalexia is known for her kindness and healing nature. Sotha Sil is best known for his skill in wizardry and mechanics. A book series has been written about the events of these gods called, 2920, The Last Year of the First Era and also a book in a religious series entitled 36 Lessons of Vivec. The Tribunal has allied with three Daedra lords (Azura, Mephala, and Boethiah) who are referred to as the "anticipations".

After Almalexia murdered Sotha Sil in madness, and she herself was killed by the Nerevarine, their worship had stopped. Vivec had also left, leaving his status unknown and resulting in the worship of the Tribunal abolished and instead had gone to worshipping Azura, Mehphala, and Boethiah.

Daedra worship
Daedra worship, or the Daedra cult, is thought of as the antithesis of the Tribunal. The religion is comprised of members who serve and worship divine figures known as "Daedric Princes" or "Daedra Lords". Outsiders, particularly Tribunal or Nine Divines worshippers, generally view Daedra cultists as barbaric and sinister, which is, in part, justified by many hostile groups. People of all races are known to worship Daedra.

Hostility from human Daedra worshippers is directly related to the cruel nature of the Daedra Lords. Recognizable Daedra Lords include: Mephala, Azura, Boethiah, Clavicus Vile, Nocturnal, Vaermina, Sheogorath, Mehrunes Dagon, Malacath, and Molag Bal. Daedric Lords in Morrowind are worshiped at giant, easily recognizable citadels that are dedicated to specific Lords. A Daedroth is a demon-like creature that serves a Daedra Lord; they come in many forms and are immortal, to a degree.

The Ashlanders
The Ashlanders' beliefs are very different from other religions in Morrowind. They believe in an ancient prophecy involving the Nerevarine, that is meant to save the native Dunmer from outlanders, or the Empire. The Temple believes them to be savages and kill anyone who would claim to be part of the prophecy.

Demographics
On the Isle of Vvardenfell, which was only recently opened to settlement and trade, most of the island's population was confined to the relatively hospitable west and southwest coast, centered on the ancient city of Vivec and the old Great House district centers at Balmora, Ald'ruhn, and Sadrith Mora. The rest of the island was covered by hostile desert wastes, arid grasslands, and volcanic badlands and thinly populated by the nomadic Ashlander tribes.

On the Mainland, the population is more evenly spread across the Province, with major cities such as Mournhold, Tear, Narsis, Necrom, Port Telvannis, Blacklight, and Silgrad Tower holding very large portions of the Province's residents.

The grey-skinned, red-eyed Dark Elves seem admirably suited to their strange, ash-blighted region. They are known as the Dunmer in the Elven tongue, and now populate the great stretch of northeastern Tamriel between the Velothi Mountains and the sea, and between the southern edge of the Deshaan Plains and the northern coast. But from whence these unusual people came, what was their race and lineage, or where their original home, ere they spread themselves over Morrowind and the Deshaan, are questions easier asked than answered. The Dark Elves must have split from the original trunk of the Elven race many long eons ago, for although unquestionably akin to the other Elves of Tamriel, the Dark Elves differ in many ways, not least in their striking appearance. The ash-grey skin and glowing red eyes of a Dark Elf make them instantly recognizable. Like all elves, they tend to be tall and gaunt, but the Dark Elves take the Elvish haughtiness to an extreme, viewing humans as no better than beasts, fit only to serve as slaves on the plantations of Tear.

They consider themselves superior even to other Elves, who, in their estimation, are effete and decadent specimens of the pure Elven race. The earliest human records bearing on the subject (which remain the best source until the archives of the Altmer are opened to Imperial scholars) are the chronicles of the Nords. The Nords gave to the region the name of Dunmereth from being the land of the Dunmer; but in earlier ages it was called by themselves Resdayn; and Imperial Librarian Elba Laskee traces the foundation of the Dark Elven nation back to above 3,500 years from the present time. Morrowind was not given its modern name until after the first eruption of Vvardenfell.

Appearances




Morrowind Морровинд Morrowind Morrowind Morrowind Морровінд