Markarth

"The capital city of Markarth is a nigh-impregnable stone fortress that would make an excellent defensive position for either side of the Skyrim Civil War."

- Anonymous

Markarth otherwise known as Markarth Side or the City of Stone is the westernmost city in Skyrim. Markarth was built outside the Dwemer city of Nchuand-Zel and is apart of a region known as the reach which actually expands beyond Skyrim and into Wrothgar and Bangkorai.

Geography
Markarth is built at the base of the Druadach Mountains. The northern side of the city is on a higher cliff than the southern side of the city. The homes are built atop the market district. The mines and The Warrens are located at the bottom of the city. Markarth is overall built around a waterfall and it's rivers.

First Era
Markarth was originally owned by the Dwemer until their disappearance in 1E 700. Eventually, the mixed Nord-Breton descendants of the reach known as the Reachman took control of Markarth and the surrounding nations.

The city of Nchuand-Zel was built within the walls it was built on. It was the home of either two clans or two families of Dwemer. Each group oversaw the city. A tree in the quarters was considered to have significance. Dwemer goods were locked away in the city armory.

Ryain Direnni stood up against the Alessian Reforms by conquering land as far east as Markarth and Elinhir with an army of Direnni Elves and Bretons.

In a span off three years, dwarven cities from the Druadach Mountains to the Velothi Mountains were toppled by the then High King of Skyrim.

At the end of the first era, the Nordic Kingdom of Markarth was established. During the reign of the Reman Empire, Emperor Kastav ordered the Dragonguard to put jarls from both Markarth and Hroldan to make sure they agree to a conscription quota.

Second Era
When the Reman Empire fallen and the Akaviri Potentate failed, the Reachman conspired with Mannimarco and the Tharn Family to grow Molag Bal's Planemeld. Vanus Galerion attacked the Reachman city while hunting for the King of Worms.

Tiber Septim himself founded the Imperial College of the Voice.

Third Era
During the Imperial Simulacrum, the Eternal Champion had at one point visited the city in their quest for a piece of the Staff of Chaos. At the time it was known as Markarth Side.

Fourth Era
After the Oblivion Crisis, a group known as the Inner Circle was formed to destroy the Mythic Dawn cult for their actions leading to Mehrunes Dagon's conquest over Tamriel. A native Reachman named Sorcha was the keeper of the pommel of Mehrunes' Razor and she lived in Markarth where she was taxed for each of her kin. Her descendant during the Skyrim Civil War, Drascua, is the leader of the Forsworn at Dead Crone Rock.

During the Great War, Markarth was invaded by the Forsworn in an uprising since Skyrim was too busy fighting the war against the Aldmeri Dominion. Ulfric Stormcloak of Windhelm arrives with his militia of soldiers and defeats the Forsworn out of Markarth. Their leader, Madanach would later be sent to the Cidhna Mine along with other Forsworn members. This event would later be known as the Markarth Incident. The Last Dragonborn arrived into Markarth and witnessed a quarrel at the marketplace which leads them to uncovering a Forsworn Conspiracy. Despite Ulfric's assistance in the Markarth Incident, Markarth has been an Imperial City.

An expedition had occurred in the ruined cities of Nchuand-Zel, however the people who had gone to the ruins never came back. The Last Dragonborn ventured into the city and uncovered the mystery that happened in Nchuand-Zel.

By Game

 * Markarth Side (Arena)
 * Markarth (Skyrim)