Falkreath Hold

Falkreath Hold, Falkreath, or New Falkreath is a forest dense region located in the southern portion of Skyrim, it is one of the nine holds that make up the entire province. Falkreath is home to Skyrim's Pine Forests, a large forest that becomes enveloped in a shroud of mist. The region is also home to Lake Ilinalta, one of the biggest lakes in Northern Tamriel.

Western Falkreath
Western Falkreath is the western region in the hold and is located near the Eastern Reach in Skyrim. It is because of that fact; western Falkreath has had more contact with the denizens of the Reach and other oddities than the rest of Falkreath Hold. Most of Western Falkreath is uncharted, territory beyond the main road which itself, is located on the shores of Lake Ilinalta. Deep within the forest are creatures such as Hagravens and Spriggans. The region is home to several witches covens, some that have territory from places as far as the Ilessan Hills. The Glenmoril Witches along with the Hagfeather Coven live in Western Falkreath, more so on the cliffs of the Jerall Mountains. According to legend, there is an ancient temple dedicated to Nocturnal called the Twilight Sepulcher located deep within in the forest.

Central Falkreath
Central Falkreath is the epicenter of the region, regardless of the name. The capital of Falkreath Hold is located here, the city of Falkreath is home to one of the biggest gravesites in due to the widespread of war located throughout the region. Falkreath was once a part of the Colovian Estates, a separate government from the Alessian Empire, which dates back to the First Era. Lake Ilinalta is perhaps the biggest lake in Skyrim and takes a vast majority of Central Falkreath and it has a wide variety of fish and other aquatic creatures. The center of the Ilinalta has the Lover Stone, one of the many guardian stones that inhabit Skyrim. The southern roads lead into Hammerfell and the city of Elinhir.

Eastern Falkreath
Eastern Falkreath is more mountainous than the other regions of Falkreath Hold, due to its proximity to the Throat of the World and the Jerall Mountains. The region has a clear border between the evergreens of the forest to a thicket of snow covering the valley. Several Imperial strongholds exist in the region, the area is close to the Pale Pass, the road that leads into the Imperial Province of Cyrodiil and the city of Bruma. The town of Helgen is one of these strongholds and it just so happens to be one of the latest ones, as the others have been used by either Bandits or even Vampires. To the northwest is the White River, a large river that starts from the Ilinalta and ends at the Yorgrim River, near the city of Windhelm. This river is one of the bigger ones in Skyrim, equaling the likes of the Karth River. Several other landmarks such as the Steelheart Cleft and Bleak Falls Barrow exist across Eastern Falkreath.

Fauna
Lake Ilinalta is home to multiple creatures found across Falkreath Hold and even the northern Whiterun Hold region, this because the Ilinalta is one of the biggest water sources in Skyrim. Many animals including the Nords of Falkreath benefit from the Lake. The Lake hosts a wide variety of fishes found exclusively in the Ilinalta ranging from the River Betty to the Cyrodilic Spadetail and even the Nordic Barnacle, which are found in the depths of the Ilinalta. One of the common most predators in Tamrielic Waters is the Slaughterfish, a large fish with sharp teeth and a long snout. Swimming in the water can be quite dangerous since the Slaughterfish can be as formidable as a Shark of the Abecean Sea. The Slaughterfish tends to travel and hunt alone but can be found with one or two in large bodies of water, like the Ilinalta. Regardless of their danger, the scales of a Slaughterfish and the eggs are sought out by Alchemists since they can Fortify Stamina and give Resistance to Frost and Poison. Slaughterfish can also be made into a Slaughterfish Fillet which requires Fire Salts, Grounded Black Pepper, Vinegar, and an Alder Wood Plank. A Slaughterfish is commonly paired with the Trodh.

Falkreath's Pine Forest is home to all sorts of strange creatures that harness the power of the Green to kill those that enter their territory. One of these creatures includes the Spriggans. Over time, the Spriggan has changed appearance to resemble a feminine-esque creature with a body made out of wood and flowers. During the Second Era, the Spriggan had this form except with a spider-like lower torso. But by, the Third Era, their legs resemble that of a human, albeit with the same wooden hollow body. Spriggans are found mostly in groves and clearings in the forest, places such as Moss Mother Cavern or Peak's Shade Tower are notable for their Spriggans. The Spriggan has a tendency to utilize the animals of the Forest such as Wolves and Sabre Cats to help fight against an invader, but without them, the Spriggan can be a tough prey to kill since they instantly restore their health in a near-death status. Spriggans are not widespread in Skyrim, they are mostly found in Falkreath Hold and the Rift, but they can be found in pockets throughout Skyrim. In places such as Shadowgreen Cavern in Haafingar and the Eldergleam Sanctuary in Eastmarch.

One of the most common predators to roam Tamriel, in general, is the Wolf. Wolves tend to come in packs of three or four and can attack a passerby all at once or one at a time. Many areas in Falkreath Hold are used as wolf dens, such as Brittleshin Pass and the Southfringe Sanctum. Since the Hold is very close to the Jerall Mountains, a sub-species of wolves called the Ice Wolf inhabit the southern mountains; they are stronger than the regular wolf found in the Pine Forest. When attacked by a wolf, be sure to keep your guard, since, as mentioned before, they tend to come in packs. A wolf would attack by pouncing on their prey and overwhelming them with their massive weight. Defeating a wolf would require steady footing and a sharp weapon that can cleave them through. Wolves are usually hunted for their pelts and their piercing fangs. Hunters from Falkreath and even Whiterun hunt in the Pine Forest and even as far as the mountains. Falkreath is considered to be a part of Colovia, and because of that, there are sightings of the Dire Wolf. The Dire Wolf is ideally a super wolf that is large enough to be mountable. Dire Wolves are used as mounts from places as far as Falkreath Hold to the Gold Coast.

The region of Falkreath Hold is one of the most ominous places in Skyrim, with the Dark Brotherhood having a presence in the area and the massive graveyard located in Falkreath City. The merchants of Falkreath have used the historical significance of the war-torn region to reflect the themes of death and morality in their business. This has given Falkreath a unique identity that differentiates itself from the rest of the Nine Holds of Skyrim. Of course, with a ravaged region such as Falkreath, there are bound to be a few Ghosts to inhabit the area. The Ghosts of Falkreath remained in the forest throughout history from the Battle of Old Hroldan to the Oblivion Crisis. Zombies, of course, take on an ethereal form of their former physical body and float in the air like a gust of cold wind. Since the Dark Brotherhood lives within the forest, many vengeful spirits seek their killers. Ghosts tend to remain on Nirn, rather than moving on into Aetherius, usually because they have unfinished business and as a result, are bound to the physical world. Ghosts are found deep in the forest, but can be found roaming crypts or even Nordic Tombs such as Shriekwind Bastion or ruined structures like Ilinalta's Deep.

Several Daedric cults have had cells located throughout Falkreath Hold. They range from a Vampiric cult of Clavicus Vile in the eastern mountains in Haemar's Shame, to the Nightingales, a trio of highly skilled thieves dedicated to Nocturnal in the Twilight Sepulcher. Because of Falkreath's abundance in hunting game, Hircine, the Daedric Prince of the Hunt, has significant influence throughout the region. As a result, several Nords contracted Lycanthropy and became a Werewolf. Werewolves are large bipedal wolves that are bigger than any creature that roams the Pine Forest. They have gnarly fangs that can chew through an Iron Shield and large claws that can cut a thick Pine tree in the forest. Many followers of Hircine see Lycanthropy as a blessing from their Daedric Prince and utilize the ability to slay their enemies when they are out numbered. Those who want to prove themselves to Hircine would travel across Falkreath Hold to hunt a mythical creature called the White Stag, slaying the beast would reveal the Aspect of Hircine. Bloated Man's Grotto is where many go after killing the White Stag in cold blood.

Flora
"As one would expect, these grow in higher climes, where the air is thin but pure. Seen in tufts and bushes of light green stalks, and in a number of colors from orange, yellow, and red to a vivid purple."

- Gargrell Sorick

Falkreath Hold can be quite mountainous from the north in the Brittleshin Mountains, to the east with the Throat of the World, and to the south in the Jerall Mountains. Many Alchemists travel to Falkreath to search for alchemic ingredients to make the best potions and poisons. Falkreath Hold grows a vast amount of Mountain Flowers; the Mountain Flower is the best ingredient to make reagents such as a Potion of Health or a Potion of Stamina. What makes the Flower distinct is that they come in four different colors, they come in Blue, Red, Purple, and Yellow. The Blue Mountain Flower rejuvenates the consumer's health and fortifies their Conjuration skills. The Red Mountain Flower gives the user a boost in Magicka, but can be harmful to their health. The Purple Mountain Flower rejuvenates the consumer's stamina and fortifies their sneaking skills. They also give the consumer resistance to frost, making them the perfect ingredient to travel in Skyrim. The Yellow Mountain Flower is the rarest one in Skyrim, only found in certain clearings and the Ancestor Glade, a hidden grove in the Jerall Mountains. The Yellow one gives the consumer resistance to diseases and fortifies their health.

"The name and shape of this plant are known to all; long understood to be one of the more potent components in many poisons, the average Nord keeps his distance from the bright purple flowers nestled among dark leaves."

- Agneta Falia

The Nightshade of Falkreath Hold has been associated with death and more so with the Dark Brotherhood. Those who perform the Black Sacrament, use Nightshade petals in the ritual as a way to give a contract. Nightshades are also employed in sacrifices for Molag Bal, full Nightshades and several other ingredients to send a soul to Coldharbour. The Nightshade is a thin flower with dark purple leaves and dark green stem; they are commonly associated with the Dead, which plays into the themes of Falkreath. Nightshades can be used as a basic poison since it can ravage Health, it can also be a burden to stamina, causing the strength to drain away. They can also give a boost in the Destruction school of magic. Nightshades are found around areas with the dead such as the Hall of the Dead and the Falkreath Graveyard. The Dark Brotherhood grows Nightshades to make poisons for their targets. Nightshades are also considered a bad omen to the Nords of Skyrim, and they usually stay away.

The Thistle Branch is one of the most common flowers to be found in Falkreath Hold, but as much as the Tundra Cotton in Whiterun Hold. The Thistle is located along the mountain ranges in Eastern Falkreath, in the area in between the Pine Forest and the Snowy Mountains. The Thistle is particularly thorny, throughout the stem and it has thin purple petals on the top. This plant has excellent alchemic properties because the plant gives good resistance to both poison and frost, as well as enhancing the Heavy Armor skill. Thistle Branch can also be grown underground, places such as Embershard Mine and Shriekwind Bastion have been documented with increasing patches of Thistle throughout the caverns. The Thistle, of course, has adverse effects, the Thistle can be ravaging to the Stamina, making it useful for stamina draining poison.

The Kingdom of Western Skyrim
"Shortly after the Second Empire dissolved into chaos, High King Logrolf of Skyrim was assassinated. The succession was disputed, and the kingdom of the Nords split into East and West Skyrim, with the west being ruled by the Jarls of Solitude."

- Phrastus of Elinhir

During the reign of the Akaviri Potentate, the province of Skyrim was ruled by High King Logrolf. Not much is known about his reign, other than that he was assassinated by an unknown assailant. Many eyes were looking at Freydis of Windhelm to be the next High Queen of Skyrim and this was to be true when the Crown of Verity chose her to be the next leader. However, the Jarl of Solitude, Svartr claimed that Freydis was not a legitimate heir to the throne and a moot was required to determine the next High King/High Queen. The Moot had chosen Svartr to become the High King of Skyrim and was selected so by the Kings of West Skyrim. As mentioned before, the Crown of Verity chose Freydis to become High Queen, and she has been selected so by the Leaders of the Old Holds. It was at that moment, the province of Skyrim was split into two separate kingdoms, one controlled by High King Svartr and one controlled by High Queen Freydis. The Kingdom of Western Skyrim would monitor the cities of Solitude, Markarth, Whiterun, Falkreath, and Morthal. The Kingdom of Eastern Skyrim would control the cities of Windhelm, Riften, Winterhold, and Dawnstar. These two kingdoms would remain divided for quite some time.

Yashnag and the Orcs of Skyrim
"The height of Orcish power in Skyrim came with the establishment of Yashnag's Chiefdom in the early Second Era. With the destruction of Orsinium by the combined Breton and Redguard forces, the Orcs were scattered across the North in a great exodus."

- Thora Far-Wanderer

In 1E 980, the city of Orsinium was besieged by the combined forces of Daggerfall and Sentinel in the attempt to destroy the rising Kingdom of Orcs in Wrothgar. Remnants of Orsinium traveled all across the Reach from places as far south as Craglorn and as far east as Falkreath Hold. An Orcish chieftain named Yashnag gro-Yazgu traveled to Western Falkreath to reclaim the land originally stolen by the Nords of Falkreath Hold. Yashnag swept through West Skyrim like the plague, causing trouble for the Court of Solitude and High King Svartr. Svartr's men were unable to hold back the growing force of Yashnag's Chiefdom. The city of Falkreath was dealt worse by the Orcish Berserkers; the Jarl of Falkreath was murdered by Yashnag during a battle, resulting in the Jarl's son to assume the throne of a weakened kingdom. Hakkvild challenged Yashnag to a duel, to avenge his father and his land. Yashnag accepted and was ultimately defeated by Hakkvild. Hakkvild received a new nickname, dubbing him, Hakkvild Yashnag-Killer. The new Jarl burned down Yashnag's Chiefdom in 2E 467, ending the Orcish Kingdom in Falkreath. Yashnag had a legacy that inspired many Orcs to follow in his footsteps. One of these notable Orcs was Kurog gro-Bagrakh, who brought together the Orsimer in Wrothgar and established the second Kingdom of Orsinium.

Cuhlecain and the Rise of Tiber Septim
"Though the Empire has crumbled, there are rumors that a chosen one will come to restore it. This new Emperor will defeat the Elves and rule a united Tamriel."

- Ysmir, the Grey Wind

Falkreath Hold was once a part of the province of Cyrodiil and the Colovian Estates, a separate government in Cyrodiil that takes up a significant portion of the Colovian West. The leader of Falkreath was a man named Cuhlecain. Cuhlecain wanted to unite the Kingdoms of Colovia but need to secure the northern borders where many Nords and Reachmen have fought for centuries. Cuhlecain and his allies led a force at the Battle of Old Hroldan with his prized general from Alcaire, Hjalti Early-Beard. The walls of Hroldan were impenetrable, and he was not expecting reinforcements from the city of Falkreath. At one moment, Hjalti used the power of the Voice to break down the walls of Hroldan and defeated the Reachmen in the region. The Nords present in the battle began to call him Hjalti Talos, or Stormcrown.

Cuhlecain utilized his general to unite the Colovian Estates and to reclaim the Eastern Heartlands. Before Cuhlecain would be crowned Emperor, he would be assassinated by Hjalti, leaving Talos to become the Emperor of Tamriel. The assassination was blamed by warriors from the Western Reach. Hjalti Talos would be crowned Emperor by Zurin Arctus and be renamed to Tiber Septim. Tiber Septim would soon unite the provinces of Tamriel by ending several wars through intervention and utilizing an ancient Dwemer weapon called the Numidium. Tiber Septim ended the civil war in Hammerfell by having his navy defeat Prince A'Tor of the Crowns and using Numidium to besiege the province of the Summerset Isles.

Falkreath Hold and its cities during the Simulacrum
"Jagar Tharn fed Uriel's pride, and hiding behind the mask of an out-paced former master counselor, Tharn purchased the complete trust that led finally to Uriel's betrayal and imprisonment in Oblivion and Tharn's secret usurpation of the Imperial throne."

- Rufus Hayn

During the Imperial Simulacrum from 3E 389 to 3E 399, the Imperial Battlemage named Jagar Tharn impersonated Emperor Uriel Septim VII and casted both him and Talin Warhaft into the Deadlands, Mehrunes Dagon's plane of Oblivion. Jagar Tharn had a mighty staff called the Staff of Chaos which was the key to releasing Uriel and Warhaft from the Deadlands. To secure his control, he broke the Staff of Chaos into several pieces and hid them across the provinces in Tamriel. Tharn's apprentice, Ria Silmane caught wind of this and planned to tell the Elder Council, however, Tharn killed her with his vile magic. Ria Silmane's spirit sought the aid of a warrior also kept imprisoned by Tharn. Silmane help the warrior escaped and tasked them with finding the pieces of the Staff of Chaos throughout Tamriel. At one point, this warrior traveled to the city of Falcrenth during their quest to gather the pieces. The warrior defeat Jagar Tharn at the Imperial Palace and freed both Uriel VII and Talin Warhaft, this young warrior was named the Eternal Champion.

The region of Falkreath Hold was undefined, and many settlements dotted the landscape or at least the general area. The city of Falcrenth was located on the southernmost edge of the Skyrim border. Smaller towns such as North Hall, Neugrad Watch, and Oakwood existed in the area. Falcrenth at the time was ruled by King Bjeld.

A Land Divided; The Skyrim Civil War
"The war has changed Falkreath, even our neighbors can be our enemies."

- Dengeir of Stuhn

In 4E 201, the province of Skyrim was ruled by High King Torygg and his wife, Elisif the Fair. The two ruled from the city of Solitude after the former capital, Winterhold was destroyed in an event called the Great Collapse. Torygg has ruled the Imperial Province of Skyrim in the aftermath of the Great War and the Markarth Incident, which was considered the catalyst of the coming Skyrim Civil War. Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak of Windhelm believed in the independence of Skyrim in a way that is just shy of treason. In the old ways, when one considers themselves a good High King, they would challenge the current one in a duel for the title. Ulfric traveled to Solitude to seek an audience with Torygg, to challenge his title. Before Torygg could react, Ulfric used the power of the Thu'um to shatter Torygg, killing him in the process. Ulfric escaped to Windhelm, and soon the Civil War commenced.

Falkreath Hold along with the rest of West Skyrim joined the Mede Empire and the Imperial Legion in Solitude. The leader of Falkreath Hold for awhile was, Dengeir of Stuhn, current a senile old man who lives in Falkreath. His nephew, Siddgeir took his place as the Leader of Falkreath. Many consider Siddgeir as unqualified for the position and that he abuses his power as the Jarl, he left many of the towns duties to his steward, Nenya. Siddgeir can be considered a jack of all trades, dealing with the likes of local merchants to the bandits of the Hold.

Ulfric Stormcloak and members of his Stormcloak Militia were captured near the mining town of Darkwater Crossing and taken to the Imperial Fort Town of Helgen, located in Eastern Falkreath. He, along with the Stormcloaks accompanying him would have been executed on the chopping block, with Ulfric's head being taken to the Imperial City as a trophy to the Emperor. Things, however, took a turn for the worst and the city of Helgen was destroyed, but not by the Stormcloaks.

The Destruction of Helgen; Enter the Dragon Crisis
"Well, in the old tales, the Dragonborn heroes would use the power of their Voice to defeat the enemies of Skyrim. Wulfharth was Dragonborn. Talos, too - the founder of the Empire, back in the good old days. In the very oldest tales, back from when there still were dragons in Skyrim, the Dragonborn would slay dragons and steal their power."

- Balgruuf the Greater

The Skyrim Civil War had the potential to end in the same year, in 4E 201 when the Imperial Legion ambushed Ulfric Stormcloak's group near the mining town of Darkwater Crossing. Ulfric along with several Stormcloak soldiers were taken to the town of Helgen, located on the edge of Eastern Falkreath, not far from the Pale Pass to Cyrodiil. The plan was to execute the warriors and eventually claim the Stormcloak Territory in the Old Holds. Among the prisoners was a horse thief from Rorikstead and an estranged warrior trying to escape to the Imperial Province in the south. Before Ulfric could be executed a Dragon destroys the city with its terrifying flames and its screeching roar. Many notable figures were present on that day including Ulfric Stormcloak, General Tullius, Ambassador Elenwen, and the Last Dragonborn.

According to several records, the Dragon attacked Helgen to kill the Last Dragonborn in his most vulnerable. The Last Dragonborn miraculously survived the destruction of Helgen and eventually traveled the reaches of Skyrim to defeat the Dragons appearing across the province and to slay Alduin the World-Eater. The city of Helgen was abandoned after the attack, and it served as a reminder of the Dragon Crisis for both sides of the Skyrim Civil War.

From within the Shadows; The Dark Brotherhood
"The Night Mother represents a chapter in the Dark Brotherhood's history that has long since been closed. Today we live by our own rules. We're the last Sanctuary in all of Tamriel, and only by forgoing the old ways have we survived for so long."

- Astrid

Throughout the Fourth Era, the Dark Brotherhood was slowly dying as their many sanctuaries throughout Tamriel were being raided and the Brotherhood being killed. Several different sanctuaries were either destroyed in an attack or were forced to relocate into other sanctuaries. The Sanctuary in the city of Wayrest for example, was razed in a Corsair Invasion that was accidentally caused by King Barynia, who let the docks of Wayrest open to anyone, even Corsairs. Eventually in 4E 201, the Falkreath Sanctuary was one of the few remaining hideouts that were active. It was a small community of assassins, one of which, was one of the last Shadowscales. The leader of the Falkreath Chapter was a Nordic woman named Astrid, she believed in her own code of conduct rather than the Five Tenets. It soon led to her downfall when the Penitus Oculatus razed the sanctuary burned the remain members of the Brotherhood. The Brotherhood was given the contract to assassinate several key political figures in the Kingdom of Solitude such as Vittoria Vici and Gaius Maro of the Penitus Oculatus. Each assassination led to the murder of Emperor Titus Mede II, who was visiting the province on a political mission. Titus Mede II died on his ship, the Katariah one night.

Commander Maro tracked the Dark Brotherhood for several months and was able to locate their sanctuary in Falkreath Hold. Maro and a platoon of Penitus Oculatus agents traveled to Falkreath and burned down the sanctuary with barrels of oil. Several assassins died in the fire except for three of them. They took the remains of the Night Mother with them and traveled elsewhere. Claims say that the brotherhood moved to an abandoned sanctuary near the city of Dawnstar took refuge in ruins. From there the Brotherhood grew and slightly gained prominence in the region, with a shared alliance with the Thieves Guild Chapter in Skyrim. The Brotherhood murdered both Commander Maro and the Emperor after the destruction of their former base.

Regions

 * Western Falkreath
 * Central Falkreath
 * Eastern Falkreath

Settlements

 * Falkreath
 * Jarl's Longhouse
 * Falkreath Barracks
 * Falkreath Graveyard
 * Hall of the Dead
 * Corpselight Farm
 * Helgen
 * Fort Neugrad
 * Lakeview Manor
 * Pinewatch
 * Half-Moon Mill
 * Hunter's Rest
 * Granite Hill
 * Neugrad Watch
 * Oakwood
 * North Hall
 * Falkreath Sanctuary

Ruins

 * Ancient's Ascent
 * Bannermist Tower
 * Bleak Falls Barrow
 * Bloodlet Throne
 * Cracked Tusk Keep
 * Falkreath Watchtower
 * Ilinalta's Deep
 * North Shriekwind Bastion
 * North Skybound Watch
 * Peak's Shade Tower
 * South Shriekwind Bastion
 * South Skybound Watch
 * Roadside Ruins
 * Twilight Sepulcher

Caves

 * Bilegulch Mine
 * Bloated Man's Grotto
 * Bonechill Passage
 * Darkshade
 * Embershard Mine
 * Glenmoril Cave
 * Greywater Grotto
 * Halldir's Cairn
 * Moss Mother Cavern
 * South Brittleshin Pass
 * Southfringe Sanctum
 * Sunderstone Gorge

Landmarks

 * Ancestor Glade
 * Brittleshin Pass
 * Evergreen Grove
 * Jerall Mountains
 * Knifepoint Ridge
 * Lake Ilinalta
 * Orphan Rock
 * Pale Pass
 * Secunda's Kiss
 * Throat of the World
 * White River

Trivia

 * Falkreath Hold is one of the three regions in Tamriel to be named after their capital. The only other ones are Whiterun Hold and Winterhold, both of which are in Skyrim.

By game

 * Falkreath Hold (Skyrim)
 * Falkreath Hold (Online)

Appearances

 * The Elder Scrolls Online: Horns of the Reach
 * The Elder Scrolls Online: Horns of the Reach
 * The Elder Scrolls Online: Horns of the Reach
 * The Elder Scrolls Online: Horns of the Reach
 * The Elder Scrolls Online: Horns of the Reach

