Moot



A Moot is a meeting of representatives from each hold of Skyrim that takes place when the High King dies. Its purpose is to choose the next King from qualified members of the royal family.

History
It was originally created in 1E 221 after the exceptionally long reign of King Harald, who died at 108 years of age and outlived all but three of his sons, however over the years the Moot became permanent and acquired an increasing amount of power. By the reign of King Borgas, the last of the Ysgramor Dynasty, the Moot had become partisan and ineffective.

After the murder of King Borgas by the Wild Hunt, the Moot's failure to appoint Jarl Hanse of Winterhold sparked the disastrous War of Succession, during which Skyrim lost control of its territories in High Rock, Morrowind, and Cyrodiil, never to regain them.

The war was finally concluded in 1E 420 with the Pact of Chieftans; henceforth, the Moot was convened only when a King died without direct heirs, and it has fulfilled this more limited role admirably.

Modern Day
In the intervening millenia, the Moot had only been called upon three times and succession to the throne had never been disputed on the field of battle - even when Skyrim became part of the Empire.

However in 4E 201, High King Torygg was killed by Ulfric Stormcloak in a challenge to the throne. This event plunged Skyrim into a civil war and a fouth Moot was called to elect a successor.