Dunmer Strongholds

In Morrowind, Strongholds typically refer to large, stoney buildings that populate Vvardenfell's ancient Dunmer fortresses, originally built to fend off Nord incursions in an era before the Great Houses coalesced, and were 'abandoned' when the Tribunal Temple established iteself as the major religion of the region. Most are essentially 'hack and slash' dungeons; most, however, do have attractions for adventurers. Most are not quite as large as one might suspect, but the majority are not 'tiny'.

The strongholds are: Andasreth, Berandas, Falasmaryon, Indoranyon, Rotheran, Telasero, Falensarano, Hlormaren, Marandus, Valenvaryon, and the infamous 'lost' Kogoruhn.

During the time that they were supposedly abandoned, all the strongholds were reoccupied by a large number of factions to suit a number of purposes. From military bases (Kogoruhn) to smuggler's hideouts (several, including Hlormaren) to Daedra outposts (Berandas), strongholds seem to do it all.

Most of the strongholds contain Propylon Chambers, which require an index to opperate. Oddly enough, Kogoruhn, being both the largest and the most powerful stronghold, lacks the propylons themselves, and thus cannot be fast traveled to in any way. The indexes themselves are scattered all over Vvardenfell. Assuming you have the correct index, you can fast travel between the two strongholds nearest your own; however, most strongholds are quite distant from any civilized area, and this form of fast travel is really only somewhat helpful in reaching obscure regions of Vvandenfell's interior and extremities. One or two do feature 'friendly' people who may offer a service or two (Secret Masters).

The loot within the strongholds is, overall, rather low in quality and quantity (given their size). Again, however, most do have something worth fighting for, even if it is just an index to another stronghold. Faction quests will send you to Andasreth, Berandas, Indoranyon, Rotheran, and Telasero, usually in search of SOMETHING (that is to say, something of great interest-usually an artifact) or possibly SOMEONE (aka rescue mission) and occasionally both!