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in: Lore: Locations, Cities in Morrowind, Lore: Cities, Lore: Morrowind Locations
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Ald'ruhn

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"Ald'ruhn town is a large settlement in the Redoran village style, built of local materials, with organic curves and undecorated exteriors inspired by the landscape and by the shells of giant native insects."
―Anonymous[src]

Ald'ruhn (Dunmeris: Old Home),[1][2] sometimes spelled Ald-ruhn[3] or referred to as Old Run, is one of the four major cities of the Vvardenfell district of the province of Morrowind. Ald'ruhn is a unique settlement in the Dark Elven province, built from the foundation of the carcass of Skar, the Emperor Crab of legend. The crab was defeated by the combined forces of House Hleran and the Ashlanders.

By game[]

Geography[]

The original Ashlander camp called Ald'ruhn was vast, occupying the hills in between the Ashlands of Red Mountain and the West Gash. The area around Skar served as the meeting grounds, with a large campfire in the center of the camp. West from the campsite were fewer yurts and open areas for the herders of Vvardenfell. Dirt paths surrounded the main campsite which lead into shrines of the four Great Ashlander Tribes of the sub-continent. A road south of Ald'ruhn leads into the Daedric ruins of Ramimilk. Several landmarks surround the camp including the Foyada Drura and the Hleran Ancestral Tomb. As time went on, the Dark Elves of House Redoran had begun to inhabit the area, establishing the Great City of Ald'ruhn. Skar was refurbished as the Manor District of the town, and the yurts were replaced with the traditional Redoran homes. The new residents of Ald'ruhn created walls surrounding the city, protecting the city from the ash storms of the region.

The former campsite was remade as the town square of the Ald'ruhn city, and the rest of the city revolves around this area. The road leading into the Ald'ruhn Manor District has several artisan services ranging from the libraries or the blacksmiths of House Redoran. The entrance of Ald'ruhn has twin watchtowers overlooking the area, and it leads to the southern town square, with the local Mages Guild chapter and the Rat in the Pot Tavern occupying the area. Northwestern Ald'ruhn is the home to several societal businesses including the Ald Skar Inn and the Council Club for House Redoran in Vvardenfell. Eastern Ald'ruhn has various residential buildings lacking walls to protect it. The center of the area is the Ald'ruhn Temple, the local place of worship for the Tribunal Temple. North of the temple is a private estate to the nobles of House Redoran.

History[]

First Era[]

The Battle against Skar; the Ashlander's Ald'ruhn[]

The sub-continent of Vvardenfell and overall Morrowind has housed all sorts of alien creatures, varying in sizes. The Silt Strider has remained throughout the eras but the bugs that House Redoran have used no longer exists and so on. A large species of crab called the Emperor Crab had lived on Vvardenfell during the time of the Chimer, and the most dangerous one was Skar. Skar terrorized the residents of Vvardenfell, which was mainly the Ashlanders. It took the combined forces of all the Ashlanders and a champion of House Hleran, Dranoth Hleran, to take out the large beast. Dranoth had utilized a powerful spear called the Calderas, which became a legend afterward. The carcass of Skar was refurbished as a meeting place for the Ashlanders of Vvardenfell, should anything affect their home, they can convene in the newly-established settlement named Ald'ruhn.[4][5]

Second Era[]

Main article: Ald'ruhn (Online)

Ancestral Ties to Ald'ruhn; Enter Drelyth Hleran[]

During the Interregnum in 2E 583, the meeting grounds of Ald'ruhn was visited by Drelyth Hleran, a member of House Hleran whose ancestry had ties to the settlement. Drelyth attempted to commune with the Ashlanders inhabiting the camp, but they would not talk to him, believing he was untrustworthy. The Dark Elf had asked another adventurer known as the Vestige to help him negotiate with the Ashlanders and to uncover the truth. The Vestige spoke with Farseer Kuamta, who gave the warrior a blessing and directed them to the four shrines of the Ashlander tribes. With the blessings, the Vestige talked with Wise Woman Asani and was shown the way to the Hleran Ancestral Tomb, where they communed with the spirit of Dranoth Hleran. After proving their pure intent, Dranoth bestowed the Vestige with the legendary spear named Calderas. The traveler than gave Drelyth the spear and with the weapon, the Ashlanders trusted the Hleran Elf, and other Dark Elves of Vvardenfell began to commune with the local Ashlanders. This event was the beginning of the Great City of Ald'ruhn.[6]

The False Nerevarine; Conoon Chodala of Urshilaku[]

Around the same time, Conoon Chodala was the Ashkhan of the Urshilaku Tribe in Vvardenfell. He claimed that he was, in fact, the Nerevarine, and in his hubris he allied with the Red Exiles, an exiled group of Ashlanders to harass the tribes of Vvardenfell, so that they can accept Chodala as the Nerevarine of Morrowind. Chodala's sister, Seryna attempted to convince Chodala to stop his wrath, but was ignored by her brother. Seryn work along with the Vestige to convince Chodala to end his masquerade, and so they traveled to the Cavern of the Incarnate, where they would commune with the Failed Incarnates, to create a convincing argument against Chodala. At a meeting in Ald'ruhn, the claims were put against Chodala but he dismissed them, attacking the Ashlanders in Ald'ruhn in retaliation. Chodala had been absorbing Vivec's powers, causing much distress in Vvardenfell. It was revealed later that Chodala was under the influence of Barbas, who attempted to find the entrance to the Clockwork City. They were both stopped by the Vestige, Seryn and Barilzar.[7][8][9]

Third Era[]

Main article: Old Run (Arena)

Old Run during the Imperial Simulacrum[]

During the Imperial Simulacrum from 3E 389 to 3E 399, Emperor Uriel Septim VII was imprisoned along with Talin Warhaft in the Deadlands by Jagar Tharn. Tharn planned for months to capture the throne, and he was able to achieve so in the span of ten years. Tharn had a powerful weapon called the Staff of Chaos, and he split it into nine pieces and scattered them across Tamriel, the staff was the only thing keeping Uriel Septim and Warhaft in Oblivion. A warrior escaped his clutches and traveled all corners of Tamriel to retrieve the missing pieces. The hero was known as the Eternal Champion, and he assembled the staff and defeated Jagar Tharn at the Imperial Palace. The Eternal Champion had at one point visited the town of Old Run in their quest to recover the pieces.[10]

The True Nerevarine; Duel against Bolvyn Venim[]

Main article: Ald'ruhn (Morrowind)

During the Vvardenfell Crisis in 3E 427, the actual Nerevarine had revealed themselves and had begun their quest to fulfill the Nerevarine Prophecy. Parts of the prophecy must have the Nerevarine attempt the Great Houses of Vvardenfell and made their attempt to persuade the Councilors of House Redoran to name them the Hortator of the Great House Redoran. The warrior traveled to the city of Ald'ruhn, the House Redoran capital of Vvardenfell to speak with Bolvyn Venim, the Archmaster of House Redoran. Despite their proof, Venim refused to name the Nerevarine the Hortator and so the only way it can be dissolved was for the champion to duel Bolvyn Venim. And so, both warriors traveled to the city of Vivec and dueled each other, with the Nerevarine claiming victory. After convincing the other Councilors, the warrior was named the Hortator of the Great House Redoran, being one step closer to fulfilling the prophecy.[11]

Remember Redoran; the Fall of Ald'ruhn[]

During the Oblivion Crisis in 3E 433, the city-state of Ald'ruhn was besieged by the Daedric forces of Oblivion. The Fall of Ald'ruhn is one of the most well-known battles of the conflict. The battle was in favor of the Daedra, House Redoran was in a losing fight, and so, the conjurers of Ald'ruhn had resurrected the great Emperor Crab, Skar. However, even the mighty crustacean of Skar was unable to defeat the invading force. The city of Ald'ruhn was lost, and the Daedric Armies advanced deep into the Ashlands to Ghostgate, attempting to break the gate. It is unknown whether the Daedric Forces broke the gate, but in the end, the Oblivion Crisis was adverted when Martin Septim had sacrificed himself to defeat Mehrunes Dagon in the Imperial City.[12][UL 1]

Fourth Era[]

The Red Year & Raven Rock[]

In 4E 5, the province of Morrowind had undergone a very severe disaster where the Ministry of Truth had crashed onto the city of Vivec and Red Mountain had erupted, destroying the sub-continent of Vvardenfell and the settlements inhabiting the region. Ald'ruhn was destroyed amidst the conflict. Before this, after the Oblivion Crisis, the Great Houses had sent small groups to spread throughout the province. One of the House Redoran groups was led by Brara Morvayn, who lived in Ald'ruhn and was a member of the Redoran Council. Morvayn had immediately traveled to the island of Solstheim and took refuge in the Imperial township of Raven Rock. After several negotiations, Raven Rock had integrated the Great House Redoran into their society, making the mining town flourish even more than before. Brara eventually became the leader of Raven Rock, and House Redoran had claimed full ownership of the town, after passing away from old age. Her son, Lleril Morvayn took up the position of the Councilor of Raven Rock. Meanwhile, in Mournhold, a House Redoran had undergone a relief effort to rebuild the settlements of Vvardenfell including Ald'ruhn. It is unknown if it was completely rebuilt.[13][14][15]

Sociology[]

Traditions[]

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  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate the New Life Festival on the 1st of Morning Star. It is a day of celebration where the drinks are free and people party in the streets all day. It truly is, a day of merriment.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate the South Wind's Prayer on the 15th of Morning Star. It is a day to pray to the Gods for a bountiful harvest, and it is for citizens who cannot afford to heal from the local temple to get healed from an ailment.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate Heart's Day on the 16th of Sun's Dawn. It is in honor of a legend passed down from generation to generation about a couple named Polydor and Eloisa. Every Inn in Tamriel become free for visitors arriving into town.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate the First Planting on the 7th of First Seed. It is the day that begins the harvest, where neighbors reconcile their difference, bad habits are dropped, and the clerics heal people for free.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate the Second Planting on the 7th of Second Seed. The holiday is ideally the same holiday as First Planting, to improve one’s soul, and to improve relationships with others.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate the Mid Year Celebration on the 16th of Mid Year. A day to distract everyone from the increased taxes. It is a day celebrating the halfway mark of the year, where many warriors feel blessed and venture to dungeons they normally cannot defeat.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate Sun's Rest on the 20th of Sun's Height. It is a day when the workers of Tamriel take a day to relax, businesses across town are closed in observance of this day. Some people have to have to leave the province to actually buy something.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate Harvest's End on the 27th of Last Seed. It is the final day of the harvest, and it is where the people eat the crops they have grown since the First Planting. Travelers are given the option to join a farmer’s family for a feast.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate Tales and Tallows on the 3rd of Hearthfire. It is the day of superstition where the elderly do not speak for an entire day, in fear of evil spirits entering their body. The Mages of Tamriel favor this day since it is a day to study the oldest forms of magic.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate the Witches' Festival on the 13th of Frostfall. A day where the creepy ghouls and creatures of the night gather to terrorize the denizens of Tamriel. Many have not dared to wander the streets at night, in fear of being nabbed by a creature.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate the Warriors Festival on the 20th of Sun's Dusk. It is a day where many warriors gather to practice their fighting prowess. Travelers buy weapons in stores since their price's drop by half. Young children foolishly buy weapons, only to stab themselves by mistake.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate the North Wind's Prayer on the 15th of Evening Star. It serves as a thanksgiving to the Gods for the year's harvest. It is a day when the local temples heal and bless anyone for a lower price.[16]
  • The Dark Elves of Old Run celebrate the Old Life Festival on the 31st of Evening Star. It is a day of rest, where many leave the events of the passing year behind and to reflect their past. They rest for the New Life Festival.[16]
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Gallery[]

Appearances[]

References[]

Notice: The following are unlicensed references. They are not copyrighted by a ZeniMax Media company, but can still be considered part of The Elder Scrolls lore and are included for completeness.
  1. ↑ The Fall of Ald'Ruhn
Morrowind Locations in Lore
Cities Ald'ruhn • Balmora • Blacklight • Brass Fortress • Ebonheart • Firewatch • Kragenmoor • Mournhold • Narsis • Necrom • Port Telvannis • Sadrith Mora • Tear • Vivec City
Regions Bal Foyen • Clockwork City • Dejayste • Deshaan • Stonefalls • Telvanni Peninsula • Thornmarsh • Vvardenfell
(Miscellaneous: Gorne • Solstheim • Northeast Archipelago)
Landmarks Bamz-Amschend • Brothers of Strife • Cavern of the Incarnate • Ghostgate • Holamayan Monastery • Inner Sea • Kogoruhn • Mournhold Temple • Red Mountain • Shrine of Saint Veloth • Vivec's Antlers
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