Cloudrest

Cloudrest
Builder	Altmer Sload (Ruins)
Location	North Region, Isle of Summerset, Summerset Isles
Climate	Mountains
Points of interest	Cloudrest Kinhouse Cloudrest Aerie Baron's Maze
Affiliation	Welkynar Gryphon Riders Office of Divine Prosecution Faculty of Chirurgeons Thalmor First Aldmeri Dominion

"Cloudrest, atop Eton Nir, the highest mountain in Summerset, is a decidedly odd mixture of architectural styles, with buildings like strangler vines, built on top of other, older structures. The oldest of all ruins there, and in a few isolated spots throughout the island, are made of coral, which must have been carried many, many miles away from the sea."

―Imperial Geographic Society

Cloudrest is one of the eight major cities in the province of the Summerset Isles, nestled along the highest peaks of Eton Nir, within the Isle of Summerset. Cloudrest is the Aerie of the Altmer, overseeing the entire island from the mountains of Eton Nir. It is home to the Welkynar Gryphon Riders, a group of Altmeri warriors that utilize Gryphons in combat. They are revered throughout the land.

By game

• Cloudrest (Arena)
• Cloudrest (Online)

Description

Geography

Cloudrest is situated on the highest slope of Eton Nir, along the southern reaches and towards the mysterious forest of Ebon Stadmont. Cloudrest is accessible from a path that derails from the main road that runs along the western bay. Cloudrest is divided into two areas, which descends the mountain. Upper Craglorn towers above the city, and it is the home of the Welkynar Gryphon Riders, who reside in the Cloudrest Aerie. The Aerie is the headquarters of the Riders; each is given a platform to land, which connects to the main platform. Around the platform are various siege weapons, such as Trebuchets and Ballistae. The center of the platform is where the Riders congregate and the Gryphons sleep in. The Aerie is connected to the upper city via a long bridge that towers over the lower district. From there begins the Cloudrest Upper streets, that eventually revolve around to the lower area. Continuing downward will lead to the town, where the populous gather to socialize and trade. Running along the lower area is a river, which descends into the western bay of the island. The main gate of the city connects to the lower area, with many towers scattered about the city. Underneath the city is a complex known as the Baron's Maze, not much is known about them.

Traditions

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The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest celebrate Jester's Day on the 28th of Rain's Hand. The holiday’s purpose is unknown, likely to celebrate the Daedric Prince of Madness and Whimsicality, Sheogorath. It is a day to play pranks on each other and to have overall fun. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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 in the year, where many warriors feel blessed and venture to dungeons they normally cannot defeat. The High Elves of Cloudrest celebrate the Merchant's Festival on the 10th of Sun's Height. It is a day that benefits the consumer in the market. Traders and Gypsies drop the prices on their stock. The only place that does not celebrate it is the Mages Guild. This is the same day as the Summoning of Boethiah. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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. The High Elves of Cloudrest 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.

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The High Elves of the Summerset Isles celebrate the Day of Divine Reverence, which honors the Goddess, Mara. Every year, people gather the Rose-of-Archon and celebrate for roughly fifty-six days with a ceremony dedicated to Mara. The Sapiarchs organize the event like the ceremony.

History

Merethic Era

Before the High Elves inhabited the Isle of Summerset, it was considered a part of Thras, an archipelago located north of the region. Thras is the home of the Sload, a race of slug-folk with an affinity in Necromancy. The Sload built the original settlement that would become Cloudrest until they were cast out by the Aldmeri. The city-state of Cloudrest was built atop of the ruins, which remain underneath the city for years. As time went on, the modern-day province of the Summerset Isles would be established, and the Elves would spread across the continent, resulting in the modern Elven races. Cloudrest would flourish as a Kingdom in the Summerset Isles.

Second Era

Main article: Cloudrest (Online)

During the Interregnum in 2E 583, the Welkynar Gryphon Riders were led by Relequen, operating out of the Aerie that overlooks the city. At one point, the Welkynars were dispatched to capture a dangerous Sea Sload known as Z'Maja. Z'Maja utilizes strange magic, reminiscent of Nocturnal. The haze that she used was too strong for the Welkynars, but fortunately, they evaded it. But when the brought Z'Maja to Cloudrest, many questioned this, and it soon became prevalent that Z'Maja was plotting against the city. This turned out to be true when the Divine Prosecution was forced to evacuate the city, and the Welkynar (except Olorime) were captured by the Sload. With little hope, Olorime gathered warriors from across the land to defeat Z'Maja and her shadows. The Warriors were able to defeat shades of the Welkynar and their Gryphons, but it ultimately killed them. With them gone, Z'Maja was dealt with, saving Cloudrest. With the city saved, Olorime set out to rebuild the Welkynars and await the call for action.

Third Era

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 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 city in their quest to recover the pieces. The city of Cloudrest was under the rule of King Kelkemmenar.

Gallery

Cloudrest circa 3E 399.

Cloudrest Illusionist in Legends.

The Welkynar Gryphon Riders in Cloudrest.

Trivia

• In an earlier stage of development, Arena was going to be a tournament based game, where each city had their own gladiatorial team. Cloudrest's team was known as the Gladiators.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls: Arena
• The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls Online (mentioned only)
  • The Elder Scrolls Online: Dark Brotherhood (mentioned only)
  • The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset
• The Elder Scrolls: Legends (mentioned only)

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.