Ebonheart

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Ebonheart
Destroyed	Battle of Ebonheart (2E 572)
Builder	Dunmer (House Ra'athim)
Location	Zabamat, Stonefalls, Morrowind
Climate	Volcanic Ocean Mountains Ash
Points of interest	Ebonheart Town Hall Ebonheart Tribunal Temple Plaza Trademarket Ebonheart Chateau
Affiliation	House Hlaalu Tribunal Temple Septim Empire House Ra'athim Ebonheart Pact

For the city on Vvardenfell, see Ebonheart (Morrowind).

For the faction in Online, see Ebonheart Pact.

"You enter Ebonheart, also known as the Black City. To the north you can see the red-orange glow of Dagoth Ur, the firecone on the Black Isle."

―Description in Arena

Ebonheart, the Black City, or the One True Ebonheart is one of the eight major cities within the province of Morrowind and is the capital of the region of Stonefalls. Ebonheart, by tradition, has been the ancestral seat of power for House Ra'athim, whose lineage have ruled as Morrowind's greatest leaders, including Barenziah, Katariah, and Moraelyn.

By game

• Ebonheart (Arena)
• Ebonheart (Online)

Description

Geography

The city of Ebonheart sits on an island along the southern shores of the Inner Sea, a large body of water that separates the island of Vvardenfell from the rest of Morrowind. Based on Ebonheart's geography and the layout of the Ascadian Isles on Vvardenfell, it can be assumed that the island that Ebonheart is in, was once where the city of Vivec is located. The city of Ebonheart is small, to say the least, the town is built like a fortress, and the center of the city is where most Ebonheart's commerce occurs. The Inner City has the Town Hall in the north, overlooking the Argonian District and the Inner Sea, it has clear sight of Vvardenfell. The eastern end has several homes and the local Ebony Flask Inn. The Fighters Guild tends to sent up camp near the Inn.

The western end of town is where many of the residents live as well as several House nobles. The local temple resides in the west wing as well, for the longest time, the temple was built to worship the False Tribunal, a group of ancient gods that had significant influence over Morrowind for years, since the later years of its inception. The current gods that are worshipped are the House of Reclamations, which consists of Azura, Boethiah, and Mephala. North of the temple is the dockyards, where the city's fishers go to get their daily catch. North of the Inner City is the Argonian District, the home of several Argonian slaves or former slaves that decided to remain in Ebonheart. Argonians during the Interregnum planted a Hist Sapling in the center of town. The Ebonheart Outskirts in the south is where the local militia gathers, as well as refugees of war, or foreigners.

The location of the Clockwork City is unknown; sources say that is somewhere within the Deshaan Plains near the city of Tear. Sources have stated that the location of the compound is somewhere underneath the town of Ebonheart.

Traditions

Ebonheart only – click to show

The Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Ebonheart-folk celebrate it specifically with the Lava Foot Stomp where travelers from all over Morrowind go to the local inns and eventually the Ebonheart Town Hall to dance to their heart's content. The Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 generally cannot defeat. The Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 by weapons in stores since their price's drop by half. Young children foolishly buy weapons, only to stab themselves by mistake. The Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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 Dark Elves of Ebonheart 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.

Morrowind in general – Click to show
This list is incomplete; help us expand it. The Dark Elves of Morrowind celebrate Saint Jiub's Fair, which commemorates the achievements of Saint Jiub, who had slain the Cliff Racers of Vvardenfell, fighting them for two days. He was anoited to Sainthood by Vivec, being dubbed Saint Jiub the Eradicator. [?]

History

First Era

The Dunmer of House Ra'athim & Modern-Ebonheart

The city-state of Ebonheart has been a city of House Ra'athim for many years, being the High Kings of Morrowind for many years, and owning lucrative mines throughout the province. Amidst the Skyrim Conquests, Ebonheart was conquered by the Nords, until it was retaken via guerrilla warfare by the nobility of the Ra'athim, under King Kronin and his three sons, Cruethys, S'ephen, and Moraelyn. Eventually, Cruethys assumed the throne, and would later pass it to his younger brother, Moraelyn. S'ephen was not a legitimate heir and was unable to continue from Cruethys' reign. Ultimately, Moraelyn's daughter, Lian Ra'athim had become Queen of Ebonheart, having twin sons that were made joint heirs. The seat of High King was left vacant, in favor of a temporary War Leader. Mournhold was given the Staff of Chaos, as it was S'ephen's birthplace. The rivalry between the two city-states had grown.

Second Era

Main article: Ebonheart (Online)

The Second Akaviri Invasion & the Ebonheart Pact

In 2E 572, the Snow Demons of Kamal invaded the continent of Tamriel and ravaged the northern provinces from as far as the Telvanni Peninsula to Eastmarch. At one point, the Snow Demons besieged the city of Windhelm and moved southwards near the town of Ebonheart, near the site known as Vivec's Antlers. Snow Demons were surrounded from all sides. To the west was the Nordic Army led by Jorunn the Skald-King and the shade of Wulfharth Ash-King. To the east was the Dunmeri Army led by Tanval Indoril and Almalexia of the Tribunal, and to the south was the Argonian Army led by Vicecanon Heita-Meen. These combined forces managed to defeat the Snow Demons and send them back to Akavir. The battle that ended the Second Akaviri Invasion was known as the Battle of Stonefalls. Following the events of the battle, the leaders of the defensive force created the First Ebonheart Pact, an alliance consisting of the Nords of Eastern Skyrim, the Dunmer of Morrowind, and the Argonians of Black Marsh. The name of the alliance came from the city it was founded in, Ebonheart.

Treason within Ebonheart & the Dres Occupation of Ebonheart

During the Interregnum in 2E 582, the region of Stonefalls was at war with the Daggerfall Covenant and as a result, many settlements were attacked during the conflict. Places such as Davon's Watch and Fort Zeren were assaulted in by the Covenant. The war had not reached the city of Ebonheart, but events in the town would have lead to the fall of the Ebonheart Pact. The city was ruled by Drathus Othral, back when the settlement was under the control of House Dres. Parts of the Covenant Armada landed on the shores of Vivec's Antlers, which is not far from Ebonheart, and yet, the people of Ebonheart have squabbles with each other and would not cooperate to defeat the invading force. Othral tasked an Outlander called the Vestige to bring the people together in their time of need.

With the help of the Vestige, the denizens of Ebonheart came together to join the Ebonheart Pact in their battle against the Daggerfall Covenant. A Dunmer man named Rhavil Urano was conducting the disagreements with the townsfolk, and he was acting suspiciously throughout the city. Othral tasked the Vestige to investigate his recent activities to see a connection between him and the Covenant Armada. Urano went to a shack on the Ebonheart Dockyards and left several minutes later. The Vestige uncovered a magical book and an apparition of a Covenant Officer. Urano was working with the Covenant and brought them to Ebonheart through messages. The information leaked and the Urano was killed by the Vestige.

Vivec's Fateful Visit to Ebonheart

In 2E 583, Lord Vivec of the Tribunal, traveled to the city of Ebonheart and was enthralled by the city's atmosphere. He studied the city's architecture and wandered the streets in awe. He took notes in his notebook, notes about every detail he witnessed in the city. His time there left him behind schedule and left his entourage in distress. After several hours of studying, Vivec wanted to build another Ebonheart on Vvardenfell. He felt that the island located southwest of Vivec City was fitting for the location. It was one that day; construction began in the city of Ebonheart on Vvardenfell.

Third Era

Main article: Ebonheart (Arena)

The Rise of Katariah Ra'athim & Pelagius the Mad

During his reign as the Emperor of Tamriel, Pelagius Septim III married Katariah Ra'athim of House Ra'athim, to establish relations with the Third Empire and the city of Ebonheart. Since Ebonheart was nearby the city of Mournhold, it was necessary since Ebonheart was also against the Empire during the War of the Red Diamond. It was around this time, Pelagius III was known as the Pelagius the Mad, so he had quite the reputation, ever since his reign of the Kingdom of Solitude. Katariah was one of the few people to hide Pelagius' madness from the rest of the Empire. While Pelagius III was playing his toes like the madman he was, Katariah and the Elder Council would control the Empire. Pelagius was eventually taken to an asylum at the city of Torval, and Katariah ruled the Empire from the Imperial City. Pelagius would later pass away on the Isle of Betony at the Temple of Kynareth.

The Staff of Chaos & Dagoth-Ur

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 of Ebonheart in their quest to recover the pieces. The city of Ebonheart was under the rule of King Casik.

The Eternal Champion reached the city of Ebonheart on their quest to find the final piece of the Staff. Residents told the Champion to visit King Casik, to see if he knew of the location. The Champion arrived into Casik's domain, and the King gave him a proposition. The King asked that the Champion retrieves the Hammer of Gharen, and he would give the location of the piece. The warrior traveled to Black Gate and took the Hammer of Gharen. They gave the King the Hammer, and in return, the King pointed the way to Red Mountain. The Champion was able to take the final piece, and they ventured to the Imperial City to confront Jagar Tharn.

Gallery

Ebonheart circa 2E 582.

Ebonheart circa 3E 399.

Castle Ebonheart on Vvardenfell.

Ebonheart concept art.

Trivia

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

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls: Arena
• The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls Online
  • The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind (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.