- "When the warriors of the Ra Gada came to the shores of Hammerfell, some of the fiercest cohorts marched far inland in search of domains to claim. Hel Ra was one of the easternmost of these domains, but its gates were sealed long ago."
- ―Hel Ra Citadel Loading Screen[src]
Hel Ra Citadel (or the Citadel of Hel Ra)[1] is a Yokudan fortress found in the Dragontail Mountains of southwest Craglorn, south of Dragonstar in the province of Hammerfell. Originally a Nedic fort captured by Yokudans, Hel Ra was one of the easternmost of the Ra Gada domains, and one of the few to survive into modernity.[1] It grips the sheer side the tall mountain Heldorn Mount, and once oversaw a nearby Yokudan city. Sealed by ancient methods for thousands of years, Hel Ra Citadel long remained a revered remnant of "old Yokuda" in Hammerfell.[1] It was re-opened and briefly occupied by the Celestial Warrior and the re-awakened Anka-Ra during the Interregnum, until they were vanquished by the Undaunted. The nearby town of Heldorn was later refounded at the site of the old city.
By game[]
History[]
First Era[]
The site of Hel Ra Citadel was originally a Nedic fort.[2] When the warriors of the Ra Gada arrived in Hammerfell after 1E 808, some of the fiercest cohorts marched far inland in search of domains to claim. One of these groups was The Four, a group of Yokudan Ansei who had special favor from the Warrior Stars and captured the fort. The Yokudans modified what remained of the Nedic fort into the Hall of the Warrior, an innermost chamber they then filled with coveted statues. Hel Ra remained one of the easternmost of the Ra Gada domains, serving to protect the Yokudan city found downhill from the Citadel and as a training ground Ansei warriors. According to legend, Ansei wishing to earn the elite title of First Rank were required to give up their most treasured weapons and war materiel before undertaking the grueling initiation ritual. If they succeeded, they would no longer need conventional weapons.
In the First Era, the doors to the Citadel were shut following the Yokudan retreat, either by sorcery or craftsmanship. None could open it, including the Empire, leaving it deserted and untouched for millennia.
Second Era[]
- Main article: Hel Ra Citadel (Online)
- "The Warrior and his army of old Yokuda claim the Citadel of Hel Ra! Leave—and live. Trespass—and die. You have been warned. My soldiers of sand and steel will strip your flesh!"
- ―Hel Ra Citadel Loading Screen[src]
Controlled by the Celestial Serpent, the Celestial Warrior took up residence in the Citadel in 2E 582, opening up the doors for the first time in history. Naryu Virian was among those who entered the Citadel, and led the Anka Ra on a brief chase before fleeing. Many scholars journeyed inside, such as Elenaire who suspected Mirimdin's Ninth Blade or the Shehai of a First-Rank Ansei were found inside, and were never heard from again. A group of Undaunted newcomers attempted to conquer the Citadel, having the Anka-Ra sound their warhorn and making it as far as the Hall of the Warrior, but were unsuccessful.
Under permission of Kailstig the Axe, another group of Undaunted went in and fought off the Anka-Ra, defeating the Air Monarch Ra Kotu (meaning Warrior's Edge), Yokeda Razul, and Rok'dun the Flame before fighting the Celestial Warrior. The Warrior unleashed their shehai, blasting open the walls of the Nedic chamber, but was ultimately defeated by the Undaunted and freed from the Serpent's control, joining the Celestial Thief in their quest to vanquish him.
By the time of the Tiber Wars in 2E 864, the town of Heldorn Mount was founded at the area, nestled within the Dragontail Mountains south of Dragonstar.[3]
Third Era[]
During the Imperial Simulacrum in the late-Third Era, it was an active settlement was ruled by Baron Shetan and had a rivalry with Belkarth Guard. Heldorn Mount is neighbored by several settlements, including Drear to the west, Dragonstar to the north, and Skaven to the south.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
- The Elder Scrolls: Arena
- The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (mentioned only)
- The Elder Scrolls Online
References[]
| Hammerfell Locations in Lore | |
|---|---|
| Cities | Abah's Landing • Belkarth • Bergama • Dragonstar • Elinhir • Gilane • Hallin's Stand • Hegathe • Kozanset • Lainlyn • Port Hunding • Rihad • Sentinel • Ska'vyn • Skyreach • Satakalaam • Taneth • Verkarth |
| Regions | Alik'r Desert • Bangkorai • Craglorn • Fallen Wastes • Khefrem (Hew's Bane) • Sunforge (Miscellaneous: Stros M'Kai • Cespar • The Chain • Cybiades • Herne) |
| Landmarks | Bankorai Pass • Dragon's Teeth Mountains • Dragontail Mountains • Earthtear Caverns • Fang Lair • Hall of Heroes • Hall of the Virtues of War • Hubalajad's Bay • Isle of N'Gasta • Leki's Blade • Loth'Na Caverns • Ogres Tooth Mountains • Volenfell |