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"Wretched Kragenmoor is the seat of power for the pitiable and disorganized House Dres, long the leaders of the slavery industry in Morrowind. More than a mere center of Khajiiti and Argonian exploitation, the town is also the main farming hub for the entire Stonefalls region, feeding settlements as far away as Davon's Watch and Ebonheart."
―Anonymous[src]

Kragenmoor is one of the eight major cities in the province of Morrowind and is the capital of the Varanis region in the area known as Stonefalls. Kragenmoor has been a powerful place in the Dunmeri economy being occupied by the Great Houses of Hlaalu and Dres throughout the eras. It is a farming city that feeds the greater Stonefalls region and their illustrious cities.

By game[]

Description[]

Geography[]

Kragenmoor is situated in the western mountains of Morrowind, alongside the Valus Mountains that border the province of Cyrodiil. The land that Kragenmoor inhabits is where the Ashlander population of Stonefalls lives primarily; notable groups include the Ulath Tribe, and the Kagesh Tribe are known to have settlements throughout Varanis. The Varanis Valley is fertile with the ash-ridden land, several plantations and farms are known to operate around the city of Kragenmoor, selling their produce at Kragenmoor's markets. The city is well-known throughout the land as a farming settlement, feeding the Dark Elves from the faraway cities of Ebonheart and Davon's Watch. East of Kragenmoor is one of the twin volcanoes of Stonefalls, the Tormented Spire, which overlooks the Western portion of Stonefalls and houses Sadal, one of the Brothers of Strife. The leader of Kragenmoor is the only person with access to the Tormented Spire, making the volcano rather inaccessible.

Kragenmoor itself is one of the smaller cities in Morrowind, but it is a trading hub first, before a city. The city-state of Kragenmoor is built atop the hills of Varanis, just before the lush grazelands of the Deshaan Plains. Upper Kragenmoor is a circular steppe made atop of Dunmeri-style stonework with bridges connecting to neighboring hills divided by a sunken lane that represents Lower Kragenmoor. The hills would house the local guilds among other things like the Hissing Guar, a prominent tavern in Kragenmoor and the House Barracks. Most of the bridges had stairs that lead to Upper Kragenmoor. In the central square is the Grandmaster's Palace, where the leader of the city resides, overlooking the grazelands and the town. The bridge west of the town square leads to the House Dres Crypts, which are somewhat expansive, almost as significant as the city-state itself. Lower Kragenmoor is a sunken lane, where the slaves of House Dres and the overall poor are known to stay, whenever they are not working. The main road through Varanis connects to Lower Kragenmoor, and another route extends pass the Hissing Guar, leading to the hills and ancient ruin.

Traditions[]

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  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
  • The Dark Elves of Kragenmoor 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.[1]
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History[]

First Era[]

Yoriss Ra'athim & the Nordic Conquest[]

The Great Dunmeri House of Ra'athim has been a prominent power throughout the first era of Morrowind, specifically, in the Stonefalls region through their ancestral home, the city-state of Ebonheart. House Ra'athim extended their reach beyond Ebonheart, into other cities in the land, including Kragenmoor. Yoriss Ra'athim was the Queen of Kragenmoor during Morrowind's trying times. She was one of the few Dark Elven rulers still around when the Nordic forces of Skyrim expanded their Empire, conquering the province of Morrowind, even capturing Ebonheart from House Ra'athim. Yoriss' reign over Kragenmoor was still around during the Nordic occupation of Morrowind, continued afterward when Moraelyn, his brothers, and father had driven out the Nords of Ebonheart. The Nords were completely driven out of Morrowind in 1E 420 when the War of Succession ended. It is unknown how long Yoriss' reign had lasted, but it was able to manage through hard times.[4][5]

Second Era[]

Main article: Kragenmoor (Online)

Tanval's Endeavor; Trouble at Kragenmoor[]

During the Interregnum in 2E 582, the city-state of Kragenmoor was under the occupation of the Great House Dres, through the control of Omin Dres, the Grandmaster of House Dres. Around the same time, the Daggerfall Covenant had invaded the region of Stonefalls, leading to several casualties like Garyn Indoril. Garyn was the son of Tanval Indoril, an Indoril War-Hero during the Second Akaviri Invasion. With the death of his son, Tanval gathered his Vanguard and left for Kragenmoor, to release Sadal of the Brothers of Strife onto the Covenant Armada, in revenge for his son. Tanval traveled to Kragenmoor to force Omin Dres for the key to the Tormented Spire. To get what he wants, Tanval ordered his Vanguard to kidnap Sen Dres to the House Dres Crypts, so that Omin would be forced to give them the passage. When Tanval was given the key, he left Sen Dres in his prison and headed for the Tormented Spire. The Ebonheart Pact had followed Tanval to Kragenmoor and received the news about both Sen Dres and Tanval Indoril. An Agent of the Pact known as the Vestige was able to uncover Sen's whereabouts in the Ancient Dres Crypts, through investigative sleuthing. Sen Dres would later be rescued. In gratitude, Omin Dres gave the key to the Tormented Spire, to stop Tanval Indoril once and for all.[6][7]

The Talosian Conquest & the Treaty of the Armistice[]

With the Conquest of Hammerfell coming to an end, Tiber Septim was guided by Wulfharth to invade the province of Morrowind. Wulfharth was blinded by vengeance towards the Dark Elves of Morrowind after the Battle of Red Mountain had the Nords fall in defeat by the Elves. The Septim Army had advanced across the Valus Mountains, attacking the Dunmeri settlements along the western border. Minor townships including Silgrad Tower and Cormaris View were attacked by the Septim Army. Eventually, the city-states of Kragenmoor and Blacklight were attacked during the conflict. The Great Houses were involved, but as time went on, they began to withdraw, accepting the invader's rule over the province. House Redoran was the last standing defense against the Third Empire but the conflict had ended when Vivec himself had appeared before his people at Vivec City to tell them that a negotiation would be created between the two factions. What came out of the negotiation was the Treaty of the Armistice, which had not only brought Morrowind to the Septim Empire, but it had closed off the sub-continent of Vvardenfell, deeming it a Tribunal Temple protected area, this was among other requests made by the government of Morrowind.[8][9]

Third Era[]

Main article: Kragenmoor (Arena)

Kragenmoor 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 city of Kragenmoor in their quest to recover the pieces. The city of Kragenmoor was under the rule of King Shalpar.[10]

Frathen Drothan and his plot against the Empire[]

The Septim Empire's incorporation into Morrowind has left people divided, calling King Helseth and the rest of the Great Houses, the lapdogs to the Empire of Cyrodiil. There have been very few revolts throughout the Empire that intend to attack the Empire itself, including the rise of Calaxes Septim. There was one rebellion that started in Morrowind called the Drothmeri Army, which was created by Frathen Drothan, an Arch-Mage of the Great House Telvanni. Drothan had planned to topple the Septim Empire with the Daedric Artifact known as Mehrunes' Razor. The Drothmeri Army had grown to a threaten size by the time Frathen Drothan had reached the city-state of Kragenmoor. But by the 17th of Rain's Hand, it became difficult to find mercenaries, but the Army continued across the Valus Mountains and entering the Nibenay Basin, where Mehrunes' Razor would be buried within the depths of Sundercliff Watch.[11]

The Aftermath of the Oblivion Crisis in Kragenmoor[]

During the Oblivion Crisis in 3E 433, the province of Morrowind was heavily affected by the Daedric invasion, though the city-state of Kragenmoor was oddly unaffected. At the time, Caius Cosades, a Spymaster of the Blades was stationed in Kragenmoor, where he witnessed the large increase in worship for Akatosh, ever since the events in the Imperial City with Martin Septim. Every skeptic, back-slider, and Tribunal guards would feverishly worship the local shrine of Akatosh. Usually, the Elves of House Hlaalu were lukewarm guests of feast dedicated to the Nine Divines, but after the Crisis, the people of House Hlaalu have sought out divine counsel and faith for the divines.[UL 1]

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • In an earlier stage of development, Arena was going to be a tournament-based game, where each city had their own gladiatorial team. Kragenmoor's team was known as the Warhammers.[UL 2]

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.
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