Nirn

A globular depiction of Nirn in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall.

Nirn is a planet referred to by otherworldly beings as the mortal plane and sometimes poetically called "Mundus" by both mortals and Daedric lords. The exact reasons and specifics behind Nirn's creation are largely uncertain. However, all agree that the deity Lorkhan and the Eight Divines played pivotal roles in the creation of the planet. Two moons, Secunda and Masser, orbit Nirn. They are Lorkhan's sundered corpse. Nirn is the center of Mundus, which itself is the "hub" of The Elder Scrolls universe's "wheel." The heavens beyond Nirn are star-filled. These stars are holes or portals through Oblivion to Aetherius, and carry magical significance due to the beings which tore them open, the Magna Ge.

Creation myths

Masser and Secunda, Nirn's two moons. Masser is the larger of the two.

There are many theories on how Lorkhan created Nirn; ranging from the other Aedra agreeing to willfully help, to Lorkhan tricking them into it. However, it is universally acknowledged that the Aedra gave their energy and power over to it, that the majority gave up on the project after realizing the cost and became the Daedric Princes, while those who willingly helped became the Eight Divines. In Oblivion, Mankar Camoran proclaims that Nirn is possibly an extension of the realm of Oblivion.

Lunar activity

The two moons that orbit Nirn, Secunda and Masser, are said to be Lorkhan's sundered corpse. Masser, Nirn's larger moon, revolves around Nirn itself. By observing the nighttime sky in Oblivion and Skyrim, it is revealed that Secunda, Nirn's smaller moon, revolves around Masser.

Solar eclipses happen multiple times a year across Nirn. They are known as "Vampire Days."

Axial tilt and climate

It is never stated, but can safely be assumed, that Nirn's axial tilt is negligible, since days and nights remain more or less the same length throughout the year, even in the northern part of Skyrim. There also appears to be minimal variation in climate from month to month.

An aurora, a celestial event experienced on Nirn

The northern regions are frigid. The land of Atmora, far to the north of Skyrim, is said to be primarily a frozen plain. Skyrim, and, by some extension, Bruma, are typically snowy, especially farther north, towards Winterhold. Closer to the equator lies Elsweyr and Black Marsh, relatively tropical and warm locations.

Weather

Snow and rain are common forms of precipitation on Nirn. Certain areas in northern Tamriel, such as Skyrim and Solstheim, experience rare Auroras, colorful waves of energy in the night sky.

Geography

The planet has a notably large continent, Tamriel, which is where all of The Elder Scrolls activity takes place, with another similarly large continent to the east, named Akavir. The land masses are separated by the Padomaic Ocean, a massive saline body of water.

The cold, barren land called Atmora is to the north of Tamriel, which is where the Nords of Tamriel hailed from. To the west of Tamriel lies Yokuda, which was the former homeland of the Redguards of Tamriel. To the southwest of Tamriel lies Pyandonea. It is unknown if these are the only continents, as there are very few maps or globes showing all of Nirn.

Tamriel

A map of Tamriel

Tamriel is geographically diverse: it has mountains, tundras, cold and hot deserts, swampy regions, grasslands, tropical rainforests, and a large volcano. The diversity of biomes is unique as the hot desert is bordered by cold mountains to the north.

Also known as "Dawn's Beauty" in the language of the Altmer, Tamriel also has an archipelago of islands called the Summerset Isles, which became the home of the Altmer, or "High Elves," after they abandoned their original homeland of Aldmeris.

Yokuda

Map from TES: Adventures Redguard showing the location of Yokuda

Not much is known about Yokuda since it was nearly obliterated in an unknown cataclysmic event, but it seems to have a dull, rocky, hilly, desert landscape. It is known to be the original home to the Redguards before they rendered it uninhabitable.

Atmora

Atmora is a barren and frozen wasteland. It is this extreme cold that caused the water of the Sea of Ghosts that separates Tamriel and Atmora to become icy. This frozen land is also where the progenitors of the Nords of Skyrim, the Atmorans are originally from, although not many trips back are made.

Akavir

Next to nothing is known about the geography of Akavir. It is known that the continent is split into four warring kingdoms, each boasting its own race: Tang Mo, Kamal, Ka Po' Tun, and Tsaesci. Akavir is known to have been one of the original homes of the dragons. The Blades were originally from Akavir, where they were known as the Dragonguard, but turned to serve Reman Cyrodiil in their search for a Dragonborn.

Pyandonea

Pyandonea is the island-continent located to the far south-west of Tamriel and home to the elusive Maormer. The island consists of dense rainforests, which provide shelter for the southern water spirits. Due to its populace being primarily elves, there is speculation that Pyandonea may, in fact, be part of Tamriel.

Thras

Thras, also known as the Coral Kingdom, has been a powerful, antagonizing power against the Summerset Isles since before recorded time. The Sload may at one time have even called Summerset part of Thras.

Aldmeris

Little is known about Aldmeris, including if it still exists. The Altmer claim that this continent was the birthplace of both elves and mankind.

Lyg

A parallel version of Tamriel which can only be reached by sliding sideways in some unusual manner, only being entered through its "non-cardinal" directions.

Gallery

A globe depicting Tamriel in promotional material for The Elder Scrolls Online: Dark Brotherhood.

The pre-release art for the Summerset Orrery in The Elder Scrolls: Legends; the continents were later removed.

Trivia

• "Nirn" means "Gray Maybe" in Ehlnofex.
• Nirn rejects Daedric hexes brought by certain cursed Daedric treasures.

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.