Southpoint

Southpoint
Constructed	1st of Rain's Hand, 1E 2729
Destroyed	Southpoint Riots (2E 582)
Builder	Bosmer Imperial (Colovian)
Location	Long Coast, Grahtwood, Valenwood
Climate	Forests Oceans
Points of interest	Southpoint Inn Cathedral of the Golden Path
Affiliation	Camoran Dynasty Second Empire Thalmor First Aldmeri Dominion

Not to be confused with Northpoint.

"It was the beautiful plot of land at the southernwestern tip of Grahtwood where Zantonius thrust the point of his spear into the soil. "From this day forward, I declare this land to be known as Southpoint. Though sent to build a stronghold of Imperial might, I will instead built a fortified town! All in the Kingdom of Grahtwood will know Southpoint's name.""

―Provincial Office of Governor Zantonius

Southpoint, South Point, or Fort Zantonius is one of the eight major cities in the province of Valenwood, situated on the southwestern beach of the Grahtwood region. Southpoint had become the prime port town of the Second Empire, as well as, having a strong defense against the wilds of Valenwood.

By game

• Southpoint (Arena)
• Southpoint (Online)

Description

Geography

Southpoint is built in the Imperial style, with fortifications towards the east and the main gate. It is relatively small when compared to the other cities in Valenwood, but it is strategically along the south coast, between Woodhearth and Haven. Southpoint is located in the Long Coast region of Grahtwood, which stretches along the Grahtwood south, and the cliffs of the mainland divide it. By the mainland, Southpoint has one connection that leads to Haven, which would eventually lead onto the rest of the province. Southpoint's main gate is to the east, and it leads straight into the town square. All around the center are homes and the local inn, as well as, a hill that contains the Cathedral of the Golden Path, a place of worship in Southpoint. North from there is an island, with a small canal for boats, wooden ports, and several homes. Atop of the hill is the remains of a fort, with a tower overlooking the Cape of the Blue Divide.

Traditions

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The Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of Southpoint 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 Wood Elves of the Green Pact travel to the Den of the Eldest in the early springtime, where they throw a festival that lasts all day and night. The Eldest was an Ancient Strangler that created the first Silvenar and Green Lady. It lives deep in Verrant Morass.

• The Wood Elves of Southpoint celebrate the Rites of Xarxes' Memory, an annual event that recounts the memories and teachings of Xarxes, the Elven God of Knowledge and Ancestry. These ceremonies are held in the Cathedral of the Golden Path in Southpoint.

History

First Era

On the 1st of Rain's Hand, 1E 2729, the city-state of Southpoint was founded by Zantonius. He was an Imperial Legionnaire from Kvatch that was involved with the Second Empire's control over Valenwood. Zantonius was a rash person that rose through the Imperial Legion ranks, and eventually taking a position at Reman's Bluff. Around this time, the Wood Orcs of the Barkbite Clan have been raiding their stronghold, who resisted the sudden rule of the Second Empire over their domain, the Tarlain Heights. But on Second Seed, a Shaman of the Barkbite had approached the fort with a peace treaty that would end the constant battles between the factions, but Zantonius had hastily shot down the shaman, causing the conflict to continue. For his foolish actions, the Imperial Legate had sent him to a plot of land in the Long Coast, to build a camp there, so that he could not make things worse, but eventually, the Barkbite Clan had overrun Reman's Bluff, establishing their stronghold. Instead of building a fort, Zantonius declared this plot of land, Southpoint, which became a fortified settlement that quickly rose to prominence. Southpoint became a bustling port for the Second Empire, remaining as an Imperial township and integrating properly into Valenwood society.

Second Era

Main article: Southpoint (Online)

After the collapse of the Second Empire, Southpoint lost most of its significance, becoming nothing more than a sleepy coastal town with a big cathedral. During the Interregnum in 2E 582, the city-state of Southpoint was ruled by Mayor Aulus, who ruled in conjunction with the First Aldmeri Dominion, situated out of nearby Elden Root. At around this time, Queen Ayrenn had arrived onto Elden Root, with the intent of entering the Orrery to show her worthiness as their leader, but the Orrery requires a few components to operate. The Orrery Conservator, Daraneth had lived out of Southpoint for quite some time, and the Dominion had required her services. And so, Prince Naemon had sent an Agent of the Dominion to find her and bring her back to Elden Root, but Southpoint would suffer a severe and maddening threat. Mayor Aulus was a secret worshipper of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness, who manipulated the Mayor's mind and turned Southpoint into a cesspool of chaos. Citizens had rioted in the streets, and thunder crashed the ruined fort. The Dominion was dispatched to quell the situation but were unable to enter the city. The Agent and Daraneth were able to venture throughout the town, stopping the rioters and Rufinus, a drunkard that unleashed lightning onto the area. Eventually, the two confronted Mayor Aulus and Sheogorath. In the end, Aulus was killed, and Sheogorath left Southpoint, as the Dominion recovered. Daraneth left Southpoint for Elden Root, to operate the Orrery.

Third Era

Main article: Southpoint (Arena)

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 Southpoint in their quest to recover the pieces. The city of Southpoint was under the rule of Queen Mindra.

Gallery

Southpoint circa 3E 399.

Trivia

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

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls: Arena
• The Elder Scrolls Online

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.