Verkarth

Verkarth
Builder	Redguard
Location	Hammerfell
Climate	Deserts Mountains
Affiliation	Gray Host Molag Bal

Not to be confused with Belkarth or Markarth.

Verkarth or Verkarth City is a city located in central Hammerfell, near the city-state of Skaven. Verkarth was once ruled by Styriche, the Vampire King of Verkarth who fought against Empress Hestra at the Bangkorai Garrison.

By game

• Verkarth City (Arena)

Description

Geography

Verkarth is located on the southern end of the Dragontail Mountains, the mountain range that separates the northern Hammerfell border from the rest of the province. Verkarth is rather close to the region of Bangkorai and the city-state of Ska'vyn. The nearest settlements to Verkarth City are the townships of Thorstad Place, Karnver Falls, Riverpoint, and the mentioned city of Skaven. Because of the city's close proximity to Skaven, one can assume that Verkarth is located in the Kingdom of Skaven, although this is not confirmed.

Traditions

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The Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City celebrate the Witches' Festival on the 13th of Frostfall. A day when Lord Hollowjack of Detritus spreads his influence across Tamriel. Monsters and Ghouls swarm across Tamriel, terrorizing the innocent. Many people do not dare to leave their home, in fear of being nabbed by these creatures. The Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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 Redguards of Verkarth City 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.

History

First Era

In 1E 1029, the Alessian Empire expanded beyond the borders of Cyrodiil and into the provinces of Western Tamriel. The Bangkorai Garrison was a prominent settlement in the area, with a Chapel to Stendarr in the fortress. Saint Pelin, before he was a priest, lived in the Bangkorai Garrison and was a Priest of Stendarr, who spiritually healed the warriors guarding the Garrison after conflicts. The leader of Verkarth at the time was Styriche, a notorious Vampire with a powerful army called the Gray Host. The Host consisted of Vampires, Bat-men, and wolves, and ravaged the area, until they reached the Bangkorai Garrison. Empress Hestra, the then leader of the Alessian Empire, was moving into Bangkorai and was intercepting the Gray Host at the Bangkorai Garrison.

Pelin prayed to the Eight Divines and after saving Sergeant Clancie, he plunged into the Batmen horde. As Pelin landed onto the horde, the monsters swarmed Pelin, draining the blood from his body, but from divine intervention from Stendarr, his body was filled with endless amounts of blood and flooded the Batmen with fountains and geysers of gory blood. The Bangkorai Militia under Clancie had mostly slain the creatures, forcing Styriche to retreat. Hestra cornered the army and ultimately defeated, along with Styriche. It was at this moment, Pelin went from a mere beadle to the position of Saint, being worshipped throughout Bangkorai to this day. After this battle, High Rock was named the Imperial Province under the Alessian Empire. What became of Verkarth after the death of Styriche is unknown, but Styriche was reanimated during the Planemeld in 2E 582, whenever one of the Dark Anchors throughout Tamriel was activated.

Third Era

Main article: Verkarth City

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 town of Verkarth City in their quest to recover the pieces.

Gallery

Map of Verkarth City circa 3E 399.

Verkarth City on a map of western Tamriel.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls: Arena
• The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls Online (mentioned only)