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===[[Third Era]]===
 
===[[Third Era]]===
 
{{Main|Windhelm (Arena)}}
 
{{Main|Windhelm (Arena)}}
During the [[Oblivion Crisis]] in the [[Third Era]], Windhelm was the only sizable city in the otherwise determinedly rural Hold of Eastmarch, and served as a base for Imperial troops guarding the [[Dunmeth Pass]] into Morrowind<ref name="pocket"/>.
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During the [[Oblivion Crisis]] in the [[Third Era]], Windhelm was the only sizable city in the otherwise determinedly rural Hold of Eastmarch, and served as a base for Imperial troops guarding the [[Dunmeth Pass]] into Morrowind<ref name="1st Skyrim"/>.
   
Each year on the 13th of [[Sun's Dawn]], the [[Feast of the Dead]] festival is held in Windhelm to honor Ysgramor and his Five Hundred Companions.<ref name="pocket"/>
+
Each year on the 13th of [[Sun's Dawn]], the [[Feast of the Dead]] festival is held in Windhelm to honor Ysgramor and his Five Hundred Companions.<ref name="1st Skyrim"/>
   
 
During the [[Imperial Simulacrum]], the [[Eternal Champion]] had at one point visited the city in their quest for a piece of the [[Staff of Chaos]].
 
During the [[Imperial Simulacrum]], the [[Eternal Champion]] had at one point visited the city in their quest for a piece of the [[Staff of Chaos]].

Revision as of 16:09, 21 December 2017

Template:City infobox

"Once the capital of the First Empire, the palace of the Ysgramor dynasty still dominates the center of the Old City. Windhelm was sacked during the War of Succession, and again by the Akaviri army of Ada'Soon Dir-Kamal; the Palace of the Kings is one of the few First Empire buildings that remains."
Imperial Geographic Society[src]

Windhelm, or the City of Kings is one of the nine major cities in the province of Skyrim. It is the capital of both the Giant's Run and the Eastmarch region of Skyrim. Windhelm is one of the oldest cities in Tamrielic cities and is a shining example of how great the original Empire of Humans was in its prime.

Description

Geography

Windhelm is one of the larger cities of Skyrim and is located in a rather strategic location. Windhelm is situated on the Yorgrim Estuary, which leads to the Sea of Ghosts. It is because of this, Windhelm serves a trading post and a gateway between the Sea transport and the mainland of Skyrim. Windhelm is built on the steep hills north of the Yorgrim River in Eastmarch, in a pocket area of the Winterhold Mountains, which shows just how amazing the Atmorans were in their architecture. To connect Windhelm, to the southern river edge, there is a large stone bridge that towers over the Yorgrim River. It is also the first line of defense in Windhelm. The Nords of Windhelm had utilized the frozen land around them for various purposes, ranging from a Nordic Tomb for the Windhelm Family with Morvunskar and the various farms along the road towards the Dunmeth Pass and Blacklight. Windhelm is one of the oldest cities in Tamriel, and it is surprising to see it withstand the test of time, looking the same as it did several million years ago. The Atmorans had also created caves and catacombs underneath Windhelm that is said to house the tomb of Ysgramor himself.

Windhelm city itself is vast and easily coordinated. The central district of Windhelm is known as the Stone Quarter, which consists of southwestern Windhelm and the main street. The Stone Quarter houses the town square in front of Candlehearth Hall as well as the Hall of the Dead and the Temple of Talos. Various shops are held in this area among other businesses. The town square is in between each separate part of the city and leads to the outside and the Great Bridge of Windhelm. The Gray Quarter, formally known as the Snow Quarter, has currently been used by the displaced Dark Elves from the province of Morrowind. The Gray Quarter takes up the eastern portion of Windhelm and is considered the slums of Windhelm. As you through the streets, you see all sorts of Dunmeri memorabilia. The New Gnisis Cornerclub is one of the most well-known inns in the area.

The district known as Valunstrad, which translates to the Avenue of Valor, is essentially the nobles district of Windhelm. The Nordic Clans of Eastmarch have a home in the Valunstrad Quarter, and other estates inhabit the area like Hjerim and the House of Clan Shatter-Shield. The Palace of the Kings is the seat of power in the city of Windhelm and is one of the most massive structures in the region. It was built as a Palace for Ysgramor himself. The Windhelm Docks are located along the Yorgrim River, just before the Sea of Ghosts. It is where the Argonian population lives in, all of them live in the Argonian Assemblage, one of the worst homes in Skyrim. Many different families are crammed into this large hall.

Traditions

Click to show
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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 Nords celebrate the holiday with the Snow Bear Plunge, where they would leap into the White River and Darkwater River.[1][OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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 by weapons in stores since their price's drop by half. Young children foolishly buy weapons, only to stab themselves by mistake.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • The Nords of Windhelm 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.[OOG 1]
  • On the 13th of Sun's Dawn, the Nords of Windhelm celebrate the Feast of the Dead. It is in honor of Ysgramor's formation of the Five Hundred Companions and the Atmoran's retaliation against the Snow Elves for the Night of Tears. Each member of the Five Hundred Companions has their name recited during the Feast.[2][3]

History

Merethic Era

With the destruction of Saarthal, Ysgramor and his people had traveled back to Atmora in an event known as the Return. In his hubris, Ysgramor amassed his Five Hundred Companions to purge the Snow Elves of the land for betraying their trust in this new land. During their voyage back to Skyrim, the Storm of Separation had occurred and in the end, Yngol, the son of Ysgramor had perished at the mighty hands of Kyne. The Companion Yngol would be buried in a tomb along the Yorgrim Estuary. After one of the last battles against Snow Elves, many of the Companion groups had separated, beginning to settle all across the province. Ysgramor, stricken with grief, looked south where the river met the sea and saw the site of a great city. Ysgramor declared that this city would be a monument to the glories of mankind and that his new palace would look over Yngol Barrow. He felt that his line would bring peace to the land, something that was denied to them on Atmora.[4][5]

The Elven captives would soon go to work for the construction of Windhelm. Many prisoners had died during the process, either through excessive work or by the hands of the Ylgermet crew. Ysgramor drove them to work harder by constructing the great bridge in between the city and the rest of Eastmarch. The Palace of the Kings was built with large spires jutting out of the clouds, to show its dominance over the province. Deep underneath Windhelm, there is a large tomb designed to house the deceased Five Hundred Companions and Ysgramor should they be called to Sovngarde. However, Ysgramor was buried in an ancient tomb along the Sea of Ghosts, so that the crypt would look towards Atmora. Although his spirit has passed, the heart of his dynasty yearns for the still-green fields of Atmora, before it had frozen over. And so, the city-state of Windhelm was created, and it lives on, even before its creator.[5]

First Era

As time went on, the Ysgramor Dynasty had ruled out from the city-state of Windhelm. The 13th of the Ysgramor line, Harald had accomplished many things for the people of Skyrim and made the province what it is to this day. Harald's forces had eliminated the last Snow Elves located in the Rift and had relinquished all holdings from Atmora, then making the centralized Kingdom of Skyrim, naming Windhelm as the capital of Skyrim. As Harald became the first king of the Nords, the Atmoran Companions returned to their homeland, and the Nordic Kingdom expanded themselves as a militaristic power. The Nords finally looked towards their destiny and sought to conquer the whole continent of Tamriel. Within a few years, the Nordic Empire had conquered land beyond the traditional borders of Skyrim, to modern-day Daggerfall, to the Nibenay, and to the Western Front of Morrowind. As time went on, his youngest son, Vrage the Gifted had assumed the throne and established Windhelm as the capital of the First Empire of the Nords.[2][6][7]

Second Era

Main article: Windhelm (Online)

The Jagged Crown was an ancient helm that was created by King Harald, as a symbol of sovereignty in Skyrim. It was however lost to time when Borgas of Winterhold was slain by the Wood Elves during the Wild Hunt. The Crown was replaced by the Crown of Verity, a mystical crown that chooses the heir to the throne of the High King. During the reign of Versidue Shaie, High King Logrolf of Skyrim was assassinated, leaving the throne of the High King to his daughter, Freydis of Windhelm. But controversy would arise when Jarl Svartr of Solitude claimed that Freydis was an illegitimate heir to the throne, even though the Crown of Verity had chosen Freydis. Instead of a civil war, a moot was created where it ended in favor of Svartr. These contradictions caused a schism between the Nords of West Skyrim and the Nords of the Old Holds which resulted in the province separating into the independent Kingdoms of Western Skyrim and Eastern Skyrim. With the latter being ruled by High Queen Freydis. Her descendants would rule across the Kingdom for generations.[2][8]

During the Interregnum in 2E 572, the Kingdom of Eastern Skyrim was ruled by Mabjaarn Flame-Hair, who resided in the city-state of Windhelm and had three children. Around the same time, the Second Akaviri Invasion had commenced under the supervision of Ada'Soom Dir-Kamal. It had begun with the Sack of Windhelm when the Akaviri army had besieged the southern gate for a brief second. After that, the city of Windhelm was razed by the invaders, resulting in the death of both Mabjaarn Flame-Hair and Princess Nurnhilde. One of the twin brother, Fildgor Strong-Prince, was present in the battle, showcasing his battle prowess alongside the Stormfist Clan. The other twin brother, Jorunn the Skald-Prince had arrived into Windhelm, joining the fray with his companions, the Pack of Bards. A new leader was needed to rule over Eastern Skyrim and to force the Akaviri Army out of Tamriel. Fildgor stepped in and claimed the throne, expecting Jorunn to comply. However, the Skald-Prince refused to accept such a man of war onto the throne of Eastern Skyrim.[9][10]

Fildgor Strong-Prince did not take Jorunn's defiance lightly, so he rallied the Stormfist Clan to prepare for an attack. Realizing that a Civil War was being conceived before him, Jorunn challenged Fildgor to a Traditional Nordic Duel, whoever succeeded, would be crowned the High King of Eastern Skyrim. It was the longest three-hour fight in history, being dubbed the Brothers' War. The duel was brutal, weapons clashed, and blood was drawn but in the end, the newly-proclaimed Jorunn the Skald-King had garnered victory by shattering Fildgor's weapon during the battle and demanding him to surrender. Fildgor was forced to surrender, and he was exiled from Eastern Skyrim, the Stormfist Clan were also chastened for supporting him. Fildgor would live out in the territories of the Daggerfall Covenant, cursing his brother's name. Now that Jorunn was the leader of Windhelm, he gathered his forces and traveled to High Hrothgar alone, to seek aid from the Greybeards.[3][10]

During the Second Era, under the rule of Jarl Elgryr the Unminded, Windhelm was in an impoverished state. Basic necessities were scarce and the citizens lived in abject poverty. This eventually prompted the citizens to rebel against the Jarl and storm the palace, however it is unknown if the uprising was successful.[11]

During the Alliance War, the Vestige had visited the city during a celebration for the tenth anniversity of Jorunn the Skald-King's rule known as the Konunleikar. Thane Mera Stormcloak, the then ruler of Windhelm has been worried of the Stormfist Brigade recent appearance which was justified because the Stormfist clan had sabotaged the Footrace of the Nine Holds and planned an assassination attempt on the Skald-King at the Hall of Trials. The Vestige defeated the assassins and protected the King. He had then been warned about Fildgor Orcthane's return from exile.

The Vestige visited the city again, on their way to Abah's Landing.

Third Era

Main article: Windhelm (Arena)

During the Oblivion Crisis in the Third Era, Windhelm was the only sizable city in the otherwise determinedly rural Hold of Eastmarch, and served as a base for Imperial troops guarding the Dunmeth Pass into Morrowind[2].

Each year on the 13th of Sun's Dawn, the Feast of the Dead festival is held in Windhelm to honor Ysgramor and his Five Hundred Companions.[2]

During the Imperial Simulacrum, the Eternal Champion had at one point visited the city in their quest for a piece of the Staff of Chaos.

Fourth Era

Main article: Windhelm (Skyrim)

During the Fourth Era, Skyrim is in the throes of a Civil War and Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak leads the Stormcloak rebellion against the Empire. Windhelm, being his ancestral home, becomes the capital of the Stormcloaks during the civil war. Racial tensions flare up between the native Nords and the Dark Elves in the Gray Quarter (formerly known as the Snow Quarter). Some Nords resented having to accommodate the Dark Elves and other immigrant races when they refuse to contribute to the Stormcloaks' cause.[12] Other Nords tolerate at least the immigrant Argonians and other races that have assimilated into productive roles in Windhelm, but frown on the Dark Elves who refuse to contribute to Windhelm's prosperity.[13] When Skyrim was under the control of the Empire, Dunmer immigrants were not expected to pay taxes or answer to the local Nord government[14][13], but with Windhelm rebelling against the Empire during the Skyrim Civil War, many Windhelm locals believe that Ulfric should start imposing heavier taxes on them to contribute to the community.[15] Meanwhile, the immigrant races became embittered by their poor lifestyle and discrimination they have to live with.[16] The Dark Elves, in particular, resented the Jarl for neglecting their poor living conditions and safety.[17][18] Dragons have also returned to the world and threaten to destroy Skyrim. To make matters worse, a mysterious killer has been stalking the snowy streets of Windhelm at night and has already claimed two victims.

Gallery

Trivia

  • When Arena was going to be Tournament based game, where each city had their own gladiatorial team. Windhelm's team was known as the Paladins.[OOG 2]

By game

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.