Lore:Places A

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Abecean Sea

The Abecean Sea is a body of water to the west of Tamriel that sits between Cyrodiil, Hammerfell, Valenwood and Summerset Isle. The sea is encompassed by the Eltheric Ocean.

Abibon-Gora

The Barony of Abibon-Gora rested on the western coast of Hammerfell, in the Iliac Bay region. It shared borders with Kairou to her north and the Alik'r Desert to her east. Redguards predominated in the region, with Julianos as the favorite deity. The capital city was the city of Abibon-gora, and the locality was protected by the Knights of the Wheel.

Aetherius

Aetherius, the Immortal Plane, is thought to be the origin of all magic and arcane arts. The stars and the sun are thought to be holes into Aetherius left by spirits (notably Magnus) who long ago became dissatisfied with Mundus. It is a common belief that the soul of a dead person, assuming they are not earthbound for some reason, goes to Aetherius, to continue on as a spirit. Aetherius, much like Oblivion, consists of a multitude of realms which serve different purposes, except they are all "of everlasting imperfection". For Nords, their chosen place in Aetherius is called "Sovngarde", the Hall of Valor.

Some souls do not stay in Aetherius, but enter the so-called Dreamsleeve to be recycled. Others become servants to the Daedra in Oblivion. Aetherius is thought by many to be the home of the Aedric spirits, though very little is actually known as travel to Aetherius is extremely rare. The Magne Ge, or "Star Orphans", who fled Mundus before Convention and created the stars, reside here instead. The Mantellan Crux is a self-contained part of Mundus that was blasted into Aetherius by Zurin Arctus, who used it as the Mantella.

Ahemmusa Camp

The Ahemmusa Camp was an Ashlander settlement located directly north of Vos on the north coast of the Grazelands of Vvardenfell. It was a point of relative stability for the Ahemmusa Ashlanders. The camp was the location of the Healer, Wise Woman, and other tribal dignitaries. Members of the tribe claimed the entire northern section of the Grazelands as their hunting and herding territory.

Akavir

An Akavir-inspired Banner

The continent of Akavir, also known as Dragon Land, is a landmass east of Tamriel. The two continents have a history of animosity towards each other, with Akavir invading Tamriel several times in the past and Tamriel invading Akavir at least once. Much of what is known about it in Tamriel is acknowledged to be incomplete or inaccurate.

For more information, see the main lore article.

Akos Kasaz

Akos Kasaz is the largest island in the Yokudan group between the Azurian Sea and the Sea of Pearls, far to the west of Hammerfell.

Alabaster

Alabaster is a city found inland from the Niben River on the Elsweyr side of the border. It is said that great white walls surround the city, hence the name. It was once home to a gladiatorial team known as the Nightrunners. A small unnamed town is located outside the city walls, to the west.

Alcaire

The Fiefdom of Alcaire is a region on the south-central coast of High Rock, on the north shore of Iliac Bay. Koegria lies to the southwest, and the Wrothgarian Mountains surround it to the north. The provincial capital is the city of Alcaire and the regional deity is Kynareth.

The book The Arcturian Heresy claims Hjalti Early-Beard was born within its borders, and that Hjalti would go on to become Tiber Septim. The same book, however, calls the province an island and so its claims should be taken with a pinch of salt. Nevertheless, the province celebrates Tibedetha (Tibers Day) on the 24th of Mid Year.

Aldmeris

Aldmeris is both the name of the legendary continent from which the elves originally came to Tamriel, and the language spoken by its inhabitants, the Aldmer. It was also known as Old Ehlnofey.

Its exact fate is unknown, but it appears that the continent came under some kind of threat in the Merethic Era, causing the Aldmeri to leave in search of a new home. The first land to be settled by the refugees was Summerset Isle, suggesting that Aldmeris lies to the south and west of Tamriel, but the land is now lost and has assumed the status of a myth.

The powerful diviners that make up the order of Moth Priests have contended, along with other scholars, that Aldmeris never was a physical homeland, but a collection of images left over from the chaos of the Dawn Era. All elven peoples shared this tapestry of racial memory and as they diverged along cultural lines, their images of Aldmeris changed as well, and the figurative heritage was sundered and lost. The utter lack of evidence of any sort on Aldmeris' location and features corroborates this, especially as it comes from a near-infallible source — the Elder Scrolls themselves.

Ald'ruhn

Ald'ruhn's Under-Skar was the main focal point for the city and was the area where many important Redoran councilors resided.

The town of Ald'ruhn (sometimes spelled Ald-ruhn) was the second-largest settlement population-wise on Vvardenfell. It was a dusty cluster of Redoran-style buildings nestled against the southwest slopes of the Red Mountain, just outside the Ghostfence. It was the seat of House Redoran's council, and all of the councilors maintained expansive mansions in Under-Skar, the manor district built in the hollowed shell of an ancient Emperor Crab known as Skar. There were many smaller houses clustered about the giant shell, including both the Fighters Guild and Mages Guild. Representatives of the Thieves Guild were to be found in "The Rat In The Pot" inn, and on the east side of town was a large Tribunal Temple. The Morag Tong guildhall was located in a mansion in Under-Skar. Close to the south was the Imperial Legion fort, Buckmoth Legion Fort.

Ald Sotha

Ald Sotha (meaning "Old Sotha" in Dunmeris) was a ruined structure located northeast of Vivec City, in the Ascadian Isles region of Vvardenfell.

Originally, the location was the home of House Sotha, a minor house of the settled Chimer in the early First Era. It was the birthplace of Sotha Sil, who would later achieve godhood through the power of the Heart of Lorkhan and become a member of the Tribunal. The city was destroyed by Mehrunes Dagon; Sotha Sil was the sole survivor, having been saved by Vivec.

A shrine to Mehrunes Dagon was later built at the location, likely in remembrance of the Prince's destruction of the original city. The shrine fell into ruin, although it continued to be populated by daedra. The Tribunal Temple occasionally made pilgrimages to Dagon's shrine, deep within the ruins.

Roland's Tear, a rare variation of the common Gold Kanet flower, grew only around the ruins. It was prized by alchemists for its wondrous powers when used in potion making.

By 3E 427, the Dark Brotherhood had taken over the ruins, and it became the headquarters of the Brotherhood in Vvardenfell. This attempt at expansion was viciously repelled by the native Morag Tong, the ancient enemies of the Brotherhood. The Tong infiltrated the ruins and executed the local Night Mother, Severa Magia, which helped to put an end to the Dark Brotherhood's activities on Vvardenfell. The Tong also liberated several artifacts of Sanguine from the ruins, which rightfully belonged to their patron, Mephala. The Tribunal Temple also made a pilgrimage to Dagon's shrine that year, and recovered the shoes of St. Rilms from the ruins.

The ruins were likely destroyed in 4E 5, when Baar Dau crashed into Vivec City. This impact devastated the surrounding area, creating Scathing Bay, a large crater filled with boiling water from the Inner Sea.

Ald Velothi

Ald Velothi was a small Redoran military post north of Gnisis. There were few services, apart from some poor traders and a smith, and no means of fast transport to reach it. The town's principal structure was a Redoran watch-tower, and there was an outcast Ashlander camp directly south of the post, atop a hill. A large Daedric Shrine was directly east and visible from the village.

Alik'r

The Alik'r, best known as The Alik'r Desert, is a large region which forms the heart of Hammerfell. The desert borders almost every region in northwestern Hammerfell, from Abibon-Gora to the Dragontail Mountains, and completely surrounds the province of Bergama. In truth, the distinction between the Alik'r's shifting sands and the kingdoms of Hammerfell is hazy; travelers in the vast desert report never being entirely sure which kingdom they may be in. An enormous red mist seems to rise up from the sand in the mornings, though it disappears again well before noon. The constant battle for survival in the Alik'r has been called a "holy war" for the Redguards. Satakal, the Yokudan god of everything, is a popular deity amongst the desert's nomads. The winds and sands of the Alik'r are said to possess a magic all their own. The provincial seat is Alik'ra. The Anthotis clan is the predominant vampire bloodline in the region.

Alinor

Alinor is the capital of the Summerset Isles, and was the center of the Aldmeri Dominion during the reign of King Alinor. Once home to a gladiatorial team called the Protectors, it was a forbidden city for almost 50 years; even today, human traders are usually only allowed on its ports. Visitors have described the city as made from glass or insect wings, which gives the city a beauty that, by any account, would easily rival that of any found on the mainland.

Throughout the long history of Alinor, it has often been at odds with the nearby city-state of Lillandril. Because of this internal strife, the Summerset Isles were quite isolated from the rest of Tamriel until Tiber Septim conquered the Isles in 2E 896, which was his final conquest on Tamriel. The golem Numidium, recently acquired as tribute from the Tribunal of Morrowind, attacked the city and captured it in mere minutes.

When the Aldmeri Dominion was reformed in the early Fourth Era, the city of Alinor lent its name to the newly formed Elven empire.

Almalexia

Almalexia is the largest and oldest city in Morrowind named for Almalexia, one of the Tribunal, its patron deities. The city is the capital of the province and the House Indoril as well as the Tribunal Temple. Almalexia is a truly ancient city, possibly predating the Dunmer themselves, and contains the city of Mournhold. It is rumored to be built over the ruins of a vast Dwarven city, although there are no ruins visible on the surface.

Lake Amaya

Lake Amaya is a large lake in the Ascadian Isles region of Vvardenfell. It is located north of the village of Pelagaid and south of the Moonmoth Legion Fort. The Tribunal Temple pilgrimage site, the Fields of Kummu, were near the middle of the north shore.

Anequina

Anequina (also known as Anaquina and Ne Quin-al) was a kingdom in southern Tamriel that merged with its rival Pellitine in 2E 309 to form the province of Elsweyr. It occupied the southeast of the province, around the city of Senchal. However, the map of Elsweyr from Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition contradicts 2920, instead showing the kingdom in the north. Only two of the rulers of the kingdom are known. Keirgo married Pellitine's ruler Eshita to seal the merger of the two kingdoms in 2E 309. Darloc Brae, known as The Beast of Anequina was ruler in 1E 461 when he attended the coronation of the Emperor Gorieus. It is unclear whether Beast was a title always given to the ruler, or a specific appellation for Darloc Brae.

The kingdom is best remembered as the scene of a battle between Elsweyr and Valenwood called the Heart of Anequina, immortalized in a tapestry by renowned artist Cherim and described in a book of the same name.

Anticlere

The Fiefdom of Anticlere, formerly known as Reich Gradkeep, is a region on the southern coast of High Rock, the Iliac Bay region. The provincial seat is the city of Anticlere.

Antiphyllos

The County of Antiphyllos is a region within western Hammerfell in the Iliac Bay. Its northwestern border is shared with Sentinel and Ayasofya. The immense Alik'r Desert surrounds the rest of the region, although even the local residents seem to have trouble establishing those borders with any certainty.

Anvil

Anvil is a prosperous harbor city on the Gold Coast by the Abecean Sea at the very southwest end of Cyrodiil. It is the seat of Count Anvil and it is located at the end of the Gold Road, west of Skingrad and Kvatch.

Anvil consists of five districts: Castle Anvil, Chapelgate, Westgate, Guildgate and Harborside. The Redguards have had a notable influence on local architecture, which is of a similar style to that of nearby Hammerfell. The city's graveyard is located across the street from the Chapel of Dibella. North of the graveyard lies Benirus Manor, one of Anvil's many stately manors. The city also houses chapters of the Fighters Guild and Mages Guild (the latter of which specializes in Restoration).

Apocrypha

Apocrypha is a realm of Oblivion created and ruled over by Hermaeus Mora, the Daedric Prince of Knowledge and Fate. It is an endless library consisting of untitled books with black covers, where all forbidden knowledge can be found. The realm is haunted by the ghosts of mortals forever searching for knowledge. Stacks of books form mazes and spiralling pilars that can reach as high as the illuminating green sky. Intricate ruins and monstrous carvings can be found among the stacks. The plane is covered in a sea of acidic, murky waters and roiling tentacles. Hermaeus Mora holds an omnipresence within the realm. Some areas of the realm are consumed by darkness which can kill any who enter it. Discarded pages and floating tomes fill the air.

Apocrypha is inhabited by the frightening Daedric servants of Mora. Seekers guard forbidden knowledge, banishing foes with sound attacks. Lurkers dwell within the acidic waters, arising from the depths to attack invaders. Disembodied tentacles hide in the waters and hang from the sky, whipping at any who pass.

Apart from magical teleportation, Apocrypha is usually entered by mortals through the reading of Black Books, tomes of forbidden knowledge scattered across Tamriel by Hermaeus Mora. An apparition of the reader's body remains in Mundus, tethering their life force. Most mortals who read a Black Book are driven insane, but those who successfully journey through Apocrypha are known to discover powerful knowledge. Dying in Apocrypha while reading a Black Book simply banishes the reader back to Tamriel.

After disobeying his dragon masters in the Merethic Era, Miraak became a champion of Hermaeus Mora and retreated to Apocrypha with his dragon servants, where he dwelled for many eras. The mage Morian Zenas famously disappeared in Apocrypha during his voyages through Oblivion. In 4E 201, seeking to escape Apocrypha and the control of Mora, Miraak used his knowledge of the thu'um to bend the will of the people of Solstheim and force them into building a temple for him, to harness the power of the All-Maker Stones and allow him to return to Tamriel. The Last Dragonborn entered Apocrypha on several occasions through the reading of Black Books, and confronted Miraak. The two Dragonborns battled, and, when Miraak was close to defeat, he was killed by Mora, who then accepted the Last Dragonborn as his new champion.

Arcane University

The Arcane University (also called the Imperial University) is a walled complex located on City Isle in Cyrodiil. It is a district of the Imperial City, and is connected by bridge to the Arboretum. It was founded in the Second Era and replaced the Crystal Tower of Summerset Isle as the center of magical learning in Tamriel. The Arcane University acted as the headquarters of the Mages Guild, and was the seat of the Council of Mages. The university was Tamriel's foremost magical research center and was the home of many powerful guild mages, scholars and apprentices.

The university grounds are guarded by Imperial Battlemages of the Shadow Legion, a magic-using legion who were once trained in the Battlespire. In the center of the district is the Arch-Mage's Tower. The tower contained the Council Chamber, the Arch-Mage's living quarters, and a ground floor open to the public. The chambers were linked by magical teleportation pads. Accessible from the tower was the Imperial Orrery, a reconstructed Dwarven machine used to chart the heavens. The university grounds were divided by a wall; one half of the grounds were reserved for members of the Mages Guild. The university contained a Chironasium for enchanting, a Lustratorium for alchemy, a Praxographical Center for spell making, and quarters and practice rooms for permanent residents. The Mystic Archives had a large collection of books and notes. The grounds also contained an alchemical garden, an outdoors lecture area, and an Imperial watchtower for the Battlemages.

Access to the Arcane University underwent a change of policy at the end of the Third Era when Hannibal Traven became Arch-Mage. To gain entry, initiates of the Mages Guild needed a recommendation from all the guildhalls of Cyrodiil. In 3E 433, the Orrery was repaired with Dwemer artifacts imported from Morrowind. The university was not directly affected by the attacks on the Mages Guild from the Order of the Black Worm, although the attendants of Wellspring Cave were slain by the necromancers, cutting off the supply of special wood needed for the creation of magical staffs. The Arcane University survived the dissolution of the Mages Guild following the Oblivion Crisis, and was still a center of magical study in 4E 201.

Archon

Archon is an Argonian settlement near the eastern coast of Black Marsh that was once home to a gladiatorial team known as the Plague. Additionally, it once housed the Shadowscale Training Facility, a secret facility run by the Dark Brotherhood with the aim of training Shadowscales, elite Argonian assassins who work for the king of Black Marsh.

Arenthia

Arenthia is a city in northeastern Valenwood, close to the borders of Cyrodiil and Elsweyr. It was once home to a gladiatorial team known as the Huntsmen. The city is reputedly the place where the Camoran Usurper first began his war of conquest, collecting a huge army of daedra and undead before attacking first Valenwood, then Hammerfell and High Rock. It is named after the first king of the Bosmer.

Artaeum

The Isle of Artaeum is the third largest island in the Summerset archipelago, located south of the Moridunon village of Potansa and west of the mainland village of Runcibae. Artaeum is the home of the Psijic Order, the oldest monastic group of Tamriel.

The Isle of Artaeum has idyllic orchards and clear pastures, still and silent lagoons, misty woodlands, and the unique Psijic architecture that seems to be as natural as its surroundings. The Ceporah Tower is a relic from a civilization that predates the High Elves by several hundred years. It is the location of the Dreaming Cavern, which Sotha Sil once used as some sort of portal into the realms of Oblivion, but which has since been sealed off by the Psijics. The Isle of Artaeum was once removed from the world in a similar fashion to Umbriel, but reappeared about 500 years later. The Isle of Artaeum once again disappeared around 100 years before the civil war in Skyrim, and has not been seen since.

The Isle of Artaeum was home to Mannimarco, the leader of Necromancy in Tamriel.

Ascadian Isles

The Ascadian Isles were fertile, lush agricultural lowlands mainly under House Hlaalu control in Vvardenfell's southwestern area. The climate was temperate and comfortable, with moderate rainfall. The region encompassed land as far south as Ebonheart, west to the Foyada Mamaea, north to the central Ashlands just past the Fields of Kummu shrine, and east to the large Daedric Shrine of Ald Sotha. The land was rich in nutrients, and therefore littered with small farms and plantations. The islands themselves, while scattered, were close enough for easy transportation, the only main obstacle being Lake Amaya. Notable vegetation included large mushroom-like plants not unlike trees, cork bulb, marshmerrow and muck sponges.

Major cities in the Ascadian Isles included the Imperial stronghold of Ebonheart, the Temple city of Vivec, the market town of Suran, and Pelagiad. The architecture was a mix of Hlaalu, Velothi and Imperial. Additionally, many of the councilors of Great House Hlaalu maintained plantations in the Isles to exploit the region's good growing soil, and to breed Netch for their leather.

Asf Yder

Asf Yder is an island in the Eltheric Sea south of the Sea of Pearls, possibly considered a part of the land mass of Yokuda.

Ashlands

The Ashlands region was the largest contiguous geographical region on Vvardenfell—a dry, inhospitable wasteland characterized by clusters of stone obelisks; minimal, highly-adapted vegetation; and bubbling ash mires. It encompassed land from the Urshilaku Camp on the northern shore of the Sea of Ghosts, west to the Redoran Council seat Ald'ruhn, then south to where the slopes of Red Mountain leveled off into the lava fields of Molag Amur. The southern border ran on an approximate line from Foyada Mamaea, near Balmora, to the southern border of the Grazelands.

The mountainous region to the southeast of Molag Amur was sometimes considered part of the Ashlands because of the similarity of its ecology, but was generally flatter, with open lava flows. Also, the slopes of Red Mountain itself were a separate region, bound by the Ghostfence. Frequent ash storms limited visibility and spread the Blight, affecting almost every creature found in the region.

Only the western part of the Ashlands was under permanent control of House Redoran. The shrine in Maar Gan was an important Temple pilgrimage site, and the village's houses volunteered militia for the fight against the forces of Dagoth Ur. The nomadic Ashlander tribe of the Urshilaku hunted for game, foraged, and their herds found sparse grazing around ragged tent villages in the far northwest, but there were small Ashlander camps throughout the area outside the Ghostfence. The rest of the region was embattled with infractions of rogue Telvanni, bandits, and even vampires trying to gain a foothold. The interior of the Ashlands was thus largely devoid of permanent, occupied settlements, with the citadel of Ghostgate being the major exception. This was due to the lack of water and vegetation in the area, as it rarely ever rained. Scattered throughout the land were various caves, eggmines, Daedric and Dwemer ruins, and wizards' towers.

Ashpit

The Ashpit is a realm of Oblivion created and ruled over by Malacath, the Daedric Prince of Outcasts. It is unknown if the realm existed before Trinimac was transformed into Malacath.

The realm mostly consists only of dust, palaces of smoke, and vaporous creatures; anguish, betrayal, and broken promises like ash fill the bitter air. Few mortals manage to reach the realm, where levitation and magical breathing are necessary to survive.

However, some areas of the realm are safe for mortals. Circa 4E 40, Malacath chose to bring Sul and Prince Attrebus Mede to the Ashpit, where they found a garden of slender trees, and "vines festooned with lilylike flowers" wound about the trunks; a "multitude of spheres moved, deep in the colorless sky, as distant and pale as moons". This garden seems to have some emotional significance to Malacath, who describes it as a "shadow of a garden", and an "echo of something that once was".

Sheogorath looks down on the realm, the "backbone" of which he has nonsensically claimed to be a literal spine.

Atmora

Atmora, meaning "Elder Wood" in Ehlnofex, is a continent to the north of Tamriel, and tradition holds that it was from here that the first humans came to Tamriel. The name is a corrupted form of the Aldmeris title Altmora, a designation for the northernmost landmass inhabited by mer. It was the original homeland of the proto-Nords, who called it "the land of truth". An ancient creation myth says it was separated from Tamriel as a result of war among the Ehlnofey.

Aurbis

Aurbis is the name given to the chaos, or totality, from which the cosmos was formed by Anu and Padomay. For all intents and purposes, it is the universe, encompassing the Void, Oblivion, the Lands of Aetherius, Mundus and the Outer Realms. The structure of the Aurbis is known as the Wheel - Mundus is the hub, the empty spaces within it are the planes of Oblivion, the emptiness beyond it is the Void, and the spokes are the realms of Aetherius.

Auridon

Auridon is the second largest island in the Summerset Isles, located between the main island and the continent of Tamriel. The main cities on the island are Firsthold and Skywatch.

Ayasofya

The County of Ayasofya was a region on the western coast of Hammerfell, in the Iliac Bay. It was bordered by Tigonus to the north, the Alik'r Desert to the east, Antiphyllos to the south, and Sentinel to the west. On 2 Last Seed, the residents of the area celebrate a holiday known as Maiden Katrica in honor of a warrior who saved them during a previous war. Redguards dominate this land, worshipping Mara.

Azura's Coast

The Azura's Coast region consisted mainly of the numerous islands to the south and east of Vvardenfell. It included all of the southern islands east of the Daedric ruin of Ald Sotha, extended north to include the islands up the eastern coast and Zafirbel Bay, and three small peninsulas on the southeastern corner of Vvardenfell where a Shrine of Azura could be found.

The area was fairly desolate, and most of the territory was claimed by House Telvanni. It included the towns and towers of Tel Mora, Tel Aruhn, Sadrith Mora, Tel Fyr, and Tel Branora. It was also home to numerous wizards, sorcerers, necromancers, and Ashlander Mabrigashes. Many of these were based in old Velothi remnants or caves, rather than wizard towers. By no means were all magic-workers in the area Telvanni, but the dominance of the Telvanni did mean that there was little objection to their activities.

As the area was dominated by the Telvanni, it was one of the least subject to the power of either the Empire or the Tribunal, though both had enclaves in the House capital, Sadrith Mora. Since Telvanni lords were usually over a thousand years old and very powerful, they tended to see the "gods" of the Tribunal as peers rather than supreme beings.

Although the area received regular rain, the rocky terrain limited the region's agriculture. However, there were Ashlander camps scattered throughout the region. The area was full of ancestral tombs, and there were several significant Daedric Shrines on the islands. Many bandits preyed on unwary travelers.

Azurian Sea

The Azurian Sea is the sea north of the Yokudan island group, far to the west of High Rock.