Skyrim

Overview

Skyrim is the most northern of all the Tamriellic provinces. It is the former home of the elven Falmer and Aldmer; by the time of the events of TES V: Skryim, the province is primarily populated by Nords. Harsh in climate and terrain, Skyrim is dotted with the remnants of past great battles and the ruins of Dwemer civilization

History

Before the Nords, Skyrim was inhabited by several races of Elves; the Falmer (or Snow Elves), and the Dwemer (or Deep Elves/Dwarves) who had migrated from their homeland in Morrowind. This was all until the famed Ysgramor lead his armies back from Atmora, after unsuccessfully attempting to make contact years before, drove the Elf-kind out and took Skyrim for himself and his Nordic brethren. After taking Skyrim, Ysgramor and his clansmen expanded their territories, taking, and losing, parts of Morrowind and High Rock, who neighbour Skyrim to the East and West respectively. This eventually lead to the weakening of Skyrim as a whole, and it eventually split into multiple states, due to the War of Succession, which was sparked when King Borgas was assassinated and the next appointed King not being who most Nords preferred. This lead to further territorial losses and devastation across Skyrim. Finally, after 70 years of war, peace was resumed by the Pact of Chieftans.

Even with a reunited Skyrim, there have been multiple territorial and civil wars, between Skyrim and it's neighbouring provinces of Morrowind, Hammerfell, High Rock, and Cyrodiil. Even with these wars, Skyrim has been mostly a rich and powerful nation, and a loyal member of the Empire of Tamriel until the 201st year of the 4th Era, when the High King Torygg was assassinated in his own Castle by Ulfric Stormcloak, the Jarl of Windhelm and the leader of the Stormcloaks. This leads to the biggest Civil war Skyrim has seen since the War of Succession, between the Empire and the Stormcloak rebels.

Geography

Skyrim is made up of 5 major cities, 4 smaller cities, and various small towns and settlements. There are at total 9 holds each with a capital for the hold.

• Dawnstar - A city in the north of Skyrim, known for it's two mines, and easy access for travellers from the sea.
• Falkreath - A southern city of Skyrim, that has been warred over throughout the years, once being part of Cyrodiil, and even maybe Hammerfell.
• Markarth - The most Western of the Skyrim city, part of the Reach. It is known for it's Dwemer influenced architecture and it's silver-mine-come-prison.
• Morthal - A secluded city in the middle of the Hjaalmarch hold, Morthal is surrounded by marshes and is one of the poorer places in Skyrim.
• Riften - The most Southern and Eastern of Skyrim's city, Riften, or Rifton, is home to the Thieves Guild , and due to that, people try to steer clear.
• Solitude - The home of the High King of Skyrim, and the capital of Skyrim. It is the richest city of Skyrim and is also the home of the Imperial Legion in Skyrim.
• Whiterun - Whiterun is situated in the middle of the province and is home to the Companions, a band of soldiers similar to the Fighter's Guild in Cyrodiil. Whiterun was founded around Jorrvaskr and the Skyforge.
• Windhelm - Ulfric and his Stormcloak army are based in Windhelm, and as such, it is a mostly Nord inhabited city; with a modest population of Dunmer living in a slum in the east of Windhelm.

• Winterhold - Once a great place devastated by an event known as the 'Great Collapse', Winterhold is now a small place with little to no visitors save from those interested in the Mages, College of Winterhold

Places of note

• Sarthaal - The first settlement built by the Nords after their arrival. Since burned down by the Elves, the ruins are now a place of interest for archaeologists.
• High Hrothgar - The settlement atop the Throat of the World, the second largest peak in all of Tamriel, where the Greybeards live.