The Empire of Tamriel

Tamriel is the fictional continent where the events of The Elder Scrolls games take place. It is located on the planet of Nirn (which means the arena or the battleground in Ald Ehlnofex), otherwise known as Mundus; which is the mortal realm of the finite and the partial, as opposed to the immortal realms of the infinite and the absolute. In the Elder Scrolls, Mundus is the Elvish root for the human word "mundane", meaning ordinary. Some, such as the Mythic Dawn however, view Tamriel as an extension of the realm of Oblivion itself. Image File history File links Races_fullmap_center. ... Image File history File links Races_fullmap_center. ... Bethesda Softworks Elder Scrolls 10th anniversary logo from 2004. ... The Mythic Dawn refers to the cult of people who worship the daedric prince Mehrunes Dagon in the fictional role-playing game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. ...

Etymology

The name Tamriel is said to mean 'Starry Heart',^[1][2] however, according to Arena, it is also Elvish for 'Dawn's Beauty'.

History

Recorded Tamrielic history is divided into four distinct eras, the First Era, the Second Era, the Third Era, and the Fourth Era:

• First Era - The long First Era is mostly marked by the shifting of power from Elves to Men and the birth of some of the most powerful religions in the land. From the heartland of Tamriel, we learn of the struggling human race: from their miserable fate as slaves to finally being able to push out their Altmeri masters from the land. From the northeast part of the continent, the Heart of Lorkhan tempts so many mortals, from the Dwemer to Chimer and eventually Humans. The Divine Heart causes a terrible war, and the extinction of a once great race, the Dwemer.
• Second Era - The Second Era starts after the Akaviri Potentate assassinates the last of the Cyrodiil line. This is also the era when some of the most powerful factions in Tamriel are born, the Mages' Guild and the Dark Brotherhood being two from among the greatest to arise during this time period. The era finally ends after Tiber Septim, wielding a Dwemer artifact called Numidium, successfully unites the entire Tamrielic landmass once again.

A Septim dynasty coin, officially called a Septim, due to the bust of Tiber Septim on the obverse side, but colloquially known as a drake due to the seal of Akatosh on the reverse side

• Third Era - The Third Era, which some describe as the most glorious era thus far, is the time of the Septim Dynasty. In fact, the long line of Septim Emperors almost reaches an end at several points in the history of this period. Some of the significant events are the War of the Red Diamond, a civil war over the succession, and a long decade of reign by the traitorous Jagar Tharn. Furthermore, this era is marked by the rebirth of Nerevar Indoril, the greatest Chimeri general; as well as the rebirth of Numidium and the second Dragon Break that follows.
• Fourth Era - In the final days of the Third Era, the emperor, Uriel Septim VII is assassinated at the beginning of the next chapter in the Elder Scrolls, Oblivion, along with all his heirs, save one illegitimate son, Martin. In the final fight for Septim's life, the Blades were aided by an escaped prisoner. It was this escaped prisoner who rescued Martin from the siege of Kvatch, this prisoner who again and again stormed Oblivion, and this prisoner who recovered the Amulet of Kings. It was also this prisoner, called Champion of Cyrodiil and Hero of Kvatch, who witnessed Martin's ultimate self-sacrifice to end the Oblivion Crisis, and with it, the Third Era.

There are two other Eras previous to the aforementioned four. They are the 'Dawn Era' in which the universe and everything in it came into being, and the 'Merethic Era', otherwise known as the Mythic Era, in which Mer (Elves) first arrived in Tamriel and all manner of mythological occurrences are said to have taken place. These two Eras are commonly considered to be outside of verifiable history, as humanity did not possess a written language to speak of until the end of ME. Aldmeri records, on the other hand, date back to the beginning of ME, however these are not open to Imperial scholars. In the Elder Scrolls universe, Mer is a collective name for all elves. ... Altmer as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website The Altmer, also called High Elves, are a race in The Elder Scrolls series. ... Lorkhan is one of the primary gods from The Elder Scrolls fictional universe. ... The Dwemer (pronounced //) are a fictional race of elves from The Elder Scrolls video game universe. ... Chimer (changed folk) are an extinct fantasy race of mer (elves) featured in The Elder Scrolls universe. ... The Akaviri refer to a number of fictional fantasy races featured in the computer role-playing games of the Elder Scrolls series but generally refers to the Tsaeci as theyve had the most influence on Tamriel. ... Cyrodiil is a fictional province in The Elder Scrolls series of games, homeland of the Imperials. ... The Mages Guild is a guild in The Elder Scrolls fantasy universe. ... The Dark Brotherhood is a cult and assassins guild in The Elder Scrolls game series, including The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. ... A Septim coin also known as drake Tiber Septim, also known as Talos (Born 2E 827 - 3E 38) was the founder and first Emperor of the Third Empire of Tamriel. ... The Numidium is a fictional construct from the game Morrowind. ... Image File history File links Septimcoin_B.jpg Summary http://bethsoft. ... Image File history File links Septimcoin_B.jpg Summary http://bethsoft. ... Bethesda Softworks Elder Scrolls 10th anniversary logo from 2004. ... A Septim coin also known as drake Tiber Septim, also known as Talos (Born 2E 827 - 3E 38) was the founder and first Emperor of the Third Empire of Tamriel. ... Time during the Roleplaying game, The Elder Scrolls. ... Jagar Tharn is a fictional character of the Elder Scrolls universe created by Bethesda Softworks. ... Indoril Nerevar is a fictional character in the game Morrowind. ... Uriel Septim VII (3E 346 - 3E 433) was the twentieth ruler of the Imperial Empire, a state based on the continent of Tamriel in the fictional Elder Scrolls. ... The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a game currently under development by Bethesda Softworks for the PC, Xbox 2, and Playstation 3. ... In the Elder Scrolls universe, Mer is a collective name for all elves. ...

Bethesda Softworks Elder Scrolls 10th anniversary logo from 2004. ... // Amulet of Kings The Amulet of Kings is a fictional amulet of great power worn by the ruling emperor of Tamriel. ... In the fictional world of Morrowind, the Battle of Red Mountain was the turning point of House Dagoth, the Sixth House of Vvardenfell, when Dagoth Ur was ordered to be sent to Red Mountain to defend the tools that made the Dwemer, or Dwarven people vanish from existence. ... Corprus is a fictional disease featured in the computer game The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. ... Daedric Artifacts are special items in the role-playing video game series. ... Lorkhan is one of the primary gods from The Elder Scrolls fictional universe. ... // Cosmology Aurbis Aurbis is the realm in which The Elder Scrolls universe is set. ... REDIRECT National Identity Registration Number ... This article lists the deities and saints of various pantheons worshipped in Tamriel, a vast Empire of the Elder Scrolls CRPG series. ... // Tiber Septim A Septim coin. ... The Third Age of Tamriel is a period of time during in the fictional universe of the Elder Scrolls, that began after Tiber Septim united Tamriel under his banner and proclaimed himself the Emperor of the Third Empire of Tamriel. ... War of the First Council occurred during the First Era and pitted Dunmer Houses Indoril, Redoran, Dres, Hlaalu, and Telvanni against Dunmer Houses Dwemer and Dagoth in an epic religious war. ...

Government

Tamriel is effectively an Empire that is ruled by an Emperor of the Septim dynasty. Technically speaking, it is referred to alternately as the Third Empire of Man, the Third Dynasty, or the Seat of Sundered Kings. The centre of the Empire is Cyrodiil, which is the home of both the Emperor and the Elder Council, which serves administrative functions and as an interim government during times of instability. Upon the death of the Emperor, the new Emperor is usually the oldest legitimate child (preferably a son) of the dead Emperor. However, spouses, younger children, siblings and on at least one occasion, an illegitimate child have taken the throne. Below the Emperor is the Elder Council, effectively a Cabinet of sorts. This body rules the Empire in interregnal periods when no heir is to be found. The details of Imperial government below the Elder Council are convoluted and obscure, but it is likely a militarist state, due to the utter omnipresence of the Imperial Legion throughout the Empire, and the frequent co-incidence of governmental office with military rank. The incidence of Knighthood and ranks of nobility being conferred to distinguished Legionnaires indicates that it is probable military leaders run the Empire, primarily. In addition, each Province has it's own government which sees to the affairs of that Province. The Provincial government works parallel to a local Imperial government that seems to handle the Empire's business in that Province, in collusion with the Provincial government. After the death of the last of the Septim Emperors and the disappearance of the last Septim heir, the head of the Elder Council and de facto head of state is Imperial High Chancellor, Grand Battle-Mage Ocato. This role is only practical, however, and may be compared in function to the British Governor-General. Cyrodiil is a fictional province in The Elder Scrolls series of games, homeland of the Imperials. ... Spoiler warning: These are several notable characters in the computer and video game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. ... Governor-General (or Governor General) is a term used both historically and currently to designate the appointed representative of a head of state or their government for a particular territory, historically in a colonial context, but no longer necessarily in that form. ...

Geography

Tamriel consists of nine provinces, each of these provinces corresponds with their own culture and race, with the exception of High Rock, which houses two distinct species:

• High Rock, inhabited by Bretons, man/elf hybrids on the human side; also Orcs or Orsimer, aldmeris for 'Pariah Folk': Elves so ruined and corrupted that they are often mistaken as akin to goblins and/or trolls. Orsimer live in the city of Orsinium.
• Hammerfell, inhabited by Redguards, in the native also Yokudans, enterprising expansionists from the west, commonly mistaken for men, but not in fact related. Once housed a significant Dwemer* population. It was later Orcish territory until the landing of the Yokudans in their Ra'gada, or "Warrior Wave." It is from this wave that the Redguards take their name, and their swift, easy conquest of Hammerfell that earned them their reputation as the best soldiers upon Nirn.
• Skyrim, inhabited by Nords. Hardy men of the north and the only remaining direct and unchanged descendants of the original human 'Nedic' settlers from across the now frozen Sea of Ghosts.
• Morrowind, inhabited by Dark Elves, or Dunmer, meaning 'accursed folk' in Aldmeris. This region once also housed a large Dwemer population. All that remains are their ruins.
• Black Marsh, inhabited by Argonians, highly evolved lizard people, who are commonly looked down upon as beastfolk. For this reason, the Argonians were formerly a popular slave race.
• Elsweyr, inhabited by the Khajiit, cat folk, also commonly looked down upon as savage. The Khajiit were also common slaves.
• Valenwood, inhabited by Wood Elves, or Bosmer in the Elven, meaning 'tree-sap folk', they are the Elven products of blood mixing with men, like the Bretons. The Bretons are a similar race of hybrids leaning more towards the Man stock-the Bosmer lean more towards the Mer.
• Summerset Isles, inhabited by High Elves, or Altmer, meaning 'superior (and/or snobbish) folk'.
• Cyrodiil, the Imperial province, inhabited by the Imperials, or Cyrodiils, a common human race who form the foundational population of the Empire, although the ruling Septim dynasty are thought to be of at least some Nordic blood (which might explain their long history as conquerors and warrior-kings). The Line of Septim is also known to have some Dunmeri ancestry.

High Rock is a western region of the fictional Empire of Tamriel of the Elder Scrolls universe. ... Bretons as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website Bretons are a fictional fantasy race featured in the computer role-playing games of the Elder Scrolls series. ... This article is about the mythical demon, for King Canutes steward of England see Orc (steward). ... Orsimer as they appear on the elder scrolls website. ... Orsinium, also called Nova Orsinium, is a fictional Orcish city province located within Tamriel, part of the Elder Scrolls universe created by Bethesda Softworks. ... Hammerfell is a fictional province in The Elder Scrolls series of games. ... Redguards as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website Redguards are a fictional fantasy race in The Elder Scrolls computer game series. ... Yokuda is a fictional continent of the Elder Scrolls universe. ... Skyrim is a fictional region in The Elder Scrolls series of games. ... Nords as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website The Nords are a fantasy race of humans from The Elder Scrolls fantasy setting of Skyrim. ... Morrowind is a fictional region in The Elder Scrolls series of games. ... ... Dunmer as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website Spoiler warning: The Dunmer, also called Dark Elves, are an elven race in the game series The Elder Scrolls. ... Black Marsh is a region of the fictional Cyrodiilic Empire featured in the Elder Scrolls RPG series. ... The Argonians are a fictional race of reptile humanoids from the Elder Scrolls video game series. ... Reptoids are often reported wearing hoods Reptilian humanoids are intelligent, supernatural, or highly developed reptile-like humanoids in mythology, popular fiction, and speculative fringe theories. ... Elsweyr is a fictional region in The Elder Scrolls series of games. ... Khajiit as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website The Khajiit are a fantasy race of feline (cat-like) humanoids featured in The Elder Scrolls computer game series. ... Valenwood is a south-western region of the fictional Empire of Tamriel set in the Elder Scrolls universe. ... For more general description of Wood Elves, see Wood-elves. ... Bosmer as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website The Bosmer, also called Wood Elves or Boiche, are a fictional elven race that inhabits the province of Valenwood in the video game series The Elder Scrolls. ... A map of Summerset Isle. ... Many fantasy worlds have High Elf races: Calaquendi are the High Elves in J. R. R. Tolkiens Lord of the Rings The High Elves are a race in Warhammer Fantasy High Elves are also magic-addicted Night Elves with pale skin in the Warcraft Universe that were exiled from... Altmer as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website The Altmer, also called High Elves, are a race in The Elder Scrolls series. ... Cyrodiil is a fictional province in The Elder Scrolls series of games, homeland of the Imperials. ... The Imperials are a fictional race that hail from the province of Cyrodiil in the video game series The Elder Scrolls. ...

Demographics

The main races are the Bretons, Redguards, Argonians, Khajiit, High Elves, Bosmer, Orsimer (also known as Orcs), Imperials, Dark Elves and Nords. Bretons as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website Bretons are a fictional fantasy race featured in the computer role-playing games of the Elder Scrolls series. ... Redguards as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website Redguards are a fictional fantasy race in The Elder Scrolls computer game series. ... The Argonians are a fictional race of reptile humanoids from the Elder Scrolls video game series. ... Khajiit as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website The Khajiit are a fantasy race of feline (cat-like) humanoids featured in The Elder Scrolls computer game series. ... Many fantasy worlds have High Elf races: Calaquendi are the High Elves in J. R. R. Tolkiens Lord of the Rings The High Elves are a race in Warhammer Fantasy High Elves are also magic-addicted Night Elves with pale skin in the Warcraft Universe that were exiled from... Bosmer as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website The Bosmer, also called Wood Elves or Boiche, are a fictional elven race that inhabits the province of Valenwood in the video game series The Elder Scrolls. ... Orsimer as they appear on the elder scrolls website. ... The Imperials are a fictional race that hail from the province of Cyrodiil in the video game series The Elder Scrolls. ... ... Nords as they appear on the Elder Scrolls website The Nords are a fantasy race of humans from The Elder Scrolls fantasy setting of Skyrim. ...

All these races are playable in Morrowind and Oblivion. In Arena and Daggerfall, the Orcs weren't playable; in Daggerfall, the Imperials weren't playable, either. In Battlespire, the Argonians and Khajiit weren't playable. Imperials are theoretically playable in Arena, but in some versions, a glitch in the character creation process makes them unavailable. More specifically, one chooses their character's race by selecting the appropriate province on a map. Cyrodiil, for whatever reason, is non-selectable in some versions of Arena. Other, nonplayable races include: The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, also known simply as Morrowind, is a first-person (also playable in third person) computer role-playing game in Bethesda Softworks The Elder Scrolls series. ... The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a game currently under development by Bethesda Softworks for the PC, Xbox 2, and Playstation 3. ... Battlespire is a first-person action computer role-playing game, set in the world of The Elder Scrolls. ...

• The Dwemer (meaning 'deep folk' often misinterpreted as referring to their subterranean habits, should be better understood as 'wise/smart folk'), commonly nicknamed 'Dwarves' due to a dubious myth involving their befriending a race of giants, though not actually short in stature. They used to inhabit all of Tamriel, but were concentrated in Morrowind and Hammerfell. They all disappeared simultaneously during the Battle of Red Mountain, when Lord Nerevar 'Godkiller' led the Chimer* in an attack against the Dwarves to keep them from using Kagrenac's Tools. It is believed that the Dwemer could not control the Tools, and it is not known what effect it had upon them, aside from the fact that the whole race of them are no longer in Tamriel. The Dwemer were trying to use the tools to create a God (called 'Numidium') for themselves. The Chimer saw this as an affront to their gods, for whom they faced ridicule and ostracism; thusly the war. According to Ashlander tradition, Nerevar and Dagoth Ur severed the Dwemer connection to the Heart of Lorkhan at the end of this long war, and all the Dwemer turned to dust. Dagoth Ur later admits that he is not sure why. It may have something to do with the Heart of Lorkhan being what kept the Dwemer semi-immortal (un-aging).

• The Chimer, meaning 'changed folk' in Aldmeris, were a small cult of High Elves who were led by the prophet Veloth to the promised land of Resdayn, now called Morrowind. They were cursed by the Daedra when they ceased worship and turned to worshipping three god-kings known as the Tribunal. The curse brought ash coloured skin from light gray to black in hue, red eyes which glow, as well as hair color restricted to black, white, gray and red. Understandably, this was rather horrific a thing to level at the beautiful and aesthetic High Elves, who were very proud of their gold colored skin, hair and eyes. The curse also contained a promise that some day, Nerevar Indoril would return and signal the downfall of the profane Tribunal Temple.

• The Ayleid, an Elven race who were the original rulers of Cyrodiil and are now apparently extinct. Their ruins can be found scattered across Cyrodiil, and are a lucrative venture for any skilled and brave enough to venture into one and return with treasures. Lesser Welkynd Stones and Varla Stones, which can be found in most such ruins, are 50 and 1000 gold a piece, respectively. There were once also Greater Welkynd Stones, but these have all been plundered and consumed. However, Ayleid sites are littered with ingenious and deadly traps, and have often become the hiding place of gangs of Necromancers, Conjurers, bandits, or other outlaws, or of tribes of goblins, or even, on occasion, vampire clans.

• The Dremora are also regarded, in-game, as a separate race-one can initiate dialogue with some Dremora, and each slain Dremora adds one to your "people killed" tally in Oblivion. Mods exist to toggle the Dremora's "playable" status, making them available at character creation.

The Dwemer (pronounced //) are a fictional race of elves from The Elder Scrolls video game universe. ... This page is about a mythological race. ... In the fictional world of Morrowind, the Battle of Red Mountain was the turning point of House Dagoth, the Sixth House of Vvardenfell, when Dagoth Ur was ordered to be sent to Red Mountain to defend the tools that made the Dwemer, or Dwarven people vanish from existence. ... Indoril Nerevar is a fictional character in the game Morrowind. ... The Numidium is a fictional construct from the game Morrowind. ... Dagoth Ur in the Third Era, as seen in the computer game Morrowind. ... Chimer (changed folk) are an extinct fantasy race of mer (elves) featured in The Elder Scrolls universe. ... Indoril Nerevar is a fictional character in the game Morrowind. ... In the multiple award-winning The Elder Scrolls fantasy role-playing computer game series by Bethesda Softworks, The Tribunal Temple is the ruling organized religious sect. ... Ayleids, also known as the Wild Elves or Heartland High Elves, are a fantasy race featured in The Elder Scrolls universe. ... A Dremora is a Daedric being from the Elder Scrolls games. ...

Culture

Main article is Pantheons of Tamriel

This article lists the deities and saints of various pantheons worshipped in Tamriel, a vast Empire of the Elder Scrolls CRPG series. ...

Other continents

Although Tamriel is the most well-known and important place in the world, it isn't the only one. Far to the north of Tamriel lies Atmora, from which the Nords came to conquer Tamriel. Atmora, in the Elvish language, means 'Elder Wood'. Atmora is a fictional continent in the The Elder Scrolls universe. ...

To the West of Tamriel lies the sunken continent of Yokuda, from which the people that are now called the Redguards came to take over Hammerfell. Yokuda is a fictional continent of the Elder Scrolls universe. ...

To the East of Tamriel lies the continent of Akavir, which means 'Dragon Land'. Akavir is home to the Akaviri as well as various beast races, including the Tsaesci. There are four major nations of Akavir: Kamal, Tsaesci, Tang Mo, and Ka Po' Tun. Akavir has launched multiple invasions of Tamriel. All have failed. However, a line of Tsaesci did rule Tamriel for some time. Akavir is a fictional continent of the Elder Scrolls universe. ... The Akaviri refer to a number of fictional fantasy races featured in the computer role-playing games of the Elder Scrolls series but generally refers to the Tsaeci as theyve had the most influence on Tamriel. ... The Tsaesci, which means Snake Palace, are a race of vampiric serpents in the fictional universe of The Elder Scrolls, originating from the continent of Akavir, east of Tamriel. ... Kamal, meaning Snow Hell, is one of four nations of Akavir, a continent far east of Tamriel, on the fictional world of Nirn, from The Elder Scrolls games series. ... The Tsaesci, which means Snake Palace, are a race of vampiric serpents in the fictional universe of The Elder Scrolls, originating from the continent of Akavir, east of Tamriel. ... Tang Mo, meaning Thousand Monkey Isles, is one of four nations of Akavir, a continent far east of Tamriel, on the fictional world of Nirn, from The Elder Scrolls games series. ... The Ka Po Tun are a race of cat people that live on Akavir in the Elder Scrolls games. ...

Below Summerset Isle, just to the south of Tamriel, lies Pyandonea, the tropical home of the Maormer or Tropical Elves. The kingdom of Pyandonea is an fictional island of the world of the Elder Scrolls universe. ... Maormer is the name of a tropical elf race from the Elder Scrolls computer game series. ...

To the distant south of Tamriel supposedly lies the Elven homeland of Aldmeris, or Ehlnofey, which was devastated in ancient times (hence the early migration of Elves to other continents, namely Tamriel). Aldmeris is a fictional continent in The Elder Scrolls universe. ... Aldmeris is a fictional continent in The Elder Scrolls universe. ...

The Coral Kingdoms of Thras, an archipelago southwest of Tamriel, is the homeland of the sload, a conservative amphibious sluglike race. The Thrassian Plague devastated Tamriel around 1E2200, after which Tamrielic united navy ravaged and sank Thras into the sea. It has since recovered. In the fictional universe of the Elder Scrolls, the Sload are a race of sluglike beastmen that live in the Coral Kingdoms of Thras, southwest of Tamriel. ...

References

External links

• The Imperial Library - Library of Tamrielic lore.
• ElderScrolls.com - Official Bethesda website.
• Tamriel Rebuilt - Modification to add the complete continent of Tamriel to the game.