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User:Vincentius1/Sandbox 3

< Lore: Places: S
Heartlands
Type Region
Continent Tamriel
Province Cyrodiil
Subregions City Isle
Demonym(s) Heartlander
Appears in Oblivion, ESO
The Heartlands
Map of the Heartlands

The Heartlands (also known as the Valley Heartland)[1] are the central lowlands of Cyrodiil, a grassland region surrounding the expanse of Lake Rumare, as well as the Upper Niben and Niben Bay.[2][3] At its center is the Imperial City, the largest settlement in the province and the seat of Empires, from the original Ayleid Empire[4] to the Cyrodilic Empires of Man.[5]

The Heartlands and the Imperial City are a part of the greater Nibenay region,[6] more specifically the Nibenay Valley that encapsulates the rest of the Niben River and reaches as far south as Blackwood.[3][7] The Heartlands are geographically bordered by the Great Forest from the north, south, and west, the Nibenay Basin to the east, and the central Nibenay Valley around Bravil.[7]

Society and GeographyEdit

DemographicsEdit

 
An Imperial Heartlander in Bruma
 
Fanacasecul

The local Imperials are known as Heartlanders, an apt name for this sub-section of Nibenese that live in and around the Imperial City. They are also called Imperial Heartlanders[8] and Nibenean Heartlanders.[9] As is across the Nibenay, there is a hierarchical distinction to be made between the people of the Imperial City and the village-folk outside of it.[3] The villagers live in small communities and farms such as Aleswell, Pell's Gate, and Weye.[10] Other lower-class citizens also live in the Waterfront District of the Imperial City, which is outside the outer walls, on Lake Rumare.[2]

The higher class of the greater Nibenay comprises the merchant-nobility, temple priests, cult leaders, and ancient battlemage aristocracy. A notable Heartlander family is the Carvain family who ruled County Bruma in the late Third Era.[9][11] Both classes take customs from the Akaviri,[3] namely the Tsaesci,[12][13] that were once prevalent in the Imperial City under the Second Empire.[3] Colovians from the west can also be found in the Heartland, however, most of them come from the Imperial Legion military,[14]:158 who are headquartered in the Imperial City Prison.[15]

The Imperial City, as the epicenter of the Empire, is cosmopolitan.[5][16] Upon his ascension to the throne, Reman I incorporated aspects of the Nibenay, Colovia, High Rock, and the recently defeated Akaviri to turn the Imperial City and his Empire of Man into a worldly center of civilization.[5] This even extended to the Third Empire, which came much later. In its early years, Redguards were seldom seen, at least compared to the Bretons, Dunmer, and Nords. In a biographical note written in the Notes for Redguard History, the famous author of Redguard history and verse, Destri Melarg had to adopt his surname to fit in with these other cultures.[17] In at least the first half of the Second Era, there was also a small, yet notable community of Bosmer in the Waterfront District.[18]

Before it was taken over by the Imperials, the White-Gold Tower and the surrounding city was the seat of the Ayleid Empire, a vast nation across modern-day Cyrodiil that comprised of the eponymous Ayleids, also known as the Heartland High Elves.[19][20] The enchanters of this period were considered some of the most clever and prodigal in the craft.[21] With the White-Gold Tower's establishment, trade flourished in central Cyrodiil and especially south in the Niben Bay, where it became one of the Ayleid Empire's most active and secure regions.[22][23] Up north in the Heartlands, several city-states sprung up around it, whether it was around Lake Rumare like Fanacasecul, or further out like Belda more inland and Culotte on the Upper Niben.[2]

Some of them hold dark, ancient secrets and history, like Sercen's "gut-gardens"[19] and Nagastani, which supposedly held some kind of evil power that has left the land around it dead.[24] Perhaps the most infamous city-state was Abagarlas, a former city of mercenaries and center of worship for Molag Bal. Its ancient history is tied to a rival city of Meridia known as Delodiil, which was also located in the Heartlands. But while Abagarlas' ruins remain underneath City Isle, Delodiil's location and ruins are completely lost to time.[25]

Modern translations of what remains of the Unhendra Nibenu, a Merethic Era epic of Topal the Pilot's explorations indicate that before the Ayleids lived in the Heartlands, there was a race of Bird beastfolk that has since gone extinct. The fourth fragment of the Unhendra Nibenu remains as one of the only sources of their existence. The Third Era scholar who translated it, Florin Jaliil believed that their extinction came from an encounter with the "cat demons" mentioned early in the text.[22]

Culture and IndustryEdit

 
Aleswell
 
Rumare Waterfront Casual Wear

Culturally, this region is distinguished from other places like County Bruma as the Heartland Empire[26] and is considered by many, along with the Nibenay Valley as the agricultural breadbasket of Cyrodiil.[10] Many of its locals outside of the Imperial City take up farming to sustain themselves and feed the province at large,[27] Some of them, like the people of Weye come to the city's Market District to sell their wares.[14]:23 Textiles and rice were primary exports. With the latter in particular, thousands of workers tended to the flooded fields.[3]

  • (Trim down whole section when necessary, reconsider some entries like Akaviri bits)
  • Farming/Fishing
  • Trade/Merchant society[3]/Weye trades in IC

Surrounding Lake Rumare is the Red Ring Road, a major thoroughfare that connects the Imperial City and the Heartlands to the rest of Tamriel.[7][28] Going clockwise, from the north it branches with Skyrim via the Silver Road,[7][28][29] from the northeast with Morrowind via the Blue Road,[7][28][30] from the southeast with Black Marsh with the Yellow Road, from the south with the Topal Bay region and Elsweyr with the Green Road,[7][28][31] from the southwest with Colovia and Valenwood through the Gold Road,[7][28] and from the northwest with Hammerfell through the Black Road.[7][28][32]

With Lake Rumare and access to the Nibenay's river systems, the Heartlanders, or the Nibenese, also use ferries and gondolas to navigate the region. Much of Cyrodiil is a river-based society and trade regularly occurs throughout it.[3] Many locals grew up swimming in Lake Rumare and can easily cross the lake without a boat.[33] Ships across the Heartlands are mostly small riverboats that navigate around the lake, through the watery avenues of the Imperial City, and even outlying territories and friendly inland ports.[3] Large vessels that come in from the Topal Bay must switch once they reach Leyawiin,[34] though bigger boats are known to dock on the Waterfront[35] and sail the Niben Bay.[36]

Since the Second Empire, many local Heartlanders have taken up old Akaviri traditions and customs. For example, villagers build paper hako-skiffs with dragon-motifs to wing their dead down the rivers.[3] Even with their departure at the start of the Interregnum,[37] by the late Second Era, Akaviri ancestry was highly valued. Their Imperial descendants were distinguished, with certain noble families bearing facial features tracing back to them. Akaviri Surnames were also rare and prized among the upper class.[3] Heroes of the many past wars have been buried in Memorial Cave, an underground crypt on the eastern shore of Lake Rumare across from the Arcane University.[38]

Religion and Infrastructure (Might change title)Edit

 
The Temple of the One
 
The Marie Elena in the Waterfront District

The Heartlanders, unlike the most staunch worshippers, have a formal, yet disconnected relationship with their gods and spirits. They view them as powerful, yet indifferent to their world. They do not see their relationship as personal, and in turn, not worth appeasing. Cults are primarily a means to socialize. They occupy the same space as economic organizations, unlike the traditions of the Dunmer for example, where ancestor and god worship is stronger. The only exceptions to this in the Heartlands include the charismatic sub-cults of Akatosh, Dibella, and especially Tiber Septim.[39]

The Septim Dynasty made it a policy to limit cult influences in aristocracy, military, and bureaucratic affairs, and as such, they have played a minor part in both Heartland and Imperial history, save for the Alessian Order of the First Era.[39] That being said, the Nibenese have developed many different cults dedicated to a variety of figures,[3] like Shezarr and a myriad of other deities.[40]

The Imperial City, in particular, is also known as the City of a Thousand Cults.[41] The most famous of these institutes include the Cult of the Ancestor Moth, the Cult of Heroes, the Cult of Tiber Septim, the Cult of Emperor Zero,[3] and the Temple of the One,[16] which was originally developed by the Alessian Order around the eponymous spirit, The One[3][42][43] and brought back by Tiber Septim.[16] Some of these cults can involve the daedra and the daedric princes, such as the Brotherhood of Destruction that venerated Mehrunes Dagon[44] or a cult of Sanguine, both from the early Second Era.[45] Shezarr, the Cyrodilic interpretation of the Elven god, Lorkhan, or the Nordic god Shor is present in early Cyro-Nordic stories of the Heartland, in which he fought the Ayleids on mankind's behalf.[40] Similarly, Morihaus is an ancient cultural god hero of the Cyro-Nords, known for his effort in the slave revolt and help in establishing human control of the Heartlands.[1]

There is a heavy military presence in the Heartlands as the Imperial Legion is based in the Imperial City Prison,[15] on the northeast side of City Isle.[2] Ruined and abandoned keeps from the Interregnum, like Fort Homestead or Fort Urasek litter the shoreline.[3][2] Some of them in their heyday were large impressive fortresses, connected to the rest of central Cyrodiil through the Transitus Network, an obscure form of magical transportation that was in heavy use in the Three Banners War. Six keeps that surrounded the Imperial City were vital for absolute control of the greater region. Four of these keeps, Alessia, Aleswell, Blue Road and Chalman are located in the Heartlands.[46]

The forts built further south in the Niben Bay were part of the early Second Empire's effort to expand south. Fort Grief, built on an island in the middle of the bay, was designed to protect the eastern shoreline from raiders. But the Empire's rapid expansion effectively made them obsolete as not even the most aggressive Argonian fighters would attack the Heartlands.[47] When the Legion used these forts, they used a special alcoholic beverage known as Shadowbanish Wine to wield night eye and actively monitor the area on cold nights. Though this wine has long gone extinct, fully intact bottles are said to be still hidden in these ruins.[48]

 
An Imperial Sewer entrance

Previously an old Ayleid district, the Arcane University on the southeast side of City Isle was for the longest time, the headquarters of the Mages Guild[49] but throughout its history, it has been the center of magical research and study.[50] Wellspring Grove, a forest on the eponymous island in Lake Rumare use to be tended by mages from the guild. They specifically used wood from the grove to craft their staves and later enchant them in the university's chironasium.[51]

For a time, the Mages Guild was banished from the Imperial City[52] and were replaced by the Fellowship of Anchorites. They are more commonly known as the Order of the Black Worm, or the Worm Cult.[53] They were placed there by remnants of the Empire of Cyrodiil, at the time under Empress-Regent Clivia Tharn, a pocket ruler to the King of Worms, Mannimarco.

Underneath the Imperial City and even Lake Rumare is the vast network of underground tunnels and caves that is the Imperial Sewers. Originally built by the Ayleids, it is a complex system of sewer drains and crumbling Ayleid Ruins centered around the White-Gold Tower's foundation, the Barathrum Centrata.[54] It is comprised of many sub-regions, some of which have collapsed over the years.[55] Everything from these obscure recesses to the sewers themself are the source of many dread rumors throughout the centuries.[56] Entrances can be found across the Imperial City streets and even some homes, but City Isle[57] and the mainland shore has entrances outside the city walls.[58]

EcosystemEdit

 
Sacred Lotus
 
Lake Rumare

The Heartlands are a temperate grassland[3][27] consisting largely of small settlements, farms, and woodland reserves for game. Trees from the mostly surrounding Great Forest used to grow in abundance around Lake Rumare but were cut down to support agriculture. Occasionally, foliage is cleared from the nearby jungle during the alternate seasons.[3] An upside to this is that the Heartlands and the Nibenay Valley are considered the agricultural breadbaskets of Cyrodiil.[10]

These fertile farmlands feed all of central Tamriel though they frequently experience rain and thunderstorms.[27] Floodings also occur along the lake shoreline, where workers start plying through rice fields. The Upper Niben River mouth is also tainted red from the timni soil of the shore.[3] Ever since the Year of Sun's Death (1E 668), when Red Mountain erupted, tuffs of the volcanic ash litter the Rumare coast and can be used as an ingredient in a rare, potent wine known as Nirnroot Wine.[59]

When Topal the Pilot and his crew aboard the Niben first arrived to the region in the Middle Merethic Era, they were in awe. In the last fragment of the Unhendra Nibenu, it writes, "For eleven days, they traveled north, until they came to a crystalline lake and eight islands of surpassing beauty and peace."[22] Some of these islands include City Isle; the largest and one which houses the Imperial City, and the two unnamed islands where Wellspring Grove and the Waterfront District are located. Interestingly, the city-state of Riverhold in Elsweyr is the closest to City Isle and thus feels lightly influenced by it.[60]

In and around the valley are several types of flora. Sacred Lotuses and lily pads float around the lake.[61] Along the shoreline, Upper Niben, and small inland lakes are water hyacinths[62] and nirnroots.[63] In patches near the Red Ring Road are ginseng[64] and lavender sprigs.[65] Overgrown on the ruins and Imperial City walls are morning glories.[66] Fly Amanita mushrooms are commonplace in the Imperial City[67] and Cairn Boletes can be found in caves.[68]

Many creatures live in the Heartlands, from the plains and farmlands on the surface to the water and the dark passages underneath. Common creatures such as deers, mountain lions, mudcrabs, and wolves inhabit the countryside,[69][70] as well as some unique species, such as the Brindle Badger[71] and the Heartland River Crab.[72] Even certain domesticated animals are native to the Heartlands like the Butcher's Dog bred to protect farmsteads[73] and the Coon Cat that chases rodents.[74] A breed of bird called Shezarr's Chicken is said to have a more deeper connection to the eponymous God of Man than just the name.[75] Minor sub-races live in the Heartlands wilderness. Goblin especially live in the many caves and even Imperial Sewers of the Heartlands.[76] In the hills on the north and east are ogres and minotaurs stalking the roadways.[69][70]

Many fish species, typically lake water fish live in Lake Rumare,[46] but even though the Imperial Sewers leave it relatively clean,[55] foul water pollutes it and attracts other kinds of fish. The rarest of which include the Pufferfish, the Rainbow Fish, the Runmare Bream, the Sewer Eel, the Quillfish, and the Yellow Perch.[77] A larger, distinct variation of the Slaughterfish aptly called the Rumare Slaughterfish also live in the lake.[78] When the Imperial City was enraptured in the Planemeld, many types of new fish polluted the waterways. These include the Aphotic Batfish, the Blobfin, the Cannibal Lancet, the Flabby Whalefish, the Guiyu, the Glow-Spotted Blenny, the Hatchetfish, the Humpback Angler, the Imperial Loosejaw, the Scabrous Grenadier, the Trapjaw Eel, and the Wen Loach.[79]

Upon his rise in the late Second Era, Tiber Septim offered protection for any remaining dragons. Records from that time talk of dragons encircling the towers of the Imperial City and "river dragons" around the mouth of the Niben, where their scales rust in the water.[3] Some of them like Nafaalilargus fought for the Empire during the Tiber War[80] but despite the promise of sanctuary, they were still hunted and slain.[81]

HistoryEdit

The Pre-Imperial HeartlandsEdit

 
A Third Era statue of Topal the Pilot in Leyawiin
 
The Ayleids and the White-Gold Tower

It is generally understood that before man and mer lived on Tamriel, the beastfolk were the sole inhabitants of the continent.[82] In the Heartlands, it was occupied by an ancient race of birdmen whose legacy remains in oral histories and the fragmented ballad of Topal the Pilot, the Unhendra Nibenu.[5][22] A translation of these fragments and notes provided by Florin Jaliil, gives us a look into Topal's journey in the Middle Merethic Era.[22]

As the Niben sailed along the eastern continental seaboard, trying to find their way back to Firsthold, they come across the Topal Bay and at the behest of his crew, traveled north through the Niben River. En route, they witnessed "cat demons" and in eleven days, they reached Lake Rumare and the Eight Islands in its center. Topal became enchanted by the beauty of the islands and the birdfolk that lived there. He taught them how to read and write, and in gratitude, they named him their lord and offered him the islands as a gift,[22] though some people suggest it was a transaction.[83] Topal made a promise that he would return one day,[22] and while the story of his return remains a mystery, the elves of the distant Summerset Isles did eventually return.[4]

The Heartlands, at that time, was purportedly a tribute land to the High King of Alinor, and eventually, the original Ayleids came to populate the Heartlands.[4] At its center was the White-Gold Tower, built in emulation of the Adamantine Tower, surrounded by its own city and with the Chim-el Adabal as its founding stone.[84][85] Because of the distant communications between the Heartlands and the Summerset Isles, and with the buffer that was the developing Bosmer society, they had effectively isolated themselves and the White-Gold Tower's settlement eventually became an independent city-state.[4][86][UOL 1]

The Ayleids had splintered themselves from the Aldmer, with some leaving specifically to avoid the strictures of Aldmeri regulations, such as the forbidden worship of daedra. Though most of these colonizers venerated the aedra, daedric cults grew in popularity[87] and in time, overthrew this subculture of Ayleids, known now as the Barsaebics with the Narfinsel Schism.[88] The White-Gold Tower in those years, was known as the Temple of the Ancestors, and on display, were the Ten Ancestors, a set of statues otherwise important in Ayleid history and culture.[85] The Ten Ancestors may also refer to an eponymous group of figures who worshipped the daedra and wrote the Eleven Edicts.[89]

At the Temple of the Ancestors lived the liege-lord, leader of the Ayleid Empire and its sorcerer-kings.[90] The person known for this title was Umaril the Unfeathered, the most-favored champion of Meridia, the Lady of Light, and who possessed a divine bloodline that meant he could withstand death.[91][92] Though he was deeply connected to Meridia, the many cities built in and around the Heartland had their own patron daedric prince. Delodiil, for example, while they held many gods, including the Divines in reverence, also had a firm belief in Meridia but its rival city of Abagarlas, a city of mercenaries and warriors worshiped Molag Bal.[25]

 
Abagarlas and the Mortuum Vivicus

But the story between these two cities showed that the Empire had internal conflict. Abagarlas' king, Anumaril was jealous of Delodiil's chapels of light and built an even larger chapel and a crude shrine for his patron. But when Delodiil seemed unimpressed and its King Cenedelin deemed it pitiful, King Anumaril became furious and wanted nothing but their destruction.[25][93] By using the Mortuum Vivicus, Anumaril planned to drain the life out of Delodiil and led an army of undead to the city. Through Meridia's warnings, King Cenedelin sent knights to destroy the Vivicus and established his defense at home.[94]

These knights cut through Abagarlas and slayed the royal family (except for Anumaril).[94] Before they could destroy the Mortuum Vivicus, Molag Bal ripped it back into Coldharbour.[95] Meridia was then able to destroy Abagarlas with her righteous lightning, casting it down where its ruins remain since.[94] Anumaril and his horde marched onto Delodiil but found that the city had completely vanished. Hearing cries from back across the valley, he returned in haste to Abagarlas and found it destroyed, with the shadows of the dead burnt into its walls.[25]

From this time, the Ayleids were notorious for their use of slaves and the pleasures they derived from them. The elves herded Nedes and other humans from across the Nibenay, like the Al-Gemha, the Kothri, and the Men-of-'kreath. When they were not toiling in arduous work, they were made subjects in strange art tortures, like in Sercen[19] and Fanacasecul.[96] For these humans, the Ayleid Empire where they knew no freedom, and were denied family and even a name, only which was kept to themselves in secret.[19] Upon their initial arrival, they were reviled by their widespread daedric worship, with some believing that the modern hatred of the daedra originated here.[87]

Early HistoryEdit

 
The Heartland, a painting contemporaneous with the Alessian Order
 
Vilverin

As foretold by the Moth Priests, the Ayleid Empire's downfall came from their own hubris and lack of attention toward the Nedes.[84] The Alessian Slave Rebellion, from 1E 242 to 243 was a monumental moment in not just Cyrodiil's history, but marked a shift in the continental power structure, placing man on top. The Nedic slaves, who became the present-day Imperials revolted,[5] and leading this movement was the slave commonly known as Alessia. From her holy city of Sancre Tor, she received the divine inspiration for the rebellion from Akatosh.[97][98]


In one legend from this time, Alessia received a vision in an old Ayleid shrine beneath the original Imperial City settlement. Her followers tore it down and built the Dragonfire Cathedral,[100] perhaps the city's greatest kept secret.[101] It contains the Sublime Brazier, which legends claim reaches to the very center of Nirn and once light the Dragonfires that protect the world from Oblivion.[102]


  • "I am looking for the complete set of ten for my collection. They were once part of the Temple of the Ancestors in the ancient Ayleid capital. Through my research, I have learned that they were removed from the temple before its sack by Men. I believe they were hidden in various Ayleid settlements across Cyrodiil, although I do not know the exact location of any of them."
  • "You know it as White Gold Tower -- the center of the ancient Ayleid capital of Nibenay. It was brutally sacked thousands of years ago by humans led by Alessia. The Imperial City is built over the ruins of that ancient city."
  • Dragonfire Cathedral{

The Ayleid Diaspora and the Alessian OrderEdit

  • Ayleid Diaspora[88][84]
  • Alessian Reforms/Alessian Order[3]

The Heartlands in the Second EmpireEdit

 
An Akaviri depiction of Reman Cyrodiil I
 
Fort Grief; a Second Empire stronghold

As the Remanada goes, a shepherdess named Sed-Yenna came from Sancre Tor, carried a small child named Reman to the White-Gold Tower and placed him on the Ruby Throne. He then spoke as an adult, "I AM CYRODIIL COME".[104] In the late First Era, the First Akaviri Invasion took place and advanced west toward Cyrodiil. Reman united the Nibenay Valley's army and the Colovian West, to create the Army of Reman and combat the threat. In the end, Reman defeated the Akaviri and with their help, created the Second Empire of Man.[3][106] Through the combination of his allies and the Breton customs of High Rock, he turned Cyrodiil and the Imperial City into a cosmopolitan metropolis.[5]

Though people nowadays believe the neighboring kingdoms quickly recognized his reign, this was not entirely the case as the borders were not reliably secure. Many Imperial forts and strongholds were built to fight raiders and bandits,[107] and protect the Heartlands and Niben Bay.[47] The Trans-Niben region, where warlike clans of Anequina stalked northern Blackwood, and the nearby unconquered Black Marsh were notable threats in the south.[107] Fort Grief was built on the mouth of the Silverfish River to protect the eastern Niben Bay but with how quick Reman's expansion was, it lost purpose and was largely abandoned in 1E 2900.[47]

The Akaviri were given amnesty by Emperor Reman and integrated themselves into Tamrielic society, predominantly living in the Imperial City. From there, they influenced much of the city and province's culture and administrative infrastructure. Many of their distinct dragon motifs could be seen across the Heartlands. One of their biggest contributions was reforming the Imperial Legion, thus giving the Empire the leeway to conquer the neighboring kingdoms. At the Emperor's side was their advisor, the Potentate who were usually of Akaviri descent.[3] Famously, the Potentate of Emperor Brazollus Dor, Sidri-Ashak was the real administrator to the Empire while the Emperor was elsewhere, usually his estate near Skingrad, partaking in the luxuries of his status.[108][109]

In the late years of the Four-Score War, Prince Juilek and the Imperial Army were stationed in Bethal Gray, a village in the Heartlands near the forest before they traveled east for the Siege of Ald Marak in Morrowind.[111]

The Heartlands in the InterregnumEdit

 
The Dark Anchors over the Imperial City
Before the rule of Tiber Septim, all Tamriel was in chaos. The poet Tracizis called that period of continuous unrest "days and nights of blood and venom."
—Excerpt from the Brief History of the Empire by Stronach k'Thojj III, Imperial Historian

The death of Potentate Savirien-Chorak in 2E 431 led to the ultimate decline of the Second Empire. What started was an era of conflict and chaos known as the Interregnum and at its center was the greater Cyrodilic Heartland and especially the Imperial City. Many warlords, bandits, and other malicious factions fought for control of the capital.[5]

A big consequence of this was the large-scale exodus of Akaviri from the Imperial City. One of these warlords named Attrebus, drove out them to the far south in Elsweyr.[37] Those that survived made their way to Rimmen, where the monarchs granted them asylum in outlying regions like the Rim Territories or northwestern Elsweyr[37][110] (i.e., Reaper's March).[112]

Out of the many contenders to the Imperial City, one of the most famous was Varen Aquilarios, at the time a Duke of Colovia, hailing from Kvatch and at war with the Longhouse Emperors who held the Heartland. After his victory in Fort Ash, Varen Aquilarios and his combined force marched onto the Imperial City where they did battle with Emperor Leovic.[113]

The Heartlands in the Third EmpireEdit

 
A depiction of Tiber Septim ca. 2E 864
 
The Imperial City ca. 3E 433

The Alliance War and Planemeld passed as the years passed, but the Imperial City and Cyrodilic heartland were still contested. The Interregnum had come to its penultimate end with the rise of Cuhlecain; the Colovian King of Falkreath who united the Colovian Estates before he entered the Imperial City. At his side was his general, Hjalti, also known as Talos. Cuhlecain ruled for a short time until his assassination in 2E 854. The events of which also led to the destruction of the Imperial Palace (the White-Gold Tower) and the loss of Talos' voice. With the death of the Emperor, Talos donned his crown and succeeded him now as Tiber Septim I.[116][3]

In these early years, Cyrodiil underwent a large-scale reconstruction. By 2E 864, when the 1st Edition of the Pocket Guide to the Empire was published, the ruined Imperial City was nearly finished and the province's many roadways and cities were still rebuilding.[3] In the mid-Second Era, three bridges connected to the Imperial City from its southern, western, and northeastern shores respectively[46] but from the Third Era and onward, one large bridge known as the Talos Bridge was built between Weye and the newly-named Talos Plaza District.[2] Many of the major roads from the previous era were also gone, such as the ones along the Upper Niben bank and the bridges that connected them. Forts such as Alessia and Chalman were abandoned, while others like Aleswell and Blue Road were destroyed.[2][46]

Though Cyrodiil experienced relative peace throughout the early Third Era,[117] the Heartlands and the Imperial City have had moments of weakness.[5] The first year of the War of the Red Diamond was one such example. As conflict arose in northern Tamriel, Empress Kintyra II led an army to the Iliac Bay, leaving the Imperial City short on defenses. With the Elder Council completely occupied and the rest of the Imperial Army sent off as well, Prince Uriel Mantiarco of Solitude invaded the ill-defended city and proclaimed himself Emperor Uriel Septim III, while his cousin Kintyra II was imprisoned.[118][119] Years later in 3E 127, King Cephorus of Gilane marched into the Imperial City after Uriel III's death and named himself Emperor as Cephorus Septim I.[120][121]

  • Oblivion Crisis[122]/Main Quest/Wellspring Grove Attack (MG)/Aleswell Invisible?

Post-Oblivion CrisisEdit

 
The Imperial City and Umbriel
 
Emperor Titus Mede II ca. 4E 175

With Mehrunes Dagon's defeat and Martin Septim's sacrifice came the end of the Septim Dynasty and the Third Era. The early years of the Fourth Era proved to be a turning point in Tamriel's history

[122][123]

  • Stormcrown Interregnum/Titus Mede I
  • Umbriel
  • Great War

Notable LocationsEdit

 
Weye and Wawnet Inn
Abagarlas
A former Ayleid city on the northeast side of City Isle. It was once a place of worship for Molag Bal
Aleswell
A farming town on the northwest corner of the region
Imperial City
The central settlement of the Heartlands and seat of power for the Empires of Man
Lake Rumare
The blue lake that surrounds the Imperial City and encompasses the Valley Heartland
Niben Bay
The body of water in the middle of the Niben River, Bravil is located on the west shore
Pell's Gate
A town near the southern coast of Lake Rumare. It is right next to the start of the Green Road
Red Ring Road
A major road that surrounds Lake Rumare and branches out across the province
Vanua
An Ayleid ruin where Pelinal Whitestrake famously made his last stand
Vilverin
A former Ayleid city on the northeast coast of Lake Rumare. Its clans escaped southwest into Valenwood
Weye
A town across from the Imperial City's bridge

GalleryEdit

  • The Northern Niben Valley

See AlsoEdit

BooksEdit

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ a b c Varieties of Faith... — Brother Mikhael Karkuxor of the Imperial College
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Heartlands in Oblivion
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Cyrodiil — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  4. ^ a b c d Before the Ages of Man — Aicantar of Shimerene
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Seat of Sundered Kings: Cyrodiil — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  6. ^ Loading Screen text in Oblivion
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Map of Cyrodiil – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
  8. ^ Humilis Nonius' dialogue in Oblivion
  9. ^ a b Guide to Bruma — Alessia Ottus
  10. ^ a b c Generic Dialogue in Oblivion
  11. ^ An Explorer's Guide to Skyrim — Marcius Carvain, Viscount Bruma
  12. ^ Mysterious Akavir
  13. ^ History of the Fighters Guild
  14. ^ a b The Infernal City — Greg Keyes
  15. ^ a b Imperial City Prison loading screen text in ESO: Imperial City
  16. ^ a b c The Real Barenziah, v 3 — Anonymous
  17. ^ Notes For Redguard History — Destri Melarg
  18. ^ Crafting Motif 3: Wood Elf Style — Doctor Alfidia Lupus
  19. ^ a b c d The Adabal-a — Morihaus
  20. ^ The Amulet of Kings — Wenengrus Monhona
  21. ^ Curiosities of the Second Age
  22. ^ a b c d e f g Father Of The Niben — Florin Jaliil
  23. ^ Daughter of the Niben — Sathyr Longleat
  24. ^ Letter to Alma — Dreadlord Naucratius
  25. ^ a b c d The Whithering of Delodiil — Unknown
  26. ^ Suurootan's dialogue in Oblivion
  27. ^ a b c The Heartland of Cyrodiil — Phrastus of Elinhir
  28. ^ a b c d e f Map of the Imperial Province – The Elder Scrolls: Arena
  29. ^ Map of Skyrim – The Elder Scrolls: Arena
  30. ^ Map of Morrowind – The Elder Scrolls: Arena
  31. ^ Map of Blackwood – The Elder Scrolls Online
  32. ^ Map of Hammerfell – The Elder Scrolls: Arena
  33. ^ A Dance in Fire, Chapter 4 — Waughin Jarth
  34. ^ Traveler's Guide to Leyawiin — Astinia Isauricus; published 1 Frost Fall, 2E 569
  35. ^ Waterfront District in Oblivion
  36. ^ Out-of-Bounds ships on the Niben Bay in Oblivion
  37. ^ a b c d e Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: The Elsweyr Confederacy — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  38. ^ Phintias' dialogue in Oblivion
  39. ^ a b Reflections on Cult Worship — Cuseius Plecia
  40. ^ a b Shezarr and the Divines — Faustillus Junius
  41. ^ The Drake of Blades Answers Your Questions — The Drake of Blades
  42. ^ Vindication for the Dragon Break — Fervidius Tharn, Arch-Prelate of the Maruhkati Selective
  43. ^ The Exclusionary Mandates
  44. ^ Dagonists Through the Ages — Larina Hanus, scholar on Daedric cults
  45. ^ Pottery, Sanguine Repaired antiquity codex entries in ESO: Gold Road
  46. ^ a b c d Cyrodiil in ESO
  47. ^ a b c The Restoration of Fort Grief — Devastator Idrian Volturno, Spring, 2E 580
  48. ^ Nerussa's dialogue in Oblivion
  49. ^ Arcane University loading screen text in ESO
  50. ^ Hannibal Traven's dialogue in Oblivion
  51. ^ Raminus Polus' dialogue in Oblivion
  52. ^ a b Chronicles of the Five Companions 4 — Abnur Tharn
  53. ^ a b Chancellor Abnur Tharn Answers Your Questions 2 — Chancellor Abnur Tharn
  54. ^ Imperial Architect's Correspondence — Mycaelis Julus
  55. ^ a b Mycaelis Julus Answers Your Questions — Mycaelis Julus and the Rat
  56. ^ Imperial Sewers loading screen text in ESO: Imperial City
  57. ^ Imperial Sewers in Oblivion
  58. ^ Imperial Sewers in ESO: Imperial City
  59. ^ Thalara's dialogue in ESO
  60. ^ Riverhold location and rumors in Arena
  61. ^ Sacred Lotus Seeds in Oblivion
  62. ^ Water Hyacinth Nectar in Oblivion
  63. ^ Nirnroot in Oblivion
  64. ^ Ginseng in Oblivion
  65. ^ Lavender Sprig in Oblivion
  66. ^ Morning Glory Root Pulp in Oblivion
  67. ^ Fly Amanita Cap in Oblivion
  68. ^ Cairn Bolete Cap in Oblivion
  69. ^ a b Farmland, Hills, and Plains creatures in Oblivion
  70. ^ a b Map of Outdoor Creatures – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
  71. ^ Heartland Brindle Badger pet description in ESO
  72. ^ Heartland River Crab pet description in ESO
  73. ^ Heartland Butcher's Dog pet description in ESO
  74. ^ Heartland Coon Cat pet description in ESO
  75. ^ Shezarr's Chicken pet description in ESO
  76. ^ Tutorial story quest in Oblivion
  77. ^ Cyrodiil fish catches in ESO
  78. ^ Rumare Slaughterfish in Oblivion
  79. ^ Imperial City fish catches in ESO: Imperial City
  80. ^ Nafaalilargus' dialogue in Redguard
  81. ^ There Be Dragons — Torhal Bjorik
  82. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: All the Eras of Man, A Comprehensive History of our History — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  83. ^ Decentius Opsius' dialogue in Oblivion
  84. ^ a b c Aurbic Enigma 4: The Elden Tree — Beredalmo the Signifier
  85. ^ a b Umbacano's dialogue in Oblivion
  86. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Blessed Isle: Alinor and the Summersets — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  87. ^ a b c Daedra Worship: The Ayleids — Phrastus of Elinhir
  88. ^ a b c Ayleid Survivals in Valenwood — Cuinur of Cloudrest, 4th Tier Scholar of Tamrielic Minutiae
  89. ^ The Library of Dusk: Rare Books
  90. ^ Umaril is Undone — Thadoril
  91. ^ Meet the Character - King Narilmor — Tjurhane Fyrre
  92. ^ a b c The Song of Pelinal, v 3
  93. ^ The Unholy Temple
  94. ^ a b c Curano's Journal — Curano
  95. ^ Guildmaster Sees-All-Colors' dialogue during the quest, The Prismatic Core in ESO
  96. ^ Broken Statue's dialogue in ESO
  97. ^ The Legendary Sancre Tor — Matera Chapel
  98. ^ Chancellor Abnur Tharn Answers Your Questions — Chancellor Abnur Tharn
  99. ^ The Prophet's dialogue in Oblivion: Knights of the Nine
  100. ^ Drake of Blades' dialogue in ESO: Imperial City
  101. ^ Dragonfire Cathedral loading screen text in ESO: Imperial City
  102. ^ The Sublime Brazier — Augusta Purusius, Associate Historian, Imperial Academy of Records and Histories
  103. ^ Rislav The Righteous — Sinjin
  104. ^ a b Remanada
  105. ^ On the War of Righteousness — Valenca Arvina, Historian-in-Residence at Gwylim University
  106. ^ Countess Narina Carvain's dialogue in Oblivion
  107. ^ a b A Legionary's History of Fort Redmane — Pristan Vinicio, Centurion, 19 Sun's Dawn, 2E 233
  108. ^ High King Emeric Answers Your Questions — High King Emeric
  109. ^ The Feast of Saint Coellicia I — Arfons Jellicandante, Expert on Nibenese Cuisine
  110. ^ a b c The Tonenaka Shrine — Magnate Feina-Darak
  111. ^ 2920, MidYear — Carlovac Townway
  112. ^ Reaper's March in ESO
  113. ^ Eulogy for Emperor Varen — Lord Abnur Tharn, Chancellor of the Elder Council
  114. ^ Saga of Varen's Rebellion, Part 3 — Capiton Casca, Poet to Regent Clivia Tharn
  115. ^ Meet the Character - Tribune Alea — Commander Merian
  116. ^ The Arcturian Heresy — The Underking, Ysmir Kingmaker
  117. ^ The Knights of the Nine — Karoline of Solitude
  118. ^ Brief History of the Empire v 1 — Stronach k'Thojj III
  119. ^ The Wolf Queen, v7 — Waughin Jarth
  120. ^ Brief History of the Empire v 2 — Stronach k'Thojj III
  121. ^ The Wolf Queen, v8 — Waughin Jarth
  122. ^ a b The Oblivion Crisis — Praxis Sarcorum, Imperial Historian
  123. ^ Rising Threat, Vol. IV — Lathenil of Sunhold

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.

  1. ^ Xanathar's Library Archive/History
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