Tes-Rp: Sundering - Lore

Prologue: The Second Great War

The Last Dragonborn, a former Imperial Legionnaire and veteran of the Great War, had triumphed over Alduin the World Eater, the plots of the Volkihar Clan, and the resurgence of the First Dragonborn Miraak.

But as he went about his fabled deeds, politics moved on. General Tullius, freed from his campaign when a ceasefire was negotiated by the hero himself, soon found himself facing advances on another front: The Thalmor are tired of waiting.

Almost overnight, Aldmeri troops swept through Cyrodiil, and in a move echoing the Great War, Imperial City was put to fire and sword, the White-Gold Tower demolished. Beaten, the Imperial Army (or what’s left of it, really), took to the north with the Dominion on their heels. Luckily, the fall of the Imperial capital had not gone unnoticed, and the newly-named Warmaster of Skyrim, Ulfric Stormcloak, was ready.

The initial assault was repelled, and plans were drawn out. A month later, the army of Skyrim marched down the Pale Pass, Ulfric at their helm. Bruma, at the Cyrodiil end of the pass, was quickly captured. From there, the 9th Legion led by the newly promoted Dragonborn headed for Chorral, while Skingrad became the target of General Tullius and the rest of his legions

At the same time, the newly formed Argonian Expeditionary Army swept up the Niben river, swiftly taking the cities of Leyawiin and Bravil. And through a little known mountain pass to the north-east, the Armies of the Dunmer Great Houses marched towards Cheydinhal. At their head was the Nerevarine, who had long returned from her adventures to Akavir and was spending her days as a housecarl to a Nord Jarl (purely for kicks and giggles). You might know her as Irileth. By her side, the reclusive Telvanni mage-lord Divayth Fyr, who was rather sick of the whole intra-house infighting when his tower at Tel Fyr was burnt to the ground. (He decided the Telvanni stronghold made a good replacement.)

With what’s essentially the Ebonheart Pact of old after their blood, the Thalmor was quickly defeated. And by that, we mean slaughtered. One platoon worth of survivors made it back to Summerset Isles.

Soon after, the war ended. The Thalmor was executed, publicly, after the Pact pushed them back to Alinor, and re-established the Altmer royal house on their way in.

Chapter 1: The Sundering

The Dwemers weren’t gone.

At least, not permanently. Instead, lost to the wide reaches of Oblivion, drifting through the void between the Daedric realms, Chief Tonal Architech Kagrenac rallied the ragged survivors of his race, and sought a way home. With a shard of the Heart of Lorkan, in reality one of many, he reforged his tools and went to work. Holding the knowledge that the core of Nirn was in reality the main body of the Heart, his reforged tools set a rhythm upon the Shard. After a long period of meditation and rituals, he finally succeeded in drawing the Dwemers back home. To Blackreach.

Of course, having to cross over the Dragonfires that separated Nirn from Oblivion resulted in a catastrophic localised burst of energy. And may we take a moment to recall that Blackreach lies BENEATH the surface of Nirn?

Indeed, the energy was so great, it tore Nirn asunder, vaporising the remnants of Yokuda, the frozen wastelands of Atmora, the lost Aldmeri homeland of Aldmeris… well, pretty much most of the planet really.

Tamriel was spared most of the damage. The Towers holding the barriers between the mortal realm and Oblivion did their job pretty well. But not well enough, leaving chunks of landmasses floating in what’s now a sea of superheated dust.

Morrowind and Blackmarsh, held together by the Red Mountain.

Skyrim, shielded by the Throat of the World.

Hammerfell and High Rock, anchored by the Adamantine Tower.

Elysweyr and Valenwood, linked forever under the aegis of the Elden Tree.

The Summerset Isles, orbiting the rebuilt Crystal Tower.

And Cyrodiil swirling in the middle with the White-Gold Tower standing tall.

In the wake of the catastrophe, henceforth termed the Sundering, was recovery. Prior to the Dwemer’s return, great advances had been made in technology, and with a little innovation, what is termed the Ash Seas are of little trouble. Floating ships, clad in heat-proof alloys, ensured passage between the landmasses.

However, what DID happen was a new war. One between the Surface, the newly returned Dwemers, and the Daedra that the returnees accidentally brought along for the ride. For Blackreach is now marred by chasms, and from these gaps, Oblivion poured out. Great fortresses of greater Daedra. Warcamps of the lesser ones. Even the palaces of several Daedric lords.

It is now the Age of Sundering.

Chapter 2: Cyrodiil

Cyrodiil, the heartlands of Tamriel. Home of the Imperial race of humans, men and woman known for their silver tongue and steely nerves, their armies an impervious wall of shields.

The line of the Dragonborn Emperor rose once more with the Last Dragonborn after the Empire was shattered by the Aldmeri Dominion, and the Thalmor eliminated by a concerted counter-attack. His first act as Emperor was to divide the provinces, granting them independence and cementing trade and mutual defence ties. Instead of an Empire held together by military might, which he deemed to be impractical, he was keen on forging one on mutual interdependence, with Cyrodiil as the linchpin.

His adventures and status in the northern province of Skyrim quickly ensured High Queen Elisif’s support, while his role in Skyrim’s independence saw the great military might of Warmaster Ulfric Stormcloak behind his back. That, and good policy-making, allowed him to rebuild Cyrodiil as the centre of Tamriel, a hub of trade and diplomacy.

Chapter 3: Morrowind

Morrowind, the ash-covered, sundered home of the Dunmers. Descended from the ancient Chimers who migrated across Tamriel at the dawn of history, they were cursed by their goddess for forsaking her. These elves are vicious and proud sons and daughters of Red Mountain, wreathed in flames and guided by spirits of their ancestors.

The return of the Nerevarine rallied the remnant Dunmers, and especially the Great Houses. Vivec, last of the Tribunal, had passed on years earlier, and the conflicts between Houses had surged. Irileth, Hortator and Leader of House Indoril, took the shards of a broken sword, and reforged them into a blade as keen and sharp as it was before. The Thalmor, unfortunately for them, was the target. This war cemented the ties between the Houses, and united the people of Morrowind.

Of course, the conflict-rich House Telvanni ran counter to this trend. For a while. Escalation of factional rivalries sparked open civil war, until one miscast spell hit Tel Fyr, and pretty much wiped it off the map. Out of that magic-fuelled inferno, however, walked out one very, VERY, pissed off Lord Divayth Fyr, now berefit of friends and daughters and hungry for the blood of his foolish kin. Setting his eyes on the House stronghold, he single handedly wiped the ashes of his homeland with the other Telvanni Councilors, eventually tearing the Archmagister off his seat. After which, he led his newly acquired House in a quick march after the other Dunmer armies, catching up right as they were approaching Cheydinhal.

And with the rise of ebony as the continental standard for metallurgy after the war, Morrowind has developed once more into the powerhouse it was before. They are also one of the three nations to hold blue-water navies, the others being Skyrim and Summerset Isles.

Chapter 4: Black Marsh

Argonians. The cold-blooded reptilian inhabitants of the notoriously inhospitable swamps in the south-east of Tamriel, bound in life and in death to the Hist.

The Argonians’ role in defeating the Thalmor cemented their place of prominence in the continent, and ties with even their former oppressors up north warmed.

Masters of stealth and amphibious warfare, their Expeditionary Forces saw the Niben River as a perfect route to Imperial City. Stepping out of the marshy shores in the middle of the night, they quickly became the nightmare of any Dominion forces stationed along the river. Quickly taking the two cities that lie along said waterway, their approach into the capital mirrored the escape of the famed Hero of Kvatch. Entering through the Imperial Prison sewers, the Altmers in the ruined city suddenly found themselves with Argonian blades drawn across their throats. Subsequently, the Argonians too were the ones to establish the landing beachhead at Vulkhel Guard, braving spells and arrows to push through the defences.

In the Fifth Era, they have regained their former glory. Their ancient cities, marked by large, intricate pyramid structures called xanmeers, teemed with life. Expert fishermen, their catches are shipped throughout the continent. They have also begun experimenting with a fledging green-water navy, patrolling their eastern coast.

Chapter 5: Skyrim

Skyrim was given independence as the new Emperor deemed the Empire too large. To everyone’s amazement, at the inauguration of High Queen Elisif as the ruler of the new nation, Ulfric Stormcloak himself bent knee, vowing to serve her.

With his knowledge of warfare and military matters, the Skyrim military soon became a force to be reckoned with, and respected, too, for their involvement in the Thalmor’s fall. In fact, it was due to his timely intervention that the Imperial Legion wasn’t completely wiped out during the opening stages of the Second Great War. He was also key in reforming (albeit unofficially) the Ebonheart Pact, bringing together the conflicting Dunmers and Argonians into their ancient alliance.

Given the Nords’ distaste for magic, it was to their surprise that during the war, the two most distinguished regiments other than the elite Stormcloaks were mage units.

The 1st Arcane Regiment, hailing from the College of Winterhold, was born when the current archmage, Brelyna Maryon, returned from the frontlines having accompanied the Dragonborn all along. Scarred by battle, she rallied the mages to show their worth to their fellow citizens.

The 2nd Arcane Regiment, from The Reach, was an even greater surprise. Faced with a common enemy in the form of the Thalmor, Ulfric actually reach an accord with Madanach, and recommended the Forsworn to take over peacefully. In return for this courtesy, Madanach brought together the spellswords under his command, and placed them under the command of his newly recovered daughter Eola. Under her, the 2nd cut a bloody path through Cyrodiil, leading the way in hounding the Aldmeri forces all the way back to the Gold Coast and putting the fear of the Forsworn into the Altmers.

To this day, Skyrim metal remain legendary, and especially Skyforge goods crafted by the Greymane family in Whiterun. Farming, too, is a major industry, as well as mead exports. The College of Winterhold, under the leadership of Archmage Maryon, rose to become one of the leading magic institutes in the land. In fact, the College was instrumental in the development of the Levitation Airships that’s the backbone of intercontinental commerce and travel in the Fifth Era.

Chapter 6: Hammerfell

Hammerfell, a land of arid deserts, vast mountains, and wide grasslands, home of the warrior race known as the Redguard.

For years, the civil war between the Crowns, descendents of ancient Yokudan nobility, and the Forebearers, the first to set foot on their new home, was put on hold, and eventually resolved, when they united against the Aldmeri Dominion.

After the troubles of the Fourth Era, Hammerfell prospered under the joint rule of both factions, becoming a centre of gem trade. Here, gemstones mined from the desert depths are sorted, cut, and send to High Rock and Skyrim, where craftsmen shaped them into priceless treasures.

Chapter 7: High Rock

There are, broadly speaking, three types of Bretons. Mages, merchants, and politicians. Traditionally the seat of power of the old Daggerfall Covenant, High Rock features all three types, often with copious overlaps.

The nobility of the Breton homeland can often trace their lineage back to the Mages Guild of old, and are known for their shrewdness in both trade and the affairs of court. As such, they often play vital roles in all three of High Rock's key realms.

Here, silver from the Reach in Skyrim, metalworks from Orsinium, and gems from Hammerfell, are traded, the Breton middleman taking a sizeable fee in the process.

High Rock, as a whole, is also one of the centres where magic is studied intensively, alongside Skyrim's College of Winterhold, Summerset Isle's re-established Crystal Tower, Morrowind's House Telvanni, and Cyrodiil's Mages Guild.

Chapter 8: Orsinium

The homeland of the Orsimers, or more commonly known as the Orcs, it is a mountainous region located in the midst of High Rock.

For ages, the tribal Orsimers had been plagued with in-fighting, making their dream of recognition as a nation a distant one. It all changed shortly after the Dragon Crisis in Skyrim.

Once a convict in Cidhna Mines, then the Reachking Madanach's trusted bodyguard, Borkul the Beast is tall, even for his race. And savage, too. But behind the feral bearing he portrays, was a burning desire to unite his people. One ignited by watching his own king of the Forsworn.

After years of service, he requested leave, and headed for the land of his people. There, he set his mind to his goal, achieving it in short order the best way he could. Beating the utter crap out of the tribe leaders, often with their own limbs.

As it turns out, years of observing a king allows one to pick up a few tricks here and there, and after solidifying his rule over Orsinium, Borkul king of Orsimer put his efforts into building a sustainable society for his people.

In a few years, Orsimers are known throughout Tamriel as some of the best blacksmiths of the land, and the most loyal and effective mercenaries. And with most of their goods going to High Rock to be traded, their warriors followed. Since then, one would be hard-pressed to see a High Rock merchant without a few Orsimer guards behind his back.

Chapter 9: Elysweyr

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Chapter 10: Valenwood

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Chapter 11: Summerset Isles

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Chapter 12: Pyandonea

The swampy, storm-ridden archipelago of Pyandonea is, or rather, was the homeland of the elusive race of Mer known as the Maormers. Well-versed in the magics of storm and sea, these vicious elves bore an ancient grudge against their Altmer cousins, believing that their poor environment was the fault of their gold-skinned relatives.

Maormer are especially distinguished by their skin and eyes, their eyes clear and milky-white, and skin entirely pale and colourless, as though their flesh is made of white limpid jelly. Their skin also has strange, chameleon-like properties. Along with that is an ability to breath underwater, shared only with the Argonians.

When the Sundering destroyed their homeland and sent it, crumbled, under the Sea of Ashes, their proficiency in maritime affairs (and traditional "occupation" as pirates) served them well. A rag-tag fleet of their vessels drifted, eventually making landfall at Leyawiin.

Despite their rather brutal origins, the survivors had, at least, the presence of mind to understand their current status as refugees, and sought to begin anew.

These days, they are often seen plying the southern sea-routes, though adamantly refusing to have anything to do with Summerset Isles, or even approach the Isles.