Lore:Western Reach

The Western Reach is the western part of the historic territory of the Reachmen, which was split off from Skyrim's hold of the Reach by Emperor Reman Cyrodiil in the late First Era along the line of the Druadach Mountains. It is primarily considered to be the easternmost region of High Rock,  but the region can also include the areas of northern Hammerfell which also border Skyrim.  It is divided from the rest of High Rock by the Wrothgarian Mountains.  

Geographically, the Western Reach comprises the northeastern part of Bangkorai and the eastern half of Wrothgar in High Rock,   and the northwestern part of Craglorn in Hammerfell.  

It is home to several ecosystems due to this intersection of provinces, and the region enjoys a variety of unique fauna. Examples include creatures such as Floaters and Rays, which are airborne creatures that resemble aquatic animals. Some other examples include the horned bipedal reptilian creatures, the Wickeder, and its relatives the Bounder and Clawrunner. Lastly is the maggot-shaped bipedal vermin known as the Wormmouth, which can vary greatly in size. 
 

History
The Western Reach was one of the Skyrim Holds during the First Empire, although it was retaken by the Aldmeri during the Dissolution of Skyrim's Empire, at great cost of Nordic life. Eventually, the Aldmeri overseers were eliminated, but traces of their blood forever remained in the veins of the native Reachmen.   Clan Direnni rose in power on the mainland through political maneuvering and devious machinations in  , soon taking control of the Western Reach.  In  , the joint army of Cyrodiilic Emperor Ami-El and Skyrim attacked the Clan Direnni in the Western Reach of High Rock. 

After the conclusion of the First Akaviri Invasion in  , Emperor Reman Cyrodiil turned his attention towards the "madmen of the Reach". He divided the Reachmen territory between the provinces of Skyrim and High Rock in an attempt to limit their possibility of uniting against him. The natives resisted fiercely, and there was never a decade when the troops of Solitude or Evermore wouldn't be sent in an attempt to pacify them. 

In Mournoth, the northernmost region of Bangkorai, the Reachmen often warred with Bretons of the kingdom of Evermore. It was the first region to be taken by Durcorach the Black Drake during his invasion in  , although it was quickly freed when Durcorach was slain by Emeric of Cumberland the following year.  A few decades later, in  , the region was attacked again by the Dark Witnesses, a Reachmen clan led by the Hagraven Uela, who intended to reclaim the territory that used to belong to the Reachmen. The Dark Witnesses turned their eyes towards Evermore, and briefly worked with the Daggerfall Covenant to nullify the threat of an Imperial coup from within the city. However, the clan were subsequently driven out of Mournoth following the death of Uela. 

Another clan, Winterborn, dominated parts of Wrothgar during the time of the Longhouse Emperors. After Kurog gro-Bagrakh was granted the region of Wrothgar by the Daggerfall Covenant to build his new kingdom of Orsinium, the Orcish clans drove them back to the Reach. The Winterborn tried to reclaim their territory in 2E 582, but were ultimately defeated at a last stand within Frostbreak Fortress, where Kurog slew their last remaining leader, Urfon Ice-Heart. 

During the early days of Tiber Septim's Empire, the region was still plagued by banditry and lawlessness, and travelers were advised to stay away from it. It was ruled by the Provisional Governor Titus Alorius. 

During the Imperial Simulacrum, in  , the region around Dragonstar was embroiled in the War of the Bend'r-mahk between High Rock, Hammerfell and Skyrim. The conflict that took place here was used by Jagar Tharn and Pergan Asuul as fuel to manifest a Shadow of Conflict, or Umbra' Keth, which had the potential to engulf all of Hammerfell in shadows. Guided by the Shadow Mages Azra Nightwielder and Skelos Undriel, the Umbra' Keth was defeated by the Soul of Conflict, who used the legendary Star Teeth to destroy its shadowy form.  After peace was established, a commission was created to repair the damage done by the war. 

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