Lore:Durcorach

Emperor Durcorach, the Black Drake, was a   leader of the   during the chaotic   period. At some point he raised an army from the Reach and seized control of the  , reigning as the first of the  . Durcorach married   of the prominent     family, allegedly to legitimize his claim to the Ruby Throne.  He had a warhound named Elf-Biter.  Rule of the Empire passed to Durcorach's son,  . 
Biography
According to a heavily biased manuscript commissioned by Durcorach, on the night of his birth (around 2E 485 ) a great comet blazed across the sky and "seven sevens of silver swans" flew over his mother's shelter in the snowy mountains of  .  All who beheld the infant were said to be "struck by the strong beauty of his young face, with eyes so dark and fierce that great warriors could not bear to meet his gaze". He was raised in the challenging wilderness of the Reach, which taught him "the value of courage, honor, endurance, and wisdom". The propaganda continues to describe his early life; At the age of three, a young Durcorach allegedly saved his mother's life by seizing his father's hunting-spear and instantly slaying a great black bear that had already devoured twenty men. At the age of five, he saved his village from starving in a harsh winter by hunting a herd of "a hundred elk from Karthwasten to the high peaks of the Druadach Mountains". On his seventh birthday, a tribe of Giants invaded the peaceful pastures in which his people kept their flocks, and he once again somehow managed to beat them back. 

Durcorach soon became an exceptionally strong and clever chieftain, and in   began building a following in the Reach. He soon caught the eye of the Witchmen coven, the  , and allied with them, subduing all rival clans with their help through means involving Daedric bargains. By  , he became warlord commanding two thousand soldiers, which rose to ten thousand by  .   A deal was struck with Mehrunes Dagon to have Durcorach crowned, with his sorcerers performing countless tasks in wait for the day when the "final part of the arrangement" would be carried out and Dagon will "claim his due" with the  .  

Conquest of Cyrodiil
With years of preparation, Durcorach summoned a great horde of Reach warriors and descended upon Cyrodiil in  , seizing the Ruby Throne for his own.  The Tagh Droiloch disappeared afterwards, with some suspicions that his most trusted sorcerers were original members.  He was known for his imposing stature, savage temper, prowess with blades and hedge magic.   

In an attempt to embrace the Imperial culture and win more support in Cyrodiil, he attempted to merge Reach sensibilities with Imperial culture during his reign. He married  , of the prominent Nibenese   family, to reinforce his connection and commitment to the Empire. He also appointed Imperial tutors to educate his son  . 

On 1 Sun's Dawn,   Emperor Durcorach appointed new members of Elder Council and bestowed the title of Chief Councilor to Legate Tarnian Lovidicus of Leyawiin. 

Invasion of High Rock
In    or  ,  Durcorach led the Reachmen in a bloody invasion of  , ravaging the countryside and pillaging many cities. In  , Hallin's Stand was briefly captured by Durcorach during his invasion on High Rock.  All goods of value were stolen or destroyed. . A year later, in   Durcorach's forces conquered and sacked Evermore and were responsible for death of King Heseph of House Moile.  After abandoning a lengthy siege of Wayrest, he set his sights towards  . As his forces massed before the gates,   of Cumberland led a daring maneuver that completely flanked Durcorach's ranks, taking them by surprise. The defenders of Daggerfall sallied forth for a devastating pincer attack, during which the Black Drake himself was struck down by Emeric and his forces were scattered. His son Moricar, already a vital advisor to the throne, declared himself Emperor as soon as news of his father's death reached him in Imperial City.  Upon his death, Durcorach's soul was sent to the Deadlands. 

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