Lore:High Rock

High Rock is a province in the northwest section of Tamriel. Most of the province is inhabited by the Bretons, who have divided the province into multiple Breton city states and minor kingdoms. The northern tip of central High Rock also contains Orsinium, the City-State of the Orcs. High Rock encompasses the many lands and clans of  , the  , the Bjoulsae River tribes, and, by tradition, the Western Reach.  The rugged highland strongholds and isolated valley settlements have encouraged the fierce independence of the various local Breton clans, resisting integration into a formal province or Imperial identity. Nonetheless, their language, bardic traditions, and heroic legends are a unifying legacy. 
 

Geography
High Rock borders Hammerfell across the Bangkorai Pass to the southeast and Skyrim across the Druadach Mountains to the east. Its landscape is diverse, ranging from green forests through badlands to snowy mountains. 

High Rock consists of five main regions: Glenumbra, Stormhaven, Rivenspire, northern Bangkorai and Wrothgar. In addition, the islands of Balfiera, Betony, Caecilly, and Dellese are also a part of High Rock.  The   is an officially recognized region in the Iliac Bay that was left unconquered until the Warp in the West occurred in 3E 417. 

thumb|left|Glenumbra
Glenumbra
Glenumbra is the westernmost region of High Rock, encompassing most of the large peninsula separating the Iliac Bay from the Eltheric Ocean. It borders Stormhaven to the northeast and Rivenspire across the King's Guard Mountains to the north. The region contains the city-states of Daggerfall and Camlorn, as well as the great cemetery of  . The ancient battlefield of Glenumbra Moors, where the Direnni defeated the Alessian Horde, is also located here. The southern forests of Glenumbra are home to several witch covens, like the   and the Glenmoril Wyrd.

The region consists mostly of rolling green hills and forests; there is also a sizable swamp around the area of Hag Fen, to the southeast of Camlorn. 
 
thumb|right|Stormhaven
Stormhaven
Stormhaven is the central region of High Rock, situated at the mouth of the Bjoulsae River. It borders Glenumbra to the west, Rivenspire to the northwest, Wrothgar to the north and Bangkorai to the east. Stormhaven is comprised of three regions: Alcaire, Menevia and Gavaudon. The landscape consists of rolling hills, lush flood plains, rocky outcrops and ancient woodlands. 

Alcaire lies in the west, and is the celebrated birthplace of Tiber Septim.  Farmers and fishing villages thrive off the clement conditions of the Iliac Bay which grant them their bounty of fish and crops.   is commonly worshipped here. Alcaire's hamlets swear allegiance to the  , which are housed in Alcaire Castle. 

Menevia spans the center of Stormhaven, and is home to the great trading port city of Wayrest. In the Second Era, Wayrest was home to the Cumberland merchant clan, which gained immense wealth after their   mining operations proved lucrative, and eventually took up the throne. 

The fiefdom of Gavaudon lies in the east. Rich, alluvial soil lies in the flood plains around the mouth of the Bjoulsae River. The frontier farmers who reap the soil's bounty are hardy and willing to withstand the region's inclement weather. Gavaudon was a common point of interest for Orc raiders coming from the Wrothgarian Mountains in the Second Era until the Daggerfall Covenant was formed. 
 

thumb|left|Rivenspire

Rivenspire
Rivenspire is the northern area of High Rock. It borders Glenumbra across the King's Guard Mountains to the southwest, Stormhaven to the south and Wrothgar to the southeast. The region contains the city-states of Shornhelm and Northpoint and the infamous Crypt of Hearts. It also contained  , a massive Ayleid tower, before it was destroyed in  .

The region's landscape is rather gloomy and consists of dry badlands, with jagged rock formations, flinty crags, windswept moors, and narrow canyons. 
 
thumb|right|Bangkorai
Bangkorai
The two regions of northern Bangkorai, Mournoth and Ephesus, make up the southeastern reaches of High Rock. The region borders Wrothgar to the north, The Reach in Skyrim and Craglorn in Hammerfell to the east, and the Fallen Wastes of Hammerfell, which make up the southern Bangkorai, to the south. The main settlement is the city of Evermore. The region is home to the Bangkorai Pass, a fortified garrison which serves as High Rock's protection against the raiders from Hammerfell. Another notable location is the Halcyon Lake, where the ruins of Bisnensel, a city founded by the last Ayleid king Laloriaran Dynar, are located.

The region consists of forested uplands. 
 
thumb|left|Wrothgar

Wrothgar
Wrothgar is an independent Orcish kingdom that existed in the northeastern region of High Rock during the Second Era. . It borders Rivenspire to the west, Stormhaven to the south, the Skyrim holds Haafingar and the Reach to the east and Bangkorai to the southeast. The region is home to the great Orcish city of Orsinium, located in the Wrothgarian Mountains, as well as the Breton city of Farrun (formerly the Orcish Fharun) and the city of Jehanna. It also contains numerous Orc strongholds and Dwemer ruins. The great mountain of   can be found in the extreme northeast, on the border with Haafingar.

The region's climate is harsh; the landscape consists of boreal forests, tundras and snowy mountains. 
 
thumb|right|The isle of Balfiera and the Adamantine Tower seen from Stormhaven

Isle of Balfiera
The isle of Balfiera is situated in the middle of the Iliac Bay. It is renowned as the site of the Direnni Tower, also known as Adamantine Tower, which is the oldest known building in Tamriel. 
 
thumb|left|The isle of Betony
Betony
The green and forested isle of Betony is situated to the south of Glenumbra. In the Second Era the island was conquered by the Stonetooth Orcs, who renamed it Betnikh. Eventually the island was reclaimed by the Bretons. The island is well known for triggering the War of Betony in  .  
 

History
thumb|right|Wayrest
It can be rightly said that history begins in High Rock. Convention occurred here, at Adamantine Tower, the oldest structure in existence. The tower was there when Aldmer settled the region and inspired almost every race of mer to create a mimicry of it. Like other provinces, it is believed High Rock was originally inhabited by beasts, but the Aldmer were the first to develop civilization. The Nedes who later settled the region were mostly absorbed by the Aldmer, but eventually a biracial man-mer society arose, and the ancestors of the modern Bretons were born. With the arrival of the Nords (and yet another bloodline), the fall of the Direnni Aldmer of the region was assured. The humans would eventually become the predominant power in High Rock. 

The most concrete history of High Rock begins with its most well known colonized family; the Aldmer Direnni Clan. Described by A Pocket Guide to the Empire "As an economic and military power, they were formidable enough to pose a threat to the battle-hardened Nords and the nascent Alessian Empire of Cyrodiil. Taking advantage of the internal strife in Skyrim, the Hegemony began taking land north and south of High Rock, claiming portions of Skyrim and present day Hammerfell. At the peak of their power, they controlled nearly a quarter of Tamriel. But they had overextended their reach, and slowly, year by year, they lost all that they had gained, falling back to their fortress in Balfiera, The Adamantine Tower, now called the Direnni Tower."  It is believed the Bretons came to power in High Rock not by violence, but by trading and slowly overcoming the Nordic population. The province of High Rock was controlled by the Bretons by the end of the First Era. The Direnni made an impact on the Breton population, as they left the province split apart into numerous city-states. They would not be given peace, however, as the Redguard conquest in   caused conflict in settlements along the Iliac Bay. They would have to unite, however, against the Orcs of Orsinium. This battle is known as the Siege of Orsinium, and ends with the destruction of Orsinium.

In  , Empress Hestra of the Alessian Empire routed King  , the Vampire of Verkarth, and drove his host westwards into the Bangkorai Garrison. The Garrison held, and Styriche was crushed between the two forces.  Impressed with the Bretons, Hestra granted High Rock admission into the Empire soon thereafter.  However, the Garrison would later also play a role in High Rock's departure from the crumbling Empire in  . Attempting to bring it back into the fold, the Legions of Piety and Grace laid siege for five months, but were ultimately unable to break the Garrison and retreated in disgrace. 

thumb|right|High King Emeric
In  , the Reachmen under Durcorach the Black Drake invaded High Rock, sacking Evermore and Camlorn. They were defeated at the gates of Daggerfall by Emeric of Cumberland, which led to the formation of the first Daggerfall Covenant, signed by the kings of Daggerfall, Camlorn, Shornhelm, Wayrest and Evermore. In   Emeric became the king of Wayrest. Three years later, king Ranser of Shornhelm invaded Wayrest, angry at Emeric for rejecting his daughter's hand. He was defeated at Markwasten Moor by the forces of the Covenant. These events led to the formation of the Greater Daggerfall Covenant, which was an alliance between Emeric, the Redguard king Fahara'jad and the Orcish king Kurog gro-Orsinium. The Covenant later participated in the Alliance War. 

High Rock was eventually brought into the Third Empire by Tiber Septim during the Tiber Wars. Still divided, some did unite to try to stop the Camoran Usurper, yet he was not stopped until the Baron of Dwynnen united the citizens of the Iliac Bay against him. The Bretons would not remain united, and went back to fighting one another, and those outside of High Rock, until they had to unite when the Nords reclaimed their land in the  , when they fought the Redguards in the War of Betony, and when the Orcs resurrected Orsinium. However they would be united in The Miracle of Peace, also known as the Warp in the West, which is best described in the book of the same name. "The 'Miracle of Peace' is celebrated as the product of the miraculous interventions of Stendarr, Mara, and Akatosh to transform this troublesome region into peaceful, well-governed Imperial counties. The catastrophic destruction of landscape and property and the large loss of life attending upon this miracle is understood to have been 'tragic, and beyond mortal comprehension.'"  This event transformed High Rock from numerous city-states into five kingdoms.
thumb|right|King Gothryd of Daggerfall

Politics
Relations have not been entirely peaceful between the five Breton kingdoms, but they have not gone into full war. Some kingdoms may unite however, by the marriage of Camaron of Sentinel to Lady Kelmena of Camlorn, and also by the marriage of Queen Aubk-i of Sentinel to King Gothryd of Daggerfall around  . Things have been quiet in the areas of Northpoint and Evermore, most likely because they are mostly isolated from the other states. In Wayrest, Queen Elysana is considered one of the province's most powerful figures, and is in control of its politics. She has also formed an alliance with Gortwog of the Orcs (her former enemy), as described in the history section of this page.
 
thumb|left|Lore:Shornhelm|Shornhelm, an example of the Breton architectural style

Architecture
Most of the cities in High Rock are built in the Breton style, with houses built primarily from stone, strong walls and high towers with the spires. Orcish architecture can be found in Wrothgar. Additionally, a number of Ayleid and Dwemer ruins can be found in High Rock. 
 

Flora
Northwest Tamriel is home to many herbs that can be used in healing poultices and medicinal broths, such  ,  ,  ,  , and   used in tinctures, and Stendarr's Wort, Comfrey, Valendula, Blue Yarrow, Gemweed, and Healer's Purse in herbal poultices. 

Glenumbra is characterized by its wet climate, which the southern forests of Daenia and the central swamps of the Cambray Hills thrive in. Birch trees sprout cheerfully in Daenia's lush woodlands, and dot the landscape around the King's Guard Mountains.   Lily pads float in the water of Hag Fen, while moss leeches moisture off the surface of rocks. Pine and cypress trees also flourish (and rot) in the swamps of the Cambray Hills. 

Rolling hills, rushing rivers and a mild climate make up Stormhaven, the heart of High Rock. Sparse woodlands have been cut back to make way for farms, wildflowers inhabit the rolling hills, and cattails are nestled at the river's edge. Tall, strong trees dot the highlands.  Oak trees are common in the region. 

Rivenspire is a mountainous and largely dry region characterized by imposing mountains, flinty crags and howling winds. The soil is poor in most of central and southern Rivenspire, making lush plant life scarce.  Aspen trees manage to thrive throughout the region, but especially in Westmark Moor.  Boralis defines the region's coastline, which is separated from Eyebright Feld to the southwest by the high, jagged peaks around the Doomcrag. Central Rivenspire is populated by gnarled, ashen trees and yellow grass. The region's hardy aspens sprout on the slopes and cliffs of Rivenspire's mountains. Thin shrubs and trees with sparse leaves populate the rugged, rocky region of Eyebright Feld. 

The regions north of the Bangkorai Garrison include Mournoth and Ephesus. The highlands of Mournoth are lush, green, and populated by juniper trees and  s.  The forest thrives from Halcyon Lake all the way down the Bjoulsae River.  Clean, clear water runs throughout the region. The forests of Bangkorai are kept tame by a figure known to the people of Evermore as the  , and though subdued, the bulk of the region's densest forestry is confined to the Viridian Woods.  Ephesus is comparably small, forming the strip of land between Mournoth's subdued wild and the dusty mountains south of the Bangkorai Garrison.  Flowering yucca plants inhabit the Fallen Wastes of southern Bangkorai. 
thumb|right|A harpy

Fauna
Many various creatures inhabit High Rock, among them wolves, bears, nereids, harpies, crocodiles and spriggans. In Wrothgar, Echateres, Riekr, and even Horkers can be found. 

Notable Places
;Adamantine Tower: Located on Balfiera Island, this spire is the oldest structure in existence. The estimate of the date of its construction marks the beginning of history.
;Bangkorai Garrison: A large defensive fortification on the border with Hammerfell.
; : A large cemetery in northern Glenumbra.
;Camlorn: The main city of the state of High Rock of the same name, located in northern Glenumbra.
;Crypt of Hearts: An infamous dungeon located in southeastern Rivenspire.
;Daggerfall: The main city of the state of High Rock of the same name, located in southern Glenumbra, south of Camlorn.
;Evermore: The main city of the state of High Rock of the same name, located in northern Bangkorai, near the eastern border to Hammerfell.
;Farrun: A city on the north shore of High Rock.
;Glenumbra Moors: A site of the ancient battle between the Direnni and the Alessian Horde.
;Jehanna: A city in the northern area of High Rock, near the border to Skyrim.
;Northpoint: The main city of the state of High Rock of the same name, in northern Rivenspire.
;Orsinium: The newly autonomous province of Orcs, led by Gortwog.  
;Shornhelm: A city in central Rivenspire.
;Doomcrag: An ancient Ayleid tower, destroyed in  .
;Wayrest: The main city of the state of High Rock of the same name, located in southern Stormhaven.

Gallery
Maps
 

See Also
For game-specific information see the Daggerfall and Shadowkey articles.

References