Nirn Nirn is referred to by otherworldly beings as the mortal plane and sometimes poetically called " Mundus " by both mortal s and Daedric lords . The exact reasons and specifics behind Nirn ' s creation are largely uncertain . However , all agree that the deity Lorkhan and the Eight Divines played pivotal roles in the creation of the waterlogged planet . Two moons , Secunda and Masser , orbit Nirn . They are Lorkhan ' s sundered corpus . Nirn is the center of Mundus , which itself is the " hub " of universe ' s " wheel . " The heavens beyond Nirn are star - filled . These stars are holes or portals through Oblivion to Aetherius , and carry magical significance due to the beings which tore them open , the Magna Ge . Creation myths . There are many theories on how Lorkhan created Nirn ; ranging from the other Aedra agreeing to willfully help , to Lorkhan tricking them into it . However , it is universally acknowledged that the Aedra gave their energy and power over to it , that the majority gave up on the project after realizing the cost and became the Daedric Princes , while those who willingly helped became the Eight Divines . In , Mankar Camoran proclaims that Nirn is possibly an extension of the realm of Oblivion . Lunar activity . The two moons that orbit Nirn , Secunda and Masser , are said to be Lorkhan ' s sundered corpse . Masser , Nirn ' s larger moon , revolves around Nirn itself . By observing the nighttime sky in " Oblivion " and , it is revealed that Secunda , Nirn ' s smaller moon , revolves around Masser . Axial tilt and climate . It is never stated , but can safely be assumed , that Nirn ' s axial tilt is negligible , since days and nights remain more or less the same length throughout the year , even in the northern part of Skyrim . There also appears to be minimal variation in climate from month to month . The northern regions are frigid . The land of Atmora , far to the north of Skyrim , is said to be primarily a frozen plain . Skyrim , and , by some extension , Bruma , are typically snowy , especially farther north , towards Winterhold . Closer to the equator lies Elsweyr and Black Marsh , relatively tropical and warm locations . Weather . Snow and rain are common forms of precipitation on Nirn . Certain areas in northern Tamriel , such as Skyrim and Solstheim , experience rare celestial weather called " Aurora s ; " colorful waves of energy in the night sky . Geography . The planet has a notably large continent , Tamriel , which is where all of activity takes place , with another similarly large continent to the east , named Akavir . The land masses are separated by the Padomaic Ocean , a massive saline body of water . The cold , barren land called Atmora is to the north of Tamriel , which is where the Nord s of Tamriel hailed from . To the west of Tamriel lies Yokuda , which was the former homeland of the Redguard s of Tamriel . To the southwest of Tamriel lies Pyandonea . It is unknown if these are the only continents , as there are very few maps or globes showing all of Nirn . The known Nirn ( the part that has been currently mapped ) is 11 times smaller than Earth . Since they both have very similar gravity , it must mean that only a very small part of Nirn has been mapped , or that Nirn ' s composition is different from Earth ' s . Tamriel . Tamriel is geographically diverse : it has mountains , tundras , cold and hot deserts , swampy regions , grasslands , tropical rainforests and an arguably large volcano . The diversity of biomes is unique as the hot desert is bordered by cold mountains to the north . Also known as " Dawn ' s Beauty " in the language of the Altmer , Tamriel also has an archipelago of islands called the Summerset Isles , which became the home of the Altmer , or " High Elves , " after they abandoned their original homeland of Aldmeris . Yokuda . Not much is known about Yokuda , since it was nearly obliterated in an unknown cataclysmic event , but it seems to have a dull , rocky , hilly , desert landscape . It is known to be the original home to the Redguard s before they rendered it uninhabitable . Atmora . Atmora is a barren and frozen wasteland . It is this extreme cold that caused the water of the Sea of Ghosts that seperates Tamriel and Atmora to become icy . This frozen land is also where the Nords of Skyrim are originally from , although not many trips back are made . Akavir . Next to nothing is known about the geography of Akavir . It is known that the continent is split into four warring kingdoms , each boasting its own race : Tang Mo , Kamal , Ka Po ' Tun , and Tsaesci . Akavir is known to have been one of the original homes of the dragons . The Blades were originally from Akavir , where they were known as the Dragonguard , but turned to serve Reman Cyrodiil in their search for a Dragonborn . Pyandonea . Pyandonea is the island - continent located to the far south - west of Tamriel and home to the elusive Maormer . The island consists of dense rain forests , which provide shelter for the southern water spirits . Due to its populace being primarily elves , there is speculation that Pyandonea may in fact be part of Tamriel . Thras . Thras , also known as the Coral Kingdom , has been a powerful , antagonizing power against the Summerset Isles since before recorded time . The Sload may at one time have even called Summerset part of Thras . Aldmeris . Little is known about Aldmeris , including if it still exists . The Altmer claim that this continent was the birthplace of both elves and mankind .