Alliances The Alliances are the three major factions of the Alliance War , also called the Three Banners War . They are as follows : The province of Cyrodiil remains disputed , and is a constant battleground between the three alliances . Formation . In 2E 579 , an arcane explosion in the Imperial City known as the Soulburst set off a mystical aftershock that swept across Nirn , resulting in Emperor Varen Aquilarios ' disappearance . His consort Clivia Tharn succeeded him as Empress regent , though was unknowingly manipulated by Mannimarco , whom became the true power controlling the Imperial City . As Dark Anchors opened up across Tamriel , the White - Gold Tower fell into the hands of Molag Bal and the Worm Cult , with Clivia Tharn missing and the Elder Council disbanding . The border between the plane of Oblivion and Nirn was broken , and Molag Bal began his attempt to bring Tamriel into his realm of Coldharbour , in an event known as the Planemeld . The Daedra spawned all over Tamriel in greater numbers than ever before . The constellation of the Serpent grew so large that it dominated the night sky . Without an Emperor sitting on the Ruby Throne , the Empire fell into disrepair . Facing a great danger , many provinces united into different factions , each seeking to reclaim the throne and fulfill their own agendas . Alliances . Aldmeri Dominion . The Aldmeri Dominion was a faction that united the provinces of Summerset Isles , Valenwood and Elsweyr . Its capital , Elden Root , was found deep within the forests of Valenwood . The faction ' s dominant race was the Altmer , who ensured that the races of Bosmer and Khajiit would join their cause . The Aldmeri Dominion was led by the young Altmer Queen Ayrenn . The main goal of the Aldmeri Dominion was to protect Tamriel from the Daedric disasters that Nirn faced , and spare the continent from the corruption of Men . To their minds , the short - lived race of Men were not worthy of ruler ' s role , and the only solution would be to take the throne for themselves . Daggerfall Covenant . The Daggerfall Covenant was a faction uniting the provinces of High Rock , Orsinium and Hammerfell . Its capital , Wayrest , was a great port city on the shore of the Iliac Bay . The dominant race of the Daggerfall Covenant was the Breton . With the help of their merchant ' skillful diplomacy , the Daggerfall Covenant manages to ally with the races of Redguard and Orsimer . The faction was led by the merchant High King Emeric . With the fall of the Imperial City the renown trade routes of the Daggerfall Covenant races were disrupted . With no more trade the region could not prosper . Poverty and suffering spread throughout the land . By reclaiming the Ruby Throne , the Daggerfall Covenant sought to return the Empire and , more importantly , cities of the Iliac Bay to their former wealth . Ebonheart Pact . The Ebonheart Pact was a faction uniting the provinces of Skyrim , Morrowind and Black Marsh . Its capital , Mournhold , was situated on the mainland of Morrowind . The dominant race of the Ebonheart Pact was the Nord . The Dunmer and , eventually , the Argonians joined forces along with the Nords to survive the Second Akaviri Invasion . The leader of the faction was High King Jorunn . He , however , did not have all the power over the provinces , as a Great Moot was summoned , a council of all the allied races , whom he had to hear out . Having protected Tamriel from the Akaviri , the members of the Ebonheart Pact thought to have earned the right as the rulers . Moreover , ever since the great conquests of the Nords in the First Era , they thought themselves to be superior and the rightful rulers of Tamriel .