Fall of White - Gold Tower The Fall of White - Gold Tower was the final battle of the Alessian Slave Rebellions . Taking place in and around the White - Gold Tower and what would come to be known as the Imperial City in later Eras , it was fought between the armies of the Ayleid s of Umaril the Unfeathered and the Imperial s , who were bolstered by the Nord s . While Pelinal Whitestrake and the Ayleid Kings fought within the massive tower and palace known as White - Gold Tower , the Imperials and Nords led by Alessia and Morihaus fought with the Ayleids , and their Auroran and Daedric allies outside of the Tower . Prelude . After their victories at Sancre Tor , Ninendava , Ceyatatar , Narlemae , Celediil , Vahtacen , Sedor , and the Bridge of Heldon , as well as their consolidation of the northern regions of Cyrodiil under their control via the First Pogrom , the Imperials advanced on the Imperial City and White - Gold Tower . The forces of Alessia and Morihaus had been bolstered by the Nord s and the Thousand - Strong of Sedor who had been freed by Pelinal Whitestrake from their bondage to the Ayleids . In preparation for the assault on White - Gold Tower , the Ayleids had made a pact with the Daedric Prince of Meridia who sent the Auroran s and other Daedra to support the Ayleids in their struggle against the Imperials and Nords . Umaril the Unfeathered was appointed by the Ayleid Kings who still survived as their champion , and he issued a challenge to Pelinal Whitestrake . Umaril also sent Storm Atronach s and Aurorans to harry Whitestrake and the Imperial forces on their approach to the Imperial City . Upon their arrival outside of the walls of the Imperial City , Alessia convened the Council of Skiffs to decide upon their course of action . The Imperials and Nords feared to attempt to storm the White - Gold Tower , and Alessia decided to wait before attacking . Whitestrake refused to accept this course of action , called the Nords and Imperials cowards , and traveled to White - Gold Tower by himself . Battle . Making his way to the White - Gold Tower , Pelinal Whitestrake single - handedly defeated many Auroran s and Daedra . Whitestrake eventually reached the throne room where Umaril , the Ayleid Kings , and assorted Daedra had gathered , and challenged Umaril the Unfeathered to single combat . Umaril sent the daedra to attack Pelinal , and they managed to pierce his armor multiple times , injuring him and slowing him down . Seeing Whitestrake bleeding , Umaril finally rose to his challenge , bathing himself in the light of Meridia and listing his lineage in Ayleidoon as was the Ayleid custom before duels . Whitestrake finally laid Umaril low during the duel , denting Umaril ' s angel - faced helmet so badly that it made him laugh and cutting off Umaril ' s wings , despite being injured and frothing at the mouth due to his madness . After his victory over Umaril , Whitestrake insulted Umaril ' s lineage and the lineage of all mer , enraging the Ayleid kings who , ignoring the rules of duels , set upon Whitestrake and cut his body up into eighths . Whitestrake ' s death roars could be heard by the Council of Skiffs all the way outside of the Imperial City . During the next morning , Morihaus led the Imperial and Nord ic forces into the city . The Imperial forces cut down the remaining Ayleid forces who were in overabundance . Morihaus shook the White - Gold Tower by bashing it with his horns , forcing out the remaining Ayleid kings and their Daedra , many of which the Imperial forces promptly slew during their flight . Upon his entrance to the White - Gold Tower , Morihaus discovered Whitestrake ' s head and spoke with it . Aftermath . In the aftermath of the Fall of White - Gold Tower , the Imperials consolidated their power over Cyrodiil with the unification of Colovia and the Nibenay Valley into one nation , the Alessian Empire . The Alessian Empire , or First Empire as it would later be known , began expanding in several directions . However , despite the victory of the Imperials , Ayleid power and influence was not entirely broken , as several Ayleid Kings became the vassals of Alessia and her successor Belharza the Man - Bull until the coming of the Prophet Marukh and the Cleansing of the High Fane of Malada . The Fall of White - Gold Tower was largely seen in later years as the turning point in the struggle for supremacy between the mer and men , giving the ultimate advantage to men who would continue to dominate Tamriel even into the Fourth Era .