Mournhold ( Tribunal ) Mournhold , also known as the City of Gems , is a city found in . Description . At the time the Nerevarine visits it , the city is home to King Helseth Hlaalu , the ruler of Morrowind , and the Goddess Almalexia , a member of the Tribunal , as well as birthplace of Barenziah . It is referred to as " The city of light and magic " by the local people . History . Mournhold , during the time of Resdayn , was home to a young Vivec . On the 12th of Sun ' s Dusk , 1E 2920 , Mournhold was destroyed by Mehrunes Dagon . Almalexia , Sotha Sil and Vivec were too late to stop the Daedric Prince but managed to banish him back to Oblivion . The ruins of the city then became known as Old Mournhold , while the city was built anew on top of it . Mournhold is a temple - city within the capital city of Almalexia , the largest and oldest city in Morrowind , named for its patron goddess . Almalexia is truly an ancient city , possibly predating the Dunmer . It is reputed to be built over the ruins of a vast Dwarven city , although the current inhabitants vigorously deny this . This is also the seat of government for the Dark Elves , where the priests of the Tribunal rule in the name of their legendary deities . Mournhold was not destroyed like some of the other cities in Morrowind after the Oblivion Crisis . Mournhold is the setting of the Tribunal questline during the Tribunal expansion pack . In DLC , it is stated that Mournhold was sacked by Argonian s some time in the 4th Era , during the Argonian Invasion , but is in the process of rebuilding . The province ' s capital then switched to Blacklight . Districts . Mournhold is separated by large walls into five distinct districts : Godsreach . Godsreach is on the far west side of Mournhold and is the upscale residential area of Mournhold . Located here are manors , The Craftsmen ' s Hall , a tavern , and the Mournhold Museum of Artifacts . One of several entrances to the Mournhold Sewers is located in Godsreach . It is connected to the Temple Courtyard and Plaza Brindisi Dorom . The Great Bazaar . The Great Bazaar is the merchant quarter of Mournhold . There is an outdoor theater located on the west side of this quarter . The east side has two rows of shops . The north row has a magic shop , armorer , and bookseller . The south row has a clothier , pawnbroker , and trader . At the very south corner of the Great Bazaar is the entrance to the Bazaar Sewers . The Great Bazaar is connected to the Temple Courtyard ( Northeast Gate ) and Plaza Brindisi Dorom ( Southeast Gate ) . The Plaza Brindisi Dorom . The Plaza Brindisi Dorom occupies the southernmost area of Mournhold . It is an arboretum dominated by a great statue of Almalexia and Mehrunes Dagon at its center . It is connected to Godsreach , the Great Bazaar , Royal Palace . The Dwemer ruin of Bamz - Amschend are accessible from the plaza after the quest " An Attack on Mournhold " . The Royal Palace . The Royal Palace is the living quarters for the royal family and the business center for the affairs of Mournhold and the rest of Morrowind . The palace is in the center of the city and is accessible from the Temple Courtyard , Plaza Brindisi Dorom , and the Palace Sewers . Temple Courtyard . The Temple Courtyard is an enclosed area dominated by Almalexia ' s High Temple . It is connected to Godsreach , Royal Palace , and the Great Bazaar . Underground Sublocations . Old Mournhold . Old Mournhold is found under the city of Mournhold . It is the ruins of the ancient city over which Mournhold was built . Old Mournhold can be accessed from many trapdoors found around the city and serves partly as sewers , and houses many hostile beings . Bamz - Amschend . Bamz - Amschend is a large Dwemer ruin buried under Plaza Brindisi Dorom ' s statue . Norenen - dur . Norenen - dur is a Daedric shrine found under Mournhold . It is accessible from Bamz - Amschend .