War of Two Houses Content . By Drelisa Hlaalu , House Historian War among the Great Houses of Morrowind isn ' t unique , and more often than not some kind of conflict between two or more Houses is under way somewhere across the land . Rarely do these conflicts escalate from subterfuge and intrigue to all - out war , but open hostilities aren ' t unheard of in the history of Morrowind . Let me tell you about one of these wars . In 2E 559 , House Hlaalu and House Dres advanced beyond the usual tensions and posturing and fielded squads of combatants south of Narsis , on the border of the Black Marsh . It wasn ' t the first time these two economic rivals had challenged each other , and it wouldn ' t be the last , but the actual war was memorable , both in scope and in the number of casualties that piled up over the course of the battles . House Hlaalu was determined to set up a trading post in the disputed territory . House Dres was just as determined not to let that happen . Halfway through the construction of the outpost , the House Hlaalu workers suddenly found themselves surrounded by Dres mercenaries . The small squad of Hlaalu guards assigned to protect the workers , led by Purilla Falen , quickly established defenses and prepared to defend the outpost . The Dres mercenaries , who outnumbered the Hlaalu guards five - to - one , assumed they would make short work of the defenders and have the post burned to the ground before the midday meal . But that ' s not the way it happened . Purilla and her guards repelled the first assault with relative ease . She was determined to hold the line , no matter the cost , until reinforcements arrived . To facilitate the appearance of aid , Purilla set the one wizard they brought with them to work on opening a portal to Narsis . If the guards could hold back the onslaught of the Dres mercenaries long enough , an open portal could provide a path for Hlaalu battle - merchants to pour out of to turn the tide of battle . They only needed a little time . As the wizard performed the portal ritual , Purilla and the defenders met each House Dres attack with skill and ferocity . The mercenaries rushed in , sending a wave of attackers at the post ' s barricades . Each wave was turned away , but not without a cost . After five hours and four separate waves of attacks , Purilla ' s forces were reduced to a third of their original size . By then only Purilla and six guards remained to fend off the next Dres assault . And the wizard required a few more minutes to complete the ritual and open the portal . " You shall have that time ! " Purilla proclaimed . " For Hlaalu ! " The seven defenders , magnificent in their fury , fought with honor and savage resolve as the wizard completed the final steps of the ritual . One guard fell . Two . Four . Now only Purilla and two Hlaalu guards remained at the battlements . The Hlaalu workers , who had been providing support and watchful eyes throughout the previous battles , took to the walls as well , using tools and the weapons of the fallen guards to help defend the post . For all their effort , it appeared that the crushing weight of the Dres assault was about to engulf them . And then the portal opened . House Hlaalu battle - merchants streamed through the portal , hurling spells and arrows into the ranks of the surprised mercenaries . A full cohort emerged from the portal and crashed against the wall of Dres mercenaries . The wall held for a few long moments , and then it shattered against the weight of the Hlaalu troops . Dres mercenaries fell in scores before their line finally broke and the remaining mercenaries turned to flee . The battle - merchants chased after them just long enough to make sure they were really routed , and then they formed up to secure the post . Brave and noble Purilla Falen was responsible for the Hlaalu victory that day , but she didn ' t survive the final battle . A Dres mercenary ' s blade had caught her in the neck as they were retreating . She was dead before a healer could reach her side . Thanks to histories like these , however , her efforts will never be forgotten .