Reman II : The Limits of Ambition Content . Having found himself in command of the Empire after the deposition of the incompetent Kastav , Reman II ' s first notable endeavor was to negotiate a swift end to the Winterhold Rebellion of 2804 . Reader , grant this thought due consideration — a new and largely untested leader was able to make peace with angered Nords without further unnecessary bloodshed . This was no mean achievement , and truly it demonstrated the quality of the man who would bring a golden age to the Second Empire . How could a leader of such quality , one who not only calmed the rebellious Nords , but who subdued and united nearly all of Tamriel to usher in one of the most peaceful , productive intervals in recorded history , let the Empire come to ruin ? I will divulge my ruminations on the matter , but not before recognizing the accomplishments of this remarkable man and the lessons to be learned from them . Reman II was a master tactician , and studying records of the battles he fought shows not only his own acumen , but his respect for his troops — and those of the enemy . When he conquered new territory for the Empire , he established rule with a careful hand , avoiding too much disruption to local customs , traditions , and particularly to established trade . The Imperial culture spread , of course , but not through forced assimilation . Rather , the people came to accept and support the Empire by reaping the benefits of free trade , stability , and the development of better infrastructure . He gathered advisers from each province , and focused on his people more than many Emperors ever had . For long years , peace prevailed across Tamriel . Necromancy and Daedra worship were abolished . Trade flourished , and , through the careful ministrations of Reman II and his councilors , the Second Empire thrived . And yet , the great emperor desired more . He turned his eyes to the provinces of Black Marsh and Morrowind , the unconquered territory weighing heavy on him . In the 2830s , he called forth the legions in an imprudent attempt to conquer Black Marsh . The losses to the swamp itself — its diseases and deadly beasts — nearly matched the number lost in combat with the Argonians , but the Empire managed to establish footholds in the northern and eastern marches by 2837 . Reman declared Black Marsh to be officially annexed . In perhaps his most critical folly , Reman II was not satisfied . He turned next to Morrowind and initiated the Four - Score War , a long , bloody conflict devastating to both sides . The battles were ugly , and the tenuous relations with Morrowind , which had shown some promise for diplomacy , were shattered . He perished fighting the Dunmer in 2843 , and his heirs continued on as the Empire began to weaken , bled dry by the cost and wracked with dissent . And that is , perhaps , the greatest lesson that Reman II can teach to any leader : to keep ambition in check . His success catapulted him to greater and greater visions for the Empire , but in his desire to unify all of Tamriel , he compromised the beliefs and practices that made the Second Empire ' s golden age great , engaging in a hopeless war unwanted by his people and unneeded to provide them with security , free trade , and a prosperous Empire .