Skingrad Skingrad , otherwise known as the Gem of Old Colovia , is one of the nine major cities located in the Imperial Province of Cyrodiil . Unlike Bravil , it is considered to be one of the cleanest , safest , and most prosperous cities in all of Cyrodiil . Description . Geography . Skingrad ' s geography is unique in that the Gold Road does not merely go through Skingrad , but it creates a large gap between the two districts of the city , dividing it like a river . The only way to cross from one side of the city to the other is to cross bridges coming from town . Skingrad ' s main entrance oddly enough is the western gate which is away from the Imperial City and the other major cities . The only way to get into the main city is to take two paths which are located at the western gate as well . Skingrad is divided into the northern end and the southern end as if they were two different towns . Northern Skingrad is where all the trade takes place . The guild s are located on the western side toward the entrance , and the merchants are located more inward . Southern Skingrad is where the residents are found as well as the Great Chapel of Julianos . Castle Skingrad is separated from the rest of Skingrad ; the only way to get to it is to take a path in Northern Skingrad through a gate and across the brdige . Castle Skingrad overlooks the city and the surrounding countryside . History . First Era . Cyrodiil has seen its fair share of heroes that have managed to leave a mark on the fabric of history . One of these heroes was Rislav Larich , otherwise known as Rislav the Righteous . Prince Rislav Larich was born in 1E 448 to King Mhorus and Queen Lynada of Skingrad . He was the youngest child of three brothers and four sisters . When he was 13 years old in 1E 461 , he was able to get a glimpse of some of Tamriel ' s greatest heroes during Emperor Gorieus ' coronation to the Ruby Throne . Heroes such as Darloc Brae of Anequina , Kjoric the White of Skyrim , Indoril Nerevar of Resdayn , and Dumac Dwarfking of the Rourken Clan were present . Sometime later in 1E 472 , the Kingdoms of Skingrad and Kvatch fought for common territories in Colovia . At this time , Rislav was married to Belene , the daughter of King Justinius of Kvatch . It was possible that this happened to establish peace between the two nations . In 1E 478 , a plague swept into Cyrodiil , killing off many people throughout the Colovian West . Mhorus and all of Rislav ' s siblings died out , except for Dorald Larich , who was in the Imperial City as a Marukh . Dorald traveled to Skingrad to reclaim the throne and bring the worship of the Alessian Order into the city . Dorald ' s first act was to have Skingrad annexed into the Alessian Empire . The reaction to this decree was shock and outrage , especially in the Kvatch court , where Rislav was . Rislav left for Skingrad with his wife and several calvaries from his father - in - law to fight his brother . Rislav eventually became the leader of Skingrad and seceded from the Alessian Empire . Gorieus caught wind of this and traveled to Skingrad to fight Rislav ' s army . The Alessian Army swept into County Skingrad . Because Rislav had no military experience and Colovian West had just suffered a plague , the battle was considered to be an easy victory for Gorieus . Rislav , however , was able to outsmart Gorieus ' army , and the kingdoms of Colovian West banded together to fight the dwindling Alessian Empire . This was the start of the fall of the Alessian Empire , when other places began to fight the Alessians . Rislav was remembered as a valiant hero . Second Era . Before the fall of the Reman Empire , each Emperor had an Akaviri advisor known as the Potentate . Emperor Brazollus Dor could be seen by some as an uninvolved and unqualified leader , who lived in his estate in Skingrad . He can be compared to Antiochus Septim , who would later rule in the third era . Dor ' s Potentate , Sidri - Ashak , was more involved in politics , but his political history would be overshadowed by Versidue Shaie in the future . During the Colovian Revolt of 2E 576 , Count Varen Aquilarios of Chorrol drew support from Colovian regions , including Skingrad . In 2E 582 , Count Calantius of Skingrad and the Elder Council started an initiative to take control of the Arenthia Vale to make it the South Weald , while managing to keep the city out of the Alliance War . The Legion of the West Weald , led by General Lavinia Axius , were to take the area by force . Those who joined the Legion were given farms and property for fighting for the territory . The Legion moved across the Strid River into the Northern Woods of Reaper ' s March and attacked major locations in the area , such as Vinedusk Village and Senalana . The campaign moved towards the city of Arenthia , where Lavinia Axius planned to start a coup d ' état from within . As a result , soldiers began to flood the city . Luckily , the First Aldmeri Dominion stepped in and defeated the Legion of the West Weald , which was revealed to be working with the Stonefire Cult , Daedric worshipers of Molag Bal . Third Era . In 3E 433 , Skingrad prospered , along with the other eight cities in Cyrodiil . The city was under the leadership of Count Janus Hassildor , a private yet powerful man in both politics and magic . He was honored and respected throughout his kingdom . An event similar to Molag Bal ' s invasion into Cyrodiil , known as the Oblivion Crisis , came to fruition in the very late third era by Mehrunes Dagon . His invasion into Tamriel sacked cities such as Ald ' ruhn , Kvatch , and Dune . An Oblivion Gate opened up outside the main gate of Bruma , which released Dremora , Clannfear s , and Scamp s to attack the city . The Blades of Cloud Ruler Temple , led by Blademaster Jauffre , and the Bruma Guard , led by Captain Burd , managed to push the Daedric army back into the Deadlands . However , a greater army returned , similar to the one that destroyed Kvatch earlier in the crisis . The Hero of Kvatch and Martin Septim led the combined forces of the eight other cities in Cyrodiil , including Skingrad , and destroyed the Daedric Siege Crawler heading to Bruma . Fourth Era . In 4E 174 , the city of Skingrad , along with the town of Bravil , was captured by the Third Aldmeri Dominion during the Great War . At the Battle of the Red Ring , the Imperial Legion was surrounded on all fronts and showed bitter resistance toward the invading Altmer . General Jonna and General Decianus fought Lord Naarifin ' s army and the Dominion counterattack coming from both Skingrad and Bravil . The battle was won by the Mede Empire , but many felt that the Dominion were the true victors after the signing of the White - Gold Concordat .