High Rock High Rock is the northwestern - most region of Tamriel . It borders Hammerfell to the southeast and Skyrim to the east . It is mainly populated by the Breton s and a province of the Tamrielic Empire . High Rock and the Summerset Isles are the only provinces in Tamriel that do not share a land border with Cyrodiil . History . Dawn Era . With its fertile soils and weather that is often cloudy , yet relatively dry , High Rock has attracted many cultures throughout history . The Aedra were the first of these . The Adamantine Tower , on a small island in the middle of the Iliac Bay , is widely considered to be the oldest structure in Tamriel . According to ancient tales , it was crafted in the Dawn Era by the Aedra as a location for meeting and deciding what would be the fate of Nirn . Despite being heavily immersed in myth , it is true that when the first Aldmer came to the region , the Tower was already standing . Merethic Era . There is evidence that early beast men of one variety or another may have been the original inhabitants of High Rock , but the Aldmer coming from the Summerset Isles were the first to settle and form permanent communities . The early Nedic people who arrived next were stumbling on a highly sophisticated culture and were quickly overwhelmed and absorbed . One of the earliest tales of Khosey describes a Nord raiding party attacking a group of what they presumed to be Altmer , but who were , on closer inspection , actually a mongrel race of elf - human ancestry , the last remnants of the lost Nedic tribe . They were somewhat awkwardly called Manmeri , but today they are known as Bretons . First Era . It took many centuries for the Bretons to become the dominant force in High Rock . For most of the First Era , the elves kept their hold on the land , with the Nords founding fortified towns along the coasts to support their pillaging parties , such as Daggerfall , which as a kingdom would have a profound influence on High Rock in years to come . Of all the families of Aldmer who colonized High Rock , none did it as successfully as the Clan Direnni . So dominant were they that by the middle of the First Era , the whole of High Rock was commonly called the Direnni Hegemony . As an economic and military power , they were formidable enough to pose a continued threat to the battle - hardened Nords and the nascent Alessian Empire of Cyrodiil . Taking advantage of internal strife in Skyrim , the Hegemony began taking land north and south of High Rock , claiming portions of Skyrim and Hammerfell . At the peak of their power , they controlled nearly a quarter of Tamriel . They had overextended their reach , and slowly , year by year , they lost all that they had gained , falling back to their fortress on the Isle of Balfiera , the Adamantine Tower , now called the Direnni Tower . The Bretons were operating beneath the eyes of history , and their rise in High Rock was through commerce and the foundation of small villages in well chosen positions , such as the sleepy fishing hamlet of Wayrest on the coast between the Bjoulsae River and the Iliac Bay . Daggerfall , Camlorn , Reich Gradkeep and many other cities of Nordic origin became Breton not by any act of war , but simply by assimilation . By the end of the First Era , High Rock was the land of the Bretons , and would be so ever after . But High Rock was never a single cohesive Breton nation . The power vacuum left by the Direnni decline fractured High Rock into a hundred fiefdoms of small , walled city - states . This has often left the Bretons at the mercy of the larger powers of Tamriel , but has also made High Rock surprisingly resilient during the times of chaos following the fall of the great empires . Scarcely had the rule of the Dirennis passed into history before two new powers arrived in the region . The Redguards of Yokuda began their conquest of Hammerfell in 1E 808 , largely displacing beast folk in their attacks , but also supplanting Breton settlements along Iliac Bay ' s southern coast . The two cultures warred for dominance in the bay until they were faced with a common enemy in the form of the Orcish kingdom of Orsinium . The rise , fall and rebirth of Orsinium is detailed in a larger section , but suffice it to say for now that the discovery of the " monstrous " kingdom of the creatures , as they were regarded , was a very unpleasant surprise to both Redguards and Bretons . An alliance between Daggerfall and the new kingdom of Sentinel led to the long war known as the Siege of Orsinium in 1E 980 . The humans eventually prevailed and Orsinium was destroyed . Afterwards , the Orcs dispersed far and wide across Tamriel . Second Era . High Rock fared relatively well during the long interregnum following the fall of the Second Empire in the Second Era , but its multitude of fractious kingdoms were easily conquered by Tiber Septim . And there were many Bretons who welcomed the rebirth of the Empire with Talos sitting on the Ruby Throne . Third Era . Some of the Bretons managed to unite to stop the encroachment of the Camoran Usurper in his destructive march northward from Valenwood in 3E 267 . With a weak Emperor on the Imperial throne , and no clear leadership from the usual powers of the west , the Usurper may have swept over High Rock had the smallest of regions of the Iliac Bay not banded together under the Baron of Dwynnen to defeat him . Once again , an overwhelming force had underestimated the Bretons , and was in turn defeated . The unity was lost when the threat was removed , and for the next one hundred and fifty years , internal and external conflicts continued . In the east , the Nords reclaimed some of their old kingdoms in the War of the Bend ' r - Mahk . In the west , the War of Betony , though ostensibly between Daggerfall and Sentinel , spilled into Daggerfall ' s neighboring kingdoms . In the center , Orsinium reappeared as the home of the Orcs , threatening once again the fortunes of Wayrest . In 3E 417 , however , the province redefined itself in a most mysterious way . They call the event the Miracle of Peace . On the 10th of Frostfall in 3E 417 , a strange force exploded over the Iliac Bay , displacing armies and decimating whole territories . Though its nature is still unknown , most Bretons believe it was the ancient Gods who had once made High Rock their home scouring the land , making it whole once again . Though it was a painful process for most — the Miracle is sometimes spoken of as the Warp in the West — the result of it is a province that is more unified than it has ever been in modern history . Fourth Era . Where a hundred small kingdoms once squabbled over territory and resources , today , just two decades after the Miracle , there are just five left in High Rock . Daggerfall , the southernmost kingdom , enlarged greatly , conquering most of the southern peninsular regions up to Anticlere and Ykalon . The crown of Daggerfall , through a series of marriages , is in union with the neighboring kingdoms of Camlorn to the north and Sentinel to the east , suggesting a future kingdom dominating both the Iliac Bay and the wider region . Camlorn , with its newfound allies to the south , have so far resisted the common skirmishes between that of Daggerfall and Wayrest , or that of Northpoint . Orsinium had at first prospered after the Warp in the West , and under the rule of Gortwog gro - Nagorm and with the aid of the Numidium , it conquered a mass of territory in central High Rock from the Wrothgarian Mountains to the banks of the Bjoulsae River . Despite this vigorous expansion , Gortwog had maintained good relations with his neighbors , allying himself with his former foe in Wayrest showing promise for a stable future . Furthermore , its application for elevation to Provincial status was under review by the Imperial authorities . The Elder Council treats Gortwog as a recognized king , and collects taxes directly from Orsinium , but officially Orsinium still remains a county of High Rock , though technically spanning both the provinces of High Rock and Hammerfell . The only troubling sign for Orsinium at this time was a religious conflict that had brewed over time . However it was not this that would prove its eventual demise . As in the past , a united crusade from High Rock and Hammerfell would thwart the kingdom . The kingdom would persist in the Dragontail Mountains , however its campaign for provincial recognition is nothing more than a fantasy , especially due to regime changes in Cyrodiil among other pressing matters . Furthermore , much of its population would remain scattered , primarily as refugees seeking asylum in Skyrim and elsewhere , either in Orsimer tribal communities or within Imperial society . The Northern Kingdoms of Northpoint and Evermore , through a series of skirmishes would annex many petty kingdoms in its wake , absorbing much of northern High Rock , taking advantage of the Miracle of Peace and the resulting chaos . Its expansions , ambitious as they were , would fail to attract the attention of its neighbors , namely Daggerfall . However , Wayrest , Skyrim and indeed Daggerfall remain vigilant , eyes poised at their borders . Wayrest would remain a dominant power in the West and would take full advantage of its alliance with the Orcs . Rivalries would still remain between Wayrest and the southern kingdoms , but skirmishes between them and the other minor powers never escalated to full blown war . High Rock would generally remain as a stable province of the Empire , and one of its richest . During 4E 188 , the city of Wayrest falls to corsairs at the Invasion of Wayrest . Geography . It is known that High Rock encompasses Greater Bretony , the Dellese Islands , and , by tradition the Western Reach . Its regional geography is varied . The forested peaks of the northern Wrothgarian Mountains are occupied mainly by Orcish tribes based in Orc Strongholds . The only truly cosmopolitan cities lie along the Iliac Bay , the enclosed body of water across from which sits Hammerfell . A number of kingdoms have prospered due to trade around the bay and up the Bjoulsae River , such as Wayrest . Inland , the countryside rises into the windswept plateau of North Kambria . This region is known for its many small villages and towns and for the many grim fortifications that dot the hills and crags around them . In the past , these castles were the domains of many petty kings and lords that ruled the massive patchwork of small nations that used to make up High Rock . Many of these fortresses are now in ruins , as the Empire has been demolishing them since the time of Tiber Septim to prevent them from being used as bases for future rebellion . Regions . Glenumbra . Glenumbra is one of the five regions located in High Rock ; it is also one of the three regions that make up Greater Bretony . Glenumbra is perhaps one of the larger ones since it consists of the large peninsula in the west that extends to the King ' s Guard Mountains that is between Shornhelm and Wayrest . This region borders Stormhaven to the east and Rivenspire to the north . Many cities exist in this region including Daggerfall , Camlorn , and Dwynnen . Glenumbra is divided into three smaller regions called Daenia , Cambray Hills , and King ' s Guard . Stormhaven . Stormhaven is one of the five regions located in High Rock ; it is also one of the three regions that make up Greater Bretony . Stormhaven is the center of Breton Commerce in both High Rock and the Iliac Bay . It takes up the southern coast of High Rock in the Iliac Bay and the Bjoulsae River Estuary . Many mountains surround the region such as the King ' s Guard Mountains and the Wrothgarian Mountains . Stormhaven borders all of the regions in High Rock . To the west is Glenumbra , to the east is Bangkorai , to the north is Wrothgar , and to the northwest is Rivenspire . The cities of Wayrest and Alcaire exist in the area . Stormhaven is divided into three smaller regions called Alcaire , Menevia , and Gavaudon . Rivenspire . Rivenspire is one of the five regions located in High Rock ; it is also one of the three regions that make up Greater Bretony . Rivenspire is where the Great Breton Houses of Tamrith , Dorell , and Montclair reside , and the three are a part of a political triangle in Rivenspire . The region takes up the northern area above Stormhaven , and it holds the legendary ruins known as the Crypt of Hearts . The Battle of Markwasten Moor was held here . Rivenspire borders the regions of Glenumbra to the southwest , Stormhaven to the south , and Wrothgar to the southeast . The cities of Shornhelm and Northpoint exist in the area . Rivenspire is divided into three smaller regions called Eyebright Feld , Westmark Moor , and Boralis . Bangkorai . Bangkorai is one of the five regions located in High Rock ; it is also one of the two regions that make up the Western Reach . Northern Bangkorai is a part of High Rock , and the entire region is divided by the Bangkorai Pass . Northern Bangkorai has many natural formations such as the Viridian Woods , Halcyon Lake , and the Bjoulsae River that give it that distinct Reach vibe to it . The Ayleid city of Bisnensel existed on the shores of Halcyon and the Glenmoril Wyrd has multiple covens located in the region . Bangkorai borders the regions of Stormhaven to the west and Wrothgar to the north . The city of Evermore is located here . Bangkorai in its entirety is made up of three smaller regions called Mournoth , Ephesus , and the Fallen Wastes . Wrothgar . Wrothgar is one of the five regions located in High Rock ; it is also one of the two regions that make up the Western Reach . Wrothgar has been traditionally known as the home of Orsimer , a pariah group of warriors that live in isolated tribes across the Druadach Mountains . Wrothgar has many ruins that date back from the Dwemer , the Ayleid s , the ancient Nords , and the ancient Orcs . The first three incarnations of Orsinium have existed in these mountains , the Bretons and Redguards besieged all three of them at one point or another . A prominent Reachmen tribe known as the Winterborn Clan exist all throughout Wrothgar . The cities of Orsinium , Fharun , and Jehanna exist in the area . The region is divided into three smaller regions called Western Wrothgar , Central Wrothgar , and Eastern Wrothgar . Religion . The main religion in High Rock is the Bretony Pantheon , where there are twelve divines : Culture . High Rock society can be divided into a noble elite , a middle class of merchants , and a destitute peasantry . The High Rock nobility is an overwhelming mass of titles , family lines , and hereditary claims that leave most outsiders bewildered at its complexity . Although the Bretons are divided into numerous antagonistic groups , their manner of speech , architecture , and even clothing seems fairly uniform to an outsider . A common anecdote suggests that an outsider only needs to visit one or two High Rock towns before he has an understanding of the entire country . Bretons have a strong tradition of being regarded as powerful mages , and this is especially true in the larger cities . In cities such as Daggerfall and Wayrest , the nobility can trace its lines throughout the Mages Guild , and children are tested at a young age for magical affinity . Magic is practiced by independent mages and medicine men in the more remote regions of the Wrothgarian Mountains .