Valenwood

Valenwood is a southwestern province of Tamriel, and home to the Bosmer, or Wood Elves. It lies west of Elsweyr, southwest of Cyrodiil, and east of the Abecean Sea.
==People==
===Bosmer===
The Bosmer are the major species in Valenwood. Their strict "Green Pact" prohibits the use of wood or other vegetable derivatives as building materials. This pact also has other such rules as that a fallen enemy must be completely consumed before three days pass. They also cannot smoke anything of a vegetable nature. Bone pipes are common, however, and are filled with caterpillars or tree grubs. 
The Bosmer are one of the smallest races in Tamriel with males being smaller than females. They are born with skin colors ranging from light brown to pale tan to light green. Some Bosmer also may have horns. They are known to be extremely agile and quick. Their nimbleness serves them best in any art involving thievery. Many are well respected archers, due to their inherent mastery of the bow.
They also have a deep-seated fear of Necromancy.Corpse Preparation v I
===Imga===
The Great Apes, or Imga, are native beastfolk of Valenwood. They see the High Elves as their lords and masters, and as a portrait of an ideal, civilized society. Great Apes go to desperate measures to emulate the High Elves: they wear capes, practice with the dueling sword, and attempt to speak with perfect enunciation and courtly manners despite their gravelly, baritone voices. 
Each Imga bears some kind of title, be it Baron, Duke, Earl, or the like, which they use when addressing the members of the Thalmor. There are no landowning Imga.Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: Aldmeri Dominion
===The Hollow===
The Hollow are a unique sentient race that serve the Wilderking. They are made from stone and the reanimated bodies from deceased inhabitants of Valenwood. No Hollows are free-willed, save for Sumiril, who was the first Hollow created by the Valenwood and a powerful Altmer named Ostion.Sumiril's Book
==Government==
===Camoran Dynasty===
The Camoran Dynasty is the ruling royal family of Valenwood, and one of the oldest Empires on Tamriel.
The Dynasty itself is split into the treethanes of Falinesti, Silvenar, Haven, Archen, Eldenroot, Woodhearth, Karthdar, Greenhill, Deepwoods, Tanglehaven, Bramblebreach, and Willowgrove. The ancient Camoran throne is somewhere in the highest branches of Falinesti; the walking city of the Bosmer king.Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: Aldmeri Dominion
The Camoran Dynasty was founded by King Eplear of Valenwood on Year Zero of the First Era.Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: ValenwoodBefore the Ages of Man Eplear's success in uniting the Bosmer is counted among the greatest military feats in Tamriel's history.
==Military==
===Dominion Military===
Although Valenwood doesn't appear to have a unified military force of it's own, for much of it's history it has been part of and protected by the Dominion Military.
The Dominion Military is a military force made up of soldiers from the three provinces of the Aldmeri Dominion: Summerset Isles, Valenwood and Elsweyr. Each race is also known to use a variety of different tactics in one-on-one combat. The Bosmer are known to attack from different sides or use bows and arrows to defeat their opponent.Eagle Hunter: Against the Dominion
==Geography==
Valenwood has a largely uninhabited forest wilderness. The coasts of Valenwood are dominated by mangrove swamps and sub-tropical rain forests, while heavy rainfalls nurture the temperate inland rain forests. The Bosmer live in clan-houses at sites scattered along the coast and through the interior, connected only by undeveloped foot trails. The few Imperial roads traverse vast dense woodlands, studded with tiny, widely separated settlements, and carry little trade or traffic of any kind.Provinces of Tamriel Furthermore, the nation is home to giant, migratory trees, such as Falinesti, that house their cities.
Much of the region is impenetrable mangrove and coastal rain forest, with few grasslands or glade areas until further north near the Strident Coast. It is "a sea of endless green, a maze of foliage with half-hidden cities growing like blooms from a flower," and "the home of the Bosmer is Tamriel's garden"Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: Valenwood Domica Redwort is an herb grown by many residents of Valenwood for their beautiful and showy flowers. They attain a height of about three feet and have feathery leaves; the flowers are usually bright red. In addition to their beauty, they are said to have magical abilities to enhance the appearance of anyone who carries or wears one of the flowers.Special Flora of Tamriel
==History==
Valenwood was claimed as a wasteland province of the Second Empire,Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: Aldmeri Dominion and its geography is partially described in several Imperial surveys. Valenwood is noteworthy in that it has no cities or townships built by the Wood Elves themselves. The Wood Elves permitted a few roads to be built by the Second Empire, but neglect their maintenance, as the Bosmer do not need roads to move easily through the thickest forest. These roads would be now overgrown were it not for the High Elves of the Thalmor, who have repaired and widened them for rapid passage of their arms to and from the coast.
===First Era===
The first Era was founded after King Eplear, a Bosmer, and founder of the Camoran Dynasty, began his rule. Soon after this founding, the Bosmeri began to change, to suit the environments of the forest in which they lived. In return for the patronage of Y'ffre, the Forest God (either one of the old ancestor spirits or an aspect of the true pantheon), they swore never to kill, injure, or eat any of the vegetation of the new home, which became known as the Green Pact. The Bosmeri unity should be considered an important military feat in itself, as Eplear managed to unify the disparate groups into a unified group. In 1E 340, the Camoran Dynasty formed a trade pact with the human slave rebels of the Alessian Order. This they then were forced to undo in 1E 369, with one of the Wild Hunts killing king Borgas of Skyrim, who was planning on declaring war on the Bosmer. Valenwood was able to maintain its independence for the majority of the First Era. It was only in 1E 2714, after unrelenting warfare from the Cyrodiil's and Colovia combined, coupled with the devastating effects of the Thrassian Plague, that finally brought the Camoran Dynasty into the Reman Empire. Reman then ensured that Valenwood would not be a threat to the Second Empire by raising the cities of Falinesti, Silvenar, Haven, Archen, Elden Root, and Woodhearth from local trading posts to full-fledged powers in their own right. As well as these, three other cities were granted city-state status, which made Valenwood as a whole easier to govern. Loading Screens
===Second Era===
After the fall of the Second Empire in 2E 430, the Camorans tried to unify themselves once more under the one banner, however, they had drifted too far apart culturally. They then began to war with one another, the Khajiit to the east, and the Colovians to the north. As they were disunified, they offered no resistance to the encroachments made by the Maormer of Pyandonea.
During the 5th Century, the Camoran Dynasty had reasserted itself, and, with the exception of the Blacksap Rebellion, managed to assert Elden Root as the capital. This would become the capital of the Aldmeri Dominion.Events of 
====Human settlements====
The majority of human outposts built during the time of the Second Empire have been abandoned during the Interregnum, and have been reclaimed instead by "beastfolk" such as Centaurs, Orcs, and Imga - that share the forests with the Bosmer tribes. Humans, in general, have learned not to intrude in the forests of Valenwood. While they once depended entirely on the annual Stridmeet caravans of the Colovian West, the Wood Elves now rely entirely on the sea power of the Aldmeri Dominion for whatever they require from the outside world (As of 2E 864).
For a brief period of time, the Colovian armies used Bosmer Archers, such as in the War of Rihad in 2E 862, however they were highly undisciplined and prone to desertion to be of significant use. They are quite adept at sneaking, and one of their most famous poems, the Meh Ayleidion literally means The One Thousand Benefits of Hiding.
====Aldmeri Dominion====
Valenwood also became part of the Aldmeri Dominion, a coalition of the Altmer and Bosmer that was considered to be the most stable empire in Tamriel, and they ruled until the armies of Tiber Septim wiped them out.
===Third Era===
After conquering Valenwood, Tiber Septim wisely decided to let the Bosmeri retain some symbols of its independence, so as to limit dissension. Thus, they allowed the creation of local chiefs and the Camoran Kings to remain.
They are recorded as having been involved in the War of the Red Diamond,Brief History of the Empire, v 2 along with the provinces of Hammerfell, Summerset Isle, Elsweyr, Black Marsh, and Skyrim, and although it is not explicitly mentioned which side they fought on, it is likely that they went to the aid of Emperor Cephorus Septim I. However, the war itself left Valenwood unscathed.
====Camoran Usurper====
Also known as Haymon Camoran, Hart-King, and Camoran Hart-King,The Refugees the Camoran Usurper began his deadly attacks on Valenwood in 3E 249.Brief History of the Empire, v 3Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: Eras Two years later, in 3E 251, the Camoran Usurper had conquered all of Valenwood, and began his fateful march northwards before eventually getting defeated at the Battle of Firewaves by Baron Othrok of Dwynnen in 3E 267.The Fall of the UsurperPocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: High Rock
====Five Year War====
The Five Year War, lasting, as it did, from 3E 395 until its conclusion in 3E 399, was a serious conflict between Elsweyr and Valenwood. More details are available on the main article of this War.
====War of the Blue Divide====
The War of the Blue Divide was a war between the Altmer of Summerset Isles and those of the Bosmer of Valenwood. More details are available on the main page.
====Other changes====
At the close of the Third Era (as at 3E 432, anyway), significant changes were occurring in Valenwood. The Wild Hunt had been sighted again for the first time in "over 500 years." The "Walking City" of Falinesti has taken root for the first time in recorded history, and there is a new Bosmer prophet, the Precursor, preaching that the old Forest God Y'ffre is returning with new gifts for his favored people. Whether these are isolated events, or signs of some great change coming to Valenwood, remains to be seen.
===Fourth Era===
Seeking to recreate the Aldmeri Dominion, the Thalmor expanded their power into the provinces of Valenwood, Elsweyr, and briefly into Cyrodiil and Hammerfell. Summerset became independent shortly after the Oblivion Crisis, with the Thalmor taking credit for ending the crisis. Shortly after, the Thalmor and their sympathizers in Valenwood organized a coup to remove the Imperial rule. However, since not all of Valenwood agreed to Thalmor rule, rebellions occurred. These were funded by the Penitus Oculatus, however, despite the efforts of the Penitus Oculatus, most of these rebellions were taken down harshly. Following the consolidation of Valenwood and the Summerset Isles into the Third Aldmeri Dominion, the Dominion began a policy of expanding Aldmeri influence and power across Tamriel at the expense of the Third Empire of Cyrodiil. By claiming they had returned the Moons following the Void Nights, the Thalmor were seen as the saviors of the Khajiiti people, which resulted in adding the Khajiiti kingdoms of Anequina and Pelletine as client states to the Dominion. However, this expansion caught, even more, the attention of the Third Empire, which began a rivalry between the Dominion and the Empire that would ultimately lead up to the Great War, a devastating war fought between the Dominion and Empire. After 70 years of shutting communications with the Empire, it reestablished diplomatic relations with it.
Following the Great War, the Aldmeri Dominion experienced increased prestige and power that the Mer had not possessed since the Second Aldmeri Dominion, which had been defeated by Tiber Septim in the final years of the Second Era. Confident of its ability to dictate the Empire, the Dominion further expanded its influence into the other provinces of Tamriel. Rumors now hold that the Aldmeri Dominion is "cleansing" Valenwood, this has led to Bosmer such as Malborn, a Wood Elf in Skyrim whose family was murdered in such an event, to begin to work against them.
==Oreyn Bearclaw==
Oreyn Bearclaw was one of Valenwood's most legendary heroes.Tamrielic Lore He was the son of king Faume Toad-Eye, and was a respected clan hunter, as well as a future leader. Legend claims that he single-handedly defeated the Glenhwyfaunva, the witch-serpent of Elderwood, forever bringing peace to his clan. He would accomplish numerous other deeds, before eventually losing his life to the Knahaten Flu.
==Religion==
The major deity that the Bosmer worship is Y'ffre.Varieties of Faith in the Empire The Bosmeri pantheon is listed by this same book as follows: Auri-El, Y'ffre, Arkay, Z'en, Xarxes, Baan Dar, Mara, Stendarr, Lorkhan, Herma-Mora, Jone, Jode. The Bosmer also worship a god called Ius.Ius, Animal God
===Y'ffre===
Y'ffre (God of the Forest and Song, known as Jephre in the Aldmeri Pantheon): Most important deity of the Bosmeri pantheon. While Auri-El Time Dragon might be the king of the gods, the Bosmer revere Y'ffre as the spirit of "the now." According to the Wood Elves, after the creation of the mortal plane everything was in chaos. The first mortals were turning into plants and animals and back again. Then Y'ffre transformed himself into the first of the Ehlnofey, or "Earth Bones." After these laws of nature were established, mortals had a semblance of safety in the new world, because they could finally understand it. Y'ffre is sometimes called the Storyteller, for the lessons he taught the first Bosmer. Some Bosmer still possess the knowledge of the chaos times, which they can use to great effect (the Wild Hunt).
===Auri-El===
Auri-El (King of the Aldmer): The Elven Akatosh is Auri-El. Auri-El is the soul of Anui-El, who, in turn, is the soul of Anu the Everything. He is the chief of most Aldmeri pantheons. Most Altmeri and Bosmeri claim direct descent from Auri-El. In his only known moment of weakness, he agreed to take his part in the creation of the mortal plane, that act which forever sundered the Elves from the spirit worlds of eternity. To make up for it, Auri-El led the original Aldmer against the armies of Lorkhan in mythic times, vanquishing that tyrant and establishing the first kingdoms of the Altmer, Atmora Old Ehlnofey. He then ascended to heaven in full observance of his followers so that they might learn the steps needed to escape the mortal plane.
===Z'en===
Z'en (God of Toil): Bosmeri god of payment in kind. Studies indicate origins in both Argonian and Akaviri mythologies, perhaps introduced into Valenwood by Kothringi sailors. Ostensibly an agriculture deity, Z'en sometimes proves to be an entity of a much higher cosmic order. His worship died out shortly after the Knahaten Flu. He is linked to the Aedra Zenithar.
===Wilderking===
The Wilderking, also known as the Wilderqueen, is a god worshipped in Valenwood, though more commonly in Greenshade. It is the conjunction of a powerful Mer and the spirit of the Valenwood, with "the Green" mantling the mortal, making them the new Wilderking/queen. The Wilderking's domain is known as the Wilderking Court, with his physical form residing at the throne of the Wilderking above the city of Greenheart. 
===Ius===
Ius is a god depicted in statues throughout Valenwood, Hammerfell and Elsweyr, depicting a misshapen humanoid carrying a rod.
==Regions==
===Grahtwood===
Grahtwood is the southeastern portion of Valenwood. It is home to the most Graht-oaks of any other region, and has a dense humid jungle climate.
===Greenshade===
Greenshade is the southwestern portion of Valenwood. It is filled with green plains and luscious rivers.
===Malabal Tor===
Malabal Tor is the northwestern portion of Valenwood. It borders the Gold Coast of Cyrodiil, having the border run along the Strid River. The region is filled with tall trees, having much of the forest floor shrouded in shade.
====Falinesti====
The walking city of the Bosmer king, Falinesti is south in the summer and north come Hearth Fire. It is the largest of Valenwood graht-oaks, whose magic was invoked at the dawn of recorded history. The Camoran throne is somewhere in the highest branches, as are numerous other natural dwellings. Wood Elves climb about its surface like termites, or carefully swing from level to level by means of thorny vines. Humans have generally been too unsettled by the city to stay there long, though Great Apes (Imga) and Orcs are common.
Eric of Guis stayed in this capital city during its summer migration, and had this to say about it: "No less abhorrent are the Bosmer than their kin at Summerset, but they are far more cooperative. The Wood Elves love the current human activity because it makes them feel important."
===Reaper's March===
Reaper's March is the northeastern portion of Valenwood, shared in conjunction with Elsweyr. It was once known as "Northern Valenwood," but following the fall of the Reman Empire, the region received so much bloody warfare many the inhabitants even began to call it by said name. It is a dry Savannah-like area, covered in rocky terrain and dry plains.
==See also==
*Bosmer
*Imga
*Wild Hunt
*Camoran Usurper
*Five Year War
*War of the Blue Divide
*Aldmeri Dominion (Online) - First Aldmeri Dominion
*Second Aldmeri Dominion - Second Aldmeri Dominion
*Aldmeri Dominion (Skyrim) - Third Aldmeri Dominion
*Green Pact
*A Dance in Fire
==Trivia==
*The entire province of Valenwood is explorable in . Interactive Map of Tamriel
*Valenwood was the location of Auriel's Bow in .
*Beggar Prince tells the story of the "13th Child of the King of Valenwood.Beggar Prince
*Lady Allena Benoch was the former Valenwood Fighters Guild Champion.Words and Philosophy
*Pelagius Septim III (The Mad Emperor) spent time at an asylum in Valenwood, before being transferred to Torval.The Asylum Ball
*Former Bethesda Softworks employee Michael Kirkbride has described the origin of the name "Valenwood" as having been "swiped from the Dragonlance Chronicles,"Reddit comment by Michael Kirkbride wherein the term referred to a kind of tree.
==Appearances==
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==References==
de:Valenwald
be:Валенвуд
cs:Valenwood
es:Bosque Valen
fi:Valenwood
fr:Val-Boisé
id:Valenwood
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nl:Valenwood
pl:Puszcza Valen
pt:Valenwood
sv:Valenwood
ru:Валенвуд
Category:Provinces
Category:Lore: Locations