recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Battle of the Blue Fork

The **Battle of the Blue Fork** was a battle fought on the southern shore of the Blue Fork river during Aerel's Invasion. Two children of King Saleth V Harlore, Almer and Neia, crossed the Blue Fork under the cover of night with muffled oars on their barges, and they inflicted heavy losses upon the Aranas. Saleth's children were killed by Aerel's gryphon, Nereon, as they were returning across the river, however.

Some Sapiarchs believe that the Battle of the Blue Fork indirectly led to the later brutality at the Razing of the Aerie, as the Aranas lacked the men to fight the Vale lords in force unless they raised more men from their recently-subjugated lords, all of whom were hesitant to cooperate with the Aranas.

## Prelude

Aerel had recently been crowned King of All the Isles by the High Aldarch in Shimmerene, and began his march northwest towards the Vale, which he sought to subdue. He set up camp on the southern bank of the Blue Fork, a river of eastern Elorne.

## The Battle

Under the cover of night two children of King Saleth V Harlore crossed the Blue Fork with a modest force intent on striking at Aerel's encamped host from the rear. The ensuing battle levied heavy losses upon the Arana forces, though the Harlores eventually withdrew, the numbers of their probing force too few to fight a roused Arana host.

## Aftermath

King Saleth V Harlore's children, Almer and Neia, attempted to cross the Blue Fork once more with their force largely intact, though they were set upon by Aerel's gryphon Nereon, who destroyed several barges and slew the two Harlores in the river.

Following the conflict, the Aranas continued their march northwards toward the Vale of Eton Nir. There Aerel would approach King Saleth V for talks of surrender, but when talks with the proud king broke down he razed the Aerie, ending the line of House Harlore.

Sometime between the fall of Sunhold and the razing of the Cloudrest Aerie, a revolt broke out in the Vale led by Lady Syllia Heleyn, who rallied fellow lords who felt that resisting Aerel and his gryphons would lead to the destruction of their realm. Lady Syllia fought on behalf of the Aranas, and was later rewarded for her loyalty by being named the new Lady of Cloudrest.
Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. I: The Ransom of Zarek

***Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. I: The Ransom of Zarek*** is a pseudo scholarly work written by Gor Felim under the pseudonym Marobar Sul, an author of the Second Era. It is the first book of a series of eleven volumes known as *Ancient Tales of the Dwemer*, which details many facts about the Dwemer race of Mer, though was later proved to be mere falsehoods in the Third Era.

The known volumes of the book series *Ancient Tales of the Dwemer* is ordered as follows: *Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. I: The Ransom of Zarek; Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. II: The Seed; Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. III: The Importence of Where; Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. IV: On the Utility of Marbles and Needles; Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. V: Song of the Alchemists; Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. VI: Chimarvamidium; Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. VIII: The Snow Elf and the Variation-Lens; Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. X: The Dowry; Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, vol. XI: Azura and the Box.*
Abecean Sea

The **Abecean sea** is the sea off Tamriel's central western coast. It lies to the north of the Summerset Archipelago, to the west of Cyrodiil, and to the west and south of Hammerfell. The sea is large enough to make large-scale invasions and military incursions between Alinor and mainland Tamriel difficult. There is regular trade across the Abecean Sea between the two landmasses. Altmer nobles are sometimes fostered or seek refuge in the cities across the water.

## Storms

   The Abecean sea can be rough in autumn, when storms are common. In winter, the storms are worse but less frequent.

## Geography

The Abecean sea connects the Eltheric Ocean in the south, and the Sea of Pearls in the west, which it is separated from by the island chain known as the Thrassian Archipelago.

The Abecean sea begins along the southwestern coast of Hammerfell and north of the Summerset Archipelago, curving slightly eastwards. Settlements along the coast of the former region include X, X, and X, and settlements along the northern coasts of the latter region include X, X, and X.

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Bronze

Bronze is an alloy of copper, tin, and sometimes other metals. Bronze can be used in tools and armament.

## History

The wood and stone weapons of the earliest races of Tamriel were outmatched by the bronze weapons and scales of the Nedes when they first arrived on the continent from Atmora. The bronze of the Nedes was eventually surpassed by iron and steel, however, with the coming of the Altmer.
Aresin Spirre

**Aresin Spirre** was a member of House Spirre during the reign of Casimir V of Daggerfall, and served as Captain of the Dragon within the Knights of the Dragon during the same period. He was recognised for having saved King Casimir V Deleyn from an assassination plot on part of the Bloodthorn Cult, thereafter known as **the Gardener**.

## Appearance and Character

Aresin had fair skin and grey eyes, a trait common among his family. He liked to keep his hair cut close to his scalp.

Aresin was known for being duitiful and humble, even refusing all the honours Casimir V attempted to bestow upon him for his heroic actions. Aresin never truly accepted the honourific 'the Gardener', though the King bestowed it upon him anyways as the minimal recognition for his actions. It is known that Aresin took a silent pride in the honourific, despite the japes others would make about it behind his back.

## History

In 2E 582 Aresin was instrumental in foiling a plot by a mysterious group of necromancers known as the Bloodthorn Cult, who desired to assassinate King Casimir V Deleyn. Working together with the king's spymaster, Howar Frosher, Aresin decoded a message by one of Howar's spies, a commoner called Roy, which warned of the conspiracy. Aresin personally faught off the assassins in Highcastle, for which he was granted the honourific 'the Gardener' by Casimir V, as Aresin refused all other honours.

Aresin's grandmother, Lady Fryda Spirre, was dissapointed in her grandson for refusing the king's honours, beleiving him to be foolishly humble in his duty.

## Quotes by Aresin

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> Gods help us if the King is killed. It could destroy the alliance!
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> —Aresin about the possibility of Casimir V being assassinated
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## Quotes about Aresin

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> Weak honours from a weak king. Now you know what humility tastes of.
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> —Fryda Spirre to Aresin about his honourific
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Almer Harlore

**Almer Harlore** was a member of House Harlore and a son of King Saleth V Harlore of the Vale. He fought against the Aranas during Aerel's Invasion of the Summerset Archipelago, leading a successful assault upon the Arana encampment during the dead of night with his sister, Neia Harlore, though was ultimately slain alongside his sister by Nereon the Winged Shadow, Aerel Arana's gryphon.

## Appearance and Character

Almer largely took after his father in appearance, looking the most like him of all King Saleth's children. He bore dark brown hair, and was known to have been growing a goatee like that of his father, though only could manage to grow some stubble.

Both Almer and his sister Neia dismissed much of the pagentry that came with nobility, often employing unorthodox or "sly" solutions when dealing with problems which other commanders would not risk. For the two siblings much of life was a risk, and every road was open in the path to victory.

## History

Almer served as a commander of his father's army during Aerel's Invasion, during which he opposed the Aranas in their invasion of the Summerset Archipelago.

During the war he and his sister Neia took a splinter force of their original host and attempted a night assault upon the Arana encampent across the Blue Fork river in Elorne. Crossing the river on barges with muffled oars, the siblings led the attack upon their foe's rear, inflicting heavy casualties before falling back once the Arana host began to rouse and fight back. While on their barges sailing back across the river, Nereon, the gryphon of Aerel Arana, destroyed their barges and slew the two Harlore siblings in the river.
A Call to Action!

**A Call to Action!** was a bounty notice written in the late Second Era by Nicolard Cantell, a scribe in the service of Lord Bhosek of Port Hunding. The notice informs passerby that the goblins in the nearby mine are wanted dead due to their intrusion upon the Lord's lands.

## Contents

Goblins infest the caves to our north. They slip into town in the night and steal food, livestock, even people.
Turn your blades on the foul goblins and you will be rewarded!

Lord Bhosek will soon offer a bounty for slain goblins. This is your chance for riches!

Addendum: Please do not ask Lord Bhosek about the bounty. When it is ready, we will spread word.

—Scribe Nicolard Cantell
Assassination of Ayrenn I

The **assassination of Ayrenn I** was a pivotal and closing event of the Three Banners War, and directly precipitated the Great Council of 2E 601. Following Ayrenn Arana's sacking of the Imperial City, in which tens of thousands of innocents were slaughtered, Eridion Aeldaris reluctantly killed his X and queen to prevent more massacres and destruction in Ayrenn's quest to 'liberate the world'.

Following this event the First Aldmeri Dominion scattered, and the Great Council of 2E 601 took place, marking the end of the Three Banners War.
A Primer on Enchanting

***A Primer on Enchanting*** is an instructional work written in the Fourth Era by Sergius Turrianus, a professor of Enchantment at the College of Winterhold in Skyrim. The book serves as an instruction manual of sorts for students of the College of Winterhold who wish to learn the basics of using enchantment magic on objects.

## Contents

Enchantment was raised to a fine art by the wizards of the Arcane University. Sadly, some of the nuances of this skill were lost when the Imperial City was sacked. Yet we are not without capability. This text will cover only the basics of Enchantment. It is but a primer for students of the College of Winterhold.
Before a weapon or bit of armor can be enchanted, the wizard must first learn the enchantment. This is a personal task. Enchantments cannot easily be passed from one mage to another. They must be understood at a primal level that can only be achieved by destroying an enchanted item and absorbing its nature.

Novice mages might use the aid of an Arcane Enchanter, which is specifically designed for this task. Merely place an enchanted item in the device and will it to relent. The magic will flow into the mage, imbuing him with the knowledge of how the enchantment is formed. The utter destruction of the enchanted item is the unavoidable consequence of this process. More experienced mages will find that Arcane Enchanters are more limiting than they are useful, and will use their own means to focus their enchantments.

Items that already have enchantments cannot be enchanted further, so choose carefully when you enchant a blade or helmet. Before beginning an enchantment, make sure you have a filled soul gem. The enchantment will use this soul as a source of power. Place the item and the soul gem on the Arcane Enchanter. Concentrate on the enchantment. The device will meld the two together, enchanting your weapon or armour.

Armor enchantments are permanent and do not need to be charged or powered. The reasons for this are not known. Some in the College have postulated that the wearer contributes small amounts of his own energy to keep the armor enchanted. Others say it is just the will of Magnus that it works that way. Regardless of the reason, enchanted armor and clothing never wear out.

Weapon enchantments are a different story. They slowly use up the soul energy in them until they are depleted. The enchantment remains, but a filled soul gem must be used to recharge the weapon. Perhaps it is the destructive nature of the weapon enchantment that makes it deplete. One intriguing theory is that the soul leaks out a little at a time into the victims that the weapon harms. As a novice enchanter, the reason is immaterial.

At first you will find that your enchantments require a lot of the soul energy. As you become more skilled, you can achieve the same effects with less and less soul energy. So practice your lessons and pay heed to your masters in the magical arts.
Blackguard Instructions, One

**Blackguard Instructions, One** was a note written in the late Second Era by Margus Derius, an Imperial black marketeer. The note, the first of a series of three notes, gives instructions to his associates on how to open an ancient Argonian coffer.

The series of notes 'Blackguard Instructions' is ordered as follows: Blackguard Instructions, One; Blackguard Instructions, Two; Blackguard Instructions, Three*.*

## Contents

Look for the sites I indicated on your map. The stone coffer—an Argonian reliquary—must be buried in that immediate vicinity. Locate the coffer and carefully break the seal. Make sure at least one of your number remains a good distance away when you open the coffer. I've seen such things that were trapped or had other protections and I need at least one of you alive to retrieve the meditation cylinder that should be waiting inside.

—M.D.
Camandar's Journal

***Camandar's Journal*** was a journal kept by Camandar, a sea elf captain of the late Second Era. It describes Camandar's touble with getting an ancient Aldmeri relic out of the ruin he and his crew were looting and into his ship.

## Contents

I can't get this sea-cursed crystal out of the base! Those dirty high elves must have set up this arrangement of crystals for a reason.
The amount of energy the central crystal absorbed must be substantial. If I could unlock that power I could harness it.

And then they'll see I'm not the fool they think I am! I'm not! I'm not a fool!

I can hear everyone whispering about my failure. Drinking is on the rise. If I don't get this crystal out of here soon…

They'll slit my throat in the night and head out to plunder the countryside.
1E 368

**Year 368 of the First Era (1E 368)** is a year in the Tamrielic calendar, the 368th year after King Eplear I Camoran declared the start of a New Era (known by posterity as the First Era) at the beginning of his reign.

In 1E 368 the Summerset Archipelago was united into the kingdom of the Summerset Isles after the conclusion of Aerel's Invasion.

## Events

**Conflicts**

* Aerel's Invasion ends and Aerel Arana is crowned and anointed in Alinor and becomes King Aerel Arana, the First of His Name.

## Deaths

### Notable

**In the Summerset Archipelago**

* Lord Ellisar Dorenis during Aerel Arana's march through the Crownlands.
* King Naldien III Parnon captured and imprisoned during the Battle of the Gates, never heard from again (presumed dead).

## Marriages

* Daethen Arana marries Linaarie Andorin to seal the pact between their parents.

## Titles and Appointments

* Lady Erandel Andoril is named the Warden of the Isles.
* Lord Erlan Torelle is named the Lord of Sunhold and High Kinlord of the Summerlands. (possibly occurred in 1E 367)
* Lady Syllia Heleyn is named the Lady of Cloudrest and High Kinlady of the Vale. (possibly occurred in 1E 367)
Beet

A **beet** is a beetroot, the taproot portion of the beet plant.

## About

Beets are commonly eaten vegetables in Tamriel. They are very popular in High Rock. Sweet beets are grown in profusion in High Rock, and are served with many meals. There, they make a cold soup of the beets which is as thick and rich as purple honey.
Bastard Sword

A **bastard sword**, or **hand-and-a-halfer**, are swords which fall between the longsword or broadsword and the two-handed greatsword in size.

## Size

The bastard sword is mostly distinguished from a longsword because it has a grip long enough to allow two-handed use. Bastard swords have slightly longer blades as well, but they remain light enough to be wielded one-handed should the need arise, unlike the greatsword that requires two hands.
Bavian

**Bavian** was a priestess of Meridia in Kilkreath Temple during the time of the Three Banners War. She eventually set aside her faith after witnessing the corruption of her temple in 2E 588, when her goddess supposedly turned her back on her faithful and did not aid them in their time of need.

## Appearance and Character

Bavian was fair of skin and bore hair coloured a dark brown. Her eyes were a simple grey, which gave her a chilling and stern gaze. During her time in Kilkreath Temple she would often wear robes, brown and grey in colour, though she eventually put them aside in 2E 588 when she lost faith in Meridia and turned from the temple.

Bavian was ever faithful to both her goddess and her fellow priests, particularly High Priest Varkour. Her faith was eventually shattered when her temple was corrupted and her goddess did not aid the faithful, seemingly abandoning them. Her entire worldview was broken that day, and she eventually left the temple to find her own way in the world.

## History

Bavian was born sometime in the 2E 500s, and eventually found her way to Kilkreath Temple where she laboured to become a priest of the Daedric Prince Meridia. She worked closely alongside her friend and mentor, High Priest Varkour, who taught her the ways of worship and faith. She eventually became among the most devoted of the priests in the temple, and was seen as a leading light by many.

In 2E 588 a corruption was unleashed upon the temple, turning handfuls of priests into ravenous beasts of a vampiric nature. In her brotherhood's time of need Bavian prayed to her goddess, though the corruption was not purged, and her brethren continued to die. With the aid of some fellow priests, she eventually successfully retrieved Meridia's Beacon from the corrupted temple, which was later used to seal the temple and contain the corruption for a time.

Bavian's faith was shattered by the event, in which it seemed to her that Meridia had abandoned her faithful. Still loyal to her fellow priests, she remained for a time and tended to the wounded, though after a period of recovery she and several others left the priesthood and parted ways. It is unknown what became of Bavian after she departed the temple, though it is likely she remained in Skyrim.

## Quotes by Bavian

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> By Meridia's light! So many dead... How could Meridia let this happen to her faithful?
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> —Bavian about the corruption of Kilkreath Temple in 2E 588.
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> They're mad. Beyond all reason. Even in this temple, Meridia's light does nothing to help those afflicted with this feral curse.
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> —Bavian about corrupted priests in Kilkreath Temple.
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> The injured still need to be treated and the temple's corruption needs to be dealt with. Despite the way I feel about Meridia now, I still have a responsibility. I won't walk away from it. Not like Meridia walked away from us.
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> —Bavian about helping her injured brethren
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> After everything I've seen, I can no longer place my faith in Meridia. But I refuse to abandon my friends.
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> —Bavian about her faith
>
Beastfolk

**Beastfolk** is used to refer to any of the sentient or semi-sentient beast-like humanoids that inhabit Nirn, such as Argonians, and Khajiit.

## Origin

Beasts have a shrouded origin, as they do not fit into the common creation myth of the Dawn Era, wherein a being known as Lorkhan created the species of Man, while Mer were descended from aedric spirits.

Some claim that the Beast races were native to Tamriel before either Man or Mer arrived on the continent, which contradicts the aforementioned creation myth. Others have claimed that the Beast races are the result of either daedric influence, or powers far beyond contemporary understanding.

## Known Types of Beastfolk

Various races of Beastfolk have existed on Nirn throughout its storied history, some of which are considered extinct as of the Fourth Era.
Battle Fever

**Battle fever** is a euphoric feeling of fearlessness and invincibility, almost akin to feeling drunk, which comes over a warrior fighting in battle.

The following is an account of experiencing battle fever:

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Bedding

**Bedding** is:

1. A custom in Tamriel that occurs at a wedding  after the feast has taken place. The custom consists mainly of the newlyweds being carried to bed to consummate their marriage. The bride is carried by the men, and the women do the same to the husband. Only after being bundled naked in bed are the two newlyweds left alone.
2. A euphemism for having sex.
Alessian Empire

The **Alessian Empire**, also known as the **First Empire**, was a realm located in central Tamriel, ruled by the Emperor, Lord of Heaven, and King-ut-Cyrod, the monarch that sat upon the throne of the Imperial City (renamed from Admerisel). The Empire was founded after a successful slave rebellion led by Alessia, who went on to become the first human emperor to rule the region of Cyrod. The empire itself lasted almost two-thousand years, spanning from 243 to 2321 of the First Era.

At its prime, the Alessian Empire encompassed most of central Tamriel and reached as far as X.

## Culture

### Language

The language the Nedes was an early version of the Common Tongue, though many still spoke the Old Tongue, particularly shamans and wise men/women.
Bleackrock Fisherman's Journal

**Bleackrock Fisherman's Journal** was a journal kept around 2E 582 by an unknown fisherman from the isle of Bleakrock. The journal details the fisherman's interactions with his friend Otroggar, a fellow fisherman, about their recent catches.

## Contents

Otroggar says he saw a new kind of fish off the north coast. I asked if he saw it while he was drunk. He insisted that this time, he was sober.
Something other than cod, haddock, and herring would be interesting. Maybe I could even sell it in Solitude! That would be worth the trip.

Otroggar said it had a hunchback, a half-dozen fins on its belly, and a long snout with a bulbous tip. He also said it had a lot of teeth and moved fast. There was only one by the shore, but he thought he saw others farther out in deeper water.

If Otroggar wasn't as drunk as a moon-struck Khajiit, I'd say it sounds like a meat-eater. I'll bring some bait. I've caught a shark or two. I'm sure these things won't be any harder.
Alanwe Heledan

* House Umeris
* Faindor Valren (suspected)

...

## History

### Founding of Agea Relle

After eloping with Nerien'eth Umeris, Alanwe and her husband founded a magical academy in the X mountains known as Agea Relle, simultaneously founding the Order of Agea Relle.

## Quotes by Alanwe

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> I'm long dead. But I suffer torment unending thanks to my husband. The daedra gripped their wretched claws on his soul—turned him wicked. Turned him against me.
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> —Alanwe about her husband turning against her
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> Anconath's cries have echoed through this chamber for years. The silence now is almost deafening.
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> —Alanwe about Anconath Raloren's soul being liberated
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> He thought the two of us were having an affair. He was wrong, of course. But his accusation cut deep, just the same. Almost as deep as the torture he inflicted on our souls—for years. To this day I'm not sure why he believes it, except to say the daedra must have whispered it in his ear.
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> —Alanwe about the suspected relationship between her and Anconath
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> There's no defending what he's done. To me, or the others in the school. But I failed to save him from himself. Given the chance, I would try again. He made a pact. A Daedric pact. Nerien'eth was proficient with magic, but he could never do all this on his own. I could have stopped him before he completed it. I should have.
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> —Alanwe about failing to save her husband from corruption
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> My husband and I met as adventurers. We founded this school to teach practical sorcery and use-of-arms as survival skills. The world can be a dangerous place, and we wanted to give our students the means to tame it. Like we did. Had I known... Had I known what my husband would ultimately become, and what he would do to this school and his students—I would have never built it. In a way, I gave the daedra all those lives. Years of torment out of something that should have been wonderful.
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> —Alanwe about her past with Nerien'eth Umeris
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Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. IV: Riften & Falkreath

***Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. IV: Riften & Falkreath*** is a book written in the Second Era by an author known only as 'B'. It is the fourth book of a series of four volumes known as *Cheeses of Skyrim*, which details the many kinds of cheeses the author encountered while travelling the cities and regions of Skyrim.

The known volumes of the book series *Cheeses of Skyrim* are ordered as follows: *Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. I: Hjaalmarch & Haafingar; Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. II: The Reach & The Pale; Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. III: Whiterun, Winterhold, & Eastmarch; Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. IV: Riften & Falkreath*

## Contents

*This continuation of my travel journal, which focuses on the cheeses prevalent in the holds of Skyrim, explores a land and its cuisine that is as diverse as the multitude of flavours that danced across my tongue. Again, for the sake of brevity, I sought to capture only the most noteworthy cheese from each hold I visited.*
*—B*

**Riftwash**

Once reserved exclusively for the jarls of Riften, riftwash is a cheese with a glassy, violet-black exterior, which belies a pallid and crumbly core. As a goat's milk cheese, it is uncommon in the more temperate of Skyrim's climes. Pressed to remove much of the water within the cheese, unlike the goat's milk cheeses of Stormhaven, which the Bretons prize for moistness, riftwash is comparably dry.

Rumour says that the cheesemakers bathe wheels of riftwash in the muddy waters of Lake Honrich, which results in its dark hue. This is, of course, an outrageous falsehood. In truth, the cheese is washed several times in Riften's famous blackberry mead before being shrouded in wax which has been dyed with blackberry must, a by-product of the city's burgeoning meadworks.

**Barrowost**

The people of Falkreath seem to earnestly appreciate their hold's longstanding association with battle and death. The shops, and indeed many families, draw their names and personal heraldry from the seemingly boundless graveyard that abuts the city. It is no surprise, perhaps, that one of Falkreath's most reputed cheeses relies on the dead for a key part of its production.

Barrowost, or more commonly, barrow-cheese, much resembles the common eidar cheese found throughout the holds of Skyrim. Whereas eidar cheese is aged in cellars or caverns, however, barrowost is exclusively aged in barrows—the crumbling, draugr-infested tombs of Skyrim's dark past. Be it the stagnant air, the endlessly sweating stone, or the dark magic within its walls, the cheese gains an intense earthy sweetness, punctuated with sharp notes I find impossible to resist.

As an aside, I learned that Falkreath still practices an ancient Nord custom, the "grave curd". According to the practice, a fresh farmer's cheese is interred atop a loved one's coffin. Every year, on the anniversary of the departed's death, the grave curd is exhumed and a fifth of it is consumed by the bereaved. Many would balk at eating from a grave, but gods help me—the piece that was served to me was delicious!
Featured Article/3

**Mannimarco**, also known as the **God of Worms**, was a powerful Altmer necromancer and lich of the Second and Third Eras, eventually ascending to godhood during the Warp in the West. He is accredited by many as having been the first person to achieve lichdom, though in reality many of his predecessors had also achieved such a state.

He was instrumental in the events of the Planemeld, the invasion of Tamriel by the Daedric Prince Molag Bal, during which he worked under Molag Bal and secretly plotted to usurp his place as a Daedric Prince using the power of the Amulet of Kings. He was eventually stopped by the Five Companions, resulting in his scheme being exposed to his master, who went on to torture Mannimarco for many years. He would go on to escape his prison and once more terrorise Tamriel, eventually succeeding in his ambitions of godhood during the Warp in the West by using the Totem of Tiber Septim to grant himself divinity.

Little is known of Mannimarco's past, other than that he came from a noble House—even bearing traces of royal blood—and was recruited into the reclusive Psijic Order, where he met and developed a good friendship with Vanus Galerion. His necromantic experiments while with the Order resulted in his expulsion, after which he founded the Order of the Black Worm to serve as an order of magical learning without hard-drawn ethical boundaries like the Psijics. *Read more...*
Elections

**Elections** are held by several different governments or organisations in the known world to select individuals to hold an office. There are various different kinds of elections, ranging from the elective monarchy that goverend the Ayleid Empire, to elections held within trade guilds and the like to select new office-holders.

## Elections in Tamriel

Few formal elections are held in Tamrielic societies, which remain feudal, though several organisations hold internal elections. The High Aldarch of the Church of Alaxon is elected by the ruling council known as the Holy Convent. The Grandsapiarch, who is not the leader of the Order of the Sapiarchs but rather their representative to the Marble Throne, is elected to the position by the ruling council known as the Conclave.

The **Moot** was an election held by the Nords in ancient times: it was not an open electorate, but a system of elected monarchy. The jarls of Skyrim's nine holds had the right to vote, and could put their name forward in the election so long as he had the support of at least three champions. Moots were held at the sacred site of X in the X, and officiated by holy men of the old gods. There were no formal political parties or even formal vote counts: all jarls captains were present, and the holy men simply declare when a clear majority of them have announced their support for one candidate. Divided elections could end in violence.

During the Stormcloak Rebellion in the Fourth Era, following the death of Torygg ? X, the great jarls of the realm as well as the priests of the Faith insisted on reviving the tradition of the Moot election. However, no Moot could be convened due to Ulfric Stormcloak refusing to participate, fearing that Queen Elisif X might win the majority and become queen.

Several other groups that descend from the ancient Atmorans also held Moots—or some form of rule-by-consensus among local chieftains. The some of the ancient kings of High Rock were also elected in Moots, but the tradition fell apart after too many contested results. The Skaal also follow only leaders they choose to follow, and hold open councils with their chieftains, but this does not involve voting or an "election" as such.

The kings of the Ayleid Empire practised a system of elective monarchy to choose their high king. While it was effective in its early years, it quickly descended into factionalism and self-voting, many times preventing the ascension of a king to the Ruby Throne and leaving the realm without either a political leader or a religious head, as the high king served both roles. The most famous instance of a gap in leadership was when a king could not be elected for over X years, eventually provoking a bloody religious schism in the empire's leaderless faith, and directly contributing to the empire's severe weakness and decadence which later led to the Alessian Slave Rebellion.

**Military orders**, however, hold their own internal elections in which every member, from the highest captain to the lowest guardsman, gets an equal vote:

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The **Ayleids**, also known as the **Heartland high elves**, were a race of Mer native to central Tamriel in the Merethic and early First Eras. Known for their advanced and expansive culture, the Ayleids built a sprawling empire for themselves and established one of the earliest forms of known slavery by subjugating the native Nedes of the surrounding lands. Ayleids were known for their deep olive skin, blue eyes, and silver hair, as well as their enduring practice of incest to keep bloodlines pure.

The Ayleids and their empire were eventually overthrown by an ex-slave known as Alessia, who organised a slave rebellion against her masters, systematically butchering every Ayleid she could find and destroying Ayleid culture, scattering what remained of them to the distant corners of Tamriel. All that remains of the Heartland high elves are traces of their customs in their decendants, as well as their many ruins scattered throughout the land of their former empire. *Read more...*
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The **sapiarchs** are an order of scholars, healers, scientists, and postmen. Most historical accounts claim that King X Andorin granted lands off the coast of Lillandril to the wise men, teachers, priests, healers, singers, wizards, alchemists, and sorcerors who had been invited to his realm. There, the College was eventually constructed, where the sapiarchs perform their studies and teach their students.

The College is led by the archsapiarchs, sapiarchs who have become experts in a specific field. The archsapiarchs teach their field of expertise to their students, who can go before the archsapiarchs and demonstrate their knowledge when they believe themselves to be sufficiently trained. When the student indeed has sufficient knowledge, they become a sapiarch themselves and, if a sapiarch's services have been requested, sent to a lord's castle.

Lords pay the College to have a sapiarch in their personal service. Having a sapiarch in their service will increase a lord's social status, as lords are considered to be of little consequence if they cannot afford the service of a sapiarch. Upon completion of their education at the College, a sapiarch takes their vows and puts aside their House name (if they had one). A sapiarch is supposed to be loyal to the seat to which they are assigned, regardless of the changes in (lawful and unlawful) control of that holding.

The sapiarch serving at the royal court of the king on the Marble Throne is called the Grandsapiarch. Elected by the Conclave of archsapiarchs, of which the Grandsapiarch is granted an honourary seat, though is never present to attend. The Grandsapiarch holds a seat on the king's council and serves as one of the king's advisers. *Read more...*
Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. II: The Reach & The Pale

***Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. II: The Reach & The Pale*** is a book written in the Second Era by an author known only as 'B'. It is the second book of a series of four volumes known as *Cheeses of Skyrim*, which details the many kinds of cheeses the author encountered while travelling the cities and regions of Skyrim.

The known volumes of the book series *Cheeses of Skyrim* are ordered as follows: *Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. I: Hjaalmarch & Haafingar; Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. II: The Reach & The Pale; Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. III: Whiterun, Winterhold, & Eastmarch; Cheeses of Skyrim, vol. IV: Riften & Falkreath*

## Contents

*I continue my travel journal through the holds of Skyrim with this look at the cheeses of the Reach and the Pale. Again, for the sake of brevity, I sought to capture only the most noteworthy cheese from each hold I visited.*
*—B*

**Doe's Ire**

Karthald and the Reach's rocky passes and sheer cliffs make goats the only practical animal for herders to keep. As such, the area's principal cheese is made with goat's milk and flavored with berries from the seemingly ubiquitous juniper bushes that grow across the region. Most curious about this cheese is not its flavour—which I find cloyingly salty—but, rather, its strange role in the politics of the area. The Reach often gives rise to rebellious and ambitious rulers. They live under the armed watch of soldiers from Solitude or Evermore, who often do what they must to suppress the lust for conquest that seems to beat in the heart of every Reachfolk.

In tramping down these ambitions, many of the Reach's traditions become suppressed—save for the making and eating of doe's ire cheese, so named because a goat doe's milk is curdled in the stomach of its own offspring to produce the cheese. The cheese is eaten on feast days dear to the Reach, in stark disobedience of those that would suppress the Reachfolk's spirit. Some say the cheese's salty profile comes from the tears of the doe, whose milk is soured in its offspring's carcass. Patriots of the Reach say the cheese is salty to remind those who eat it of the sorrows that befell the Reach, punishment for unfulfilled destiny.

**Bjenost**

Bjenost is most curious among Skyrim's offerings, being more of a "cheese of cheeses" than a cheese in and of itself. It is eaten almost exclusively by the people of the Pale, who do so to mark the end of winter and the return of spring.

As with many cheeses, bjenost almost certainly originated among the poor of the hold, though now high and low tables alike enjoy this delicacy. Made in the style of many of the hold's sausages, stuffed into the intestines of a slaughtered pig. As the thaw approaches, they take the rinds and crumbs of cheeses that were consumed over the course of the long, dark winter, soak them in a tun of ale (a brown slurry of yeast and malt, the kind of drink that can be a meal in and of itself), then stuff it all inside the intestines. The bjenost is then hung to dry, to be taken down only at the High Spring Festival. It is sliced into golden disks, said to resemble the sun in springtime and enjoyed by all.
Daggerfall Covenant

**Daggerfall Covenant** can refer to:

* First Daggerfall Covenant, the alliance created in 2E 542 during the Reachfolk invasion of High Rock by Durcorach the Black Drake.
* Second Daggerfall Covenant, known as the *Greater Daggerfall Covenant*, the alliance created in 2E 567 during Ranser's War which went on to participate in the Three Banners War.
Civility and Etiquette

***Civility and Etiquette*** is a series of scholarly books written by Coristir, an Altmeri author of the Second Era, detailing the many ways to behave when interacting with certain creatures of Tamriel. Not many volumes of the book series survive, and only two are fully documented. The series is written primarily for Altmer.

The the known volumes of the book series *Civility and Etiquette* is ordered as follows: *Civility and Etiquette, vol. II: Orsinium Orcs;* *Civility and Etiquette, vol. III: Wood Orcs;* *Civility and Etiquette, vol. V: Undead*.
Commendation Letter

**Commendation Letter** was a letter written around 2E 582 by X Vayne Redoran. The letter was meant for Captain Duren, which praised him for his exemplary service.

## Contents

Captain Duren,
In recognition of your dedicated service with the standing army of the Ebonheart Pact, it is with great pride that I pass along this letter of commendation to your outpost. Your history of diligent and respectful command is exemplary. Reports from the Nord and Argonian members of your unit make it clear you take the mission of the Pact to heart, as well as defending its precepts with your keen mind.

Keep this up, soldier, and you'll be up for a promotion before this war is over.

For the Pact, and Glory!

—X Vayne Redoran, Vivec City Garrison
Charge of the Welkynar

"**Charge of the Welkynar**" was a common song sung across the Summerset Archipelago. The song tells of the might of the Welkynar, the Altmeri gryphon knight protectors. However, after the death of the knightly order in 2E 896 the song is rarely sung, and if so, it is sung in a sombre and mournful tone.

## Lyrics

When Summerset, o Summerset, our fair and pretty land,

is threatened from beyond the clear and shining sea.

The Welkynar, our Gryphon Knights, take wing and make a stand,

with courage, strength, and bravery, they keep the Altmer free!

Charge, o Gryphon Knights,

fly on and fight our foes!

Charge, o Welkynar,

take wing with swords and bows!

From Alinor to Shimmerene and every point between,

the Welkynar ride the winds and defend our gleaming isles.

Whether commoner, or noble, or merchant, or king,

the Gryphon Knights protect us all, always with a smile!

Charge, o Gryphon Knights,

fly on and fight our foes!

Charge, o Welkynar,

take wing with swords and bows!

Charge, o Gryphon Knights,

fly on and fight our foes!

Charge, o Welkynar,

take wing with swords and bows!
Exodus to Tamriel

The **Exodus to Tamriel** was an event that occured in the early Merethic Era immediately after the Sundering of Aldmeris, a mysterious cataclysm that destroyed the city-continent of Aldmeris. It was during the Exodus that thousands of Aldmer from the lost continent fled to the distant shores of Tamriel, eventually landing in the Summerset Archipelago. Several Aldmer rose to great prominence among the chaos, taking charge of those that would follow them. Among these legendary figures was Torinaan Rilis, who would go on to conquer the island of Auridon and reign as its king.

## History

Of the millions of Aldmer that once inhabited old Aldmeris, only several thousand survived the Sundering, and fled by sea across the Eltheric Ocean. In the chaos of the Sundering, several Mer took charge of the situation and led what people they could across the ocean. It is generally understood that not all those who "took charge" did so with benevolent intentions, as there are some fragmented accounts of high lords charging money for the privilege of joining the others on their ships.

A figure known by many modern-day Altmer was High Lord Torinaan Rilis, who gathered as many Mer as he could before departing Aldmeris' crumbling and burning shores. Little is known of Torinaan's life on Aldmeris, though even commoners of the archipelago can recall the tales of his actions during and after the Sundering. Many died on the voyage across the ocean, and many more were of the belief that the world was ending and that they would all eventually starve, as Aldmeris was the only known landmass at the time. Torinaan's fleet of nine ships eventually reached modern-day Auridon, and landed at its northernmost point in what is now known as Nine-Prow Landing. It is believed that Torinaan did not land at the southern tip of the island (closer to Aldmeris) due to wanting to gauge the full scale of the landmass before disembarking. Upon his arrival Torinaan began marching south, and allowed those that were too weary to remain behind and begin settling the land. From these early settlements the city of Firsthold would emerge. Torinaan continued to march his host southward across the length of the island, slaying terrible and wild beasts that laid in his path, and over a month later arriving at its southern extreme. It was there that Torinaan proclaimed himself the king of the island, naming it Auridon.

Many other ancient families claim their lineage from the city-continent of Aldmeris, and claim to have ancestors that led others, like Torinaan, to the shores of the archipelago. It is unknown if such claims have any truth to them, as the only well-known and well-documented voyage was that of Torinaan, however it is known that many other Aldmer claimed kingly titles and ruled small kingdoms in their own right, such as the Liarens of Shimmerene, or the Caidans of Sunhold.

## Quotes

>
> A lesser-known prophecy foretold that the lost children of Aldmeris would "make of their branches a new home on distant shores".
>
>
> —Amalien
>
Crownlands

The **Crownlands**, also called **the Crownland**, are one of the constituent regions of the Summerset Archipelago on the continent of Tamriel. Unlike the other regions of Alinor, the lords of the Crownlands are not sworn to a High Kinlord, but are rather sworn directly to the king on the Marble Throne.

The demonym used for its inhabitants is 'crownlander'.

The Crownlands are ruled from the city of Alinor by House Telarion. Notable Houses have included Arana, Dorenis, Neiaron, and Parnon.

## Behind the Scenes

The name of the Crownlands is derived from the real-life term 'crown land', which refers to the royal demesne of a given monarch.
Fahara'jad I & V Phyllocid

* King of Sentinel

King **Fahara'jad I & V Phyllocid** was king of Sentinel and Hammerfell in the Second Era during the Planemeld. Inspired by his ancestor, King Ar-Azal I & II Phyllocid, who united Hammerfell into a single kingdom for the first time in history, Fahara'jad embarked and succeeded in reuniting the politically divided region.
Dockmaster's Lament

***Dockmaster's Lament*** was a journal kept near 2E 582 by an unknown dockmaster from Cat's Eye Quay, a holdfast on the island of Khenarthi's Roost. The journal expresses the dockmaster's dissatisfaction with the Maormeri visitors to Cat's Eye Quay.

## Contents

It was a beautiful day until I received yet another visit from an indignant Maormer captain. Apparently, padding the docking fee half of what I used to is grounds for deep offense.
For a moment I thought she might become violent! I handed over my last bottle of Old Colovian Plum Brandy to smooth things over.

These Maormer seem to be more and more demanding lately. What good is that treaty, anyway? It wasn't always this difficult to take an honest cut!
Dust's Shadow

***Dust's Shadow*** is a fictional work written during the days of the Ebonheart Pact in the Second Era by an unknown author. It tells the tale of an assassination orchestrated by the mythical Dark Brotherhood.

## Contents

ll she saw was the glint of moonlight in a straight, sharp line flashing into the man beside her. He groaned and slipped to his knees, falling sideways onto the ground.
"By the Eight," Lormingga whispered in horror. A scaled hand clamped across her mouth, preventing her from saying anything more.

"It's over," a voice rasped softly. A soft cloud of ash filled the air and she coughed, wondering why the assassin hadn't killed her, too.

When the dust settled, Lormingga realised she was alone. Only the smear of blood on the floor beside her indicated where her companion had fallen. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Lormingga looked around carefully. Alone. She lifted her unbound hands to her face and prayed.

"Kyne, my goddess and guide, I thank you for saving me from the lizard-folk," she said softly. "We must return them to their masters."

"And for that, you must pay."

Lormingga felt the blade slipping through her flesh before she saw the Argonian rise beside her. Her mouth moved soundlessly and her hands clutched at where the weapon had pierced her throat.

"I had no proof you were involved, woman," the Argonian said, wiping her blade on Lormingga's shirt before sheathing it. "Thanks for admitting your guilt before I left. This journey would've been inconvenient for another Shadowscale to take so soon."

As Lormingga sank to the floor, the Shadowscale assassin added, "We are all part of the Pact now... except for traitors like you."

And then the assassin, like Lormingga's life, was gone.
Dwarf

A **dwarf** is a person with dwarfism.

## Culture

Some cultures, both in Tamriel and elsewhere, do not suffer dwarfs to live, such as the orcs, the Altmer, and, in the past, the Atmorans, Aldmer, and Ayleids. However, these cultural customs are not always binding and there still exist some dwarfs of those races in Tamriel.

Dwarfs are often employed as motleyed fools and jesters. Dwarfs are sometimes featured in grotesqueries. Mummer's troupes are expected to have a dwarf.

Some dwarfs refer to people of normal stature as "big folk" or "big people".

## Notes

1. ↑ The plural of 'dwarf' is 'dwarfs', not 'dwarves', which instead refers to the Dwemeri race of Mer.