Post by Lucien Lachance on Aug 4, 2009 17:33:54 GMT -5
High Rock is a province in northwest section of Tamriel. The coastal region is temperate and covered in loose forests; inland, it becomes more rocky and mountainous. Most of the province is inhabited by the Bretons, who have divided the province into multiple Breton city states and minor kingdoms. The southern tip of central High Rock also contains Orsinium, the City-State of the Orcs. High Rock encompasses the many lands and clans of Greater Betony, the Deselle Isles, the Bjoulsae River tribes, and, by tradition, the Western Reach. The rugged highland strongholds and isolated valley settlements have encouraged the fierce independence of the various local Breton clans, resisting integration into a formal province or Imperial identity. Nonetheless, their language, bardic traditions, and heroic legends are a unifying legacy.
History
It can be rightly said that history begins in High Rock. Convention occurred here, at Adamantine Tower, the oldest structure in existence. The tower was there when Aldmer settled the region and inspired almost every race of mer to create a mimicry of it. Like other provinces, it is believed High Rock was originally inhabited by beasts, but the Aldmer were the first to develop civilization. The Nedes of the region were mostly absorbed by the Aldmer, but eventually a biracial society man-mer arose, and the ancestors of the modern Bretons were born. With the arrival of the Nords (and yet another bloodline) the fall of the Direnni Altmer of the region was assured. The humans would eventually become the predominant power in High Rock.
The most concrete history of High Rock begins with its most well known colonized family; the Aldmer Clan Direnni. Described by A Pocket Guide to the Empire "As an economic and military power, they were formidable enough to pose a threat to the battle-hardened Nords and the nascent Alessian Empire of Cyrodiil. Taking advantage of the internal strife in Skyrim, the Hegemony began taking land north and south of High Rock, claiming portions of Skyrim and present day Hammerfell. At the peak of their power, they controlled nearly a quarter of Tamriel. But they had overextended their reach, and slowly, year by year, they lost all that they had gained, falling back to their fortress in Balfiera, The Adamantine Tower, now called the Direnni Tower." It is believed the Bretons came to power in High Rock not by violence, but by trading and slowly overcoming the Nordic population. The province of High Rock was controlled by the Bretons by the end of the First Era. The Direnni left an impact of the Bretons however, as they left the province split apart into numerous city-states, and they were weak against the other Races of Tamriel. They would not be given peace however, as the Redguard conquest in the 808th year of the First Era caused conflict in settlements along the Iliac Bay. They would have to unite, however, against the Orcs of Orsinium. This fight is known as the Siege of Orsinium, and ends with the destruction of Orsinium. Due to the fall of the Direnni, the Bretons were not heavily affected by the fall of the Cyrodilic Empire, yet did lose some land to Tiber Septim. Still divided, some did unite to try to stop the Camoran Usurper, yet he was not stopped until the Baron of Dwynnen united the citizens of the Iliac Bay against him. The Bretons would not remain united, and went back to fighting one another, and those outside of High Rock, until they had to unite when the Nords reclaimed their land in The War of Bend'r-Mahk, when they fought the Redguards in The War of Betony, and when the Orcs resurrected Orsinium. However they would be united in The Miracle of Peace, also known as the Warp in the West is best described in the book of the same name. "The 'Miracle of Peace', also known as the 'The Warp in the West', is celebrated as the product of the miraculous interventions of Stendarr, Mara, and Akatosh to transform this troublesome region into peaceful, well-governed Imperial counties. The catastrophic destruction of landscape and property and the large loss of life attending upon this miracle is understood to have been 'tragic, and beyond mortal comprehension.'" This event transformed High Rock from numerous city-states into five kingdoms.
Politics
Relations have not been entirely peaceful between the five Breton kingdoms, but they have not gone into full war. Some kingdoms may unite however, by the marriage of Camaron of Daggerfall to Lady Kelmena of Camlorn. And also by the marriage of Queen Aubk-i of Sentinel to King Gothryd of Daggerfall around 3E400. Things have been quiet in the areas of Northpoint and Evermore, most likely because they are mostly isolated from the other states. In Wayrest, Queen Elysana is considered one of the province's most powerful figures, and is in control of its politics. She has also formed an alliance with the Orcs, who were once former enemies, as described in the history section of this page.
Notable Places
Adamantium Tower
Located on Balfiera Island, this spire is the oldest structure in existence. The estimate of the date of its construction marks the beginning of history.
Camlorn
The main city of the state of High Rock of the same name, located on its southern tail.
Daggerfall
The main city of the state of High Rock of the same name, located on its southern tail, south of Camlorn.
Evermore
The main city of the state of High Rock, Evermore, located on the eastern border to Hammerfell.
Farrun
A city on the north shore of High Rock.
Jehanna
A city in the northern area of High Rock, near the border to Skyrim.
Northpoint
The main city of the state of High Rock of the same name, on the small area jutting into the sea in the northwest area of High Rock.
Sharnhelm
A city in the northeast area of High Rock.
Wayrest
The main city of the state of High Rock of the same name. It is located in the southeastern-central area of High Rock.