Post by Lucien Lachance on Aug 4, 2009 18:02:49 GMT -5
Cyrodiil is an Imperial province in the central-south of Tamriel and the home of a humanoid race known as Imperials. Cyrodiil, the center of their Empire and seat of governance, is also known as the Heartland and forms the setting for the game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The capital of Cyrodiil, The Imperial City, is located on an island in the center of the province.
Geography
Cyrodiil has a varied environment, and is divided into several regions:
-The Nibenay Basin: This vast region dominates Cyrodiil, containing all the area that drains into the River Niben. The area around the Imperial City and the Upper Niben is often known as "the Heartlands". East of the river, the region consists of mostly open fields while to the west and north it is more wooded. The Imperial City covers the island in the center of Lake Rumare, the source of the Niben, and the city of Bravil is located on the banks of Niben Bay.
-The Great Forest: An immense woodland area just west of the Imperial City.
-Colovian Highlands: A hilly, forested region of western Cyrodiil with the town of Chorrol as its main settlement.
-The West Weald: The open countryside of southern Cyrodiil is well known for its vineyards. The city of Skingrad is located here.
-The Gold Coast: The western coastline of Cyrodiil is dotted by farms, the main settlements of the region are the port city of Anvil, and the city of Kvatch inland.
-Jerall Mountains: A mountain range in northern Cyrodiil, on the Skyrim border, with the town of Bruma.
-Valus Mountains: A mountain range in eastern Cyrodiil on the Morrowind border. The city of Cheydinhal is located at the foothills.
-Blackwood: A swampland in southern Cyrodiil east of Leyawiin, along the Black Marsh border.
Notable Places
Anvil
A harbour city on the Gold Coast.
Bravil
A rundown, squalid town on the west bank of the Niben.
Bruma
A town in the northern Jeralls, Bruma boasts Nordic population and character.
Cheydinhal
A town in eastern Cyrodiil whose population has been recently swelled by Dunmer immigrants, due to its close proximity to unstable Morrowind.
Chorrol
A town located between the Great Forest and Colovian Highlands, in the north western region of Cyrodiil.
Imperial City
The Imperial City is the capital of Cyrodiil and the whole of the Empire. It is located on an island in central Lake Rumare.
Kvatch
A city on the Gold Coast between Anvil and Skingrad, built on a large plateau. It is north of the River Strid in Colovia.
Leyawiin
A town at the southern reaches of Cyrodiil, straddling the Niben River where it meets Topal Bay.
Sancre Tor
Now little more than a ruined fortress, the city and location of Sancre Tor has been the site of important events since the First Era.
Skingrad
A large town located in the West Weald region, to the southwest of the Imperial City, along the Gold Road.
History
When the Aldmeri landed in the Summerset Isles they did not move far inland, but told of ancient beasts before men or mer. Unfortunately, only oral stories give unclear glimpses of what they may have looked like. The only definite information of Cyrodiil's history is after the beginning of recorded history, which is when the Ayleids came to call Cyrodiil their home. Described in A Pocket Guide to the Empire "The Ayleids were ancient Aldmer, cousins of all the elven races that exist to this day. Over time, they became a distinct people, crafting a civilization whose ruins still puzzle and fascinate modern archaeologists and adventurers. The Nedic peoples of the region became the slave labor for their ambitions once man-mer tensions in Skyrim reached a boiling point. One of the most important events of Cyrodilic history is the slave rebellion of the 1E 242. The men and mer had been fighting in Skyrim for quite a while, however, this revolt, led by Alessia handed the entire region to the insurgent humans. "The heart of Tamriel was going to belong to these former slaves, present day Cyrodilics or Imperials, forever more."
In an alliance with Skyrim, the Alessian Empire would push to the west towards High Rock, which, at the time, was the land of the Direnni. Another big change was present at this time, as described in A Pocket Guide to the Empire, "The prophet Marukh's teachings both brought identity to Cyrodiil, codifying the pantheon most civilized Tamriellians worship to this day, and brought conflict due to the more severe strictures he espoused." Another big event in the history of Cyrodiil occurred in the year 1E 2703, the invasion of the Akaviri. This event not only affected Cyrodiil, but brought all of Tamriel together to fight the new threat. The Akaviri were fought off, and now the people of Tamriel were more cooperative with one another due to having to combine forces. Under the rule of Emperor Reman I, Cyrodiil became cosmopolitan, and incorporated acpects of High Rock, Colovia, Nibenay, and even the culture of the Akaviri. The Second Empire of Cyrodiil continued to expand, engulfing almost all of Tamriel. All was normal until the assassination of Emperor Reman III and his son Juilek marked the end of the First Era, and the Second Empire. The government was under the control of Akaviri Potentates, and it continued to evolve until the last Potentate died in the 2E 430. Throughout the rest of the Second Era, Tamriel was in chaos. Nibenay and Colovia split apart, and farms, villages, and even highways were in ruin. Many tried to claim the Imperial throne, and this chaos lasted for centuries. The only hope for Tamriel was Tiber Septim. He started the Third Empire and helped Cyrodiil and the rest of Tamriel thrive. The empire has thrived since then, only weakened during the War of the Red Diamond and the The Imperial Simulacrum.
Politics
The heart of Tamriel had a stable government at the time of the Oblivion Crisis, with the Emperor at the fore, supplemented by the Elder Council under Chancellor, and the regional holdings of the Counts. However, there were occasional complications, such as a suspected breakout of the Khatacen Plague, horrifying those near the Black Marsh border. It was a hoax, possibly created by the Argonians due to excursions led by the The Blackwood Company. Another unfortunate event was the death of both sons of Count Haderus Goldwine, who both sought inheritance. Another notable death was the suspected murder of Countess Cheydinhal, wife of Count Andel Indarys. Issues concerning the Emperor's health and hysteria over the legitimacy of the heirs were resolved without comment.