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Lore:Elsweyr

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Elsweyr
Type Province
Continent Tamriel
Subregions Anequina, Pellitine, Khenarthi's Roost
Demonym(s) Elsweyrian[1]
Appears in Arena, ESO
Elsweyr
Illustration of a typical Khajiit male

Elsweyr is a region that lies on the southern coast of Tamriel, and is home to the feline Khajiit. It is divided into two major climates: savannahs, badlands and dry plains in the north, and fertile lands of jungle and rainforests in the south.

Originally, sixteen Khajiiti clans roamed the province, and were often simplified as belonging to a region or realm. With a combination of outside pressures and mastery of areas of expertise, it became more accurate to associate a clan with an area. Eventually, sixteen tribes became sixteen kingdoms: Ne-Quin-Al, Rimmen, Riverhold, Dune, Orcrest, Verkarth, Meirvale, and Helkarn in the north; Alabaster, Bruk'ra, Pa'alatiin, Corinthe, Tenmar, Torval, Khenarthia, and Senchal in the south.[2] The lullaby known as the Hasa Zha'ja explains how these clans got their name, while the poem known as Zhan Zhab tells of the transition from clan names being used to refer to the names of regions. Due to the Thrassian Plague, these sixteen clans changed their tribal functions or they may have died due to starvation and other hardships. These clans essentially became two and were separated ideologically and geographically as what we would come to know as the two kingdoms of Anequina and Pellitine.[3] These two kingdoms would eventually be united into the Elsweyr Confederacy, and once more separated in two kingdoms in the Third Aldmeri Dominion.[4][5][6]

GeographyEdit

Elsweyr is bordered by Valenwood to the west and by Cyrodiil to the north and east, with access to Topal Bay and the Southern Sea to the south. Lake Vread is a body of water located somewhere in the eastern portion of Elsweyr.[7]

Elsweyr is divided into two main regions: Anequina in the north and Pellitine in the south. The island of Khenarthi's Roost in the Southern Sea is also included in the province of Elsweyr.

AnequinaEdit

Anequina encompasses the northern half of Elsweyr. The region is dominated by harsh badlands and dry plains,[5] which gave rise to a hardened warrior culture among the local Khajiit that viewed their neighbors to the south as decadent and depraved.[6]

 
The Scar

The ScarEdit

The Scar (also known as the Scar of Anequina or simply the Anequina Desert)[8] is a large desert that runs at the center of Anequina.

The Scar is also the name of the main feature of the region: a large canyon that crosses the entire desert from the southwest to the northeast. It is a landscape of harsh wastelands, desolate mesas and treacherous cliffs. Smaller canyons like the Ashen Scar connect to the main chasm.

The largest settlement, is the city of Orcrest in the north. Built on top of a mesa, in the middle of the chasm, it is only accessible via narrow stone bridges. At the other end of the canyon, The Stitches is a shanty town crippled by criminal activities.

 
The Rim Territories

The Rim TerritoriesEdit

The Rim Territories (or simply known as the Rim)[9] is composed of the eastern borderlands of Anequina, around the regional capital of Rimmen. It Includes the hills and badlands surrounding the City and the southern valley that leads to Hakoshae.

The region is the namesake of the Rim-Men, a group of Imperials that descend from the Akaviri of the Second Empire.[5] The Rim is irrigated by the Anequina Aqueduct, providing water to its inhabitants and allowing the culture of Moonsugar cane.

The Tenmar Borderlands in the south are attached to the Rim Territories. It consists of a fertile valley between the desert of the Scar and the jungle of Pelitine, stretching all the way to Grahtwood. It includes the settlement of Merryvale and the Moon Gate of Anequina.

 
The High Savannah

The High SavannahEdit

The High Savannah is an area of arid savannah and dry grassland that stretches along the northern border of Elsweyr.[10] Its largest settlement is the city of Riverhold.[11] There are twisted trees found around the region,[12] and stiff savannah breezes blow through The Rim from the savannah.[13]

It is home to a variety of fauna, particularly felines[14] domesticated by the native Khajiit such as the Midnight Fennec Fox[15] and Pride-King Lion, the latter of which are the top predators of the area.[16] "Savannah Grassware" consisting of light but sturdy woven bowls are fashioned out of the native plants.[17]

 
Reaper's March

Reaper's MarchEdit

Reaper's March is a region connecting the jungles of northeastern Valenwood with the rolling plains of northwestern Elsweyr.

Only the eastern half of Reaper's March is considered a part of Elsweyr: the area called Dawnmead surrounding the city of Dune and a fraction of Jodewood in the south, including the city of Rawl'kha.

Despite the dry conditions of Reaper's March, the Khajiit have managed to farm and harvest moon sugar in the area for generations through extensive irrigation projects.[18]

Khajiiti temples in the region are noted for their awe-inspiring beauty, though there are many other monuments and grand structures which are decayed and ruined.[19]

PellitineEdit

Pellitine encompasses the southern half of Elsweyr. The region is considerably more fertile than the arid north, and is replete with jungles, rainforests, and river basins.[5] The Khajiit of Pellitine were consequently wealthier than their neighbors to the north, whom they derided as uncouth barbarians.[6] The seat of the Mane, Torval, is located here.

 
Quin'rawl Peninsula

Quin'rawl PeninsulaEdit

The Quin'rawl Peninsula (sometimes simply called Quin'rawl[20]) is a region found in the southeast of Elsweyr between the Southern Sea and the Topal Sea. It is a region of perilous highlands across the north, the sandy beaches in the southeast, and the marshes of the south.

Quin'rawl is heavily centered around Senchal, a major city in Elsweyr that also serves as Pellitine's capital since the upheavals of the Thrassian Plague in 1E 2260.[21] Several islands are found off the region's coast, such as Tideholm and Topal Island to the east, and both Khenarthi's Roost and Dragonhold to the south.

 
Tenmar Forest

Tenmar ForestEdit

The Tenmar Forest, also known as the Tenmar Jungle[22], in southern Elsweyr is a large region including the cities of Torval, the seat of the Mane, and Corinthe. Primarily known for the production and export of moon sugar, its sugarcane groves are venerated and diligently guarded by the Khajiit.[5]

 
Khenarti's Roost

Khenarthi's RoostEdit

Khenarthi's Roost, the Isle of Three Temples, is a small island off the coast of Elsweyr inhabited by both Khajiit and Maormer, named for the Khajiiti goddess Khenarthi. The island is dotted with moon sugar plantations and is a location of both active Khajiiti worship and Maormer magic, as the Khajiit signed a peace treaty with the Maormer which allowed them to settle on the island. The port city of Mistral functions as the capital of the island and the center of commerce. Khenarthi's Roost once contained the ancient Kingdom of Khenarthia, one of the original sixteen kingdoms of Elsweyr, known for their sugar production and expert fishermen.

HistoryEdit

Since the Beginning of TimeEdit

The origins of the region of today's Elsweyr and the Khajiit lies far back in the Dawn Era, when Nirn was only one large continent. As the war among the wandering Ehlnofey and Old Ehlnofey broke out, the continent broke apart into four.[23] The later lands of Elsweyr remained on what is now known as Tamriel. The Khajiiti creation myth explains the hot deserts of northern Elsweyr and the wet and poisonous Tenmar Forest in the south to be made by Nirni as revenge for being tricked by Azurah.[24]

Early records and encounters reveal the Khajiit to have lived far beyond today's borders of Elsweyr—reaching north into the Heartlands, close to today's Imperial City[25], and west into Valenwood—making them the dominant culture of southern Tamriel. It was already highly developed as Men and Mer just arrived on the continent and fought for dominance in the north.[6] The ancient Khajiit in the Heartlands also may be responsible for the extinction of the Bird Men home to City Isle.[25] In some of Tamriel's oldest history, the province of Elsweyr was ruled by the Moon-Emperor. Gracious architecture that shows veneration towards the moons derives from this, as seen across modern-day Dune's high walls.[26]

The Sixteen KingdomsEdit

Sometime in the Merethic Era, when Elsweyr was composed of sixteen kingdoms, Kaalgrontiid and his horde of dragons came to dominate the land and above all, consume the Moon's lunar power. Kaalgrontiid is believed by some to originate from Alduin's horde in Atmora and Skyrim, having been driven to split off from the bulk of his kin in the north in order to sate his own pride and ambition. This behavior is considered normal for dragons, who are naturally driven to seek mastery.[27] Kaalgrontiid in particular hoped that with the Moon's power, he would become Akatosh's equal.[28] To stop them, The Khajiit hero Khunzar-ri recruited four companions, Nurarion the Perfect, Flinthild Demon-Hunter, Anequina Sharp-Tongue, and Cadwell the Betrayer.[29] When fighting them proved to be futile, Cadwell suggested that it may be best to convince the dragons that they were now a willing part of their plans. In preparation, Anequina attuned to Shadow Dance Temple, incited the moons to align to form an eclipse, allowing the Moon Gate of Anequina to open a portal the Plane of Jode, where the object the dragons desired, Jode's Core, rested. The dragon's ambitions would be their undoing, as the dragons accessed the Plane of Jode, but Khunzar-ri convinced them to not simply absorb the power of the Core like they originally intended, but instead store their energy within it in the guise that they would combine the lunar power with their own.[30][31] The gamble worked, and the dragons were weakened enough for them to retreat back into the wilderness.[29] To finish the job, Khunzar-ri once again convinced the dragons to play a part of his scheme. He managed to lure them into the Halls of Colossus, where he managed to seal them away. The Dragons would be obscured as "demons" in legends, and become the fabled "Demon Weapon". Their power would be coveted by many people.[29]

By the beginning of the First Era, the sixteen realms in the region of today's Elsweyr still existed.[32] These were not comparable to the kingdoms of Men and Mer, as those Khajiiti realms were not fighting each other for power or land. Instead they were existing in harmony and complementary. Each such kingdom was specialized on providing goods or services and shared it with their neighbors.[33] Ne Quin-al, also known as Anequina in Cyrodilic, for example provided their excellent trained fighters of the Two-Moons Dance to Torval in exchange for fish and other goods from the sea. Influence and power shifted constantly, and the dominance of the regions cycled through the kingdoms depending on the phases of Masser and Secunda. For example, Ne Quin-al was in power at full moons, while Torval was when both moons were half, or Senchal when they were both new.[6]

In all this time, the Ayleids seemed to have shown little activity in the regions controlled by the Khajiit.[34] Only after 1E 243, when Alessia begun to persecute the Ayleids, the clan of Atatar tried to find refugee in the Khajiiti lands. However, most of them died on the ill-fated expedition.[35]

At similar time Pelinal Whitestrake has been slaying many Khajiit, having them mistaken for another strain of Aldmer. Alkosh is being attributed to have repelled this attack[36], although it also is said Pelinal had realized his error himself.[5]

 
Do'Krin Monastery was built with the loot of the Anequine Conquests

In the fifth century of the First Era[37] the Golden Beast of Anequina, Darloc Brae, expanded the territory of Ne Quin-al in the process of the Anequine Conquests until it ranged from Khaj Rawlith in the west, over Arenthia, up to the north at Larsius River, and Rimmen in the east. The loot of the Conquests he used to build Do'Krin Monastery[38][39] He was also invited to the coronation of the Emperor Gorieus in 1E 461.[37]

With the year of 1E 668 came Sun's Death, an event caused by the eruption of Red Mountain.[40]

Over many centuries there are no further records of the happenings in the kingdoms of the Khajiit. Only the Dragon Break from 1E 1200 until 1E 2208[UOL 1] was mentioned to be observed by the Mane, using the constancy of the Ja-Kha'jay to record it.[41]

The political balance in the sixteen Khajiiti kingdoms proved stable enough for thousands of years. Neither the Alessian Empire nor the Bosmer of Valenwood dared to extend their borders too far into the lands of the Khajiit, but caused increasing animosity between the Khajiiti realms.[6][33]

The Two KingdomsEdit

After two millennia, the political landscape of the Khajiiti territory changed drastically with the emerging Thrassian Plague of 1E 2260.[33] It expanded along the trading routes deep into the realm of the Khajiit and caused mass mortality. The balance between the sixteen kingdoms was finally destroyed as the survivors were forced into undesired roles; initial consternation turned to distrust and violence.

The remains of the original sixteen realms were two realms with opposing cultures: The northern Ne Quin-al with its many warrior clans, and the wealthy southern Pa'alatiin, also known as Pellitine in Cyrodilic. Both kingdoms fought for centuries, but neither could ever gain the upper hand in Elsweyr.[6][33]

In the Second EmpireEdit

With the rise of the Reman Dynasty in 1E 2703, the newfound Second Empire began to expand. Also, the two kingdoms of Anequina and Pellitine could not resist the Empire's power and were conquered, alongside a propaganda campaign to justify the invasion.[42] Later, in 1E 2920, Queen Naghea of Riverhold lead the left flank for the Empire on in the Battle of Bodrum.[43] In the same year, the King of Senchal, Dro'Zel, became appointed advisor to the court of Reman III.[44]

As long as Anequina and Pellitine were part of the Empire, they found security in it, but also never stopped rebelling against it at the same time.[6] The Empire never could bring an end to the fights between the two Khajiit kingdoms.[5][33]

The Formation of the Elsweyr ConfederacyEdit

 
Elsweyr around the Second Era

The ongoing strife between Anequin and Pellitine was finally resolved by the Khajiit themselves. Keirgo of Anequina and Eshita of Pellitine married in 2E 309 and combined the two conflicting kingdoms, aware of the political impact, into one: The Elsweyr Confederacy. The reason for the name is a matter of debate; either a reference to the old Khajiiti proverb "A perfect society is always found elsewhere", or to the Sands Behind the Stars, in Ta'agra called Llesw'er.[5][33] The latter however is a paradise promised by the Riddle'Thar[6] two years after the Elsweyr Confederacy had already formed.[45]

The RebellionEdit

The formation of the new kingdom did not bring the expected peace. The cleft between tribal culture of the north and nobility of the south was still present. The power between the two former kingdoms, each had their own central government and allied tribes, shifted to the nobility. The chieftains of the north felt betrayed by both their ruling classes and forgot about their vendettas only to sign treaties of their own. Soon the cities of former Anequina were under constant attack, leaving King Keirgo no choice than to petition to the Empire for help. But the Empire itself was in similar unrest, as they lost their own ruler, Potentate Versidue-Shaie, assassinated in his palace in Senchal, in 2E 324.[46] As Ne Quin-al, the old capital, fell to the rebels, the young Confederation seemed to soon break apart.[5]

 
Rawl'kha temple in 2E 582

As the rebellion kept going on, Mane Rid-Thar-ri'Datta—the spiritual leader of the Khajiit—revealed the Riddle'Thar Epiphany in the Temple of Two-Moons Dance of Rawl'kha in 2E 311.[45] The edicts from this key event in Khajiiti theology however were not accepted by everyone at this time[47], leading to those exiled and their temples deconsecrated.[48] Rid-Thar-ri'Datta was since then known as the First Mane, although there have been at least two Manes before him.[47] The Mane, usually nonpartisan, used Riddle'Thar to proclaim a new system of dividing the powers in Elsweyr. Bound to the dance of the two moons—their different phases—the power in a region shifted between the nobility of the cities and the chieftains of the deserts. The Mane itself was overseeing this shift of powers, and as this system was implemented it finally brought peace to Elsweyr some time around or after 2E 324—lasting under many more Manes.[5][6]

Some time after the last Potentate, Savirien-Chorak, of the Second Empire was killed in 2E 430[46], warlord Attrebus persecuted the Akaviri in Cyrodiil. The Khajiit granted the Tsaesci and others asylum in and around Rimmen in northern Elsweyr.[5] They later built the Tonenaka in the city.[49]:164[50]

Outbreak of the Knahaten FluEdit

Two hundred years after the rebellion—that followed the formation of the Elsweyr Confederacy—the Knahaten Flu ravaged the land of the Khajiit just as unprepared as the Thrassian Plague before.[51] The flu, reported the first time in Stormhold in 2E 560[52][53], appeared in Elsweyr the first time on Sweet Street in the Black Keirgo slums of Senchal. First dismissed as a toxin in the goods by the city's elders, it spread over to Dagi's Pride, Squint-Eye, and the docks of Alabaster. The expansion of the flu accelerated, soon to be in Torval, Orcrest in 2E 565[47], Dune, Corinthe, and everywhere between.[51]

As the Khajiit were focused on fighting their own extinction, Colovian armies, in the time of the Longhouse Emperors, invaded the northern part of Elsweyr and annexed it. Their invasion went as far as Riverhold and Orcrest, until they were fought back there in 2E 562 or a few years later.[54]

In the meantime, Clan Mother Mizaba-ko of Corinthe identified the transfer of the flu, and Rathuni-la Dawnwhisker distilled a sorghum-tea that mitigated the worst of the symptoms. Lord Gharesh-ri, Speaker for the Mane, organized the remnants of the Mane's Legion to maintain order and use the newfound knowledge. However, all this did not prevent further spreading of the flu and many more dead. When hope was almost lost, unexpected help came from the Altmer of Summerset Isles, bringing direly needed physicians, healers, and supplies. This aid gradually defeated the Knahaten Flu and saving the Khajiit. Most of them were however suspicious about the Altmer's help, as it was given to preserve the Khajiit as possible alliance partners in times of need.[51]

In 2E 576 Euraxia Tharn became Queen of Rimmen after the Frostfall Coup.[55]

In the First Aldmeri DominionEdit

With the death of King Hidellith of Alinor in 2E 580, Queen Ayrenn took up the throne.[56] As around this time invading armies moved towards southwest Tamriel, she summoned the Khajiit to stand by her side, as compensation for helping them defeating the Knahaten Flu. The signing of the Elden Accord by Queen Ayrenn, Lord Gharesh-ri and King Aeradan Camoran formed the First Aldmeri Dominion in which the Khajiit thus entered.[57][51] Under the united banner of the Dominion, they now also moved into the Three Banners War.[58][59]

Attack on Reapers MarchEdit
 
Reapers March in 2E 582

The Planemeld also hit Reapers March in 2E 582. Dark Anchors from the realm of Molag Bal, with the help of the Worm Cult, appeared all over the region in an attempt to suck it into Coldharbour.

Also in this year, the Colovians once again invaded northern Elsweyr. Javad Tharn worked together with the Stonefire Cult, and they were able to corrupt the current Mane Akkhuz-ri as he was on a travel to Valenwood—to show condolence to the death of Silvenar Edhelorn in the same year.[60] The Mane was henceforth possessed by the Dark Mane—a Dro-m'Athra—and worked together with Javad Tharn.[54][61][62] On the way to the Handfasting of the new Silvenar Indaenir and Green Lady Finoriell, Akkhuz-ri attacked his followers and fled to Reaper's March.[57]

On his way, Akkhuz-ri freed the Dro-m'Athra in the long forgotten temple of Khaj Rawlith, below Fort Grimwatch, to aid Colovian siege there. The Moon Hallowed and both Lunar Champions, Shazah and Khali, fought the Colovians and Dro-m'Athra back with the aid of the spirit of Rid-Thar-ri'Datta.[63][64] In Arenthia, the Moon Hallowed helped the local militia to end the Colovian occupation, destroy a Dark Anchor, and drive the Dark Mane out of Akkhuz-ri.[62][65]

The Mane resigned due the dark influence that had befallen him[66], leading the two Lunar Champions on the way to become his successors. In the temple of Rawl'kha, Shazah and Khali faced the Trial Path successfully. Before this point there never have been two Lunar Champions at the same time to contest for the position of the Mane before in recorded history.[67][68]

Martialis Tharn, Javad Tharn and the Stonefire Cult also sought to acquire the Golden Claw[69]—a powerful relic from the era of Mane Tullar-dra[70]—in Do'Krin Monastery, but were fought back by the Moon Hallowed and Rid-Thar-ri'Datta's spirit.[71]

After this, Shazah, Khali and the Moon Hallowed fought the Dark Mane and by him and Javad Tharn released Dro-m'Athra in Moonmont.[69] One of the two Lunar Champions sacrificed herself to contain the Dark Mane, leaving only one Lunar Champion left.[72]

 
Dune in 2E 582

Later the Moon Hallowed and remaining Lunar Champion arrived in Dune. At this time, the city was under an attack of Daedra, summoned up by Bayya and Javad Tharn.[73][74][75] The city was liberated, the by the Stonefire Cult befouled temples[47] cleansed, and a Dark Anchor at the Shrine to Lorkhaj in the temple district destroyed.[76] In presence of the Dominion's leaders and other important figures at the Two Moons Path temple, the Moon Hallowed and Lunar Champion walked the last path—the Two Moons Path. There they ultimately defeated Javad Tharn and the Dark Mane. The other Lunar Champion that sacrificed herself before was set free by this, able to reach Aetherius.[69] Returned from the Path, the remaining Lunar Champion rose as new Mane of the Khajiit.[77]

With the destruction of the Great Shackle and the end of the Planemeld within the same year—2E 582—also the Dark Anchors no longer threatened Reapers March.[78][79]

Dragons over ElsweyrEdit

After the retrieval of the Wrathstone around 2E 582, the Imperial battlemage Abnur Tharn inadvertently unleashed the Dragons from their containment from the Halls of Colossus, thus causing them to continue in their quest for the Moon's Lunar Power. The Dragons allied themselves with the forces of the Queen of Rimmen, Euraxia Tharn, who were lead to believe that the dragons were willing to be used as tools. The Dragons were quick to cross Euraxia when she was no longer a use to them, and was left without their aid against the forces of Elsweyr Defense Force as well as the Vestige. The turn of events resulted in her death and the return of Rimmen to Khajiit control. Euraxia's forces now without a leader, allied with the Dragons to avoid their wrath.[80] The Dragons were put to a halt when the Vestige stepped into the Plane of Jode and defeated Kaalgrontiid and his kin, preventing the lunar power from being completely absorbed.[81]

The dragon Laatvulon sought to continue his master Kaalgrontiid's plan of bringing on the Dark Aeon, intending for Kaalgrontiid to become Akatosh's equal. To this end, Laatvulon created a Khajiiti dragon cult, the New Moon Cult, whose ranks were bolstered by many of the vulnerable Khajiit from the region, such as those who were affected by the Knahaten Flu. The red dragon Nahfahlaar, who was Laatvulon's ancient rival, dueled Laatvulon near the city of Senchal in southern Elsweyr, but was overpowered due to Laatvulon's newfound power. Afterwards, Taking refuge in Tideholm, Nahfahlaar was encountered by the Dragonguard, which been recently reformed by the Redguard Blademaster Sai Sahan. Seeing that Nahfahlaar meant no harm, an alliance was forged once again with former foes/allies, one in which Nahfahlaar served as a valuable asset. This alliance led to victory, and Laatvulon, the Demon from the East, was slain.[82]

Nahfahlaar subsequently aided the Dragonguard in defeating Kaalgrontiid and the remnants of the New Moon Cult. Kaalgrontiid returned and planned to siphon the energy he collected from Jode's Core and become empowered by a giant cluster of Aeonstone. To prevent anyone from disrupting his plans, he utilized the energy of the Aeonstone to create an aegis, a massive and impenetrable ward, around the ancient fortress of Dragonhold. Through the combined efforts of Nahfahlaar, the Dragonguard, and Queen Khamira's forces, Kaalgrontiid was slain. However, the Dark Aeon became unstable as a result of Kaalgrontiid's machinations and threatened to destroy the entire continent of Tamriel. It required the combined power of Abnur Tharn and Nahfahlaar to prevent the Aeonstone from affecting the area outside of Dragonhold. Nahfahlaar and Abnur were successful, but only at the cost of Abnur's life. With Tharn's sacrifice, the rage of Dragons was stopped.[82]

After the DragonsEdit

The Akaviri of Rimmen later joined the cause to restore the Second Empire, when remnants of the Kamal army of the Second Akaviri Invasion of 2E 572 tried seizing the Throne from Attrebus' successors. This attempt did not succeed, and the Khajiit used the chaos of these events to reclaim lost land in a series of border wars.

Rimmen seceded from Elsweyr in 2E 812, forming the Kingdom of Rimmen. They however still were paying taxes to the Mane in return for protection of their independence.[5]

In the Third EmpireEdit

Towards the end of the Second Era, the ascending Tiber Septim conquered parts of Anequina and cast out all Khajiit. There, in the Halls of Colossus, he reconstructed and reactivated Numidium.[UOL 2] Not long after, Senchal was besieged by Imperial troops under General Pottreid. The population did not surrender and was slain entirely.[83] Ultimately, Elsweyr was annexed to become a province of Tiber Septim's Third Empire, but as under the Second Empire, there have been rebellions against the Empire.[6]

Under the reign of Emperor Uriel Septim II a rebellion broke out in Torval. It proved too strong and forced the Emperor to lend money from King Mantiarco to pay additional mercenaries next to the Imperial Legions to strike it down successfully. In return he had to promise him the hand of his daughter, Galana.[84]

The Five Year WarEdit
 
Valenwood at the end of the Third Era

During the Imperial Simulacrum—from 3E 389 to 3E 399—a conflict between Valenwood and Elsweyr escalated:[6] In 3E 395, Bosmer invaded Torval, slaying thousands of citizens as retaliation for, as they claimed, Khajiiti bandit attacks. This Slaughter of Torval marked the beginning of the Five Year War for the Khajiit.[85] The Bosmer date its beginning back to 3E 394.[86] After a lost battles at Zelinin, the Khajiit won the upper hand in all following: the Heart of Anequina, 3E 396 at Fort Sphinxmoth, Athay[87] and Vindis.[88] The Khajiit occupied both banks of Xylo River in Malabal Tor.[86][6] At the end of the Imperial Simulacrum, with Emperor Uriel Septim VII[89] back on the throne, the Empire tried to give back the land to the Bosmer. But Khajiit had already settled down in the area and refused to leave, leaving the Empire to leave the situation, possibly convinced that the land rightly belonged to the Khajiit by ancient treaty, and not to cause another conflict.[6]

Loss of Territory to LeyawiinEdit

At or before 3E 432 there has been another border conflict; Between Elsweyr and the County of Leyawiin. A long lasting dispute was resolved by an agreement between the Mane and Marius Caro, Count of Leyawiin, leading to a loss of territory for Elsweyr comparable to the win of the previous Five Year War. This agreement however is not accepted by all Khajiit, and so the Renrijra Krin tried to take back the land.[6]

The last two decades of the Third Era in Elsweyr were marked by the flourishing of Moon Sugar trade. Under this influence, the formerly dangerous slum Senchal rose up to a resort for wealthy and powerful Khajiit. The sugar trader Ya'Tirrje, called Gold Cat by his wealth, had a rumored villa in the port city, and paid the guards to keep it crime-free, while continuing his business in Torval, Corinthe and Rimmen.[6]

DissolutionEdit

After the Oblivion CrisisEdit

 
Masser and Secunda vanished for two years in the Void Nights

After the Oblivion Crisis and the following assassination of Potentate Ocato of Firsthold, the Stormcrown Interregnum begun.[90] In this time, Elsweyr once again found itself independent of the Empire, but was granted no peace. In or around 4E 48 the Mane was assassinated, sinking the south of Elsweyr into chaos. During this time, an unknown proclaimed himself Potentate of Rimmen and surrounding areas.[49]:179 While the city was rich of Moon Sugar, distribution was tightly controlled, and entirely forbidden to Khajiit clans refusing to work in the city.[49]:179, 186

Void Nights and Great WarEdit

In 4E 98, Masser and Secunda vanished from the sky for two entire years. The so-called Void Nights ended in 4E 100 with the return of the moons, while the Thalmor took credit for bringing them back. Whether or not they were actually responsible for this turnaround remains unresolved. Nevertheless, as the Khajiit people and culture are tied inexorably close to the moons, the Thalmor were able to win great influence over them as their apparent saviors. Within the following fifteen years, until 4E 115, the influence of the Empire dwindled so much it was unable to stop the coup which dissolved the Elsweyr Confederacy and recreated the original kingdoms of Anequina and Pellitine as client states of the Third Aldmeri Dominion.[4]

In 4E 171, Aldmeri armies invaded Hammerfell and Cyrodiil simultaneously. A strong force commanded by the Thalmor general Lord Naarifin attacked Cyrodiil from the south, marching out of hidden camps in northern Elsweyr and flanking the Imperial defenses along the Valenwood border.[4]

Notable PlacesEdit

Alabaster
A city found inland from the Niben River on the Elsweyr side of the border
Corinthe
A city in central Elsweyr
Dune
A city in northwestern Elsweyr, near the Valenwood border
The Halls of Colossus
The secret complex that housed Numidium during its reconstruction and activation
Khenarthi's Roost
A large island off the south coast where Khajiit and Maormer live peacefully together
Mistral
A city on Khenarthi's Roost
Orcrest
A city in northern Elsweyr, south of Riverhold
Rawl'kha
A city in western Elsweyr, on the Valenwood border southwest of Dune
Rimmen
A city in northeastern Elsweyr, near the border to Cyrodiil
Riverhold
A city in northern Elsweyr, near the Cyrodiil border
Senchal
A slum turned into a coastal resort, it lies on the northern shores of the southeastern "tail" of Elsweyr
Torval
City-state and seat of the Mane, near the southwestern Valenwood border

Other InformationEdit

CuisineEdit

→ See the main article: Khajiit Cuisine

The cuisine of Elsweyr is invariably sweet. Meals such as candies, cakes, puddings, sugarmeats and honey stews makes the staples of the Khajiit diet. Non-Khajiiti are often advised against eating these dishes as most of them contain moon sugar, a dangerous substance to which the Khajiit have both a natural predisposition and a resistance developed from a lifelong consumption of the substance. On such occasions, merely touching the food with lips is considered a polite form of declining.[49][5] Elsweyr Fondue is a dish containing ale, moon sugar and Eidar cheese, which is a prime example of the cuisine.

FloraEdit

Olives, palms, and tamarisk grow along streams in northern Elsweyr.[49]:176

FaunaEdit

The hills between Elsweyr and Cyrodiil are filled with trolls.[49]:143 Slarjei are some sort of mount well suited for the desert.[49]:149 Red cattle graze near Riverhold.[49]:144

GalleryEdit

MapsEdit

  • Arena

  • PGE1 (TES3 variant)

  • Oblivion Codex

  • Anthology

  • Elder Scrolls Online

  • ESO Elsweyr pre-release map

PlacesEdit

  • Moongrave Fane

  • Khajiiti architecture

See AlsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ Ishalga's dialogue in ESO
  2. ^ Song of Kingdoms in ESO: Elsweyr
  3. ^ Anequina and Pellitine: An Introduction — Sulema, Initiate Scholar of the Pa'alatiin
  4. ^ a b c The Great War — Legate Justianus Quintius
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: The Elsweyr Confederacy — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: Sugar and Blood: the Cats of the South — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  7. ^ First Scroll of Baan Dar — Arkan the Gifted
  8. ^ Meirvale Keep loading screen in ESO: Elsweyr
  9. ^ The Sixteen Kingdoms
  10. ^ Guide to Northern Elsweyr — Infrasia Mallius
  11. ^ Appearance in ESO
  12. ^ Riddles of the Rithana-di-Renada
  13. ^ Lalaine Senyan's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
  14. ^ Anequina Animal Identification and Tasting — Hrodkir Mincemeat
  15. ^ Dusky Fennec Fox pet description
  16. ^ Pride-King Lion mount description
  17. ^ Savannah Grassware
  18. ^ Moon-Sugar in the March
  19. ^ The March Explored — Fenlil the Wayfarer
  20. ^ A Dance in Moonlight
  21. ^ History of Senchal: An Overview — Sulema, Initiate Scholar of the Pa'alatiin
  22. ^ Springlight Moth's description in ESO
  23. ^ The Annotated Anuad
  24. ^ Words of Clan Mother Ahnissi — Clan Mother Ahnissi
  25. ^ a b Father Of The Niben — Florin Jaliil
  26. ^ Kyne's Challenge: A Hunter's Companion — David S. J. Hodgson
  27. ^ Loremaster's Archive - Dragons in the Second Era — Camilla Calsivius
  28. ^ Kaalgrontiid's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
  29. ^ a b c Khunzar-ri and the Demons
  30. ^ Cadwell's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
  31. ^ Khamira's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
  32. ^ Pacrooti's hireling letters in ESO
  33. ^ a b c d e f The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: Elsweyr — Flaccus Terentius, 2E 581
  34. ^ Centurion Burri's dialogue in ESO
  35. ^ Ayleid Survivals in Valenwood — Cuinur of Cloudrest, 4th Tier Scholar of Tamrielic Minutiae
  36. ^ Varieties of Faith: The Khajiit — Brother Mikhael Karkuxor of the Imperial College
  37. ^ a b Rislav The Righteous — Sinjin
  38. ^ Loading Screen of Do'Krin Monastery in ESO
  39. ^ Loading Screen of Khaj Rawlith in ESO
  40. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Morrowind — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  41. ^ Where Were You ... Dragon Broke — Various
  42. ^ Moon Bishop Hunal Answers Your Questions — Moon Bishop Hunal
  43. ^ 2920, First Seed — Carlovac Townway
  44. ^ 2920, Sun's Dusk — Carlovac Townway
  45. ^ a b ESO Loading Screens: Rawl'kha Temple
  46. ^ a b The Brothers of Darkness — Pellarne Assi
  47. ^ a b c d Shazah's dialogue in ESO
  48. ^ ESO Loading Screens: Claw's Strike
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h The Infernal City — Greg Keyes
  50. ^ Crafting Motif 53: Tsaesci Style — Kiasa-Veda, the Chronicler of Blades, Dir-Tonenaka
  51. ^ a b c d The Eagle and the Cat — Lord Gharesh-ri, Speaker for the Mane
  52. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The War with the Trees: Argonia and the Black Marsh — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  53. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: The Wild Regions — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  54. ^ a b Khali's dialogue in ESO
  55. ^ House Tharn of Nibenay — Count Opius Voteporix
  56. ^ Ayrenn: The Unforeseen Queen — Headmaster Tanion of the College of Aldmeri Propriety
  57. ^ a b Lord Gharesh-ri's dialogue in ESO
  58. ^ The Chorrol Crier
  59. ^ Welcome to New Aldmeri Irregulars — Aicantar of Shimmerene, Sapiarch of Indoctrination
  60. ^ Bodring's dialogue in ESO
  61. ^ Kazirra's dialogue in ESO
  62. ^ a b Events of quest The Colovian Occupation in ESO
  63. ^ Events of quest Grim Situation in ESO
  64. ^ Events of quest Grimmer Still in ESO
  65. ^ Events of quest Stonefire Machinations in ESO
  66. ^ Akkhuz-ri's dialogue in ESO
  67. ^ Kauzanabi-jo's dialogue in ESO
  68. ^ Events of quest The First Step in ESO
  69. ^ a b c Rid-Thar-ri'Datta's dialogue in ESO
  70. ^ Azahrr's dialogue in ESO
  71. ^ Events of quest Motes in the Moonlight in ESO
  72. ^ Events of quest The Golden Claw in ESO
  73. ^ Bayya's dialogue in ESO
  74. ^ Esan's dialogue in ESO
  75. ^ Dagila's dialogue in ESO
  76. ^ Events of quest The Fires of Dune in ESO
  77. ^ Events of quest The Den of Lorkhaj in ESO
  78. ^ Events of quest Breaking the Shackle in ESO
  79. ^ Events of quest The Final Assault in ESO
  80. ^ Events of The Final Order in ESO: Elsweyr
  81. ^ Events of Jode's Core in ESO: Elsweyr
  82. ^ a b Nahfahlaar's dialogue in ESO: Dragonhold
  83. ^ Attrebus' biography on Redguard's official website
  84. ^ The Wolf Queen, v1 — Waughin Jarth
  85. ^ Mixed Unit Tactics — Codus Callonus
  86. ^ a b Cherim's Heart of Anequina — Livillus Perus, Professor at the Imperial University
  87. ^ A Dance in Fire, Chapter 3 — Waughin Jarth
  88. ^ A Dance in Fire, Chapter 4 — Waughin Jarth
  89. ^ A Life of Uriel Septim VII — Rufus Hayn
  90. ^ Rising Threat, Vol. IV — Lathenil of Sunhold

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.

  1. ^ Where were you when the Dragon Broke? — Michael Kirkbride
  2. ^ Skeleton Man's Interview with Denizens of Tamriel
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