About the author: Kastav Tharn hails from House Tharn of Cheydinhal, who are prominent in the political sphere of Cyrodiil. When Jagar Tharn was executed in 3E 399, House Tharn was temporarily banished from the Imperial Province, living on the island territory of Roscrea, as they were family friends of Queen Hania Four-Shields of Solitude. But they returned to Cheydinhal during the reign of Titus Mede I, when Cheydinhal was in need of repair following the Umbriel Crisis in 4E 40. Kastav Tharn was the fifth-in-line of House Tharn to rule over Cheydinhal. He was able to establish peace in the City after a devastating riot occurred in 4E 189. Though it may have been a slow process, by 4E 200, Cheydinhal was a somewhat thriving settlement, slowly coming back from the shadow it had left before the Umbriel Crisis. Kastav Tharn was an Expert in Alteration, having taught a class at the Arcane University. His thesis on a spell of Water Transformation has been a subject of conversation in several circles in the School of Alteration. Kastav is also involved in the Nibenay's trading industry, as Cheydinhal serves as the connection between the Cyrodiil and Morrowind. Kastav Tharn is known for having ties with several other political groups, such as the Black-Briar Clan of Riften, and the Knights of the Thorn.
Lake Rumare & the Heartlands
The Niben River, or the Trans-Niben, as it is called in the trading industry, is arguably one of the most important bodies of water on Tamriel. The source of the Niben River comes from Lake Rumare, found at the center of the Imperial Province of Cyrodiil. In the middle of Lake Rumare is the City Isle, which in turn holds the Imperial City. Even in this politically-conflicting time of the Fourth Era, the Imperial City serves as a branching point for all of the provinces to convene with each other. The Waterfront District of the Imperial City serves as the headquarters of the East Empire Trading Company, because of the city's aforementioned position as the branching point, but because of its access to the Niben River. Lake Rumare alone has large amounts of traffic, often patrolled by the Imperial Coast Guard. Minor townships such as Fort Magia, Weye, and Sweetwater would receive their daily intake from traders, who either prefer trade on the Waterfront or these minor ports. In light of the recent Great War, the run-down Imperial forts were re-used as outposts to continuously safeguard the merchants traveling along the Red Ring Road, and prevent bandits or pirates from attacking. Not to mention, any sort of militaristic endeavors. Most commonly seen traders are those that come from Bravil, Leyawiin, or Mir Corrup, each of the three cities operates along the Niben River. Beyond that, those who come from either Elsweyr or Black Marsh. The rest go beyond this aforementioned examples. The Heartlands' climate is moderate, and so along the coast grows water-based plants such as Reeds, Sacred Lotus, Water Hyacinth, and occasionally, the Nirnroot. Because of such an abundance of water flora along the coast, the Imperial Forts also serve as ports for otherwise more inland settlements, like Fort Homestead to Pell's Gate, or Fort Caractacus to Aleswell. But not only do trading ships exist on the Niben River but so do Gondolas. Gondola Ferries are very popular at the Imperial City and are a must-see for tourist coming to the capital, but it is primarily on Lake Rumare, as the rest of the Niben River is less regulated. There is a signifying checkpoint where Lake Rumare ends, and the Niben River begins. Fort Alessia, named after Alessia herself, is a larger version of the original fort that existed in the area. Not only is it a harbor for nearby Sweetwater, but it is a heavily-defended drawbridge and the headquarters of the Coast Guard. Those who wish to enter the Niben River often pay a toll, unless they are a regular transporter that has the authorization to come and go. Fishing in Lake Rumare is ever-present, and it is in fact, a time-honored tradition to find the biggest catfish and other large fauna. The only river that extends from Lake Rumare is the White Rose River, which, in that general area, is prominent in rice fields. Rice that is common all throughout the Imperial City and Lake Rumare.
Upper Niben, and Bravil
The Upper Niben refers to the body of water between the Fort Alessia Checkpoint and the Corbolo Estuary. The Upper Niben is the shortest part of the overall river, with the most significant landmark being the former Ayleid city of Culotte, and the forest town of Ione, whose harbor comes from Fort Variela. For the most part, there is little business in the Upper Niben, it just serves as a pass between Lake Rumare and the Niben Bay. And so because of this, there is minor pirate activity in the Upper Niben, more specifically from the Corbolo River. The Corbolo lies in a valley that stretches towards the outskirts of my county-seat, Cheydinhal. Minor townships such as Drakelowe and Harlun's Watch are found along the Corbolo, but even then, it is suggested to avoid the river. Highwaymen occasionally inhabit the natural caves across the Corbolo, and instead of using the river as a route, most people in the general area would use the Blue Road. The only checkpoint that more-or-less governs the Corbolo River is Fort Cedrian, which focuses on the protection of Crestbridge rather than up north. But while there is no business in the Upper Niben, there is a strong community of Mudcrab fishers. Some fishermen from Ione or Cropsford are known for their roasted crab. The Niben Bay, along with Lake Rumare and the Topal Bay are the most important bodies of water amidst the province, and among the Niben River. The city-state of Bravil is found along the coast, on the estuary of the Larsius River. Bravil is the largest settlement of the Niben Bay, governing the County of Bravil, which stretches as far as Faregyl on the Green Road, Fort Cedrian on the Yellow Road, and the Fort Nomore Checkpoint, due south of the Mouth of the Panther, where Blackwood would normally begin. Bravil is known as the backwater of Cyrodiil, but even then, its status as a County-Seat of the Imperial Province is sufficient enough. Bravil has riverways flowing throughout the city. Skiffs and other small ships dock along these street-harbors, where they would sell their catch and other produce. Skooma is prominent in Bravil's streets, coming from the nearby city of Riverhold. Cyrodilic's Skooma epidemic spreads from Bravil, and into the Upper Niben. But despite this, Bravil is considered the Mudcrab capital of the Imperial Province, fresh crab is sold constantly, and even the nobility of the Imperial City would care to dine in Bravilian Mudcrab. Not only that but the College of Whispers and The Synod chapters in Bravil are proficient in Illusion magic. The Lucky Old Lady statue, that use to be a centerpiece of Bravil was destroyed during a raid in the Eclipse-Claws Drug War. Ever since then, Skooma trafficking was quelled following the ascension of Empress Arcadia Mede, who initially lived in Rimmen. Bravil has since been rebuilt, with more focus on the city's security. Even now in 4E 201, Bravil is in high security, and with the established, Knights of the Bay, the County-Seat is slowly becoming better for the rest of its people.
Lower Niben & Leyawiin
The Lower Niben refers to everything between the Mouth of the Panther, and the Leyawiin Drawbridge, consisting of notable settlements such as Water's Edge and Leyawiin. The Lower Niben has forever since been disputed territory, between the Nibenese of Blackwood, and the Khajiit of the Rim. The sub-region of West Malapi, as of now is constantly in a stage of tug-o-war between the Countship of Leyawiin, and the Leadership of Alabaster. But even then, the Lower Niben proves to be as important as ever. The minor city of Mir Corrup, for example, serves to balance the flow of commerce throughout the Lower Niben, and even the disputing races of the Imperials and the Khajiits. Mir Corrup, found near the ruined city-state of Atatar, is a humble town known for their spas and saunas. It is rumored that criminal groups such as the Renrijra Krin, and other rebels of the Third Aldmeri Dominion mingle and conversate in Mir Corrup. Other towns such as Water's Edge and Blankenmarch are in constant business, with it coming from the south from Leyawiin, and the other cities that makeup Topal's Crown. The Panther River is a very important river route in the Imperial Province, as the river connects to the trade-town of Stormhold, in the province of Black Marsh. It would, in turn, lead into the Northern Onkobra River and eventually the rest of Black Marsh. Following the rise of the An-Xileel, however, ties between Cyrodiil and Black Marsh were severed and so the route is currently inaccessible unless people pay an outrageously high toll. Most, if not all, transport in the Lower Niben takes places along the Trans-Niben and branching paths like the Panther River. The swamps are teeming with Highwaymen, and those who escape the law, primarily Necromancers and Daedric Cults. The Knights of the White Stallion are among the most popular knightly orders in the Third Empire, as lawlessness in Blackwood is incomprehensible. In cooperation with the Leyawiin Coast Guard, the Lower Niben is heavily-guarded and administrated. Leyawiin is the Jewel of Topal and the farthest city from the Imperial City. Following the Great War, Leyawiin was rebuilt with more favorability for ships to move into the Lower Niben. Leyawiin is split together by the Niben Estuary, with each half of the city on the Niben River. The heavily-fortified drawbridge allows large ships to move in and out Leyawiin. Castle Leyawiin is built atop a tall island, and so it overlooks the Topal Bay. The harbor is found on each side of the city, to where it moves onto the mainland, or even go up the river. Leyawiin is a very different city from the rest of Cyrodiil. Because of how close it is to foreign nations, many people from these lands go to Leyawiin and see it as their experience of Cyrodiil, when in reality, Leyawiin is the farthest from Cyrodilic society, as seen in Cheydinhal or Skingrad.
Niben Bay & Topal Bay