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Major Realms of the Iliac Bay

Author: 
Xan

I was inspired by Daggerfall: An Enthusiast's Guide that describes all the Iliac Bay regions. My aim is not that high, I just want to record the important regions of Iliac Bay and their latest development. Some information of Wayrest and Orsinium are taken from Loranna's RPs, which Ted "Tedders" Peterson participates. Tedders revealed some interesting lore concerning the noble families of Iliac Bay.

Brendan's map of the Iliac Bay

I used the blank Iliac Bay map of Brendan for the maps of the region. His map is clearer than the original Iliac Bay map. Thanks Brendan.

I classify the important of the region based on the knightly order, and then sorted alphabetically. If a region has a knightly order, then I presume that the region has a significant power in the political and military of Iliac Bay. Thus the region is recorded here. Obviously some of the prominent regions are included here although those regions do not have a specific knighthood. So without further blabbering speech, here is the Major Realms of Iliac Bay.


Abibon-Gora

Abibon-Gora is a coastal province on the southwest corner of the Bay. It is bordered on the east by Kairou and Alik'r Desert. The Fighters Guild here are known as the Fighter Trainers. The main deity of this region is Julianos. The Knights of the Wheel represents the royal family and the city of Abibon-Gora in all military situations.

Map of Abibon-GoraCastle of Abibon-Gora

Anticlere

The Lorddom of Anticlere is a coastal region with a long southern shoreline on the north of the Iliac Bay. It has northern borders to Daenia and Urvaius, a western border with Shalgora and a small eastern border with Dwynnen. The main deity of this region is Mara.

Anticlere was previously known as Reich Gradkeep. During the War of Betony, Lord Graddock, the lord of Anticlere, tried to facilitate a peace treaty between the two warring states of Daggerfall and Sentinel. The meeting did not go well, after a confusing event, a bloody battle ensued. Lord Graddock was killed in the event. The only surviving member of the ruling family of Reich Gradkeep was a sickly infant, so the councilors of state appealed to Lord Auberon Flyte, the cousin of Lord Graddock, to rule the lordship in regency. Unfortunately, the infant heir died. Then Reich Gradkeep became Anticlere, named after Flyte's ancestral home.

The Knights of the Flame is the noble warriors of the Lorddom of Anticlere. Their allegiance is unswerving to Lord and Lady Flyte. In return for their allegiance, the knights are treated as veritable gods in Anticlere.

Map of AnticlereCastle of Anticlere

For more information: The Story of Daggerfall, Vulper Newgate's The War of Betony

Daggerfall

The Kingdom of Daggerfall is located on the southwest corner of the northern side of the Iliac Bay. It shares borders with Tulune, Glenpoint and Ilessan hills in the north and Shalgora on the east. Although physically not the largest province, it is one of the most densely populated areas in the Bay. It is also the home of the Coven on the Bluff. It contains the Privateer's Hold Dungeon. This is one of the three most important provinces in Bay politics. The main deity of this region is Kynareth.

The Knights of the Dragon is the military force of Daggerfall. They have the official duty of protecting the city and royal family of Daggerfall. The Knights are led by the honorable Lord Bridwell, the greatest hero of the War of Betony. The knights are treated with unparalleled respect in Daggerfall.

Daggerfall was founded in 1E 246. Thriving after the end of Skyrim's occupation of High Rock in 1E 369. In 1E 609 Daggerfall defeated the army of Glenpoint and shortly became the preeminent economic, cultural, and military force in southern High Rock. But Daggerfall's domination was ended after the destruction of Orsinium in 1E 980 - the kingdom of Wayrest rose to power.

Map of DaggerfallCastle of Daggerfall

In 3E 377, King Lysandus ruled Daggerfall with his Queen, Lady Mynisera. He has a son named Prince Gothryd.

The War of Betony, a two years war between Daggerfall and Sentinel was started in 3E 402, due to a feud over a small yet politically strategic Island of Betony. The Lord of Reich Gradkeep (now Anticlere) tried to facilitate the peace negotiation. However the meeting in the Palace of Reich Gradkeep turned to a huge riot over the Capital. The war continued and took its climax in the Cryngaine Field. King Lysandus was slain. Prince Gothryd avenged his father by destroying the Sentinel army and King Camaron of Sentinel. Sentinel surrendered and the war was ended. To seal the peace, Gothryd asked Lady Aubk-i the Princess of Sentinel to be his wife.

Early in his reign, King Gothryd a big supernatural event started. The spirit of King Lysandus rose from his tomb. With his spectral army, he haunted the street of Daggerfall. The Emperor Uriel Septim VII eventually intervened by sending his agent to Daggerfall to uncover the conspiracy behind the death of Lysandus and bring Lysandus' spirit to rest.

The agent succeeded. He uncovered the Wayrest role in the war, and avenged Lysandus. This action soothed the Lysandus' spirit, and his spectral army left Daggerfall. The agent also recovered the artifact of great power that was used by Tiber Septim to unite Tamriel, the Numidium. Daggerfall and other major factions in the Iliac Bay struggled to win the recovered Numidium. A strange time-warping (Dragon Break) event called Warp of the West makes all the factions of the bay wield the Numidium.

From the Ulvius Tero's Warp of the West, we note that Daggerfall now encompasses all of western High Rock, from the border they share with Wayrest at Anticlere to the east, to Ykalon to the north.

For more information: The Story of DaggerfallA History of Daggerfall, Vulper Newgate's The War of Betony, Fav'te's The War of Betony, Pocket Guide to the Empire: High Rock, Warp of the West

Dwynnen

The Barony of Dwynnen is a largish province with a small southern coastline on the Bay's north side. It shares a border with Phrygias on the north; Wrothgarian Mountains, Kambria and Bhoriane on the east; Anticlere and Urvaius on the west. The main deity of this region is Julianos.

The military force of Dwynnen is called the Order of the Raven. In all modesty, the Order of the Raven is a legendary fighting order. The Knights have the honor of having led the battle against the Camoran Usurper in 3E 267 by Baron Othrok, and freed half of Tamriel from Camoran Usurper's tyranny. They remain the vanguards of the Barony of Dwynnen, protecting the entire region.

Every 5th Sun's Dawn, the people of Dwynnen have a huge party to celebrate Othroktide, the day when Baron Othrok took Dwynnen from the undead forces who claimed it in the Battle of Wightmoor.

Map of DwynnenCastle of Dwynnen

For more information: The Fall of the Usurper

Glenpoint

The Barony of Glenpoint is an inland province situated north of the Iliac Bay. It is bordered by Tulune and Glenumbra Moors on the west, Northmoor on the north, Ilessan hills on the east and Daggerfall on the south. The main deity of this region is Zenithar. The military force of Glenpoint is the Knights of the Owl. They are responsible for protecting and fighting for the royal family of Glenpoint. As the royal escorts of the Baron, they are treated with unparalleled respect in all of Glenpoint.

Glenpoint is infamous due to the assassination of The Empress Kintyra II in the Glenpoint Castle by Uriel III, during the War of the Red Diamond (3E 120-3E 127). The day (23rd Frost Fall) is always remembered as Broken Diamonds, a day of silent prayer for the wisdom and benevolence of the Imperial family of Tamriel.

Map of GlenpointCastle of Glenpoint

A Witches Coven is reported in the book "On Lycanthropy" thriving in the Glenpoint region, The Glenmoril Wyrd Coven. Actually, they are everywhere, mostly in the cities, unlike other witches who live secluded. Also they are associated closely with the Daedric Prince Hircine. Ironically no witches branch exists in the Glenpoint region. Three witches of this Coven reported help the Nerevarine get rid of his Lycanthropy in the far-away island of Solstheim.

For more information: Broken Diamonds, A Brief History of the Empire, The Madness of Pelagius, The Wolf Queen, On Lycanthropy

Isle of Balfiera

A passage from Pocket Guide to the Empire says, "This island in the Iliac Bay has been used for centuries as a neutral meeting place for diplomatic negotiations and treaty signings by the kingdoms of High Rock. It is also famous for the enigmatic structure known as Direnni Tower, a circular tower soaring hundreds of feet into the sky. The traditional ruler of the island is known as the Castellan of Balfiera, perhaps reflecting his original role as commander of Direnni (or Balfiera) Tower, which was used as a fortress, prison, and palace by the infamous Direnni Hegemony. Even more curiously, the hereditary Castellans are High Elves, the only known Elven ruling family remaining in human lands. The Castellans continue to reside in the Tower, although its true provenance and purpose remains a mystery. A recent archaeological study, using the latest techniques of divination and sorcery, has pushed the Tower's construction date back to around ME2500, making it by far the oldest known structure in Tamriel. Although it has been much modified and added on to over the years, its core is a smooth cylinder of shining metal; the Tower is believed to extend at least as far beneath the surface as is now visible above, although its deepest bowels have never been systematically explored." The Direnni Tower is also known as The Adamantium Tower.

The last Castellan of the Isle of Balfiera is Medora Direnni. She is a powerful Sorceress and also a secret lover of King Lysandus of Daggerfall. When the Lysandus was killed in the battle of Cryngaine Field, Lysandus' mother, Nulfaga blames Medora of what happened. She curses the Direnni Tower. The tower then is inhabited by all kind of undead and werewolves; she cannot leave the tower. Eventually the agent of Uriel Septim VII arrives in the island. The agent helps Medora removing the curse and in return, Medora helps the agent to communicate with the spirit of King Lysandus.

Map of BalfieraDirreni Tower

For more information: The Story of Daggerfall, Pocket Guide to the Empire: High Rock

Lainlyn

The Barony of Lainlyn is a coastal province south of the Iliac Bay. It has a western border with the Dragontail Mountains, Kozanset and Totambu to the south and Satakalaam to the east. The main deity of this region is Julianos. The official military force of Lainlyn is the Host of the Horn. Their duties consist of all-important activities from straight warfare to espionage and tax collection. Lainlyn is ruled in ruthlessly by Baron Shrike. His brother Lord Kain was fighting to dethrone Shrike, by forming the Host of True Horn.

Couple of years passed and the Knights of the True Horn was losing. The knights were scattered and Lord Kain was slain in battle. The recent report indicated that Lord Kain was made undead by the necromancer Arielle Jurard. But when she and the undead Lord Kain sought to rally the knights, Lord Jaren of Castle Battlehorn trapped the both undead and the necromancer in the grotto of his castle. Recently, the new owner of the castle learnt of this grotto and with a host of hired knights he destroyed the undead Lord Kain and Arielle Jurard who had now turned to a lich.

Riglametha is celebrated on the twelfth of Hearth Fire every year in Lainlyn as a celebration of Lainlyn's many blessings. Pageants are held on such themes as the Ghraewaj, when the daedra worshippers in Lainlyn were changed to Harpies for their blasphemy. Lainlyn is indeed troubled by Harpies. According to some reports, Lainlyn's population of Harpies is the largest in the Iliac Bay. Some efforts have been done in the past but nothing is effective enough to reduce the nuisance caused by the Harpies.

Map of LainlynCastle of Lainlyn

For more information: Ghraewaj, Lord Jaren's Journal, Lord Kelvyn's Will

Orsinium

Orsinium, the Orcish Kingdom is bordered by Wayrest in the south, Menevia in the west and Wrothgarian Mountains covers the north and the east of the kingdom. This kingdom of Orcs is feared and mistrusted by the neighboring kingdoms. The major deity of this region is Arkay.

Orsinium was first flourished after the coming of Redguard into Hammerfell. The beastfolks of Hammerfell were driven away and took refuge in Orsinium. This strengthened the kingdom of Orcs and eventually could compete with the Bretons and the Redguards. Eventually the two human races joined forces. Redguard's Order of Diagna and the joined armies of Sentinel and Daggerfall attacked Orsinium. The siege took a long 30 years (1E 950-1E 980). In the end, Orsinium was finally defeated. The Orcs were scattered in the Wrothgarian Mountain. The raids to the caravan were started. But the lack of prominent leader made the Orcs suffered and divided.

In 3E 399, Gortwog gro-Nagorm won the Orsinium area and from that point of time he, rule the new Orcish kingdom, the Nova Orsinium. Among his visions is making the Orcs as respected citizens of the Empire of Tamriel. All the works and dealings from legal to illegal he risked achieving that vision.

Finally, the event called Warp of the West - when all the prominent factions of Iliac Bay wielded the artifact Numidium - made the Orcs race is finally accepted as the citizen of Empire and receives all the privileges and duties as normal citizens.

Map of OrsiniumCastle of Orsiunium

From the Ulvius Tero's Warp of the West, "King Gortwog of Orsinium controls much of the Wrothgarian Mountains as well as the profitable rivercoast of the Bjoulsae. He persists in his demands that Orsinium be recognized as an Imperial province separate from High Rock. The Elder Council treats Gortwog as a recognized king, and collects taxes directly from Orsinium, but officially Orsinium remains a county of High Rock, though technically it spans both the provinces of High Rock and Hammerfell."

Gortwog made an alliance to the Bretony kingdom of Wayrest. The alliance between Wayrest and Orsinium are profitable to both kingdoms, and becomes one of the big political forces in the bay.

For more information: The Story of Daggerfall, The Pig Children, Wayrest, Jewel of the Bay, History of Daggerfall, Skeleton Man's interview, How Orsinium Passed to the Orcs, Pocket Guide to the Empire: The Wild Regions, Warp of the West

Santaki

Santaki is a small inland province sandwiched between the deserts of Alik'r on the west and the mountains of the Dragontails on the east. It also has a southern border with Dak'fron. The main deity of this region is Stendarr. The military force of the kingdom is the Knights of the Hawk or Order of the Hawk. They act as the noble warriors and protectors of the town and royal family of Santaki. Many have trained since childhood to join the knightly order, for the honor and prestige.

Map of SantakiCastle of Santaki

Scourg Barrow

Scourg Barrow is the headquarter of The Necromancers. It is located in the Dragontail Mountains, a secluded area and very hard to reach.

The Necromancers are the dark mirror of the Mages Guild, powerful magicka casters who are masters of the most corruptive and daedric of spells. They are said to be led by an Altmer they call the King of Worms. According to common rumor, he is thousands of years old and not aging at all. There's an old saying that when opposing the Necromancers, you fear what comes after death more than death itself.

The enemies of The Necromancers is not only the Mages Guild, the followers of Arkay and the Underking are also the enemies of this secretive group. Although they are opposed by lots of groups, the influence of King of Worms spreads throughout the west of Tamriel.

There are some interesting records survived, about the influences of the King of Worms, from the end of the Second Era. N'Gasta, one of the followers of King of Worms established a magical net called Soulsnare in Stros M'Kai that is used for soul harvesting.

Other report tells that shortly after the end of the War of Betony (in the Third Era). An agent of Uriel Septim VII were tasked by Princess Morgiah of Wayrest to deliver a message to the King of Worm, asking for him to broker a marriage to one of the Summerset Isle kings.

The King of Worms was one of the wielders of the great artifact Numidium. A strange time-warping (Dragon Break) event made all the factions in the Iliac Bay wielded the Numidium. The King of Worms took the mantella, the gem that powered the Numidium, and used it to make himself a God in Oblivion. According to some rumors, Akatosh interfered. The Jills of Akatosh amended the broken time and space caused by the Numidium and Mantella. The one who suffered the most was King of Worm. He was divided. He is still a god (a celestial object called the Revenant or the Necromancer's Moon or the God of Worms) and in the same time he is mortal (known as Mannimarco). Mannimarco met untimely end when confronting the Mages Guild, sometime in 3E 433.

Map of Scourg BarrowThe Scourg Barrow

For more information: The Story of Daggerfall, The Guilds of Cyrodiil: Mages Guild

Sentinel

Sentinel is a coastal province south of the Bay. It is the Capital of Hammerfell. Sentinel sits on the edge of the Iliac Bay. It is most definitely a merchant power, for it sits on a rocky run of hills, and the barren plains behind it offer no good soil before they run into the desert sands of the Alik'r. It borders Ayasofya in the east, Antiphyllos and Myrkwasa in the west. Its principal street is a vast marketplace stretching from the harbor all the way to the badlands gate. Sentinel Palace is the oldest and largest Redguard architectural monument, quickly built during the Ra Gada firestorm to ward against the Bretons and added to ever thereafter.

The major deity of this Kingdom is Arkay. The military force of Sentinel is the Order of the Candle. They replaced the defunct Knights of the Moon as the official protectors and warriors of the kingdom of Sentinel. The lords Vhosek of the Moon and K'avar are the commanders and the knights follow their order implicitly. In Sentinel, no order, guild, or organization is treated with more respect than the knights of the Order of the Candle.

Map of SentinelCastle of Sentinel

Sentinel was ruled by King Camaron and Queen Akorithi. They have four children. Arthago was the firstborn. Unfortunately he has poor health, therefore the King decided to "remove" him. The official record says that the Underking took the boy. The fate of Arthago was finally revealed by the Uriel Septim VII's agent, in his mission to soothe the spirit of King Lysandus of Daggerfall. Princess Aubk-i is the second child of King Camaron and Queen Akorithi, Prince Greklith and Prince Lhotun follow.

The War of Betony, a two years war between Daggerfall and Sentinel was started in 3E 402, due to a feud over a small yet politically strategic Island of Betony. The Lord of Reich Gradkeep (now Anticlere) tried to facilitate the peace negotiation. However the meeting in the Palace of Reich Gradkeep turned to a huge riot over the Capital. The war continued and took its climax in the Cryngaine Field. King Lysandus of Daggerfall was slain. Prince Gothryd avenged his father by destroying the Sentinel army and King Camaron. Sentinel surrendered. To seal the peace, Gothryd asked Lady Aubk-i the Princess of Sentinel to be his wife. After the war Sentinel was ruled by Queen Akorithi, since Prince Greklith was still too young to rule the Kingdom.

Due to strange time-warping effect (Dragon Break) called Warp of the West, Sentinel was also one of the factions in Iliac Bay that received the powerful artifact Numidium.

Years after the Warp of the West; a deadly plague in Sentinel takes Queen Akorithi's and Prince Greklith's life. From the Ulvius Tero's Warp of the West, "Sentinel has gained the most land, sprawling across the entire southern Iliac Bay from Abibon-Gora, beyond the Dragontail Mountains, to the edge of Mournoth, Orsinium's territory. Queen Akorithi at her death left her enormous kingdom to her only surviving son, Lhotun, who is now surely one of the most powerful kings in Tamriel."

Sentinel is currently ruled by King Lhotun, and one of the powerful political forces in the bay. King Lhotun dispatches some of his knights to hunt down the assassins that killed Arthago years before.

For more information: The Story of DaggerfallA History of Daggerfall, Vulper Newgate's The War of Betony, Fav'te's The War of Betony, Night Falls On Sentinel, Pocket Guide to the Empire: Hammerfell, Warp of the West

Totambu

Totambu is an inland province south of the Bay. It borders the Dragontail Mountains in the south, Kozanset in the west, Mournoth in the west and north and both Lainlyn and Satakalaam in the north. The main deity of this region is Zenithar. The military force of Totambu is the Knights of the Scarab. They have the honor of being the official guard for the royal family of Totambu. Before joining the knighthood, the initiates must prove themselves in dangerous tests of skill. Usually, they have to sail to the Dwemer Ruins of Stros M'Kai, to avoid its deathtraps and defeat the Dwemeri Centurions, before they can join the knighthood.

Map of TotambuCastle of Totambu

For more information: Pocket Guide to the Empire: Hammerfell

Wayrest

The Kingdom of Wayrest is located at the east end of the Iliac Bay, in the mouth of Bjoulsae River, across the estuary from Mournoth. It has a long coastline and shares borders with Menevia and Orsinium Area in the north and Wrothgarian Mountains and Gavaudon in the east. Wayrest is an important political power in the Bay. The main deity of this region is Akatosh.

Wayrest is ruled by King Eadwyre and Lady Barenziah. However Lady Barenziah is not a local Breton. She is a Dunmer and the second Queen of Wayrest after the first Queen, Lady Carolyna passed away. From Lady Carolyna, King Eadwyre has a daughter named Lady Elysana. Lady Barenziah herself brings her two children, Prince Helseth and Lady Morgiah.

The official military force of Wayrest is the Knights of the Rose. The knights have the honor of being the guard and strong arm of King Eadwyre. The greatest knights in his court are members of the order and they have demonstrated their worth in internal and inter-provincial struggles throughout the Bay and Tamriel.

Map of WayrestCastle of Wayrest

During the War of Betony, Wayrest stayed neutral, however a noble from this city-state intervened in the war and assassinated King Lysandus of Daggerfall. This conspiracy was finally uncovered by an agent sent by the Emperor Uriel Septim VII. The agent put King Lysandus' spirit to rest and recovered the great Numidium. Wayrest was one of the wielders of the Numidium in a strange time-warping (Dragon Break) event called Warp in the West.

Some years after the event, King Eadwyre dies. Prince Helseth and Lady Elysana fought over the throne of Wayrest. Elysana won and Helseth and his mother, Lady Barenziah are banished from Wayrest, they were sent back to Morrowind. Barenziah's first child, Lady Morgiah had left Wayrest long before the fight begun. She married King Reman of Firsthold, Summerset Isles; a marriage that brokered by King of Worms.

These days, the Kingdom of Wayrest is prospered, due to the intelligent and the cunning mind of Queen Elysana. She managed to form an alliance with King Gortwog of Orcish Kingdom of Orsinium. Wayrest is one of the major political forces in the bay and the alliance with the Orcs also brings more benefits to the kingdom. From the Ulvius Tero's Warp of the West, we note that Wayrest spreads across the eastern coast of the Bay, stretching from the land formerly called Anticlere to half of Gauvadon.

For more information: The Story of DaggerfallWayrest, Jewel of the Bay, History of Daggerfall, Pocket Guide to the Empire: High Rock, Warp of the West