Revision 99828315 of "Tamriel" on enwiki

[[Image:Races fullmap center.gif|300px|thumb|right|The Empire of Tamriel]]'''Tamriel''' is the fictional continent where the events of [[The Elder Scrolls]] games take place. It is located on the planet of '''Nirn''' (which means ''the arena'' or ''the battleground'' in Ald Ehlnofex), otherwise known as ''Mundus''; which is the mortal realm of the finite and the partial, as opposed to the immortal realms of the infinite and the absolute. In the Elder Scrolls, Mundus is the Elvish root for the human word "mundane", meaning ordinary. Some, such as the [[Mythic Dawn]] however, view Tamriel as an extension of the realm of ''Oblivion'' itself.

==Etymology==
The name Tamriel is said to mean 'Starry Heart',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://til.gamingsource.net/pge/cyrodiil.shtml |title=Pocket Guide to The Empire: Cyrodiil |accessmonthday=September 8 |accessyear=2006 |author=Imperial Geographical Society}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://til.gamingsource.net/mwbooks/mysterious_akavir.shtml |title=Mysterious Akavir |accessmonthday=September 8 |accessyear=2006}}</ref> while, according to ''[[The Elder Scrolls: Arena|Arena]]'', it is also Elvish for 'Dawn's Beauty', however in the Nu-Mantia Intercept Tamriel is 'the starry heart of Dawn's beauty'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://til.gamingsource.net/obscure_text/nu-hatta_nu-mantia.shtml |title=Nu-Mantia Intercept |accessmonthday=December 26 |accessyear=2006}}</ref>

==History==
Recorded Tamrielic history is divided into four distinct eras, the First Era, the Second Era, the Third Era, and the Fourth Era:
{{spoiler}}
* '''First Era''' - ''The long First Era is mostly marked by the shifting of power from [[Mer (Elder Scrolls)|Elves]] to Men and the birth of some of the most powerful religions in the land. From the heartland of Tamriel, we learn of the struggling human race: from their miserable fate as slaves to finally being able to push out their [[Altmer]]i masters from the land. From the northeast part of the continent, the Heart of [[Lorkhan]] tempts so many mortals, from the [[Dwemer]] to [[Chimer]] and eventually Humans. The Divine Heart causes a terrible war, and the extinction of a once great race, the [[Dwemer]].''
* '''Second Era''' - ''The Second Era starts after the [[Akaviri]] Potentate assassinates the last of the [[Cyrodiil]] line. This is also the era when some of the most powerful factions in Tamriel are born, the [[Mages' Guild]] and the [[Dark Brotherhood]] being two from among the greatest to arise during this time period. The era finally ends after [[Tiber Septim]], wielding a Dwemer artifact called [[Numidium]], successfully unites the entire Tamrielic landmass once again.''
[[Image:Septimcoin B.jpg||thumbnail|A [[Septim]] dynasty coin, officially called a ''Septim'', due to the bust of [[Tiber Septim]] on the obverse side, but colloquially known as a ''drake'' due to the seal of ''Akatosh'' on the reverse side]]
* '''[[The Third Age of Tamriel|Third Era]]''' - ''The Third Era, which some describe as the most glorious era thus far, is the time of the Septim Dynasty. In fact, the long line of Septim Emperors almost reaches an end at several points in the history of this period. Some of the significant events are the War of the Red Diamond, a civil war over the succession, and a long decade of reign by the traitorous [[Jagar Tharn]]. Furthermore, this era is marked by the rebirth of [[Nerevar]] Indoril, the greatest Chimeri general; as well as the rebirth of Numidium and the second Dragon Break that follows.''
* '''Fourth Era''' - ''In the final days of the Third Era, the emperor, [[Uriel Septim VII]] is assassinated at the beginning of the next chapter in the Elder Scrolls, ''[[The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion|Oblivion]]'', along with all his heirs, save one illegitimate son, Martin. In the final fight for Septim's life, the Blades were aided by an escaped prisoner. It was this escaped prisoner who rescued Martin from the siege of Kvatch, this prisoner who again and again stormed Oblivion, and this prisoner who recovered the Amulet of Kings. It was also this prisoner, called Champion of Cyrodiil and Hero of Kvatch, who witnessed Martin's ultimate self-sacrifice to end the Oblivion Crisis, and with it, the Third Era. ''

There are two other Eras previous to the aforementioned four. They are the 'Dawn Era' in which the universe and everything in it came into being, and the 'Merethic Era', otherwise known as the Mythic Era, in which [[Mer (Elder Scrolls)|Mer]] (Elves) first arrived in Tamriel and all manner of mythological occurrences are said to have taken place. These two Eras are commonly considered to be outside of verifiable history, as humanity did not possess a written language to speak of until the end of ME. Aldmeri records, on the other hand, date back to the beginning of ME, however these are not open to Imperial scholars.

{{TES-lore}}

==Government==
Tamriel is effectively an Empire that is ruled by an Emperor of the Septim dynasty. Technically speaking, it is referred to alternately as the Third Empire of Man, the Third Dynasty, or the Seat of Sundered Kings. The centre of the Empire is [[Cyrodiil]], which is the home of both the Emperor and the Elder Council, which serves administrative functions and as an interim government during times of instability. Upon the death of the Emperor, the new Emperor is usually the oldest legitimate child (preferably a son) of the dead Emperor. However, spouses, younger children, siblings and on at least one occasion, an illegitimate child have taken the throne. Below the Emperor is the Elder Council, effectively a Cabinet of sorts. This body rules the Empire in interregnal periods when no heir is to be found. The details of Imperial government below the Elder Council are convoluted and obscure, but it is likely a militarist state, due to the utter omnipresence of the Imperial Legion throughout the Empire, and the frequent co-incidence of governmental office with military rank. The incidence of Knighthood and ranks of nobility being conferred to distinguished Legionnaires indicates that it is probable military leaders run the Empire, primarily. In addition, each Province has its own government which sees to the affairs of that Province. The Provincial government works parallel to a local Imperial government that seems to handle the Empire's business in that Province, in collusion with the Provincial government. After the death of the last of the Septim Emperors and the disappearance of the last Septim heir, the head of the Elder Council and ''de facto'' head of state is ''[[Characters of Oblivion#Ocato|Imperial High Chancellor, Grand Battle-Mage Ocato]]''. This role is only practical, however, and may be compared in function to the British [[Governor-General]].

==Geography ==
Tamriel consists of nine provinces, each of these provinces corresponds with their own culture and race, with the exception of High Rock, which houses two distinct species:
*[[High Rock]], inhabited by [[Breton (Elder Scrolls)|Bretons]], man/elf hybrids on the human side; also [[Orcs]] or [[Orsimer]], aldmeris for 'Pariah Folk': Elves so ruined and corrupted that they are often mistaken as akin to goblins and/or trolls. Orsimer live in the city of [[Orsinium]].
*[[Hammerfell]], inhabited by [[Redguards]], in the native also [[Yokuda]]ns, enterprising expansionists from the west, commonly mistaken for men, but not in fact related. Once housed a significant Dwemer* population. It was later Orcish territory until the landing of the Yokudans in their Ra'gada, or "Warrior Wave." It is from this wave that the Redguards take their name, and their swift, easy conquest of Hammerfell that earned them their reputation as the best soldiers upon Nirn.
*[[Skyrim]], inhabited by [[Nord (Elder Scrolls)|Nords]]. Hardy men of the north and the only remaining direct and unchanged descendants of the original human 'Nedic' settlers from across the now frozen Sea of Ghosts.
*[[Morrowind (province)|Morrowind]], inhabited by [[Dark Elves]], or [[Dunmer]], meaning 'accursed folk' in Aldmeris. This region once also housed a large Dwemer population. All that remains are their ruins.
*[[Black Marsh]], inhabited by [[Argonians]], highly evolved [[Reptilian humanoid|lizard people]], who are commonly looked down upon as beastfolk. For this reason, the Argonians were formerly a popular slave race.
*[[Elsweyr]], inhabited by the [[Khajiit]], cat folk, also commonly looked down upon as savage. The Khajiit were also common slaves.
*[[Valenwood]], inhabited by [[wood-elves|Wood Elves]], or [[Bosmer]] in the Elven, meaning 'tree-sap folk', they are the Elven products of blood mixing with men, like the Bretons. The Bretons are a similar race of hybrids leaning more towards the Man stock-the Bosmer lean more towards the Mer.
*[[Summerset Isles]], inhabited by [[High Elves]], or [[Altmer]], meaning 'superior (and/or snobbish) folk'.
*[[Cyrodiil]], the Imperial province, inhabited by the [[Imperials]], or Cyrodiils, a common human race who form the foundational population of the Empire, although the ruling Septim dynasty are thought to be of at least some Nordic blood (which might explain their long history as conquerors and warrior-kings). The Line of Septim is also known to have some Dunmeri ancestry.

==Demographics==
The main races are the [[Breton (Elder Scrolls)|Bretons]], [[Redguards]], [[Argonians]], [[Khajiit]], [Altmer] (High Elves), [[Bosmer]], [[Orsimer]] (Orcs), [[Imperials]], [Dunmer] (Dark Elves), [Bosmer] (Wood Elves), and [[Nord (Elder Scrolls)|Nords]].

All these races are playable in ''[[The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind|Morrowind]]'' and ''[[The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion|Oblivion]]''. In ''[[The Elder Scrolls: Arena|Arena]]'' and ''[[The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall|Daggerfall]]'', the Orcs weren't playable; in Daggerfall, the Imperials weren't playable, either. In ''[[The Elder Scrolls Legends: Battlespire|Battlespire]]'', the Argonians and Khajiit weren't playable. Imperials are theoretically playable in ''[[The Elder Scrolls: Arena|Arena]]'', but in some versions, a glitch in the character creation process makes them unavailable. More specifically, one chooses their character's race by selecting the appropriate province on a map. Cyrodiil, for whatever reason, is non-selectable in some versions of Arena.  Other, nonplayable races include:

*The [[Dwemer]] (meaning 'deep folk' often misinterpreted as referring to their subterranean habits, should be better understood as 'wise/smart folk'), commonly nicknamed '[[Dwarves]]' due to a dubious myth involving their befriending a race of giants, though not actually short in stature. They used to inhabit all of Tamriel, but were concentrated in Morrowind and Hammerfell. They all disappeared simultaneously during the [[Battle of Red Mountain]], when Lord [[Nerevar]] 'Godkiller' led the Chimer* in an attack against the Dwarves to keep them from using Kagrenac's Tools. It is believed that the Dwemer could not control the Tools, and it is not known what effect it had upon them, aside from the fact that the whole race of them are no longer in Tamriel. The Dwemer were trying to use the tools to create a God (called '[[Numidium]]') for themselves. The Chimer saw this as an affront to their gods, for whom they faced ridicule and ostracism; thusly the war. According to Ashlander tradition, Nerevar and [[Dagoth Ur]] severed the Dwemer connection to the Heart of Lorkhan at the end of this long war, and all the Dwemer turned to dust. Dagoth Ur later admits that he is not sure why. It may have something to do with the Heart of Lorkhan being what kept the Dwemer semi-immortal (un-aging).

*The [[Chimer]], meaning 'changed folk' in Aldmeris, were a small cult of High Elves who were led by the prophet Veloth to the promised land of Resdayn, now called Morrowind. They were cursed by the Daedra when they ceased worship and turned to worshipping three god-kings known as the Tribunal. The curse brought ash coloured skin from light gray to black in hue, red eyes which glow, as well as hair color restricted to black, white, gray and red. Understandably, this was rather horrific a thing to level at the beautiful and aesthetic High Elves, who were very proud of their gold colored skin, hair and eyes. The curse also contained a promise that some day, [[Nerevar|Nerevar Indoril]] would return and signal the downfall of the profane [[Tribunal Temple]].

*The [[Ayleid]], an Elven race who were the original rulers of Cyrodiil and are now apparently extinct. Their ruins can be found scattered across Cyrodiil, and are a lucrative venture for any skilled and brave enough to venture into one and return with treasures. Lesser Welkynd Stones and Varla Stones, which can be found in most such ruins, are 50 and 1000 gold a piece, respectively. There were once also Greater Welkynd Stones, but these have all been plundered and consumed. However, Ayleid sites are littered with ingenious and deadly traps, and have often become the hiding place of gangs of Necromancers, Conjurers, bandits, or other outlaws, or of tribes of goblins, or even, on occasion, vampire clans.

* The [[Dremora]] are also regarded, in-game, as a separate race-one can initiate dialogue with some Dremora, and each slain Dremora adds one to your "people killed" tally in Oblivion. Mods exist to toggle the Dremora's "playable" status, making them available at character creation.

==Culture==

:''Main article is [[Pantheons of Tamriel]]''

== Other continents ==

Although Tamriel is the most well-known and important place in the world, it isn't the only one. Far to the north of Tamriel lies [[Atmora]], from which the Nords came to conquer Tamriel. Atmora, in the Elvish language, means 'Elder Wood'.

To the West of Tamriel lies the sunken continent of [[Yokuda]], from which the people that are now called the Redguards came to take over Hammerfell.

To the East of Tamriel lies the continent of [[Akavir]], which means 'Dragon Land'. Akavir is home to the [[Akaviri]] as well as various beast races, including the [[Tsaesci]]. There are four major nations of Akavir: [[Kamal (Elder Scrolls)|Kamal]], [[Tsaesci]], [[Tang Mo]], and [[Ka Po' Tun]]. Akavir has launched multiple invasions of Tamriel. All have failed. However, a line of Tsaesci did rule Tamriel for some time.

Below Summerset Isle, just to the south of Tamriel, lies [[Pyandonea]], the tropical home of the [[Maormer]] or Tropical Elves.

To the distant south of Tamriel supposedly lies the Elven homeland of [[Aldmeris]], or [[Ehlnofey]], which was devastated in ancient times (hence the early migration of Elves to other continents, namely Tamriel).

The Coral Kingdoms of [[Thras]], an archipelago southwest of Tamriel, is the homeland of the [[sload]], a conservative amphibious sluglike race. The Thrassian Plague devastated Tamriel around 1E2200, after which Tamrielic united navy ravaged and sank Thras into the sea. It has since recovered.

==References==
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==External links==

*[http://til.gamingsource.net/ The Imperial Library] - Library of Tamrielic lore.
*[http://elderscrolls.com/ ElderScrolls.com] - Official [[Bethesda Softworks|Bethesda]] website.
*[http://www.tamriel-rebuilt.org/ Tamriel Rebuilt] - Modification to add the complete continent of Tamriel to the game.
{{ElderScrolls}}

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