This article is about the city. For the castle, seeCastle Ebonheart.
| Ebonheart | |
|---|---|
| Type | Settlement |
| Continent | Tamriel |
| Province | Morrowind |
| Region | Stonefalls (Zabamat) |
| Appears in | Arena,ESO |
|
Ebonheart(also calledOld Ebonheart)[1]is one of the eight major cities on the mainland ofMorrowind,[2]and is located in the center ofStonefalls.[3]The city is considered the eldest city-state in the province and is more commonly known as the ancestral seat of theRa'athim Clan,[4]described by the potentially fictionalKing Edwardbook series as an ancient family ofDunmerminers.[5]Some members are well-known across Tamriel, such asMoraelyn,called the "Champion of Tamriel" in the potentially fictionalKing Edwardbook series[6]andKatariah,Empress-Regent of theThird Empire.[7]
Layout and GeographyEdit
Ebonheart is found on the north-central coast of Stonefalls, in a strategic location on theInner Sea.[3]The city was the seat of power of a country led by the Ra'athim Clan, one that spanned many mining fiefdoms and encompassed what became modern-day Mournhold. Historically, the Ra'athim Clan's parent faction,House Morawas absorbed into the greaterHouse Hlaalu,which places it in Great House's district.[4]But in the mid-Second Era, the city was affiliated withHouse Dres,whose leadership was centralized in the Stonefalls region viaKragenmoor.[3][8]Ebonheart is neighbored by several settlements, includingDarnim Watchto the east,Eagle Moorto the southeast,Mournholdto the east-southeast, Old Keep to the far southeast,Riverbridgeto the southwest, andStonefallsto the northwest.[2]
Beyond the walls lies the ash wastes and the ridged hills of the mountains, where only the localAshlandersand mining prospects flourish. The majority of the city proper is built on an island, nestled in the large river basin next to the inactive volcanic spire,Ash Mountain,and the aforementioned river, which comes from the south.[3]While some maps show the river going as far south as south-central Morrowind, nearNarsis,[2][nb 1]others indicate that it starts in the mountain valley called theBrothers of Strifeand descends downward into the river basin.[9]For the longest,Dreughswere common around Ebonheart,Vvardenfell,and the surrounding waters but have been driven out over centuries and now live in small, isolated pockets.[10]
The city is surrounded by large stone walls and its exterior is open land where people tend to set up encampments. At the center of the city is the seat of power, Castle Ebonheart, which sits on a stone foundation that overlooks the waterfront and the local Argonian Quarter. The south side of the castle contains the local city plaza and parkland, right in the middle of the main street that is anchored by the local Temple to the west and the local cornerclub to the east. Around the castle are two steep staircases that lead into the Argonian Quarters, lowland with wooden planks and ashreeds on the side of the road. At the center of it all lies their Hist Tree.[3]According to the historical-fiction,2920, The Last Year of the First Era,the Tribune of Sorcery,Sotha Silhas a hidden laboratory in the smoky catacombs underneath the city, where he "forged the future with his arcaneclockwork apparatus."[11]
Notable LocalesEdit
DistrictsEdit
HistoryEdit
Early HistoryEdit
Ebonheart is considered the eldest city-state in Morrowind and its rivalry withMournholdto the south has existed since the dawn of the province's history. Before they were separate settlements, they were part of one fief led by the Ra'athim Clan. In these early days, the clan was associated withHouse Mora,a minor house that eventually became part of House Hlaalu.[4]When theConquest of Morrowindtook place in the earlyFirst Era,many places such as Ebonheart were taken over by the Nords. In the potentially fictionalKing Edwardbook series,Kroninand his sonsCruethys,S'ephen,andMoraelynbecame raiders and took up guerrilla warfare to fight against their oppressors.[15]The Nords held the city for a century and a half[16]but its original rulers returned to their post after Resdayn had been liberated in1E 416.[15][17]
According to the potentially fictionalKing Edwardbook series, sometime after the conflict, Ebonheart was ruled by King Cruethys, who later died when the council chambers collapsed onto him.[16]His brother, Moraelyn took up his role afterward, and in his possession were theHorn of Summoningand theStaff of Chaos;items of immense power. He placed these artifacts under Ephen's protection and it was hence bound to his tomb underneath Mournhold. Moraelyn's daughter, Lian took his place later and her sons were left as joint heirs to the throne. The schism left both Ebonheart and Mournhold as separate states.[4]
Ebonheart in the Second EraEdit
By the mid-Second Era,Ebonheart was nominally ruled byHouse Dres[18]while other houses had a significant presence in town, such as House Hlaalu andHouse Redoran.In2E 572,after theBattle of Vivec's Antlers,which ended theSecond Akaviri Invasion,leaders of the defendingArgonian,Dunmer, and Nord forces gathered in Ebonheart to formulate their alliance now known as theEbonheart Pact.[19]
In2E 582,theDaggerfall Covenantinvaded the Stonefalls region and landed in Vivec's Antlers to the west of the city, where they planned their invasion of the city led by Alexandra Conele. At the time, three factions were present in Ebonheart, the Dark Elves, the Argonians, and the Nords visiting fromthe Riftbut each of them was unwilling to fight together and defend the city. Drathus Othral decided to employ anAgentof the Pact to reconcile these factions and help them with whatever problem ails them. Over the course of their quest, they learned that a Dark Elf named Rhavil Urano was responsible for their troubles and discovered their allegiance to the Daggerfall Covenant. With the threat neutralized, Ebonheart was able to band together for an impending invasion.[20]
Ebonheart in the Third EmpireEdit
After theArmisticehad been signed, the old noble families of Morrowind were gone, and new people, some of whom were upstarts likeSymmachusattained power over the land. WhileTiber Septimtook theHorn of Summoningfrom Ephen's tomb, he left the Staff of Chaos in Morrowind's protection. Ebonheart argued against this decision by using their status as the ruling house to get the staff. But Mournhold reminded them it was Moraelyn, who left it in Ephen's protection and Mournhold was undeniably his birthplace.[4]
Symmachus, with help from a rag-tail end of the Ra'athim Clan, hid theStaff of Chaosin Ephen's tomb, where it remained for several years. For that service, he was granted the kingship of Ebonheart and continued to rule there for many years.[12]Over time, however, the kingdom became jealous that the staff was kept in Mournhold instead of with them. According to the historical fiction,"The Real Barenziah",the councilors in Ebonheart picked at the city's bones and sucked them dry, something that Symmachus wanted to prevent for Mournhold.[4]
Over the course of her career, QueenPotemaofSolitudegathered allies across the northern tier ofTamriel,from High Rock to northern Morrowind,[21][22]which included Ebonheart. When theWar of the Red Diamondcommenced, the city rallied its arms and fought theThird Empire.It was a poorly-kept secret at the time that they supported Potema and her son,Uriel III.Since then, the Empire slowly healed as EmperorMagnus Septimspent much of his reign mending diplomatic wounds created by the war. Scholars believe that, as a means to cement relations with Ebonheart, he proposed the marriage between his son,Pelagius IIIand the heiress to the Ra'athim Clan,Katariah.[7]
During theImperial Simulacrumin the lateThird Era,the city-state of Ebonheart was an active settlement. It was ruled by KingCasik,who acquired a reputation for his extreme ruthlessness at the time. Ebonheart had a rivalry with several other cities, namelyBlacklight,Firewatch,Kragenmoor,andMournhold.[23]In the latter years of this decade, theEternal Championtraveled to Morrowind to seek out the lost mines ofDagoth-Ur,where the last piece of the Staff of Chaos was located. Local rumors eventually brought them before King Casik, who offered the dungeon's whereabouts in exchange for a quest.[24]
If they were to retrieve the lostHammer of GharenfromBlack Gate,then he could strike on theAnvil of Mithasand thus have it reveal Dagoth-Ur's location. Just as he predicted, Casik was able to procure the dungeon's location and with it, the Eternal Champion was able to find the last piece of the Staff.[24]With knowledge of the mine's location, King Casik hoped to harvest raw metals from the mountain and unearth the lost art of Dwarvensmithcraftfor his people to create the greatest weapons in the realm.[25]Ever since the Eternal Champion defeatedJagar Tharn,many subjects of the Empire partake in a pilgrimage across the continent, retracing their steps from the quest. Loyalist pilgrims make their way through Ebonheart.[26]
Known RulersEdit
—A quote oft-expressed by Ebonheart's rulers[4]
For many years, Ebonheart was ruled by the Ra'athim Clan, a family that once held the role of High Kingship in the province.[Note 2]They were affiliated with the minor House of Mora, which was eventually absorbed into the GreatHouse Hlaalu.[12][27]Over the course of history, other people had control over the city. For a century and a half, the Nords of Skyrim held Ebonheart during the Conquest of Morrowind. Who led at this time is currently unknown, but according to the potentially fictionalKing Edwardbook series, the Ra'athim Clan retook it[15]after the Nords were defeated in1E 416.[17]
Their territory encompassed Ebonheart and Mournhold until joint heirs were appointed to each respective city and since then they have been separate entities. At the time they ruled, the High Kingship was also vacant when a temporary war leader was elected.[4]In the mid-Second Era, House Dres governed the city from the manor in the center of town[18]but by the Third Era, the Ra'athim Clan returned to the throne.[7][12]
- TheFirst Era
- High KingKroninRa'athim[15]
- High KingCruethysRa'athim[16][28]
- High KingMoraelyn"theWitch-King"Ra'athim(ca.1E 369)[12]
- High Queen Lian Ra'athim[4]
- King Ra'athim of Ebonheart —This monarch was the first to lead Ebonheart after Mournhold separated itself from the Ra'athim's fiefdom. "The Real Barenziah"claims that a temporary war leader was decided at the time, thus leaving the High Kingship vacant.[4]
- Duke of Ebonheart(ca.1E 2920)[29]
- TheSecond Era
- TheThird Era
- King Ra'athim of Ebonheart(fl. late Second Era –3E 376)—This monarch helped Symmachus hide the Staff of Chaos underneath Mournhold shortly after Tiber Septim took over Morrowind. Symmachus in the book,"The Real Barenziah"states that the Ra'athim clan member was now the King of Ebonheart by the time the Staff of Chaos was stolen[12]and Barenziah would conceiveHelsethmonths later,[4]in3E 376.[30]:15
- KingCasik(fl.3E 389–3E 399)[23]
Culture and SocietyEdit
Ebonheart is known by a couple of other names. Colloquially it is called theBlack City,which mirrors one of Vvardenfell's names, the Black Isle.[23]Divayth Fyralso referred to the city as theOne True Ebonheart.[31]A local dish in Ebonheart are blackenedsnakehearts.[32]Unlike most other cities, Ebonheart is open-minded when it comes to interring dead outlanders, though it is more likely to find a tomb with multiple names on a plaque than a private grave.[33]
One fateful day, Vivec visited Ebonheart in the mid-Second Era and became enthralled by its architecture, wandering its streets for hours and studying every bit of it. He developed a desire to have it moved or built in a spot south ofVivec Cityin Vvardenfell. The Archcanon at the time,Tarvuswrote to the Tribunal Temple and House Hlaalu engineers about Vivec's inquiries about a new project.[34]While the outcome of this is unknown, the Third Empire would build their own fort-town west of Vivec's Palace also calledEbonheartafter the trade and settlement ban on Vvardenfell was uplifted.[35]
The mainland city has reverence for theTribunal.The three gods had previously gone through Ebonheart on their annual pilgrimage to Vvardenfell.[36]Shrines to each of the gods anchor the city in three points, with Vivec andAlmalexia's shrines on the southwest and east corners respectively, whileSotha Sil's shrine marks the northernmost point of the city.[37]Castle Ebonheart at the center of town is inspired by the Tribunal as the three-spired structure is emblematic of this.[13]
For a short time, the court of Ebonheart declared dancing to be illegal and the locals protested by inventing the Lava Foot Stomp, which they called a necessity if their boots ever catch flame. They would practice it in taverns while wearing a dazzling pin. Since then, it has become aNew Lifetradition and practiced across Stonefalls, from Ebonheart toDavon's Watch.[38]"The Real Barenziah"associates theNightingalewith Ebonheart and the Ra'athim Clan.[4]
GalleryEdit
-
Ebonheart (Arena)
-
The Shrine of Almalexia
-
The Shrine of Sotha Sil
-
Castle Ebonheartin Vvardenfell (Morrowind)
NotesEdit
- Arenawas originally conceived as a fighting game featuring a tournament that took the player to each of Tamriel's cities to challenge different gladiatorial teams. According to a file from that stage of development left behind in the final game, Ebonheart's gladiatorial team would have been called "the Reavers".[UOL 2]
See AlsoEdit
- For game-specific information, see theArenaandElder Scrolls Onlinearticles.
BooksEdit
- On Moving EbonheartbyArchcanon Tarvus— A missive on the creation of a new city
- Posted at the Ebonheart gates— A notice regarding dangerous alit around Ebonheart
ReferencesEdit
- ^Heirloom Ebony Ash Yam Slow Cookercontraband text inESO
- ^abcMap of Morrowind –The Elder Scrolls: Arena
- ^abcdefghijklmnEbonheartinESO
- ^abcdefghijklThe Real Barenziah, v 5— Anonymous
- ^King Edward, Part VII— Anonymous
- ^King Edward, Part 2— Anonymous
- ^abcThe Madness of Pelagius—Tsathenes
- ^The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: Stonefalls and Deshaan—Flaccus Terentius,2E 581
- ^Map of Stonefalls – The Elder Scrolls Online
- ^Notes on the Dreugh
- ^ab2920, Evening Star—Carlovac Townway
- ^abcdefThe Real Barenziah, v 4— Anonymous
- ^abA Travel Guide to Tamriel Castles—Astinia Isauricus
- ^Nilthis' dialogue inESO
- ^abcdKing Edward, Part X— Anonymous
- ^abcKing Edward, Part XII— Anonymous
- ^abPocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: All the Eras of Man, A Comprehensive History of our History—Imperial Geographical Society,3E 432
- ^abcDrathus Othral's dialogue inESO
- ^Unexpected Allies
- ^Restoring Orderquest inESO
- ^Brief History of the Empire v 2—Stronach k'Thojj III
- ^The Wolf Queen, v6—Waughin Jarth
- ^abcEbonheartlocation and rumors inArena
- ^abDagoth-Urstory quest inArena
- ^King Casik's dialogue inArena
- ^A Minor Maze
- ^Interview With Three Booksellers—Jobasha,Codus Callonus,andDorisa Darvel
- ^King Edward, Part IV— Anonymous
- ^2920, Morning Star—Carlovac Townway
- ^The Daggerfall Chronicles— Ronald Wartow
- ^Return of a Fellow Scholar— Divayth Fyr
- ^Elam Dral's dialogue duringContract: StonefallsinESO:Dark Brotherhood
- ^Loremaster's Archive - House Telvanni—Divayth Fyr
- ^On Moving Ebonheart—Archcanon Tarvus
- ^A Short History of Morrowind—Jeanette Sitte
- ^Disciple Sildras' dialogue inESO
- ^Night of the Soulquest inESO
- ^Breda's dialogue inESO
- ^King Llethan's deathgeneric dialogue inMorrowind:Tribunal
Note:The following references are considered to beunofficial sources.They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.
