Lore:The Pale

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The Pale
Type Region
Continent Tamriel
Province Skyrim
Subregions Frozen Coast
Giants' Gap
Pale Mountains
Appears in Dawnstar,Skyrim
The snow-covered pine forests of the Pale on a rare sunny day
Dawnstar, the capital of the Pale

The Pale(also called thePale HoldorThe Tale)[1]:457[2]is a large region in north-centralSkyrimand one of theOld Holds,the original four territories in the province, where ancient traditions continue to thrive.[3]The region acquired its name from both the pale white tundra and the pigmentation of the localNords.Because of its distinct shape, some people colloquially call it "the old boot". The hold's population is centralized in its capital city ofDawnstar,a seaside town on theFrozen Coastand one of the busiest ports in the province.[1]:454[4]

The Pale is divided by the snow-white landscape of the north coast and the frosty pine forest around the southern mountains.Lake Yorgrimis centered around this southern region and the mountain,Shearpointmarks the border between holds.[5]The Pale is traditionally bordered byEastmarchto the southeast,Hjaalmarchto the west,Whiterun Holdto the south, andWinterholdto the northeast.[6]

Society and Geography[edit]

Demographics[edit]

The Great Statue of Irkngthand
The Ice Tribes

The Pale's main demographic is the Nords,[7]whose pallid complexion partially inspired the region's name. Since much of the region is inhospitable for most and lacks sunshine, the hold's population is centered in Dawnstar, the capital on the northern coast and its main center of commerce.[1]:454Some people in the Fourth Era owned private property in the southernmost ends of the Pale, such as the lumbermill built by Anga on theRiver Yorgrim,[8]the farmstead owned by the Loreius family,[9]and Nightgate Inn on the road between the Pale and Eastmarch.[10]Heljarchenis a historical settlement found around the lowlands near Whiterun Hold.[11][12]

Giantsare commonplace in the Pale,[13]especially around theSkyborn Rangeand southern Pale Hold where some camps litter the area.[5]Sea Giants,on the other hand, are rarely seen across mainland Skyrim but make landfall during the winter on the Frozen Coast,[14]the northern coastal region that spans much of the Pale and spills into Hjaalmarch.[15]This race of intelligent giants live predominantly on the Sea of Ghosts and are shrouded in legend.[14]

The Dwemer migrated to Skyrim and sought to exploit the land for a rare material under the earth.[16]Most of the Dwemer population in the Pale were based in the southern region around Lake Yorgrim. Two Dwemer ruins can be found on the northern face of Shearpoint and south of the lake;Irkngthand,found in a valley at the base of the mountain andRaldbthar,a former city-state higher on the mountain and southeast of Irkngthand. But across the southern Pale Hold are hidden Dwemer lifts that provide access toBlackreach,a vast and legendary realm underneath most of Skyrim. Raldbthar's lift is just next to the city's entrance but the Tower of Mzark, however, stands on a hillock that looks over the Whiterun plains and Pale forest.[5]

TheFalmerof Skyrim seldom live in the region but have conclaves in the deepest parts of the hold, such as caves like Duskglow Crevice.[5]Most of them live in Blackreach, ever since theirancestorswere defeated by the ancient Nords and taken in by the Dwemer. Through deception, they rendered the Falmer feeble and blind and kept them as thralls and servants.[17]In secret, the slaves of Irkngthand built alarge statueof a Snow Elf deep in their holdings with eyes made of large white gemstones.[18]It is currently one of the only known visual representation of the Snow Elves before their current state.[19]

Outside of Dawnstar is a race of blue-skinned humanoids called theIce Tribes,who are also found in theWestern Reach.They have been known to inhabit several unique dungeons such as Ice Tribe Haven and Ice Council.[20]Vampireshave an ancient history in Skyrim,[21]originally dating back to the first VampireLamae Beolfag,whose screams became the Shrieking Winds and still howl across Skyrim's winding fjords.[22]Dimhollow Crypt, a ruin in the Pale mountains has a direct connection to theVolkihar Clan.[21][23]

Culture and Industry[edit]

Quicksilver Mine
The Tower of the Dawn

The Pale celebrates the arrival of spring with the High Spring Fest. A particular tradition is the consumption ofBjenost,which marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring. This type ofcheesemay have originated among the poor of the hold but has become a delicacy between locals of any standing. As the snow thaws, rinds and crumbs of cheese consumed over the course of winter are soaked inaleand stuffed in pork intestines to create Bjenost. It is then hung out to dry and taken down for the High Spring Fest, where it is sliced in gold disks resembling the springtimesun.[24]Some would say that even in springtide, the Pale is very cold.[25]

Dawnstar's economy is mainly driven by its two mines found in separate parts of the city. The people often find meaning within the stones.[1]:457The Iron-Breaker mine is located at the base of a mountain, in the southeast corner of town and supplies Dawnstar withiron,while the Quicksilver mine on the western bay shore extracts the eponymous metal,quicksilver.[5]By the Fourth Era, the mines' proprietors, Beitild Iron-Breaker and Leigelf Quicksilver were married together but had a bitter rivalry.[26][27]

Dawnstar is significant as a port because it is the last stop towardWindhelmthat is not ice-bound. However, people regularly deal with raiders, wildlife, and even the weather to make sure commerce runs smoothly. The town's main port of call is Northstar Port, which is built into the bay.[1]:457Fort Dunstad was built by theImperial Legionas both a checkpoint on the Pale's main road and the prison for some of Skyrim's worst criminals.[1]:463Sometime after the death of the Akaviri Potentate,Savirien-Chorak,theDark Brotherhoodrose in infamy after their involvement.[28][29]The guild of assassins built one of their first sanctuaries in the north coast just outside of Dawnstar.[30]

The Pale has a complicated history in regards todaedricworship aroundMehrunes Dagonas it pertains to one of Dawnstar's oldest families, the VesuiusImperials.[31]In their time, they were influential traders but underneath that visage, they were faithful servants of theDaedric Prince.One member was even chosen to assassinate EmperorUriel Septim VII.The Oblivion Crisis broke out soon after and although it ended within the year, the destruction resonated within everyone and the Vesuius family hid their true involvement in the conflict. That was until their secret came out well after the crisis[32]and they became outcasts ever since.[31]At some point in time, a large statue of Mehrunes Dagon was built on the Pale highlands, and the Mythic Dawn used it as a base.[33]

Several decades prior to 4E 201, the Tower of the Dawn was taken over by a cult ofVaerminaworshippers, who turned it into Nightcaller Temple. Ever since an attack on the temple, the tower was left abandoned and the Skull of Corruption remained in isolation.[34]Many people responded to the Oblivion Crisis by forming factions to combat daedric and other dark forces across Tamriel. One such group was theVigilants of Stendarr,[35]who built their main headquarters in the Pale, northwest of Fort Dunstad.[36]

Ecosystem[edit]

The Gehenoth
Ice Wolves

The Pale sits on the northern coast of Skyrim, where the snow-blown north meets the chilled Sea of Ghosts. It is described as a barren realm[4]but life finds a way to thrive in an otherwise inhospitable terrain. The region's southern half is a boreal pine forest between the mountains and Whiterun's tundra.[5]Snowberry bushes,which can only be found in Skyrim's higher altitudes exist across the countryside[37]while the three main varieties ofmountain flowersare strewn across the main road.[5]On the coastal line,spiky grasscan be found in droves[38]unlike theNirnroot,which is seldom seen on the Frozen Coast.[39]

Animals and other creatures make their home in the Pale's wilderness, from the more commonly seenwolfandfrostbite spider,to the largerbear,sabre cat,and eventroll.In the deep wilderness, however, one can run intospriggansin isolated groves orice wraithsdwelling in the snow.[5]There are even some creatures of ill-repute that have called the Pale their home, such as theUdefrykte,a legendary troll[40]and theGehenoth,a creature that the Ice Tribes once used to attack Dawnstar.[41]

The Pale has access to not just the saltwater of the Sea of Ghosts, but the freshwater from Lake Yorgrim and its river. In the region's freezing waters, fisherfolk can find common fish such as theabecean longfinand thearctic grayling,one can also find uncommon fish like thearctic charandcod,and even the rareangler.[42]Even other aquatic creatures likeclamsandnordic barnaclescan be found in the Pale.[5]

History[edit]

For the history specific to the city, see the:History of Dawnstar

Early History[edit]

Aumriel, the Pale Lady
The White Phial

The Nords first settled the Pale sometime in the lateMerethic Erawith traces of this time still present into the modern-day.[5]Silverdrift Lair is a Nordic barrow in southern Pale Hold and one of its tombs belonged to the Ice-Blade Clan ofJehanna,a wealthy family inHigh Rock.[43][44]Frostmere Cryptis actually a secret prison for a mythical figure called Aumriel. According to ancient records, this spirit battledYsgramor's heirs over decades until her defeat. Her legend lives on with the locals of nearbyMorthalas "the Pale Lady", who wanders theDrajkmyrmarsh and steals children.[45]

TheWhite Phialis a legendary artifact of magical renown, forged in "the days when Skyrim was just starting its turn to ice". It was crafted by Curalmil and buried with him in his tomb in southern Pale Hold.[46]One of the few relics of Skyrim's ancient vampire history is Dimhollow Crypt, an underground complex in the Skyborn Range of southwest Pale Hold.[21][23]

In the lateMerethic Era,theDragon Cultwas prominent across ancient Skyrim and their ruined temples dot the province.[47]While few of these temples exist in the Pale, there are some worth noting.[5]High Gate Ruinsare found on the border between the Pale and Hjaalmarch and it housed theDragon Priest,Vokun.[48]At the top of Shearpoint is a sarcophagus to the Dragon Priest,Krosis.[49]

The Dragon Cult was diminished in the wake of theDragon Warand out of this conflict was the rise ofTongues,masters of thethu'um.[47]Some of these people became legendary warriors in Skyrim's history, such asKvenel the Tongue,who was buried in a former settlement calledVolunruud.There was once an ancient Nordic clan of proficient tongues, but one member, Oskar the Fool was not as talented. Regardless, he was honored by his brother, Modir the Far with a word wall erected on Shearpoint next to Krosis' tomb.[50]In the earlyFirst Era,sometime after the Dragon War,[51]portions of the modern-day Pale Hold were previously part of the neighboring Whiterun Hold, namely Volunruud andKorvanjund.[52]

The Pale in the First and Second Eras[edit]

Raldbthar
Korvanjund

By the earlyFirst Era,Skyrim was ruled by High KingBorgas,a loyal supporter to themonkey-prophet,Marukhand hisfaith.This support, however, was what took his life as he became a victim in theWild HuntofValenwoodin1E 369.[53]In secret, Borgas' body was returned to Skyrim and buried in Korvanjund, but as most people know it, both him and his crown, theJagged Crownwere lost to time.[54][55]

Since Borgas died without an heir, theWar of Successionsplit Skyrim asunder and spelled the end of theNordic Empire.[55]The Jarls of Skyrim sought control after the death of Ysgramor's dynasty but fell flat untilOlaf One-Eye's rise to power.[56]A byproduct of the War of Succession was the Nords' expulsion from Resdayn and the formation of theFirst Council,an alliance ofChimerand Dwemer.[57][58]But this new era of prosperity did not sit well with certain Dwemer groups and caused a great exodus of clans to the west.[16]

The path was first set by theRourken Clan,who may have settled in Irkngthand before, according toThelwe Ghelein,[59]and many others followed suit to then settle across Skyrim. One of the most successful clans was the one to build Raldbthar in southern Pale Hold,[16][60]who may have settled in the area since at least1E 240.[61]This city-state was one of four in a pocket empire that sought the excavation and research of a rare, blue material calledAetherium.[16][62]Raldbthar was the primary source for Aetherium and the Dwemer built their mine deep in Shearpoint mountain.[60]

Despite the prosperity, Dwemer society in Skyrim was on a rapid decline, starting with theAetherium Wars.The city-states engaged in war with other clans and against each other, which weakened Dwarven civilization as a whole. What followed was High KingGellir's conquests over modern-day Skyrim, which hastened their downfall in the span of three years. Even though it took them a century later to reclaim most of their territory, scholars found no evidence that Aetherium research and excavation continued.[62]

The Raldbthar Deep Market in Blackreach

Since the death of theSnow Princein the Merethic Era, the Snow Elves fled into parts unknown to avoid the Nords and their wrath. They found refuge in Blackreach underneath Skyrim and came into contact with the Dwemer. However, through deception and underhanded tactics, the Dwemer were able to enslave the Snow Elves and bend them to their whim. Despite their inherent weakness and blindness,[17]the slaves of Irkngthand were able to build an impressively large statue of a Snow Elf before their encounter with the Dwemer.[18]In time, the slaves revolted and fled further down Blackreach. Decades ever since, both sides engaged in a bloody conflict that the scholar, Ursa Uthrax calls theWar of the Crag.This came to an abrupt stop when the Dwemer mysteriously vanished and left no traces of their whereabouts.[17]

When theTsaesciofAkavirfirst invaded Tamriel in the late First Era,Reman Ibuilt a protective shield across the northern coast of Skyrim to defend it against future threats.[63]In the latter years of hisempire,it was governed by theAkaviri Potentate,Versidue-Shaie,who owned a fortress in Dawnstar. In2E 283,it was destroyed by local rebels, one of many factions from the various vassal kingdoms across Tamriel. The Potentate gathered theElder Councilto Bardmont, a town south of Dawnstar where he ordained the Council of Bardmont and declared universal martial law. What followed was thirty-seven years of blood and violence[64]called the War of Subjugation.[65]

The Second Empire and the culmination of Potentate rule ended with Savirien-Chorak's assassination in2E 430,[28][55]but what affected Skyrim the most was High KingLorgrolf's death a year later.[55]The schism that his death created brought about two separate kingdoms in Skyrim, thewestern kingdombased inSolitudeand theeastern kingdominWindhelm.[55]The Old Holds, including the Pale, joined together with Logrolf's daughter, the newly-named High QueenFreydisto form this new country in the east. By the timeJorunn the Skald-Kingwas pronounced leader, the eastern kingdom, along with theDark ElvesofMorrowindandArgoniansofBlack Marshbecame theEbonheart Pact.[UOL 1]

The Pale and the Third Empire[edit]

By the Third Era, the Pale and the holds governed under a kingship.[66][67]UnderUriel Septim III's lead, the disgruntled kings of Skyrim fought in theWar of the Red Diamond,a civil war against the Third Empire under EmpressKintyra II.[68]When Uriel III was defeated at theBattle of Ichidag,his uncle succeeded him as EmperorCephorus Iand many people formerly loyal to Uriel III turned coat to the new Emperor. The nobles of Skyrim and the other provinces received new levels of autonomy and independence,[69]although when the war ended, EmperorMagnus Ispent much of his short reign punishing the kings that defied the Empire.[70]

By roughly3E 427,[UOL 2]Dawnstar was an outpost ruled by GovernorCyril Vinticae.The town was besieged by the Ice Tribes, with help from a traitor within. When the traitor and three other champions returned to Dawnstar, they were banished to the wilderness. The Governor enlisted an adventurer to find the traitor among them, return with the other champions, and prepare for a final assault on the town. After discovering the traitor, the adventurer fought in the battle to save Dawnstar, and for finding them, the Governor awarded them with theStarfrost.It was a magical frost that focuses the prayers of Dawnstar's people and elemental winter into its wielder. With it, they were able to defeat the Ice Tribes and the Gehenoth Thriceborn, becoming theHero of Dawnstar.[71]

The late Third Era was a significant moment in time for the Pale and its capital Dawnstar. QueenMacallamarried KingThianof nearbySolitudeand in turn, expanded Solitude's influence across most of the northern coast. Together, they also incorporated former Imperial fiefs, such asRoscreaand territory beyond the Sea of Ghosts.[67]Despite the prosperity, the Pale was affected by theOblivion Crisisin3E 433,along with the rest of the Old Holds.[72]

The Fourth Era and onward[edit]

Jarl Skald the Elder
Borgas and the Jagged Crown

Well into theFourth Era,Dawnstar and its environs were now separate entities from Solitude.[5]A priesthood that venerated Vaermina took up residence in the Tower of the Dawn and built Nightcaller Temple from within. They were in possession of the Skull of Corruption, which inflicted neverending nightmares on many people. AnOrcishwar party attacked the temple after suffering from said nightmares but the priests retaliated by unleashing theMiasma,a magical smoke that puts people to sleep for potentially years. Ever since then, the tower has been abandoned with the Skull of Corruption hidden in its deepest chamber.[34]

By the latter half of the second century, the Pale is ruled by JarlSkald Felgeif,who partook in theSkyrim Civil Waras a faithful supporter ofUlfric Stormcloakand the divine,Talos.[13]TheStormcloakgarrison based in Dawnstar was led by Frorkmar Banner-Torn[73]and Fort Dunstad played an important role in the hold's allegiance.[74]

In4E 201,Galmar Stone-Fist,Ulfric's second-hand was able to deduce High King Borgas' resting place as Korvanjund and he prepared his soldiers for a retrieval mission.[54]Spies enlisted under the Imperial Legion were able to confirm Galmar's suspicions to LegateRikkeand a confrontation ensued afterward in the crypt.[75]Details on this battle are unknown, but one faction was only able to reach the Hall of Stories and the puzzle door, while the other faced the undead Borgas and retrieve the crown.[76][77]

In that same year, the Skull of Corruption infested Dawnstar with nightmares, and a priest ofMaranamed Erandur arrived to vanquish the threat. With the help of anadventurer,they set out to Nightcaller Temple. As they traveled through the dungeon, they fought the Orcs and Vaermina cultists that remained there since the last attack. What became of the Skull of Corruption and Erandur are unknown, but Dawnstar was eventually free from nightmares.[78]At around the same time, the Hall of the Vigilants was destroyed by the Volkihar Clan, an ancient order of vampires. It was the first of many attacks in a conflict that pitted the Volkihar with theDawnguard.[36]

Known Rulers[edit]

The White Hall; the Seat of the Jarl

TheJarlof the Pale is based in the region's historical capital of Dawnstar and lives in a longhouse called the White Hall.[5]As one of the Old Holds, the Nords of the Pale value heritage and show reverence for their hereditary leaders.[3]In the Third Era, Dawnstar was ruled by a King/Queen.[66]When Queen Macalla married King Thian of Solitude, the leadership was centralized in the latter's county[67]but by the third century of the Fourth Era, both regions were separate entities.[5]

Notable Locations[edit]

Lake Yorgrim
Dawnstar
The capital city of the hold, built on the northern coast
Dimhollow Crypt
An ancient vampire crypt on the hills of Skyborn Range
Fort Dunstad
A fort on the main road and an effective checkpoint and prison
Frostmere Crypt
The lost prison of Aumriel, known in folklore as the Pale Lady
Korvanjund
The burial crypt of High King Borgas, the last of Ysgramor's line
Lake Yorgrim
A large, frozen lake that centers around the southern forest and drains into River Yorgrim
Irkngthand
Nightcaller Temple
Formerly known as the Tower of the Dawn, it overlooked Dawnstar from the south
Raldbthar
A Dwemer city-state that once mined Aetherium underneath Shearpoint
Shrine ofMehrunes Dagon
A large shrine to the Daedric Prince on the side of a mountain
Volunruud
A former settlement and now tomb of Knevel the Tongue

Gallery[edit]

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdefgThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide— David Hodgson
  2. ^Annals of the DragonguardBrother Annulus
  3. ^abPocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: SkyrimImperial Geographical Society,2E 864
  4. ^abThe Holds of Skyrim
  5. ^abcdefghijklmnThe PaleinSkyrim
  6. ^Map of Skyrim –The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
  7. ^Demographics of the Pale –The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
  8. ^Anga's MillinSkyrim
  9. ^Loreius FarminSkyrim
  10. ^Nightgate InninSkyrim
  11. ^Heljarchen HallinSkyrim:Hearthfire
  12. ^Helarchen CreekinArena
  13. ^abSkald's dialogue inSkyrim
  14. ^abLetter to Thane OgvarThunvilde
  15. ^Frozen Coastloading screen text inESO:Greymoor
  16. ^abcdArkngthamz-PhngNeramo
  17. ^abcThe Falmer: A StudyUrsa Uthrax
  18. ^abThief's Last Words
  19. ^Statue of Irkngthandloading screen text inSkyrim
  20. ^Ice TribesinDawnstar
  21. ^abcNotes on Dimhollow Crypt, Vol. 3Adalvald
  22. ^Opusculus Lamae Bal ta MezzamortieMabei Aywenil,Scribe
  23. ^abDimhollow CryptinSkyrim
  24. ^Cheeses of Skyrim: The Reach, The PaleB.
  25. ^Hakr the Bare-Footed's dialogue inESO:Orsinium
  26. ^Beitild's dialogue inSkyrim
  27. ^Leigelf's dialogue inSkyrim
  28. ^abThe Brothers of DarknessPellarne Assi
  29. ^Sacred WitnessEnric Milres
  30. ^Astrid's dialogue during the quest, "The Cure for Madness"inSkyrim
  31. ^abMadena's dialogue inSkyrim
  32. ^Silus Vesuius' dialogue inSkyrim
  33. ^Shrine of Mehrunes DagoninSkyrim
  34. ^abErandur's dialogue inSkyrim
  35. ^Vigilant of Stendarr's dialogue inSkyrim
  36. ^abHall of the VigilantinSkyrim
  37. ^SnowberriesinSkyrim
  38. ^Spiky GrassinSkyrim
  39. ^NirnrootinSkyrim
  40. ^UdefrkyteinSkyrim
  41. ^GehenothinDawnstar
  42. ^Fishing Mastery, v3Swims-In-Deep-Water
  43. ^Stranger's Final Instructions— A Stranger
  44. ^The Sword of Clan Ice-Blade— Sygrold Ice-Blade
  45. ^Lost LegendsTalsgar the Elder,Archivist of Winterhold
  46. ^Nurelion's dialogue inSkyrim
  47. ^abThe Dragon WarTorhal Bjorik
  48. ^High Gate RuinsinSkyrim
  49. ^ShearpointinSkyrim
  50. ^Throw Voiceword wall inSkyrim
  51. ^Farengar Secret-Fire's dialogue inSkyrim
  52. ^Holdings of Jarl GjalundSlafknir the Scribe
  53. ^Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Wilds Remain: ValenwoodImperial Geographical Society,3E 432
  54. ^abGalmar Stone-Fist's dialogue in the quest, "The Jagged Crown"inSkyrim
  55. ^abcdeThe Crown of FreydisTaleon Mythmaker
  56. ^Olaf and the DragonAdonato Leotelli
  57. ^Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: MorrowindImperial Geographical Society,2E 864
  58. ^Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: All the Eras of Man, A Comprehensive History of our HistoryImperial Geographical Society,3E 432
  59. ^Dwemer Inquiries Vol IIThelwe Ghelein,Scholar
  60. ^abKatria's JournalKatria
  61. ^Ancient Extraction Toolantiquity codex entries inESO:Greymoor
  62. ^abThe Aetherium WarsTaron Dreth
  63. ^Ice and ChitinPletius Spatec
  64. ^History of the Fighters Guild
  65. ^Crafting Motif 19: Mercenary StyleGaspard Esmery,Captain of Gaspard's Stalkers
  66. ^abcDawnstarlocation and rumors inArena
  67. ^abcdPocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Throat of the World: SkyrimImperial Geographical Society,3E 432
  68. ^Brief History of the Empire v 1Stronach k'Thojj III
  69. ^The Wolf Queen, v8Waughin Jarth
  70. ^Brief History of the Empire v 2Stronach k'Thojj III
  71. ^abQuest WalkthroughforDawnstar
  72. ^Tamriel Gate Responsegeneric dialogue inOblivion
  73. ^DawnstarStormcloak court inSkyrim
  74. ^Fort Dunstad's role in the Civil War questline inSkyrim
  75. ^Legate Rikke's dialogue inSkyrim
  76. ^The Jagged Crown (Imperial)faction quest inSkyrim
  77. ^The Jagged Crown (Stormcloaks)faction quest inSkyrim
  78. ^Waking Nightmaredaedric quest inSkyrim

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