Hoo, boy. Sorry for my extreme lack of posts, as I was busy with schoolwork and social things. But now that it's a weekend (3 day for me) I though,"Man. What about this?" So, enough inner monologue, let's get right into it! [b]The Nords:[/b] As is custom with these posts, I'll start with the inhabitants of Skyrim. The Nords! Everyone's favorite drunk warriors! [i]Merethic Era[/i] Long ago, in the Merethic Era, a civil war broke out on Atmora, the northernmost continent on Nirn. A Nord Legend, named Ysgramor, took all his followers and went south, eventually landing at Hsaarik Head. When they arrived, however, there were already living, humanoid things there. The Snow Elves had been living in peace with the Nedic tribes, Atmoran tribes who had migrated south before. The Snow Elves thought nothing of it, just more Nedes, and lived in relative peace for a while. The Nords had arrived in what was called Mereth. Eventually, like all good things on Tamriel, a war broke out between the Atmorans and the Snow Elves. The Snow Elves knew that the Atmorans would outnumber them, if unattended to. So they would stop the growth of new men at all costs. An army of Snow Elves gathered and burned the human city of Saarthal to the ground. This is now known as the Night of Tears. It is also believed that, when the Atmorans built the city they discovered an epic magic outlet, and the Snow Elves wanted it. Only Ysgramor, Ylgar, and Yngol, his two sons, escaped and fled back to Atmora. They vowed they bring vengeance to the elves. Ysgramor returned to Skyrim, with an army called the Five Hundred Companions. They started a genocide against every Snow Elf born. The Snow Elves were led by the Snow Prince, a beloved Snow Elf, back to the last safe haven to the elves of Mereth: Solstheim. The Battle of the Moesring had begun. [i]The Battle of the Moesring[/i] After the purge of every elf on Mereth the Five Hundred Companions turned their head to Solstheim. The Battle of the Moesring was said to be that final battle between the Snow Elves and the Atmorans. At the beginning the Atmorans cleared huge numbers of the army of elves. But then the Snow Prince arrived. He rode a horse of white into battle, bearing a magically enchanted spear and armor set. The mightiest Atmoran Warriors fell to his hand. But then the unexpected happened. The Snow Prince had killed the mother of Finna, a twelve year old girl. Out of confusion and rage she threw her mothers sword at him, which penetrated his armor, and hitting his heart. The Snow Prince's death made the remaining soldiers lose hope, most fleeing and the rest being slaughtered. [i]First Era[/i] In the First Era, King Harald's, a descendant of the Ysgramor line, rule was closing. So, his son King Vrage the Gifted started to make his own empire. The Skyrim Conquests had begun. King Vrage had captured most of High Rock, Morrowind, and northern parts of Cyrodiil, while driving out any elves coming to avenge the fallen. The capital of this empire was Windhelm. But after King Borgas had died during the Wild Hunt the Empire was crumbling down. The War of Secession was started, with no one to rule the empire it lost all holds to everything beyond Skyrim. During this time an Akaviri invasion started. Things just don get better, do they? The Nords, as they were now called, accepted the challenge of fighting the foreigners. They fell back, siding with Reman Cyrodiil and winning the Battle of Pale Pass. [i]Second Era[/i] The Nords were engaged in a war with the Reachmen of High Rock. An army was tasked with protecting Skyrim, led by Hjalti Early-Beard. Hjalti allied himself with the Colovian King Cuhlecain. With his help he was able to push the Reachmen back to the fort of Old Hrol'dan. Then they were stuck. No one made any progress until King Ysmir came along and taught Hjalti the Way of the Voice. Shouts, or thu'um. Come morning Hjalti led his army into the fortress by shouting down its walls. Hjalti was giving the name Talos. Sound familiar? When Hjalti and Ysmir traveled to Cyrodiil an army of Bretons and Nords blocked all passes in the Jerall Mountains. The army was stationed at Sancre Tor. Hjalti could only muster a small army, not very useful against what was in the way. Luckily for Talos, a Breton traitor showed him a way through a pass that led to behind the Breton-Nord alliance. Meanwhile Talos left a small force in front, so the alliance went to capture the battlefield. Talos had collected the Amulet of Kings, and had took the fort from behind. Using the army at his disposal and his voice he took the keep. The Nords of the alliance had surrendered to Talos and named him heir to a mighty empire. Talos took a new name when beginning his empire. Tiber Septim. [i]Third Era[/i] The Third Era started with a marriage. One between Mantiarco and Putima Septim, also known as the Wolf Queen. They had a kid and named him Uriel Septim III. Later Mantiarco found out that his first wife was in love with his first Son, Bathorgh. Mantiarco banished his son in grief. Uriel started the War of the Red Diamond with a claim saying that Kintyra II being heir to the throne was wrong. With help from his mother, parts of High Rock and Morrowind, had taken most of Tamriel and claimed himself emperor. During the Battle of Ichidag, however, Uriel was captured and his army slaughtered by Cephorus Septim. On his way to the Imperial City the caravan Uriel was on was hijacked and Uriel was killed. The war ended with Putimas death during the last stand at Solitude. During the Imperial Simulacrum, when Jagar Tharn disguised as Uriel Septim VII, a war broke out between Skyrim and High Rock with Hammerfell. This war was called the Bend'r-Mahk. During this was the Nords lost land they had had since the first Era. The War ended when Uriel Septim VII killed Jagar Tharn. [i]Fourth Era[/i] If you've played TES: Oblivion, then you know the Oblivion Crisis. Instead of explaining it here I'll make a post in the future explaining it there. But, after this Crisis Skyrim was more or less unharmed. More than a century later the Aldmeri Dominion started a war with the Empire of Tamriel. To prevent any further destruction the White-Gold Concordat was signed. One of the rules banished the Worship of Talos. Of course this was extremely offensive to the Nords of Skyrim. Ulfric Stormcloak started s rebellion against the Thalmor, who were free to eliminate and Talos worshiper left. Ulfric challenged the High King of Skyrim, who belonged to the Empire, and killed him. Starting a war between the Stormcloaks and the Imperial Legion. Good thing about that is I also summed up the history of Skyrim! To locations! [b]Towns and Cities[/b] Skyrim is ruled by nine holds. I'll be including those, not the smaller towns. [i]Falkreath:[/i] Falkreath was/is a part of the Empire, depending on who the players chooses side with in game. It is known for its limber business and the large cemetery which houses generations of dead. [i]Solitude:[/i] It's the largest city in all of Skyrim, and it's also the capital of Skyrim. It housed the High King of Skyrim before his death. It's built on an arch over the Sea of Ghosts. Nearby rests the Thalmor Embassy. [i]Winterhold:[/i] Home to the College of Winterhold, most of the city actually fell into the Sea of Ghosts. The College kid one of the only remaining original buildings. Many people blame the College for the city falling away, though it could've fallen because of an earthquake in the city of Vivec in Morrowind. [i]Whiterun:[/i] Because of its position it makes a commercial city and a magic point in the war between the Stormcloaks and the Imperials. Many shops are found in the Plain district of Whiterun, while the Wind district is more high class. Finally the Cloud district houses the highest peak in Whiterun, Dragonsreach. Home to the Jarl of Whiterun. [i]Riften:[/i] Riften is home to the Thieves Guild, so therefore the town is full of theft. It is also home to an Orphanage, so it's full of people. Be careful when shopping in The market, you might get your coin stolen. [i]Morthal:[/i] This is a weak town only supported by its lumber mill. The town is in the swamps, and it's people are mysterious and are unwelcoming to newcomers. It is only useful for the lumber it makes, as the location isn't strategic. [i]Markath:[/i] Located to the southwest near High Rock, this city is built out of an ancient Dwemer ruin. The city is currently having troubles with a group called the Forsworn. The guards treat outsiders with hostility and suspicion due to recent events. [i]Windhelm:[/i] Windhelm is w city near the Dunmeth pass to Morrowind. Because of the towns location blizzards are a usual thing. Home to Ulfric Stormcloak, most of the citizens support him, and worship Talos. Due to how close it is to Morrowind, when Red Mountain erupted in the early 4th Era, many Dark Elves moved here. [i]Dawnstar[/i] Dawnstar is a settlement for mining and fishing near the northern half of Skyrim. It was controlled by the Stormcloaks, but Dragons frequently destroy it. If you visit it the residence will mention nightmares. It's up to the player to find out. Thanks for reading! And sorry for the lack of posting, school got in the way.