Year

Major events

2500

The Dawn Era ends, and the Merethic Era begins with the completion of the Direnni Tower (Ada-Mantia, otherwise known as the Adamantine Tower) and the first Convention of the et'Ada or 'Original Spirits'. During the convention the et'Ada determine the Physical, temporal, spiritual and magical elements of Nirn and reality itself. Some of the et'Ada such as Magnus abandon creation, some sacrifice themselves to become the very laws of nature and become what are later known as the "Aedra", others refuse to help in the creation of Nirn and instead carve out their own realms in various other planes of existence adjacent to, but not part of Mundus/Nirn and become the "Daedra". The remainder with a rare few exceptions choose to not become part of reality but instead choose to inhabit it, descending from immortality and godhood and forming the Ehlnofey; the ancestors of the various races of Mer (Elves). Exactly what occurs to the et'Ada Lorkhan is unknown, but before his death/destruction/mutilation/disappearance he forms and fashions the first 'humans' and distributes them across Nirn and his physical form is 'butchered' to form Mundus' land, mountains and his veins and arteries form a vast network of caves and caverns under the surface. The three main groups of 'men' that were created before his 'death' are the Nedes of Atmora, the Yokundan peoples, and the 'Snake-men' of Akavir. Other creatures/beings and races also begin appearing, including the precursors of the Beastfolk; Khajiit, Argonians, Goblins, the 'bird-folk' of Cyrod and the Sload. Dragons; fragments of reality formed during the stabilisation of mundus and the Hist; surviving entities from a previous reality also appear across the world and are among the most powerful entities that will ever exist. The eight Aedra who 'sacrifice' themselves to form Mundus - Akatosh, Kynareth, Arkay, Mara, Dibella, Julianos, Stendarr and Zenithar form the physical reality or the aspects of reality that will shape the development of the mortal races. Akatosh, Kynareth, Arkay and Mara physically form the world and create the first 'towers' - Ada-mantia, Snow-Throat, Red-Mountain and Green-Sap respectively while the other four become intangible aspects known as the 'Pillars' of civilisation: Knowledge (Julianos), Justice (Stendarr), Culture (Dibella) and Ingenuity (Zenithar)

2000

Topal the Pilot undertakes a series of journeys and adventures from Alinor/The Summerset Isles where he explores a continental landmass that he names 'Tamriel'. During these travels he successfully discovers and maps a large portion of mundus, including most of Tamriel, its surrounding seas and oceans and the closest neighboring lands such as Yokuda. Over the coming centuries and using Topal's knowledge the first Aldmeri Colonies begin appearing across the continent, eventually forming their own cultures and civilisations that would later become the Dwemer, Bosmer, Chimer, Ayleids, Altmer, Falmer and Orsimer. Others such as the Maormer (Sea elves) and the Direnni clan of Highrock also establish their own cultures, kingdoms and states. Many of the elvish clans follow or innately seek out the great 'towers' of the world such as Red-Mountain in Vvardenfell, Snow-Throat in Skyrim, Green-Sap in Valenwood etc.

1500

Crystal-like-Law, and White-Gold Towers are constructed on Summerset Isle and in Cyrodiil as 'mortal'-made replicas of the Adamantine Tower. Mostly unknown to their builders, these towers are in fact physical representations of the Aedra Stendarr and Julianos due to their influence on the development of civilisations. By now though the various Elven cultures throughout Tamriel are increasingly distinct from one another and already wars between them have been occurring for several generations.

1400

The Dwemer, a free-thinking reclusive Elven clan devoted to the secrets of science, engineering and alchemy establish their first cities and communities across northeastern Tamriel. These cities soon begin taking advantage of the vast network of caves, caverns and hollow spaces deep under the surface allow them to expand and grow despite the increasing pressure from the other Elven clans claiming the regions - the Aedra worshipping Snow Elves/Falmer and the daedra worshipping Chimer.

1000

The first and earliest human settlements are founded from immigrants and colonists from Atmora in High Rock, Hammerfell, Skyrim and Cyrodiil. Most of these settlements are founded as raider settlements capitalising on the expanding and rich elven cultures and cities that have expanded across Tamriel. A lot of the treasure, supplies and resources are returned to Atmora where the climate has begun changing and becoming increasingly harsh and cold. Some of these settlements however become more than simple raiding encampments and those living in Tamriel begin seeing themselves separate to their Atmoran ancestors. The Elven populations across Tamriel have developed into separate cultures and interact with the humans in varied ways. The Direnni established the first elven communities within High Rock and would ultimately go to developing a feudal based society with the Nedes/Atmorans living below the elvish nobility, whereas the Ayleids began enslaving any and all races of men who arrived within Cyrodiil. Others such the Chimer and Dwemer would alternatively trade, raid and be raided by the Nedes (those considering themselves 'natives' of Tamriel after several generations of initial colonisation efforts) and Atmoran peoples (those who consider themselves natives of Atmora) in equal measure. While the Nedic 'Culture' is mostly centralised around modern day Hammerfell, colonies, tribes and nomadic groups are dispersed across a considerable portion of northwestern Tamriel.

900

The first vampire; Lamae Beolfag is created when Molag Bal used her to directly spite Arkay for daring to hold sway over the cycle of life and death. The daedric prince brutalises and rapes the virgin Nedic priestess in Skyrim, shedding a single drop of blood onto her forehead before returning to Oblivion once more. She awakens as the first vampire and the progenitor of the “Noxiphilic Sanguivoria” bloodline/disease. Her bloodline directly existed until the later centuries of the 2nd Era and was even the progenitor of three separate bloodlines in later centuries. As the first of the vampires Lamae Bal is considered by many to be an unholy patron, despite her and her descendants being among the most fanatical in their hatred for both Molag Bal, and Arkay. Many vampires who can track their 'bloodline' to Lamae are among the most powerful of their kind, even in later era's. Many of the Lamae bloodline are indeed that powerful that even later vampire generations, despite the 'dilution' of the curse are still capable of rivalling and matching other 'first generation' vampire lords in strength and power.

737

Saarthal, the first and largest Atmoran city in Skyrim is razed by the Snow Elves. Out of a population of fifty thousand, only a few hundred survive the butchery that would come to be known as the 'Night of Tears.' One of the few survivors, a Atmoran raider and víkingr by the name Ysgramor swears revenge on the Snow Elves as his entire family apart from his sons were among those slain. He returns to Atmora with the survivors and begins organising the largest raiding force Tamriel had seen up to this point in history. What few realise is that the causes of the Night of Tears was the discovery of the Eye of Magnus; an artefact left over from before time and reality existed and incomprehensibly powerful to the point of being theoretically capable of rewriting or erasing Mundus entirely. While the Eye would be lost during the city’s destruction it would mark the start of hundreds of years of war between the Atmoran/Nordic populations and the Snow Elves.

736

Ysgramor returns with an invasion force and commences the subjugation/conquest of Skyrim. His collection of Bodyguards consisting of the greatest warriors of the time come to be known as the 500 Companions. Within a few decades he not only manages to repay Night of Tears upon the Snow Elves but also manages to establish permanent, fortified and self-sufficient colonies within Skyrim. The Palace of Kings is constructed in the city of Windhelm at the site of his invasion fleet's arrival and soon becomes the centre of a rapidly growing civilisation.

523

Lord Volkihar; ancestor to Lord Harkon and Serana conquers northwestern Skyrim by leading a raiding force of Atmoran's against the Snow Elf inhabitants. After successfully conquering a portion of the region, he claims a Snow Elf island fortress as spoils of war and establishes Haarngard Hold (‘Northern Fortress’ Hold). Extensions and refurbishments of battle damage commence but are not completed in his lifetime.

500

Skyrim is now occupied by several disparate kingdoms, cities, cultures and groups of Snow Elves and the increasingly powerful Nedic tribes that have begun forming proto-kingdoms. These kingdoms are separated by the level of control and fealty they have to the Dragon Cult of Atmora, with those having closer ties and being ruled by the Dragon Priests subjugating or warring against those who considered themselves 'natives' of Tamriel and not Atmora. This marks the first major conflict between races of men despite being more of a civil war than a war of conquest between the descendants of the Atmorans and the Nedes. To control their 'southern' brethren the Atmoran dragon cultists turn to increasingly cruel methods and subjugation which extended to the local races of mer as well. Over the next two hundred years this conflict would steadily increase and become known as the "Dragon War" when mortals discover the means to slay the Dragons and their priests. Through cultural evolution the Nedes of Skyrim slowly begin developing into the Nords over the course of generations, adopting and developing a new language based upon a combination of Dovahzul, and loan words of Falmer and Dwemer.

412

Arch-Curate Vyrthur is infected with vampirism by one of the chantry Initiates and subsequently creates the Tyranny of the Sun Prophecy. Unbeknownst to him, Vyrthur is among the earliest ‘second & third’ generation of vampires who received the curse from others, and not directly from Molag Bal.

400

The first of the Bretons begin to appear as the result of interbreeding between elves and men. Originally known as 'Manmer' or ‘half-elves’ they are more Aldmeri in appearance however future generations would become more and more 'human' until there is very little that distinguished them from the other races of men besides racial and local physiologies. Initial contacts between the Nordic people and the Bretons are almost entirely violent and usually ends in the deaths of the Bretons and it would be centuries before the Nordic tribes recognise the Bretons as being human descendants.

370

Further extensions to Castle Volkihar commence and takes the rest of the century to complete

263

Paarthunaax, growing disillusioned with Alduin’s behaviour, and his own actions in enslaving mortals and the ongoing Dragon War begins teaching the first, non-Dragon Cult aligned mortals the use of the Thu'um; Felldir the Old, Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, and Hakon One-Eye. They become known as 'the Tongues' and whose use and understanding of the Thu'um will only be surpassed by Jurgen Wind-Caller in later centuries. Together the three tongues and Paathurnaax organise the rebellious Nordic Tribes from unrest and insurgency into a fully-fledged rebellion that quickly grows and splits Skyrim between the Nordic rebels and the Atmoran aligned Dragon Cult.

255

Felldir, Gormlaith, and Hakon seek out Miraak, the leader of the Dragon Cult and petition for him to switch sides and join the growing rebellion against the Dragons. Unknown to the three tongues Miraak is the 'First' Dovahkiin, and has already fallen under the sway of the Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora. The Dragon Priest has even successfully murdered and consumed the souls of several dragons at this point and seeks to gain rulership over the dragons rather than breaking free from their enslavement and declines to join the rebellion. However, he doesn't side against them either.

240

Miraak, using the knowledge bestowed upon him by Hermaeus Mora and the several dragon souls he consumed begins his own rebellion against the dragons in secret, taking advantage of the growing chaos throughout Skyrim. The Dragon Cult and the dragons are increasingly beset by the rebelling Nordic peoples, and the increasing power of the Tongues has tilted the balance drastically against the Atmorans. However, even though that several of the other Dragon Priests side with Miraak the others remain loyal. One of these loyalist Dragon Priests and oldest of their order, Vahlok discovers Miraak's treachery and they engage in an duel using the Thu'um. The sheer destructive power of these two dragon priests devastates the region that will one day be the northern border regions of Skyrim and Morrowind and severs Solstheim from the mainland. Just as Vahlok is about to overcome his opponent, Miraak is dragged into Oblivion by Hermeaus Mora and trapped in Apocrypha for the next four thousand years. In the centuries that follow, a prophecy is uncovered stating that the ‘First’ shall be ultimately defeated by the ‘Last’ but such a prophecy will take thousands of years to come to fruition.

235

The Dragon War comes to an end when Alduin is banished forward into time with the use of an Elder Scroll by the tongues. Alduin's defeat utterly breaks the hold of the Dragon Cult over the lands of Tamriel, and with the ever-worsening climate in Atmora there is no longer the strength in the Atmoran people culturally, militarily or economically to contend with the growing strength of the now completely established Nordic Civilisation. While not entirely united, the sheer military might and martial traditions of the Nordic peoples make them a force to be reckoned with, especially with the ever-increasing number of 'Tongues' capable of wielding the 'Thu'um' to devastating effect. Many of what would become the modern 'holds' are initially founded as petty kingdoms who are as likely to fight and attempt to conquer each other as they are the remnants of the Dragoncult.

187

While the war is technically over and many of the Dragons have been slain or otherwise fled Skyrim, the Dragon Cult still retains much power within the region. For ambitious Jarls and rulers within the 'Nordic Kingdoms' there is opportunity in the leaderless and crippled Dragoncult but for those without the power of the 'Thu'um' there is very little that can stand against the remaining priests and their Dragon overlords. In search for the power needed to contend with such enemies, the 'King' and 'Queen' of Haarngard Hold; Harkon and Valercia Volkihar fall to daedric worship of Molag Bal. As part of this worship, they conceive a child specifically to be raised as a sacrifice to Molag Bal in their search for power and influence. Serana is born and raised in a culturally typical manner of Nordic Princesses at the time, however great care is taken by her parents to ensure her ‘purity’, ensuring that her childhood and teenage years are extremely devoid of human contact or any sort of social acclimation.

166

In a ritual that lasted for three days, Harkon and Valercia pledge themselves to Molag Bal with the sacrifice of most of his subjects and physically submitting to the Daedric Prince. Serana is used as the centrepiece of the ritual with her virginity first taken by her father, before she is then offered to Molag Bal as part of the ritual. Neither Harkon or Valerica intended or expected Serana to survive the ritual, let alone be 'gifted' vampirism with them but she survives, and the Volkihar Vampire Clan/bloodline is formed. In the years and decades to come, Valercia attempts to make up for her lack of 'motherly' responsibilities through her and Serana's shared trauma of becoming vampires, but Serana is still kept locked within castle Volkihar by her father as a potential 'asset' for use in future negotiations with the other Nordic Royal Families.

Year

Major events

Year '0'

The Camoran Dynasty in Valenwood is founded and this date is used to signify the beginning of the 1st Era

25

The number of vampires throughout Tamriel have been growing dramatically as a result of the steadily increasing number of 'purebloods' spreading the curse over the past four hundred years. While 'second generation' vampires are noticeably weaker and not as powerful as their sires, their numbers soon grow exponentially and in turn create subsequent 'generations' of the curse. Each generation is weaker but like a virus the curse mutates, changes and spreads. Most regions can typically resist but within Cyrodiil the large numbers of human slaves provide the perfect food source and soon the Ayleids find themselves facing a vampiric 'outbreak' of immense proportions

42

Two decades of supressing the truth and the numbers of vampiric infected, the Ayleids turn to their magicka and skill with Skymetal, Weykynd and Varla stones, and forge a series of weapons specifically created to slay vampires. The greatest of these weapons will come to be known as the Light of Dawn, while the other lesser blades are simply known as the Children of the Dawn.

68

Last Atmoran "Invasion" Arrives but the boats are full of dead and dying. Atmora is now considered to be inhospitable due to extreme cold that continues spreading south. Over the coming millennia Skyrim, northern Morrowind and northern High Rock are subjected to freezing winters as their climates shift. Any expeditions to the northern continent reveal nothing more than a frozen wasteland with rumours of temperatures so cold that even time itself is frozen.

115

After a century of fighting against the vampires most are exterminated from any regions held by the Ayleids.  This comes at the cost of even greater repression of the slave populations and resentment from the slaves themselves as for the most part they didn't understand or identify the vampiric threat. Discontent and rebellions begin growing perceptibly which is assisted by the way the Ayleids crack down in the similar fashion to dealing with vampires and their thralls. As the Vampiric war was mostly held in secret it has a subtle effect on the Ayleid society and they become bitter and cruel to other races. Where Daedra Worship had once been seen as a part of their overall society's faith and religious systems begins growing and gaining in prominence and overtaking that of other dieties and religious instituions. Several cities become increasing cruel, violent and oppressive to their people and especially the slaves. The first 'Art-Tortures' begin appearing where slaves were twisted and mutated into horrific, living sculptures such as the 'Gut-Gardens' of Sercen and the 'Marrow-halls' of Nornelhorst, kept alive through magicka and in constant agony. Several cities though begin to turn away from such practices and the first true insurrection efforts begin appearing. Unknown to most, a small collection of Dwemer emissaries begin taking interest in such mutilating practices and daedra worship and begin studying it themselves, eventually bringing their knowledge back to the rest of the Dwemer and becoming the 'Haszak'; Dwemer 'Flesh-Engineers'. Unknown to the rest of their civilisation though they have secretly begun worshipping and studying the Daedra before falling under the sway of Hermaeus Mora.

140

Forelhost, the last Stronghold of the Dragon Cult is captured by Jarl Harald's forces. The remains of the once-powerful Cult are now entirely broken and left to decay into legend and myth. Dragons are still common throughout Skyrim but the increasing power of the Tongues and the military might of the Nordic Empire forces them to remain aloof or otherwise exist on the fringes of civilisation. Many spread out across Tamriel and beyond, some joining their kin on Akavir while a handful descend into the depths of the world and become 'deep dragons' of the Underdark.

143

Jarl Harald is Proclaimed High King of Skyrim

221

The first major Dwemer City, Raldbthar is established within Skyrim after dwemer prospectors discover the largest source of a material known as 'Aetherium' ever discovered. The city's location and connection to the underdark allows trade to flourish despite the hostility of the Nordic Kingdom. Experimentation on Aetherium leads to rapid advancements in Dwemer Metallurgy, especially by the members of the 'Zhanthikarn' and their unique understanding of Tonal Architecture that quickly spreads through their civilisation. The 'Zhanthikarn' are initially smiths and metallurgists living and working in Raldbthar towards exploiting the Aetherium deposits but many of their number begin further experimentation using the vast excess material that result in several key advances. Some of these advances will eventually allow for the creation of 'soulless' automata named Animinculi that in less than a century almost entirely replace their standing militaries and allows them to compete with the daedra assisted armies of the Chimer, and the raw martial prowess of the Nords. These breakthroughs also allow one of, if not their greatest inventions - dwemer metal and stonework. Their understanding of the nature of reality and its 'song' allows them to almost effortlessly create stone that is hundreds of times more durable than granite, and metal that is in essence 'slightly outside of reality'. The metal especially can only be smelted or reforged under very, very precise conditions and the greater material’s ‘purity’ the more resistant to everything it becomes, whether it be damage, time, corrosion, and magicka. The best quality materials are even highly resistant to the likes of different types of tonal architecture such as the Thu'um and the rewriting of reality itself during Dragonbreaks. Some more enterprising of the dwemer engineers, especially the 'Vhulkenaz' (Sine-Lord masters of Tonal Architecture) and the 'Tharzadan' (Engineer-Priests) begin dreaming of combining this knowledge into an ultimate weapon.

230

The increasing anti-mer policies and racial hatred of the Nords coupled by the worsening treatment of the human slave populations to the south in Cyrodiil drives further retaliation and discrimination against all elves and especially the remaining Falmer enclaves and communities within Skyrim. Smaller settlements are soon finding themselves under direct attack by local hold forces and any attempt to seek a peaceful solution is fruitless. Most surviving Falmer are forced outside of 'civilisation' and are typically hunted by any Nords who become aware of their presence. Desperate, many of the surviving Falmer populations seek refuge with the expanding Dwemer City-States and their colonies within Skyrim in a bid to avoid outright extermination. While some are lucky enough to be granted refuge in some cities, many others are forced into the Underdark to eke rough existences in the harsh realm of Blackreach or outright enslaved to help the colonisation efforts. Those who are granted refuge are the minority and most of these assimilate and over subsequent generations are no longer discernible from the Dwemer. However, many of those enslaved are given over to the Haszak; the Dwemer 'flesh-engineers' who use the Dwemer's knowledge of Tonal Architecture and daedric studies to manipulate and sculpt living beings for better use for the Dwemer civilisation. The Haszak's true allegiances are still unknown, even among the rest of their civilisation and as servants and acolytes of Hermaeus Mora, they frequently experiment on themselves almost as much as those 'gifted' to them. Over the course of a handful of generations they begin the process of transforming the Falmer into something more suited as an underground-slave race.

222

Vrage Ysgramor, a direct descendent of Ysgramor is crowned High-King of Skyrim at 24 years of age. Within a year he successfully manages to consolidate his rule of the fractious Nordic holds to the point where external expansion is possible. Over the coming decades the Nordic Kingdom begins to slowly press outwards into the lands of the Bretons and Chimer, making small gains along border regions despite fierce resistance. The Dwemer Kingdoms though are increasingly difficult to deal with as the knowledge of Dwemer metal and stonework becomes increasingly commonplace, especially arms and armour made from Dwemer Metal and despite Nordic aggression further Dwemer Cities are founded across northern Tamriel.

240

While not recognised as such by those living within it at the time, the first Empire of the Nords is founded and High King Vrage gains the Epithet 'The Gifted' as a result of his military prowess and several defeats of his new "Empire's" enemies. What will come to be known as the "Skyrim Conquests" commence with smaller forays into Breton and Chimer held lands.

242

After two centuries of unrest, the Alessian Rebellion commences. Over the coming months, the demi-gods Pelinal Whitestrake and Morihaus join the rebellion. The Eight Aedra, known now as the ‘Eight Divines’ also take an ‘active’ role in the conflict due to the increasing destabilisation on reality that the Ayleid Empire was increasingly causing. While unable to take ‘physical’ forms as such their influence is felt through the various blessings and support they provide the rebelling humans, but none match the sheer intensity of the weapons and armour of Pelinal that they infuse with fractions of their divine essence. The Nordic Empire also aids the insurrection by providing both logistical and military aid both in the form of mercenaries and advisors, as well as openly invading and taking portions of northern Cyrodiil. Any Ayleids seeking to flee the increasingly brutal uprising into Nordic territories are massacred, sometimes by King Vrage in person with his royal retinues.

243

The Alessian Rebellion succeeds in taking the Imperial City and White Gold Tower from the Ayleids. During the siege Pelinal Whitestrake manages to breach the city alone but is slain in personal combat against the last Ayleid King Umaril the Unfeathered, a champion of the Daedric Prince Meridia. Pelinal and Umaril mutually defeat each other in the throne room of White-Gold tower, and in his weakened state Pelinal is finally slain by Umaril’s surviving elite guard. Unlike the legends, Pelinal Whitestrake's body is not cut into ‘eight’ pieces and scattered throughout the province but rather the Aedric Relics are scattered to stop mankind using their power. As punishment Pelinal is decapitated and his head is kept alive with potent magicka for the rest of the siege but ultimately allows him to pass the prophecy of Umaril's return to Morihaus. Upon the successful siege, the Alessian Empire is proclaimed, despite being little more than a half-formed kingdom, especially compared to the might and power of their northern cousins.

246

As part of the 'Skyrim Conquests' much of what would become High Rock and Morrowind falls to the 1st Nordic Empire, and many large colonies and military outposts would grow to become powerful cities and even states in the future Eras. In High Rock, the cities of Camlorn and Daggerfall are founded as part of the Nordic military occupation of the region, and over the coming centuries would eventually become culturally Breton.

266

Empress Alessia on her deathbed is met by the avatar of Akatosh and transformed in both the first 'Imperial' Saint and the main gem in the Amulet of Kings. This seals a pact/covenant between men and Akatosh, which strengthens the barriers between Mundus and the other planes of existence and drastically limits the influence of other-planar beings on and within reality. While initially against the idea of Mundus, Akatosh has grown to love and appreciate Lorkhan's vision and plans for reality and has especially grown fond of mortals and men due to their tenacity.

300

During the 4th century of the 1st Era, many of the ancient Ayleid cities are devastated through a combination of civil unrest, racial persecutions, and even outright invasions by the nascent City-states of Cyrod within the Alessian Empire. Many of what would become the great counties and their cities are first founded in this century. Brumia, Skina Gratum, Chorria, Anvilum, Bravlia, Vatchiae, Sutchium are all initially founded as their own petty kingdoms under the banner of the Alessian Empire, but externally other nations and races do not formally recognise them as an 'empire' as such. Internally the individual cities and kingdoms are fractured and are just as likely to fight and invade each other as they are to attack and pillage the remaining Ayleid cities, especially between the 'Colovian' peoples of the northwest, and the 'Nibenese' of the southeast. There is however a rough semblance of unity when they are pressed, or focused on an external enemy such as the Camoran Dynasty to the south, and even the Nordic Empire to the North.

303

College of Winterhold is founded as a school/university as the northern city grows in regional importance. Over the coming centuries it slowly begins specialising in Magicka and not just education and teaching.

361

The Alessian Doctrines are enforced, Ayleids living within the Alessian Empire are heavily supressed and racial and religious prosecution drastically increases. The Ayleids are considered 'non citizens' if they live in human settlements and are usually less than slaves in terms of rights. While not necessarily peaceful prior to the Doctrines, the intense racial discrimination increases a hundred-fold with massacres, pogroms and outright extermination raids occurring against any and all elves within Cyrodiilic territories. Within a year many of the Ayleids begin migrating in an effort to escape the persecution, with most finding relative safety with their kin in Valenwood and High Rock. Ayleid cities that are abandoned during this period are either looted and razed, or left to fall into decay and be reclaimed by nature.

365

The Ayleid vassal-state of Mackamentain, responding to the growing persecution and outright slaughter of their race at the hands of the Alessian Order choose not to migrate out of Cyrodiil with their brethren, but instead retreat deep underground. Within the decade they discover the great stalagmite of Narbondel in some of the deeper underground regions and found the city of Menzoberranzan around it. Initially their existence is known and remembered by the surface and are even involved in limited trade and immigration from those seeking to flee the slavery, wars and vampires of the surface but over the following decades and centuries they become more and more isolated and xenophobic. Rumours of the 'hidden elves' - Velmer and limited records would remain as the 'Drow' are slowly forgotten and evolve into legends and myth.

369

King Borgas, the last of Ysgramor's lineage and the last wearer of the 'Jagged Crown' is slain during a "Wild Hunt" while attempting to unite the Alessian and Nordic Empires in a war against Camoran Dynasty of Valenwood. Childless and without a designated heir the Kingsmoot fails to choose a new High-King and instead the Kingdom devolves into a massive civil war with every Jarl and hold attempting to claim the throne by force. This is the first and greatest War of Succession Skyrim would ever experience and would last for just over fifty years and be responsible for the deaths of entire generations of Nords. Several Dwemer city-states, especially those within Skyrim take various sides in the civil war for either their own gain, or against their merish rivals which contributes to the sheer destructive nature of the war and the ever-increasing deathtoll

374

The last Ayleid vassal-state of Nenalata is provided the ultimatum of leaving or being slaughtered. Those who fail to leave Cyrodiil are massacred, and the entire city is looted and razed to the ground. From this date, Cyrodiil is populated almost entirely by the descendants of the Ayleid slave populations.

388

Haafingar Hold forces successfully invade the vampire held Haarngard Hold. Initially the mortal forces are slaughtered and fail to hold any territories due to the lengthened winter nights of the far North, but Nordic valour and determination soon leads to Lord Harkon's Vampiric vassals being assassinated or otherwise killed while they sleep during the day. Even retinues of second and third generation Volkihar vampires prove incapable of holding off the Nordic forces, especially by those being led by the Tongues of this era armed with the increasingly common knowledge of how to counter vampires.

391

After three years of constant battle, the Vampiric forces of Clan Volkihar lose the entirety of their territory except for the coastal fortress of Castle Volkihar which proves impossible for mortal forces to conquer. Haafingar hold absorbed the conquered Haarngard hold territories into their own and reinforce their claims after massacring the populations of thralls and surviving vampires and repopulating with their own people. While the conflict is stagnated with the siege of the ancient Falmer fortress and each side unable to gain an advantage, Harkon becomes increasingly insane and begins blaming the Sun as the source of their defeats. Due to their vampiric nature, they are forced to conduct limited 'slave raids' into various territories which results in significant losses of vampires attempting to get through the siege. Due to the increasingly experienced mortal soldiers of Haafingar they are forced to instead raid dwemer cities and fortresses for thralls and blood-slaves while also hoping to force conflict between Haafingar and the Dwemer.

395

Harkon learns from a Falmer captured during one of the more recent 'slave raids' against the city of Bthardamz that there was a prophecy detailing a way to "End the Sun's Tyranny". Harkon soon begins utilising the Clan's resources in search of the Elder Scrolls containing the prophecy even as the castle's siege continues for its 4th year.

397

The besiegers of Castle Volkihar give up and return to the mainland as the Dwemer respond to 'Haafingar's aggression' with an army of Animunculi moving north to threaten Solitude. Over the coming years Harkon enforces a policy of 'limited contact' and promulgates stories with thralls that the castle is abandoned and cursed to ensure that the clan's home remains isolated while Haafingar is left fending off the Dwemer. He also culls the numbers of vampires within the clan to a much lower number to hide their existence while also using their abilities for espionage and assassination of anyone showing interest in claiming the fortress for themselves. Provided a measure of freedom because of these activities he turns his attentions towards gaining the required Elder Scrolls containing the Tyranny of the Sun prophecy

400

Using a combination of their animunculi, metallurgy and masonry the Dwemer's excavations into Red Mountain bears unexpected fruit with the discovery of the Heart of Lorkhan. While initially their excavations were purely to tap into the volcano's magma for its geothermic energies, the heart offers almost unlimited potential for the Dwemer. Initial research provides glimpses into its true nature and within decades the first plans and ideas of harnessing the heart begin taking form.

412

Taking advantage of the divided Nordic peoples and the ongoing war of Succession, the Dwemer Kingdoms of Vvardenfell force the Nordic occupiers first off the island, and then out of Morrowind entirely after a decisive victory during the 1st Battle of Red Mountain. The surviving Nordic forces retreat into their homeland while the Dwemer and Chimer forge the Council of Resdayn that effectively divide Morrowind into spheres of influence and establish a means of countering Nordic expansionism.

420

Skyrim's war of succession ends when Jarl Olaf One-Eye of Whiterun, with the support of the 500 Companions succeed in subduing the Dragon Numinex and imprisoning him in Dragonsreach castle. As part of his imprisonment, Numinex teaches Jarl Olaf the thu'um which allows him and his forces to reunite the province through his increasing personal legend, and by conquering large portions of the Reach from the Dwemer. Through this Jarl Olaf One-Eye eventually becomes High-King of Skyrim however his rule is somewhat tumultuous and minor rebellions occurring semi-frequently due to his draconian measures of keeping the peace.

421

In the year after the Pact of Chieftans and the coronation of the High King, one of the few surviving military leaders from the disastrous Battle of Red Mountain, Jurgen Wind-Caller begins a long pilgrimage seeking truth and understanding to how he and the other Tongues had been defeated. This journey and resulting understanding of the 'Thu'um' would make him the greatest Nordic Tongues to ever live. His travels throughout Skyrim eventually lead him to the Throat of the World where he meets Paarthurnax in his self-imposed exile and the two being recognise the other as kindred spirits. Contrary to later popular belief it was not Paarthurnax that taught Jurgen "The Way of the Voice" but in fact Jurgen was the one to create it and teach it to the ancient dragon. Together they would go on to establish the Greybeards and turn the Thu'um from a power of war to a means of understanding reality itself that would survive the next four thousand years. Paarthurnax further continues along the path that he had unknowingly been following since betraying Alduin during the Dragon Wars in his own search for understanding of his true nature.

422

Clan Volkihar succeeds in claiming the first Elder Scroll related to the Tyranny of the Sun.

435

Lloth, Daedramancer and High Priestess of Menzoberranzan, in liaison with one of the 'deep' dragons discovers a way how to utilise blood magic and sacrifices to empower herself, as well as gaining a measure of knowledge of Tonal Architecture and the nature of reality. While unable to reach godhood or CHIM as such, she begins travelling down the path of becoming equivalent in power to a demigod and in later centuries even rivalling the powers of the Dunmer Tribunal.

441

Clan Volkihar succeeds in claiming the second Elder Scroll. Valerica begins planning how to foil Harkon's plans as she realises how much of a threat mortals are to vampires. Even if the prophecy succeeds vampires will become extinct one way or another, whether it by vengeance from mortals or simply because all life will die without the sun.

453

A collection of Velmer nobles and priests of Menzoberranzan band together in an attempt to subvert Lloth's growing hold over their people and while they are somewhat successful they too resort to worship and blood magic to gain power to contend with her. Some powerful daedric cult leaders like Ghaunaduar (Namira), Vhaeraun (Boethiah) and Zinzerena (Mephala) leave with their followers and found separate cities elsewhere in the Underdark in an attempt to escape Lloth's influence. Others like Keptolo (Sanguine), Eilistraee (Meridia) and Selvetarm attempt a coup but instead are defeated and slain. 

454

Stealing both Scrolls and escaping with her daughter, Valerica travels to the tomb that would one day be known as Dimhollow Crypt and entombs Serana using powerful magicka and the eternal nature of the scroll she locks away with her. Attempting to escape Harkon's followers and lead them away from Serana’s location she returns to the Castle and enters the Soul Cairn where she is trapped without a source of blood for eternity with the undead dragon Durneviihir as her jailor. Unknown at the time for both the dragon and vampires, the Ideal Masters tricked them both by promising that they would become free once the other perished and hiding the fact that as a Daughter of Coldharbor and the progeny of Akatosh both were entirely immortal. Valerica manages to stave off the blood thirst for over four months before succumbing to insanity.

460

Civil war breaks out amongst the Velmer with several more city-states being founded despite the pressures of the conflict and the threats inherent to the Underdark. With relatively few numbers and a high death toll, each city-state resort to utilising slaves taken from native Underdark creatures and breeding further generations of Ayleid sympathising humans who had followed them underground for every facet of their society to survive. Unknown to the Velmer, Lloth's increasing power is altering their race almost at a genetic level and each generation of velmer born are increasingly dark skinned and their physical and mental prowess is also increasing beyond any other Mer.

625

The Falmer slaves, increasingly twisted and mutated into creatures more suited for survival in the 'Upperdark' region held by the Dwemer openly rebel against their overlords. The War of the Crag begins which is entirely unknown to anyone on the surface. The Dwemer, in response begin to rely heavily on their armies of Animunculi and heavily fortify the lower levels of their cities that have access into the underdark.

670

The society of the Velmer continues to shift and Lloth's growing influence is felt everywhere. Those living within Menzoberranzan slowly begin worshipping Lloth as a god. By now the Velmer bare very little resemblance to their Ayleid ancestry, their flesh is the colour of ebony, their hair turning almost exclusively pure white or pale greys. Their eyes have also adapted to the darkness, allowing them to naturally see heat as well as normal visual sight when required. While knowledge of their existence on the surface has devolved into myth and legends of the "hidden elves", they have started calling themselves the 'Drow' as their language continues to adapt to their dark, brutal existence becomes as comparatively harsh like their society. Their society also becomes ultra-matriarchal due to Lloths influence with males existing barely above the level of slaves or household pets and their slave populations have grown to such an extent that for every Velmer there are between five and ten slaves depending on the city-state in question. Insurrection and rebellion are only kept in check due to the ever-increasing brutality of the society where one in every ten drow, let alone slaves survive to adulthood. This brutality, along with Lloth's meddling quickly breeds an ever-capable population of slaves and velmer alike that would outmatch all but the greatest warriors, heroes and magicka users of the surface. It is only through this personal skill-at-arms and genetic power does their society survive the underdark and threat of a slave rebellion.

678

The War of the First Council (Also known as the War of the Red Mountain, the Dwemeri War, or Lorkhan War) starts shortly after the first great eruption of Red Mountain and the subsequent year known as "Sun's Death". The eruption devastates Vvardenfell and severely weakens the great houses of Morrowind due to the ash clouds, acid rain and the diminished sunlight that lasts for months and devastates agriculture across most of northeastern Tamriel. The Dwemer, who's underground cities across Morrowind were just as affected, if not more so from the volcanic eruption and seismic activity, combined with the decades of war in Blackreach against the Falmer insurrection had left them dangerously weakened and open to retaliation from the Chimer. Desperate, and essentially fighting a two-front war the Dwemer manage to gain assistance from the Nordic Empire and orchish mercenaries against the Chimer but the war is quickly turning against them despite this. Unknown to everyone other than the Chimer, the Dwemer's experimentation with the Heart of Lorkhan and their development of the Numidium had been directly responsible for the eruption, and desperate they begin racing to complete the giant Animunculi to stave off the Chimer

700

The War of the First Council continues and the 2^nd Battle of Red Mountain takes place. The Numidium is prematurely activated as the Chimer armies battle against the Nords, Orcs and Dwemer forces trying desperately to hold them off. Still fighting an unknown two-front war against the Chimer and the Falmer, the Dwemer are forced to resort to levying their own people for the War of the First Council while their armies of Animunculi are defending their underground empire. As the battle turns the increasingly desperate Dwemer not only activate the Numidium but Kagrenac, the High Craftlord and chief architect of the colossal titan attempts to manipulate Lorkhan's heart. What occurs next is impossible to discern, as the combined 'dragon-break' of the Numidium's activation and the manipulation of Lorkhan's heart ensures that all possibilities occur at the same time, and yet nothing occurs as well. The resulting impossibility and the breakage of time results in every living dwemer vanishing across all of Mundus, leaving only their building, crafts, animunculi etc behind with otherwise no trace of their existence. Only a handful of Dwemer ‘survive’ this event such as Yagrum Bagarn who was outside of Mundus at the time, and the Haszak Flesh-Engineers whose experiments on their own bodies had already subtly begun changing them into something... different. The War of the Crag also comes to an end as the Haszak are forced to flee due to having insufficient numbers to contend with the likes of the Chimers wrath at the events of the Battle of Red Mountain and enterprising Nords unsuccessfully seeking to pillage the handful of poorly-defended cities. Using their skills and knowledge they enact their last and final changes to the Snow Elves by removing the entire race’s sight. This allows the Haszak in their limited numbers to flee south through Blackreach towards the Velmer City-States. The sudden and utter loss of their sight cripples the Snow Elves entirely and combined with the relentless nature of the Animunculi guarding the abandoned Dwemer cities and their potential resources causes a complete societal collapse among their kind. Merely fighting to survive within the underdark with no sight soon costs more lives than those during the entire War of the Crag. Within four generations the Snow Elves have fully degraded into the cannibalistic, animalistic Falmer of later eras and are almost lacking in sentience. They are however now completely adapted to the Underdark and over the coming centuries spread throughout the territories once held by the Dwemer, being limited only by the armies of Animunculi that still guard the abandoned cities and patrol the deep roads of the underdark.

705

In the years after the events of the Battle of Red Mountain the Chimer go through a series of societal upheavals, including the destruction of the Sixth House, the murder of Lord Indoril Nerevar and culminating in the ascension of Nerevar's councillors to godhood (Vivec, Sotha Sil, and Almalexia) and their entire race being cursed by the Daedric Prince Azura as a result. The Chimer are reborn as the Dunmer, their flesh darkening, and eyes turning red. Unknown to all besides the new tribunal of living gods who have been granted limited omniscience ,the changes occurring with the Velmer people are also partially due to Lloth's experimenting with tonal architecture to manipulate her own people. Vivec especially is aware of the existence of the Velmer and Lloth, and is aware that her powers could eventually become similar to the Tribunal’s but chooses to keep this fact hidden as to not draw Lloth's attentions to the surface or Morrowind.

792

Yokuda, the homeland of the people who would become the Redguards suffers a massive calamity and most of the continent sinks beneath the waves of the western Eltheric Ocean. While they were not the first of the Ra Gada to have colonised or raided the coasts of Hammerfell, Highrock and Cyrodiil the surviving Yokudan's are in such numbers that vast territories are claimed, and entire new towns and cities are established by the turn of the century. Despite facing multiple, hostile cultures and adversaries ranging from the local Nedes, Bretons, various groups of mer and even the indigenous goblins who counter-invade the newly established Ra Gada colonies the future 'Redguards' succeed in carving a new home for themselves in Hammerfell. Unknown to the Yokudans, the destruction of the Orichalc Tower Sun-Glass had far reached effects beyond the physical loss of the tower. As the physical representation of Dibella and her aspect of reality, the Yokuda's experience a significant change to their culture, mentality and perceptions all the way down to individuals, becoming increasingly harsh, brutal and cruel over several generations. This inadvertently assists the Yokudan's in gaining a new homeland but it would take centuries and their cultural evolution into the modern Redguards to return to something similar to the Yokudans.

800

Wayrest is formally recognised and declared as a city and becomes one of the first major cities of predominately Breton culture. While most of High Rock is colonised and occupied at this time it is more of a patchwork of tribes, cultures, alliances and groups. Almost every inhabitant of the region can trace their ancestry back to the Summerset Isles, Atmora, or even the elves and men of Cyrodiil and culturally the area is a blend between Elves of Aldmeri and Alyeid descent, men of both Yokundan and Nedic/Atmoran and Orcish lineages. The Bretons with their half elf, half man ancestry slowly begin establishing themselves as the primary culture in the region but a bitter cultural rivalry is formed between them and the Orsimer as the other dominant race in the region.

874

An unknown acolyte of the Elder Moth Temple, while researching one of the Elder Scrolls contained with White-Gold tower uncovers a prophecy containing numerous references to great calamities and events in coming millennia. One element of the prophecy is recorded and the importance of which stressed and maintained over the coming centuries by their order, despite the event not due to occur for over two thousand years:

The towers will fall; a hero stands tall.
Mortal men - the Mer shall fool.
Those without eyes, shall gaze upon skies.
The Empress and the Dragon shall rule.

1000

As the last of the Dragon-controlled and dominated cultures in Nirn, the men of the Tsaesci have been increasingly subjugated over the previous centuries from the surviving dragons who escaped northern Tamriel during the dragon wars. A martial culture continues to develop under the yoke of the dragons and the "Akasaishi' (Dragon-Priest) nobility which is increasingly used in the various wars against the other races occupying Akavir; the Kamali Snow Demons, Ka Po'Tun tiger-men, and Tang-Mo monkey-folk. Many of the Tsaesci begin dreaming of freedom from the dragons and begin wondering about the ancient stories and legends of a land to the west that had been inadvertently passed down by their draconic overlords combined with fragments of stories from raiders and pirates who had fled Akavir.

1500

In the 700 years since the disappearance and entire collapse of the Dwemer, the Haszak have undergone a transformation and no longer share anything in common with their Dwemer ancestry. Now openly worshipping Hermaeus Mora and continuing to experiment upon themselves using their flesh-crafts, they have evolved into a semi-hive mind race and are no longer capable of breeding or reproducing naturally. Instead, the beings that the Velmer/drow call 'illithids' or ‘mind flayers’ reproduce by birthing 'tadpole' like larval forms into pools and forcing humanoid slaves to serve as a type of incubator. The larva burrow into and slowly merge with and consume the host's brain before taking over the body and adapting it into a form more suited for the underdark. Wars between the various velmer-city states and the illithid colonies are increasingly frequent just as trade and political manoeuvrings are. Only through a combination of raids that rely heavily on their mind-altering abilities or through diplomacy the colonies are able to grow and expand and gain considerable slave populations. To the north however the underdark is almost entirely occupied by the degenerated falmer which have thoroughly infested the lands once held by the Dwemer. For the Velmer the presence of the 'mind-flayers' to the north is a boon, annoyance and opportunity in equal measures as they serve as a buffer between their society and the blind cannibals, and a source of slaves and raiding in a twisted kind of symbiotic relationship between the two races.

2000

After a thousand years of almost ceaseless conflict against the other races of Akavir, the Tsaesci begin an uprising against their draconic overlords that would last for over six hundred years. The death toll is enormous and despite the skills and abilities of the 'Saburi' warrior caste the sheer power and might of the Dragons, combined with the hostile nature of the other cultures of Akavir drag the war out for centuries. The death toll is enormous but through determination and skill the Tsaesci succeed in hunting down and defeating the dragons at great cost until none remain within Akavir.

2600

The last of the Dragons in Akavir are slain and the Tsaesci succeed in gaining their freedom. Out of the ashes and the dead of 600 years of total war a new elite order of warriors is formed; the 'Akagādo' Dragonguard consisting of the greatest of the Saburi and many individuals who had proven capable of individually defeating dragons in battle. Among the Tsaesci further rumours and stories of the fabled land to the west of "Beautiful Dawns" and other dragons still existing elsewhere in the world. Soon, now that the Dragons are no longer around to supress it the priests and mystics of the Tsaesci revive an ancient prophecy regarding an individual who could speak the tongue of dragons and shared their blood; the 'Akabōru Ten'nō' or 'Dragonborn Emperor'

2700

The "First Akaviri invasion" occurs when the Tsaesci army, led by General Sinrun-Vinralu Maresuke and containing the entire 'Akagādo' Dragonguard invade northern Tamriel with two specific objectives. The first is to continue their extermination of all dragons that they encounter, and the second is following a prophecies regarding the birth of the first 'Akabōru Ten'nō', Dragonborn Emperor. Within the first year they successfully annihilate all military forces of the Nordic Empire, occupy most of Skyrim and successfully invade High Rock and Morrowind simultaneously. Though, the Breton's strategy of prolonged sieges in their fortified castle-cities, and opportunistic raiding from Orcish tribes slow the invasion of High Rock to a crawl, and the unexpected personal involvement of Lord Vivec completely stalls the invasion of Morrorwind shortly after. While regarded as 'snake-men' in later history the Tsaesci were not in fact lizard-human hybrids or reptilian creatures but the third and last race of men like the Atmorans and Yokundans. The stories and monikers of 'snake-men' came from their penchant of adorning their armour and equipment with snakes, dragons and other great lizards, their facial appearance and narrowed eyes that the Nords and Cyrodillic people considered snake-like in appearance and their method of waging war; striking hard and fast. During this era the 'snake-men' term was derogatory in usage.

2702

The Tsaesci forces suffer their first defeat in Cyrodiil as their advance forces are cut off and suffer significant casualties due to the treacherous nature of the Pale Pass. A large majority of the leading Tsaesci forces are trapped during the winter in the Grey Ridge Fortress in the Pass marking the border between Skyrim and Cyrodiil, including most of the vanguards commanders who succumb to the temperatures or starvation. However, the vanguard actions before the arrival of winter had devastated much of northern Cyrodiil, and the threat of the coming invasion was revealed to both the Colovians and the Nibenese to such an extent that truces and mutual defence treaties were formed between the historically adversarial peoples.

2703

The Battle of Pale Pass. A young Colovian Nobleman named Reman successfully manages to form a grand army of Cyrodiil by capitalising on the uniting effects of the future invasion. When the spring thaws clear the Pale pass the entire Tsaesci force advances south to continue their search of the prophesied Dragonborn Emperor where they meet the Remans' army in battle. Reman's diplomatic efforts have also paid handsome dividends as both Morrowind and High Rock also join into the 'Cyrodiilic Alliance' against the Tsaesci. The Breton forces advance into the Reach, brushing aside the weakened Tsaesci forces in western Skyrim, and to the East the grand Dunmeri Army is led by Lord Vivec in person. Trapped between the Cyrodiilic and Dunmeri armies General Maresuke chooses to conduct and all out-attack against the Cyrodiilic army despite being outnumbered, trusting in his force’s superior skills and capabilities against the mostly-levied troops of Cyrodiil. At the height of the battle and with the Tsaesci on the cusp of victory General Reman unconsciously uses the Thu'um, stopping both sides with the power of the shout. The Tsaesci, aware of what such power and abilities signify immediately surrenders and offers fealty to the utterly confused Reman in front of his surviving troops who are even more confused than what he is. In the aftermath of the battle and with both the full might and fealty of the Tsaesci in Tamriel, the combined and unified Cyrodiillic kingdoms under his command and renewed and formalised military alliances with the Bretons, Dunmer and Nords, Reman becomes Emperor Reman Cyrodiil and formally establishes the second Cyrodillic Empire. The Tsaesci are formally adopted into the new empire as an elite military force, and the Dragonguard becoming the personal guard of future Emperors of both the 2nd and 3rd Cyrodiilic empires. Over time they would gradually evolve into the Blades of the 3rd Era, serving both as elite bodyguards and elite spies and assassins.

2920

First Era ends

1

2nd Era declared by Potentate Versidue-Shaie to commemorate the demise of the Reman Dynasty

133

The first-born son of the Jarl of Riften is bitten by a vampire and is infected. In response, the Jarl transforms the fortress on the Skyrim-Morrowind border into a prison for his heir, sacrificing those charged with various crimes in the Hold to satiate him and tasking his personal Housecarls to be his jailors. His daughter, a young shield maiden called Maegalla journeys to Cyrodiil in search for a cure for her brother

139

Six years of journeying throughout Tamriel turns Maegalla into one of the most legendary figures of the 2nd Era. Her campaign against vampires and her quest to find a cure had for the most part been unsuccessful but during her travels she had managed to acquire the Light of Dawn from the ruins of an Ayleid City as well as three of the Children of Dawn swords. She also amasses a band of loyal companions united through loss or hatred of vampires and together they are responsible for the largest number of slain vampires since the Ayleid-Vampire war of the 1st era. Upon returning to Riften however they find the Hold almost entirely under the sway of the creatures, her father dead and her brother on the throne using deceit and vampiric trickery to keep the populace in check. Maegalla and her followers soon learn that he had turned his jailors into vampires before becoming Jarl by killing their father. Taking the fight to her brother and his corrupted subjects and vampiric followers in the middle of the long dark of Skyrim's winter they successfully purge the vampiric taint from Riften. Maegalla is forced to kill her own brother and becomes Jarl of Riften by order of succession and one of her first orders is to turn her band of followers into professional vampire hunters. They name themselves the Dawnguard, not for the obvious connotations of being vampire hunters but instead from their duty of "Guarding the Light of Dawn" itself. Over the next six centuries they are the ultimate vampire hunters until stagnation and the mysterious loss of the Light of Dawn forces them to disband.

430

The Interregnum commences with the assassination of the Emperor and the subsequent assassination of all heirs. Historians mark this as the definitive end of the Second Empire.

582

The Three Banners War Begins (Events of the Elder Scrolls Online)

583

Further events from the Elder Scrolls Online

775

The Knights of the Eight disband after several decades of poor finances and lack of recruits. The Knightly Order's Abbey continues being used as a Coaching Inn

828

The first-born son to a family of minor Breton nobles is born in the Kingdom of Evermore and due to the geopolitical situation at the time is exchanged as a hostage to the Jarl of Falkreath where he would be raised. (Noble born sons and daughters of the Kingdom of Evermore were exchanged with those of the Colovian Estates to ensure that their diplomatic agreements and pacts would be honoured. This ensured that the two 'kingdoms' would remain closely tied despite their lack of a land border against their mutual adversaries - the Redguards of Hammerfell and the Reachmen). The young boy is given a Nordic name of Hjalti as per the hostage customs. Due to Falkreath being both Nordic in culture but part of the Colovian Estates Hjalti is raised with a deep knowledge and understanding of both Nordic and Cyrodiilic cultures while retaining a connection to his Breton heritage.

830

The Second Aldmeri Dominion is formed when the Summerset Isles conquers Valenwood during a dynastic dispute. The heirs of the Camoran Dynasty sought to capture Valenwood's throne but one of the other Bosmer factions attempts to make peace with their historical northern enemies within the Colovian Estates. When the Kingdom of Alinor uncover this plot for the Bosmer exchanging land with the Colovians to gain the throne they invade Valenwood with most of their land forces, relying heavily on their naval forces and superior naval traditions to contend with the likes of the Kingdom of Anvil and the rest of the Colovian estates and any other potential rivals. At their peak the Dominion's naval force had total control of all southern waters south of Hammerfell all the way to southern Blackmarsh with their closest rivals being the Redguards with their own naval traditions.

840

Hjalti's ability with the Thu'um is noticed by his adoptive family and he is sent to High Hrothgar to study with the greybeards at the age of 12. He also receives the epithet "Early-Beard" due to being sent to the Greybeards at such a comparatively young age. King Cuhlecain, already ambitious and prideful sees incredible potential in his young charge/hostage, especially his intelligence, acumen and the ability to naturally use the Thu'um. Before Hjalti is out of his teens his reputation grows and begins to spread through south western Skyrim and north western Cyrodiil but until he is eighteen he remains on High Hrothgar studying their Thu'um and The Way of the Voice. Already familiar with the state of the world and the constant, unceasing violence and war from his studies and witnessing it firsthand on several occasions as a child and teen, Hjalti begins wondering and dreaming of better future where the peoples of Tamriel live in peace. He never openly discusses these dreams or plans with anyone, except for the ancient dragon Paarthurnax who sees something in the young man that reminds him of Jurgen Wind-Caller and his long-deceased friends, Hakon One-Eye, Felldir the Old and Gormlaith Golden-Hilt.

846

Cuhlecain as 'King' of Falkreath and adoptive 'father' to Hjalti grants him title of Thane of Falkreath upon his 18th birthday and his return from the Greybeards tutage. He also grants the young man control over the Hold's retinue troops. Despite being born of Breton Ancestry Hjalti quickly proves himself worthy of command and grows a reputation of being a firm, but fair leader who doesn't shy away from standing in the front ranks of a shield wall. Many of the Hold's huskarls and 'axe-bearer' infantry grow to respect Hjalti, especially due to his willingness to share their burdens, fight alongside them and ensure their wellbeing over his own. Unlike most other leaders, rulers and commanders during the Interregnum and especially King Cuhlecain Hjalti fights with and alongside them and not from far behind the fighting or from a throne and never does orders anything unless he was willing to do it himself.

850

Within Cloud Ruler Temple, the remnants of Reman's Dragonguard begin hearing tales and rumours of a young warrior who could 'speak the tongues of dragons' within southern Skyrim. Chevalier Renald, the Order's Vampiric Grandmaster begins tasking several members of the Order into clandestinely investigating the rumours. His liaisons with the Elder Moth Temple over the past three hundred years leaves him increasingly convinced that the prophecies of a great 'unifier' from the north is coming to fruition and he begins preparing the Order for whatever is to come.

851

Hjalti's fame continues to grow and after several decisive victories against the forces of Whiterun and Morthal the 'Kingdom' of Falkreath grows ever larger. Through a combination of intimidation, extortion and military actions King Cuhlecain manages to unite several of the Colovian Estates under his banner, including Kvatch, Sutch, Bruma, Chorrol and even the historically obstinate Anvil. Each of these domains are required to provide levies to Cuhlecain's growing armies which he continues to put under the command of his 'young general'. This is both due to Hjalti's continued successes in the north and need for manpower, and as a means of trying to keep the young commander busy. Typically the racial, cultural and generational disputes between the levied soldiers had been enough to keep any 'bothersome' generals too busy dealing with their own soldiers to ever become a threat to their lieges throughout the Interregnum. However, this spectacularly backfires as Hjalti dispenses with tradition of leaving levied forces in their own separate unites and breaks them apart, forming new units containing his own veterans, the levied troops and even mercenaries. Using a combination of his own personal charisma, brutal discipline and intense training he begins what would later become known as the 'Tiberium Reforms' and the foundation of the future Imperial Legions, fashioning the first truly professional soldiers in centuries. As the Kingdom of Falkreath continues to expand, these 'proto-legions' soon contain a mixture of Reachmen, Colovians, Bretons and even Orchish and Redguard mercenaries. It also has the added effect that these proto-Legions soon have more loyalty to their young general than they do their homelands and previous rulers.

852

As the first challenge to his increasingly disciplined and experienced troops, and secretly as a means of potentially dealing with the increasing threat of Hjalti's growing influence and power, King Cuhlecain commanding his General to invade and conquer the Reach, starting with the fortress-town of 'Old' Hroldan. Built into the mountain expanses the fortress has been considered impregnable to any forces available to the Nords, Colovians, Redguards or Bretons and has survived intact for over six hundred years without ever being conquered, even during the likes of the Three Banners War. Hjalti, leading his 'reformist' Legion besieges the fortress, and shockingly takes it in a single day with minimal casualties. Stories of the siege are quick to spread, and the Dragonguard spies hear how the young general walked alone to the great gate with 'a storm at his back' and 'broke the citadel with his voice'. The Nordic legionaries begin calling their general 'Talos Storm-Crown', recognising and knowing intimately the Thu'um and its significance. Unknown to them all however someone else heard Hjalti's use of the Thu'um, the ancient dragon Nafaalilargus who begins his own journey seeking out the young man.

853

With a second legion raised in a similar manner to Hjalti's, King Cuhlecain conducts an offensive against the Nibenese and wins several decisive victories while he tasks his 'General Talos' with breaking a coalition of Nords, Reachmen and Bretons who formed from the survivors of his Reach Campaign. This force, consisting of troops from the Kingdoms of Evermore, Jehanna, Solitude, Markarth, Morthal and Dawnstar, directly threatens the northwestern Colovian estates and the supply lines between Skyrim and Cyrodiil supporting Cuhlecain's eastern advances against the Nibenese. Later historians and records would state that Talos infiltrated the fortress, captured the leaders and force the defenders to surrender during the siege, but what truly happened was he personally approached the fortress alone and requested to meet them in parlay. The Nordic leaders and soldiers were greatly impressed with such courage, the Bretons were won over with Hjalti's Heritage and diplomatic efforts seeking a peaceful resolution and the Reachfolk respected his efforts to put an end to the fighting between their peoples despite their reservations of Hjalti's' king. In the days after the successful conclusion of the meeting Talos undertakes a pilgrimage to Reman Cyrodiil's tomb in respect to the founder of the Second Empire that was contained within the depths of the fortress. What exactly transpires is only known to Hjalti but he somehow comes in possession of the Amulet of Kings and discovers that he is worthy enough to wear it. In honour of Reman Cyrodiil he takes the Cyrodiilic name 'Tiber Septim', meaning 'Of the river and the City' (Tiber - ancient Cyrodillic for River/the Niben, and Septim - Seven/the Seven Districts of the Imperial City.) Shortly after the 'Battle of Sancre Tor' Tiber Septim is secretly met by the great dragon Nafaalilargus who offers his fealty in the future. The exact reasons why the dragon swears an oath to Tiber Septim is known only to the two of them, but as a sign of their alliance/agreement, Tiber Septim adopts the Red-Diamond and Dragon sigil as his personal heraldry and the 'Imperial Dragon' would come to be the sign of both the Empire, the Septim dynasty and the Imperial Legions in the centuries to come.

854

After successfully defeating and absorbing the Nibenese into his growing kingdom and successfully taking the Imperial City by force, King Cuhlecain begins the process of claiming the Ruby Throne to proclaim himself Emperor. However, there is considerable dissent among the conquered peoples, and even within his own lands with many comparing the would-be Emperor with his now legendary General 'Talos' in increasingly bad light. On the eve of his coronation and gaining the Ruby throne Cuhlecain is assassinated by a member of the Dark Brotherhood, and Tiber Septim also narrowly misses being murdered by a second assassin. No one other than the Dark Brotherhood’s Listener and the Night Mother would ever know who was responsible for performing the Black Sacrament on Cuhlecain, especially as the list of those who didn't want the would-be Emperor dead would be a much shorter list. As for Tiber Septim though, his Black Sacrament was conducted by Cuhlecain himself in a final ditch attempt to remove the largest threat to his Empire. Tiber Septim barely survives, suffering a serious gash across his throat that renders it almost impossible for him to use the Thu'um or talk above a whisper. Supported by a vast majority of High Rock, Skyrim, the Colovian Estates and even the Nibenese, as well as the Dragonguard who proclaim the allegiance of their order to him, Tiber Septim is crowned 'Emperor' and he immediately begins consolidating his power. In secret and among his most loyal supporters he begins the plans to bring a true end to the Interregnum by bringing all of Tamriel under his banner. By any means necessary and for the good of all mortals. 

857

The Kingdom of Anvil, despite initially joining the Colovian portion of the Empire openly rebels, confident in its military strength and power against what their leaders consider to be a 'weak upstart' warlord. The Tiberian Reforms of the Legions however have begun showing resounding success and despite consisting of younger, untested legionaries with the average age of 17 the 3rd Legion devastates the numerically superior, veteran army of Anvil with minimal casualties of their own. Within two months Tiber Septim marches triumphantly re-enters Anvil at the head of the Victorious 3rd Legion.

860

For the past six years Tiber Septim continues expanding his Empire to encompass the entirety of Cyrodiil, High Rock and Skyrim through a combination of military might and diplomacy. Many of the Nordic Holds join willingly after limited military engagements, their honour satisfied from the engagements as many were increasingly wishing to join the rising might of the new Septim Empire. The splintered kingdoms and realms of High Rock were alternatively absorbed through conquest with the last cities standing such as Sentinel choosing to join after watching the Tiberium Legions effortlessly crush their neighbours. In the mountains though, the kingdom of Orsinium is watching with keen interest and seeing a leader in Tiber Septim that would be worthy of the Orcish peoples. Strongholds and tribes of Orsimer individually begin being absorbed into the new Empire, with larger numbers of Orchish mercenaries joining the Legions where they earn reputations as some of the best Legionaries and soldiers available. Efforts to invade or otherwise bring Hammerfell into the Empire however are entirely unsuccessful, as even the new Legions meet their match with the discipline and fighting skills of the Redguard armies.

862

The High King of Hammerfell, Thassad II after successfully defending against the growing power of the 'Septim Empire' both militarily and diplomatically for the past decade dies, trigging a succession crisis of sorts between multiple factions. Within months, the two largest/most powerful factions, the Crowns and the Forebears are locked in a deadly civil war, causing more damage and destruction to their people than anything the Septim Empire had managed to accomplish to this point.

863

The 3rd Legion is ambushed during their advance into northern Valenwood by the main army of the Aldmeri Dominion and is annihilated, suffering over 80% casualties and only a handful of survivors managing to escape. This marks the first true engagement of the Septim Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion and leaves both sides utterly stunned at how devastatingly effective the Legions are in battle against what was  considered the greatest military force in Tamriel at the time. Despite being outnumbered eight to one, the 3rd Legion inflicts almost 40% casualties on the Elven forces which leaves the Dominion making plans of abandoning Valenwood if the full might of the growing Imperial Legions is turned against them. The survivors of the 3rd Legion return to the Imperial City and are instead turned into the 'Ruby Legion', what would become known as the Praetorians in later centuries.

864

The 'Double Rebellion' of Hammerfell continues despite the Empire's expansion. Eventually the Forebears sign pacts and diplomatic agreements with the Empire for support in the Civil War and the Crowns suffer heavy losses in a string of defeats. During the Battle of Stros M'kai the Crowns are defeated by a combination of the increasingly powerful Imperial Legions and Tiber Septim’s draconic ally Nafaalilargus. The peace however barely lasts months before an uprising led by Cyrus and Iszara successfully kills the provisional governor and Imperial Emissary. Realising that pure military might wasn't going to result in any short-term peace or stability within Hammerfell or with the Yokudan peoples, Tiber Septim personally travels to Stros M'kai to meet with the uprisings leaders. Surprisingly, especially to all involved, the diplomatic efforts are a resounding success and Hammerfell joins the Empire with both the Crowns and the Forebears representing Hammerfell. The civil war however never truly ceases, and fighting will continue waxing and waning throughout the coming centuries.

870

With Highrock, Skyrim, Cyrodiil and now Hammerfell joined into the growing Empire, fresh Legions are being mustered and trained under the Tiberium Reforms and soon the Septim Empire has the largest military in the history of Nirn, dwarfing that of the Akaviri invasions and Reman's legions in the first era, and the armies during the Three Banners War. Several legions are stationed along the Colovian-Valenwood border, fortifying it for the time being and ensuring that the supply lines to the east are safe from Dominion raids or attacks. While there is no formalised declaration of war between the Dominion and the Empire, the destruction of the 3rd Legion leaves no doubts for Men or Mer alike that a true reckoning is sometime in the future. Instead, many of the new Legions, now consisting of a mixture of Nords, Colovians, Nibenese, Redguard and Bretons, as well as ever increasing numbers of Orcs begin advancing into Elsweyr and taking Khajiit cities one by one.

871

Senchal, the last of the Khajiit cities resisting the Empire is besieged by Legate Pottreid. Through fanatical resistance inspired by the presence of the Mane within the city the Khajiit population refuses to submit or surrender, forcing the Imperial Legions to kill the entire population before the fighting finally comes to an end. Imperial records are purposefully amended and edited to ensure that the 'massacre' is forgotten but the Khajiit are absorbed into the Empire with limited resistance with the birth of a new Mane.

872

With Elsweyr conquered the veteran Legions turn their attentions further east. Blackmarsh, known as Argonia during this time is an unknown region, unmapped and more myth than reality to the growing Empire. Several attempts by the Legions to navigate the swamps, mangroves and rainforests are partially successful, however the environment itself is a greater defence than any military force and several smaller attempts and expeditions fail or disappear entirely. The Hist, growing ever wary of the potential and might of the Septim Empire begin consolidating and expanding the Argonian military but are also aware of the high cost and potential of failure. The alien nature of the great swamps and marshlands makes traditional military operations practically impossible, but the skill, discipline and adaptability of the Legions begins to overcome the 'natural' defences of Argonia. While it takes three years, the Legions manage to construct and maintain roads into the outer portions of Black Marsh and surprisingly the Nibenese Naval forces with their Biremes prove effective in forging paths and scouting the deeper waterways. Under the unified command of the Hist, the Argonian representatives enter negotiations with the Empire for inclusion and representation on the Elder Council to stave off any potential threat to the Hist themselves.

875

The High Rock, Hammerfell and Cyrodiilic Naval forces begin their own reformation process and standardisation of ships, tactics and logistics that is directly focussed towards matching and exceeding the power and ability of the Aldmeri Dominion's Navy. Construction programs begin of newer style vessels, however many of the Cyrodiilic vessels are simple cogs and hulks, or the Rumare vessels which consist almost exclusively of Biremes and Triremes styled vessels that are entirely unsuitable for ocean going or engaging with the Aldmeri carracks. While it takes several years, the development of ocean-going galleons and other vessels soon turns the conflict in the favour of the Empire. This is especially evident as the Empire's developing military doctrines are entirely at odds with the Aldmeri Dominion and other naval forces, relying on speed and endurance to close with and board the Mer ships. Typically reliant upon ranged weaponry, including naval battle mages the Dominion soon suffers a series of devastating defeats as sea-trained Legionaries prove to be brutally effective in boarding actions.

880

While the naval forces of the Dominion and Empire continue seeking control over the waters of south and western Tamriel, the Empire's naval expansion allows for a simultaneous invasion of Morrowind and Vvardenfell. Within months a large portion of Morrowind's mainland is conquered despite the ferocity and strength of the Dunmeri armies, they prove insufficient against the Empire's Legions. Mournhold is conquered, however even with gaining naval supremacy Vvardenfell remains independent due to the actions of Vivec taking personal command over Vvardenfell's defenders. After a series of defeats and failed beachheads on Vvardenfell, Tiber Septim and Vivec begin negotiating and end to what is effectively a stalemate that neither side can gain a clear advantage.

882

As a result of over a year of negotiating and sporadic fighting, the Treaty of Armistice is signed between Morrowind and the Empire. Most of the negotiations between Tiber Septim and Vivec were conducted in secret, and several even in person between the two leaders. Unknown to Tiber Septim however, Dagoth Ur had returned and cut off the Tribunal's access to the Heart of Lorkhan, preventing Vivec and the other 'living gods' of the Dunmer from restoring themselves and leaving them increasingly vulnerable to the ever-growing might of the Legions. While not necessarily a friendship, a bond of trust and understanding is reached between the two leaders and Tiber Septim’s knowledge of the world, reality and the true nature and power of the 'Thu'um' continues to grow. As part of the negotiations of the Armistice and the inclusion of the Dunmer into the Empire, Vivec 'gifts' Tiber Septim with the broken remains of the Numidium, confident that without the Heart of Lorkhan that Walk-Brass will be ineffective and its power unable to be harnessed. Arch-Mage Arctus however, one of Tiber Septim’s oldest friends and allies feels confident that a replacement 'power source' could be made to access a portion of the Dwemer Tower's powers. Using a small trading company and its handful of ships, Tiber Septim transfers the broken pieces to Elsweyr where reconstruction efforts and experimentation can be kept away from prying eyes. As payment for their services and a means to ensure their silence over the matter of the cargo, the trading company is the first to be granted an Imperial Charter and the East Empire Trading Company is founded.

890

With the rest of the continent conquered and mostly pacified, the Empire turns it attentions towards Valenwood and the Aldmeri Dominion. For a time at least the Dominion Military manages to hold off the Legions using the terrain and forests to their advantage but the gradual inclusion of Khajiit, Dunmer and Argonians within the Legions soon provide greater flexibility countering Bosmeri skirmishers. The Khajiit especially provide especially effective against their ancestral enemies as well as taking advantage of the natural abilities of the Suthay and Cathay furstocks within the forests of Valenwood. In Elsweyr the Numidium's repairs and reconstruction continues developing and several advances for a replacement of its 'heart' progress.

892

Valenwood is finally conquered after the forces of the Aldmeri Dominion are driven from the mainland by the constant pressure of the Imperial Legions and the ever-encroaching Imperial Navy. While having suffered heavy casualties and losing a large source of their manpower reserves in the capitulation of Valenwood, the Altmer continue to resist fiercely and prove exceptionally capable of holding off any attempts of naval invasion by the Empire. The war between the Dominion and Empire devolves into a bloody stalemate, with any attempts of solving the situation diplomatically proving equally fruitless. Continued preparations and research into the Numidium reach a breakthrough with the commencement of creating the Mantella, a huge soul gem crafted by Zurin Arctus to act as a replacement to Lorkhan's heart.

896

The Second Era comes to an end with the surrender of Alinor after the Numidium is used in a direct assault upon the Summerset Isles. The 'invasion' of the Summerset Isles officially only lasts for a single hour due to the incomprehensibly destructive power of Walk-Brass as the capital city of Alinor, all of those living within it and anyone within fifty kilometres in all directions are erased from existence. What exactly happened is uncertain, especially how anyone close enough to witness, but far enough to survive are left crippled, blinded and insane and in some cases twisted and mutated. The Numidium is also destroyed in the process as a result of its flawed nature and the use of the mantella, and in coming years Tiber Septim would task the Dragonguard to search and collect the now scattered fragments of the dwemer machine. With such a purpose the Dragonguard would slowly adapt and change into the spy-assassin-bodyguards of the Emperors over the coming decades as a means of finding all the pieces.

1

The 3rd Era is proclaimed by the newly crowned Emperor Tiber Septim after the official unification of all provinces in Tamriel.

38

Tiber Septim dies at the age of 108, but on his deathbed his knowledge of Tonal Architecture, the very nature of reality, the Thu'um and its power as well as the increasing hero-worship of the Empire's human population allows him to ascend into Godhood as Talos with the Septim Empire as his physical 'tower'.

88

Amiel Lannus is born to a minor noble family in County Anvil

99

Berich Vlindrel is born as the first-born son and future heir of the Baronry of Vlindrel, located between Counties Chorrol and Bruma.

110

Amiel Lannus receives his Knighthood from the Count of Anvil after his actions during the War of the Isle. During his journeys through Cyrodiil, Hammerfell and High Rock as a wandering Knight-Errant he is joined by the Nibenese nobleman Caius Fulberia and a member of Whiterun’s Companions, Torolf Asanderssen and they undertake various quests throughout northwestern Tamriel.

111

During one of their quests, the trio of Knights-Errant encounter and successfully defeat the "The Wyrm of Elynglenn", once known as the Dragon Ofaalkahgron (Acquisition-Pride-Bond). In the ruins of the ancient Ayleid city and amongst the dragon’s hoard of treasures they unexpectedly recover one of Pelinal’s ancient relics, the Cuirass of the Crusader which is one of the rare number of Aedric Artefacts left in Mundus. This defeat of such a legendary creature and their recovery of such an artefact ensures their names quickly become household names and catapults the trio into legend. Using their newfound wealth they purchase the disused Abbey of the Eight from a Skingradian Baron and establish the Knightly Order and priory of the Nine in the West Weald.

115

Casimir B’olden, a down-on-his luck Redguard mercenary and former Sword-Champion of the Forebears unexpectedly recovers the Gauntlets of the Crusader from the Ayleid Ruin of Garlas Agea in County Anvil while trying to assist the locals of a nearby village against a tribe of ogres. Knowing of the Order of the Nine from the tales of Sir Amiel and the others he travels to the Priory, and receives a knighthood for his actions and efforts in retrieving the second of Pelinal’s relics.

117

Berich Vlindrel, having grown into a capable young man and a well-known Cyrodiilic tournament champion recovers the Sword and Greaves of the Crusader from a coven of Necromancers in his families lands during their attempts to corrupt the blade. Unknown to both him and the slain mages, their ritual had been partially successful and had imbued a curse into the Sword. Berich joins the Order of the Nine in the months that follow, receiving his knighthood in the tiny order of Knights. The Cardinals of the Nine proclaim that the reclamation of half of Pelinal’s relics marks a dawn of a new spiritual era within Empire and the identities and deeds of the Knights of the Nine become renowned throughout Tamriel.

118

Henrik Fenrahrson, Thane of Haafingar and champion of Solitude ends up fighting alongside the Knights of the Nine during their travels as a sorcerous outbreak of zombies rise from the enormous crypts and catacombs built into the mountain that Solitude lays upon. While heavily outnumbered and literally fighting the tens of thousands of risen dead from the city’s crypts and catacombs the Five Knights and the Shield-Thane of Solitude manage to emerge victorious. In recognition of his own skill and efforts fighting alongside Sir's Amiel, Vlindrel, Casimir, Caius and Torolf, Sir Henrik is knighted as the sixth member of the Order of the Nine. Unknown to the Knights and the population of Solitude the source of the outbreak was none other than Solitude’s ruler, Potema the Wolf Queen as she attempted to combine her necromantic powers with her nature as Dovahkiin. Over the space of six months and travelling from Solitude to Morrowind the travelling knightly Order is joined by Gregory Arcio, an Elsweyr born Imperial Sellsword during their actions saving Falkreath from a murder-cult of Boethia seeking to unleash Daedra into the lakeside city, and Ralvas Ulento of House Redoran after saving Balmora from the attentions of a cliff racer swarm. Sir Ralvas chooses exile from his house due to his ‘heretical’ beliefs in the Nine Divines, however the tiny group of Knights are granted an audience with Lord Vivec himself prior to their departure from Vvardenfell who personally thanks them for their efforts and deeds.

119

Breton-born Juncan Nirtke, a chevalier from Sentinel who was banished from his homeland after a series of political scandals finds himself leading a small force of militia against an entire Goblin migration in eastern Hammerfell. The current situation within Hammerfell and the increased insurrections and fighting between the Crowns and Forebears has ensured that the city of Elinhir on the Skyrim-Hammerfell-Cyrodiil border is almost entirely undefended after its garrison and levies were stripped in yet more fighting between the two factions. With less than fifty barely trained militia between the city and a goblin horde numbering in the thousands, Juncan resigns himself to a hopefully quick death at the hands of the Goblins while buying time for reinforcements to arrive. Unexpectedly and during the height of the utterly hopeless battle, the Goblins find themselves incredibly outmatched by the arrival of the eight Knights of the Nine despite outnumbering them four or five hundred to one. The eight knights, Sirs Amiel, Caius, Torolf, Casimir, Berich, Henrik, Arcio and Ralvas, equipped with the Swords, Greaves, Curiass and Gauntlets of the Crusader utterly rout the Goblin migration. During the battle Juncan comes to the aid of Sir Amiel and saves his life by killing the Goblin Warlord before it can deliver the killing blow. For his heroism, actions and skill Juncan receives his Knighthood and becomes the ninth and last Knight of the Nine.

120

The War of the Red Diamond commences when Queen Potema, the ‘Wolf Queen of Solitude’ and daughter to Emperor Pelagius Septim II launches a rebellion and overthrows her niece the Empress Kintyra to claim the Ruby Throne for herself, or rule through her son Uriel III as regent. The subsequent war would last for the following seven years, with Skyrim’s holds, the Noble families of High Rock and even support from House Redoran who used the alliance of convenience to deal with their Imperial aligned rivals of House Hlaalu. While technically a Civil war the fighting is limited in scope to skirmishes and small-scale battles between the various holds, counties, houses and city states while the Imperial Legions are left attempting to maintain peace and order from the various rebellions and insurrections organised and stoked by Queen Potema. Such is the confusion of the situation that the Legions are left almost entirely leaderless and directionless, their power and abilities squandered and not taking part in the war despite the might and ability to crush both sides with ease. This whole situation though had been purposefully planned and enacted by the Wolf Queen, and also left both sides limited to levies and militias, and later in Potema’s case necromancy to raise armies and combat forces while the Legions mostly remained idle, or tied down with maintaining what little peace and stability they could.

Questions and confusion around the legitimacy of both claimants also had the dual effect of limiting the overall fighting to smaller scale engagements as well as dividing provinces, cities and even organisations such as the Blades in their support for either side. Some provinces such as Valenwood didn’t experience any unrest or fighting at all but not all regions or organisations are as lucky. The Knights of the Nine, united through their actions are divided by their loyalties. Sir Amiel, Sir Caius and Sir Henrik presses for the order to remain separate from the civil war and focus exclusively on the discovery and retrieval of Pelinal’s artefacts, while others wish to support the different sides from their previous allegiances. Sir Berich, Sir Gregory, and Sir Casimir wishes to join the war against Potema while Sir Torolf, Sir Juncan and Sir Ralvas wish to join Queen Potema’s cause. Despite their deeds, skill at arms and time spent fighting and journeying together the nine knights have only known each other for a handful of years in most cases, and in the case of Sir Juncan just over twelve months and the Order quickly begins fracturing.

121

In his last attempts to stop Sir Berich from taking his ‘claimed’ relics to war, Sir Caius is murdered by his fellow knight with the Sword of Arkay on the Priory steps and Sir Berich leaves, never to return. Sir Caius’ death is the last strand holding the Knights of the Nine together and it entirely fractures Sir Torolf, Sir Gregory, and Sir Casimir leaving shortly after to follow Sir Berich into the war. Sir Ralvas leaves the Order to retrieve the Mace of Zenithar and with his oaths to his homeland, faith and Queen broken and tainted Sir Henrik disavows and renounces his title as Thane of Solitude, but still leaves the Order of the Nine to join the Knights Mentor in penance. Unknown to them all however, the dormant curse within the Sword of Arkay has been activated with Caius' death and the corruption begins tainting both Sir Berich as well as the relic itself. Only Sir Amiel and Sir Juncan remain behind to guard the Curiass of the Crusader and the priory of the Shattered Order.

122

Sir Ralvas spends over four months attempting to retrieve the Mace of the Crusader in Leyawiin but fails and dies a few weeks later the road to Bravil. Sir Amiel and Sir Juncan retrieve his body and return to the Priory.

123

Sir Torolf dies during the War. His body is recovered by Sir Amiel and Sir Juncan and interred within the priory undercroft. Sir Juncan leaves the Order and embarks upon a quest to track down the location of the Boots of the Crusader.

125

On a journey through county Skingrad after the discovery of Boot's location, Sir Juncan is killed during a bandit ambush with an arrow to the eye. Sir Amiel retrieves his bones from where he had fallen on the roadside however, is unable to explain just how he was guided to find his fallen comrade's remains for the rest of his life. Over the coming decades others are drawn to the site of Sir Juncan's death and a shrine of Kynareth is made in the forest. Anyone who ventures further into the forest where the Boots are located are never seen again or return with terrible injures as though mauled by some great beast.

126

Sir Gregory dies during the War of the Red Diamond. Like the others his remains are retrieved by Sir Amiel from the battle graves in the north and interred within the Priory undercroft.

127

Sir Berich returns from the war of the Red Diamond a hero and claims the Barony of Vlindrel from his late father, gaining significant influence in the Elder Council as one of the many petitioners.

130

Sir Henrik succeeds in finding the Shield of the Crusader and with the support of his adoptive order, the Knights Mentor takes the shield into the northwestern regions of Blackmarsh. Construction on Fort Bulwark commences as a means to keep the Shield safe and hidden from those who might misuse it.

131

An official decree by the Elder Council formally disbands the Order of the Nine. Support and finances of the Order cease and many of the workers and those living at the Priory leave start to leave the area. Trade routes to the south also change after the Legion constructs a new highway several dozen kilometres to the west and over the coming decades the area is abandoned for nature to reclaim.

132

Drawn by the knowledge of the Shield of Julianos, a large group of cultists loyal to the Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora attack the partially constructed fort. Sir Henrik dies along with many the defending Knights, but the cultists are defeated with the assistance of the primitive local tribe of Argonians. In the months that follow, Sir Amiel arrives and retrieves his body and the events influence the Argonian tribe in such a way that their verbal histories through generations tell stories of how the nearby 'stone nest' protects 'wisdom'.

134

Fort Bulwark is completed and the Shield of Julianos is interred within. The remaining Knights Mentor and their labourers leave, entrusting the nature of the area, the construction of the fort and the fact that the Shield is hidden within a secret hollow rather than behind numerous traps to keep it safe. The local argonian tribe begins its vigilant watch over the area with their local Hist tree assisting in keeping such a dangerous artifact hidden from those who would misuse it.

137

While the War of the Red Diamond has been officially over for a decade, the war in the north against The Wolf Queen continues as Potema and the Kingdom of Solitude continued to resist in her efforts to ‘claim’ the Empire for herself. Using her powers and knowledge the depleted ranks and military forces of Haafingar are bolstered with Daedra and hordes of undead, including any and all that fall in her ‘kingdom of death’. This is one of the few occasions where the Volkihar Vampires rise out of their self-imposed exile and take an active part in wider affairs. While they typically have kept to themselves and been content with living their hedonistic lifestyle over the centuries many have grown restless, especially with Harkon effectively losing track of entire centuries due to his long-lived nature by this time. Many Volkihar vampires become generals or high-level commanders to the Sorceress-Queen but even the Volkihar are unable to turn the tide once the Imperial Legion steps in. The entire combined strength of the 4^th Legion besieges Solitude after systematically breaking every undead and daedric force sent against them. Emperor Cephorus I, leading the 4^th Legion in the final assault after a month-long bombardment manages to purge the city of the undead, but finds the 70 year old Queen dead in her bedchambers, having died of old age in the weeks leading up to the city’s fall. During this battle, a young Tribune and future Emperor Pelagius gains his first taste of combat, but whether a necromantic curse by the deceased queen, rumours of incestual relations among his direct lineage or fighting against daedric and undead horrors were to cause his eventual spiral into madness as Emperor will never be known.

139

Sir Casimir strikes and accidently kills a beggar within the Cathedral of Stendarr in Chorrol, and recieves a powerful curse that quickly spreads through his entire family and relations. He dies of the curse in the following months after undertaking a last pilgrimage to the Priory of the Nine where his body joins the rest of his companions. Only Sir Amiel and Sir Berich remain alive, and Sir Amiel remains in a self-imposed exile as a hermit within the slowly degrading priory as repentance for his sins and the failure of the Order.

153

At 65 years of age, Sir Amiel spends the last of his worldly wealth and sells everything of value that remained within the Priory to pay for the construction and enchantment of the Undercroft and a door to protect both the Cuirass of the Crusader and the remains of his fallen companions. After securing the Priory and its basement and activating the enchantments he departs in search for the Helm of the Crusader. Against all odds and despite his increasing age he succeeds in discovering one of the few artifacts to never be discovered or claimed, dying peacefully within the Shrine of the Crusader in sight of the Helm of Dibella.

159

Sir Berich dies of apparent old age but rumours of his poisoning by his son run rampant. To stave off the controversy his son buries him in the family tomb with the Sword and Greaves of the Crusader. He was 59 years old

299

Baron Berich Vlindrel III, grandson to Sir Berich dies in a horse-riding accident at the age of 23. Heirless, the barony is divided up between neighbouring Barons from County's Bruma and Chorrol. Records pertaining to the location of the Vlindrel family tomb and the Sword and Greaves of the Crusader are lost in the administrative transition, and nature mostly reclaims the family estate and tomb.

344

Viconia DeVir is born

389

The Events of The Elder Scrolls I: Arena (and the events of The Elder Scrolls: Battlespire). The Imperial Battlemage and leader of the Imperial Battle College, Jagar Tharn secretly imprisons Emperor Uriel Septim VII and uses his skills in Illusion Magicka to take his place for the following decade. During these ten years several large scale wars occur, including the Five Year War between Valenwood and Elsweyr, the ‘Arnesian War’ between Black Marsh and Morrowind, and the War of the Bend’r-Mahk where forces from the western holds of Skyrim successfully invaded the border regions of Hammerfell and High Rock. Unknown to most at this time, these wars were manipulated and caused by the imposter Emperor as a means to summon, and contain a daedric entity known as the Umbra’Keth, the Shadow of Conflict.

397

The War of the Bend'r-mahk. Sir Roderic Menius receives his Knighthood during this war in the Order of Iron

399

The Eternal Champion, once a lowly prisoner succeeds in defeating Jagar Tharn and rescuing the Emperor from the plane of Oblivion that he had been trapped in for the past decade. In honour of his deeds and service both to himself and the Empire, Uriel Septim VII declares that the Eternal Champion will serve by his side as his Black Blade; an ancient title from the Akaviri Dragonguard granted to the true elite members of the order. Upon donning the mantle as the Black Blade, the champion takes a new name and identity, becoming known as Jauffre.

400

Kaius Desin is born

401

During a night, Jauffre in his role as the Black Blade is brought before Uriel Septim in the Imperial Palace where he is tasked with delivering an infant child somewhere safe. Uriel’s experiences with Jagar Tharn and his incarceration within Oblivion during the Imperial Simularcrum has left him increasingly aware of the fragility of the Septim dynasty and how threatened the Empire is by dissent and intrigue. The young child, named Martin was conceived in secret to a woman whose identity was known only to Uriel himself and while illegitimate the bloodline could be secured with the secrecy of Martin’s existence. Jauffre, using his skills, experience and position as one of the highest-ranking members of the Blades manages to arrange for a pair of farmers to adopt the young child and raise him while completely unaware of his true heritage. Over the coming years Jauffre would maintain surveillance on the child as he grew and provided regular reports directly to the Emperor as the Black Blade, and eventually as the Blade’s Grandmaster.

404

Titus Mede is born

416

Kaius Desin leaves his home and family in eastern Hammerfell at the age of 16, with one of the many 'recruitment caravans' that travel the provinces seeking new legionaries. Over the course of the year he undergoes Legion training, being recognised for his skill with a bow from upbringing as one of his village’s hunters. Upon completion of his basic training he is deployed to the 14th Legion in Vvardenfell as a Hastatii but is quickly transferred into the ranks of the Legion Foresters as an Archer-Scout.

417

The Events of The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. The Warp in the West occurs when an Agent of the Blades, tasked by Emperor Uriel Septim VII to investigate the events within the Iliac Bay region in High Rock results in the restoration and reactivation of the Numidium. The subsequent breaking of time and Walk-Brass’s final and permanent destruction results in the entirety of High Rock being temporarily consumed in a ‘Dragon-Break’ of unprecedented scale. After two whole days that pass for the rest of Nirn and Mundus, the Dragon-Break finally dissipates leaving High Rock almost entirely changed socially and politically from what it was before. The previous forty-four city states, duchies and independent realms were utterly changed and been transformed into four, individual states. High-Rock remained as a singular province alongside the independent Orsinium, and while technically three separate Kingdoms (Sentinel, Wayrest and Daggerfall) ruled relatively ‘peacefully’ compared to the outright civil war that had plagued the region for the past centuries. Those within the region and who had experienced the dragon-break would profess the region had always been as such, whereas those within the wider Empire and World were left trying to understand and come to terms to the sudden and drastic geopolitical and social changes that effect almost every facet of the Empire. This event, along with others during the following decades significantly contribute towards the decline and weakening of the Septim Empire which would ultimately culminate in the Oblivion Crisis. The Agent becomes the new Black Blade, succeeding Jauffre’s position as Uriel’s protector while the older Blade becomes the new Grandmaster of their Order and ‘retires’ to Weynon Priory.

427

The Return of the Nerevarine and the events of Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Kaius Desin is currently serving as a member of the 14th Legion, 8th Casta in North Western Vvardenfell and rises to Archer-Praefect and duelling champion of his casta. Unbeknownst to him, Kaius and a squad of Legionaries briefly encounter the Nerevarine during a patrol into the ashlands of northern Vvardenfell before his identity and renown has grown large enough to be recognisable.

428

Viconia Devir fails to complete a ritual and House DeVir loses favour with Lloth as a result. After a month of failed attempts to appease Lloth, House DeVir is ruined by a concentrated assault by lesser houses, and the murder of the DeVir matron. Viconia's brother Valas, to save his sister from being sacrificed to Lloth was responsible for their mother's murder but he is cursed into the half-spider, half-Drow form of a Drider by Lloth as punishment. Viconia is taken prisoner by a lesser house and is brutally tortured over the coming years but with Lloth expressly forbidding her death and restoring her to full health where necessary.

432

Viconia is banished to the surface by Lloth who believed that the surface is the worst type of punishment she can bestow. Over the course of a year Viconia survives in the wilderness of County Bruma, interacting only when absolutely necessary with the handfuls of outcasts, hermits, bandits and travellers of the region. She remains alone, but wary of others due to her lack of understanding of the surface world and her only frame of reference being that of the Underdark and the Velmer. One of the local farmers of the county discovers her living within the vicinity of his farm, and with his son captures and enslaves her. Compared to her experiences within Menzoberranzan and as Lloth's 'plaything' Viconia finds being turned into a sex slave for their personal gratification a welcome reprieve and a situation that she had been expecting to occur since she arrived on the surface. In the months that follow she bides her time, steadily learning Cyrodiilic and once she has sufficiently 'used' the farmer and his son she breaks free, murdering them both before being captured by the Bruma City Guard.

433

Oblivion Crisis begins with the assassination of Uriel Septim VII and all known heirs. The Events of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and "Bloodtide Rising" - Deserter, Mercenary, Knight, Crusader and Champion occur.

434

Oblivion Crisis ends when Martin Septim sacrifices himself, breaking the Amulet of Kings and merging the blood and soul energies of every Emperor with his own to summon the avatar of Akatosh to defeat Mehrunes Dagon. Kaius Desin and Viconia DeVir are proclaimed as the Champions of Cyrodiil, granted the title of Count and Countess of Glenvar. The Empire is left with the daunting task of rebuilding with one in every five dead and the Legion suffering 40% casualties as a result of the fighting within the Imperial City. Despite dealing with the effects of a daedric invasion of the Underdark, Lloth travels in person to the surface to claim Viconia but is battled to a draw by Kaius. She agrees to leave the two of them alone despite already planning her revenge. Across the provinces the Empire is left crippled and reeling with a deathtoll in the hundreds of thousands and multiple towns and cities destroyed in the conflict. In the Summerset Isles, the Destruction of Crystal-like-Law is being felt in more ways than one, as Stendarr's influence and aspect of reality is directly damaged as a result of the Tower's loss. In a similar process as what happened to the Yokudan's with the destruction of Orichalc, the Altmeri people begin undergoing rapid changes to their society. While hidden since Tiber Septim’s successful invasion of Alinor and the destruction of the Second Aldmeri Dominion, a secret society known as the Council of Towers begins taking advantage of the destruction and discord by reestablishing the Thalmor.

1

The Fourth Era is declared on the date of Mehrunes Dagon's defeat and Martin Septim's sacrifice. He is declared a saint and the day is celebrated as a holiday until the signing of the White-Gold Concordat.

2

Kaius returns from a trip to the Imperial City to find Viconia mortally wounded by a Drow assassin. The Assassin is captured and to save Viconia, Kaius infects her with Vampirism. She is reborn a vampire but to Lloth's magical perception she is dead and believes her revenge is complete. Viconia and Kaius begin preparing to find a way to travel to the Underdark and deal with Lloth.

3

Count Umbranox returns from his mysterious disappearance and retakes his title of Count of Anvil. Rumours of his whereabouts during his disappearance are overshadowed by the stories of a new head of the Thieves guild and the increased tales regarding the 'Grey Fox'

5

The Red Year. Without any explanation Lord Vivec, the last surviving member of the Dunmer Tribunal of Living Gods vanishes and in his absence the meteor Baar Dau that had been used to house the Dunmer Ministry of Truth becomes unstable and crashes into Vivec City with all its original energy. The cataclysmic impact causes Red Mountain to erupt, devastating Morrowind and practically destroying Vvardenfell. Not only does the ash cloud cover most of northern Tamriel but the winter that follows is one of the coldest in recorded history and leads to widespread famines and devastated agriculture for a continent still recovering from the Oblivion Crisis. While the destruction on the surface is immense and further destabilises the Empire it has an equal effect upon the Underdark as the seismic shockwaves devastate both Velmer and Haszak/Illithid communities and cities in equal measure. 

5

The Eruption of Red Mountain and the Impact of the Ministry of Truth results in cataclysmic casualties among the Falmer population living within the Middledark and Lowerdark under Morrowind. Entire sections of the Lowerdark are flooded with magma, others cut off from rock falls and tunnel collapses, and a third of the Falmer population die in the following months.  Those that survive begin migrating into the comparatively less populated regions under Skyrim and northern Cyrodiil, displacing the Falmer tribes living there and forcing a higher intensity conflict with the Illithids to the south. The eruption and subsequent seismic tremors damage or otherwise destroy many dwemer cities that had survived relatively intact since their creator’s disappearance, opening them for exploitation by the Falmer as well as creating potential passages to the surface.

6

Kaius undertakes studies with Count Hassildor of Skingrad whom he has developed a keen friendship due to their mutual vampirism and interests. They determine that Lloth is not a "true" god and as Kaius was able to best her in battle she could be permanently defeated or killed. It would require significant resources and the assistance of either the Aedra or Daedric Princes. Kaius and Viconia begin seeking Daedric Artefacts.

7

Kaius performs a 'favour' for the Daedric Prince Sanguine by crashing a party being held in Leyawiin in honour of Countess Caro's Mother, the Countess of Chorrol. The spell that Sanguine had asked to be cast results in the entire castle's population, including himself being turned naked and he only manages to escape with his vampiric powers. Sanguine gifts Kaius with his Rose (and the return of his clothing and equipment) as payment, remarking that Kaius is now one of his favourite people and that he’ll keep an eye on him for further ‘quality entertainment’.

7

Blackmarsh secedes from the Empire and invades the southern regions of Morrowind with an army that had not only managed to defeat the Daedric Forces of the Oblivion Crisis but had been the only army that had successfully counter invaded Oblivion itself. Initial gains and victories against House Dres cripple the Great House for years to come, but the counterattack from House Redoran's standing army leaves thousands of dead on both sides. The battle hardened and well equipped "Grand Army" of the Redoran, while weakened from the losses sustained during the Red Year is also highly experienced from the Oblivion Crisis and the conflicts between the Argonians and Dunmer grind down to a stalemate with neither side gaining supremacy over the other. The 13th, 15th and 16th Legions attempt to intervene but even the skill and abilities of the Legionaries were unable to contend with the numbers and skill of both Dunmer and Argonian forces, especially while still significantly understrength from the Oblivion Crisis. The 15th and 16th (Blackmarsh) Legions return to Cyrodiil where their surviving legionaries are redistributed to other Legions.

8

Kaius and Viconia successfully acquire several other daedric Artefacts; The Ebony Blade, the Ring of Khajiit, Sanguine's Rose, Mehrunes razor, and Peryites' Spellbreaker. While they complete tasks for the other Daedric Princes, Kaius manages to steal Mehrunes Razor from a few of the remaining Mythic Dawn Cultists and earns the momentary ire of the Daedric Prince of Destruction, at least until Mehrunes Dagon gets distracted again due to his ever-changing nature. (and a bit of help from Sanguine who is highly amused with the whole situation)

8

Elsweyr secedes from the Empire however remains closely affiliated and aligned while becoming an independent polity. The 17th and 18th Legions return to Cyrodiil where they too become Legions existing on paper more than substance.

9

Kaius and Viconia, leaving the stewardship of Glenvar County in the hands of their trusted advisors and friends’ journey to the Underdark over the course of several months.

10

The growing influence of the Thalmor and their ‘Council of Towers’ leadership continues to grow throughout the Summerset Isles to the point where they begin taking actions to further destabilise the Empire. The assassination of Potentate Ocato, the defacto ‘leader’ of the Empire is instigated by the Council of Towers and this marks the beginning of the Stormcrown Interregnum and further fracturing of the Elder Council.

10

Kaius and Viconia arrive in the Underdark and manage to infiltrate Menzoberranzan by pretending to be a priestess of Lloth and her personal slave. They begin the process of assassinating the most die-hard and powerful allies to Lloth and Kaius seeks out and slays the deep dragon Hahdiinrii (Mind-Frost-Spirit); one of Lloth's few non-Drow allies and the original dragon that taught her the mechanics of tonal architecture and blood magicka. During the battle he is seriously wounded and only survives by feeding upon the dragon, inadvertently and unknowingly becoming Dovahkiin by vampirically consuming and absorbing its soul with its blood.

11

A year and a half of subterfuge is rewarded when Kaius and Viconia successfully kill enough of Lloth's followers to allow them to confront the Spider-Goddess. Using their dual vampiric-daedric natures and their collection of enchanted and daedric equipment they battle her on top of her ziggurat-temple in the heart of Menzoberranzan in full view of its entire population. The battle rages to a standstill until Kaius gains the upper hand, once again biting and feeding upon Lloth and once joined by Viconia they drain her of her blood and life-force, splitting her power (and soul) between them both. The death of Lloth causes a societal/spiritual crisis which is compounded by the way that her death had been brought upon by a male. Viconia and Kaius claim the titles and rule of the Velmer but shortly after they return to the surface.

12

Kaius and Viconia return to the surface and to Glenvar county to find the Empire and Cyrodiil in turmoil. Thules the Gibbering; once the leader of the Imperial Battle College and a Nibenese witch-warrior with support from country Bravil has assumed control over the Ruby throne but his known perversions, hatred by the general population and dubious sanity is fracturing the Empire further. He holds control only through the support of several members of the Elder Council who utilise him as a puppet ruler for their own ends, chief of these is Count Terentius of Bravil

13

In the growing chaos of the Interregnum, the Imperial Legion continues losing strength with recruitment reaching record lows from a combination of the population reduction of the post-crisis years and the devastation of the Red Year across the north of Tamriel. To keep up reinforcements to the active legions the Legates, with the approval of the Elder Council reduce the training period of new recruits to less than two months. This policy is to have extreme detrimental effects over the coming decades as the reduced quality of training leads to reduced effectiveness, in turn leading to higher casualties among the Legions. Within 50 years the magicka enhancement and specialised training of the Tiberium Reforms had been completely scrapped in favour of localised recruitment, conscription and militia levies

14

Tribune Titus Mede, promoted from his experiences during the Oblivion Crisis and a veteran of the Siege of Kvatch gains fame by keeping order within County Kvatch and the regions that were once County Sutch. Well-liked by his men and by the local populace he wields significant influence despite his rank. His personal friendship with Savlian Matius the Count of Kvatch, Janus Hassildor the Count of Skingrad, Count and Countess Umbranox of Anvil, and Kaius and Viconia provides him significant political power within Cyrodiil and no less than half of the Cyrodiilic Elder Council votes. Supported by the likes of Kaius as Count of Glenvar, he begins planning overthrowing Thules the Gibbering for the good of the Empire but initially does not intend on taking the Throne for himself.

17

Titus Mede "captures" the Imperial city with only a pair of Castas and without any loss of life. While branded a traitor, a warlord and a 'bandit chieftain' by the nobility and several members of the Elder Council, he has popular support from many of the population of the Empire. He is crowned Emperor at the age of 43. Kaius and Viconia and others such as Janus Hassildor support his claim, but earn the ire of many including the Skooma addicted Count Gellius Terentius of Bravil.

18

Emperor Titus Mede defeats the forces of Eddar Olin - one of the pretenders to the Ruby Throne, with less than 2,000 legionaries from the 1st Legion.

19

Prince Attrebus Mede is born

21

In a combination of their unique strain of vampirism and the powers inherited by feeding on Lloth, Kaius and Viconia successfully become parents with the birth of their son Caidin.

22

Undertaking a coup in response to the rise and growing stability of the new Mede Empire, the Thalmor Council of Towers gains control over the Summerset Isles and return its original name of Alinor. Despite holding ultimate power the Council of Towers is very much a shadow government puppeteering the Sapiarchs and the King of Alinor and their very existence is still a secret to all outside the top hierarchy of the Thalmor. 

24

Kaius and Viconia have their second child, a daughter they name Astinoa

29

The Aldmeri Dominion is recreated after Alinor and Valenwood proclaim a union. The Blades under their new grandmaster Baurus refocus their efforts on espionage but for now are unable to regain a foothold within the borders of the Aldmeri Dominion.

31

Count Antophon Terentius becomes Count of Bravil after his father, Gellius Terentius succumbs to his skooma addiction. He attributes his father's death to those loyal to the Emperor and begins planning his revenge

35

Caidin, son of Kaius and Viconia begins showing signs of vampirism as he reaches puberty. Together they begin teaching him how to control and use his powers and abilities despite their trepidations of creating a new breed of Pureblood vampires.

39

Count Antophon Terentius's plans are revealed as the military forces of Bravil march into Glenvar and besiege the Province. Glenvar castle is directly attacked but even with the equivalent of a Legion's worth of troops at his command the Count initially finds the Castle impregnable. Only by making examples of several of his men due to cowardice do they manage to breach the castle defences with the use of hastily constructed siege towers and ladders. Survivor's accounts of the siege are ignored or forgotten in the years to come but stories of the castle being defended by daedra pass into legend. The siege results in the destruction of the castle and its surrounds and Glenvar Village is little more than a ruin but over three quarters of Bravil's forces are casualties and are unable to hold off Titus Mede arriving at the head of the entire 1^st Legion. Unknown to all but the Emperor, Kaius, Viconia and their two children survived the battle, as well as most of the castle's population by escaping through the Castle's sally point. The Former Count and Countess of Glenvar use this opportunity to vanish from public record as their vampiric nature is becoming increasingly difficult to hide. The Emperor takes them in, and they purchase a home within the Imperial City under Titus' protection and anonymity. Kaius pledges himself to the Emperor's service in payment of saving his family, but Titus Mede saw that it was only fair to rescue Kaius and his Family to honour his own debt to them allowing him to become Emperor

40

Kaius dons the mantle of the Black Blade and becomes the Emperor's Champion and the anonymity that goes with it. His daughter who has inherited her mother's magical potential travels to Skingrad to learn from Janus Hassildor and how to control her growing vampiric nature. Caidin becomes a fully-fledged member of the Blades who are now among the chief spies of the Mede Dynasty.

48

The Events of 'The Infernal City', and 'Lord of Souls'  (The Umbriel Crisis) Occurs. Titus Mede is 74 years of age.

56

Titus Mede dies peacefully in his sleep , his Son Attrebus Mede assumes the throne and is becomes Emperor of Tamriel. As part of his inheritance, he receives his father's memoirs that have been kept securely locked away by both physical and magical means. Upon reading them he learns of Kaius and Viconia's true natures and their roles during the Oblivion Crisis and takes measures to ensure that such knowledge is never to be known outside of his lineage.

65

Emperor Attrebus Mede becomes a father to the next heir to the throne, Vinentus Mede. He has three sons and two daughters throughout his life.

73

Kaius, at the behest of Attrebus Mede becomes one of the mentors to the Emperor's eight-year-old son, teaching him history, military tactics and martial skills such as swordsmanship. Kaius agrees to do so in part due to the straining relationship between himself and Viconia as she becomes disillusioned with life on the surface and the struggles of being a mother and partner in an unfamiliar fashion to her own upbringing.

74

Kaius and Viconia's relationship strains further and Viconia returns to the Underdark where she quickly fills the power vacuum left behind by Lloth's death. She becomes Empress of the Drow and begins the long process of changing the Drow society to be less reliant upon slaves and more unified as a whole. To the north of the Drow territories the Illithids begin to take notice of the ever-increasing numbers and raids from the Falmer.

98

The Void Nights occur when the twin Moons Masser and Secunda vanish entirely from the skies. Rumours and theories spread throughout Tamriel and beyond due to the disappearance of the moons, however the Khajiit are almost crippled entirely at a social, cultural and spiritual level. The lack of the moons and their effects on the Khajiit mean that every single Khajiit born during this time is still birthed or horribly mutated as a result. While unknown to outsiders the Khajiit spiritual leader the Mane also disappears during this time after being assassinated by Thalmor agents. Known only to the highest ranked members within the Thalmor and as part of the Council of Tower's plans, the Void nights and the death of the Mane had been intentional acts to manipulate and gain power over the Khajiit. However, their meddling backfired as with the death of the Mane and the loss of the moons no new mane could be reincarnated which further destabilises the Khajiit people both culturally and even genetically.

100

After two years of research and increasingly desperate searching the Council of Towers manage to reverse the loss of the Moons and return them to the sky, but only after ensuring enough agents are located within Elsweyr to take advantage of the situation. Large numbers of Thalmor agents spread propaganda to the Khajiit that the moons were returned by the efforts of the Aldmeri Dominion, endearing them to the entire race and further pushing Elsweyr away from the Empire's influence and allegiance. With the return of the moons and the natural reproductive cycles restored for the Khajiit the new Mane is born, but Thalmor operatives were able to locate the infant within days of the birth and capture them after massacring an entire village to ensure the Mane's existence was kept secret. The infant is spirited out of Elsweyr and taken to Alinor where they are raised and kept prisoner for the next century to maintain control over the Khajiit

105

Vinentus Mede becomes Emperor at the death of his father. At 40 years of age he has no children and confides in Kaius that the healers have confirmed that he is sterile. His rule is widely regarded as being a golden era in comparison to the darkness and destruction of the century before but the growing shadow of the Aldmeri Dominion is spreading throughout Tamriel

115

Still reeling from the damage caused by the Void Nights, Elswyr separates into the competitive Kingdoms of Anequina and Pellitine once more and all Imperial influence is entirely lost to the increasingly powerful Aldmeri Dominion. Both ‘new’ Kingdoms become client states to the Dominion and creates a sizeable pool of 'man' power for the Dominion military. Many Khajiit, especially Pahmar, Senches and the 'Rhat' variants of these furstocks are prized soldiers to contend with the greatly diminished, but still powerful Legions of the Mede Empire.

120

Vinentus Mede dies heirless and after a brief period with the overhanging threat of another Interregnum, his niece and daughter to his youngest sister is named Empress of Tamriel. Gappina Mede becomes the youngest of all the Mede Dynasty to ascend to the throne at 16 years of age.

122

The Great Collapse occurs and most of Winterhold falls into the Sea of Ghosts. Unknown to the surface, this is as the results of magma moving through the Underdark under Eastern Skyrim and Morrowind from Red Mountain causing significant seismic activity. The Falmer population undergoes another mass migration and begins overwhelming the Illithid colonies with sheer numbers. The damage to Dwemer cities reaches critical levels and soon Falmer can be found nesting in the lowest levels of almost every Dwemer outpost and city in Tamriel. Their numbers begin to grow exponentially as a result of this additional living space and access to resources and it is only the combination of the Dwemer animunculi, traps and the Falmer's inability to deal with the dwemer materials, doors, constructions etc that keep them from moving towards the surface. It is about this time that they rediscover ways to dig tunnels of their own using the latest in their 'domesticated' chaurus

127

Gappina Mede gives birth to her first and only child and names him in honour of her Great-Grandfather. She is 23 years old and in keeping with the growing family tradition, asks Kaius to mentor the young Titus Mede II

129

Kaius uses the chaos in the wake of the burning of Riften to return the Light of Dawn to Fort Dawnguard where he stashes it in its depths. Rumours of the weapon had been attracting many vampires to the Imperial city over the past decade and once safely hidden the amount of vampiric activity greatly subsides.

135

Kaius begins tutoring Titus Mede II and while the boy instinctively knows that there is something unusual about his mentor a friendship begins to develop as the heir grows older. 

137

Maven Black-Briar is born into the Black-Briar family. She is the second born child of her father and therefore not eligible to inherit his role and titles.

140

With the Aldmeri Dominion growing in strength, the Blades dispatch agents to infiltrate and report on the occurrences throughout Valenwood, Elsweyr and Alinor. Caidin is dispatched to Valenwood where his vampiric abilities are of considerable benefit to the Blades and the Empire

148

Ulfric Stormcloak is born.

149

Maven Black-Briar murders her older brother while they are 'playing' by smashing his skull with a rock and rolling his body off a balcony of their family manor. She becomes the heir to the Black-Briar family. Everyone considers the death to be an unfortunate accident. She is 12 years old

150

Baraenr Virconis, who would be known as Mercer Frey later in life was born into the Virconis family who own and operate one of the largest mead producers in Eastmarch. Over the next twenty-four years he grows into a headstrong, confident if impetuous young man with a knack of solving problems and stealth.

152

An Imperial Archivist working within the Imperial City uncovers a series of journals and memoirs written by Kaius and investigates their authenticity. While they are confirmed that they aren't fakes and that they reveal significant details of the Oblivion Crisis, attempts to publish annotated copies of the books stir little interest. Eventually, an author by the name Praxis Sarcorum writes a book titled 'The Oblivion Crisis', with Kaius' journals and memoirs forming the foundation of his research which go uncredited. 

157

Astinoa is a leading member of the Mages Guild and turns her attention on investigating Vampiric nature and abilities as well as perfecting a way to undertake long-distance magical communication. This allows her to communicate with her mother in the Underdark and she begins piecing together the history of the Velmer after teaching her father how to contact her mother.

163

Showing a certain aptitude to reading and understanding Dovahzul among other languages, Ulfric is sent to study with the Greybeards mastery of the Thu'um by his father. He is 15 years old

168

Titus Mede II ascends to the Throne at 41 years of age with the death of his mother and while shocked when he learns of Kaius' true nature he is not surprised after decades of suspecting that something was amiss about his ageless teacher and protector.

171

The Great War against the Aldmeri Dominion commences when the Thalmor representative upturns a cart filled with the severed heads of every Blades agent within the borders of the Aldmeri Dominion. Of the 133 heads, only one is not rotting but instead flame blackened and clean of flesh. Kaius is present with the Emperor in his role as the Black Blade and it is his reaction as he knelt and retrieved his son's skull that gives the Emperor the strength and conviction to refuse the Thalmor's ultimatum.

171

Baraenr Virconis joins the Legion as part of the mass volunteers from Skyrim seeking to fight for the Empire. He is 21 years old

171

Leyawiin County is immediately cut off and invaded by Aldmeri troops. The Order of the White Stallion, despite growing in strength since the Oblivion Crisis to over 750 Knights and twenty-five hundred Men-at-Arms is unable to contend with the highly skilled forces of the Dominion, especially their Khajiit auxiliaries and are quickly defeated. Most are slain in combat, but some retreat north and manage to bypass the advancing elven armies and eventually make their way to High Rock where the Order re-establishes itself.

171

Ulfric Stormcloak is 23 years old and joins the Legion shortly after war is declared against his father's, and the Greybeard's wishes. Known to be courageous, if a bit foolhardy he quickly rises to command a Cohort as Centurion. His use of the Thu'um is of considerable advantage to his legion and his Casta Commander: Tribune Tullis. While serving with the 3rd Legion, he becomes good friends with the other Cohort commanders, Centurion Rikke and Centurion Galmar Stone-fist

172

The Priory of the Nine south east of Skingrad is quickly taken by a force of Thalmor operatives within the first months of the invasion. In the years since the Oblivion Crisis, the Divine Crusader has rarely been seen outside the Priory and while the last sighting was forty years previous the Thalmor waste no time or effort in securing the area. The fate of the Divine Crusader and the relics is unknown, but sightings of an individual wearing Pelinal’s relics occur throughout Highrock, Skyrim, Morrowind, Cyrodiil and even rumoured in Valenwood and Elsweyr. Teams of Thalmor Justiciars sent to confirm these rumours are typically never heard from again or found brutally murdered.

173

Torygg, future High King of Skyrim is born.

173

As one of many who joined the Legion either by choice or by force, Frikrmund Black-Briar, father and patriarch of the Black-Briars dies in combat against the Aldmeri Dominion. Maven has been running the family since his departure and officially becomes head of the family and inherits her father's titles. Rumours persist that she manipulated her father into joining the Legion but none are spoken aloud where she may be able to hear them. Maven is 36 years old and already infamous throughout the Reach.

174

While on patrol, Ulfric's cohort is attacked by Dominion Forces with the intent to kill or capture him to remove the threat of his Thu'um from the campaign. During the following months, he is interrogated, tortured and left believing that it was the information that he provided that had resulted in the fall of the Imperial City. Tribune Tullis is promoted to Legate after his predecessor is killed in action, and he is placed on the command staff directly under the Emperor after Titus' escape from the Imperial City. He promotes Rikke to Tribune to command his old Cohort, much to the annoyance to Galmar

174

The Events of the Elder Scrolls: Legends (The Forgotten Hero) occur. The Imperial City is besieged and sacked by the Dominion. During the Emperor's breakout with his forces, Kaius forgoes his duty and stays in the city in an attempt to save his daughter from the elvish forces. Their attempt to escape the city through the ancient, long forgotten passage in the Imperial Dungeons is met with failure and after his daughter is killed by Thalmor agents he is captured. Put in the arena for the conqueror's amusement he eventually sides with another Blade called Tyr and they fight their way to freedom.

174

The Markarth Incident. Emboldened by news of the fall of White Gold and the Imperial City, the Reachmen under their 'King-in-Rags' Madanach rise up against the Nords in the Reach, successfully taking Markarth and establishing their own Kingdom within the Provence. Madanach is 32 years old.

174

Taking full advantage of the Great War against the Aldmeri Dominion, and the chaos engulfing both the empire as a result of the War and the issues in Skyrim resulting from the establishment of the Kingdom of the Reach, the Black-Briar family moves against its primary competitors. Using a combination of intimidation, economic and legal means, extortion and even outright murder they successfully rise to prominence under the guidance and leadership under Maven Black-Briar. Maven is 37 years old and she uses her family's connections with the Thieves Guild to great effect and even establishes contact with the Dark Brotherhood to use their services in carving out a mini crime empire. Among the many casualties of this 'hidden war' is the Virconis Family in Eastmarch. Maven's attentions on their mead businesses results in the family being destroyed while Baraenr Virconis is still serving the Legion in Cyrodiil. Over several months and the combined efforts of hired thugs, the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood the Virconis family is driven out of business and into poverty. During a botched Sweep job Delvin Mallory and Astrid accidently murder Baraenr's mother, forcing the two to be expelled from the guild and forced to join the Dark Brotherhood for a few years until the crime was forgotten. Baraenr is serving in Cyrodiil fighting on the front lines against the Aldmeri Dominion but small snippets of news reach him about his family, especially about his mother's death but he is unable to return with the war raging in the south.

175 (Spring)

After months of journeying with Tyr and joining forces with the Argonian smuggler Swims-at-Night, the Dunmer Mage Laaneth and Imperial Legate Cassia, Kaius and his companions succeed in returning to the Imperial City and destroying the Orb of Vearmina that Lord Naarifin was using to track the Imperial Forces. Despite their best efforts Tyr is mortally wounded by Naarifin's Dremora bodyguard, Reive. Reive; once a general of Mehrunes Dagon's daedric armies had been the Dremora that Kaius had originally fed upon during the siege of Kvatch and it was this connection that had allowed him and his lord to track Kaius (and the Emperor's) initial movements. Incensed by the deaths of his children and his best friend who had saved him from being consumed by the vampiric curse, Kaius reveals his full vampiric abilities to his stunned companions and defeats Rieve by finishing what he had started 175 years before and vampirically draining the Dremora of the rest of his life/soul force. They successfully destroy the orb and escape the city with Tyr's body.

175 (Spring)

Swims-at-Night and Laaneth leave shortly after Tyr's funeral ceremony but despite her trepidation Legate Cassia chooses not to reveal Kaius' true nature to anyone else as she returns to her command duties. Kaius returns to the main army marching south from Skyrim and returns to his role as the Black Blade, arriving at the main camp the morning after the Thalmor's failed assassination attempt on the Emperor. In private, Titus Mede II releases Kaius from his oath binding him to the Mede family on the condition that he leads the Imperial Forces in disguise due to the injures he had sustained from the assassins. Kaius agrees and leads the entire Imperial Army during the battle of the Red Ring, successfully besieging and retaking the Imperial city before facing down Lord Naarfin in personal combat. Swims-at-Night, Laaneth and Cassia come to his aid during the battle and together they manage to stop his attempt to undertake "The Culling" ritual that would sacrifice every inhabitant of the city to create a permanent, stabilised Oblivion Portal in the heart of White-Gold Tower. Unknown and barely suspected by anyone within the Empire, this was part of a larger plan to weaken the power of one of the last surviving 'Towers' that stabilises reality and while the Portal was closed and sealed, the intended effect had still been achieved. Julianos’ influence upon the world, and especially on the Empire wanes considerably and much knowledge and understanding of magicka is lost over the coming decades

175 (Spring)

The Battle of the Red Ring results in a Pyrrhic Victory and with both sides utterly spent the war ends with the signing of the White-Gold Concordat. The banning of Talos Worship is one of the key goals of the Thalmor as Talos and his ‘tower’ of the human Empire are one of the last ‘aedric’ barriers standing between the Council of Towers and their ultimate plans.

175
(Summer)

In the aftermath of the Battle of the Red Ring and the signing of the White-Gold Concordat, Baraenr receives word of his family's fate, his father's suicide and the complete loss of their home and businesses. As he and many of the veterans of the Battle of the Red Ring are demobilised, he uses the opportunity to switch his identity with one of his fallen comrades. "Baraenr Virconis" is listed among the tens of thousands of war dead and "Mercer Frey" returns to Skyrim to investigate what had happened. Over the coming months he discovers and pieces together the events, correctly deducing that the Black-Briars had actively sabotaged and destroyed his family to gain a monopoly on mead production throughout eastern Skyrim. The last straw for him is the discovery of his 11-year-old sister working in a flophouse in Wildhelm, addicted to skooma and dying of pneumonia. He discovers that the Black-Briars had been the ones who has pushed her into prostitution by the 17-year-old Sibbi Black-Briar, Maven's eldest son who had tricked her by faking to fall into love an eloping to remove any potential future threats to the family. Mercer ends his sister's misery and takes her life, swearing vengeance against the Black-Briars and an oath to destroy them

175 (Summer)

Ulfric Stormcloak, along with all the other captured Imperial Soldiers are freed as part of the White-Gold Concordat and most of the shattered cohorts/castas are disbanded or merged into others in an attempt to reorganise the Legions broken from 4 years of constant battle. He 'retires' from the legion along with many the survivors of his Cohort and Casta, and they join him as he returns home.

176

Disillusioned and despondent at the deaths of his children, Kaius leaves the surface immediately after the Battle of the Red Ring and travels to the Underdark to be with Viconia. He is proclaimed regent/Emperor of the Velmer as a further step towards reforming their culture away from slavery and ultra-matriarchy and partially because his slaying of Lloth affords him a considerable amount of respect and deference from the Drow.

176

In the wake of the Great War and the ongoing conflict between the Nords and the Reachmen, Mercer Frey makes his way to Riften using the cover of returning from the war and falling on hard times like most other veterans were at the time to gain connections with the Thieves Guild. He joins them and quickly begins making a name for himself through skill, cunning and the ability to acquire considerable quantities of coin and wealth for the guild.

176

In the Autumn and as the Reachmen prepare for the Winter, Ulfric is 'hired' by Jarl Hrolfdir along with the ex-legionaries loyal to him to assist in retaking Markarth. Ulfric agrees to only if he and his troops can worship Talos. Jarl Hrolfdir dies during the assault but between a combination of the battle-hardened ex-legionaries and Ulfric's use of the Thu'um the city is retaken. Immediately after the city's garrison surrenders, Ulfric's forces begin looting, killing and rampaging through the city and despite his attempts to control the situation the massacre unfolds quickly as the veteran legionaries react with the brutality engrained into them from the Great War. A large majority of the population no matter their ancestry is killed or wounded in the days that follow, and the city would have been burned to the ground if it hadn't been dwemer-built. Jarl Igmund takes his father's throne, and from considerable pressure and the threat of the Imperial Legion retaliating against them he is forced to declare Ulfric responsible for the massacre. He is also forced to rescind his father's promise of Talos worship when the the scale of the disaster forces the Empire to intervene which also draws the attention of the Thalmor in their efforts to maintain the White-Gold Concordat. Ulfric is arrested and locked away, while his 'free-company' take on the moniker of "Stormcloaks" as they travel to Windhelm under the command of Galmar Stone-fist. Unknown to all involved the 'Ruler' of the reachmen; Madanach was captured during the battle by one of Ulfric ex-legionaries-turned-mercenaries, Thornar Silver-Blood. Madanach's existence is kept secret from Jarl Igmund and all other rulers and authorities within Markarth and Thornar locks the 'King in Rags' into the depths of his family's silver mine in Markarth - Cidnar Mine. In later years once leaving the 'Stormcloak' free company, Thornar begins exerting pressure on Madanach, using his authority and 'rule-in-exile' to manipulate the Reachmen tribes into attacking forces, towns, trading caravans etc in ways that ultimately benefit the Silver-Blood family. This allows them to expand their power and influence beyond the Reach and by the time of the Stormcloak rebellion the Silver-Bloods have gained considerable influence into Hjallmarch, Hjaafingar and Falkreath Holds.

177

The monastery of the Black Knights of Talos in Eastern Hammerfell is besieged by three thousand Elven warriors. The Thalmor proclaim a physical and spiritual victory over the "misguided heathens" but great efforts are taken to supress the fact that of the three thousand soldiers who initially attacked the monastery less than two hundred survived. Further claims of the victory ring hollow as for the next three years not a single Thalmor soldier steps foot within ten kilometres of the mountain where the monastery was located. 

180

Aldmeri Dominion and Hammerfell sign a truce, and the Elvish forces withdraw entirely from Hammerfell with the exception of their undercover spies and other agents.

180

As the Reachmen struggle in the years following the fall of Markarth, the loss of their 'King' Madanach, and a generation of their best warriors many of the tribes begin falling further into worship of the daedra and aligning themselves with the other beings living within the reach. Of these beings they especially align with the Reach witches/hagraven covens existing on the fringes of civilisation. Among the many tribes, one attempts to 'breed' a better type of warrior by using rituals and magicka in the conception and birth of their children. Only one is successful, a girl born under the sign of 'The Apprentice' at the height of the Summer Solstice and naturally gifted with magicka named Sofia. The overall intent is to use Sofia as part of further rituals gained from the hagravens with the tribe's briarhearts to breed even greater warriors more suited for the Briarheart implantation process but before she turns eleven, she leaves home and wanders the wilds for several months before making her way to the College of Winterhold.

181

With the heat sufficiently died down and the Black Briars grip on the Rift strengthening further, Delvin returns to the Thieves Guild and puts his past as an Assassin behind him for the most part. Astrid remains with the Brotherhood having since married Arnbjorn and is steadily rising in the ranks. She and Delvin remain in touch and become one of the primary links between the Guild, the Brotherhood and the Black-Briars in future dealings.

182

Ulfric's father passes away while he is still in prison for the massacre of Markarth. He is proclaimed as Jarl of Windhelm shortly after, but it is several months before he is released to be officially crowned.

185

Mercer Frey is inducted as a Nightingale despite Gallus' misgivings. Mercer is secretly arranging for the Guild's downfall and working towards the destruction of the Black-Briars through a combination of weakening them and then intending on stoking conflict between them and the Silver-Blood Family. Gallus has no proof at this time but Mercer has been steadily eroding the Influence of the Guild from within, leaving traces and clues to their actions that are just enough to have many members arrested and guild cells in major cities broken up by the guards, and in several cases even murdering other talented thieves in secret.

188

Unexpectedly, an envoy from one of the Illithid colonies arrive at Menzoberranzan and meets Viconia and Kaius. Even more unexpectedly the creature requests a truce or even a pact of submission of the Mind-Flayers to the Velmer Empire. When questioned, the Illithid envoy reveals that numerous colonies have been destroyed by the waves of creatures migrating from the north and they are no longer able to hold them off on their own. To underline the seriousness of their plight, the Illithids are willing to submit to slavery to the Drow as the alternative is nothing short of extinction at the hands of the Falmer.

193

Gallus, Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild is murdered by Mercer Frey who takes his position, framing Karliah in the process and removing the biggest threat to his plans. Gallus and Karliah were working together on a mission to steal the Crown of Barenziah that was being kept in the Vaults of the Palace of the kings in Windhelm. While they are gone Mercer steals the Skeleton Key from the Twilight Sepulchre, before travelling to Snow Veil Sanctum to murder Gallus while Karliah is in Windhelm scouting the palace for the upcoming heist. Already having begun the long process of 'unlocking' his true potential with the Skeleton Key he kills Gallus while making it appear as though Gallus had been ambushed by an Assassin/hitman.

Unknown to the rest of the Guild, Karliah still lives but believes that Gallus had been murdered by the Black-Briars as Gallus had been telling her how he planned on the Guild gaining its independence from the Black-Briars and their influence, and turning more towards being agents of Nocturnal instead. Aware of Mercer's opinions on serving the daedric prince, she isn't surprised at his taking the mantle of Guildmaster and distancing himself from the Sepulchre. It was usual tradition that only one of the Nightingales would protect the Sepulchre at a time, the other two running the Guild and conducting actions on Nocturnal's behalf respectively. She is too blinded by grief and rage at Gallus' supposed murder by the Black-Briars to consider any alternative theories and so between protecting the sepulchre she begins amassing the necessary funds to conduct actions against the crime family, unknowingly playing into Mercer's hands and assisting him in his own goals. It takes her 8 years of thieving to build up enough to start running businesses and begin competing against the Black-Briars in their own territories, purposefully making her new businesses difficult targets for the Guild which inadvertently results in even more thieves being caught/killed or otherwise weakening the guild.

194

High King Istlod dies, and the Moot convenes and elects his son Torygg as the new High King. Ulfric as his position of Jarl of Windhelm uses the moot as an opportunity to voice his desire and vision of an independent Skyrim. He leaves bitter at the utter lack of responses from the other Jarls, but unknown to him he has almost unanimous support but none of them were able to openly show it due to the presence of the Thalmor among the various diplomatic delegations present.

195

Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak travels to Solitude and challenges High King Torygg to single combat for Skyrim's throne, purportedly because of the ban on Talos worship. Ulfric uses the Thu'um and kills Torygg right in front of Queen Elisif and the entire court. Torygg was 22 Years old. Civil war breaks out between the pro-Imperial and pro-Nordic factions although it remains relatively low-intensity over the next four years due to a general lack of desire among the Nords to kill their own kin.

195

After consolidating his position Mercey Frey begins enacting his plans to weaken and damage both the Thieves Guild and the Black-Briars. The Thieves Guild proves an easier success as his manipulations and the effects of stealing the key on everyone's luck begins to take effect.

196

After 8 years of diplomacy, the Illithids are incorporated into the growing Velmer Empire as a vassal state and further shifts to the Drow society are taking place. Raids and attacks from Falmer are commonplace and are requiring more military forces and resources to combat. To the secret delight of Kaius and Viconia, many of the velmer city-states turn to emancipating large numbers of their slaves and using the greater manpower to increase production and the recruitment of professional soldiery. Most outright copy Menzoberranzan's example of infantry units styled in the manner of the Imperial Legions and the Tiberium Reforms as the superior quality of these troops prove devastatingly effective against the hordes of Falmer. Especially due to the racial traits of thousands of years of brutal society and survival in the underdark has bred into the velmer and their now ex-slave populations has allowed the new ‘Velmeri Legions’ to surpass the Legions of the 3rd Era at their peak.

196

Within a year the Thieves Guild begins losing control over its various extortion and protection rackets, its numbers of thieves, pickpockets are increasingly decimated as the civil war cripples their abilities to fence certain goods, travel between cities and towns and even starts driving more of their members to the likes of banditry to survive. To Mercer's annoyance the Black Briars take full advantage of the chaos and grow stronger, spreading their influence further and forming an alliance with the Silver-Bloods to spilt Skyrim down the middle in zones of Control. The Black-Briars control all Stormcloak held territories, and the Silver-Bloods control the Imperial held areas. Both crime families use Whiterun as the neutral ground to settle differences and maintain contact with each other. Mercer begins 'cooking the books' and stealing from the Guild's vaults, vaults that also contain the entire wealth of the Black-Briars. To not arouse suspicion he does this very, very carefully and over the rest of the decade, using the Skeleton key to open the vaults as the second key to his guild master's key. The money, gems and other valuables that he steals are used to fund anything and anyone hostile to the Black-Briars, even including the Silver-Bloods. This manages to curtail a lot of Maven's efforts in expanding her power base.

198

As the War for the Underdark begins increasing in tempo it becomes obvious to all its inhabitants that the scale of the coming conflict will be unmatched in the history of the Underdark. Only Kaius and Viconia, with their experiences of both the Oblivion Crisis and the Great War realise just what steps will be required to be taken to secure victory and soon they are pushing for the full mobilisation, training and outfitting of most able-bodied beings within their realm. Valas, still recovering even after a century of being restored to his true form concludes that even if they successfully repelled and counter invaded against the Falmer the creatures could retreat to the surface. Most Drow Nobles care little for the fates of the surfacers, but many of the others realise that both the Surface and the Underdark's fates are tied to one another, especially how Valas' studies into Narbondel confirm that it is the 'Shadow Tower', a 'mirror' but also kin to the others such as White-Gold, Crystal-Like-Law, Snow-Throat etc. Valas spends the next year and half convincing everyone he can that the surface needs to be at the very least warned about the approaching invasion otherwise both realms would fall to the degenerated creatures. Kaius is the only candidate for obvious reasons.

199

Kaius, despite his reluctance returns to the surface and travels to the Imperial City where he infiltrates the Imperial Palace. Meeting with Titus Mede II he learns of the threats facing the Empire but despite the Emperor's trust in him they both know that they cannot prepare for the Falmer in the current state of the Empire. Blackmarsh remains stubbornly isolationist, the Dumner Houses are still crippled from the eruption of Red Mountain and High Rock is plagued with unrest. In Skyrim, the Civil war is beginning to heat up with the arrival of General Tullis and the influx of veteran legionaries tasked with raising further forces in preparation for the coming war with the Thalmor. After his meeting with the Emperor, Kaius travels north to Skyrim. Attributing the growing number of deaths throughout Northern Skyrim to the civil war, no one is realising that small numbers of Falmer are reaching the surface.

200

Reports of the Divine Crusader's relics in Skyrim are proven false as the bandits responsible for acquiring them after killing their bearer reforge them. The ultimate fate of the true relics or the Divine Crusader himself remains a mystery, but rumours abound. As does the continued disappearance and deaths of Justiciars sent to track the true relics and crusader throughout northern Tamriel. Rumours begin appearing speaking of how the 'Divine Crusader' is preparing to take part in any future conflicts between the Dominion and Empire. Rumours that the Thalmor desperately try to squash as they allocate even more agents into tracking the elusive figure down.

200

A century old and health slowly deteriorating, the captive Mane is beginning to near its extended life span despite all magical and alchemical assistances provided by the Thalmor. Plans and agents are dispatched to Elsweyr in preparation for retrieving the next incantation upon the death of the current Mane however unlike the void nights the exact location will be impossible to determine until the birth takes place due to the strange nature and influence of the moons on Khajiit physiology. Nevertheless the Thalmor prepare for the eventual death and rebirth as having the Mane outside of their control would destabilise their control over the Khajiit people and lose the largest source of 'man'power for the future conflict against the Mede Empire.

201

Skyrim's Civil War escalates with Stormcloaks and Imperial Legionaries engaging in outright conflict as the Elder Council and the Emperor are forced into stabilising the province in the expectation of the Aldmeri Dominion taking advantage of the situation. The fear is that the Dominion will be able to prepare for a Second Great War and a rebellion/civil war in Skyrim weakens the Empire's rearmament and replenishment, let alone threatening the only land-based trade and supply lines between High Rock and Cyrodiil. Kaius spends almost a full year infiltrating Skyrim, learning all that he can about the civil war and the current political climate. Eventually he meets with the Stormcloaks with the intention of learning Ulfric's true intentions and mental state with the intent of either assisting the Stormcloaks or removing him and his leadership by force if necessary. On the day he meets with Ulfric and his key commanders in Darkwater Crossing they are captured by a daring ambush by General Tullius and his men. They are taken to Helgen for execution but the town's destruction by the returned Alduin allows them to escape and the civil war escalates into all-out war.

201-204

Events of "Blood of Dragons/Sos do Dov"

204

Kaius Convenes the Kingsmoot during the peace summit at High Hrothgar, kills Ulfric after being challenged and claims the title of High King. He slays Alduin in Sovngarde, and the first major attacks/raids of the Falmer begin occuring across western Skyrim. Sofia leaves his side after travelling with him for almost three and a half years, travelling to Riften and ends up joining the Thieves Guild through a combination of seeking entertainment and on a whim. (Events of the Dragonblood King commence)