Lore:Western Reach

Western Reach
Type	Region
Continent	Tamriel
Province	High Rock Hammerfell
Subregions	Ephesus Mournoth Frostbreak Ridge Morkul Plain Upper Craglorn
Appears in	Arena, Shadowkey, ESO

Map of High Rock

The Western Reach is the western part of the historic territory of the Reachmen, which was split from Skyrim's hold of the Reach by Emperor Reman Cyrodiil in the late First Era along the line of the Druadach Mountains. It is traditionally considered to be part of the Breton province of High Rock, but the region can also include the areas of northern Hammerfell which also border Skyrim. It is divided from the rest of High Rock by the Wrothgarian Mountains.

Geographically, the Western Reach comprises the northeastern part of Bangkorai and the eastern half of Wrothgar in High Rock, and the northwestern part of Craglorn in Hammerfell.

Flora and Fauna

It is home to several ecosystems due to this intersection of provinces, and the region enjoys a variety of unique fauna. Examples include creatures such as Floaters and Rays, which are airborne creatures that resemble aquatic animals. Some other examples include the horned bipedal reptilian creatures, the Wickeder, and its relatives the Bounder and Clawrunner. Lastly is the maggot-shaped bipedal vermin known as the Wormmouth, which can vary greatly in size.

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  Snowray

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  Wickeder

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  Floater

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  Wormmouth

History

The Direnni Hegemony rose in power on the mainland through political maneuvering and devious machinations in 1E 355, soon taking control of the Western Reach. In 1E 358, the joint army of Cyrodiilic Emperor Ami-El and Skyrim attacked the Direnni in the Western Reach of High Rock. The Western Reach was one of the Skyrim Holds during the First Empire, although it was retaken by the Aldmeri during the Dissolution of Skyrim's Empire around 1E 420, at great cost of Nordic life. Eventually, the Aldmeri overseers were eliminated, but traces of their blood forever remained in the veins of the native Reachmen. During their rule, the Aldmer made the Western Reach into an impregnable fortification to prevent attacks from Skyrim. The Direnni Hegemony created a series of watch towers along the borders of the Reach and Skyrim.

After the conclusion of the First Akaviri Invasion in 1E 2704, Emperor Reman Cyrodiil turned his attention towards the "madmen of the Reach". He divided the Reachmen territory between the provinces of Skyrim and High Rock in an attempt to limit their possibility of uniting against him. The natives resisted fiercely, and there was never a decade when the troops of Solitude or Evermore wouldn't be sent in an attempt to pacify them.

In Mournoth, the northernmost region of Bangkorai, the Reachmen often warred with Bretons of the kingdom of Evermore. It was the first region to be taken by Durcorach the Black Drake during his invasion in 2E 541, although it was quickly freed when Durcorach was slain by Emeric of Cumberland the following year. A few decades later, in 2E 582, the region was attacked again by the Dark Witnesses, a Reachmen clan led by the Hagraven Uela, who intended to reclaim the territory that used to belong to the Reachmen. The Dark Witnesses turned their eyes towards Evermore, and briefly worked with the Daggerfall Covenant to nullify the threat of an Imperial coup from within the city. However, the clan were subsequently driven out of Mournoth following the death of Uela.

Another clan, Winterborn, dominated parts of Wrothgar during the time of the Longhouse Emperors. After Kurog gro-Bagrakh was granted the region of Wrothgar by the Daggerfall Covenant to build his new kingdom of Orsinium, the Orcish clans drove them back to the Reach. The Winterborn tried to reclaim their territory in 2E 582, but were ultimately defeated at a last stand within Frostbreak Fortress, where Kurog slew their last remaining leader, Urfon Ice-Heart.

During the early days of Tiber Septim's Empire, the region was still plagued by banditry and lawlessness, and travelers were advised to stay away from it. It was ruled by the Provisional Governor Titus Alorius.

During the Imperial Simulacrum, in 3E 397, the region around Dragonstar was embroiled in the War of the Bend'r-mahk between High Rock, Hammerfell and Skyrim. The conflict that took place here was used by Jagar Tharn and Pergan Asuul as fuel to manifest a Shadow of Conflict, or Umbra' Keth, which had the potential to engulf all of Hammerfell in shadows. Guided by the Shadow Mages Azra Nightwielder and Skelos Undriel, the Umbra' Keth was defeated by the Soul of Conflict, who used the legendary Star Teeth to destroy its shadowy form. After peace was established, a commission was created to repair the damage done by the war.

Notable Locales

Azra's Crossing Crypt of Hearts Dragon Fields

Dragonstar Earthtear Caverns Fearfrost Caverns

Glacier Crawl Loth'Na Caverns Snowline

Gallery

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  Map of Mournoth (ESO)

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  Map of Ephesus (ESO)

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  Map of Wrothgar (ESO)

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  Map including part of the Western Reach (Shadowkey)

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  The city of Dragonstar circa 2E 582 (ESO)

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  Dragonstar during the Imperial Simulacrum (Arena)

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  The village of Snowline circa 3E 397 (Shadowkey)

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  Mournoth, a region often fought over by the Reachmen and the Bretons (ESO)

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  Frostbreak Fortress in Wrothgar, the site of the Winterborn's last stand (ESO)

References

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

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