Lore:Nibenay

This article is about the cultural-political area. For the western geographical region, see Nibenay Valley. For the eastern geographical region, see Nibenay Basin.

Nibenay
Type	Region
Continent	Tamriel
Province	Cyrodiil
Demonym(s)	Nibenean, Nibenese
Appears in	Oblivion, ESO

One of many Ayleid ruins in Nibenay

Imperial River-Newt Scale armor

Nibenay, also knows as the Nibenean East, is the eastern part of Cyrodiil and is the traditional heart of the Empire, comprising the modern counties of Cheydinhal, Bruma, Bravil and Leyawiin, as well as the Heartlands around City Isle. The Nibenese culture is considered esoteric and philosophical, with focus on elaborate ceremony. Outside of the capital cities, the largest settlements in the region include Caer Suvio and Mir Corrup.

The largest regions in Nibenay are the eponymous Nibenay Valley and Nibenay Basin, the former nominally including the western bank of the Upper Niben from County Bravil to the Heartlands, and the latter encompassing the eastern side of the Upper Niben and its tributaries; the Corbolo, Reed and Silverfish. South of Niben Bay sits the dark swampland of Blackwood, largely synonymous with the county of Leyawiin. The far northern and eastern parts of the region give way to the Jerall and Valus mountain ranges, respectively. The Jerall city of Bruma, though Nibenese in customs, boasts an architectural style that is more Nordic in design. Similarly, there are aspects of Dunmeri architecture in the eastern city of Cheydinhal.

Nibenay is regarded as the soul of Cyrodiil, where the original Cyro-Nordic tribes began to grow culturally and economically separate from Skyrim. During this time, in opposition to the oppression from the Ayleids, the role of the battlemage was conceived, and these mages went on to become the ruling class of the Nibenese people. The Alessian Reformation turned the focus of Eastern productivity towards merchantry, and the Alessian priesthood superseded the battlemages as the cultural leaders. This lasted until the priesthood became too large to support itself, and the Alessian Order collapsed following the resistance of Western Cyrodiil to their doctrines and the subsequent creation of the autonomous Colovian Estates. Nibenay then reverted to its previous battlemage aristocracy, and they have been near the top of Nibenese social standing, right above the merchant nobility, to this day.

One of the most notable noble families from Nibenay are the Tharns, who have held estates in and around Cheydinhal since the First Era, and have frequently served directly under the Emperors as ministers and battlemages.

Notable Places

The Imperial Province

Bloodmayne Cave

A cavern at the edge of the Basin sharing flora and fauna with neighboring regions.

Bravil

A rundown, squalid town on the west bank of the Niben.

Cadlew Chapel

A chapel located on the north bank of the Silverfish River

Cheydinhal

A town in eastern Cyrodiil with a large Dunmer population.

Cropsford

A settlement located along the Yellow Road in the center of goblin territory, which has historically caused trouble for settlers.

Fathis Aren's Tower

A ruined fort along the Green Road south of Bravil.

Larsius River

A river running from the border of Elsweyr past Bravil and into Niben Bay.

Leyawiin

A Nibenese city in the extreme southeast of the province, by the mouth of the Niben River.

Malada

Also called the High Fane, an Ayleid temple known for their distinctive exterior pillar.

Mir Corrup

A resort settlement.

Mountain Watch

A village of about ten houses near Cheydinhal, inhabited by farmers and hunters in the Fourth Era.

Nenalata

One of the last surviving Ayleid city states.

Niben Bay

The large lake that forms the outflow from Lake Rumare into Topal Bay.

Panther River

A river that snakes through the Nibenay Basin east of Bravil.

Silverfish River

A river that flows down from the Valus Mountains into Niben Bay.

Sundercliff

A former village and waystation of the Reman Dynasty.

Vahtacen

An Ayleid settlement home to the Vahtache, an Ayleid faction.

Gallery

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  A Nibenese person wearing traditional shawl and tattoos

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  Nibenay River Guards with Rivernewt-scale helms

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  Dragons over the Nibenay

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  Light Newtscale armor

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  A Nibenese mercenary

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  A Nibenese noble

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  A river crab of the Heartlands

Notes

• The Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition claims that Nibenay has rivers that allow merchants from the Imperial City to connect to friendly inland ports in Skyrim and Pellitine. However, there are no known rivers that extend into those provinces.