"Before Ysgramor led the Nord people south, our ancestors flourished in the frozen continent of Atmora, and to this day our people prefer the bitter climates of northern Tamriel. The Dark Elves abide in Morrowind, a harsh land of ashfall and perpetual earthquakes. The Argonians endure the treacherous and impenetrable depths of Black Marsh. The alliance between our races was born in dark times, when Nord, Dunmer and free Argonians fought as one to repel the invasion of the Akaviri slavemasters. Our greatest strength is the adversity we have overcome. Our resolve is glacial, our might is forged in fire, and our courage, cultivated by the beasts of the jungle. We are Ebonheart. We are as one. And by this, our victory is assured."
―Blood For The Pact!, Jorunn the Skald-King
The Ebonheart Pact is a politically fragile yet powerful military alliance between Skyrim, Morrowind and Black Marsh. It was formed in 2E 572, amidst the turmoil of the Second Akaviri Invasion.
Tensions run deep between these unlikely allies, forced to stand together against the threat of Molag Bal and incursions from enemy alliances. The dour, magically-gifted Dunmer of Morrowind have joined the reptilian Argonians—former slaves from mysterious Black Marsh—and boisterous Nords of Skyrim in a bid for sovereignty.
Founded in the midst of the Akaviri Invasion of 2E 572, the territory of the Ebonheart Pact stretched over the provinces of Skyrim, Morrowind and Black Marsh at the height of its power. Its capital is the city of Mournhold, located on the mainland of Morrowind, the homeland of the Dunmer, though the faction is led by a Nord nobleman known as Jorunn the Skald-King.
One of the most politically unstable but militaristically among the most powerful alliances of Tamrielic history, the three cultures that comprise the Ebonheart Pact shared a great distrust for each other, only holding allegiance to one another because of a common desire to defeat the Empire and preserve their homelands' independence.
After the sack of Windhelm and the death of Skyrim's royal family, the Akaviri began their march south towards the city of Riften. In grief and desperation, Jorunn, now the High King, approached The Greybeards for guidance. The Greybeards answered his plea, and called upon Wulfharth the Ash-King from Sovngarde for assistance. Inspired by Wulfharth, Jorunn's army of Nord warriors stood ready to confront the Akaviri invaders on their own terms.
Recognizing the regrouped Nords as the primary threat to their expedition in Tamriel, the Akaviri opted to avoid a second confrontation and marched directly for Morrowind, gambling the Nords would ignore them once they moved beyond Skyrim's borders. Jorunn's men pursued the Akaviri across the Velothi Mountains and forcibly pushed them into Morrowind. The Akaviri army was met by a Dunmer army led by the Tribunal Almalexia outside Ebonheart in the Stonefalls region. As the invaders engaged the Dunmer army, the Nords fell upon the Akaviri from the rear, but the invaders still outnumbered their foes. Suddenly, an Argonian army arrived from the south, led by Heita-Meen, a female Argonian, who had been shown the battle in a dream weeks before by the Hist and gathered an army to meet them. Surrounded on three sides, the Akaviri were forced north into the sea. There they either fell in combat or drowned as they fled into the water. This victory over the Akaviri forces played a crucial role in the later creation of the Ebonheart Pact.
Following the Akaviri defeat, the Nords, Dunmer and Argonians formed the Great Moot. The three cultures henceforth struck as a single army, ultimately repelling the entire invasion of the Akaviri slavemasters.
In 2E 579, the Ebonheart Pact controls the largest area of Tamriel's landmass out of the three alliances.
The leading race of the Ebonheart Pact. They were known as the great conquerors: Nords once broke the power of the Ayleids, drove the Snow Elves out of Skyrim, nearly drove the Altmer out of High Rock and ruled much of Morrowind before the arrival of the Dunmer. They believe themselves to be the destined rulers of Tamriel. Nords are amongst the fiercest warriors on the continent, facing their enemies with unmatched ferocity and courage.
Their symbol represents the Dragon, the great winged children of Akatosh who were once worshipped by the Nords and are the original users of the Thu'um which has been the greatest tool of war in Nordic history.
Known for their application of diplomacy, subterfuge and strategic ability, the Dunmer have had a long history of defending against provincial invasions. This had made them a very paranoid collective, and their culture learned to embrace this mind-set. The Dunmer are led by the living gods of the Tribunal.
Not all of the Dunmer agreed to set aside their old hatreds for the Argonians for the sake of the Ebonheart Pact, with House Telvanni being a prominent example.[OOG 4] The Dunmer crest symbolizing three members of the Tribunal.
Famous for employing guerrilla warfare, Argonians had suffered years of slavery at the hands of the Dunmer. After being freed from their slavery, their experiences made them skilled in defending their borders from much larger forces.
Known for their ability to survive underwater and their unique scavenger skills, Argonians served as the scouts and skirmishers of the Pact.
"I have no hatred for the races of Man, but they are young. Like all children, they are driven by emotion. They lack the wisdom that comes with age. I would sooner place an Altmer infant on the Ruby Throne than surrender Tamriel to their capricious whims. The Altmer, the Bosmer and the Khajiit share the common traits of intelligence, patience and reason. We do not seek riches or plunder. Domination is not our goal, nor is the acclamation of power for its own sake. Today we make our stand. Today we take back the Ruby Throne, which is ours by ancient right and the blessings of the Divines. Stand with us."
―Your Queen Commands, Ayrenn Arana Aldmeri
The Aldmeri Dominion was formed sometime between 2E 580 and 2E 582 by the Altmer (it can also be referred to as the 'brainchild' of Queen Ayrenn). They were afraid of the disaster that the younger races could bring to Nirn. After the news of the Imperial City being taken over by Molag Bal worshippers had reached Summerset Isle, the Altmer reached out to their old allies, neighboring races—Bosmer and Khajiit. As they had done many times before, they swore that with the combined forces of the three races, they shall prevent the disaster that was to come.
Convinced that the younger, less sophisticated races have dominated Tamriel too long, the Dominion seeks to right the course of history. The cultured and typically reclusive Altmer have emerged from their ancestral home of the Summerset Isles alongside the Bosmer of Valenwood and crafty Khajiit of Elsweyr to usher in a new era of peace and law.
The Dominion was formed in an attempt to take control of the Imperial City and restore Elven rule to Tamriel. It is said that the three allied races were the most intelligent, patient and rational in all of Tamriel. Members of the Aldmeri Dominion believe that the short-lived and young races of Men are unfit to rule, and that this role is meant by the Divines to be filled by the Aldmeri Dominion itself.
The Aldmeri Dominion stretches over the provinces of the Summerset Isles, Valenwood and Elsweyr. Its capital is Elden Root, hidden deep within the forests of the Bosmeri Valenwood. The faction is led by Queen Ayrenn.
The Aldmeri Dominion is led by the young Queen Ayrenn and governed by the Thalmor, a collection of Altmeri Canonreeves, Bosmeri Treethanes and Khajiit Chieftains. The Thalmor was devised by Ayrenn as a means of creating equal representation for the Aldmeri Dominion's three races. Ayrenn inherited the throne when the previous Altmer ruler, her father King Hidellith, passed away. She was, no doubt, one of the youngest leaders in the history of Mer. She was a mere 25 years old when she became Queen (7th of Frostfall, 2E 580). Despite her youth, Queen Ayrenn was said to have virtues rare among her kind. She was an honorable, intelligent, and stubborn leader. Before she took the role of a queen, she was said to have been an adventurer and had set foot in every province of Tamriel.
The Aldmeri Dominion stretches over the provinces of the Summerset Isles, Valenwood and Elsweyr. Its capital is Elden Root, hidden deep within the forests of the Bosmeri Valenwood. The faction is led by Queen Ayrenn.
The High Elves, or Altmer, arrived in Tamriel thousands of years ago from Old Aldmeris. They see themselves as the ruling race of Tamriel. They are a highly cultured people, known for their breathtaking architecture and massive libraries of histories and creative works. They tend to be isolationists, largely remaining on Summerset Isle, and only emerging when they perceive a great threat to their homeland. They are powerful mages and warriors, and the de facto leaders of the Aldmeri Dominion.[OOG 2]
The Aldmeri Dominion has adopted as its symbol the eagle sigil of the High Elves of Summerset. For the Altmer, the high-soaring eagle represents their ancestors the Aedra, who came from the heavens and were trapped in physical form by the creation of Nirn.
The Wood Elves, or Bosmer, are mischievous, curious and nimble. Because their homeland of Valenwood is often attacked by the Colovian Imperials, Wood Elves are experts at the art of defense. They are also gifted archers, perhaps the best in all of Tamriel.
The Bosmeri symbol represents the Green Pact with Y'ffre the Forest Deity.
The population of the proud feline Khajiit has dwindled in recent years following a devastating outbreak of Knahaten Flu. They owe a great debt to Ayrenn, Queen of the High Elves, for her help in restoring order from the chaos that followed the plague. They have a wry wit and a hedonistic outlook, but they are fearsome on the field of battle. They are the strong arm of the Aldmeri Dominion.
"Our supplies dwindle. Our trade routes are shut down. Our people suffer. Why? Because a pretender sits upon the Ruby Throne. Let us take up arms! Let the fields of Cyrodiil run red with the blood of our fallen enemies! But let us spare the lives of a few, so that they may return to their homelands to tell their fellows the fate they met at the hands of the Daggerfall Covenant. One land! One Emperor! Who among you will stand with me?"
―Call to Arms, High King Emeric
Originally, the Daggerfall Covenant was a treaty made by the kingdoms of High Rock after Durcorach the Black Drake's failed invasion in 2E 541. The terms of the treaty were that if High Rock came under attack from any outside army, all kingdoms would protect the province and the other kingdoms within.
The main reason the Daggerfall Covenant was established in 2E 563 was to end the poverty and suffering throughout the kingdoms of High Rock and Hammerfell caused by dwindling trade routes, which in turn was caused by the many wars happening throughout the land such as King Ranser's War. This could not be done as long as an enemy sat on the Ruby Throne.
The Merchant King of Wayrest, Emeric, took action and united the previously warring races of Breton, Redguard and Orc. He earned the trust of the kings of High Rock, earned alliance of the Redguards by a diplomatic marriage with Maraya of Sentinel, and finally, made a war treaty with the Orcs.
The Redguards, a disciplined and martial people, have grudgingly agreed to join the Orcs thanks to the cunning Bretons, whose political and economic savvy make victory for the Covenant seem possible. Despite internal struggles, the Covenant believes that only it can provide the strong leadership and plan for prosperity the Empire needs to survive.
Much like the Ebonheart Pact, the Daggerfall Covenant united races that were commonly known as old enemies; the Bretons, Orcs and Redguards. Due to the events in both Cyrodiil and High Rock itself, trade routes, the region's main sources of income, were disrupted. This caused much poverty and suffering, and ultimately forced the people of the Iliac Bay and the surrounding areas to unite under one banner.
The Daggerfall Covenant stretched over the provinces of High Rock, Hammerfell, the city-state of Orsinium and the Colovian Highlands in Cyrodiil. Its capital is the city of Wayrest, built on two shores of the Bjoulsae River in High Rock. The faction is led by the High King Emeric.
The dominant race of the Daggerfall Covenant, they were once ruled by High Elven overlords after they were discovered to be descended from both Men and Mer before becoming the dominant race in the region of High Rock and edging the Elves out. A reminder of those days is the Mer blood that still runs through their veins. This makes Bretons gifted mages, surpassing the ability of any other race of Men. Described as talented and resourceful, and having a similar focus on honor in battle, the Covenant is often ruthless in the defeat of enemies that threaten their people's prosperity, Bretons are known as skilled craftsmen, shrewd merchants and inventive mages and the race are also famed for their Knights. They value prosperity over glory in battle and are led by High King Emeric from their capital of Wayrest.
Living deep within and around the Alik'r Desert, Redguards are renowned warriors, both athletic and prodigiously talented. They value honor and dignity above all else; their sacred purpose is to preserve their ancient traditions and prove their strength and prowess, surviving in the harsh environment. Mages are highly distrusted in their society. The capital of the Redguards is the great city of Sentinel, from where they are led by King Fahara'jad.
Orcs are fearless warriors, who follow a code of honor, forged in centuries of endless warfare. The quality of Orcish blacksmithery is known throughout Tamriel. During the Second Era, when their homeland, Orsinium, was finally given provincial status, they had to prove themselves to be more than mere savage beasts. And the Orcs did so by devoting themselves to the newly forged Covenant. They are led by King Kurog gro-OrsiniumOR from their capital of Orsinium.
