User:Vordur Steel-Hammer/Fiction/Mountain Ranges of Tamriel

Mountain Ranges of Tamriel

by Vordur Steel-Hammer, geographer of the United Explorers of Scholarly Pursuits

A description of the most important mountain ranges in Tamriel

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It is hard to find a man or mer in Tamriel who would not have some sort of respect for the mountains. And indeed, high peaks, towering above the clouds, have power to shape history and fates of people, even though they cannot move themselves. Mountain ranges form natural barriers, often deciding on the outcome of numerous wars. For some people, especially Reachmen and Orcs, they are home. For fugitives, they provide shelter. For travelers and climbers, they provide challenge, and for those too inexperienced, a swift death. Some people see them as monuments, sculpted by the hand of the Divines, and assign them religious significance - and indeed, it is hard to miss the mystical importance of the Throat of the World and the Red Mountain in Nord and Dunmer cultures.

Having these reasons in mind, it is not surprising that the mountains have been a destination of numerous expeditions and a subject of many research works of both the Imperial Geographical Society and the United Explorers of Scholarly Pursuits. I have explored many of the mountain ranges myself, and studied numerous works found in the Explorers' libraries to learn about those I have not seen yet. Below are the descriptions of the most important mountain ranges of Tamriel, based either on personal experience or aforementioned works.

Colovian Highlands: These mountains mark the border between the Colovian part of Cyrodiil and Hammerfell, towering over the town of Chorrol. They are not particularly high and do not reach the snowline. Currently, the Daggerfall Covenant established their bases within the mountain range. The ruins of the legendary city of Sancre Tor are located in the foothills. A traveler heading higher into the mountains may come across Lipsand Tarn, a ruined Ayleid city.

Dragontail Mountains: A mountain range in northern Hammerfell and the most prominent feature of Upper Craglorn, around the town of Dragonstar. Redguard legends claim that they were once home of giant Goblins who terrorized Hammerfell until they were defeated at Hallin's Stand. Now, the Dragontail Mountains are home to strongholds of the fierce Iron Orcs, numerous Nedic ruins, including the famous city of Skyreach, and ancient Yokudan tombs and citadels.

Druadach Mountains: These towering, misty peaks form a range that separates the Reach and Haafingar in western Skyrim from Wrothgar and Bangkorai in eastern High Rock. Because of extreme conditions and the presence of the savage Reachmen, who call the mountains home, they are largely unexplored, and there are rumors about whole frozen valleys hidden in the northern part of the range. In the southern part lies Markarth, a magnificent city built in the rock by the Dwemer. Like the whole Reach, it is now ruled by the Reachmen under the barbaric Despot of Markarth. The Druadach Mountains are also home to some Dwemer ruins, like Bthardamz and Nchuand-Zel.

Jerall Mountains: These mountains form the border between Skyrim and Cyrodiil. They are strongly influenced by the Nord culture, which can be easily noticed by anyone who has been to the town of Bruma. Giants and their mammoths sometimes migrate from Skyrim and can be seen in the southern part of the mountains. The Cyrodilic part contains some Ayleid ruins (Sedor, Rielle), while the northern slopes are home to Nordic (Arcwind Point) and Dwemer Ruins (Avanchnzel). In the eastern reaches, an isolated temple of the Moth Priests can be found. Legends say that the Pale Pass, a fort which played a crucial role in the Akaviri invasion of the First Era, is located somewhere in the Jerall Mountains. An old Akaviri fortress, Cloud Ruler Temple, can still be found to the north of Bruma.

King's Guard: This small mountain range in northern High Rock forms a natural barrier between the regions of Glenumbra, Stormhaven and Rivenspire. Travelling between these regions requires crossing the range through narrow passes. A secluded tribe of Redguards, known only as the Horsemen, inhabits the Silverhoof Vale in the northern foothills.

Moesring Mountains: I have never been to Solstheim to see this remote mountain range, but I understand it is somewhere in the northwestern part of the island. Some ancient texts connect this mountain range to the mystical "Snow Elves", but not much more is known about them.

Red Mountain: Although not a mountain range, but rather one enormous volcano, it is certainly worth mentioning here. The Red Mountain is the biggest volcano of Tamriel and is immeasurably important to the Dark Elves, both physically and mystically. It was the site of the final showdown between the Chimer and the Dwemer in the First Era, which led to the disappearance of the latter, the transformation of the Chimer into the Dunmer, and the ascension of the Tribunal.

Throat of the World: As with the Red Mountain, the Throat of the World is actually one enormous mountain and as important to the Nords as the Red Mountain is to the Dunmer. The legends of the Nords state that the peak of the mountain was the birthplace of mankind. Now, the Throat of the World is home to High Hrothgar, a monastery of the Greybeards, masters of the Way of the Voice. Seven thousand steps lead to the monastery from the town of Ivarstead, and it was a journey often undertaken by pilgrims, until a recent avalanche blocked the way.

Valus Mountains: This mountain range separates Cyrodiil from Morrowind and northern Black Marsh. The northern part of the range, where it meets the Jerall and Velothi Mountains, is harsh and snowy, whereas in the southern part the climate is milder. The city of Cheydinhal lies in the foothils on the Cyrodiil side, and the cities of Kragenmoor and Narsis can be found on the Morrowind side. Currently, the bases of the Ebonheart Pact have been established in the Valus Mountains.

Velothi Mountains: This mountain range, separating Skyrim and Morrowind, is named after the prophet Veloth, who originally led the Chimer to the land of Resdayn. The range stretches from the Dunmeth Pass in the north, between Windhelm and Blacklight, to Mount Trolhetta in the south. Dwemer cities, like Mzulft, have been built in the mountains, and there are rumors of forgotten underground tunnels connecting Skyrim to Morrowind. The great temple of Skuldafn is also located high in these mountains. On the Morrowind side, there are many volcanoes, which are responsible for the relatively warm climate of the Rift and the existence of the volcanic tundra in Eastmarch.

Wrothgarian Mountains: These mountains are the most prominent feature of the eponymous region of Wrothgar. They are home to the current Orsinium, as well as old Orsiniums, whose ruins can still be seen there. The climate of the northern part is very harsh and is said to be comparable to that of the most extreme Skyrim mountains.

Ysgramor's Teeth: This small mountain range separating the Rift's plateau from Eastmarch was named so by a branch of Ysgramor's Companions from the ship Fallowfire, who later discovered the Rift and settled there. Because of the significant difference of elevation between Eastmarch and the Rift, this mountain range looks more like a giant precipice.