Lore:Dwemer Ruins
Dwemer ruins are all that remain of the underground cities and strongholds of the Dwemer. They are found everywhere in Tamriel, being a common sight in Morrowind[1][2][3] (especially Vvardenfell), Skyrim[4][3] and Hammerfell,[5][3] with some also present in High Rock.[3][6] Most of these ruins are guarded by functional and self-repairing Dwemer constructs.
Many Dwemer settlements continue to be inhabited even after the disappearance of the Dwarves. They often serve as lairs for outcasts such as bandits and vampires, while some, such as Markarth and Dagon Fel, have been renovated and function as modern settlements. In Skyrim, the twisted Falmer continually reclaim the ancient ruins of their former masters.
The Third Empire established a law that protected Dwemer artifacts salvaged from ruins as property of the Emperor and thus banned from trade. The Empire's goal was to learn the knowledge from the Dwemer's ancient technological treasure troves and use it to improve their own armaments with steam-power and magicka to create inventions such as steam-driven carriages and airborne dirigibles.[7] Despite this, people regularly hunt for these artifacts in Morrowind.[1] The most valuable treasures are Dwarven weapons and armor, both for their craftsmanship and value to collectors and scholars.[8] Some sites can be claimed by the Imperial Archaeological Society per the Dwarven Reclamation Act of 2E 864.[9]
Contents
Structure[edit]
The structure of Dwemer ruins varies with location, with those located on Vvardenfell being significantly different from those found on the rest of Tamriel. Vvardenfell ruins are typically shallow, with many civic and operational buildings located close to the surface. The ruins on the mainland are usually deeper, with minor warehouses and passageways located near the surface. In these ruins, the actual settlement is hidden deep underground, beneath a certain threshold referred to as the "geocline".[6][10]
Dwemer ruins often contain structures like the Arcanex, where magical objects and text were stored, or the Great Animoculotories, which acted as factories of centurions and other constructs. Some cities, like Bthardamz in Skyrim, were partially built into natural caverns, referred to as the "Deep Venues". The largest of those could even contain underground roads.[11] Dwemer architecture consists mainly of Dwarven metal and stone. It often incorporates subterranean magma in order to power the machinery and intricate mechanisms found within.
Known Dwemer Ruins[edit]
Morrowind[edit]
Morrowind is home to the oldest Dwemer sites and was known to the Dwemer as Dwemereth. The Dwarven Kingdom of Vardenfell was the sole holdout against the First Empire of the Nords as they conquered mainland Morrowind. The Nords were eventually overthrown during the War of Succession due to an alliance between Dwarking Dumac and Indoril Nerevar, allowing the Dwemer and Chimer to form a union known as the Council of Resdayn.
However this settlement was extremely controversial for several Dwemer clans, resulting in Clan Rourken seeking self-imposed exile in Hammerfell, and Clan Kragen following in their wake settling in Skyrim.
The discovery of Lorhkan's Heart at the Red Mountain led to the dissolution of the First Council, as the Dwemer planned to use the heart to achieve Godhood, the resultant War of the First Council ended with the complete and mysterious disappearance of all Dwemer from Tamriel.
Vvardenfell[2][edit]
- Ascadian Isles
- Ashlands
- Bthuand
- Bthungthumz - Ald Carac
- Druscashti
- Azura's Coast
- Nchurdamz
- Bitter Coast
- Grazelands
- Molag Amur
- Red Mountainl
- Bthanchend
- Vvardenfell - Dagoth Ur
- Endusal
- Odrosal
- Tureynulal
- Vemynal
Mainland Morrowind[3][edit]
Other[edit]
- Chinzinch Pass[14]
- Hendor-Stardumz[14]
- Leftunch[14]
- Raled-Makai[13]
Skyrim[4][3][edit]
Skyrim was settled by Clan Kragen following the exodus of Clan Rourken to Hammerfell after the formation of the Council of Resdayn. However archaeological evidence points to Skyrim having been settled by Dwarves for much longer than this famous event, and indeed the Snow Elves of Skyrim had maintained an uneasy alliance with the Dwemer against the advancing Atmoran Invasions in the early first era. The Dwemer took advantage of the Falmer's weakness, welcoming in the majority of their fleeing population and blinding them with the use of a toxic mushroom and subjugating the population as slaves.
The Dwemer took advantage of a massive cavern system beneath all nine holds of Skyrim known as Fal'Zhardum Din, also known as Black Reach. which allowed them to operate independently from the surface, and even fought entire wars completely unknown to the rest of the world. One of these was the Aetherium Wars, the result of a four-way alliance between major Dwemer city-states for the control and smelting of Aetherium for the creation of powerful artifacts. This alliance broke down for control of the Aetherium Forge. This conflict is believed to be the reason why the Nords under High King Gellir were able to conquer most of the Dwarven holds when they had long managed to withhold against sieges. The Nordic occupation lasted for a century before the Dwarves had reclaimed their territory.
Another underground conflict occurred with the War of the Crag as the enslaved Falmer rebelled against their masters. The Falmer won by default once all Dwarves disappeared from Tamriel, but they were left in degenerated goblin-like forms for unknown reasons.
Eastmarch[edit]
- Kagrenzel
- Frostrood Cave
- Mzulft
- Tolvald's Cave
- Vault of Mhuvnak - Frostvault
Hjaalmarch[edit]
- Mzinchaleft
- Bronze Water Cave
- Eastern Great Lift
- Hjaalmarch Great Lift
The Pale[edit]
The Reach[edit]
- Arkngthamz
- Arkthzand
- Bthar-Zel - Deepfolk Crossing
- Bthardamz
- Darkhollow
- Gloomreach
- Nchuand-Zel - Markarth
- Vardnknd
The Rift[edit]
Winterhold[edit]
Solstheim[15][edit]
Fal'Zhardum Din[edit]
Hammerfell[3][5][edit]
Hammerfell was settled by the Dwarves of Clan Rourken who chose self-exile over staying in Morrowind following he formation of the Council of Resdayn. Their largest city, Volenfell is where the province owes its name- as legend says King Rourken threw the artifact Volendrung across the horizon vowing to found his city where it landed. Thus Volendfell means 'City of Hammers'.
However the Dwarves of Hammerfell were supposedly driven out by an invasion of otherworldly Giant Goblins. Their ruins would be picked over by Nordic and Akaviri raiders, but many were settled by the Ra-Gada Warrior Waves when the Redguard settled the province.
Alik'r Desert[edit]
Bangkorai[edit]
Craglorn[edit]
Stros M'Kai[edit]
Other[edit]
High Rock[3][edit]
Bangkorai[edit]
Wrothgar[edit]
Other[edit]
- Earth Forge[3]
- Arkngthamz-Phng - Fang's Lair
- Graven Deep
- Infernium Forge
- Kherakah[17]
- Mzund[18]
- Ragnthar[3]
- Bthunzel[19]
- Vile Laboratory[3]
Notes[edit]
- The Dwarven Orrery complex at the Arcane University in Cyrodiil is not a Dwemer ruin. Instead, it was built by the Imperials from imported machinery.[20][21]
- The Ancient Tales of the Dwemer series mentions Dwemer locations of Bthalag-Zturamz, Duathand, Lorikh, and Othrobar, but the books are largely considered fiction, meaning it is unknown whether they are real locations (Lorikh in particular is noted to be a Dunmer name).[22]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Dwemer Ruins generic description in Morrowind
- ^ a b Events of Morrowind
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Events of ESO
- ^ a b Events of Skyrim
- ^ a b Events of Redguard
- ^ a b Dwemer Inquiries Vol I — Thelwe Ghelein, Scholar
- ^ Lakene's dialogue in Redguard
- ^ Dwemer Artifacts generic description in Morrowind
- ^ No Trespassing
- ^ Dwemer Inquiries Vol III — Thelwe Ghelein, Scholar
- ^ Dwemer Inquiries Vol II — Thelwe Ghelein, Scholar
- ^ Events of Morrowind: Tribunal
- ^ a b Ruins of Kemel-Ze — Rolard Nordssen
- ^ a b c Chronicles of Nchuleft — An Anonymous Altmer
- ^ Events of Skyrim: Dragonborn
- ^ Notes For Redguard History — Destri Melarg
- ^ Nchunak's Fire and Faith — Nchunak
- ^ Katria's Journal — Katria
- ^ Valinka Stoneheaver's correspondence in ESO
- ^ Note from Bothiel — Bothiel
- ^ Original obliviondownloads.com Orrery description
- ^ Ancient Tales of the Dwemer — Marobar Sul
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