Lore:Cloudrest

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Cloudrest
Type Settlement
Continent Tamriel
Province Summerset Isles
Region Summerset Isle
(Eton Nir)
Appears in Arena, ESO
Cloudrest ca. 2E 582
Map of the Summerset Isles
"We hold the Plains of Summurset, for we are the High Elves of Cloudrest. Never will you see more beauty than in our land..." —In-game description in Arena

Cloudrest is one of the eight major cities in the province of the Summerset Isles,[1] built on the highest peaks of Eton Nir, the tallest mountain in the province. Its people hold great pride in their city and the large scope of the surrounding land they can view from high above.[2] It is the home of the Welkynars, an elite knightly order of gryphon riders that have protected the province for most of its history.[3]

Layout and Geography[edit]

Cloudrest's entrance with the Aerie in the back
The Banner of Cloudrest

Cloudrest lies on the southern portion of Eton Nir, where it has a grand view of the central Summerset Isle plains to the south,[2][4] and a view of the Crystal Tower from the highest available vantage point.[5] The air is thin but is as strong and chilled as nirnroot wine.[6] The city is built into a river valley that begins from a waterfall and flows in a river through the city's lower district. It leaves Cloudrest from another waterfall and through a river stream between the road and the Ebon Stadmont forest to finally drain into the bay of western Summerset Isle.[4] Cloudrest is neighbored by several settlements, such as Karndar Watch to the east, Kings Haven to the north, and Old Falls to the south.[1]

Cloudrest is divided into two sections: the lower section, which surrounds a river and connects to the city's main entrance, and the higher section, which is built on the valley face and mountain top. From the city gate is a hill that leads to another gate, which leads into the lower city. Not much can be said about the lower district, except that it is a single, long street over a river canal, with several bridges connecting to each side. It ends at the base of the waterfall, and from there continues east along the mountain face into a narrow, dead-end street.[7] Somewhere in the lower district is the city's marketplace with a direct path to the city gates.[8]

The upper district is a single main street above the waterfall, with small, narrow streets up the mountain, and a large, well-kept bridge over the lower section that connects to the Cloudrest Aerie. The Aerie is a fortress with four towers looming over the city and a central courtyard.[4] There is an old passageway that runs inside the mountain and connects the upper district directly with the outer city gates.[9]

Notable Locales[edit]

†Either this location was destroyed or its associated faction is dissolved. See the linked page or reference for more information.

History[edit]

Z'Maja of the Abyssal Cabal

When Cloudrest was founded is unknown, but some of the city's ancient ruins are remnants of the prehistoric civilizations that originally lived on the Summerset Isles. The oldest ruins under Cloudrest and across the islands are made of coral. The Imperial Geographic Society theorized that the coral must have been transported from many miles away in the Sea of Pearls, and it would strongly suggest that the Sload previously lived here.[13] The Welkynars have been active throughout Summerset's history and made Cloudrest their home because of its central location on the main island.[3]

At some point, Essanyon Duure received visions of the end times, supposedly from the Divines, and gathered followers from across the Summerset Isles. One of his initial followers went to spread his gospel in Cloudrest, and in time, he amassed a lot of support. His ritual was set to take place in Ezduiin, a town in Auridon, but after a successful sacrifice and resulting assault on the town, Essanyon used an artifact called the Mallari-Mora and damned the souls of his followers to the ruins of Ezduiin.[14]

Sometime before Queen Ayrenn's reign began in 2E 580,[15] the Canonreeve of Cloudrest was well-respected and came from a noble family of an unparalleled lineage. However, the Canonreeve was eventually arrested by the Divine Prosecution. They took certain antiquities from a historical research project in the ruins under Eton Nir, altered manifests and records so that they could disappear without a trace, and sold them to foreign collectors. Rumors were spreading, and the Divine Prosecution began an investigation that led to the Canonreeve's persecution.[16]

In 2E 582, the Welkynars, led by Relequen at the time,[3] battled with the Sea Sload sorceress, Z'Maja, a member of the Abyssal Cabal of wizards that tried to conquer Summerset Isle. Though there were casualties, their victory over Z'Maja was quick and smooth, and she was transported to the Aerie for interrogation. But while three of the Welkynars relished in their win, the other, Galenwe, was suspicious and believed Z'Maja was plotting something that could threaten Cloudrest and even the Welkynars' lives.[17] Her fears came true when Z'Maja used her powerful shadow magic to take over the city. It began with a dark mist pouring down from the Aerie and consuming the lower city. Once people realized its danger, they desperately ran to the city gates, but were quickly consumed by the mist, losing any vitality.[8]

Z'Maja captured the Welkynars, Galenwe, Relequen, and Sirora, and commanded shadow replicas of them from the Aerie. Olorime was the only one to escape, and she managed to save a couple of citizens and place them in the upper city.[8] But Olorime was at an impasse, and Cloudrest was virtually gone.[18] The city was finally recaptured when the Undaunted arrived and assisted her in defeating the Sea Sload. It is unknown if each of the Welkynars was saved or if they perished, but Z'Maja and her shadow creatures were defeated, and Olorime was left to rebuild the order.[19] In an alternate reality where the Sea Sload successfully conquered Summerset Isle, Cloudrest became Z'Maja's home and a place for aspirants to learn the ways of shadow magic.[20]

In 3E 110, the kings of the Summerset Isles formed a unified alliance to combat the Maormer[21] in their last-known invasion of the province, the War of the Isle.[22] Despite having assistance from Emperor Antiochus and the Imperial Navy, the Maormer were defeated because of a supernatural storm accredited to the Psijic Order.[21][23] During the Imperial Simulacrum in the late Third Era, the city-state of Cloudrest was an active settlement. It was ruled by King Kelkemmenar and had a rivalry with Firsthold.[2]

Known Rulers[edit]

For the longest time, the Psijic Order served as counselors to the rulers of the Summerset Isles. If anyone wanted their counsel, their best method was either through a select few places or the kings themselves. They continued this service up until their island of Artaeum first vanished in the Second Era, around when the Mages Guild was formed. When they returned several years later for the Third Era, they continued where they left off[24] until Artaeum disappeared a second time sometime in the Fourth Era for whatever reason.[25]

  • The Second Era
    • Unnamed Canonreeve of Cloudrest – This canonreeve governed the settlement some years before Ayrenn's reign, beginning in 2E 580.[16]
  • The Third Era
  • The Fourth Era — Once the Thalmor came into power, they abolished the monarchy across the Summerset Isles.[27]

Culture and Society[edit]

Flesh Sculpting
A Welkynar knight and their Gryphon mount
For more information, see the: Culture and Society sections on the Altmer page.

The Altmer of Cloudrest are proud of their city and their land.[2] Because of its high placement on Eton Nir, Cloudrest acquired the nickname, the Aerie of the Altmer.[6] The city has a unique architectural style that mixes different yet odd styles. The Imperial Geographic Society describes its buildings like strangler vines built over older structures.[13] Some of Cloudrest's regional foods and drinks include golden ale[28] and clarified coffee.[29]

The Welkynars have served as Summerset Isle's protectors for most of its history. They chose Cloudrest as their headquarters because of its proximity to other cities and built their aerie at the city's pinnacle. They usually consist of four members, one for each cardinal direction. The process to become one takes many years, and an initiate must raise their gryphon companion from birth.[3]

The Welkynars are not the only group based in Cloudrest. The Faculty of Chirurgeons is an elite group of flesh-sculptors that has been active as late as the Fourth Era. The Bosmer master of flesh sculpting, Galathil studied with them and worked with nobility across the Third Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion.[30] The School of Illusion is prevalent in Cloudrest and attracts Altmer talented in magic. Some of the most well-educated, courageous, and strong-willed become capable illusionists and practice the school of magic in various fields, whether on the battlefield or in academia.[31]

Gallery[edit]

  • Cloudrest (Arena)

  • Cloudrest (Online)

  • Map of Cloudrest ca. 2E 582

  • Map of the Aldmeri Dominion ca. 2E 864

  • Cloudrest Illusionist (Legends)

Notes[edit]

  • Cloudrest is also the name of plate armor owned by the late Third Era Blades grandmaster, Jauffre.[32]
  • Arena was originally conceived as a fighting game featuring a tournament that took the player to each of Tamriel's cities to challenge different gladiatorial teams. According to a file from that stage of development left behind in the final game, Cloudrest's gladiatorial team would have been called "the Gladiators".[UOL 2]

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Map of Summurset Isle – The Elder Scrolls: Arena
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Cloudrest location and rumors in Arena
  3. ^ a b c d The Welkynars of Eton Nir — Sir Relequen, Wing Captain of the Welkynars
  4. ^ a b c d e Cloudrest in ESO: Summerset
  5. ^ Our Blessed Isles: A Guide — Runilstir the Surveyor
  6. ^ a b Cloudrest loading screen text in ESO
  7. ^ Map of Cloudrest – The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset
  8. ^ a b c d Wailimo's Personal Account — Wailimo the Mystic
  9. ^ a b Cloudrest Secret Entrance — D
  10. ^ Crafting Motif 67: Welkynar Style — Sir Relequen, Wing Captain of the Welkynars
  11. ^ Elam Drals' dialogue in ESO: Dark Brotherhood
  12. ^ Urenenya's Lament — Pelorrah, Assistant Sapiarch of Altmeri Heritage, Cloudrest Annex
  13. ^ a b Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Blessed Isle: Alinor and the Summersets — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  14. ^ Essanyon's Records — Essanyon
  15. ^ Ayrenn: The Unforeseen Queen — Headmaster Tanion of the College of Aldmeri Propriety
  16. ^ a b Cases of the Divine Prosecution — High Magistrate Rinwaray, Bureaureeve of the Divine Prosecution
  17. ^ Observation Note 154: Z'Maja's Capture — Welkynar Galenwe
  18. ^ Olorime's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  19. ^ Woe of the Welkynars trial quest in ESO: Summerset
  20. ^ Karnwasten Temporal Tome — Raavarion, Former Sapiarch of Aquatic Malevolence
  21. ^ a b Brief History of the Empire v 1 — Stronach k'Thojj III
  22. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: Other Lands — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  23. ^ The Wolf Queen, v5 — Waughin Jarth
  24. ^ Fragment: On Artaeum — Taurce il-Anselma, 3E 400
  25. ^ Tolfdir's dialogue in Skyrim
  26. ^ The Firsthold Revolt — Maveus Cie
  27. ^ a b Rising Threat, Vol. IV — Lathenil of Sunhold
  28. ^ Cloudrest Golden Ale in ESO
  29. ^ Cloudrest Clarified Coffee in ESO
  30. ^ Galathil's dialogue in Skyrim: Dawnguard
  31. ^ Cloudrest Illusionist card lore entry for Legends
  32. ^ Cloudrest in Castles

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.

  1. ^ Ted Peterson's Posts in Campaign 7/The Evening Star Parade – Loranna's RP
  2. ^ Original TES: Arena texts at the Imperial Library
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