Lore:Corgrad Wastes

Corgrad Wastes
Type	Altmer Ruin
Continent	Tamriel
Province	Summerset Isles
Region	Summerset Isle
Appears in	Arena, ESO

Corgrad Wastes ca. 2E 582

Map of the Summerset Isles

Corgrad Wastes (originally called Corgrad) is a historical settlement found on the northern coast of Summerset Isle, the largest island in the province of the Summerset Isles. For the longest time, it was a derelict, sunken ruin from the late First Era, a relic of the Thrassian Plague outbreak that devastated much of Tamriel. Since its destruction, the local Altmer avoided the site and it became a safe haven for outcasts of society.

Layout and Geography

The sunken ruins

Corgrad's underwater caves

Corgrad Wastes is generally found on the north coast between Lillandril and the Crystal Tower, more specifically, the base of Eton Nir. Not much could be said about its layout before its destruction, but the town had a port and used sea walls to protect itself from the Sea of Pearls. Underneath the city was extensive sea caverns, which also contained the royal family's crypt. By the mid-Second Era, Corgrad's buildings were water-logged and overgrown with vines but as sinkholes propped up across the island, one opened in Corgrad and revealed the underground caves. Local wildlife such as Reef Vipers and Salamanders took residence in the abandoned streets. Corgrad Wastes is neighbored by several settlements, including Graddun Spring to the north, Kings Haven to the northeast, and Marbruk Brook to the southwest.

Notable Locales

Corgrad Wastes Palace Corgrad Wastes Docks

Mages Guild Underground Ruins

History

Kinlord Nemfarion of Corgrad

Corgrad is an ancient settlement, one that benefitted from trade with Shimmerene via the King's Haven Pass. It was founded by Nemfarion and ruled by his family, who reigned over the city in the twenty-third century of the First Era. On one fateful day in 1E 2200, a deep sea fishing fleet arrived in Corgrad's harbor to deliver their king-sized bounty but unbeknownst to them, carried the Thrassian Plague, which had begun its outbreak that year. Many sailors grew ill and Kinlord Nemfarion was quick to act by quarantining them to the underground. As more and more people were admitted, Nemfarion spent just as much time studying the disease and away from his family on the surface.

In order to prevent the disease's spread, Kinlord Nemfarion declared that no one could leave or enter Corgrad, including his family. This extended over months and caused unrest within the town. The people decided to rebel against the proclamation and nearly broke quarantine but in a last-ditch effort, Nemfarion had the city's seawalls destroyed which up and flooded Corgrad. In doing this, the sick were sealed underground and the disease did not spread beyond the town. The kinlord and his family were able to cure the people of the disease by taking in their infected blood and using sorcery to purge it.

The people trapped under Corgrad revered the kinlord's family as their "Saviors" and through their guidance, maintained a community in secrecy and far removed from society. On the surface, Corgrad's destruction became the source of fables and mysteries. People saw its flooding as a divine wrath and it has kept the common folk away from it. But because of this superstition, Hulkynd, and other outcasts find it as a safe haven. In time, the ruins became known as the "wastes" and its current name has stuck over several centuries.

The people referred to Corgrad's downfall and corruption as the "curse of Corgrad", and deemed it a threat to the Summerset Isles' pristine condition. The Divine Prosecution have made procedures to deal with this "unholy" power. While a separate part of Nemfarion's family disavowed their Corgrad brethren and kept no records of it other than their claim, the loss of the city was acknowledged by the All Flags Navy and referenced on the All Flags Monument in the Systres.

In 2E 582, a series of sinkholes opened across the island and one such sinkhole exposed the subterranean Corgrad villagers to the outside world. Gradually, outcasts and scavengers were disappearing once they explored the ruins and despite the search efforts, their numbers decreased. In that same time, a member of a branch family named Faidur visited the Corgrad Wastes to claim the property. When he initially made contact with the local outcasts, they warned him of the disappearances but he ignored them and enlisted a newcomer to explore the wastes. In the sea caves, they met the cavern dwellers but while the newcomer searched for the missing outcasts, they kidnapped Faidur and prepared the embalming ritual to replace the Saviors and cure them of their affliction. The newcomer freed Faidur and they escaped the caves with the missing outcasts. While he was unable to reclaim Corgrad, Faidur decided to stay with the outcasts in the hopes of using his status to help them.

At some point, the settlement was rebuilt but kept its name, "Corgrad Wastes". It even housed a Mages Guild chapter and several temples at the time. During the Imperial Simulacrum in the late Third Era, the town of Corgrad Wastes was an active settlement. It was ruled by Prince Cyrerill and had a rivalry with Riverfield and Sea Keep.

Known Rulers

• The First Era
  • Kinlord Nemfarion (ca. 1E 2200)
• The Saviors — After the town was flooded and driven underground, its people began to worship Nemfarion and his family as the Saviors. The community became caretakers of the town while they were guided by the Saviors.
• The Third Era
  • Prince Cyrerill (fl. 3E 389 – 3E 399)

Gallery

• 

  Ruliel, one of the outcasts that live in the wastes

• 

  The cavern dwellers of Corgrad

• 

  The overgrown ruins

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  Corgrad Wastes (Arena)

See Also

• For game-specific information, see the Arena and Elder Scrolls Online articles.

Books

• Rultari's Journal by Rultari — An Altmer's firsthand account of the Thrassian Plague