Lore:Skywatch

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Skywatch
Type Settlement
Continent Tamriel
Province Summerset Isles
Region Auridon
(Calambar)
Appears in Arena, ESO
Skywatch ca. 2E 582
Map of the Summerset Isles
"Skywatch, northern city of Summurset, welcomes you to its gates. Enter in peace and feel our warmth, challenge our lands and feel your blood run cold..." —In-game description in Arena

Skywatch is one of the eight major cities in the Summerset Isles, and serves as the capital of Auridon, in at least the mid-Second Era.[1] The city is a major seaport with ships coming from all over Tamriel every day and always bringing something new and refreshing with them.[2] The surrounding region has always been a hub of activity, going as far back as the time of the Ancients, ancestors of the modern Altmer of Auridon.[3][4]

Layout and Geography[edit]

Skywatch Manor
Skywatch's southwest trading street

Skywatch is located on the east coast of Auridon, in a region known as Calambar, where it sits on the Blue Divide, roughly across from Greenshade[5] and Diss in Valenwood.[6] Off its coast are islands that locals have used throughout history. They are the isles of Buraniim to the south and Errinorne to the east, but these places are mostly abandoned.[7] Much of the land outside of the city is a wild, deciduous forest of mostly larch, laurel, and maple trees.[8] The region's main road runs outside of the city's walls and connects the northern half of the island with the south. Skywatch is neighbored by several settlements, such as Silsailen Point to the west and West Guard to the north-northwest.[9]

Skywatch is built on a large promontory that extends into the Blue Divide.[5] It was much larger than it is now, until it was destroyed in the Sack of Skywatch.[10] Under what remains of the promontory are the ruins of an Aldmeri keep and the beaches shrouded in darkness. The town is more specifically built on a hill and overlooks the surrounding coast. The city's main gate is west, at the top of several stairways. The outside area has several trade and camp kiosks.[5] Somewhere just outside of Skywatch was the Grand Trinimac Chantry, a center of worship for the eponymous Aldmeri warrior spirit.[11]

Entering from here, visitors stand on a stone platform. Straight ahead is a bridge crossing toward Skywatch's central quarter, an area consisting of royal gardens and pieces of the Aldmeri ruins, with its entrance in its center,[5] and accessible sections spread across the countryside.[12] To their left and right are stairs to Skywatch's residential and trade districts, respectively. Both sides are connected by a street under the bridge. These areas surround the central gardens. The northside stands high above the coastline and provides a grand view of nearby Ezduiin. The southside is where the city's master crafters and laborers work. Further south is the city's waterfront, separated from the rest of Skywatch by a large set of stairs. The final tier above the central gardens, to the east, is where the city's seat of power, Skywatch Manor, and its two guildhalls are found. The top floor of these buildings is the highest point in Skywatch and provides a grand view of the cityscape below.[5]

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]

Early History[edit]

Hightide Keep, ruins of the former keep that protected Skywatch

When exactly Skywatch was built is unknown, but it was built after Firsthold.[8][14] The original settlement was created by the Ancients, whose descendants continue to occupy it. Though much of their ruins serve as the modern city's foundation,[13] other buildings from their time were still used, namely a massive fortress. When it was active, it was painstakingly maintained and manned, but it possessed incredible power and defense.[10] House Errinorne is a royal family of Aldmeri-descent that hails from Skywatch. Their ancestry dates back to the late Merethic Era,[15] but when they became rulers of Skywatch is unknown.

Like the rest of the Summerset Isles, Skywatch's history is largely removed from mainland Tamriel. Internal conflicts between neighboring cities, like Skywatch and Firsthold, have erupted throughout the First and Second Eras, and often evolved into full-scale war.[16] But what was much more violent were invasions from foreign races that vied for control of the isles, like the Sload, who have attacked the Altmer since time immemorial.[17] The slugfolk of Thras usually target Skywatch[17] but among their many endeavors was the infamous Sack of Skywatch in 1E 1301.[16][18][Note 1]

The Altmer provided an immaculate defense. From their large fortress, they built magical constructs that destroyed dozens of Sload warships. But the turning moment was when a Sload warcaster sacrificed himself by ingesting volatile alchemical reagents, destroying the city's extended rock face, and plunging the fortress into the sea. With its downfall, Skywatch fell to the Sloads.[10] Errinorne Isle was also lost along the way.[3] The Sload held onto the city for a few years until the Altmer eventually retook it, with help from the All Flags Navy and a resistance movement, sometime after the Thrassian Plague of the twenty-third century of the late First Era.[2][19] Even so, the Sload held onto Errinorne Isle for a few more years until remnants of the All Flags Navy once again drove them out. From then on, it was left abandoned,[3] largely because of its indefensible position.[18]

Hundreds of years before the mid-Second Era, an Altmer named Essanyon Duure received a vision from a crow about the world's end and gathered followers all over the Summerset Isles. On the 8th of Rain's Hand, Essanyon traveled to Auridon to spread the word and collected a decent-sized following. He then received another vision to sacrifice an Altmer noble and tried to convince a follower from Skywatch. It was decided that his ritual would be in Ezduiin, just north of Skywatch, however, Essanyon's brother, Quaronaldil, warned the noble, and he declined to attend the ritual. Essanyon sacrificed him anyway when he sent his best warriors to take him by force. But on the 19th of Midyear, the Skywatch Guard assaulted Ezduiin and cornered them in the town's undercroft for two days. In a last-ditch effort, Essanyon used an artifact called the Mallari-Mora and cursed the ruins with his followers' doomed souls.[20][21]

The mid-Second Era and the Veiled Queen[edit]

The Veiled Heritance's base of operations on Errinorne Isle
High Kinlady Estre of Errinorne

At some point, Archmage Telenger the Artificer of the Skywatch Mages Guild spent several years excavating the Aldmer ruins under the city and found it heavy with planar and potent magic. To assess its potential dangers, Telenger invited a colleague named Azandar al-Cybiades to investigate. After a few weeks, Azandar turned the ruins into his laboratory, his Sanctum Sanctorum. He claimed to have convinced the Mages Guild of its presumed dangers and that he won it from Telenger through a wager.[12][22]

By the mid-Second Era, Skywatch was ruled by High Kinlady Estre, who also governed as its canonreeve.[19][23] Sometime after Princess Ayrenn's disappearance in 2E 573,[24] the new heir-apparent to the throne of Alinor, Naemon was betrothed to Estre.[8] However, their path to High Kingship was halted in 2E 580 when Ayrenn returned to claim the throne after the death of High King Hidellith.[24] Though Naemon was evidently more forgiving of this, Estre was embittered as her desires to be queen were crushed.[8][25]

Estre formed the Veiled Heritance and presided over its council of leaders called the Veiled Council from the ruins of Errinorne Academy.[26] Their main goal was to overthrow Ayrenn and her alliance with the Bosmer and Khajiit, the Aldmeri Dominion,[27] and to return Naemon on his path to the throne.[28] Errinorne Isle became the Heritance's training ground and recruits were gathered at the Barbed Hook Tavern on the Skywatch Docks.[29] In 2E 582, Queen Ayrenn appeared on Auridon and planned a tour through the island.[30][31] Estre and Naemon were in Vulkhel Guard to greet Ayrenn and join her on the tour. Though the Veiled Heritance had made moves to attack Ayrenn and the Dominion,[32] Estre's involvement was not suspected, and she had Ayrenn's complete trust.[25]

After Ayrenn traveled to Tanzelwil and gained approval by her ancestors, as per the rites of becoming Queen, her tour brought her to Skywatch during the annual Festival of Defiance. As a chance to be closer to her step-sister, Ayrenn planned to elevate her into the Thalmor.[29] A Queen's Eye agent named Razum-dar received intel that the Veiled Heritance had control over Skywatch and that they planned to make a statement during the festival. He enlisted the Vestige to infiltrate the Heritance cell and snuff them out. They were successfully recruited at the Skywatch Docks and underwent the trials on Errinorne Isle.[33][34] The Vestige was exposed at the Veiled Council's meeting but escaped after defeating the council members. With their intel, they reported back to Razum-dar and confronted Estre in Skywatch Manor. Before Ayrenn could react, Estre used her magic to escape[26] and begin the Heritance's large-scale attack, starting with the destruction of Dawnbreak.[35][36]

Post-Heritance and Onward[edit]

Sometime later, after Estre's defeat in Firsthold, ambassadors of the Alliances gathered in Skywatch for the New Life Festival, using this time of reflecting to discuss common concerns for the betterment of everyone. The city was chosen so that they could talk while enjoying Auridon's world-famous wines.[37] Unfortunate for them, the local Bosmer decided to make the three ambassadors, Arnand Relippe of the Covenant, Camore of the Dominion, and Tolendos Dreloth of the Pact targets of Mud Ball Merriment to lighten the serious mood.[38][39]

In 3E 110, the kings of the Summerset Isles formed a unified alliance to combat the Maormer[40] in their last-known invasion of the province, the War of the Isle.[17] Despite having assistance from Emperor Antiochus and the Imperial Navy, the Maormer were defeated because of a supernatural storm accredited to the Psijic Order.[40][41]

During the Imperial Simulacrum in the late Third Era, the city-state of Skywatch was an active settlement. It was ruled by King Kalalian and had a rivalry with Shimmerene.[42] The King of Skywatch's daughter, Lady Gialene served King Reman Karoodil of Firsthold as his chief concubine. Like many other Altmer at the time, she resented King Karoodil and Morgiah's marriage, but she especially hoped to have the King fall in love with her and inherit his kingdom. When it became apparent that Morgiah was here to stay, she conspired with the Trebbite Monks and planned a revolt in Firsthold while Karoodil was away. In the end, Morgiah tactfully defeated the monks, Lady Gialene's advisor Kael was executed, and Gialene was sent back home to her father's court. The King still needed to find her a husband.[43]

Known Rulers[edit]

Skywatch, in at least the mid-Second Era, was the capital of Auridon. However, the true rulers of the island were House Rilis, who lived in and around Firsthold to the north.[1] Skywatch's rulers went by the title of High Kinlord/High Kinlady.[23] So their land is recognized as a kinhold.[14] At the same time, a canonreeve is appointed to administrate the settlement.[19][44] In the late Third Era, Skywatch was the seat of a King/Queen,[42][43] who typically rule a kingdom. It is unknown if it was a sovereign state or still under Firsthold.

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 their service[45] until Artaeum disappeared a second time sometime in the Fourth Era for whatever reason.[46]

  • The Merethic Era — House Errinorne's noble ancestry dates back to the late Merethic Era.[15]
  • The Second Era
    • High Kinlady Estre of Errinorne (2E ? – 2E 582) — Estre also governed Skywatch as its canonreeve,[19][Note 2] the Altmer's equivalent to the Tamrielic mayor.[44] This is a title that she can pass onto another person if desired.[47]
  • The Third Era
  • The Fourth Era — Once the Thalmor came into power, they abolished the monarchy across the Summerset Isles.[48]

Society and Culture[edit]

Buraniim Isle, a retreat for locals in Skywatch
Telenger the Artificer, Archmage of the Skywatch Mages Guild
For more information, see the: Culture and Society sections on the Altmer page.

Skywatch is a major transport hub, with people from all over Tamriel coming to its ports.[2] Unlike the Altmer in Vulkhel Guard, who are more tolerant of Tamriel mainlanders,[49] the people of Skywatch are more apprehensive and restrictive to mainland visitors.[50][51] But they always bring something new and refreshing to the city. Dockworkers like to bet on frog races.[2] Skywatch has a seedy underbelly like any other port in Tamriel, with the Barbed Hook Tavern in the docks attracting criminals.[52]

One of its most well-known citizens was Telenger the Artificer, the Archmage of the Skywatch Mages Guild in the mid-Second Era. He was considered one of the brightest minds of his time.[2][53][54] During a Festival of Defiance, he hosted Telenger's Emporium, where his many rare and magical finds across Tamriel were displayed and demonstrated to the public.[2]

Trade has played a significant role in the Skywatch region since the Ancients, as seen with the nearby islands, Buraniim and Errinorne. The latter, named after House Errinorne, originally contained a shipping and warehouse complex used by Skywatch before its destruction.[3] It also had the Errinorne Academy, which included a great library.[18] Buraniim was quite possibly a trading hub for the Ancients, however, it is mostly a retreat for locals in Skywatch who want to get away from city life.[4] The Darkvale Trading Costers are a major trading organization from the Summerset Isles, particularly Auridon, and are overseen by the master traders of Skywatch. They are one of the biggest importers and exporters in the province, and even arrange deals with clients like House Dres of Kragenmoor.[55]

House Errinorne is a royal family from Skywatch. They have lived in the city since the late Merethic Era and have at some point ruled as the High Kinlords of Skywatch. A notable figure is Kinlady Entila, who hailed from Clan Auralas[56] but was also a member of House Errinorne.[57] Entila received a vivid dream of a fabulous, egg-sized gemstone called the Egg of the World buried deep under the coastal cliffs near Skywatch. Based on the dream's directions, a mine was built there to find the gem, but Clan Auralas' funds died out first, and the mines remained as Entila's Folly.[56]

The Sack of Skywatch continues to live on in the citizens' subconscious, but in time, the Altmer reclaimed their city and cherish this moment yearly with the Festival of Defiance. It is a holiday that celebrates freedom and victory.[2][19] The first one was held in 1E 2260,[58] the same year Bendu Olo led the All Flags Navy on their final assault against Thras.[59] During this first festival, many favors were passed around, such as ribbons for those whose families served in the All Flags Navy.[58] The ruins of Skywatch's former stronghold that fell during the sack is known by the locals now as Hightide Keep.[10] When the Bosmer immigrants moved to Skywatch, they brought over their New Life tradition called Mud Ball Merriment. As expected, people will make mud balls and throw them at each other. Sometimes, the Bosmer community will choose specific targets to humble them.[38]

Gallery[edit]

  • Skywatch (Arena)

  • Skywatch Vindicator (Legends)

Notes[edit]

  • ^ Information about the Sack of Skywatch in ESO conflates it with events surrounding the Thrassian Plague. Though a loading screen supports the Pocket Guide to the Empire's claim that the sack occurred in 1E 1301, dialogue from Guide Culast and Captain Tendil says that it happened after the plague was unleashed, which would have been 1E 2200.
  • ^ There is a character named Reeve Nardarmor who held an office in Skywatch Manor in 2E 582.[60] A reeve is a town leader, as seen with Odral Helvi, the reeve of Caldera.[61][62] His relationship with High Kinlady Estre, whether he served under her or replaced her after the Veiled Heritance threat is unknown.
  • 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, Skywatch's gladiatorial team would have been called "the Assassins".[UOL 2]

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Rothondothrin's dialogue in ESO
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Guide Culast's dialogue in ESO
  3. ^ a b c d Auridon Explored, Chapter III — Fenlil the Wayfarer
  4. ^ a b Auridon Explored, Chapter IV — Fenlil the Wayfarer
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Skywatch in ESO
  6. ^ Map of the Aldmeri Dominion – Morrowind Codex
  7. ^ Auridon in ESO
  8. ^ a b c d The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: The Summerset Isles: Auridon — Flaccus Terentius, 2E 581
  9. ^ Map of the Summurset Isle – The Elder Scrolls: Arena
  10. ^ a b c d e Auridon Explored, Chapter VII — Fenlil the Wayfarer
  11. ^ Bewan loading screen text in ESO
  12. ^ a b Azandar al-Cybiades' dialogue in ESO: Necrom
  13. ^ a b Loremaster's Archive - Tamriel's Holidays — The Impresario
  14. ^ a b The Lay of Firsthold
  15. ^ a b Errinorne Ancestry Tapestry treasure text in ESO
  16. ^ a b Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Blessed Isle: Alinor and the Summersets — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  17. ^ a b c Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: Other Lands — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  18. ^ a b c The Veiled Keep loading screen text in ESO
  19. ^ a b c d e Captain Tendil's dialogue in ESO
  20. ^ Essanyon's Records — Essanyon
  21. ^ Quaronaldil Duure's dialogue in ESO
  22. ^ Meet the Character - Azandar al-Cybiades — Elydrina Nathriin
  23. ^ a b High Kinlady Estre's dialogue in ESO
  24. ^ a b Ayrenn: The Unforeseen Queen — Headmaster Tanion of the College of Aldmeri Propriety
  25. ^ a b Queen Ayrenn's dialogue in ESO
  26. ^ a b The Veil Falls story quest in ESO
  27. ^ Why Don the Veil?
  28. ^ Loremaster's Episode of ESO-RP ZOS Interview
  29. ^ a b Razum-dar's dialogue in ESO
  30. ^ Firtorel's dialogue in ESO
  31. ^ Queen's Tour Schedule treasure text in ESO
  32. ^ A Hostile Situation story quest in ESO
  33. ^ Lifting the Veil story quest in ESO
  34. ^ Wearing the Veil story quest in ESO
  35. ^ Canonreeve Sinyon's dialogue in ESO
  36. ^ The Gift of Arson
  37. ^ New Life Festival Interview — Countess Aurorelle Edrald, Marwig Yeomcroft, Priestess Phaziyya, and Mochtuinne Eye-Tooth
  38. ^ a b Breda's dialogue in ESO
  39. ^ Mud Ball Merriment daily quest in ESO
  40. ^ a b Brief History of the Empire v 1 — Stronach k'Thojj III
  41. ^ The Wolf Queen, v5 — Waughin Jarth
  42. ^ a b c Skywatch location and rumors in Arena
  43. ^ a b c The Firsthold Revolt — Maveus Cie
  44. ^ a b Canonreeve Elquisa's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  45. ^ Fragment: On Artaeum — Taurce il-Anselma, 3E 400
  46. ^ Tolfdir's dialogue in Skyrim
  47. ^ Burnt Note — Advisor Norion
  48. ^ a b Rising Threat, Vol. IV — Lathenil of Sunhold
  49. ^ Summerset Isles: A Visitor's Guide — Runilstir the Surveyor
  50. ^ Nicolene's Diary (Private!) — Nicolene
  51. ^ Mara's Kiss Inn Room loading screen text in ESO
  52. ^ Barbed Hook Private Room loading screen text in ESO
  53. ^ Neetra's dialogue in ESO
  54. ^ Student Endannie's dialogue in ESO
  55. ^ Caalorne's dialogue in ESO
  56. ^ a b Entila's Folly loading screen text in ESO
  57. ^ The Egg of the World treasure text in ESO
  58. ^ a b Festival of Defiance Token antiquity codex entries in ESO: Greymoor
  59. ^ Systres History: Volume 3 — Trilam Heladren, Associate Dean of Eltheric History, University of Gwylim
  60. ^ Tanlorin's dialogue in ESO
  61. ^ Odral Helvi in Morrowind
  62. ^ Someone in particular dialogue in Morrowind

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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