General:Elderscrolls.com Archive/Codex

The Codex provided information on the basic lore of The Elder Scrolls. Some of this information was unique and not found in any of the games. This page contains extracts from the Codex which contain such information, to be used as a reference in lore articles.

History

Arena

After trapping Emperor Uriel Septim VII in an alternate plane, Imperial Battlemage Jagar Tharn assumes the Emperor's identity, and rules without care as the provinces wage war. The ghost of Ria Silmane frees a hero from the depths of the Empire's dungeons and guides his search for the Staff of Chaos, a potent artifact which Jagar Tharn has broken in eight parts and hidden. The hero journeys to eight well-defended citadels in eight different provinces, recovering the Staff's pieces. Then, armed with the reforged Staff, the hero confronts and defeats Jagar Tharn in the labyrinths beneath the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor is returned to the throne.

"During the 10-year rule of the Impostor Jagar Tharn, the provinces were shattered by four devastating wars, and the political policies of the Imperial administration fell into shambles. But for the Restoration, there would be no Empire today."
- from Niso's LIVES OF THE EMPERORS

Daggerfall

From a complex weave of arcane plots, Imperial intrigues, and personal betrayals, an agent of Uriel Septim resolves two historic feats: the laying to rest of the ghost of treacherously slain King Lysandus of Daggerfall, and the reactivation of Numidium, the titanic iron golem once used by Tiber Septim to forge the Empire. The agent who won the Mantella from the plane of Aetherius and gifted his patron with the Totem artifact decided who should command Numidium, and who would shape the future of the Empire.

"Among the most significant results of the Second Numidian Effect are the foundation of the orc city-state Nova Orsinium; the transfiguration and apotheosis of Mannimarco, King of Worms; and the return of Zurin Arctus, the Underking, to the affairs of men."
- from Niso's LIVES OF THE EMPERORS

Battlespire

The Impostor Jagar Tharn betrayed the Battlespire, the war college of the Imperial Battlemages, to the legions of Daedra Lord Mehrunes Dagon. Two trainees trapped in the Battlespire escaped by fighting their way through daedric gates until they came to the citadel of Lord Dagon, where, by a subtle trick, they cast the Daedra Lord into Oblivion. Having lost Lord Dagon's support, Jagar Tharn's plot to supplant the true Emperor was doomed to fail.

"...for had not Jagar Tharn been robbed of the support of the archfiend Mehrunes Dagon and his fell minions, then Ria Silmane and her champion might never have revealed Tharn's imposture, and long might the rightful emperor have languished imprisoned in Dagon's dark prisons within the Void."
- From THE CHRONICLES OF JANISIERE

Redguard

In 2E 864, the Redguards of Hammerfell rose in rebellion against the Imperial administration of Provincial Governor Amiel Richton. The Restless League, led by Cyrus and Iszara -- brother-and-sister agents of the province's hereditary rulers -- destroyed the Imperial fleet in Stros M'Kai harbor and routed the Legion garrison. With Admiral Richton dead, and Stros M'Kai in rebel hands, Emperor Tiber Septim was forced to sue for peace on terms favorable to Hammerfell.

"The Stros M'Kai uprising is the only military reverse during Septim's annexations of the Western provinces. An able strategist and administrator, Admiral Richton's misfortunes arose from over-confidence, unsuitable counselors, and inauspicious stars."
- from Jalba's WAR IN THE WEST

Morrowind

In 3E 427, with Imperial authority weakened by questions of succession, the already shaky Imperial administration of Morrowind was threatened by the re-awakening of an ancient curse beneath the giant volcano Red Mountain, also called "Dagoth-Ur." An Imperial courier marked by the stars, born on a certain date to uncertain parents, came to Morrowind a stranger and outlander, and lived to become one of that nation's most enduring legends.

"Of humble birth, he entered the Emperor's service in the lowly status of courier. Dispatched to Balmora in the waning years of the Third Era, he arrived in Morrowind, ignorant of the role he was to play in that nation's history."
- from Hercurnian Baeboris' THE RIDDLE OF THE INCARNATE, IMPARTIALLY CONSIDERED

Items

Armor

Here are only a few of the various Western and Eastern armor styles popular in Morrowind. The native armors are presented first, in relative order of expense and rarity, and then the Western styles.

Netch Leather
Most outlanders adopt the comfortable and affordable native netch leather armor style when they come to Morrowind. The intrinsic durability and flexibility of netch hide, combined with the elaborate articulation of the Dunmer design and painstaking craftsmanship, make netch armor far superior to the heavy, inelegant leather armor styles of the West.

Chitin
Made from laminated insect shell glued with organic resins, chitin armor is also superior to any comparable Western light armor designs. Chitin armor gives better protection, but is lighter and more comfortable, than Western light leather and reinforced leather armors. Here, as in most native style, a scarf protects the neck and mouth from blowing sand and ash while campaigning.

Bonemold
Also known as 'Great House' armor in Morrowind, bonemold is a medium weight armor affordable only by Dunmer nobles. Each piece is assembled from many pieces of softened shell, molded into shape, then bonded and reinforced with resin glues. The example shown here features a distinctive House Redoran gah-julan ('great-benefit') helm with the protective cowl deployed for ash wastes travel.

Indoril
Indoril armor is the ornate heavy armor style worn by Ordinators, a military order of knights in service of the Tribunal Temple. Gold leaf details the pauldrons, bracers, and helm of this insect-shell laminate armor. So many Ordinators come from House Indoril that the armor style is known as 'Indoril' armor, though knights of all Great Houses may serve as Ordinators.

Glass
The Dunmer are the masters of light armor design, and the glass armor is the pinnacle of that design. Inspired by traditional High Elven ornate armors, this very expensive armor is studded with native volcanic glass. Remarkably light and flexible, glass armor absorbs and distributes shock better than steel.

Dwarven
The secrets of Dwemer armorcraft are long-forgotten. All examples encountered are thousands of years old, salvaged from ancient Dwemer ruins. Dwemer armor is heavy and cumbersome, but Dwemer craftsmanship and metallurgy are unmatched in any modern metal armor style. Enthusiasts pay fabulous prices for individual pieces, and the few complete sets are in the hands of collectors.

Iron Plate
Western-style iron plate provides good protection, but is so heavy and uncomfortable that despite its modest cost and wide availability in Imperialized Morrowind, adventurers and mercenaries quickly upgrade to better-quality metal armors or adopt the lighter native laminated shell armors when they can afford them.

Imperial Guard Heavy Armor
Imperial Guard armor is a more expensive and decorative version of the common Legion veteran's heavy infantry armor. Chain is worn over leather padding, with steel greaves, pauldron, cuirass, and helm.

Templar Heavy Armor
Officers of the Imperial Legion and knights of the various Imperial military orders are privileged to wear this armor. Plate cuirass and greaves and a reinforced steel helm are worn over leather padding and chain. Though heavy and uncomfortable for campaigning, this armor gives excellent protection in melee combats.

Orcish Medium Armor
Based on High Elven designs, orcish armor is an ornate but remarkably light steel plate worn over cloth padding. Light and comfortable by contrast with other steel plate designs, orcish armor commands premium prices from campaigning mercenary officers and style-conscious nobles.

Ingredients

The alchemy discipline is the processing and refinement of ingredients and materials through arcane processes to elicit and preserve their subtle, hidden magical effects in alchemical potions. The better your alchemy skill, the better you'll be able to determine all of the magic properties of an ingredient and use it in potions.

Alit Hide
The tough hide of the wild alit makes a serviceable multi-purpose leather. Ashlanders hunt the alit and use their tanned hides as trade goods.

Ash Yam
Ash yam is a tough tuberous root vegetable with modest magical properties. It grows commonly in the Ascadians Isles region.

Bonemeal
Bonemeal is a fine-ground powder from the bones of man-like races. Alchemists have identified its magical properties, and use it in various preparations.

Daedra's Heart
A daedra's heart must be removed during the brief period of its appearance on the mortal plane. The daedra's heart has modest magical properties, but, since removing the heart is generally fatal to the specimen, the substance is rare and expensive.

Corkbulb Root
Corkbulb trees are grown for their tough, fibrous roots which have modest magical properties. On Vvardenfell corkbulb root is used in place of wood, since trees won't grow in this harsh environment. Corkbulb grows best in the Ascadian Isles.

Fire Petals
Fire petals have modest magical properties, and are collected from the fire fern plant that grows on Red Mountain, in Molag Mar, and on Azura's Coast.

Marshmerrow
The sweet pulp of marshmerrow reeds is a delectable foodstuff, and when eaten fresh or prepared, it has modest healing properties. Marshmerrow is an important cash crop of the farms and plantations of the Ascadian Isles, but it also grows wild in the Grazelands and on Azura's Coast.

Moon Sugar
Moon sugar is a grainy powder of small white crystals refined from cane grasses of Elsewyr's coasts and esttuaries. Used as a spice in Elswyr, it has modest magical properties, and is also a potent narcotic, and illegal in Morrowind and the rest of the Empire. Criminals have attempted to grow moon sugar grasses in Vvardenfell, without success.

Pearl
These smooth, round, lustrous beads are prized for ornamental purposes. The cave collop and other native Morrowind molluscs only occasionally produce pearls; their scarcity increases their market value.

Raw Ebony
Raw ebony is one of the most precious substances in the Empire, and most of the continent's deposits are here on Vvardenfell. Raw ebony itself is an extremely hard, durable, black glass-like substance, said to be the crystalized blood of the gods. Raw ebony is protected by Imperial law, and may not be mined or exported without an Imperial charter. Ebony smuggling is a profitable but dangerous source of illegal wealth on Vvardenfell.

Saltrice
Saltrice is another of the tasty and nutritious foodstuffs with modest magical properties raised as export crops by Morrowind's farmers and plantation owners. Most saltrice seen in the Empire comes from southeastern Morrowind, but there are also some new and prospering farms and plantations in the Ascadian Isles. Saltrice also grows wild in the Grazelands and on Azura's Coast.

Scuttle
Scuttle is Vvardenfell's favorite local dish. This cheese-like, greasy substance made from the flesh of local beetles is remarkably tasty, and has modest magical properties.

Weapons

Weapons popular in Morrowind can be categorized according to their material and craft. The following are described approximately in order of value and utility.

Chitin
These native Dunmer weapons are created from the sturdy but light exoskeletons of local creatures. Layers of chitin are typically laminated using bug resin glues to form strong but flexible weapons. The serrated edges of the original materials are exploited to create especially wicked daggers and slashing weapons.

Iron
For centuries, cheap and serviceable iron and iron-reinforced weapons have been produced in quantity for the Legions. These and similarly made iron weapons are in use throughout the Empire.

Steel
Imperial steel weapons are standard issue for the elite units of the Legions. Nobles, merchant-traders, and professional mercenaries prefer the higher quality materials and craftsmanship of Imperial steel. Various other weapons of exotic design (in particular, the tantos and katanas made in the Akaviri style) are also made of high-quality steel.

Silver
High-quality steel is plated or filagreed with silver because of the arcane effects of the precious metal on the flesh of magical and supernatural creatures. Well-heeled aristocrats and bravos also sport such weapons for their distinctive elegance.

Dwarven
These refined and elegant weapons resist corrosion and retain their edge in spite of hard use, and are notable among the distinctive relics of the extinct Dwemer race. Enterprising adventurers risk life and limb to recover these ornate, heavy weapons from the Dwarven ruins scattered throughout Tamriel.

Nordic
These massive steel weapons are forged according to the secret metalcrafts of the Nord smiths, and engraved with runes in the manner of the legendary witch-warriors of Skyrim.

Glass
These light and elegant weapons of Elven manufacture feature extravagant use of rare metals and cutting edges made from rare crystalline materials. Duellists and assassins appreciate the delicate balance and sinister sharpness of glass weapons.

Ebony
Ebony weapons are made from a rare form of volcanic glass found almost exclusively in the buried deposits and surface lava flows of Vvardenfell's Red Mountain. 'Ebony' refers to the lustrous, black, glassy surface of ebony weapons.

Daedric
Daedric weapons are made from ebony which has been refined using the craft and magical substances of the lesser minions of Oblivion. The process is not a pleasant one for the Daedra involved, and the weapons retain echoes of preternaturally prolonged suffering endured during manufacture. Daedric weapons are the most rare and expensive weapons known in Tamriel.

Races

Full Map of Tamriel (Morrowind Codex)

Full Map of Tamriel (Oblivion Codex)