Lore:Briar Rock Ruins

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Briar Rock Ruins
Type Nordic Ruin
Continent Tamriel
Province Skyrim
Hold The Reach
Appears in Skyrim, ESO
Briar Rock Ruins ca. 2E 582

Briar Rock Ruins is a large set of nordic ruins situated deep in the mountain valley of the Reach. It was originally an Ancient Nordic watchtower that contained a crypt of draugr, but it has since been a safe refuge for the local clans of Reachmen that need it.[1][2] The ruins have been commonly occupied by the Thornroot Clan, who are staunch protectors of their land and will stand against any foreign threat.[3] Briar Rock is divided into two areas, the main ruin is known as Hag Rock Redoubt, whereas the innermost tower and summit is called Dead Crone Rock.

History[edit]

The Ancient Nords built their fortress at an unspecified time many years ago. Members of the Hillhunter Clan remember that ruins have always existed there since forever.[1] By the time the Nords were out of the Reach, the local Reachfolk took solace with the abandoned compound and used it as a shelter in times of trouble. The Thornroot, a clan of Reach warrior-folk have been known to settle around Briar Rock since at least 2E 568.[3]

In 2E 582, the Gray Host descended onto the Reach to search for an ancient artifact of great power. While most of the Reachfolk stayed in Markarth at the behest of Ard Caddach, the Thornroot Clan took refuge in Briar Rock Ruins and out of desperation to combat the vampiric army, they allied with a hagraven coven to create more briarheart warriors. The Hillhunter Clan led by Chieftain Faorin traveled to Briar Rock to seek refuge with the Thornroot, but they were instead imprisoned and made unwilling subjects of the briarheart ritual. The Thornroot hagravens sought to create an army of briarheart berserkers rather than provide protection for all clans.[1] The chieftain's daughter, Medone enlisted the help of a traveler to liberate her clan and father, as well as burn the briarheart tree in Dead Crone Rock. The traveler fought their way through Briar Rock and not defeated the hagraven matron, Grygarsnit, but burned down the tree and freed the Hillhunter Clan. They later moved on to parlay with the Wayward Guardians.[4]

During the Skyrim Civil War in 4E 201, the rebel-faction of Reachfolk, the Forsworn had taken control of the ruins. They were led by the hagraven witch, Drascua, who fled to Dead Crone Rock after the Markarth Incident in 4E 176. Not only was she considered a major threat by the Jarl of Markarth, but she was the eighth descendant of Sorcha, who was given the important task of guarding the pommel of Mehrunes' Razor.[5] Drascua was tracked down by Silus Vesuius of Dawnstar, who sought to reassemble the razor to honor his forefathers, the Mythic Dawn.[6] At that same time, the hagraven leader of Dead Crone Rock was in possession of a Stone of Barenziah, which were in circulation all over Skyrim until they were recovered by the Thieves Guild and reassembled into the Crown.[7]

Gallery[edit]

  • Hag Rock Redoubt (Skyrim)

  • Dead Crone Rock (Skyrim)

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Medone's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  2. ^ Bretull's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  3. ^ a b On the Clans of the Reach — Theopho Harvian, Imperial Scribe
  4. ^ Betrayal at Briar Rock quest in ESO: Markarth
  5. ^ The Keepers of the Razor — Silus Vesuius
  6. ^ Pieces of the Past daedric quest in Skyrim
  7. ^ No Stone Unturned faction quest in Skyrim
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