An Extensive Guide to
High Rock
And its environs
Being a Description of the Lands and the
Diverse Customs of the Inhabitants
Of Interest by Nature of their Location & Influence
Dedicated
To the unswerving commitment of Truth and Knowledge
Of His Most Divine Majesty the King Oriel Akatosh
Promulgated under the Authority of the Daggerfall Royal Historical Commission
The Year of Our Divine Sovereign 4E 84
WELCOME, FRIEND!
As we stand on the cusp of a new century, I have taken it upon myself to pen down an extensive guide to the Imperial Province of the Kingdoms of High Rock. Written in celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the Miracle of Peace, which marked the return of stability and order to Kingdoms of High Rock, this tome seeks to thoroughly describe the present kingdoms of High Rock and the inhabitants and cultures within – their history, people, and current condition. I have striven to balance timelines with accuracy and completeness; if I had erred in my zeal to place this valuable guide in the hands of the uneducated everywhere, I beg the kind reader's indulgence.
Since the Miracle of Peace that took place exactly ten centuries before in the Third Era, High Rock has been divided into five major kingdoms: Glenumbra, Stormhaven, North Bangkorai, Wrothgar, and Rivenspire. Historically, High Rock and the inhabitants within have twice known the rulership and have been united under the banners of the Altmeri Clan Direnni and the Direnni Hegemony. At its zenith, the Direnni Hegemony divided High Rock – then under the Meric name of Alte-Tel (literally 'High Tower') into several regional districts, which were administered by provincial governors, either extended members of Clan Direnni or appointed Breton representatives. With the decline of the Direnni Hegemony and the signing of the Siatr Fawr (literally 'Great Charter') in 1E 500, control reverted to the individual ruling Breton families of each region, resulting in centuries of chaos and fragmentation as the provinces devolved into independent kingdoms and petty statelets. It is from this time, known as 'The Anarchy' that High Rock's most famous proverb, one that seems to define the Breton peoples as a whole, came to spread.
"Find a new hill, become a king."
Now, happily, High Rock is the most unified it has ever been since the reign of High King Emeric of Cumberland.
Admittedly, some distinct subcultures continue to escape classification due to the primitive civilization that they abide by. Collectively, these outlying cultures are known as Pagans, which may or may not be of interest to the greater Kingdoms of High Rock. They are included only for the most intrepid of travelers, and to throw the achievements of Civilization onto more brilliant relief by contrast with these benighted corners of High Rock.
Now, reader, we entreat you to review my extensive surveys of High Rock's dominions. If it entertains and edifies, reflect not upon the humble labors of this scribe, but on the gracious benevolence of our beloved Divine Patron Oriel Akatosh, whose very name is majesty upon our tongue, who in his infinite wisdom has ordained this survey be created and distributed among the earnest and wise people of Tamriel, that they might better understand the glories and challenges of these Kingdoms and Dominions, and that they might better appreciate the great achievements of the Breton peoples that they have accomplished with such fortitude.
A note on Elven designations: The Elves as a whole are sometimes referred to as the "Aldmeri" or "the Elder Races". Their individual pedigrees are likewise referred to by both their human and Aldmeri names; thus, High Elves are the "Altmer," the Dark Elves the "Dunmer", Wood Elves the "Bosmer," etc., etc. "Mer" is also used to denote a single Elf. Words that designate an Elven member of a profession or trade can therefore correctly be said as "craftsmer," for example, or "noblemer."