Imperial City, Cyrodiil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Imperial City of Cyrodiil is the capital of the third Tamriel Empire and of its largest province, Cyrodiil, featured in the Elder Scrolls universe. For a very long time, the City was the place where the consequtive Empires were ruled from and by the end of the Third Era, it is where the Emperor Uriel Septim VII resides. The Imperial City is one of the key locations in the fourth installment of the computer game series, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which was released on March 21st, 2006.
Contents |
[edit] Description
Refavyj's famous declaration, "There is but one city in the Imperial Province, but one city in Tamriel, but one city in the World; that, my brothers, is the city of the Cyrodiils,"[1] epitomizes the influence of the grand city in the heart of Cyrodiil. The Pocket Guide to the Empire describes it well; "From the shore it is hard to tell what is city and what is Palace, for it all rises from the islands of the lake towards the sky in a stretch of gold. Whole neighborhoods rest on the jeweled bridges that connect the islands together. Gondolas and river-ships sail along the watery avenues of its flooded lower dwellings. Moth-priests walk by in a cloud of ancestors; House Guards hold exceptionally long daikatanas crossed at intersections, adorned with ribbons and dragon-flags; and the newly arrived Western legionnaires sweat in the humid air. The river mouth is tainted red from the tinmi soil of the shore, and river dragons rust their hides in its waters. Across the lake the Imperial City continues, merging into the villages of the southern red river and ruins left from the Interregnum.
The Emperor's Palace, also known as White Gold Tower, is a crown of sun rays, surrounded by his magical gardens. One garden path is known as Green Emperor Road - here, topiaries of the heads of past Emperors have been shaped by sorcery and can speak. When one must advise Tiber Septim, birds are drawn to the hedgery head, using their songs as its voice and moving its branches for the needed expressions."
[edit] Districts
The Imperial City is divided into six main districts, arranged around the Imperial Palace like spokes on a wheel. Starting from twelve o'clock and going clockwise:
[edit] Market District
It's easy to find a specialty trader in the Market District. There are four sections in the Market District, each one packed with shops. The merchants are honest, offer good prices, and have a good amount of gold to barter with. The district also contains two statues: one of Uriel Septim III, and the other of Pelagius I son of Tiber Septim.
[edit] Arena
The recent years have been hard on the people of Cyrodiil, and the city Arena is a place where they can forget about their troubles for a day. At the center of the district is the Arena, not having changed since the days of the first Blademaster, Gaiden Shinji. There are two ways to take advantage of the Arena: as a combatant or as a gambler.
[edit] The Combatant
If you choose to fight in the Arena's matches, enter the Bloodworks and speak to Owyn, the bitter Redguard Blademaster. He gives you a Battle Raiment of your choice and inducts you as a Pit Dog, the lowest rank. He will arrange matches for you, and you eventually move up the ranks to Grand Champion. As victor, you gain a small winning in gold that increases with your rank. Note, however, that all matches are death matches; therefore the aspiring combatant must be prepared to take lives. The ranks are:
- Pit Dog
- Brawler
- Bloodletter
- Myrmidon
- Warrior
- Gladiator
- Hero
- Champion
- Grand Champion
[edit] The Gambler
If you'd rather not risk your life, you can certaintly risk your gold by betting on each match. Hundolin at the Front Gate manages bets. One may wager, 25, 50, or 100 on either the Blue or the Yellow team. You then proceed up the stairs and watch the match. The terms of the bet are double or nothing-a winner receives 200 percent of what he wagered. A loser receives nothing.
[edit] Luck and Gambling
While Hundolin says that the odds of winning are 50/50, you can tip the odds in your favor by increasing your Luck attribute. The higher it is, the better chance your team has of getting more hp,weapons and a shield. The combatants are also randomly generated and equipped. Each has theoretically equal chances of winning. However, it is not uncommon for one combatant to have superior equipment, and therefore superior chances. Luck affects how well both combantants will be equipped.
[edit] Arboretum
The Imperial City Arboretum is absolutley spectacular. While there are no buildings in the district, there are nine statues of the Nine Divines, the Imperial's gods. Starting from the Northeast corner and going clockwise: Julianos, Stendar, Mara, Dibella, Arkay, Akatosh, Kynareth, and Zenithar. In the center stands the statue of Tiber Septim.
[edit] Temple District
The Temple District is one of the more upscale residential areas, and is the home of the Temple of the One, where the Dragonfires have been lit for centuries. The temple is the location of the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's Main Questline's finale, where Martin turns into the Avatar of Akatosh.
[edit] Talos Plaza
The Talos Plaza district is an upper-class residential area. Several manors are located here, including those of Umbacano, Ayelid Artifact Collector; Jakben, the Earl of Imbel; and Ulen Athram, an Arena gambler and Mythic Dawn agent. In the center of the district is a statue of Akatosh in his Dragon form.
[edit] Elven Gardens District
The Elven Gardens District is a middle-class residential area. You'll find several non-quest related NPCs here.
[edit] Other Districts
There are also three districts that are not directly connected to the Imperial City's Palace District. They lie on the outer parts of the City Isle, but are still of importantance. They are:
[edit] Imperial Legion District
This complex has multiple functions. It works as a prison, an armory, and the headquarters of to Imperial Legion. Also, the Master Security Trainer, J'baana, can be found wandering its grounds. It is located just Northeast of the main Imperial City districts and can be reached by a gate and short path in the Market district.
[edit] Arcane University
This is the seat of power for the Mages' Guild. Its structure is almost identical to the Legion district. It is located to the Southwest of the Imperial City by a path out of the Arboretum. For more information on the University, see the Mages' Guild page.
[edit] Waterfront
The Waterfront is the slums of the Imperial City. While the warehouses south of the wall are decent, behind it is a row of shacks. The Waterfront is the secret base of operations for the Thieves' Guild. The district also has a large Lighthouse, which keeper Velan Andus says is just for show and that only an "idiot" would dare navigate the Waterfront at night. Even so, two ships are docked at the Waterfront: the Marie Elena, a pirate ship whose crew will attack you if you get too close; and the Bloated Float, which is actually an inn and tavern.
[edit] References
- Alessia Ottus. Guide to the Imperial City. Retrieved on August 21, 2006.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Imperial Geographic Society. The Pocket Guide to The Empire: Cyrodiil. Retrieved on August 3, 2006.
| Important cities and locations in Cyrodiil |
|---|
|
Anvil | Bravil | Bruma | Cheydinhal | Chorrol | Imperial City | Kvatch | Leyawiin | Skingrad |
