Lore:City Isle

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City Isle
Type Island
Continent Tamriel
Province Cyrodiil
Region Heartlands
Appears in Arena, Oblivion, ESO, Legends
City Isle circa 3E 433
City Isle circa 2E 582

City Isle[1] (also called the Eight Islands,[2][3] the Imperial Isle[4] or Imperial Island,[5] or the Ruby Isles)[6] is a large island in the Heartlands region of Cyrodiil. It is surrounded by Lake Rumare, and is dominated by the White-Gold Tower and the surrounding Imperial City. Located at the center of Tamriel, the island is of great metaphysical and political importance.

The island was originally inhabited by native Bird Men. The Aldmeri explorer Topal the Pilot gave these beastfolk the gift of language and literacy, and in return they made him their lord and gave the island as a gift. Topal promised to return some day, but was unable to find a route between Lake Rumare and Summerset Isle. Language was evidently not enough to save the bird men from their fate, as they never again appeared in recorded history, theorized to have been enslaved by the Ayleids or fallen victim to the ancient "cat demons".[2][3]

The Ayleids later came to inhabit the island. They constructed the White-Gold Tower in imitation of the Adamantine Tower, and the island became the center of the Ayleid Empire. After the Alessian Slave Rebellion, the newly-established Alessian Empire continued to rule from the Tower. The Imperial City grew around it and served as the capital of every Cyrodilic Empire since. As such, it has been the center of many significant historical events, including the Soulburst, the Three Banners War, the end of the Oblivion Crisis, the banishment of Umbriel, and the final battle of the Great War. Aside from the city itself, the island is dotted with several caves.

The Imperial Isle was at the heart of the Cyrodiilic theater during the Great War. The Aldmeri Dominion bypassed most other major cities to besiege it, and with Hammerfell simultaneously invaded only reinforcements from Skyrim and High Rock could come to relieve the Imperial forces. Titus Mede II made the decision to abandon the Imperial City, sacrificing a Legion to hold off the Dominion. The Dominion forces sacked the city, slaughtering the population, while the Emperor feigned peace negotiations. However once reinforcements had come from Hammerfell, High Rock, and Skyrim, the Legions were able to surround the Lake Rumare cutting off the Dominion from reinforcements, in what became known as the Battle of the Red Ring. The Imperial Isle was liberated from the Dominion, and the White-Gold Concordat signed ending the Great War.

Gallery[edit]

  • View of City Isle

  • Concept art of the Eight Islands

  • Military strategy map of City Isle

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ City Isle in Oblivion
  2. ^ a b c Father Of The Niben — Florin Jaliil
  3. ^ a b Decentius Opsius' dialogue in Oblivion
  4. ^ Riverhold in Arena
  5. ^ Dialogue with Captain Priscus in ESO
  6. ^ Chancellor Abnur Tharn Answers Your Questions 2 — Chancellor Abnur Tharn
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