Lore:Factions I

Overview | A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

---

Icereach Coven

The Icereach Coven (or Icereach Clan) was a coven of witches active in the 6th century of the Second Era, primarily - though not only - composed of Reachfolk and a clan that serves under the leadership of the witches. They resided on Icereach, a frozen island in the Sea of Ghosts and served as advisors of the Emperor during the times of the Longhouse Dynasty and after the fall of the dynasty as allies of the army of Vampires and Werewolves known as the Gray Host.

Immortal Eight

The Immortal Eight was a group of immortal loyalist legion soldiers led by Captain Anatolius Caudex, who protected the Nobles District of the Imperial City during the Planemeld in 2E 582. They also played a part in stopping Bal's plans to snuff out the Dragonfires.

Imperial Academy of Alchemists

The Imperial Academy of Alchemists was an Imperial academic institution devoted to the research of alchemy active during the Interregnum in the Second Era. Little is known of the academy, except that they were addressed by a known scholar Herminius Sophus in his text devoted to the nature of Tel Var Stones, On the Tel Var Stones in which he shares his recipes and findings with the academy.

Imperial Academy of Records and Histories

The Imperial Academy of Records and Histories was an Imperial academic institution devoted to the research of the history active during the Interregnum in the Second Era. Little is known of the academy, except that one of its associate historians Augusta Purusius authored The Sublime Brazier, a text devoted to the legend of Sublime Brazier hidden beneath the Imperial City and published at some point before 2E 582.

Imperial Archaeological Society

The Imperial Archaeological Society is an Imperial academic institution devoted to archaeological study. It was contemporary with the Tiber War.

In 2E 864, the society was present on Stros M'Kai as part of the Imperial occupation of the island. It had taken possession of the Dwemer ruins of Bthzark as an archaeological site under the Dwarven Reclamation Act of 2E 864.

Imperial Battlemages

An Imperial Legion battlemage

This article is about Imperial Legion battlemages. For the head of the Elder Council, see Imperial Battlemage of Tamriel.

The Cohort of Imperial Battlemages are a group of well trained war mages serving in the Imperial Legion. They had close ties to the Mages Guild before the Guild's dissolution. While the Guild had the authority to send battlemages onto the field, often to deal with violent rogue mages, the battlemages ultimately obeyed the orders of their superiors in the Legion. Imperial Battlemages are Nibenese in origin, and members of their ranks make up an age-old aristrocracy in the region of Nibenay.

Imperial City Archives

The Imperial City Archives (also referred to as the Imperial Archives) is an Imperial institution based in the Imperial City. It served as a repository of valuable Imperial records, such as deeds to holdings and estates within the Empire's bounds, court proceedings for a military tribunal, and records of the Imperial noble houses.

One of its branches, the Documents Division, handled matters regarding documents of ownership. Bearers of appropriate ownership documents could amend them to rename the official names of their residence by submitting the proper forms and payments to the appropriate Construction Charter (such as the Anvil Construction Charter or Cyrodiil Construction Charter) and by filing duplicate forms with the Documents Division. It is unknown when the institution was founded, but it was active during the Second, Third, and Fourth Era.

Imperial College

The Imperial College is an Imperial academic institution. Little is known of the academy, except that it publishes books on topics of the research of magic,, philosophy, and religious beliefs. One of its elective courses was Cyrodilic philosophy. Its upper-level course is described as rather esoteric in nature. Books published by the scholars of the academy were widely available during the Second, Third, and Fourth Eras. One of the titles of the College was Praeceptor, a title shared with the Imperial Battlemages of Battlespire.

Imperial College of the Voice

The Imperial College of the Voice was an Imperial institution devoted to the restoration of the art of Thu'um established by Tiber Septim in Markarth at some point during his rule in the Third Era in an attempt to turn the Way of the Voice to warfare. According to the Elven commentary the Grand Master of the College was said to be a former street performer in Windhelm. Some of the Nordic families loyal to the Empire sent some of their own children to the academy.

Imperial Commission of the Occupation

The Imperial Commission of the Occupation was an Imperial administrative institution active in the Third Era. It was responsible for law enforcement within the provinces that constituted as parts of the Empire. Although the Commission was generally tolerant of various cults, it outlawed practices and groups deemed hostile to the Emperor and the Empire. It was authorized to imprison and execute members of such faiths. In Morrowind, Imperial Commission of the Occupation allowed the Ordinators to serve as religious law enforcers themselves. Although, at that time the Daedra worship was legal within the perimeters of the Empire, certain other cults, such as the Nerevarine Cult were prosecuted.

Imperial Cult

The main religion of the Empire can trace its origins back Saint Alessia's institution of worship of the Eight Divines as a synthesis between the Aldmeri gods and the Nordic pantheon. Although known as the Imperial Cult in the provinces, strictly speaking this term refers the missionary arm of the religion, present in provinces such as Morrowind. As the majority religion in Cyrodiil, it is more commonly known in that province simply as the Church or the Chapel. After the apotheosis of Tiber Septim, Imperials began to spread belief in the Nine Divines, incorporating worship of the Empire's god-hero Talos. However, the Third Empire was forced to sign the White-Gold Concordat in 4E 175, which outlawed Talos worship.

Imperial Geographical Society

The Imperial Geographical Society (or Imperial Geographic Society) is a long-standing outfit responsible for the outlining and preservation of historical accounts within the whole of the Empire.

The Society has thrice been given the respected assignment of penning the Pocket Guide to the Empire, a broad overview of the history of the Tamrielic Empire. These guides, by definition of the Society, are to "paint a portrait of our known world at this moment in history for the edification of our readers [...] wide in scope".

The Society works on behalf of the Empire and in 2E 864, under the new united Tamriel and by authority of Tiber Septim, the first edition of the Pocket Guide to the Empire was published. The guide was largely used as an educational and informative tool to reassure the inhabitants of the new Empire. Parts of the guide were considered propagandist to emphasize this reassurance. The Society published the second version in 3E 331 and the propagandist tone was removed. The third edition appeared in 3E 432.

The Society also published Gathering Force: Arms and Armor of Tamriel and The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel in 2E 578, before the first pocket guide. An apparent branch of the Society, the Imperial Geographic Survey, published a census on the Daedra Lords around the same time as the third edition pocket guide was released.

Imperial Legion

The Imperial Legion, also known as the Red Legion, Imperial Army, Dragon-Tribe of the Emperor, and the Ruby Ranks, is the main fighting force of the Empire of Tamriel. It is often pluralized as the Imperial Legions. Headquartered in the Imperial City Prison, they operate under the auspices and authority of the Emperor himself. With its vast numbers, quality training, and rigid discipline, the Legion is considered one of the best armies ever assembled in history. The primary mission of the Imperial Legion is to preserve the peace and rule of law in the Empire. Those who protect the Emperor and the Imperial Province are sometimes called the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Watch. A Legion Centurion is typically in command of the Palace Guard of the White Gold Tower.

In peacetime, the Legion serves primarily as a garrison force — manning forts, patrolling roads, and providing guardsmen for towns, cities, counties, and nobles. They are empowered to arrest criminals and seize their property, among other things. In wartime, the Legion's responsibilities and powers are greatly increased. During conflicts, the Legion serves as an invading and occupying force, overwhelming opposition with numerical superiority and strict economy of force. The aquatic equivalent of the Imperial Legion is the Imperial Navy, with the two often overlapping.

For more information, see the main lore article.

Imperial Navy

The Imperial Navy, also known as the Imperial Fleet, is the Empire's aquatic force, complementing the land-based Imperial Legion. It is active during both wartime and peacetime, dealing with provinces such as Summerset in various wars and dealing with pirates in peacetime. The Navy's home port is the city of Anvil. The Imperial Navy also has an Imperial Naval Consortium, where many scholars work, with one known study there being vexillology.

Imperial Saints

The Imperial Saints are pious individuals venerated by the Church, the majority religion among Imperials. Devotions are often made to them as a group, known collectively as the Communion of Saints.

Many saints are historical figures who continue to be revered long after death. The Church also venerates Living Saints, individuals who have received a calling to live by the commands of their chosen Divine as an example to others. It is believed that saints are blessed by the Divines with a second sight and that they do not view the world as other mortals do. Saints are buried in the graves of Green Emperor Way among other important figures in the Empire.

The practice of saint-eating was popular in the First Era before it was banned at some point prior to 1E 2877. This involved the disinterring of a saint's body for use as an ingredient in the preparation of food. However, apocryphal accounts suggest the practice did not immediately cease. An ancient text called the "Scroll of Precursor Saints" was supposedly discovered by Abnur Tharn in the vaults of the White-Gold Tower in 2E 541.

Igrun Clan

The Igrun (or sometimes spelled Igron) was a little-known Orcish clan, which was notable in the tenth century of the First Era, where its chieftain Torug gro-Igron was the founder of one of the earliest and greatest incarnations of a true Orcish nation and the city of Orsinium.

Invisible College of Daggerfall

The Invisible College of Daggerfall was a Breton academic institution devoted to the scholarly pursuits active during the Interregnum in the Second Era. Little is known of the academy, except that it was based in Daggerfall and one of its members, Landal Gevont was the foremost authority on Goblin culture. He cooperated with Nordic institution, the Coterie of Organized Scholars during his research.

Iron Orcs

Iron Orcs, also known as the Osh Ornim, are an isolated Orcish civilization native to the Dragontail Mountains of Craglorn. They are known for their stone worship and their savage brutality, and are based in the Nordic ruins of the Valley of Scars. They tame Welwas, Wamasu and Trolls as war beasts, and primarily use iron arms and armor. They were also adept at alchemy and usage of nirncrux. They are culturally separate from other Orcs, and tend to cling to the old words more than most other Orcish cultures.

Iron Wheel

The Iron Wheel was an organization of bailiffs headquartered in Taneth during the Second Era. Originating from the Taneth branch of the Bailiffs Guild, when it and the rest of the guild collapsed following Imperial unrest, an inspector named Rhanbiq argued to retain the guild's former structure within the newly formed Iron Wheel. Despite the idealism of some of their members, the Iron Wheel had a reputation for zealotry and brutality.

The Wheel earned income by transporting prisoners to Taneth and transferring them into the custody of either the Taneth guard captain or an Iron Wheel bailiff to be held until trial. The Iron Wheel received payment upon delivering the prisoner, and the funds were used for the transport of personnel and supplies. Additionally, officers could officiate weddings. Members of the Iron Wheel did not make all of their own equipment, and at least some of their weapons and armor were supplied by the Merchant Lord Orahan at-Addin.

Ivory Brigade

The Ivory Brigade was a military force based out of Leyawiin during the Three Banners War. They were established to protect Blackwood against the three great alliances. The Ivory Brigade was founded by Rian Liore, a former Legionaire. He selected an ivory horse on a field of green, the ancient symbol of Leyawiin, to be the group's coat of arms. After being debated by Leyawiin's Chamber of Legates, the Brigade's name and function were officially implemented. After the fall of the Empire, the Brigade rose to replace its legions, recruiting veterans of the Three Banners War, native Blackwooders, and former legionaires, as well as using their armaments.