Lore:Summerset Isle

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Summerset Isle
Type Region
Continent Tamriel
Province Summerset Isles
Subregions Oleander Coast
Diren Valley
Appears in Arena, ESO
The landscape of Summerset Isle circa 2E 582
"Though we may pine for Old Ehlnofey, the golden warmth of the Divines will always dry our tears in the sun-kissed land of Summerset." —Our Blessed Isles: A Guide

Summerset[nb 1] (also referred to as: Summerset Isle, the Eternal Isle,[1] and Blessed Isle)[2][3] is a large island to the southwest of Tamriel's mainland. It is the largest of the three main islands in the Summerset Isles, which encompasses over a dozen more smaller islands. The province's capital city of Alinor is found here.

Geography[edit]

A fresco of Summerset Isle

The landscape of Summerset Isle is similar to that of its sister island of Auridon, with a warm climate, colorful forests, idyllic meadows, and craggy mountains. Most of the southern part of the island and a central region in the north are covered with mountains, with a central pass linking the western and eastern parts of the island.[4] The highest mountain on the island is Eton Nir, located in the northern region. Coral is abundant on the shores of Summerset Isle; the Coral Forest on the eastern shore is one of the best-known coral formations.[5] Coral formations are sometimes found far from the sea, which suggests original occupation by the Sload.[2] A river with two tributaries named The Clott flows into the northeastern shore.[6]

The isle is home to the city of Alinor, the capital of the Summerset Isles and the seat of the High Elven rulers since time immemorial. The city of Cloudrest sits atop Eton Nir, the highest mountain. Other major cities include Lillandril, Shimmerene, Sunhold, and Dusk. The Crystal Tower, one of the eight mythical focal points of Mundus, was once located in the northern mountains. Like Auridon, Summerset is also dotted with Aldmeri ruins.[7][2]

History[edit]

The Crystal Tower

Summerset Isle was colonized along with the other island in the archipelago by the Aldmer when they came from Aldmeris in the Merethic Era. The ancestors of the modern Altmer formed a caste-based society and established the city of Alinor as their capital. The First Era was a period of unrest, with internal conflicts between the city-states, as well as Sload and Maormer invasions. In the third millennium of the First Era, Summerset Isle was struck by the Thrassian Plague, which depopulated whole towns such as Corgrad. Since early times, Summerset Isle had been off-limits to almost all non-Altmer. In their isolation, the elves of the Isle developed a unique architectural style, more similar to the Falmeri style than to the architecture of Auridon.[8][2][9] The population on the Summerset Isle was three to four times larger in the late First Era, than it was in the mid Second Era.[UOL 1]

Alinor, the capital

In the sixth century of the Second Era, during the Interregnum, Queen Ayrenn, daughter of King Hidellith, formed the first Aldmeri Dominion, an alliance with Valenwood and Elsweyr whose goal was to conquer Cyrodiil and seize the Ruby Throne. Ayrenn chose Elden Root in Valenwood rather than Alinor to be the capital of the Dominion, and her cousin Alwinarwe ruled Summerset on her behalf. Around 2E 582, Ayrenn issued a decree that opened the borders of Summerset Isle for outsiders, which resulted in an influx of immigrants.[7] It remained open until roughly 2E 814 when foreign traders were only allowed at its ports.[10]

The Second Era also saw the Abyssal Cabal's plot to sink Summerset Isle. The Cabal were a group of Sea Sload who wanted to reclaim the island for their underwater kingdom of Ul'vor Kus. They joined forces with the Court of Bedlam, an alliance of the cultists of Nocturnal, Mephala, and Clavicus Vile who attempted to gain control over the Crystal Tower around 2E 582. Both groups were defeated by the combined efforts of the Vestige and the Psijic Order.[7]. At the end of the Second Era, the island was conquered by Tiber Septim in his unification of Tamriel under the Third Empire.

In the Third Era, Summerset Isle, along with the rest of the province, was officially incorporated into Tiber Septim's Empire. In 3E 110, the island was almost lost to the Maormer in the War of the Isle.[2] In the late fourth century of the Third Era, Summerset Isle was visited by the Eternal Champion, who retrieved one of the pieces of the Staff of Chaos from the Crystal Tower.[11] In 3E 433, the island was devastated by the Oblivion Crisis, with the hordes of the Daedra managing to topple the Crystal Tower. The forces of the Thalmor contributed greatly to repelling the Daedra, which later allowed them to gain control of the whole province, and ultimately form the Third Aldmeri Dominion, the dominant force in Tamriel in the early Fourth Era.[12]

Architecture[edit]

The city of Cloudrest atop Eton Nir, the highest mountain on Summerset Isle

The architectural style of many cities in Summerset Isle is unique from its counterparts on Auridon. White marble construction, ornate glass and metalwork, and enormous elegant towers are a signature found across the island.[7] According to some, Altmer build such vast towers because of the belief that they were once gods, and so they aspire to reach the heavens once more.[UOL 2]

The modern architectural style of Summerset has been refined for thousands of years, as is evident by the numerous ruins that dot the island sharing a similar style. Altmer architects are said to look into the past for inspiration and add new layers of refinement, elegance, and detail to their structures. This discipline of continual improvement is in line with the overarching cultural concept known as the "Path to Alaxon", where many Altmer dedicate their long lives striving for perfection in their life or work.[13][UOL 2]

Although human traders to the island have famously described the architecture of Summerset as being made from glass or insect wings,[10] this is believed to not be entirely accurate and was simply the viewpoint of outsiders attempting to explain what they saw.[UOL 2]

Flora[edit]

Grape fields
Crystal Tower and Summerset's wilderness

Summerset is known for its beautiful cherry blossom trees that come in pink and white varieties.[14][15][16] It also has red and purple maple trees as well as gingko,[17][18][16] sea grape,[19] spruce,[20] and mangrove.[21] Small plants that grow in the area include blue and purple wisteria,[22][23] yellow oleander,[24] pearlwort,[25] and glasswort.[26]

Fauna[edit]

A gryphon
An indrik

Summerset Isle was originally inhabited by species such as Gheatus, welwa, and Illyadi, which were exterminated by the Aldmer when they colonized the island (although the welwa were reintroduced into the island's ecosystem in the Second Era[27]). The most iconic Summerset animals are gryphons and deer-like indriks.[2][7] Additionally, the canah is the exotic bird of Summerset Isle, bred for its beautiful feathers.[1]

Notable Places[edit]

A map of the whole province
Alinor
The capital of the Summerset Isles. It is located on the western shore, along the Oleander Coast.
Cloudrest
A city perched atop Eton Nir, the tallest mountain.
Crystal Tower
Also known as Crystal-Like-Law, this structure was of symbolic importance to the Altmer just as White-Gold was for the Ayleids.
Dusk
A city on the southeastern tip of the island.
Eton Nir
The tallest mountain in the Summerset Isles, located near Cloudrest. It is the site of some of the Isles' most amazing architecture.
Lillandril
A city that is home to the College of Sapiarchs, located on the western shore.
Shimmerene
A city on the eastern shore, also known as the City of Lights.
Sollicich-on-Ker
Birthplace of Vanus Galerion.
Sunhold
A city with the largest port on the Isle, located on the southern shore. The main road to Sunhold winds its way through the Eastern Pass.

Gallery[edit]

  • Summerset (ESO)

Notes[edit]

  • ^1  The name "Summerset" is said to be a phonetic misconception of the Ehlnofex idea that "the sum is set," a line of Altmeri thinking based in their typical numerical fixations.[UOL 3]

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Gerrick's dialogue in Redguard
  2. ^ a b c d e f Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Blessed Isle: Alinor and the Summersets — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  3. ^ Proxy Queen Alwinarwe's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  4. ^ Summmerset in ESO: Summerset
  5. ^ Coral Forest in ESO: Summerset
  6. ^ Map of West Tamriel
  7. ^ a b c d e Events of ESO: Summerset
  8. ^ Wasting Away quest in ESO: Summerset
  9. ^ The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: The Summerset Isles: Auridon — Flaccus Terentius, 2E 581
  10. ^ a b Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Aldmeri Dominion — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  11. ^ Events of Crystal Tower in Arena
  12. ^ Rising Threat — Lathenil of Sunhold
  13. ^ Olnewil's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  14. ^ Tree, Tiered White Cherry in ESO
  15. ^ Tree, Tiered Pink Cherry in ESO
  16. ^ a b Tree, Ginkgo in ESO
  17. ^ Alinor Maple, Red in ESO
  18. ^ Alinor Maple, Purple in ESO
  19. ^ Tree, Sea Grapes in ESO
  20. ^ Tree, Summerset Spruce in ESO
  21. ^ Tree, Solitary Mangrove in ESO
  22. ^ Alinor Windowbox, Blue Wisteria in ESO
  23. ^ Alinor Windowbox, Purple Wisteria in ESO
  24. ^ Flower, Yellow Oleander in ESO
  25. ^ Plant, Pearlwort in ESO
  26. ^ Plants, Glasswort Patch in ESO
  27. ^ Restoring the Welwas — Ambolisse, Sapiarch of Zoological Studies

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.

  1. ^ Lawrence Schick - Summerfall Event Special: 19:15
  2. ^ a b c ESO Live Summerset Story and Lore
  3. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, Second Edition/Conceptualization, 3E 331
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