Summary
Most ofThe Elder Scrollsgames are set in Tamriel, one of the main continents of the planet called Nirn. It consists of over nine provinces, some of which are the main settings of the latest mainline titles likeSkyrimandMorrowind. Other provinces, like Valenwood, were only explored inElder Scrolls: ArenaandThe Elder Scrolls Online. Valenwood is known for its lush greenery and hidden cities. Plus, it has a significant place in elven history, with sacred forests and ancient ruins.
Valenwood is the ancestral home ofThe Elder Scrolls’ Wood Elves, also known as the Bosmer. It’s a coastal plain that’s filled with dense forests and has a subtropical climate. This province is also inhabited by Centaurs, Wood Orcs, and Imga. Another defining feature of this province is the migratory trees that the Bosmer have built cities on. This province has four regions, each with important historical landmarks, some of which carry mysterious magical secrets.
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A Look Into the Important Locations in Valenwood’s Four Major Regions
The Malabal Tor region is located on the northwestern side of Valenwood, which faces the Gold Coast of Cyrodiil and the Strid River. It’s home to the Ouze, which is a tar pit thatThe Elder Scrolls’ Bosmersbelieve to be connected to their feared afterlife of the Ooze. The Wood Elves believe that the Ooze are formless beings of chaos, which is a punishment by the god Y’ffre for those who harm the forests of Valenwood. Their spirits will be stuck in a purgatorial state with their remains forever, with no choice but to watch life go by them without the ability to interact with the living. Malabal Tor also hosts Silvenar, the region’s religious center. Wood Orcs have staked claims in this region’s vast forests.
To the east of Malabal Tor is Reaper’s March, which shares a border withElsweyr. Because of this, the region often sees a lot of raids from the neighboring Khajit and Colovians. One can find remnants of Colovian and Khajiti religious sites in the area. This is also home to the city-state of Arenthia, which is best known as a trade city because of its proximity to Valenwood’s neighboring provinces.
The region of Grahtwood is in the southeast of Valenwood. Its name comes from the towering Graht-oaks that cover it, and its capital, Elden Root, is built on a massive Graht-oak known as the Elden Tree. Because of its dense forest and deep connection to nature, Elden Root is known as the heart of the Wood Elven nation. This province is also the birthplace ofthe Aldmeri Dominion, where the Wood Elves of Grahtwood, the Altmer of the Summerset Isles, and the Khajiits of Elsweyr allied to quash the civil war within the region.
Located west of Grahtwood is Greenshade, which is home to the province’s forest emissaries, like the Eldest. This is a Strangler plant that is believed to have been in Valenwood since it was established. Bosmers who honor the Green Pact are obligated to make a pilgrimage to its den. The ancient town of Hectahame is also located within Greenshade; it’s believed that the soul of the province resides within this city, which is represented by a large tree known as the Heart of Valenwood. Despite its religious significance, no Wood Elf would dare visit it, as it’s guarded by hostile and fierceAyleidwards.
Valenwood is one of the most historically rich provinces of Tamriel. It’s where the Aldmeri Dominion started, which saw a rare unification between the Elven and Khajiit civilizations. It’s also home to sacred forests whereWood Elves honor the Green Pact. If there’s any setting that deserves to be the center of the nextElder Scrollsgame, it’s this one.
The Elder Scrolls Onlineis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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