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"The East Empire Company is a monopolistic merchantile enterprise charted by the Emperor and managed by a board of directors appointed by the Emperor. The Company has sole authority to trade in certain goods, like flin, raw ebony, raw glass, and Dwemer artifacts, and it also enjoys favorable tariffs and regulations for import and export of other common and exotic goods, like kwama eggs, marshmerrow pulp, saltrice, and Telvanni bug musk. Because of its wealth and the favor of the Emperor, the East Empire company wields considerable influence in the Duke's administration."
Okan-Shei[src]

The East Empire Company, also known as the East Empire Trading Company[2] and abbreviated as the EEC[3] or the EETC,[4][5] is a powerful, multi-national, "monopolistic mercantilist"[6] trading company in Tamriel, that is controlled by the Empire. It is also a joinable faction in Morrowind expansion The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon, and is also encountered in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

History[]

Third Era[]

When exactly the East Empire Company was founded is unknown, but it first appeared in Morrowind. It is however known that it has existed at least for 5 centuries in 4E 201, meaning that it has existed since at least 3E 134.[3]

In the year 3E 427, the East Empire Company had holdings on Vvardenfell district of Morrowind, with Ebonheart and Caldera being noteworthy locations.[7][8][9]

They also sought to expand to Solstheim due to the large quantity of Raw Ebony which was found there.[10] In a few months, the town known as Raven Rock was built, where employees of the Company started mining for Ebony.[10] Though some competition existed between the lawful ruler of the land, Carnius Magius, and his second-in-command, Falco Galenus, this proved to ultimately be no problem for the Company's interests.[11][10] The ebony that the town yielded was exported to Windhelm in Skyrim.[10] Only 5 years later, the town was home to over 30 people, most of which relied on the mine for an income. The town was nearly exclusively Imperial, though some Nords were drawn to the town as well due to the value of the ebony.[10] Prior to the Oblivion Crisis breaking out, the Nords of Solstheim sought to conquer the island of Solstheim, fighting against the garrison of Raven Rock, which was stationed at Fort Frostmoth.[12] Though many Imperial soldiers died, the Nords were unsuccesful in claiming the island.[12] It is unknown if the wealth of Raven Rock played a part in this.

When the Oblivion Crisis did take place, it was said that Raven Rock was spared most of its damage due to there being no record of Oblivion Gates on Solstheim. As a result, everyone was still going to work as they had done the years before.[10] What happened to the guard force stationed on Solstheim is contradicted. While History of Raven Rock, Vol. I claims that the bulk of the Legionnaires stationed on Solstheim were recalled to Cyrodiil, Chancellor Ocato of the Elder Council said that he had been pleading for troops for Cyrodiil for weeks, but was not granted them due to the Imperial army already being fully committed in the other provinces.[13] Ocato also did not want to risk the other provinces becoming upset and resulting in a full-scale political crisis by him recalling the Legions.[13]

Fourth Era[]

After the Oblivion Crisis had ended and the Fourth Era began, House Redoran, which had lost Ald'ruhn, negotiated with the Company on being allowed entry to the town. The Company agreed, and the Redoran began to follow the mining live.[10] The situation was well under control until in 4E 5, the Red Mountain erupted,[10] resulting in the garrison at Fort Frostmoth being wiped out.[14] While the Company itself had created a wall while constructing Raven Rock,[15] it was destroyed by the events of the eruption.[10] Most of the population of Raven Rock was, ironically, saved by working in the mine, as the people were safe from the blast.[10] Due to the destruction of Fort Frostmoth, there were only a few guards, as the others had died during the eruption.[10] Due to this, Brara Morvayn brought in the Redoran Guard to replace the fallen Imperial soldiers, and have been guarding the city ever since.[10] During this time, the ash storms from the eruption made life on Raven Rock difficult.[16] As such, Brara Morvayn proposed to construct the Bulwark, a wall surrounding Raven Rock in defense against the ash storms. Morvayn's idea was quickly accepted and funded by the company, and resulted in the population being able to work as they had done before.[16] In 4E 10, the Company asked Gratian Caerellius to go to Solstheim due to the uncovery of a Nordic burial under the Raven Rock Mines, due to him being from Solstheim originally.[1][17] This investigation would prove to be a waste of time, however, as Gratian died when he tried to take the Bloodskal Blade with him to the outside world, due to being beset by Draugr.[17] In 4E 16, when Skyrim offered Solstheim to the Dunmer people, the Company had to abandon the settlement due to Morrowind being independent from the Empire.[18][16] As a result of the power changing hands from the Company to the Redoran, most Imperials left the town and returned to Cyrodiil.[16] In 4E 201, a local Dunmer of Raven Rock, Fethis Alor asked in a letter to Vittoria Vici if the Company wanted to buy his business on Raven Rock, but was declined due to the Company not seeing any financial advantage to setting up business on the island of Solstheim.[3]

Shipping map

An East Empire Shipping Map from 4E 201.

In Skyrim, the Thieves Guild was trying to gain some influence in the company, but were ultimately unsuccesful.[19] At the same time, the Company itself had problems with pirates,[20] resulting in Solitude's Warehouse not getting new shipments, and the office in Windhelm not being able to function.[21] Due to the lack of soldiers as a result of the Skyrim Civil War, the company itself had limited forces to spare.[20] Sending troops out would result in less security for the company. Aside from which, they did not know the base of operations of the pirates, nor did they think attacking single ships would solve the problem.[20] It turned out that Clan Shatter-Shield had been hiring the Blood Horker pirates to raid the East Empire Company's ships, while their own shipments would gain more profit due to the lack of alternatives.[20][22] After the pirate issue was resolved, the Company would not dock ships in Windhelm, but Solitude regained its trade,[20] Windhelm would now be used for paperwork.[20]

Locations[]

The East Empire trading company has holdings in many eastern territories of the Cyrodilic Empire, such as Morrowind, Skyrim and Solstheim. The company owns the East Empire Company Warehouse just outside of Solitude and offices in Windhelm. It has a monopoly over trade in the Eastern Provinces, this is primarily due to the fact that the company is chartered by the Emperor of Tamriel, whose Legions also protect it.[23]

Trade[]

The East Empire Company controls the trade of kwama eggs, Telvanni Bug Musk, mazte, sujamma and other local products of Morrowind as well as imports, such as flin and Cyrodiilic Brandy.[6] The high price of flin imports may be attributed to the Company's complete control on prices, due to lack of competition. In Morrowind, they have made the trade of Raw Ebony and Dwemer artifacts illegal.[24] Those under the employ of the Company can get certificates which are worth a number of gold.[25] These certificates can be used to pay off bounties.[26]

Influences[]

Many senior ranking officers in the company are seen as corrupt and are resented by some people in the provinces, who see the businessmen as Imperial colonials robbing the local resources. The East Empire Company provides employment and financial stability to the Empire. House Hlaalu and the East Empire Company, who owns the Caldera Mining Company, in the town of Caldera, compete over ebony business.[27]

Offices[]

East empire sign

The East Empire Company plaque.

The East Empire Company has offices in Ebonheart, CalderaFort Frostmoth and the ebony mining colony in Raven Rock on Solstheim in Morrowind. In Skyrim, the Company has offices in Windhelm and a large warehouse and offices under Solitude. Its headquarters are in the Imperial City in Cyrodiil, it also has large warehouses in the Waterfront District of the city.

Every company chapter is headed by a Factor who directs and controls the affairs of the company in his or her region.[28][29] As a high-ranking official of the company, they have the right to construct an estate on the company premises, such as the large Factor Estate adjacent to the company's ebony mine inside of Raven Rock.[30]

Joining the East Empire Company[]

During the events of The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon, it is possible for the Nerevarine to join the company by interacting with Carnius Magius and rise in their ranks to complete quests.

Ranks[]

Rank Required Attributes Required Skills
0. Underling Personality 30, Willpower 30
1. Clerk Personality 30, Willpower 30 One skill at 10
2. Steward Personality 30, Willpower 30 One skill at 20
3. Fixer Personality 30, Willpower 30 One skill at 30, two at 5
4. Agent Personality 30, Willpower 30 One skill at 40, two at 10
5. Negotiator Personality 31, Willpower 31 One skill at 50 two at 15
6. Officer Personality 32, Willpower 32 One skill at 60, two at 20
7. Deputy Personality 33, Willpower 33 One skill at 70, two at 25
8. Factor Personality 35, Willpower 35 One skill at 90, two at 35

Quests[]

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind[]

Morrowind[]

The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon[]

Solstheim[]

This quest splits into 2 questlines after the quest "Making a Choice." Quests for Falco are marked labeled (Falco) and quests for Carnius are labeled (Carnius)

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[]

Skyrim[]

The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn[]

Solstheim[]

Members[]

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind[]

Morrowind[]

The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon[]

Solstheim[]

The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn[]

Solstheim[]

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[]

Skyrim[]

Trivia[]

  • Because the EEC was added as a faction by Bloodmoon, the East Empire Members found in Ebonheart, on Vvardenfell, are not integrated into the faction.
  • The East Empire Trading Company shares many similarities with the real-life British and Dutch East India Companies. Like its in-game counterpart, both companies enjoyed legal monopolies on trade with the Americas and the East Indies, which were granted by the government. Both companies also enjoyed being in favor with the reigning authorities (the monarch in Britain's case and the Stadholder in the Netherland's case), which greatly aided their operations abroad. Further similarity is seen in the endemic corruption and undue political influence wielded by the East Empire Trading Company, something which both the British and Dutch companies were infamous for.
  • After the quest for re-opening the company is completed, Hold Guards will sometimes thank the player and say that they are going to have the company import them "some Aged Breton Cheese."
  • Despite being a strong economic power, and granting the Empire part of their income, the Empire finances, and protects, the Company. The Emperor also elects the board of leading figures of the Company.

Appearances[]

References[]

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