Morthal

Template:City infobox

"Morthal's small population and relatively remote location have kept it distant from most major conflicts in recent years."

―Morthal Loading Screen

Morthal is one of the nine major cities of Skyrim and the capital of the Hjaalmarch Hold. It is implied that the city of Morthal was named after Morihaus-Breath-of-Kyne, a hero of the Imperials during St. Alessia's time.

By game

• Morthal (Skyrim)

Description

Geography

Morthal is the smallest city in all of Skyrim, not counting Winterhold when it was destroyed in The Great Collapse in 4E 122. Morthal's size can be comparable to the towns of Dragon Bridge and Riverwood. Morthal is also not built on the main road as the other cities in Skyrim. Instead, it is based off the road near Snowhawk. Morthal has one large stretch off the road that goes through the town. Upon entering the city to the south, you will see the Highmoon Hall to the left and the alchemy shop to the east. South of the shop is boardwalk extending into the swamp. The Guardhouse and two residential homes are built on it. Continuing north from Highmoon Hall is the local inn, another house tucked into a mountain, and a bridge leading to the sawmill and the marsh.

Traditions

• The story of the Pale Lady has been passed around for generations in Morthal. The story goes that the Pale Lady was a ghostly woman who roams the northern marshes to find her lost daughter. She would kidnap children that wander off alone.

History

Second Era

During the Alliance War, Skyrim was divided into two different provinces each with their own High King. Western Skyrim, which encompassed Whiterun, Falkreath, Morthal, and Solitude believed in the Moot and elected Svargrim to be High King while Eastern Skyrim, which encompassed Windhelm, Winterhold, Riften, and Dawnstar believed in what the Crown of Verity chose and had Freydis be elected High Queen. Because of this, Skyrim is divided and Western Skyrim doesn't serve the Ebonheart Pact with its eastern brothers.

Fourth Era

Main article: Morthal (Skyrim)

In 4E 201, Morthal was under the leadership of Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone who among the people of Morthal was disliked for being an introvert and not communicating with the citizens. Around the same time, Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak destroys High King Torygg with the power of his Thu'um and initiated the Skyrim Civil War between the Old Holds and the Imperial Holds in Skyrim. The city of Morthal joined Solitude in its fight against the Old Holds of Skyrim.

Tragedy struck Morthal when a local citizen named Hroggar survived a house fire on the western end of town unlike his wife and daughter, who both died in the fire. The Last Dragonborn arrived into town after the fire and was tasked by the Jarl into investigating the cause of the fire. It was discovered that Laelette of Morthal was the creator of the flame and a Vampire that tried to turn Hroggar's daughter, Helgi into a Vampire. When the Dragonborn defeated her, they traveled to Movarth's Lair, a cave found north of Morthal where the Master Vampire, Movarth Piquine was located. The Dragonborn defeated Movarth and avenged Helgi's death.

Jorgen Axe-Bearer of Morthal was the 8th Generation of Clan Axe-Bearer to guard the Hilt of Mehrunes' Razor from any remnants of the Mythic Dawn or the Drothmeri Army. The Keepers of the Razor are a group of warriors that was formed after the Oblivion Crisis to destroy the Mythic Dawn cult until they discovered Mehrunes' Razor in some way. Each piece of the dagger was given to the highest-ranked members, and they were passed down from generation to generation. Jorgen Axe-Bearer lived in Morthal and had the hilt. It was eventually taken away, and Mehrunes' Razor was rebuilt.

Gallery

Morthal circa 4E 201.

Morthal Insignia.

Morthal Watchman (Legends).png

Morthal Watchman in Legends.

Morthal Executioner (Legends).png

Morthal Executioner in Legends.

Trivia

• Morthal is the only city in Skyrim to not originate from The Elder Scrolls: Arena.
  • Morthal replaces Snowhawk as the capital of Hjaalmarch while Markarth replaced Snowhawk as the 8th city in Skyrim.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
• The Elder Scrolls: Legends (mentioned only)

References

Notice: The following are unlicensed references. They are not copyrighted by a ZeniMax Media company, but can still be considered part of The Elder Scrolls lore and are included for completeness.