Forums » The Lounge

• Veloth the Prophet

  

  • 641 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 6:47 PM EST

  Excluding the Hold Capitals, what town/settlement/stronghold do you think is ether the largest, most powerful or most important? Before the dragon wrecked Helgen it looked pretty big but it didn't seem to have much in the way of commerce and I know none of the strong holds are big but they kind of have the best mines on lock. Anyway what do you guys think?

• Veloth the Prophet

  

  • 641 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 7:12 PM EST

  Yep, everything that isn't a Hold Capital counts.

• Kyrielle Atrinati

  

  • 291 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 7:14 PM EST

  Hmm, Dragon Bridge is, from a tactical standpoint, the most important town.  If you take Dragon Bridge, you can create a choke hold for anyone coming to invade Solitude by the roads, or you can seige the city by cutting off supplies.  Nevertheless, whoever owns Dragon Bridge owns the road to Solitude.

  But economically, I'd have to say Rorikstead.  It's a relatively large farmland with plenty of room to grow.  It sits on a main road to Solitude, Morthal, and Markarth, two of which are very wealthy and powerful cities.  It's also on the western "gate" to the north of Skyrim, so it's likely to see a lot of traffic.

• jakeG

  

  • 79 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 7:23 PM EST

  Ivarstead, since you'll need to pass through there to become Dragonborn and/or learn the way of the voice. By that extension, the one that controls Ivarstead gets to control who is allowed passage up to the Greybeards.

• Veloth the Prophet

  

  • 641 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 7:34 PM EST

  I always liked that Ivarstead was important enough to have Ivarstead Guards instead of Riften Guards, I just wish they had uniqe armor and shield emblem, also it would be cool if they escorted pilgrims up and to High Hrothgar  

• Veloth the Prophet

  

  • 641 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 7:43 PM EST

  Yea it is kinda backwater tbh, I just liked the place lol! I kinda hoped it would be the religious center of Skyrim but really that's Windhelm

• Zach

  

  • 253 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 7:43 PM EST

  There is a backdoor up the mountain?

• jakeG

  

  • 79 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 7:47 PM EST

  Traveling to High Hrothgar requires taking the 7,000 steps, beginning in Ivarstead.

  I'm guessing the 7000 steps is symbolic and holds some deeper meaning in the lore. If you take the backdoor up the mountain, you'll be skipping out on the initiation and that probably wouldn't be what the Greybeards would want.

• Veloth the Prophet

  

  • 641 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 8:07 PM EST

  Would you guys say Narzulbur is the strongest Orc Stronghold?

• Cold Steel

  

  • 37 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 10:16 PM EST

  Yeah i think so as its mine is more defendable than the other strongholds.

• Veloth the Prophet

  

  • 641 posts
   

  December 28, 2013 10:25 PM EST

  Also it's one of the only 2 ebony mines

• Zach

  

  • 253 posts
   

  December 29, 2013 12:18 AM EST

  My life just improved so much!

  Is it really quicker though, there are a bunch of hags and a hag raven and all...

• Veloth the Prophet

  

  • 641 posts
   

  December 29, 2013 12:27 AM EST

  I'v got it! The answer is totally Blackreach 

• Cold Steel

  

  • 37 posts
   

  December 29, 2013 12:37 AM EST

  Blackreach isn't really a town per se but an entire underground region.

• Veloth the Prophet

  

  • 641 posts
   

  December 29, 2013 12:49 AM EST

  it's a city 

• Dylan

  

  • 52 posts
   

  December 29, 2013 1:04 AM EST

  Black reach is more of a city than a town. But if it counts it has the most way in Terms of defense mechanisms to kill intruders. Also Blackreach looks gorgeous! Have you explored just busting all the location in Blackreach for just like a couple hours. If not I highly recommend you do. (Also be on the lookout for Crimson nirnroot)
• The Bard

  

  • 74 posts
   

  December 31, 2013 7:19 PM EST

  7000 steps? Eff that, I'm going around the back.