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The Colovian West

Tags: #Phil  #Imperials 
  • Member
    September 23, 2016

    I compiled this collection of quotes which I think best describe the Colovians of West Cyrodiil. These are my favourite Imperials and so this informs my view of them, but that is not to say the Nibenians are boring. Quite the opposite. This was originally going to be an RP thing as a lot of it is focussed on the dirrerences in character between Imperial east and west. However I thought it viable enough to share here.

     

    One thing which has always resonated with me is how Falkreath was at various stages part of Cyrodiil as well as Skyrim. During Tiber Septim’s rise to power, King Cuhlecain was from Falkreath which at that time was in Cyrodiil. So those tablets on the Seven Thousand Steps which say Talos was blessed and named Dovahkiin, that happens right after Talos gains his victory at Old Hroldan:

    “The Western Reach was at war. Cuhlecain, the King of Falkreath in West Cyrodiil, was in a bad situation. To make any bid at unifying the Colovian Estates, he needed to secure his northern border, where the Nords and Reachmen had been fighting for centuries. He allies with Skyrim at the Battle of Old Hrol'dan. Leading his forces was Hjalti Early-Beard. Hjalti was from the island kingdom of Alcaire, in High Rock, and would become Tiber Septim, the First Emperor of Tamriel.” ~ The Arcturian Heresy.

    The cities of Skingrad, Kvatch, Chorrol and Anvil make up the Colovian west.

    The different cultures of Colovia and Nibenay exist more in sources than they do in game, so it’s easy to see Imperials as being this two-dimensional Roman Legion thing. Yet that is really only for simplicity, in much the same way that in TES III and IV we saw Nords as “basically vikings” - which we know doesn’t do them justice. To get them as a people we need to peel back a few layers.
    In terms of why this could be the case, Reman united east and west in 1E 2703 which as of 4E 201 was about 1747 years ago unless I have derped. Even though the east and west separated again in the Second Era only to be united again by Talos, the Imperials as we know them today with their motifs, their military and their structure are pretty much the result of Reman’s and his Akaviri army’s influence.

    It becomes a case of how much you want your characters defined by region versus how much you want them more hegemonised. In terms of RP there then becomes a huge array of spices to add to the pot. Are they mixed, Colovian mother, Nibenian father and therefore have both cultural influences? Are they from the Imperial City and so exposed to not just Cyrodiilic cultures but cultures from every province? Etc...

    Enough from me, here are the quotes:

    “Shezarr is especially venerated in the Colovian West, though he is called Shor there, as the West Kings are resolutely, and religiously, Nordic ~ Shezarr and the Divines (Note, this book was written before Colovia became part of Empire. Nowadays the west have counts, not kings)

    “Skingrad seemed provincial, yes, but it was Colovian: direct, forthright, with clean lines and a certain spare, ascetic look to it. And its people are much the same way.
    The Imperial City, except for the walls and the Tower, which are Ayleid, is … Nibenese. Refined. Decorative. Subtle. Nuanced.
    Decadent. Corrupt.
    Like its people. And the people it attracts.” ~ Racial Motifs: Imperial Cyrods

    “The Crown's Hammer was off the main thoroughfare, around a corner and almost hidden in an alley. It was a half-timbered building, very old.” It catered mostly to Colovians, and serves a “strong, sweet” ale with “just a taste of juniper,” which is a Colovian style popular in western Cyrodiil but hard to find in the east.
    Colovians eastern Cyrodiil are primarily military.” ~ Imperial City (Gregg Keyes) Lore Notes (this ale can be found upstairs in the ruined inn at Helgen, aye?)

    “The West is respected as Cyrodiil's iron hand: firm, unwavering, and ever-vigilant. The Cyro-Nords that settled it had relinquished the fertile Nibenay Valley long ago, determined to conquer the frontier. Their primitive ferocity was disinclined to magic or the need for industry, preferring bloody engagement and plunder instead. After they had captured the Nedic port-cities of the Strident coast, the Westerners embarked on a mastery of the sea. Their earliest voyages took them as far as the Iliac Bay and the Cape of the Blue Divide, whose ports they annually raided until the (then) superior Yokudan navies arrived, ca. 1E810. By the time of the Alessian Reformation, the Westerners were firmly in a position, both geographically and socially, to resist its doctrines...The pantheon of Eight Divines, therefore, survived unchecked in Western Cyrodiil, and relations with the increasingly Alessian East became strained. Ultimately, the West isolated itself from the theocratic hegemony of the Nibenay Valley, establishing an autonomous government, the Colovian Estates.” ~ PGE First Edition

    “Under the Emperor Reman I, Cyrodiil became truly cosmopolitan, incorporating aspects of High Rock, Colovia, Nibenay and the sophisticated if strange culture of the defeated Akaviri into a common whole. The Cyrodilic Empire, also called the Second Empire, began again the process of expansion, founding a strong single nation, if not actually succeeding in conquering the entire continent.” ~ Pocket Guide to the Empire Third Edition

    “The Colovians today still possess much of the frontier spirit of their ancestors. They are uncomplicated, self-sufficient, hearty, and extremely loyal to one another. Whenever the East would tremble under the weakness of a leader, the Colovians would withdraw unto themselves, always believing they were keeping the national spirit safe until the storm passed. They realize that the Nibenay Valley is the heart of the Empire and the cultural center of its civilization, but it is a fragile center that only can be held together by the strength of character of its Emperor. When he falters, so do the Colovians. Yet when he is mighty, like Tiber Septim, they are his legions. Today, West Cyrodiils make up the majority of the soldiers in the Ruby Ranks. The Colovian nobility, all officers of the Imperial Legions or its West Navy, do not allow themselves the great expenditure of courtly life as is seen in the capital city. They prefer immaculate uniforms and stark standards hanging from the ceiling of their austere cliff-fortresses; to this day, they become a little perplexed when they must visit the grandly decorated assault of color that is the Emperor's Palace.” ~ PGE First Edition

    (Bretons) honor the religion of the Eight Divines, and are nearly as devout as Colovian Imperials.”~ Improved Emperor’s Guide

    “Located in the heart of the West Weald highlands, Skingrad is the gem of Old Colovia, and a model of the Colovian virtues of independence, hardwork, and tough-mindedness.” ~ Guide to Skingrad

  • Member
    September 23, 2016

    An excellent compilation, Phil! :D

    I was actually trying to search more about the Colovians before I stumbled upon this article. What's the difference between Colovians and Nibeneses anyways (aside from their geographical locations)? They don't seem to have much respect for each other based on Abnur Tharn's quote.

  • September 23, 2016

    You know, this is something I´ve missed in Oblivion. Not exactly the cultural difference  between Colovians and Nibenese - though I really like how the left hand is made of iron the the right one of silk - but the...rivalry between them. I mean, Oblivion of all TES games solely lacks the racism, it lacks the "race divided" thing which is very prominent in Skyrim. I wish Bethesda made these two people talking about each other and all that. 

    It´s funny though. How many people actually know about Colovians and Nibenese? I would be all for fleshing them more in next instalment, making the differences more prominent. 

    Good stuff, mate. :)

  • Member
    September 23, 2016

    Axius Revan said:

    An excellent compilation, Phil! :D

    I was actually trying to search more about the Colovians before I stumbled upon this article. What's the difference between Colovians and Nibeneses anyways (aside from their geographical locations)? They don't seem to have much respect for each other based on Abnur Tharn's quote.

    Heh, happy coincidence :)

    I terms of racial traits they are more closely linked to the Nords I would say. I think the Heartlanders are more Nedic while the westerners have Nordic ancestry. Yet all that is sort of moot considering how many years have passed since the Alessian Rebellions. The main difference is in culture and society which the quotes above sort of illustrate, I hope.

     

  • September 23, 2016

    Axius Revan said:

    An excellent compilation, Phil! :D

    I was actually trying to search more about the Colovians before I stumbled upon this article. What's the difference between Colovians and Nibeneses anyways (aside from their geographical locations)? They don't seem to have much respect for each other based on Abnur Tharn's quote.

    Abnur is High-Troll. Don´t pay much attention to him. He´s like Old Mary of Nibenese Superiority :D

    The difference is best described in PGE First Edition. 

    Today, West Cyrodiils make up the majority of the soldiers in the Ruby Ranks. The Colovian nobility, all officers of the Imperial Legions or its West Navy, do not allow themselves the great expenditure of courtly life as is seen in the capital city. They prefer immaculate uniforms and stark standards hanging from the ceiling of their austere cliff-fortresses; to this day, they become a little perplexed when they must visit the grandly decorated assault of color that is the Emperor's Palace.”

    Basicaly, Colovia gives the empire the best soldiers. Try to imagine military families and all that. While Nibenese are traders, poloticians, mages and other things like that, they are basicaly running the Empire. You could say Colovia is the body, while Nibenese is the mind. 

  • September 26, 2016

    Nice write-up Phil! Gives a good insight into how much Colovians are cooler than other Imperials :)

    Also lately when I was looking up Colovian lore it seems that at the time of the Oblivion Crisis Bruma is considered part of Nibeney but during the 2nd Era it was part of Colovia, which to me makes more sense considering how Nordic leaning the place is.

  • September 26, 2016
    Might be because Countess Carvain is Nibenese.
  • Member
    September 26, 2016

    Veloth the Vampire-Hunter said:

    Nice write-up Phil! Gives a good insight into how much Colovians are cooler than other Imperials :)

    Also lately when I was looking up Colovian lore it seems that at the time of the Oblivion Crisis Bruma is considered part of Nibeney but during the 2nd Era it was part of Colovia, which to me makes more sense considering how Nordic leaning the place is.

    Thanks Vel. I am sure when I get around to doing a Nibenese version I willl be saying that they are my favourite imperials :P

  • September 26, 2016

    Yeah could be Karver. I wonder what way it leans during Skyrim. If the Empire was smart I would think they would have Nibenay ruled being how close it is to the Skyrim border. Wouldn't want any conflicted loyalties.

    Haha yeah Phil that's always the way. You think you know what races you like and what you don't until you dig in to them and find out they are pretty cool after all.

  • September 26, 2016
    One thing that always interested me is that Falkreath was sometimes Nordic, sometimes Colovian. But what about Bruma? Is there a precedent for land south of Jerrals being Nordic/part of Skyrim? I mean, it doesn't make much sence you know. Falkreath is on the other side of Jerrals, very difficult place to hold if Colovians take it. Because there's only one route from Cyrod there but Nords have more access points to it. From a strategic point Falkreath being part of Empire doesn't make much sence to me. What about political point then? What is the advantage of having a land that's difficult to access and is in middle of "enemy" territory?