Hardcore fans of Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series know that Skyrim boasts quite a unique world compared to its predecessors. After all, Daggerfall might have the largest in-game map in the series. Morrowind and Oblivion also level up the aesthetics with their exotic and high-fantasy motifs. However, Skyrim has perhaps the most realistic take on Tamriel's northern province.
Skyrim boasts lush forests and snowy mountaintops that contribute to its unique socio-cultural setting. For instance, unlike other provinces, a High King governs the entirety of Skyrim alongside his Jarls, each in charge of their own Hold. However, Skyrim's setting seems to hide more than the complex interrelationships between Jarls, its unique wildlife, and many mysteries related to dragons.
10 The Mer Inhabited Skyrim First
Contrary to popular belief, not all Mer have come from the Summerset Isles. Historians of Skyrim discovered that the Falmer or the Snow Elves originally inhabited Skyrim prior to Nedic migration. Not much is known whether the Falmer splintered off Altmers or if they're their own society. However, it's said their technology and civilization rivaled even that of the Altmer in their prime. The Falmer also have a strong affinity with magic and resistance to cold.
Modern historians also stumbled upon ancient Dwemer or Drawven technology in Skyrim, hinting that both Dwemer and Falmer existed at some point in Skyrim's history. No one knows what happened to the Dwemer that caused their disappearance.
9 Skyrim Has Four Of Tamriel's Highest Mountains
Players of Skyrim would probably notice the abundance of mountain ranges all over the snowy continent. Interestingly, all of these mountain ranges belong to five of the tallest peaks across the entirety of Tamriel. Each of these mountains border Skyrim and another part of the continent.
The Jerall Mountains divide Skyrim and the Imperial home province of Cyrodiil. Meanwhile, the Druadach Mountains separate Skyrim and Hammerfell as well as the eastern section of High Rock.
Of Tamriel's five highest peaks, only Morrowind's Red Mountain lies outside Skyrim. Aside from Red Mountain, Velothi Mountains divide Skyrim and the Dunmer's home province.
8 Monahven Hasn't Always Been Tamriel's Highest Peak
Fans of Skyrim have at some point tried climbing to the top of the Throat of the World. This location, called Monahven in Dragon tongue, serves as the highest peak in Skyrim. However, it's also the highest peak in all of Tamriel. As such, players who get to the top of Monahven not only unlock "Throat of the World" as a location. Rather, they also get treated to one of the most amazing views in all of Skyrim.
However, Monahven hasn't always been Tamriel's highest peak. Sure, it served as Skyrim's highest mountain since all of recorded history, but Monahven used to be Tamriel's second-highest mountain, the first being Morrowind's Red Mountain. Unfortunately, the floating Ministry of Truth crashed into Vivec in the events of Morrowind, forcing the Red Mountain to erupt. As a result, much of Morrowind - particularly Vvardenfell - became uninhabitable.
7 The Nedes Migrated To Skyrim First
Ancient men - the Nedes of the Nedic people - would have migrated to Tamriel through Skyrim, had they migrated from the northern continent of Atmora. However, it seems it took the Nedes widespread propagation throughout Tamriel before even founding the aforementioned continent. At the time, Nedes called Tamriel"Mereth," after the Aldmeri Elves who lived in the continent prior to their arrival.
Unfortunately, racial tensions between the Aldmeri and Nedes culminated in the Night of Tears, where rangers and warriors of the Snow Elves razed Saarthal and slaughtered the humans living there. The Chieftain Ysgramor, who originally led the expedition to Tamriel, and his sons were the only ones who survived the onslaught. They sailed back to Altmer, gathered what would be known as the Five Hundred Companions, and slaughtered all Elves they have come across. They would claim new cities along the way, eventually ruling Tamriel's entire northern section.
6 Morrowind Once Belonged To The Nords
World-Eater Alduin's banishment and the end of the Dragon War led Skyrim to an era of relative peace and King Vrage the Gifted began the Skyrim Conquests. These campaigns would lead to the First Empire of the Nords, with King Vrage and the rest of Ysgramor's descendants ruling all Tamriel's northern section. Moreover, these territories would even include the entirety of Morrowind and most of the present High Rock.
Unfortunately, the death of King Vrage's descendant King Borgas will end the Skyrim Conquests and the First Empire. Moreover, a civil war divided Skyrim into independent kingdoms. They also lost Morrowind and High Rock, with the Nords not being able to reclaim them.
5 Dragons Used To Rule Skyrim
Dragons and their Dragon Cult used to rule over the Nords in the ancient days of Skyrim. Scholars attribute the worship of dragons to the same animal worship that Atmorans brought when they migrated to Tamriel. Religious scholars believe that these "totem animals" corresponded to the modern Divines, meaning dragon worship meant devotion to Akatosh the dragon. In turn, Dragon Priests also revered animals such as wolves, whales, snakes, owls, months, foxes, and even bears.
Players can also find various ancient temples scattered across Skyrim devoted to dragon worship. Most of these temples house the tombs of Dragon Priests, empowered by ancient Masks and guarded by undead draugr.
4 No One Knew Who Built The Skyforge
Players who play Skyrim for the first time may eventually see the iconic platform of the Skyforge - its bird statue and forge carved from its mother stone itself. However, what piqued the ancient Nords' interest was that the ancient Elves seemed to stay away from the Skyforge at all costs. In fact, others say the Skyforge predated the Snow Elf occupation of Tamriel.
Jorravskr's crew established the Jorravskr mead hall in the area surrounding the Skyforge. It eventually became Whiterun. Aside from containing the headquarters for the Companions' werewolf Circle, an "ancient" power within the Skyforge imbues all weapons it forges with lightning. Others say the gods themselves created the Skyforge in an effort to make a paradise in the Dawn Era, which failed after the sundering of the evil Lorkhan.
3 Cataclysms Plagued Ancient Skyrim
Fans might notice that the abundance of mountain ranges still remain strange for a northern continent like Skyrim. However, scholars surmise that various cataclysmic events in the Dawn Era actually resulted in the mountain ranges that populate the continent today.
In fact, only the Skyforge remains as the only relic in the Dawn Era that seems to point towards anything about these cataclysms. Moreover, the energies that allow the Skyforge to imbue its weapons with lightning energy remain a mystery to scholars until today.
2 Skyrim Has Its Own Set Of Standing Stones
Standing stones remain a mysterious part of Tamriel's wilderness. Despite their unknown origins, these standing stones often get attributed to the heavens, as they also grant blessings to those they deem worthy. Interestingly, different kinds of standing stones exist across Tamriel.
For instance, Solstheim has six All-Maker Stones attributed to the Atmoran All-Maker deity. Likewise, Cyrodiil's Doom Stones have attachments to astronomical bodies that explore nirn. Meanwhile, Mundus Stones are named after the 13 Birthsigns. Additionally, Runestones have green runes that people think date as back as the Dawn Era.
Lastly, Skyrim has Standing Stones also attuned to the 13 Birthsigns. Three Guardian Stones exist together while people found many others across the provinces.
1 Nordic Architecture Made Sense With Geography
As with exotic Morrowind and fantastical Cyrodiil, Skyrim's Nords have a distinct architectural aesthetic quite different from the other southern provinces. In the real world, their designs resembled that of the Vikings. However, the Nordic approach to architecture also had its roots in Skyrim's geography as a whole.
Nords branch out of conventional Tamrieli architecture given their focus on timber and wood. Nordic houses also use stones to form their primary structure, with wood only used for support. Moreover, their roofing systems also use straws. Most Nordic houses have underground foundations in order to conserve heat. Overall, this approach to structural design aims to maximize heat retention to accommodate Skyrim's harsh freezing climates.