Entry 27 - The Dunmeri Wilds (5E135)

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Entry posted by Linoa06 · December 6, 2015

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Hiya everyone

I've been gone a little while (coughfalloutcough) and I've decided to pitch my CJ in a new direction. The country is divided in three : Amesbury represents the older, industrial North, while Glenvale is the picture of a far younger city in what was Cathnoquey's last frontier, the Wild Wild South. But there's a part of the country we've not talked much about : the Dunmeri Wilds and Perwyn Island, the area north-west of the country.

These areas were settled the first, actually, by Dunmers from House Hlaalu fleeing persecution from Morrowind. However, despite their close ties to the Imperials, an intense competition developed during the Colonization period of the late Fourth Era, as of course the Dunmers had the best harbors and the nicest land. When Cathnoquey held its war of independance from Cyrodiil, skirmishes occured between the two nations.

They managed to eventually form an uneasy federation, but it broke down into civil war shortly after. It was a bloody war which led to absolutely no change, as the Dunmers rejoined Cathnoquey again - but there is still a strong cultural and geographical divide between Perwyn Island and mainland Cathnoquay. Let's drive to the biggest Dunmeri town today - let's go to Westport!

As you can see, getting to Westport from Glenvale is harder than it sounds. You can drive - it takes a good 7 hours to reach the city of Wodenbury (featured here), plus three hours of ferry to Maargan. You can also take the train - there are express trains running in just under three hours from Glenvale to Wellsborough, though it also takes three hours to get from Wellsborough to Wodenbury, and once again, there's a ferry to take.

Perwyn Island's main road is in fact not a motorway, but a 2x2 lane road. The traffic simply doesn't justify a more expensive freeway, especially one that doesn't connect to the mainland interstate system...

The landscape on Perwyn Island is very different from the vast and sunny fields of southern Cathnoquey. Here, hilly terrain is the norm. Perwyn is known for its countless little creeks and rivers that criss-cross the island.

As we near Westport, the road widens to include a median lane. Westport is home to about 100'000 inhabitants, and the road is the only major roadway feeding into the area.

Lorde Circle, at the gates of Westport, also known as Perwyn's Largest Roundabout. Historically, it has been the start of the Perwyn Cycling Tour, which is held every summer across the island.

Westport feels very different from Glenvale. It's sure colder, though not particularly wetter - well, it does rain a lot more here. In recent years though its beaches have become prized by people fleeing the heat waves, forest fires, and beach hysteria common in the south.

As one of the country's oldest towns, Westport boasts a very large heritage. Castle Hlaalu, also known as the Citadel, is one of the iconic landmarks of the city. It sits on an artificial island, and though it does not guard entry into harbour anymore, it is still a very impressive structure.

The southern parts of Westport are home to countless canals in what used to be the industrial area of town (the original "Westport"). Since the 50s, it has become a very posh suburb and another destination for tourists.

Westport is defined not just by its coastline, but also by its flora. The Floral Park in downtown Westport was created in 5E21 as a cricket field but quickly converted into a city park. Various local personalities have donated towards its upkeep, and Westport won the Tamriel Floral City Award twice in recent history : in 5E123 and 5E127.

There are many other parks in Westport, such as Primrose Park, which replaced the old Guildhall after an electrical fire destroyed the historic building entirely.

When the traffic jams subside, it can actually be quite nice to drive through the city. Many of the avenues are tree laned.

There aren't many high-rises in Westport. Belmont Tower and the Shivering Wheel dominate the cityscape. There are many post-Victorian buildings though (or at least the Tamrielic equivalent of a Victorian period).

The city centre is surrounded by tight-knit terraced suburbs built from the 40s to the 60s to accomodate a massive housing crisis and demographic boom.

The Town Hall and its plaza are popular meeting spots in the city. In summer it's not uncommon to see people bathing in the fountain itself.

The Church of the Nerevarine is the oldest building still standing in Westport (older than the Citadel). It was specifically built in a lavish yet outlandish style, even by Vvardenfell standards, by an eccentric Hlaalu councilor. HIs name was lost to the sands of time, but his legacy remains intact and well preserved.

Victory Column marks the middle of the colonial town, with the Cathedral of Zenithar to the right of the picture.

The city might be remote, but there is an efficient bus network linking the city together. It all converges at the train station in the middle of town.

Trains go back and forth across the island. Only one line remains open to passenger traffic but there are several freight only branches.

Westport is one of the only major cities more readily available by plane. Flights to Wellsborough only take an hour, and flights to Glenvale take under two hours.