Elder Scrolls, The (Longplay/Lore) - 0418: Riften (Skyrim)

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Sqotch 'Studios'

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Published on July 12, 2023 4:00:01 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XHHPYnXsrI

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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)

Duration: 7:20:02

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Riften (sometimes called Rifton) is one of the nine major cities in the province of Skyrim, and is the hold capital of the Rift. Built on the shores of Lake Honrich, nestled within the Fall Forest, Riften lies close to Skyrim's borders with Cyrodiil and Morrowind, and enjoys robust trade with the latter via the nearby pass through the Velothi Mountains.

Riften lies on the eastern shore of Lake Honrich, in a region of the Rift known as the Smokefrost Peaks, and is surrounded by the expansive Fall Forest. Lake Honrich is one of the largest lakes in northern Tamriel, and is connected to the smaller Lake Geir in the northwest by the winding Treva River. In the center of Lake Honrich lies the Isle of Gold. Riften, as with the rest of the Rift, enjoys a relatively temperate climate compared to the other Old Holds thanks to the mountains of Ysgramor's Teeth, which separates the Rift from Eastmarch and the Sea of Ghosts, blocking the cold weather that comes from the north. One of the Standing Stones, the Shadow Stone, can be found overlooking the city from the southern gate. Much of the land surrounding Riften is farmland, such as the Merryfair Farm, the Snow-Shod Farm, and the Thornwell Farm, among others. Fort Greenwall serves an important bulwark against incursions from the north. Riften was also neighbored by several settlements, including Greenwall to the west, Vernim Wood to the north, and Morrowind to the east, towards Silgrad Tower.

Riften's architecture and layout reflect the local environment and its role as a center of trade. In the Fourth Era, buildings are made of wood from the forest, and the heart of the city is its market square and dockyards, which together are known as the Plankside district. Plankside is separated from the rest of the city, Dryside, by a large canal with water-level entrances to lower quarters and a complex sewer system. There is a Temple of Mara on the city's east side, a chapter of the Benevolence of Mara.

At some point in the Second Era, Riften was raided by Dark Elves of an unknown creed, in which they hit several farms across the area. Not long after, a local Nord, Unnvald Ironhand had gathered warriors from all across Skyrim and began his series of campaigns across Morrowind's coast come springtide. He sailed off with an army of warriors once or twice a year, and wreak havoc across the province. One such example was when he sacked the port-town of Davon's Watch. His exploits were documented and celebrated for several years. Statues depicting Unnvald were erected in Riften and Windhelm. Riften was once known for its famous Riften Cavalry that used to patrol roads throughout the Rift, though their fame has faded by the time of the Three Banners War.

In his youth, Prince Jorunn of Windhelm studied at Skald's Retreat on the Isle of Gold in Lake Honrich. When the Second Akaviri Invasion occurred in 2E 572, Jorunn and his closest comrades, the Pack of Bards, were in Riften when they received the news. They fought their way north to Windhelm, but were too late to stop the sacking of the city by the Snow Demons of Kamal and the slaying of Jorunn's mother and sister, Queen Mabjaarn Flame-Hair and Princess Nurnhilde. Jorunn barely escaped the sacking alive. After journeying to the Greybeards for aid and rallying the Nords of Eastern Skyrim, he claimed the title of Skald-King and amassed an army to defend Riften from the approaching Akaviri. Upon finding Riften heavily fortified, Ada'Soom Dir-Kamal decided to divert his army away from the city and towards Morrowind. The Kamal were later defeated at a decisive battle in Stonefalls and an alliance known as the Ebonheart Pact was formed, with Jorunn leading the helm as the newly-crowned High King of Eastern Skyrim. Riften joined the Ebonheart Pact with the rest of Eastern Skyrim, but in doing so, they took down Unnvald's statues and essentially erased any information regarding his legacy. He was forced to retire and accept the Thanedom of Fullhelm Fort.

During the Interregnum in 2E 582, the city of Riften was a small yet bustling mercantile hub. Riften suffered considerable damage in a conflict against the Order of the Black Worm that ravaged the Rift, and involved the Ebonheart Pact as well as the spirits of the Five Hundred Companions. Thallik Wormfather summoned the spirit of the giant chieftain Sinmur the Terrible, who then rampaged through Riften's northern wall and left nearby farmsteads in ruins on his way to Trolhetta. The city guard, under the command of Captain Viveka, tended to the damage, with an Agent of the Pact aiding the effort. Meanwhile, the Worm Cult unleashed zombies in the back alleys of Riften at the direction of the Anchorite Garmar, who possessed a shard of Wuuthrad that was needed to end Sinmur's threat. Once the situation in Riften was resolved, the Pact's army marched to Trolhetta while the Agent gathered more pieces of Wuuthrad across the Smokefrost Peaks.

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