Post by Neravarine on Sept 3, 2009 18:28:58 GMT -5
Native Guilds...
Moraq Tong
The Morag Tong is an ancient guild which exists only in parts of Tamriel, celebrating violence and evil acts. The Dark Brotherhood originated from the Morag Tong. The Elven Morag Tong were responsible for the assassination of Reman's heirs which started the Akaviri Potentate rule of Cyrodiil.The Morag Tong is an assassins guild sanctioned by the Empire to provide three varieties of execution: public execution, private executions, and House Wars executions. Constrained by ancient traditions and rigid codes of conduct, the Morag Tong only recruits candidates of proven skill and honor. The Morag Tong only accepts legally approved contracts called 'writs', but rumor hints at the execution of secret extralegal 'gray writs'. The Morag Tong is the sworn enemy of the Dark Brotherhood. It is unique in Tamriel as the only legally sanctioned organization for assassins. It was said to have been founded by the Daedra Mephala [1]: the Webspinner and the Anticipation of Vivec. In Dunmeri legends, s/he teaches the early Chimer, who were a small faction and faced numerous enemies, how to evade their adversaries and destroy them with conspiracy and plots of secret murder. Later, the Tong was founded on these principles, as the Daedra forbade that the Chimer engage in open warfare with each other. Instead, as a means of resolving conflicts of such a grievous nature that no other course of action was appropriate, the Chimer were to approach the Tong and offer money for an honorable execution. Because of its official sanction, the Morag Tong has the authority to print legal bills known as Honorable Writs of Execution, which excuse a Tong agent of all legal misgiving associated with any Tong related business. As such, Morag Tong executioners are expected to give themselves up immediately following an execution even if the death itself would have remained a mystery, in order to legally absolve themselves and avert any possible long-term ramifications. Tong executioners who fail to do so are considered suspect by their order and may be subject to major internal investigations, as the Tong does not harbor criminals. The Morag Tong is an ancient order steeped in tradition and secrecy. Although they are a society of murder, they have strict internal laws and ways of governing themselves. Early in the history of the order a splinter group broke away, calling itself the Dark Brotherhood; who turned from the original intent of the society: to prevent massive bloodshed with selectively calculated killings. The Brotherhood devolved into a death cult, turning from the original worship of the patron Mephala, into the worship of Sithis, the serpent god of death and chaos, who represents the worst of a variously interpreted "Void". Since their inception, to the outside world the Morag Tong has become less of a sacred institution, largely because of the Dunmeri abandonment of Daedra worship, and more of a secularized enterprise of revenge. The Tong resents this fact, still taking itself very much seriously as the upholder of traditional Dunmeri law, and feels on the whole, that its services are undervalued, as anyone with a minor grievance and enough wealth can order the murder of anyone else, while the Tong, taking their traditional role as the impartial middle-man, is obliged to accept the contract. Although the Tong is largely restricted to activity within Morrowind Province, due to the fact that no other Imperial governments recognize them as a legal faction, this does not mean that fleeing Morrowind will protect you. Tong executioners have been known to track their prey all across Tamriel, thanks in part to an extensive network of informants and contacts maintained by the Guild. However, the Dark Brotherhood has a monopoly on illegal assassination outside of Morrowind, and Dark Brothers have been known to abduct Tong agents wherever they find them.
The Twin Lamps
The Twin Lamps is not really a "faction" in its own right, but rather an alliance of individuals with a common belief in one particular ideal: slavery is wrong and must be abolished. While this is a small group of individuals, they are spread out across Vvardenfell and some of them are powerful and well connected. One might think that the Twin Lamps might not make much headway among the Dunmer. After all, the Dunmer have kept slaves for centuries and are generally a xenophobic people. They see the abolitionist campaign as a sign of the hated Imperial influence. However, there is precedent for anti-slavery campaigners among the Dunmer. An ancient faction of "good thieves," the Bal Molagmer, opposed slavery. It is said that the Imperial-run Thieves Guild has ambitions towards re-establishing this organization. The head leader of the Twin Lamps is herself a Dunmer, and a highly important one at that: Ilmeni Dren, a highly-placed member of House Hlaalu, and the daughter of the current Duke Vedam Dren. (Her uncle Orvas Dren is the head of the Camonna Tong, and runs Dren Plantation, which employs the largest number of slaves in Vvardenfell. Understandably, they are not very close.) Ilmeni, amazingly enough, chooses to live in a commoner's apartment in Vivec's St. Delyn Canton rather than in a palace which is her birthright. Vedam does not entirely approve of his daughter's activities, but does nothing to stop them. He also disapproves of his brother's slavery, murder, and extortion racket under the Camonna Tong, but does nothing to stop that either. Another prominent (though unofficial) member of the Twin Lamps is Jobasha, who runs Jobasha's Rare Books in Vivec's Foreign Quarter. Their main headquarters is the Argonian Missionary in Ebonheart. Although it is common knowledge that the Twin Lamps reside there, the Imperial Legion does little to stop it, since they dislike slavery.
The Commona Tong
The native criminal syndicate of Morrowind, they are in all aspects, a mafia. Their crimes include and range from smuggling illegal drugs such as Moon Sugar and Skooma, smuggling armor and goods without a tax, murder, theft, Smuggling slaves, etc... They are ruthless, and have no qualms about killing in their crimes. The Commana Tong hates outlanders, and only native born Dunmer are allowed in their ranks. They will hire mercenaries if the need calls for it though. Although being the biggest crime syndicate in Morrowind has enough power as it is, Orvas Dren, one of the head councilars of House Hlaluu, is their leader. As influental as he is, the Commana Tong are relatively free as long as they don't commit crimes out in the open... They are dangerous... And only someone foolish or incredibly brave attempts to mess with them.
Dissident Priests
The Dissident Priests are a secretive cult consisting of Tribunal Temple members, who dispute the Temple's dogmatic foundations and question the process of the Tribunal's elevation to become gods. They also argue Temple doctrine and they are uneasy about the practices and habits of the Ordinators. One of the chief disputes between the Temple and the Dissident Priests is that the Temple hides the truth from its followers. The Dissident Priests' outline and their beliefs are manifested in the book Progress of Truth.
The Dissident Priests comprise ten or eleven members, led by Master Gilvas Barelo, abbot of Holamayan. All members are Dunmer except for one. The membership of Mehra Milo might not be perfectly clear, it is only known that the Priests care about her. One member, Malur Omayn, was thrown into the Ministry of Truth prison.
The Dissident Priests consider the Ashlander's prophecies of the Nerevarine as a primal site of study. However, their views are not shared with the Temple 'higher-ups' and they were persecuted and driven into hiding. The priests study and comment on the Apographa, which are known as 'the hidden writings', as opposed to the Hierographa, which are the 'public writings' of the Temple's dogma. These hidden writings contain secrets known only at the highest levels of priesthood and inquisition. They gathered as much of the Apographa as possible in their base, a secret monastery called Holamayan hidden in the wastes of Azura's Coast and protected by a magical barrier.
The Priests are not only committed to gather information and argue about the Tribunal's background, they also seemed to actively compete with the Ordinators on how to effectively confront Dagoth Ur. According to their head Gilvas Barelo, they sensed the despair within the people of Vvardenfell and thus also followed a practical approach to which the folks could look up to and spread hope by turning to the ancient pillars of faith and the prophetic visions of their Nerevarine. The Dissident Priests hoped for the Temple's and the people's support once they would have shown their ability to confront Dagoth Ur efficiently.
The Ashlanders are Dunmeri nomads that live in Vvardenfell's wilderness. In the Merethic Era, Ashlanders and Dunmer were very much alike and on equal footing, but after the formation of the First Council and the Great Houses, they have steadily been forced into the poorest and most hostile lands. They travel along with their herds, camping wherever is suitable. Additional resources gained by hunting the local wildlife are used to manufacture huts, armors, clothing and general household items. Unlike the settled Dunmer of the Great Houses, they do not acknowledge the power of the Tribunal. In fact, they believe the Tribunal betrayed Lord Nerevar at the Battle of Red Mountain and are kept alive by means of magic not unlike necromancy. Furthermore, the Ashlanders are very xenophobic and believe all outlanders should leave Vvardenfell. However, if an outlander performs a good deed for an Ashlander Clan, he may be named Clanfriend, and thus be adopted into the Ashlander faction.
Ashlanders
The Ashlanders are divided into four clans: Ahemmusa, Erabenimsun, Urshilaku and Zainab. Each clan is traditionally led by an Ashkhan, whereas the spiritual leadership lies with the Wise Woman. The secrets of the Wise Women are passed from one generation onto the other. Several prophecies, in the form of verses such as the Stranger, have survived throughout the years. Many others are believed to have been lost, but, as rumor will have it, the Dissident Priests may have recorded them and thus preserved them for posterity. The Wise Women of the Ashlander clans interpret dreams as prophecies, another major difference with the Tribunal Temple. The Urshilaku Ashlanders form the core of the Nerevarine Cult.
If an Ashlander commits a crime against another member of a clan, he will be cast out of the clan. These outcasts have small camps in isolated areas and often resort to banditry. Some fall even farther and work as laborers in Imperial mines
Great Houses of Morrowind
In modern times Morrowind is ruled by five Great Houses: House Hlaalu, House Redoran, House Telvanni, House Indoril, and House Dres. Only three of these Houses have interests in Vvardenfell. The three Great Houses on Vvardenfell identify themselves by their traditional colors: red for Redoran, yellow for Hlaalu, and brown for Telvanni. Thus, members of House Hlaalu may be referred to collectively as Yellows.
The Great Houses traditions derive from ancient Dunmer clan and tribes, but now function as political parties. Dunmer Great House membership is largely a matter of birth and marriage, but Imperial colonists may also become retainers of a Great House, or may be adopted into a Great House. Initially an outlander may gain status in a house as an oath-bonded hireling, pledging exclusive loyalty to a single house and forsaking ambitions with all other houses. Later, after faithful service and advancement in lower ranks, an outlander may seek adoption into a Great House. Adoption and advancement to higher ranks in a Great House requires that a Great House councilor stand as sponsor for the candidate's character and loyalty. Finding a councilor to sponsor an outlander often involves performing a great service for the prospective sponsor.
House Redoran- is one of the three Dunmer Great Houses with holdings on Vvardenfell. The Redoran prize the virtues of duty, gravity, and piety. Duty is to one's own honor, and to one's family and clan. Gravity is the essential seriousness of life. Life is hard, and events must be judged, endured, and reflected upon with due care and earnestness. Piety is respect for the gods, and the virtues they represent. A light, careless life is not worth living. Redoran settlements are designed in the Dunmer village style, built of local materials, with organic curves and undecorated exteriors inspired by the landscape and by the shells of giant native insects. Redoran villages are typically centered on Temple compounds and their courtyards, with huts and tradehouses gathered around a central plaza, as in the West Gash village of Gnisis. Ald'ruhn, the Redoran district seat, is exceptional, with its distinctive feature being the colossal prehistoric bug shell that has been adapted as the house's council house.
House Hlaalu- As a result of its close relationship with the Imperial administration, House Hlaalu has emerged as politically and economically dominant among the Great Houses of Vvardenfell and Morrowind. Hlaalu welcomes Imperial culture and law, Imperial Legions and bureaucracy, and Imperial freedom of trade and religion. Hlaalu still honors the old Dunmer ways -- the ancestors, the Temple, and the noble houses -- but has readily adapted to the rapid pace of change and progress in the Imperial provinces. Unlike the other Great Houses, which are largely hostile to non-Dunmer, House Hlaalu aspires to live in peace and harmony with the other races, and to share in the growth and prosperity of the Empire. Hlaalu public buildings -- tradehouses and craft guilds, manors and council halls -- are designed as simple multi-storied buildings roughly rectangular in plan, featuring arched entranceways and modest decorated exteriors. More modest one-story private dwellings follow the same plan, except with less decoration. Hlaalu plantation estates resemble Temple compounds, with walled precincts enclosing outbuildings for craftsmen and servants, dominated by a grand manor residence in place of a Temple shrine.
House Telvanni- The wizard-lords of House Telvanni have traditionally isolated themselves, pursuing wisdom and mastery in solitude. But certain ambitious wizards-lords, their retainers, and clients have entered whole-heartedly into the competition to control and exploit Vvardenfell's land and resources, building towers and bases all along the eastern coast. According to Telvanni principles, the powerful define the standards of virtue, and the Telvanni are unwilling to allow the ambitious Hlaalu to dominate Vvardenfell's untapped resources by default. Telvanni architecture is dominated by the wizards' tower, a fantastic organic form grown and sculpted from stems, caps, and root-like holdfasts of the giant native mushrooms. Telvanni villages are comprised of smaller mushroom pods hollowed out for craftsmen and commoners. Open-air markets often include the giant cages displaying the wares of the slave masters.
House Indoril and House Dres- are the two Great Houses without holdings or interest in Vvardenfell. Indoril District occupies the heartland of Morrowind, comprising the lands south of the Inner Sea and the eastern coast. The city of Almalexia is located in Indoril District, and the Indoril are orthodox and conservative supporters of the Temple and Temple authority. House Indoril is openly hostile to Imperial culture and religion, and preserves many traditional Dunmer customs and practices in defiance of Imperial law. Dres District is in the south of Morrowind, bordering the swamps and marshes of Black Marsh. House Dres is an agrarian agricultural society, and its large saltrice plantations rely completely on slave labor for their economic viability. Always firm Temple supporters, House Dres is hostile to Imperial law and culture, and in particular opposed to any attempts to limit the institution of slavery.
Moraq Tong
The Morag Tong is an ancient guild which exists only in parts of Tamriel, celebrating violence and evil acts. The Dark Brotherhood originated from the Morag Tong. The Elven Morag Tong were responsible for the assassination of Reman's heirs which started the Akaviri Potentate rule of Cyrodiil.The Morag Tong is an assassins guild sanctioned by the Empire to provide three varieties of execution: public execution, private executions, and House Wars executions. Constrained by ancient traditions and rigid codes of conduct, the Morag Tong only recruits candidates of proven skill and honor. The Morag Tong only accepts legally approved contracts called 'writs', but rumor hints at the execution of secret extralegal 'gray writs'. The Morag Tong is the sworn enemy of the Dark Brotherhood. It is unique in Tamriel as the only legally sanctioned organization for assassins. It was said to have been founded by the Daedra Mephala [1]: the Webspinner and the Anticipation of Vivec. In Dunmeri legends, s/he teaches the early Chimer, who were a small faction and faced numerous enemies, how to evade their adversaries and destroy them with conspiracy and plots of secret murder. Later, the Tong was founded on these principles, as the Daedra forbade that the Chimer engage in open warfare with each other. Instead, as a means of resolving conflicts of such a grievous nature that no other course of action was appropriate, the Chimer were to approach the Tong and offer money for an honorable execution. Because of its official sanction, the Morag Tong has the authority to print legal bills known as Honorable Writs of Execution, which excuse a Tong agent of all legal misgiving associated with any Tong related business. As such, Morag Tong executioners are expected to give themselves up immediately following an execution even if the death itself would have remained a mystery, in order to legally absolve themselves and avert any possible long-term ramifications. Tong executioners who fail to do so are considered suspect by their order and may be subject to major internal investigations, as the Tong does not harbor criminals. The Morag Tong is an ancient order steeped in tradition and secrecy. Although they are a society of murder, they have strict internal laws and ways of governing themselves. Early in the history of the order a splinter group broke away, calling itself the Dark Brotherhood; who turned from the original intent of the society: to prevent massive bloodshed with selectively calculated killings. The Brotherhood devolved into a death cult, turning from the original worship of the patron Mephala, into the worship of Sithis, the serpent god of death and chaos, who represents the worst of a variously interpreted "Void". Since their inception, to the outside world the Morag Tong has become less of a sacred institution, largely because of the Dunmeri abandonment of Daedra worship, and more of a secularized enterprise of revenge. The Tong resents this fact, still taking itself very much seriously as the upholder of traditional Dunmeri law, and feels on the whole, that its services are undervalued, as anyone with a minor grievance and enough wealth can order the murder of anyone else, while the Tong, taking their traditional role as the impartial middle-man, is obliged to accept the contract. Although the Tong is largely restricted to activity within Morrowind Province, due to the fact that no other Imperial governments recognize them as a legal faction, this does not mean that fleeing Morrowind will protect you. Tong executioners have been known to track their prey all across Tamriel, thanks in part to an extensive network of informants and contacts maintained by the Guild. However, the Dark Brotherhood has a monopoly on illegal assassination outside of Morrowind, and Dark Brothers have been known to abduct Tong agents wherever they find them.
The Twin Lamps
The Twin Lamps is not really a "faction" in its own right, but rather an alliance of individuals with a common belief in one particular ideal: slavery is wrong and must be abolished. While this is a small group of individuals, they are spread out across Vvardenfell and some of them are powerful and well connected. One might think that the Twin Lamps might not make much headway among the Dunmer. After all, the Dunmer have kept slaves for centuries and are generally a xenophobic people. They see the abolitionist campaign as a sign of the hated Imperial influence. However, there is precedent for anti-slavery campaigners among the Dunmer. An ancient faction of "good thieves," the Bal Molagmer, opposed slavery. It is said that the Imperial-run Thieves Guild has ambitions towards re-establishing this organization. The head leader of the Twin Lamps is herself a Dunmer, and a highly important one at that: Ilmeni Dren, a highly-placed member of House Hlaalu, and the daughter of the current Duke Vedam Dren. (Her uncle Orvas Dren is the head of the Camonna Tong, and runs Dren Plantation, which employs the largest number of slaves in Vvardenfell. Understandably, they are not very close.) Ilmeni, amazingly enough, chooses to live in a commoner's apartment in Vivec's St. Delyn Canton rather than in a palace which is her birthright. Vedam does not entirely approve of his daughter's activities, but does nothing to stop them. He also disapproves of his brother's slavery, murder, and extortion racket under the Camonna Tong, but does nothing to stop that either. Another prominent (though unofficial) member of the Twin Lamps is Jobasha, who runs Jobasha's Rare Books in Vivec's Foreign Quarter. Their main headquarters is the Argonian Missionary in Ebonheart. Although it is common knowledge that the Twin Lamps reside there, the Imperial Legion does little to stop it, since they dislike slavery.
The Commona Tong
The native criminal syndicate of Morrowind, they are in all aspects, a mafia. Their crimes include and range from smuggling illegal drugs such as Moon Sugar and Skooma, smuggling armor and goods without a tax, murder, theft, Smuggling slaves, etc... They are ruthless, and have no qualms about killing in their crimes. The Commana Tong hates outlanders, and only native born Dunmer are allowed in their ranks. They will hire mercenaries if the need calls for it though. Although being the biggest crime syndicate in Morrowind has enough power as it is, Orvas Dren, one of the head councilars of House Hlaluu, is their leader. As influental as he is, the Commana Tong are relatively free as long as they don't commit crimes out in the open... They are dangerous... And only someone foolish or incredibly brave attempts to mess with them.
Dissident Priests
The Dissident Priests are a secretive cult consisting of Tribunal Temple members, who dispute the Temple's dogmatic foundations and question the process of the Tribunal's elevation to become gods. They also argue Temple doctrine and they are uneasy about the practices and habits of the Ordinators. One of the chief disputes between the Temple and the Dissident Priests is that the Temple hides the truth from its followers. The Dissident Priests' outline and their beliefs are manifested in the book Progress of Truth.
The Dissident Priests comprise ten or eleven members, led by Master Gilvas Barelo, abbot of Holamayan. All members are Dunmer except for one. The membership of Mehra Milo might not be perfectly clear, it is only known that the Priests care about her. One member, Malur Omayn, was thrown into the Ministry of Truth prison.
The Dissident Priests consider the Ashlander's prophecies of the Nerevarine as a primal site of study. However, their views are not shared with the Temple 'higher-ups' and they were persecuted and driven into hiding. The priests study and comment on the Apographa, which are known as 'the hidden writings', as opposed to the Hierographa, which are the 'public writings' of the Temple's dogma. These hidden writings contain secrets known only at the highest levels of priesthood and inquisition. They gathered as much of the Apographa as possible in their base, a secret monastery called Holamayan hidden in the wastes of Azura's Coast and protected by a magical barrier.
The Priests are not only committed to gather information and argue about the Tribunal's background, they also seemed to actively compete with the Ordinators on how to effectively confront Dagoth Ur. According to their head Gilvas Barelo, they sensed the despair within the people of Vvardenfell and thus also followed a practical approach to which the folks could look up to and spread hope by turning to the ancient pillars of faith and the prophetic visions of their Nerevarine. The Dissident Priests hoped for the Temple's and the people's support once they would have shown their ability to confront Dagoth Ur efficiently.
The Ashlanders are Dunmeri nomads that live in Vvardenfell's wilderness. In the Merethic Era, Ashlanders and Dunmer were very much alike and on equal footing, but after the formation of the First Council and the Great Houses, they have steadily been forced into the poorest and most hostile lands. They travel along with their herds, camping wherever is suitable. Additional resources gained by hunting the local wildlife are used to manufacture huts, armors, clothing and general household items. Unlike the settled Dunmer of the Great Houses, they do not acknowledge the power of the Tribunal. In fact, they believe the Tribunal betrayed Lord Nerevar at the Battle of Red Mountain and are kept alive by means of magic not unlike necromancy. Furthermore, the Ashlanders are very xenophobic and believe all outlanders should leave Vvardenfell. However, if an outlander performs a good deed for an Ashlander Clan, he may be named Clanfriend, and thus be adopted into the Ashlander faction.
Ashlanders
The Ashlanders are divided into four clans: Ahemmusa, Erabenimsun, Urshilaku and Zainab. Each clan is traditionally led by an Ashkhan, whereas the spiritual leadership lies with the Wise Woman. The secrets of the Wise Women are passed from one generation onto the other. Several prophecies, in the form of verses such as the Stranger, have survived throughout the years. Many others are believed to have been lost, but, as rumor will have it, the Dissident Priests may have recorded them and thus preserved them for posterity. The Wise Women of the Ashlander clans interpret dreams as prophecies, another major difference with the Tribunal Temple. The Urshilaku Ashlanders form the core of the Nerevarine Cult.
If an Ashlander commits a crime against another member of a clan, he will be cast out of the clan. These outcasts have small camps in isolated areas and often resort to banditry. Some fall even farther and work as laborers in Imperial mines
Great Houses of Morrowind
In modern times Morrowind is ruled by five Great Houses: House Hlaalu, House Redoran, House Telvanni, House Indoril, and House Dres. Only three of these Houses have interests in Vvardenfell. The three Great Houses on Vvardenfell identify themselves by their traditional colors: red for Redoran, yellow for Hlaalu, and brown for Telvanni. Thus, members of House Hlaalu may be referred to collectively as Yellows.
The Great Houses traditions derive from ancient Dunmer clan and tribes, but now function as political parties. Dunmer Great House membership is largely a matter of birth and marriage, but Imperial colonists may also become retainers of a Great House, or may be adopted into a Great House. Initially an outlander may gain status in a house as an oath-bonded hireling, pledging exclusive loyalty to a single house and forsaking ambitions with all other houses. Later, after faithful service and advancement in lower ranks, an outlander may seek adoption into a Great House. Adoption and advancement to higher ranks in a Great House requires that a Great House councilor stand as sponsor for the candidate's character and loyalty. Finding a councilor to sponsor an outlander often involves performing a great service for the prospective sponsor.
House Redoran- is one of the three Dunmer Great Houses with holdings on Vvardenfell. The Redoran prize the virtues of duty, gravity, and piety. Duty is to one's own honor, and to one's family and clan. Gravity is the essential seriousness of life. Life is hard, and events must be judged, endured, and reflected upon with due care and earnestness. Piety is respect for the gods, and the virtues they represent. A light, careless life is not worth living. Redoran settlements are designed in the Dunmer village style, built of local materials, with organic curves and undecorated exteriors inspired by the landscape and by the shells of giant native insects. Redoran villages are typically centered on Temple compounds and their courtyards, with huts and tradehouses gathered around a central plaza, as in the West Gash village of Gnisis. Ald'ruhn, the Redoran district seat, is exceptional, with its distinctive feature being the colossal prehistoric bug shell that has been adapted as the house's council house.
House Hlaalu- As a result of its close relationship with the Imperial administration, House Hlaalu has emerged as politically and economically dominant among the Great Houses of Vvardenfell and Morrowind. Hlaalu welcomes Imperial culture and law, Imperial Legions and bureaucracy, and Imperial freedom of trade and religion. Hlaalu still honors the old Dunmer ways -- the ancestors, the Temple, and the noble houses -- but has readily adapted to the rapid pace of change and progress in the Imperial provinces. Unlike the other Great Houses, which are largely hostile to non-Dunmer, House Hlaalu aspires to live in peace and harmony with the other races, and to share in the growth and prosperity of the Empire. Hlaalu public buildings -- tradehouses and craft guilds, manors and council halls -- are designed as simple multi-storied buildings roughly rectangular in plan, featuring arched entranceways and modest decorated exteriors. More modest one-story private dwellings follow the same plan, except with less decoration. Hlaalu plantation estates resemble Temple compounds, with walled precincts enclosing outbuildings for craftsmen and servants, dominated by a grand manor residence in place of a Temple shrine.
House Telvanni- The wizard-lords of House Telvanni have traditionally isolated themselves, pursuing wisdom and mastery in solitude. But certain ambitious wizards-lords, their retainers, and clients have entered whole-heartedly into the competition to control and exploit Vvardenfell's land and resources, building towers and bases all along the eastern coast. According to Telvanni principles, the powerful define the standards of virtue, and the Telvanni are unwilling to allow the ambitious Hlaalu to dominate Vvardenfell's untapped resources by default. Telvanni architecture is dominated by the wizards' tower, a fantastic organic form grown and sculpted from stems, caps, and root-like holdfasts of the giant native mushrooms. Telvanni villages are comprised of smaller mushroom pods hollowed out for craftsmen and commoners. Open-air markets often include the giant cages displaying the wares of the slave masters.
House Indoril and House Dres- are the two Great Houses without holdings or interest in Vvardenfell. Indoril District occupies the heartland of Morrowind, comprising the lands south of the Inner Sea and the eastern coast. The city of Almalexia is located in Indoril District, and the Indoril are orthodox and conservative supporters of the Temple and Temple authority. House Indoril is openly hostile to Imperial culture and religion, and preserves many traditional Dunmer customs and practices in defiance of Imperial law. Dres District is in the south of Morrowind, bordering the swamps and marshes of Black Marsh. House Dres is an agrarian agricultural society, and its large saltrice plantations rely completely on slave labor for their economic viability. Always firm Temple supporters, House Dres is hostile to Imperial law and culture, and in particular opposed to any attempts to limit the institution of slavery.