What was Cyrodiil supposed to look like?
Cyrodiil, a province in the Elder Scrolls universe, was initially envisioned as a river-based society with jungle and river valleys, featuring an agricultural landscape, and inhabited by a Greco-Romanesque civilization. The original concept of Cyrodiil was meant to be an eclectic mix of the Roman Mediterranean and the tropics, with mountains in the north and low swamps in the south, before it was changed to a temperate forest by Todd Howard using the CHIM design philosophy.
Introduction to Cyrodiil
Cyrodiil, also known as the Imperial Province, is a vital part of the Tamriel world, with its unique history, geography, and culture. To understand what Cyrodiil was supposed to look like, it is essential to delve into its lore and design philosophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Was Cyrodiil supposed to be a jungle?
Yes, Cyrodiil was initially supposed to be a jungle, but it was later changed to a temperate forest by Todd Howard using the CHIM design philosophy.
2. What culture is Cyrodiil based on?
Cyrodiil is based on the Classical Romans, with influences from the Latin-speaking culture, although it does not closely resemble Italy or Rome in terms of architecture or institutions.
3. Why was Cyrodiil changed?
The change in Cyrodiil’s landscape from a jungle to a temperate forest was likely made to increase the speed of military mobilization, as the Empire’s strength relies on the size of its army and its ability to deploy quickly.
4. What race is native to Cyrodiil?
The native inhabitants of Cyrodiil are the Imperials, a humanoid race that populates the Imperial Province.
5. Is the last Dragonborn from Cyrodiil?
The Dragonborn is known to have crossed the border from Cyrodiil, suggesting that they may have been born or lived there for some time.
6. What is the significance of the name Cyrodiil?
The name Cyrodiil is derived from the Ayleidoon name for the land, Cyrod, combined with the suffix iil, although the meaning of iil is not explicitly stated.
7. Was Tiber Septim a Dragonborn?
Yes, Tiber Septim, also known as Talos, was a Dragonborn and the first Emperor of the Septim Empire.
8. Who was the first Empress of Cyrodiil?
The first known non-Ayleid individual to rule a united Cyrodiil was Alessia, also known as Saint Alessia, who led a successful revolt and took the throne.
9. Are there Nords in Cyrodiil?
Yes, Nords make up a significant portion of the population in Cyrodiil, alongside Colovian Imperials and Reachmen.
10. Is the Hero of Kvatch canonically an Imperial?
The Hero of Kvatch is canonically a male Imperial, with black hair and brown eyes.
11. How big is Tamriel canonically?
Tamriel’s size is not canonically established, leaving its scale to the imagination of the players and resulting in varying sizes across different Elder Scrolls games.
12. Why is the Daggerfall map so big?
The Daggerfall map is large due to its use of procedural generation, resulting in an area of approximately 161,600 kilometers.
13. What is the richest city in Cyrodiil?
The Imperial City is the wealthiest region in Cyrodiil, due to its mercantile nature and history of trade.
14. Which city is commonly referred to as the ugliest in Cyrodiil?
Bravil is often considered the ugliest city in Cyrodiil, known for its filth, smell, and wealth inequality.
15. Why is Oblivion called Oblivion and not Cyrodiil?
The game Oblivion is named after the plane of Oblivion, a key part of the game’s plotline, rather than being named after the province of Cyrodiil where the game takes place.