Lore:Factions I

Ice Tribes

The Ice Tribes (also known as Glacier Tribes) are a warlike tribal society of primitive blue-skinned humanoids found in the northernmost regions of Skyrim and High Rock. As their name would imply, they dwell in glacial crevices. There are at least two distinct tribes: the tribe of Glacier Crawl, and the tribes which live in the icy tunnels surrounding the settlement of Dawnstar.

Imperial Cult

"The missionary arm of the great faiths, the Imperial Cult brings divine inspiration and consolation to the Empire's remote provinces. The cults combine the worship of the Nine Divines: the Aedra Akatosh, Dibella, Arkay, Zenithar, Mara, Stendarr, Kynareth, and Julianos, and the Talos Cult, veneration of the divine god-hero Tiber Septim, founder and patron of the Empire. Imperial Cult priests provide worship and services for all these gods at the Imperial Cult shrines in settlements throughout Vvardenfell." -- Morrowind Prophecies

The Imperial Cult's shrines are mainly found in Imperial Forts; the Imperial Chapels in Ebonheart serve as its headquarters on Vvardenfell. The Cult maintains relatively good relations with the other guilds of Morrowind, being allies with the Imperial Legion, Blades, and Fighters Guild and on friendly terms with the Mages Guild, House Hlaalu, and Redoran.

Imperial Geographical Society

The Imperial Geographical Society (or Imperial Geographic Society) is a long-standing outfit responsible for the outlining and preservation of historical accounts within the whole of the Empire.

The Society has thrice been given the respected assignment of penning the Pocket Guide to the Empire, a broad overview of the history of the Tamrielic Empire. These guides, by definition of the Society, are to "paint a portrait of our known world at this moment in history for the edification of our readers [...] wide in scope".

The Society works on behalf of the Empire and in 2E 864, under the new united Tamriel and by authority of Tiber Septim, the first edition of the Pocket Guide to the Empire was published. The guide was largely used as an educational and informative tool to reassure the inhabitants of the new Empire. Parts of the guide were considered propagandist to emphasize this reassurance. The Society published the second version in 3E 331 and the propagandist tone was removed. The third edition appeared in 3E 432.

The Society also published Gathering Force: Arms and Armor of Tamriel and The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel in 2E 578, before the first pocket guide. An apparent branch of the Society, the Imperial Geographic Survey, published a census on the Daedra Lords around the same time as the third edition pocket guide was released.

Imperial Knights

The Imperial Knights are an obscure knightly guild of Tamriel representing the upper echelons of the Imperial Legion. They do not serve as field commanders as such, but rather as the militaristic nobility of the Empire.

Imperial Legion

The Imperial Legion, also known as the Imperial Army and the Ruby Ranks, is the main fighting force of the Empire of Tamriel. It is often pluralized as the Imperial Legions. It operates under the auspices and authority of the Emperor himself. With its vast numbers, quality training, and rigid discipline, the Legion is considered one of the best armies ever assembled in history. The primary mission of the Imperial Legion is to preserve the peace and rule of law in the Empire. Those who protect the Emperor and the Imperial Province are sometimes called the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Watch. A Legion Centurion is typically in command of the Palace Guard of the White Gold Tower.

In peacetime the Legion serves primarily as a garrison force — manning forts, patrolling roads, and providing guardsmen for towns, cities, counties, and nobles. They are empowered to arrest criminals and seize their property, among other things. In wartime, the Legion's responsibilities and powers are greatly increased. During conflicts, the Legion serves as an invading and occupying force, overwhelming opposition with numerical superiority and strict economy of force. For more information, see the lore article.

Iron Orcs

The Iron Orcs are an isolated Orcish civilization native to the Dragontail Mountains of Craglorn. They are known for their stone worship and their savage brutality, and are based in the Nordic ruins of the Valley of Scars. They tame welwas and trolls as war beasts, and primarily use iron arms and armor. They are culturally separate from other Orcs, and possess their own language.