Drajkmyr Marsh
Mysterious salt marsh region. The labyrinthine network of waterways and islands makes it easy for the Hjaal to retreat and hide from invaders. Ringed by mountains on all land sides.
Mysterious, unforgiving, isolated, coastal, watchful, foggy, marshlands, wet, cold
Vaalstag Highlands
The foothill region of Skaldring Mountains, overlooking the southern Solitude Forest and the mesas of the Reach. Rocky, thinly populated and dotted with barrows.
Golden/autumnal colourscheme. Borderlands, highlands, ascent, birch and larch trees, autumnal, barrows
Kreathi Dale
A large valley characterized by the massive lake Ilinalta at its bottom. Deep pine forests ring the lake and stretch all the way to the surrounding highlands to the west and north-west and to the mountains on all other sides. A classic fantasy kingdom with castles and vast forests like the art of Vsevolod Ivanov and the 19th century Russian landscape painters.
Lush, heavily forested, elven, mysterious, medieval, high fantasy, Imperial, Colovian, hunting, logging,
Skaldring Mountains
A steep and unforgiving mountain chain stretching from coastal Drajkmyr marsh in the north to the Throat of the World. Contains Eldersblood Peak, the second tallest mountain in Skyrim after TotW. Confusing to travel, with bad roads, winds shifting quickly,
Wolves, steep mountains, sorrowful, harsh, barrier, bandits, confusing,
Njorvela
The northernmost part of the Whiterun hold, a high altitude tundra ringed by mountains to the east, north and west. Colourful red lichen and mosses, reindeer herds, pale grasses and sparse vegetation.
High altitude, tundra, colourful, cold
Ivory Steppe
Southern part of the Whiterun hold. A vast steppe valley by the foot of the Throat of the World mountains, with the White River cutting through it. Open grasslands with golden and pale grasses. Ascent towards the north-northwest. Cultivated around the river.
Vast, open, golden, Rohan, tundra, steppe
Gorvigh Ridge
A narrow mountain chain stretching from the coastline in the northwest to the east and southeast. Includes many passes, fortresses and valleys.
Borderlands, fortified, windy
Northshore
The lands between the Gorvigh Ridge mountains and the Sea of Ghosts. A thin stretch of snowy pine forests climbing up to the mountains and thick ice lining the coast. The “reaver stronghold” of Danstrar sits on a cove, protected by the gigantic skeleton of an ancestral sea wyrm. The Nords here hold true to the old ways, and the region is known for its past rebellions against southern overlords. The most stereotypical Viking hold, the Nords here enjoy the cold and the sea, and in past times were industrious reavers, whose fleets spread terror in all the coastlands of Tamriel.
Reavers, naval, Viking, cold, elemental nords, storms, fires, waves, battle, epic
Wuurthal Plains
A frozen isolated valley dotted by standing stones. No one lives here, but citizens of nearby Amol might go here for ice fishing. A legend is attached to the standing stones.
Isolated, frozen, ancestral, quiet, timeless
Troll’s Teeth
Tall, craggy mountains marking the northeastern end of Whiterun’s domain. There’s silver mine activity here protected by the Jarldom of Laintar.
Craggy, mountainous desolate, hostile, mines
Ysheim
A mountainous land of frozen peaks, large stretches of which is seemingly untouched since mythical times. There are valleys here that are completely forgotten, glaciers possibly hiding Falmer citadels and villages so isolated they might not have seen outsiders for centuries at a time. The region is dotted with mountain chains and glaciers. Mount Arnthor is the tallest peak. The cyclopean ruins of Saarthal are found in the north.
Himalaya, ancient, cloudy, frozen, snow whale, Falmer
Broken Cape
Steep cliffs clash against the unforgiving Sea of Ghosts. The northernmost part of the cape is where Atmorans first made land in Mereth, at Hsaarik’s Head. Tall cliffs jot out of the ocean and the coast is covered in ice. Faroe Islands in winter could be reference for the northern islands. The city-state of Winterhold is found here, a strong kingdom in a relentless environment, where rich merchants dot heavy furs and the College of Winterhold keeps the heritage of Shalidor alive.
Storm, frozen, blizzard, wind, winter, merchants, magic, naval
Reaver’s Shore
Snowy pine forests and treacherous coastlands in the foothills of the Ysheim mountains. In past times the region was infamous for reaver camps along the many hidden coves and natural harbors along with the coast, raiding passing ships and the coasts of Morrowind. The legion fort of Fort Kastav was built here to deter piracy, which has brought some control to the area, but the region is still an easy place to hide for those who don’t want to be found.
Forested, frozen, coastlands, windy, small coves, lawless
Eastmarch
Decisively rural, even for an old hold. Icelandic landscapes but including sporadic pine forests.
Rural, open, semi-forested, Icelandic, volcanic tundra
Throat of the World
Rift Valley
