Friday, September 6, 2013

Skyrim Architecture :: Raven Rock

Welcome to the next installment of my Skyrim Architecture series, where I scout the Skyrim world in search of the most beautiful structures and landmarks Bethesda's award-winning franchise has to offer.  This time I am covering the Dragonborn DLC.
 
 
    Raven Rock sits on the island of Solstheim.  Prior to the eruption of the volcano in Vvardenfell, the settlement was a mining town owned by the East Empire Company.  To this day, it serves as the main port for Solstheim, but since the devastation caused by the Red Mountain erupting in 4E 05, Raven Rock has been declining.  Eleven years later in 4E 16, the High King of Skyrim gives Solstheim to the Dunmer for refugees coming from Vvardenfell and Morrowind.  The entire island is now covered in ashes.
 

    Almost every building was destroyed after the eruption.  After 4E 16, the Dunmer started rebuilding the city leading to the prominence of Dunmer culture and architecture.  These mysterious people from Vvardenfell and Morrowind have very different architectural styles than the Empire.  Most structures look as if they were made from the exoskeleton of an insect.
 
    
    Dunmer architecture is something worth admiring.  They have a strong culture and rich heritage that includes some of the most breathtaking structures in the Elder Scrolls universe.  Although I find it difficult to analyze their structures, I can definitively say that these insect-like buildings are very interesting.  (I could not find many pictures on the wiki or more examples of Dunmer architecture.  If I had a PC copy of Skyrim, I would take all the pictures myself.  Keep in mind that for now I want to stay purely with Skyrim.  I am considering covering some of the older games in the future.)
 
All pictures and information from The Elder Scrolls Wiki.



16 comments:

  1. Wow, thanks for this post, Zach.
    I think I should buy this game even only because of the appearance of the town :D
    So you're posting more about Skyrim, did I understand correctly?

    Could you try... some kind of analyzing about why their buildings look "as if they were made from the exoskeleton of an insect", for example? :) Of course you could do about other races than Dunmer, too.
    If you understand, what I mean? (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, I am posting more Skyrim now. It will be once in a while like the previous Skyrim posts. But the Dragonborn DLC did not add tons of structures into the game. When I look at types of Skyrim Architecture, I would like big, expansive cities. This town Raven Rock, is very small. Usually smaller means less to look at and analyze.

      I am not very savvy when it comes to the Skyrim lore...I'm not sure how the Dunmer developed this "insect-like" architectural style or where they learned it from.

      Why would they build this way? Well, that's another good question. If you want me to focus analyzing and incorporating the lore when I talk about different races and their architecture then I could certainly do that. Maybe talk about why they would build this way using information from the lore? I don't feel like I should speculate, since anything is possible in the Elder Scrolls universe of course!

      Long story short: it is hard to meticulously analyze the details when I have limited knowledge and information from the lore. (I have looked up the lore for the Dunmer and haven't found anything on their architectural styles. This is the same situation with most races it seems.)

      I like the feedback and questions! Keep 'em coming! ;-)

      Delete
  2. Okay :) It's good to get stuff about Skyrim again.

    "If you want me to focus analyzing and incorporating the lore when I talk about different races and their architecture then I could certainly do that."
    That would be very nice. Thanks :)

    I'll post comments every time I have something to say :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. The reason they look like they are made out of the exoskeletons of insects is because that's exactly what they are. Morrowind (the game, not the province) allows you to venture to the city of Ald Rhun (not sure of spelling) where the main attraction is the under-Skar which is literally a giant version of these giant exoskeletons and it is explained to you that they are made of the carapaces of extinct insects/crabs.

    I prefer Telvanni architecture myself, those mushroom/vine towns they grow are breathtaking. I recommend you getting morrowind and some texture mods.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very interesting. I have never played previous Elder Scrolls titles which makes me a noob of anything that has do with lore. I will consider your recommendation. Thanks!

      Delete
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