» Thu May 19, 2011 7:56 pm For this particular segment, I'm looking at architecture, culture, and climate. Please let me know how accurate this is, and if I could add more specifics to it.
Here's the general gist of what I have so far:
Cyrodiil - Imperial Province:
Primarily Roman - inspired architecture, particularly in the Imperial City. It has mostly a temperate climate, though with some snow up north, slightly muggier down south, and slightly more dry toward the west.
Architecture for cities is heavily influenced by surrounding provinces, while keeping with the Roman base.
Culture seems heavily centered around trade.
Dotted with Ayleid ruins.
Skyrim - Nord Province:
Modeled greatly from real-world Norse/Scandinavian climate and architecture; very snowy area, with primarily wooden buildings, especially those made to resist roof cave-ins from snow.
Lots of evergreen trees.
Nords themselves seem very battle-oriented, although not barbaric. Typical viking-esque feel to them.
Possibly Dwemer ruins toward the east?
Morrowind - Dunmer Province:
(Mostly mainland, considering the one-two combo dealt to Vvardenfell)
Very exotic lands, filled with twisting mountains, odd flora such as giant mushrooms; some large enough to live in. Also highly exotic fauna.
The Dunmer seem very divided in culture, lost between the old practices, new practices, attacks by Argonians, and more. Often a proud race, however.
Lots of Dwemer ruins.
Mainland quite well matches Vvardenfell for architecture and landscape?
Argonia - Argonian Province:
This is one I'm quite unfamiliar with, and haven't found much info on.
From what I can tell, it seems like a very dark, muggy, dank sort of place almost all across the province. What sort of architecture would they have there? Anything more than just small huts and simple towns?
Is there any real government there? It seems to me like since the Dark Brotherhood is widely accepted enough there that they would give Shadow-born hatchlings to them, that there wouldn't be much of a unified government apart from the Empire.
A few standing Ayleid ruins perhaps? I wouldn't imagine much to remain if any.
Also sounds like Thorn is the only real civilized city worth mentioning.
Elsweyr - Khajiit Province:
Seems rather inspired by northern Africa or Middle Eastern climates and architecture. Primarily desert, with walled cities for protection against sandstorms. Poorer buildings are small and very square, while richer buildings are indeed grander, some adorned with those 'onion domes' 'n' such.
Some mildly forested areas toward the north, and a bit on the eastern border.
Local rule is heavily centered around the moon-phase tradition.
Humans still not allowed into Torval? Includes other non-Khajiits?
Valenwood - Bosmer Province:
Sounds simple enough; huge forests, many types of creatures, both sentient and non-sentient. Some cities exist as a part of giant, walking trees.
Tribal societies, sounds like they're starting to unite against the empire. Still so in TESV?
Summerset Isles - Altmer Province:
Not a whole lot known in general, it sounds. But I would imagine it's a fairly beautiful place.
Very rigid social status, and judging by an illustration, could have some Japanese influences? It does appear (looking at the Chimer's swords and ancestor worship) that the Japanese culture could have had an influence on Aldmer in general; sort of an odd mix with that and ancient Egyptian sorts of hierarchy and practices.
My guess is that most architecture remains at least somewhat similar to Ayleid ruins as found in Oblivion, although stacked atop yet older structures.
Hammerfell - Redguard Province:
Heavy influence from the general Ottoman area, perhaps? Seems they, like Cyrodiil, have a heavy trade culture; and no doubt why. They have the most convenient shores in Tamriel.
Probably a lot more influence from old anti-Imperial groups, although there might still be a great connection between the general populace and the Imperials themselves.
Sounds like there's a good number of Dwemer ruins as well.
High Rock - Breton Province:
Heavily European themes; a mix between English, French, and Italian, as shown in various folks' names. I would assume the Italian themes would be strongest in the East, where it is closest to Hammerfell and Cyrodiil.
A relatively peaceful, although slightly feudalistic province, both in relation to itself and surrounding provinces.
I would assume architecture is rather similar to Skingrad and Chorrol.
Thanks for reviewing this. I do hope this little compilation project can lead to my art being more accurate.
