This is unfinished lore for my mod, so be gentle with me! DWEMER ARE BACK!!!!
FACTS
Taking advantage of the Nordic War of Succession, Indoril Nerevar of the Chimer and Dumac King of the Dwemer unite and drive the Nords out Velothi (later Morrowind). In year 420 of First Era, Dwemer and Chimer unite in the Kingdom of Resdayn. The Rourken Clan, refusing to unite with the Chimer, leave Resdayn and travel westward to a desert land that is called Volenfell (later Hammerfell). In year 668 of First Era Nerevar hears rumors of Numidium and confronts Dumac. The two races go to war, and the Dwemer disappear. But not all, Yagrum Bagarn is the last living Dwemer and one of Kagrenac's Tonal Architects. Bagarn was in the Outer Realms when the rest of his race disappeared, so he was unaffected by the event. He wandered Morrowind for many years searching for other Dwemer to no avail. Eventually he was struck ill with Corprus and descended into madness for many years. He is now housed in the Corprusarium at Tel Fyr and is mostly conscious, though he does not have full control of his body or mind.
NEW FACTS
During his expeditions in The Outer Realms, Bagarn discovered many worlds and ruins that had in them disturbing evidence of what Et`Ada (Aedra and Daedra) truly are. After Bagarn found The Black Tower on one world, the Rourken Clan decided that the Kingdom of Resdayn could not continue peacefully so long as the Chimer worshiped Daedra. All four houses of Rourken left The First Council, and the entire Clan left Velothi. The people of Clan Rourken feared that the Chimer's faith in the Daedra would one day destroy the Dwemer, and no facts and evidence can break the Chimer's faith. Each of the four houses of Rourken would send 100 of their children to Black Tower, where they will live and learn the facts of their existence.
ROURKEN LORE
When the Rourken Clan left 400 of their children at Black Tower, they did not know that what they did saved the Dwemer race from total destruction. The fact that Et`Ada (Daedra and Aedra) had no power in the Outer Realms saved them and ensured them total freedom of development. The library of Black Tower was full information about the Creation of Tamriel, the true forms of the Et`Ada, and how they became so powerful.
The new age for the Dwemer of Clan Rourken is known as Exodus, and it starts in the year 420 of the First Era. (Exo 1)
EXO 1 (1E 420)
Four hundred children arrived on Aetherius, and they were left at Black Tower. The leaders of four Rourken houses formed the Council. House Amschend was lead by a young woman Gannta Noreen; House Karstangz by Yarug Mzahnch, son of Bthuand Mzahnch; House Ars-B`Kar by Stung B`Kar; and House Bazkamarratz by Tarrza Marratz, the secret daughter of Kagrenac. Together they led the Children of Rourken through what is known as the "Years of Darkness". Very little information survived from this period.
EXO 249
"Day of Pain". All Dwemer felt strange pain in their bodies, and their minds were filled with the screams of thousands of souls. They did not know at this time that all Dwemer in Tamriel were destroyed.
EXO 500
"Years of Darkness" ended when the Council found a secret library in Black Tower that allowed them to unlock great powers with better understanding of the strange technologies that surrounded them. When entering the chamber where the library was hidden, members of the Council activated an unknown machine that changed them. The mysteries of the technologies that they found during the Years of Darkness were beginning to be dispelled. The technology could finally be used to its full potential. Unfortunately, some of the technology activated then would prove to be fatal in the future.
EXO 535
Development and usage of Plasma technology progressed greatly, and with new gene technology the Rourken Houses flourished. Growth was rapid. Exploration of Black Tower and ruins all over Aetherius showed that a great race lived here long before any life on Tamriel was created. It looked like they were at war, and most of them were destroyed, remains of their bodies looked like the Earthbones. (The Ehlnofey remains found in Morrowind)
EXO 578
When power from Plasma generators was created, some of the old Gateway Portals were opened. This would prove to be fatal since one of the portals led to the Oblivion Realm of Jyggalag. The war between Jyggalag's Dremora armies and Rourken Troopers lasted for 50 years.
EXO 628
A weapon of mass destruction, created by Rourken scientists, was smuggled into the Realm of Jyggalag by the Rourken Troopers and detonated. One Trooper managed to escape. He reported that the weapon destroyed all that was in Realm of Jyggalag in one great fireball, and only the resulting shockwave that pushed him into gateway saved his life. He was later to become one of greatest Admirals in the Rourken Troopers. His name was Radaz Bahraaz.
It is not known what happened to Jyggalag or if anything in his Realm managed to survive. The gateway portal to his realm could not be reactivated. Later, Rourken scientists would go on to discover that the weapon, which they created from plans in the Black Tower, produced a great distortion in space and time. It is believed that explosion sealed all portals that could be created in that Oblivion Realm forever.
EXO 629
After the war ended, the Council decided that it was too dangerous for all houses to stay in one place. House Amschend would remain on Aetherius, which was to be the center of the Rourken Empire. Houses Karstangz, Ars-B`Kar, and Bazkamarratz would leave Aetherius to colonize new worlds. Each house was to have their own standing army, but they all must answer the call to serve under Rourken Troopers. The new government would rule. A newly established group or the Order of Sky Gardens would lead the development to create, with help of gene technology, an improved Dwemer race? High Dwemer.
EXO 631
A terrible disease infected many before any of the houses could leave Aetherius. The disease was ignored because it was not lethal and had been around since the Years of Darkness. However, the disease had mutated during the war with Jyggalag and took a third of the Rourken population within one year. The Order of Sky Gardens made drastic changes in their plans for creating High Dwemer. Additionally the Dwemer had low magicka potential which made them even more susceptible to this disease. Scientists at Sky Gardens discovered Proto-DNA samples from Black Tower with which all races of Tamriel were thought to have been created. It was from the same samples that a cure was made that changed the Dwemer drastically. Due to those changes the Dwemer lost their power of "The Calling", a telepathic ability that enabled them to communicate over great distance, Also they gained more ability to use magicka. Some Dwemer did not take well to the changes in their appearance; loss of heavy facial hair was a shock to some. But the change was found to be most pleasant by many female Dwemer.
EXO 633
All houses were now on their own worlds. House Karstangz founded its home on a large desert world named Harrakis; House Ars-B`Kar now had a home on the forest world of Haddaes; House Bazkamarratz was on the artic world of Ataran. House Amschend remained on Aetherius, a small world with many islands, to guard Black Tower and the secrets within it.
EXO 715
The Order of Sky Gardens left Aetherius to make a new outpost on Kemel Prime.
EXO 720
Sky Garden scientists finally created the High Dwemer. With blood from all members of the Council, they made a potion that could give all of them the same powers and abilities. These changes made it possible to combine technology with organic materials, and so enabling construction of neuro-technology and cybernetic possibilities and implants.
EXO 830
Hellspawn incident on Haddaes, home to House Ars-B`Kar, destroyed entire surface of that world, leaving nothing but fire wasteland. All Gateways to this world were closed. (In later years, this incident would have major implications for all in the Rourken Empire.)
EXO 831
The three remaining Houses of Rourken in the Empire blamed each other for not having enough control over development of weapons. They agreed to make a "new" order. Rourken Troopers became an Order of their own and were given total control over weapon development. All three houses were allowed small lightly armed troopers to guard their home worlds; the Rourken Troopers would carry out all other military duties.
EXO 876
Rourken Troopers and the Order of Sky Gardens signed a "Pact for the Empire". This development changed balance of power in the Rourken Empire. Rourken Troopers were given a new special unit of Sky Troopers that were under the direct command of the Sky Gardens. Not long after that, the Sky Gardens requested a seat on the Council for themselves and the Rourken Troopers as agreed in year 629 of Exodus. A weakened Council had no choice but to give in to their demands. This was the start of what is now called the "Silent War of Houses".
EXO 903
Gateways to Haddes were reopened and Stung B`Kar from House Ars-B`Kar returned to the Council. During their isolation, the scientists of Ars-B`Kar created flying machines that could travel through the Outer Realms. This enabled House of Ars-B`Kar to reopen their Gateways on an orbital base over Haddes. (This technology was to be used in orbit over Nirn in later years.)
EXO 935
The Council, with six members, had trouble agreeing on any subject brought to it. The tension on the Council led to small conflicts though out the Rourken Empire, and the Rourken Troopers had to increase their presence through out the entire Empire. In addition, there were new problems within the Rourken Troopers; conflicts were exacerbated between serving the Empire and one's House. Sky Gardens' solution was to implant neuro transmitters into all Troopers. Science simulated the lost power of "The Calling" that Dwemer lost 304 years ago. It was therefore easier for officers to control their troops. During the same time, the Rourken Trooper who survived the assault on the Realm of Jyggalag, Radaz Bahraaz, became one of youngest Generals in Trooper history.
EXO 1013
By 1013, the Rourken Empire was on the edge of civil war. Small secret wars between Houses became greater over time and not even the great Rourken Troopers could avert the start of a civil war. The "Silent War of Houses" became open conflict. During this time the Rourken Empire seem doomed to fail, but change came soon.
EXO 1014
House of Karstangz from Harrakis and House Ars-B`Kar from Haddaes were attacked by Dremora armies devoid of Daedra leadership. (No evidence emerged of any Daedra involved with this attack; Daedra involvement was assumed since who else had the power to open Oblivion Gates on Rourken worlds.) The attack on these Houses surprised all, yet Rourken Troopers responded within hours. The armies of houses, Fed`Keen of Yarug and S`Kaar of Stung were molded by their worlds; they were perfectly suited for war in their realms. Small in numbers, they managed to keep the Dremora at bay and contained around Oblivion Gates. Furious battles started when Rourken Troops arrived and Great Oblivion Gates opened. Each House had small forces, and Rourken Troopers were forced to divide and deployed about half of their troops to the aid of the Houses. The Dremora had many soldiers on each world. When the Dremora realized that they had no chance of winning, they destroyed gates that were their only escape. Whoever initiated an attack on the Rourken may have known about their response to the Realm of Jyggalag and did not want to share the same fate. The bloodbath that followed the destruction of the last Gate was reportedly of epic proportions. All Dremora were defeated. Each House suffered great losses, and the Rourken Troopers lost over half of their soldiers.
EXO 1017
The Council was again in full control, and they decided that reform was mandatory. Time for expansion had come; the Rourken Empire would spread its presence throughout the Outer Realms and destroy all who dare stand in its way. This was the beginning of "The First Rise" and Admiral Radaz Bahraaz.
EXO 1020 EXO 1779
This period of Rourken history, "The First Rise" was a great time for scientists, artists, musicians, farmers, traders and all who lived in Rourken Empire. The Dwemer experienced a true renaissance during this period. Over 40 new worlds were colonized; Rourken Troopers destroyed all people in the Oblivion Realms they found. It seemed perfect until there was a small mistake.
EXO 1780
Once again, the Rourken Empire through its Council sent a ship to Nirn as the usage of Gates could alert Daedra of Dwemer's return. Although the "Day of Pain" was over 1531 years ago and no Dwemer returned to the Black Tower from Nirn, they did not lose hope for survivors. To avoid contact with major houses, they landed on a territory of a small tribe of beastmen called Sload from the coral kingdom of Thras. They forgot that they could still carry the terrible disease that killed one third of the Rourken population 1100 years ago; it came with them to Tamriel. The disease mutated further during the last 1100 years and had become even more deadly. Sload were resistant to it like all beast races yet they carried this disease to all parts of Tamriel. Dwemer were saved from the disease by the introduction of beastmen genetic material into all surviving Dwemer. The year was 2200 of First Era. The disease that nearly destroyed Rourken got its Tamriel name, The Thrassian Plague. It killed more than half of the continent's population.
EXO 1781
Rourken scientists discovered the changes in Dwemer genetics made them dangerous to other species. The Sky Gardens needed to make an additional patch for High Dwemer. Sky Gardens resented what they regarded as intrusive to their affairs. With help of their Sky Troopers, they begin by eliminating any scientists within the Rourken Empire that opposed them. The Council did not like this way of "dealing" with problems, so they ordered the Sky Gardens leader Lady Ksaa Noreen, sister of Gannta Noreen from House Amschend, to step down. She refused.
EXO 1782
Rourken Troopers went to Kemel Prime to remove Lady Ksaa Noreen from the Sky Gardens. However, Sky Troopers ambushed them killing all. This slaughter of Rourken troopers marked the end of "The First Rise" and beginning of the 1000 Year War. Origins of this war were over control of decision-making and use of scientific advances. The 1000 Year War changed the Rourken Empire forever.
EXO 1783 EXO 2783
This is the darkest period of Rourken history; millions were killed; many worlds were destroyed. Sky Gardens created anew; they mixed Dwemer and Dremora genetics. With modified neuro-transmitters similar to that used by Rourken Troopers to simulate "The Calling", they had a perfect army of drones that could be produced rapidly in mass numbers. Rourken Troopers responded by reactivating their old project, Centurion Drones. The Sky Gardens secretly produced large numbers of Battleships and surrounded worlds. They initiated orbital bombardment of the planets' surfaces. Scientists of Ars-B`Kar, with more experience in building ships, used their 100 their Battle cruisers and managed to destroy almost the entire fleet of Sky Gardens of over 2000 Battleships. Perhaps the best example of superiority was the famous "Battle for V`Near IV" where 15 Battlecruisers of Ars-B`Kar faced 250 Sky Garden Battleships. The superior tactics and flying by Ars-B`Kar Captains ensured that only five Battle cruisers were damaged while 240 Battleships of Sky Gardens were destroyed. Admiral Radaz Bahraaz was charged with the command of the entire Rourken military force during this period. He used specialized troopers from each House for brilliant fast strikes on Sky Garden outposts all over the Outer Realms, and with massive assaults by Rourken Troopers and Centurion Armies, Sky Garden lost almost all territories that they occupied during the first 500 years of conflict. Genetic Weapons used by Sky Garden to retaliate for all losses they suffered in combat marked the last 300 years of war. Almost 90% of all casualties in this war were made in the final years. The final battle on Kemel Prime (first Sky Garden Outpost, and their main research facility) changed entire Rourken Empire when Lady Ksaa Noreen used the last genetic dose of High Dwemer serum on herself. There are no official records as to what happened in that moment, but all Sky Garden forces surrendered to the Rourken Empire. Lady Ksaa Noreen was never found.
EXO 2800
Rourken scientists required 20 years to break all encryptions and security protocols of the Sky Garden facilities. They managed to rebuild 90% of the last gene sequence that Lady Ksaa Noreen used on herself. Finally work on High Dwemer was finished and all in Rourken Empire were transformed. 400 original Dwemer blood samples were duplicated, sealed and hidden in all of four great Rourken Houses. Sky Gardens, under new Lady, have new duty of keeping house bloodlines clean. Due to the fact that High Dwemer are immortal (in that they can not die of natural causes, but they can be killed), and with fast population growth in past and in future, changes to structure of the Empire were made. The Council made it their priority to forge a new Empire that could be easily controlled to avoid a new war.
EXO 3000
Changes to the Rourken Empire were made, and they worked perfectly. The new body to rule the Empire was called The High Council. All members of the old Council (four Houses, Sky Gardens and Rourken Troopers) and three new members (one representative of Guilds, one of Scientists and one from citizens of Empire), had powers in the Rourken Empire. A Senate, run by elected leaders from all colonies, appointed civilian representatives to the High Council. "The Second Rise" of the Rourken Empire has started.
EXO 3500
During 500 years of "The Second Rise" many in Rourken Empire demanded to the Senate and High Council that something must be done about the constant raids from Dremora all over Rourken territory and Morrowind must be reclaimed as ancient Dwemer territory. The High Council decided that destruction of Dremora and their masters has first priority and that it was time to slowly return to Nirn. With newer technologies, it would be easier to hide their presence from Daedra, it was thought the latest plasma and crystal technologies would make the destruction of Dremora and their masters easier.
EXO 3550
Rourken Troopers built an orbital outpost over Nirn. With new Raiders from Ars-B`Kar shipyards traveling between the orbital outpost and Tamriel was easy. Rourken scientists now feared not even Rourken advanced technologies could keep Daedra from detecting High Dwemer presence, despite claims made 50 years ago.
EXO 3553
During mining on D`Bran III, a small colony, strange ruins were discovered. After that High Council banned all travel and trade with D`Bran III and closed Black Tower to all non-military personnel. The Senate did not welcome that decision, but in a closed session, they agreed with High Council. From this event on, only the Rourken Troopers, Sky Gardens, Archeological Guild and High Council had access to D`Bran III and Black Tower.
EXO 3556
All contacts with D`Bran III and ten near by colonies were lost. All Gateways collapsed and whole area that surrounded D`Bran III and ten colonies were now forbidden territory. All High Dwemer were lost in that incident. (No official statement was given about that incident, but rumors in the Guild of Transportation and the Guild of Miners were that remains of another tower were found. Transportation Guild had many contracts with the Rourken Troopers and Archeological Guild for transportation of devices from Black Tower to D`Bran III, and Guild of Miners had to use their best technology and best miners for this secret mining operation.)
EXO 3580
After 3580 years, High Dwemer finally returned to Morrowind. With help from Sky Garden technology, they could appear as any race on Tamriel. Although their illusion of other races was perfect, their interest in Dwemer ruins did not go unnoticed. A group of fanatical worshipers of Azura formed a sect called Priests of Azura many years ago. Their entire lives were devoted to stopping any kind of blasphemy to their God. The fact that Azura had Her hands in destruction of Dwemer, and that they are gone due to Her wish, all that have anything to do with Dwemer are considered blasphemous and must be eliminated. Their worship of Azura's "dark side" would prove to be a big threat in the future.
EXO 3589
Secret explorations of Dwemer ruins by Rourken scientists showed many technologies built by Dwemer were not used on the mainland of Morrowind. Elaborate plans of underwater and sky cities using cloaking technologies (incredible at least for that period), made Rourken scientists to reconsider the possibility of some Dwemer Clan or House surviving the "Red Mountain Incident". Plans of a Dwemer cloaking device showed incredible power for space warping technology that could remove entire cities from Tamriel for years. Rourken scientists could not find actual evidence that a Dwemer cloaking device was ever used, but it gave them hope that someone else beside Yagrum Bagarn could have survived.
EXO 3591
Two Rourken scientists were killed during an exploration of Dwemer ruins in Morrowind. Each of the bodies had the "Cursed Azura`s Star" placed on them. This incident slowed exploration of Dwemer ruins due to the new security protocols that required the presence of Rourken Troopers during explorations. The High Council decided that it is time to slowly start showing to all on Tamriel evidence about Daedra. That would prove to be difficult with Azura's Priests' spies everywhere.
EXO 3603
During one of the explorations, Rourken scientists found an ancient Dwemer Flying ship in ruins of Enourk. It was badly damaged, but they repaired it with original parts from Dwemer ruins. They made changes to it, so that when it is activated, it will fly to Rourken's Outpost over Nirn. They planted clues to it all over Tamriel in hopes that someone would find their way to Enourk. They placed in Enourk old weapons and armors of Rourken Empire in hope that someone will take them and use them against the Priests of Azura.
EXO 3675
A Great Oblivion gate opened on G`Harr, a small farming colony; before Rourken Troopers could react, the attackers were gone. All colonists were killed. The speed and brutality was not normal for Dremora armies. When Dremora attacked, they used many Oblivion Gates and destroyed buildings and killed animals but never left a certain area around those gates. In this attack only one gate was opened; no buildings were destroyed but civilians were hunted down to the last one. Rourken scientists for the first time could not discover the origin of that gate, so the Rourken Troopers could not retaliate.
EXO 3703
After five more "Great Gate" attacks on small colonies since EXO 3675, an attack was launched on the great Houses of the Empire. Great Oblivion Gates opened on the ice world of Ataran, which was the home of House Bazkamarratz and High Council member Tarrza Marratz. When the Oblivion Gate was discovered, an alarm was raised throughout Empire. It was incredible luck that in the time this occurred the annual "House Wars" game was on Ataran, and that best armies of all four Houses were there. Thousands of soldiers came out of the Great Oblivion Gate unaware of powerful armies that waited for them. When the enemy reached walls around Bazka City four Ars-B`Kar Battlecruisers started bombardment of their positions from orbit around Ataran. Armies of Atheris (House Amschend) and Fed`Keen (House Karstangz) left Bazka City and attacked Great Oblivion Gate, while S`Kaar (House Ars-B`Kar) and Nema`Ih (House Bazkamarratz) attacked enemy head on after bombardment from Ars-B`Kar Battle cruisers ceased. Although the number of defenders was small, they held the advantage against the high number of enemy troops long enough for Rourken Troopers to arrive from all sides of the Empire. After the invaders realized that they were surrounded from all sides with no escape route, enemy soldiers started committing suicide. A few soldiers were captured before they could kill themselves, and information obtained from them changed Rourken actions on Nirn from that day forward.
EXO 3704
The Priests of Azura used technology similar to Black Tower Gateway technology. It was not obvious at first sight that they used high-end devices because they were hidden in obscure items such as small statues of Azura and many amulets (some even considered idea that Priests of Azura didn't know that they are using advanced technology). Troopers of Azura used an incredible crystalline armor that not even Rourken scientists could replicate. It was decided that use of high-end technology by religious fanatics is not a good combination.
EXO 3750
An Ars-B`Kar Battle cruiser was destroyed while on routine patrol near an area which had used Oblivion gates. Survivors of an attack report that 50 ships of unknown construction attacked the Battle cruiser when it was passing between distant colonies; the Senate and High Council released no further information.
EXO 3751
The High Council announced that Rourken Troopers would acquire new ships from Ars-B`Kar shipyards, a fleet of Heavy Destroyers, Destroyers and Advanced Battle cruisers. House armies that were limited since 1000 Year War were allowed to increase. Rourken Troopers would be given reinforcements from Sky Garden newly created Clone Troopers. In addition, there would be a reactivation of Centurion Armies. House armies would be placed all over territories of their House and would be supported by Rourken Troopers. Centurion Armies will be placed in orbit around each larger colony and will be activated when needed. The Senate announced partial state of war in the entire Rourken Empire.
EXO 3801
The Rourken Fleet was finally complete. Minor attacks by Dremora were crushed, and no new Azura Trooper attacks were reported. Secret trade with Tamriel continued and so did exploration of Dwemer ruins and remains of Earthbones (ancient "titanic" Ehlnofey race that lived in Morrowind). Rourken scientists were still trying to find connection between remains of Ehlnofey found around Black Tower and those in Morrowind.
EXO 3829 (3E 433)
An explorer from Morrowind named Mannara activated a Dwemer Flying Machine and came to a Rourken Outpost with a young man who was wounded. High Council was pleased that finally someone from Morrowind found the clues that were placed and they were able to escape from the Priests of Azura. Shortly after the Council was informed about Mannara's arrival, all contact to Rourken Outpost was lost?
» Mon Nov 08, 2010 5:58 am 
Look at their armor. 
