» Fri May 27, 2011 4:19 pm
The Forts were abandoned because they are no longer needed. For example, long ago the empire was not as dominate as it is in the current game time. Also there were invasions from others like Akavir. Finally, I think at the current TES IV timeframe, defenses are based around walled cities. I'm guessing the forts were built before walled cities.
Doors are common on mines and caves in the real world. To prevent people from wandering into dangerous places.
I'm guessing the chests are filled by Goblins or Bandits. Or in the case of Aylieds or undead, by magic. I guess that is a kind of weak answer.
I do wonder why there are no working mines in Cyrodiil. Or why there are so many locked containers and so few keys.