Greetings fellow lore enthusiasts. I have recently started writing a story about the Arnesian War, but when I did a bit more research I encountered a few problems, namely with Barenziah and her husband. I read most of The Real Barenziah, but I'm a tad confused on a few things. If any of you can help me out a bit I would be very appreciative.

According to the UESP, she left during the Arnesian War, in which Symmachus was killed. However, this is contradicted by her Biography and the UESP's timeline. According to her Biography, she left Morrowind due to rebellion in the city, leaving her husband behind as she travelled to the Imperial City to seek help from the Emperor. However, she found that the Emperor was only Tharn in disguise, and while she was there she was informed that Symmachus had been killed. She then, with Eadwyre's help, befriended Tharn, discovered the location of the pieces of the Staff of Chaos, and promptly left for High Rock. Then Tharn was defeated as per the events of Arena and Barenziah was chilling in High Rock until Daggerfall starts.

So, looking at the timeline, I would assume she was hanging out with Tharn in the year 391, when Symmachus apparently died. Then, five years later, the Arnesian war happens, and she supposedly leaves Morrowind then (wasn't she with Eadwyre?). Then, another three years later, Tharn is finally defeated.

Now then, for my questions:

1. So, was Barenziah in Morrowind or High Rock during the Arnesian war?

2. If she fled Morrowind due to the war, does that mean Eadwyre was hanging out with her in Morrowind until then?

3. And Helseth was with her?

4. If she wasn't, does that mean Llethan was in charge of Morrowind during the war?

Finally, any other knowledge anyone has on the Arnesian war would be very much appreciated. I have had some trouble finding a good source for this, so any books or pages would be helpful too. Thanks a lot everyone, and I apologize if the questions seem silly. I just need to know what characters I can work with in my fan fic.

Im sorry i can't be much help here, I don't know off my head and don't have enough time to dig through the imperial library.

Both books about Barenziah's life seem to say that he was killed during a rebellion and not during a border war. It is possible that the rebellion took hold because all his troops were in the field, but I think it likely that he would have been there commanding them if there was action. Since the war happened in the later part of Tharn's reign, I would prefer the history to read that the border war began because Symmachus was killed, and there was nobody in authority to quickly put down the slave revolt.

Just checking that you've read The Real Barenziah as well? It is supposed to be the most accurate account, as opposed to the biography which is propaganda.

Barenziah was in The Imperial City when Symmachus was killed in Morrowind and her children were with her. Eadwrye was also frequently residing in The Imperial City at this time and is how they came to meet. The revolutionaries in Mournhold established their own King, with Symmachus dead and Barenziah out of the country.

Thank you both very much

So, Symmachus was killed before the war began, and as I thought Barenziah was in the Imperial City at the time. So the war started almost immediately after the revolt in Mournhold because there was no central authority to stop it?

After the war began, did Barenziah stay in the Imperial City? I assume she didn't go back to Morrowind then, correct?

And Llethan was put into power by the rebels? Or was it a more official appointment?

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help :goodjob:

You're welcome.

Barenziah does not return to Morrowind after she hears of Symmachus' death, she discovers Tharn's impersonation, confides with Eadwrye and lives in The Imperial City for a period of time (It may be months or years, I really recommend reading The Real Barenziah - It elaborates on all of this even though it is really long).
After The Imperial City, she goes to High Rock with Eadwrye. I can't really help you after that sorry, as I have yet to play Arena or Daggerfall and my knowledge isn't the best.

That's fine, Seras, I really only need to know what applies to Morrowind anyway

Okay, hopefully these will be my last questions so I can start writing again:

The order of events went something like this then: riots in Mournhold start, Barenziah leaves for IC with Helseth and Morgiah, Symmachus is killed, Barenziah meets up with Eadwyre, Llethan is put into power in Mournhold, the Tear Riot, Roris the Martyr is killed, the war begins, and while the war is going on Barenziah leaves for High Rock to help out the Eternal Champion. Am I leaving out anything important, or is anything out of place? I would really like to be as canon as possible in my story, so I am really in need for a clear idea of what all is going on.

So was Llethan a revolutionary, or was he put into power after the rebels were put down? If they were ever put down, that is.

What were the various Great Houses doing at this time? Vvardenfell hasn't been opened for settlement yet, apparently, so only the Temple was in there. Which means the Houses are all on the mainland? Are there any good maps of territorial distribution for mainland Morrowind? I know Hlaalu had Narsis, Indoril had Mournhold and Necrom, Telvanni had all those eastern islands, and Dres had the southern regions, but where was Redoran? Any further knowledge on what any of the Houses are doing at this time (especially Indoril, Dres, and Hlaalu) would be very beneficial for my plot. Thanks

Sorry for all my questions, I just wanted to know how much lore I have to work with and how much I can make up for my story. Thanks a lot everyone

House Redoran would've possessed the same territories they did in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - That small fraction of Vvardenfell and their lands in the Velothi Mountain areas to the west that border Cyrodiil and Skyrim, including the city of Blacklight.

Regarding the order of events you listed, it appears to me to be correct but it is always a good idea to get yourself to The Imperial Library and read whatever sources you can.