Plan for a New Imperial Era

[Xui'al]

Boring and therefore right.

This is a multi-volume work by a group of generally racist Imperial strategic planners, created at the behest of the Elder Council following the Crisis. Two volumes are complete, while the third, on Cyrodiil, is still being written. Ideally, the book will include somewhere around 9-12 volumes. Nanu mentioned that he would be willing to do Hammerfell, and I would be thrilled if someone would be willing to do Skyrim. Given its place in Elder Scrolls lore, I do not expect that this work will stymie positive responses from the community.

Boring and therefore right.

v.1

From a military, political and economic standpoint, the Empire is faltering, whilst stagnation, prosperity and ineptitude have weakened Cyrodiil's dominion over the continent. Thus, the Elder Council has formed the Imperial Strategic Studies Commission to provide educated guidance on the preservation of Imperial military power in the wake of the Oblivion crisis. We have traveled, researched, discussed and analyzed the strategic susceptibilities of the Empire, and have provided the Council with recommendations regarding each province, and potential threats from within or outside the Empire’s current borders. The current Empire stands on the brink of an era of chaos, and only certain and careful action can prevent the Imperium from sliding into the abyss Mehrunes Dagon's hordes nearly brought us to.

On nearly every front, the Empire is surrounded by enemies. Morrowind has long been a difficult province geographically and culturally, and recent changes are unlikely to bring anything but chaos to the East. Covert members of the Imperial Geographical Society report that a new and powerful regime has risen to prominence amongst the Tsaesci of Akavir. The Empire has only ever effectively controlled Argonia in name, seal and document, and should the creatures of the Black Marsh attempt to assert their sovereignty, we will be hard-pressed to stop them. Elsweyr presents a difficult situation, for it is impossible to predict exactly what may happen. Open war with the Bosmer over the West Bank of the Xylo River is a possibility, and it is also difficult to judge the power and dispositions of the Manes. Valenwood, on the other hand, lacks any form of internal political cohesion. The benefits and dangers to Imperial control over the province will be discussed in ensuing volumes. The Altmer of Summerset possesses the most pointed threat to Imperial dominion over the west. A strong navy and advanced magic, coupled with resentment of centuries of Imperial control, could potentially lead the Altmer into an armed rebellion. The Sload of Thras are dangerous and powerful, and while they are often viewed with horror, the small size of their domain limits their strategic capabilities. Short of another great plague, the Sload present only a minor security threat to the Empire. The Redguards of Hammerfell are divided, and open conflict amongst each other and in the east against Skyrim is not unlikely. Following the Miracle of Peace, High Rock became quite stable and is unlikely to begin any attempts to free itself from Imperial suzerainty. However, a general conflict with Nova Orsinium is not unprecedented, and could potentially destabilize the entire Iliac Bay region and devastate lands that are only beginning to recover. Skyrim has long been an important Imperial ally and generally a loyal subject. For Imperial power to extend into the next century, it is prudent that this situation does not change. Finally, Cyrodiil, the heartland of the Empire needs many reforms if the Empire is going to remain the dominant power on the continent.

It is imperative that we now classify where the greatest dangers lie, both at home and abroad. The empty Septim throne in Cyrodiil presents a power vacuum and a weakness to all of Nirn. While much of Tamriel's military and economic influence resides directly under the members of the Elder Council, that power is sharply divided into spheres of the most prominent cities and organizations. As these spheres frequently overlap, it is likely that without a strong central figure chaos and strife will begin to develop throughout the Empire. This, power must be centralized on the Septim throne, and a new emperor found. This is further discussed in the volume on Cyrodiil.

The greatest external threat to the Empire comes from the south-western Mer. A new Aldmeri Dominion is not a foreign possibility, and in both conventional and magical warfare the Aldmer and Bosmer are likely to unsustainable casualties upon Imperial troops. While the Imperial Commission of Tactical Studies advises the creation and training of specific legions suited for particular forms of combat, (namely for subjugating geographically diverse areas or races less susceptible to conventional warfare) we believe that we can prevent a major war through careful planning.

Thus, two monumental tasks lie ahead of us: first, we must stabilize the heartland to prevent secession and rebellion and to maintain effective force projection capabilities. Second, we must prevent the formation of a new Aldmeri Dominion, as a war against Valenwood and Summerset would result in decades of needless violence and destruction, while weakening the continent to external threats.

v. II: Other Lands and Principalities

The Principality of Esroniet reaped great benefits from Uriel V’s improvements for use as a staging area during his failed invasion of Akavir. Sharp cliffs, strong fortifications with a nigh-impregnable bastion and a natural harbor all provide the defenders with a supreme position. However, we consider it unlikely that the island could hold out against a full-scale invasion from Akavir, and at this time the Commission advises the Elder Council to reduce the Imperial garrison from 300 troops to 100, and leave only a single warship with crew. The ruling family, believed to have been descended from Atmoran Nedes, has demonstrated unflinching loyalty to Cyrodiil on numerous occasions, and thus there is little reason to believe the island would secede. Essentially, Esroniet must serve as a warning beacon to an Akaviri invasion, and unless the Empire has sufficient resources in the future to mount a strong defense, a garrison of 100 bolstered by native soldiers will have to suffice.

Granting Orsinium provincial status is a prudent course to prevent additional strife in the Iliac Bay region. The previous sieges against Orsinium are not historically remarkable for any reason other than the vast numbers of lives they needlessly claimed, and the lengthy durations they occupied. If the Empire refuses the request to grant Orsinium status, it shows weakness in Imperial influence in High Rock, and may condemn the region to another vicious war. Conversely, showing generosity demonstrates an extension of Imperial power to the ever-troubled Iliac Bay kingdoms. It is likely to prevent a general war, and will earn the Empire the goodwill of the Orcs, whose military service would provide a great benefit to the Empire for virtually no cost.

While the Sload of Thras have long been difficult neighbors, they have never posed a strategic threat to the security of the Empire. Even now, in the wake of the Oblivion Crisis, it seems unlikely that the Sload would capitalize on the chaos and attempt to extend their realm. We do not know the extent of the damage done to Thras, or even if there was any done. Additionally, due to extreme ideological polarization, Artaeum has always proved to be an effective counter to the Sload. Historically, Artaeum claims to have thwarted six major Sload offensives and 119 raids in the past century. (See ‘A Complete History of Thrassian Involvement in Tamriel, v. V-VII.) Furthermore, these actions are typically directed against the Altmer of Summerset as opposed to the mainland of Tamriel. However, another Thrassian plague could prove debilitating to an already devastated population. In order to deal with the Sload effectively, it is recommended that the Empire simply be vigilant towards new and virulent disease on the west coast and Abecean islands, as well as pursue better relations with the Psijic Order than Uriel VII did. It is also in the Commission recommendations that a list of known Imperial magicka-based disease experts be compiled for a potential future threat.

Akavir poses a massive threat to Tamriel. Like Thras, we have no information on the extent of damage done by the Oblivion invasion. However, we do know that the current ruling regime in Tsaesci is highly militaristic. Due to a complete lack of information, the Commission recommends the transfer of the 8th Nightblade Division from Wolverine Hall in Morrowind to Esroniet, in order to conduct reconnaissance. We do not find the fortification and militarization of Morrowind’s east coast or Esroniet strategically viable until more information can be obtained.

Pyandonea – CLASSIFIED

v. III – Cyrodiil

A strong and unified heartland is necessary to maintain Imperial authority in the provinces. A central leader is needed to preserve cohesion, Imperial bureaucratic structures must be improved, while new construction must be undertaken and devastation must be repaired.

The many ruined forts around Cyrodiil should be rebuilt in three phases. First, the nine forts that ring the Imperial City must be reconstructed and staffed, to dissuade anyone with a minor force from taking the Imperial throne. For this, we propose raising a 37th infantry legion, with a minimum of 1200 armored cavalry. The Commission fully understands the incredible cost associated with the raising and maintenance of an additional legion, but considering the consequences of a plundered or conquered Imperial City, the expense should be considered trivial.

The second phase involves fortifying Cyrodiil’s border with Hammerfell and Valenwood along the Brena and Strid Rivers. Western Colovia is a volatile area following the destruction of Kvatch, as without an open road to Anvil the Empire has little hope of properly maintaining the Abecean fleets. Without the fleets, the threat of a new Aldmeri Dominion arising increases. Precedence must go to the fortification of the northern bank of Strid River all the way to Skingrad, as Rihad is not considered a threat. Kvatch must be rebuilt, and additional fortifications and a harbor expansion with additional cargo storage capacity are required on the Isle of Stirk. We propose that the 11th and 23rd legions be moved into Western Colovia, as well as the remainder of Legio XV's light cavalry. Should the political situation remain stagnant, the completion of the fortifications, rebuilding of Kvatch and the bastion at Fort Sutch will allow the Empire to transfer approximately one-half of the recommended manpower elsewhere.

[Nanu]

I really don't know how you wrote this without falling asleep, Xui. I'm trying my hand at the Hammerfell part, and it's not really interesting.

[Haplo]

Does 'A Complete History of Thrassian Involvement in Tamriel' exist?

[Sload]

Naval-gazing meta-satire bah

[Gez]

The PNAC calque is a bit too blatant.

[Nomadic1]

The Project for a New American Century spoofing could be hidden by getting rid of the "New Century" bit. Or change "Century" to "Era". Or something.

That said, this is really boring. The author seems almost too accurate in their perceptions to satirise the PNAC as well.

[Xui'al]

That said, this is really boring. The author seems almost too accurate in their perceptions to satirise the PNAC as well.

I'm not satirizing PNAC itself. Rather, I'm just stealing the name. However, it has been a very long time since I've added a book in the CS, and thus I cannot remember the character limit.

Haplo: No. ES lacks books of this sort, so I have to cite works that don't really exist.

Sload, Nanu, Nomadic1: Are you even interested in me continuing? Or is too 'boring' for literary humanities students?

[Nanu]

Xui, I'm always interested in seeing what you have to offer. There's nothing wrong with the text, it's just written to be boring, and you did a damn good job.

[Xui'al]

Xui, I'm always interested in seeing what you have to offer. There's nothing wrong with the text, it's just written to be boring, and you did a damn good job.

Damn humanists

[Haplo]

I didn't think it was boring.

[Gnomey]

Nor did I. Maybe it's my taste in literature that's boring.

[Harke the Apostle]

It'll be nice when it's finished.