Ra Gada to Redguard - A History of the Redguard People

[Shapeshiftr]

Well, although Hammerfell-related books are no longer necessary, this book is already written, so there's no reason why it shouldn't be put into the game.

Ra Gada to Redguard -- A History of the Redguard People
By Socilius Pontius of the Imperial Library of Cyrodiil, 3E 425

Arrival in Tamriel

It was the year 808 of the First Era of Tamriel. A brave party of Yokudans, led by Frandir Hunding and calling themselves the Ra Gada, had completed their long voyage across the Abecean Sea, landing on a strange new land. Some called it Hegathe, and others, Volenfel. It was an arid and harsh environment and no one single culture had yet to settle in this remote corner of Tamriel. Various locations along the coast were populated by small military and fishing colonies, but no major cities rose over this land. The Ra Gada found it to be a perfect new home for them; they had come from the land of Yokuda, which was also dry, and knew blazing heat. They put to use the farming methods that they knew oh so well from their old land, using irrigation techniques that they had mastered back in Yokuda to utilize otherwise unworkable land, and settled the nearby area. The Ra Gada were of a master warrior race called the Ansei, and they used their great power to slaughter and capture the existing colonies and whatever sparse population there was, conquering all civilization in this new land.



Revolt and Reconstruction

As one would expect, this mass slaughter did not go over so easily with the survivors of Volenfel, and war broke out in a series of revolts. The Ra Gada, hoping to establish some sort of fortification, set up settlements across Volenfel and established a government at what is now Sentinel, building a magnificent palace that still stands to this day. Sentinel was originally a Dwemer ruin, which was turned into a fort by the Ra Gada. Below the palace, swords clashed, man against man, fighting for control of a new land. This destructive rampage, which lasted over 100 years, only subsided when a common enemy appeared-- Orsinium, the Orc Empire, which plotted to subjugate a section of the Breton territory High Rock. High Rock requested the help of Volenfel, and the Redguards and High Rock formed an alliance to drive back this nuisance to their land. After the defeat of Orsinium, things calmed down in Hammerfell. Hammerfell was the new name for Volenfel, after a famous battle strategy used by the Yokudan Ansei to drive back invaders, called Hammer and Anvil. Trade routes were established with High Rock, Hammerfell’s new ally, and also to Cyrodiil, the Imperial Captial. Cities were erected, and Hammerfell started to grow into a thriving territory due to Ra Gada’s development and the formation of a peace treaty with High Rock and the people of Hammerfell. It also became an important trade destination due to the agricultural advancements by Ra Gada, with exotic fruits, spices, and foods that were desired throughout Tamriel.



Divide Among the People, Imperial Rule

Over time, the name Ra Gada evolved into Redguard, a more Tamrielic pronunciation, due to the similarities between the two. But a majority of the Redguards didn’t like this assimilation. They wanted to keep their old culture, their old gods, their old ways. The Redguard population split into two sects -- the loyalists, called the Crown, who wanted to keep their old Yokudan religion and culture alive in this new continent; and the Forebears, who adapted to the ways and religions of their new continent, such as adopting worship of the Nine Divines. Excluding a few rebel Forebear cities, the Crown took near complete control over the Redguard population of Hammerfell, bringing the Yokudan government, called the Na-Totambu, or Group of High Nobles, to power. They named a High King, who ruled from the Great Palace of Sentinel, a Forebear-controlled city. The Forebear across Hammerfell were enraged by this and, seeing the death of Thassad II, the last High King of Sentinel, waged war against the Crown. Prince A’Tor, Thassad’s son, devastated by his father’s death unleashed the brunt of the Crown army against the Forebears and Sentinel. The Forebears, overwhelmed by their great power, requested assistance from the empire. Emperor Tiber Septim answered the plea of the Forebears, and sent Imperial troops to fend off the Crown army. At the end of the onslaught, the Empire gained control of Hammerfell. To this day, the province of Hammerfell is a territory of the Empire, though some concessions were made at Stros M’Kai and other towns through out the land. The Forebears and Crowns are still sworn enemies even now. Hammerfell continues to be an important trade destination, though is not a popular tourist destination, due to the hostility of the native Redguards to foreigners.



This is the history of the Ra Gada; how they came to be know as the Redguards, how a band of refugees evolved into a greatly influential power, and how a unique culture still stands today as an inspiration through all of Tamriel in stories, art, and religion.