Part of a series with my comments on Shades’ Skyrim backstory, for use in Spearthane. I may protect some of these posts if I detail specific quests.

Ruled by King Hrothgar, this city-state has come upon hard times.

I assume the name “Hrothgar” is traditional, honorary, or shorthand title for the area ruled. Not a real genealogical name reflecting an unbroken line of descent from whichever Aldmoran named the mountain.

The damaging droughts, floods, harsh winters, and devastating fires have left them short on supplies and living season by season.

By floods, I assume swollen rivers raging from ice melt on the mountains. We’re quite a bit above sea level for most of this kingdom.

The economic hit has caused a slow trickle of emigration, though a strange phenomenon has occurred with this situation concerning the so-called Witch-Queen of Whiterun. Though originally thought a menace [by the court of Whiterun and village elders], public disposition has swayed to favor Jsashe the Witch and effective control of the county lies with her.

Why, will surely be key to a quest. What is the source of her power? With whom does she deal? Why does the public favor her? Especially with the daedra gone, what boons does she grant, and what power does she wield?

If things go very well for her, she might be a candidate for the Imperial throne, but she starts with a relatively low(est?) and localized reputation.

Once called the Imperial City of Skyrim, the damaged grandeur of the city still shows a visage of its former self, though certain parts of the city have fallen into blight quicker than others.

I thought Windhelm had the palace? Or does the title refer to the population of Imperials?

The decline in population created a thinner demographic of non-natives, though a notable minority of Imperials is still present. The great walls still stand firm and within them the poorest sectors have been abandoned.

Providing meeting-places, housing, and storage of materials for the most wretched, illegal, furtive, and fugitive elements of society.

Former residents of the outer curtain have taken to squatting in the better appointed sectors and housing choices as they become available, though the overall population sits at sixty percent of the total a score of years ago.

Perhaps some conflict here between squatters and family branches coming to claim abandoned or sold property of richer cousins, and find safety within city walls.

The situation of Jsashe has caused a general polarization of the population. Those who exalt her generally live outside the most regulated areas where the Hrothgar still holds control; outlying villages, refugee camps, and the nomadic Nords who still observe tribal practices.

Is there a link between most traditional Nord practices and Jsashe’s witchcraft, or just the susceptibility of the superstitious mind?

Where is Jsashe based? Blackmoor/Darkmoor would make a certain amount of sense, since it’s physically most accessible to external influences, yet still in Whiterun. It’s overland from The Reach and Northshore, and upriver from Haafenheim.

Hrothgar has taken a strong stance against this inner threat, and has tended to look the other way when his infantry disposes of small bands of her followers. By his duty he still sends supplies and priests to the refugee camps to care for his displaced people, but he also uses this chance to gain information on the situation. Suspicion is overtaken by desperation often enough the people depend on whatever they can get, and but in the cities the suspicion of outsiders is hardly restrained.

Very good setup for disrespect and conflict.

Ancient rivalry with Dawnstar has been put aside in this long time of crisis, but it has hardly favored mercy or forgetfulness among the nobles. Given the history, they bite their tongues at the thought of a steady agreement between the city-states. They feel their restraint shown is defiant of their very natures. At this time though, necessity outweighs bloodlust.

From whence came this ancient rivalry? I imagine Dawnstar once the capital and first-smashed city of the Falmer. I’d expect this rivalry then to come from a more recent source. Sea-trade of Dawnstar v land-trade of Whiterun (especially since Pale Pass opened)? Military rivalries over influence on resources of the villages between them? Different types of population, mountain Nord v sea and refugee populations?

Resources have been contracted into the central holdings to facilitate the re-invigoration of the farming cycle, and since metal, stone, and wood are more easily scavenged than harvested, the logging operations and mines have largely stopped.

Good opportunity for Dawnstar to expand influence in villages between them, especially if it has more money from alliance with Solitude to pay for logging and mines.

The Oblivion crisis drove citizens back to Hrothgar and affected both sides of the dispute to the point that an unstable peace afflicts them. His heroic charge of gate within his city inspired a new respect for him. Jsashe has claimed through her magic and priestesses they were successful in forcefully resisting the invaders.

Actually, probably more likely the result of witches’ historical truck with daedra. She perhaps has a powerful patron, maybe Nocturnal through whose realm Dagon’s forces have travelled.

Destroyed sections of towns and scorched landscapes hardly speak well of either of their efforts, but both sides have recoiled to rebuild. Looting is common, leading to many travelers to find themselves surprised at the finery of furnishings within homes and businesses. The stones of destroyed buildings are continually taken for improvements to occupied structures.

A surge of nationalism has caused the Nords to rebuild their most important structures and shrines, especially those dedicated to Akatosh after hearing his part in the banishment of Dagon.

Akatosh in the form of Alduin the World Eater, Ǫldtǫnn to the Aldmorans.

Hrothgar is the King most dedicated to the retention of the Empire.

Between this and heroics, definite candidate for Imperial throne, or first against the wall when the revolution comes.