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Type Settlement
Continent Tamriel
Province Morrowind
Region Vvardenfell
Subregions Ashlands
Appears in Morrowind, ESO
Ald'ruhn circa 3E 427

Ald'ruhn (meaning "Old Home" in Aldmeris), also spelled Ald-ruhn, is one of the four cities of the district of Vvardenfell, serving as the district seat of the Great House Redoran in Vvardenfell. Ald'ruhn is a historic settlement. Before House Redoran established their city, Ald'ruhn was once an Ashlander meeting ground for the four tribes of the island. The settlement is surrounded by the shell of an ancient Emperor Crab, Skar.

Layout & Geography[edit]

The Manor District, also known as, the Under-Skar

Ald'ruhn is found on the edge of the region colloquially known as the Ashlands, on the island of Vvardenfell. Found just off the main road that runs through the West Gash, the land surrounding Ald'ruhn consists of steep hills, where ash storms would flow down onto the city. The local foyada that flows northwest of Ald'ruhn is known as the Foyada Drura, and the Hleran Ancestral Tomb is found along the river bed. On the southern outskirts of the settlement lies Buckmoth Legion Fort, the Imperial Legion's foothold in Ald'ruhn, as well as, the Daedric ruins of Ramimilk, a temple dedicated to the Lord of Domination, Molag Bal. Continuing east lies the Ghostfence, and not far from Ramimilk is the gate-town, Ghostgate.

Since it settlement's founding, the carcass of Skar has always been present.[1] When Ald'ruhn was an Ashlander settlement, it served as a council hall for the four distinct tribes of Vvardenfell (The Ahemmusa, Erabenimsun, Urshilaku, and Zainab) Surrounding the center of the room are different platforms for the separate tribe leaders to look over to the debate, and occasionally join in. In the center of Ald'ruhn is a large campfire, with encampments surrounding it. When it was converted into a city of House Redoran, it became a walled-off settlement, built in the style of House Redoran architecture. The undecorated exterior was inspired by the harsh terrain of the Ashlands of Dagoth-Ur, and the large insects that live in the area. Skar was converted into the Manor District, which is appropriately called Under-Skar. The Redoran nobility and even the Redoran Grand Council had resided in Under-Skar.[2] Lower Ald'ruhn is the first area from the western gates, and here the local guild chapters gather, as well as, the Rat in the Pot Inn. Continuing into Upper Ald'ruhn lies the various merchants, and their local Tribunal Temple.


The Camp of Ashlanders, Ald'ruhn

Ald'ruhn's founding can date back many years when the Emperor Crabs of Vvardenfell continued to roam the countryside. The Emperor Crab known as Skar, was undefeated, and laid waste to various Ashlander armies, until one brave soul stepped forward. Dranoth Hleran, wielding his mighty spear, Calderas, was able to defeat Skar, on a hillock on the border of the Ashlands.[1] From then on, the Grave of Skar would become the meeting grounds of the Ashlanders, and the legend of Dranoth Hleran and Calderas would fall into obscurity, with both names eventually lost to time.[3] The Hleran family would later adapt as a part of the House Dunmer, with the Hleran clan becoming a part of the Great House Redoran.[4]

During the Interregnum around 2E 583, Dranoth Hleran's descendant, Drelyth Hleran would approach Ald'ruhn, seeking to learn about his family's lost history, and to locate the Hleran Ancestral Tomb. Unable to acquire help from the Ashlanders, Drelyth enlisted the help of an Outlander in his endeavor. After acquiring the blessings of the First Ashkhans, the Wise Woman of Ald'ruhn had pointed the way towards the Hleran Tomb, where the Outlander cleansed it of the evil presence. It was here, the Outlander learned about Dranoth Hleran, his legacy, and Calderas. With the legendary spear, Drelyth was able to acquire the respect of the Ashlanders as the Son of Dranoth. This would be the beginning of House Dunmer and Ashlander relations, and eventually, the city of Ald'ruhn.[5]

At around the same time, the Ashkhan of the Urshilaku Tribe, Conoon Chodala, would approach the council of Ald'ruhn, claiming to be the Nerevarine. All the while, the Tribunal, Vivec was losing his divine power, which would have brought mass destruction across Vvardenfell. It was believed that Chodala was involved, siphoning Vivec's powers, through his staff, the Sunna'rah. Archcanon Tarvus had sent an Outlander to Ald'ruhn to investigate the situation. Both the Outlander and Chodala's sister, Seryn would attempt to persuade Chodala away from his path to Nerevarine, but to little avail. A council meeting was held in Ald'ruhn, where the Wise Woman, Dovrosi had denied Chodala's claim. In retaliation, Chodala escaped to Kaushtarari and the Red Exiles attacked the Ashlanders in Skar.[6]

Sometime later, Ald'ruhn would become a city of House Redoran. In 3E 414, the island territory of Vvardenfell would become an Imperial Provincial District, and open to the people for the first time in many years. It was split between the Great Houses of Hlaalu, Redoran, and Telvanni.[7] It was Archmaster Bolvyn Venim who secured the Redoran holdings of Vvardenfell and moved the council of the Redoran into Ald'ruhn. When the Blight outbreak occurred in 3E 427, the true Nerevarine would appear, and by prophecy, they would attempt to establish themselves as Hortator to the House Redoran council. While the councilors acknowledged them as such, Bolvyn Venim would rather die, than to see an Outlander as the new Archmaster. And so Venim was slain, which gave the Nerevarine the title of Archmaster, by right of duel.[8]

During the Oblivion Crisis in 3E 433, the province of Morrowind would suffer greatly from the Daedric invasion. Most notably was Ald'ruhn, where the Daedric horde was overwhelming the Redoran soldiers. Even when House Redoran had resurrected Skar, to fight against the Daedra, the city had fallen to the dominion of Mehrunes Dagon. The Daedra would move towards Ghostgate, to prepare for another siege. Prayers to Vivec and the Nerevarine go unanswered.[UOL 1]

In 4E 5, the island of Vvardenfell was utterly destroyed in an event known as the Red Year. For the first time in years, Red Mountain, would erupt and unleashed a sea of lava across the region. Many settlements were destroyed, including Ald'ruhn, and the other major cities. There were many families and friends lost in the destruction, and in Mournhold, there was not a single night where someone would be openly grieving. A relief effort began a month after the eruption, but it is unknown whether Ald'ruhn was rebuilt.[9] Some of the Redoran councilmen had survived the ordeal, with Brara Morvayn going to rule over Raven Rock on Solstheim.[10]



  • The city of Ald'ruhn seemingly had its name loaned to the village of Old Run, a settlement located on the opposite side of Vvardenfell during the Imperial Simulacrum.[11]

See Also[edit]



  1. ^ a b Ballad of Dranoth Hleran
  2. ^ Guide to Ald'ruhn
  3. ^ The Grave of SkarAnrunn Frozen-Cove
  4. ^ Drelyth Hleran's dialogue in ESO: Morrowind
  5. ^ Ancestral Ties quest in ESO: Morrowind
  6. ^ Divine Delusions quest in ESO: Morrowind
  7. ^ A Short History of MorrowindJeanette Sitte
  8. ^ Redoran Hortator quest in Morrowind
  9. ^ The Red Year, Vol. IIMelis Ravel
  10. ^ History of Raven Rock, Vol. ILyrin Telleno
  11. ^ Old Run location and rumors in Arena


  1. ^ The Fall of Ald'RuhnMichael Kirkbride