Anvil

Anvil in the Second Era

Anvil (Cyro-Nordic: Ambol) is a prosperous Colovian harbor city on the Gold Coast by the Abecean Sea at the very southwest end of Cyrodiil. It is the seat of County Anvil and it is located at the end of the Gold Road, west of Skingrad and Kvatch, and south of Brina Cross.

Geography

Anvil consists of five districts: Castle Anvil, Chapelgate, Westgate, Guildgate and Harborside. The Redguards have had a notable influence on local architecture, which is of a similar style to that of nearby Hammerfell. The city's graveyard is located across the street from the Chapel of Dibella. North of the graveyard lies Benirus Manor, one of Anvil's many stately manors. The city also houses chapters of the Fighters Guild and Mages Guild, the latter of which specializes in restoration.

A large statue of a mermaid can be found in Guildgate district. With no inscription decorating its base and no certificate of origin stored in the city records, the statue remains a blank canvas upon which locals and visitors alike have painted their own picture. Legends surrounding its origins are numerous but archaeological studies indicate that it pre-dates any structure in Anvil, suggesting that the city was possibly built around her.

History

First Era

Anvil has existed since at least the early years of the First Empire, where it enjoyed a rich statuary tradition. Ancient statues from this time period were made from the same material as the Mermaid of Anvil, and one bust likely depicts the regency council lords in nearby Kvatch, suggesting a link between the two. Artistic expression of such statues was later suppressed when the Alessian Order rose to power.

In 1E 2200, Bendu Olo ruled the city and led the All Flags Navy against the Sload of Thras. When Bendu Olo returned after vanquishing the Sload, he began converting what was then known as Anvil Fortress into Anvil Castle.

Second Era

Having declared itself a free city following the fall of the Second Empire, Anvil functioned as an important port, attracting merchants, smugglers, and raiders from all across Tamriel and as far south as Pyandonea.

The Longhouse Emperor Leovic and his court visited Anvil four times during his reign, but he was disliked by the city's citizens and never returned after the infamous "Anvil Commotion" of Mid-Year 2E 569.

In 2E 577, Fortunata, leader of the Red Sails, captured the city, installed herself as governor, and declared dominion over the entire Gold Coast. This put Anvil in conflict with nearby Kvatch, which remained loyal to the Empire.

Third Era

By the time of the Camoran Usurper, the town was controlled by the Red Sabre pirates, but it was taken over and used as a base of operations by Commodore Fasil Umbranox while he attempted to break up the fleet circa 3E 286. During the battle in Anvil Bay between Umbranox and Torradan ap Dugal, the town was set alight. Dugal tried to flee, but Umbranox's battlemages caused a rocky outcropping to collapse over his ship, the Black Flag. As a reward for destroying the pirates, Umbranox was given the title of Count of Anvil, as well as the funds to build a city over the ashes of Old Anvil. He built a new Castle Anvil on the same island the Black Flag was buried under. Umbranox's descendants would rule for centuries afterwards.

Fourth Era

During the Great War, the city was put under siege by the armies of the Aldmeri Dominion, which ended with a Dominion victory in 4E 172. After a three-year occupation, Anvil was returned to the Empire with the White-Gold Concordat.