Herne
Herne (Yoku: Hirna) is an island in the Abecean Sea, to the west of Hammerfell. It shares its local waters with the island of Cespar, to its southeast.
History
Herne was first settled by the Ancient Hernish people, the descendants of Nedo-Nordic seafarers who arrived in the early years of the First Era. The Hernish had repelled several attacks by Lefthanded Elves before ultimately being wiped out by the migrating Yokudans in the 9th century 1E.[1] Herne was the first stop for the Redguard colonial waves, and many decided to stay there rather than continuing on to Tamriel. As a result, Herne developed a culture that more closely resembled that of the old homeland.
During the Warp in the West, Herne briefly came under the sphere of the Kingdom of Daggerfall due to unforeseen consequences of the Numidian Effect, but it was retaken by Hammerfell at some point in the following decades. The island was the site of some naval action during the Great War, and was occupied by the Aldmeri Dominion for a time, before ultimately being returned under Treaty of Stros M'Kai.
The lingering effects of the war have left Herne impoverished, and the lack of prospects has caused many of its inhabitants to move elsewhere. Eko Hirna, once a settlement of some import, is now like a fishing village, and even her fishermen are scarce. Moreover, the proliferation of piracy has reduced sea-traffic to a trickle. Yet, the people who still remain on Herne represent some of the last vestiges of Old Yokuda.