Valenwood

Valenwood (Bosmeri: Valenmor) is a densely-forested region and traditional province in southwest Tamriel, bordering Cyrodiil to the north and northeast, Elsweyr to the east, and the Summerset Isles to the west across the Blue Divide. It is the homeland of the Bosmer, the Imga, and the Wood Orcs.

Etymology

There are several contradicting theories on the origin of Valenwood's name. One popular theory claims the land was named for Prince Valen, an Aldmer explorer who visited and attempted to settle the region in the Merethic Era. Another theory suggests the Aldmeri root word val, meaning hill or mountain. The name may also stem from vallen, a Bosmeri word meaning "bay", perhaps in reference to the Tarlain Bay; or from Cyrodilic valens, meaning "strong", "powerful", perhaps referring to the immense size of Valenwood's trees.

Other names for Valenwood include Bosmora ("Green Wood"), Ada-mor ("Spirit Forest") or Ghul-Mora ("Monster Wood").

History

When explorers arrived from Alinor in the Merethic Era, there were already indigenous races dwelling in the forests, including Catfolk, Centaurs, Imga and Wood Orcs. Sources differ on whether Bosmer were there since time immemorial, or if they evolved from the descendants of Aldmer colonists. In any case, Bosmer were the dominant race in Valenwood by the Late Merethic, and had subsumed the colonial Aldmer culture into their own.

In 1E 0, Eplear Camoran united the various Bosmer tribes into a great kingdom, which would be ruled by his descendants for most of history. This entity has been variously called the "Camoran Kingdom", the "Kingdom of the Bosmer", or the "Kingdom of Valenwood".