House Redoran
[The information below is a collection of old ideas which may or may not be outdated. The latest and the most up-to-date House Redoran planning doc can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Iteu714gu-g-Tjkdh2Myhf4wbYmNK1ulTWgKsAECFgs/edit]
Characters
- Bolvyn Venim – Grandmaster. Pulled the entirety of the House onto Vvardenfell into their old stronghold of Ald Ruhn, which has now become the council seat. Both due to wanting to consolidate control over councilors by pulling them out of their traditional power bases to a place under the grandmaster's control, but also due to a true conviction that Dagoth Ur represents the greatest danger to Morrowind.
History
430 years ago, Redoran defended the border of Resdayn against all human powers, from Skyrim all the way down to Nibenay. They were the ones meeting Tiber’s forces in border skirmishes and they were the ones prepared to die when the legions of Tamriel finally stopped testing them and they were the ones who breathed a sigh of relief when Armistice was signed (unlike the indoril, who had the least on the line and then threw the biggest self-decapitating shit fit in response).
In the years to follow, they lost the Armun Ashlands and the Othreleth Woods not because they were weak but because contexts changed, and what was once a hostile border became not just trade routes, but a border with their liege-emperor’s home province.
The Hlaalu, who were already predisposed to mercantilism and most ready of all the houses to change in the name of opportunity and willing to court the foreigner for their own benefit, came to become the dominant house across those territories and rapidly expanded outward from Narsis.
Although they lost a lot of land to the Hlaalu early in the Third Era, they have since more or less stabilized their territory (except for some back-and-forth sparring near Bodrum).
The Redoran still are a strong defensive bulwark and border against Skyrim and it’s raiders, but their current main purpose is beating back Dagoth, which is why their borderlands on the Mainland are hurting from lack of attention and raids by Nords and Orcs.
Military
One of the Redoran's defining characteristics is their martial prowess, given their millennia-long role of patrolling and protecting the western border of Resdayn against Nords, Orcs, Cyrodiils, etc.
Although they are currently on the backfoot in terms of territory, Redoran military strength should not be downplayed – scarcely 30 years ago, the Redoran won the Arnesian War almost single-handedly, with the Hlaalu, Dres, and Indoril having been beaten back by the Argonians and the Legions not being involved.
Settlements
Redoran cities – these are always fortress-like, built in strategic and defensible locations.
In Velothis, the Empire should mostly host its legions in these cities, rather than in wilderness forts of their own.
Despite the Redoran's relative affinity for the Legions and their location in the west of the country, their cities are not known for their outlander populations, given the generally harsh conditions and the relative prosperity of more inviting Hlaalu lands to the south. Hence, Blacklight should not have a "foreign quarter" or anything like that. Most traders should be Dunmer, like in Indoril settlements. (The above being said, Blacklight should still be a major port; its "merchant district" just shouldn't extend far beyond the harbor.)
Chimer Strongholds – House Redoran will garrison most, if not all ancient Chimer strongholds in their core territories, as they don't seem the types to let strategic fortresses fall into the hands of bandits and cultists. A particularly important stronghold may resemble a Redoran version of Tel Rivus. The Redoran also have most or all of the Velothis ring propylon indices in their possession and know how to use them.