Cities of the Starry Heart: Rihad

Rihad, port city of the Abecean Sea laying near the Hammerfell-Cyrodiil border, comprised of an eclectic group of inhabitants mostly from across west and central Tamriel, though the many demographics of the city certainly are not limited to such origins. While I may be preferential to the ancient buildings as among the greatest attractions, I will also deliver a description of the cosmopolitan people, splendid culture, and mild climate. Here, I will take you, dear reader, on a journey west.

While it is not the easternmost city to be found in Hammerfell, Rihad is easily the most inviting. Its siblings further east, Dragonstar and Elinhir, are not nearly as accessible, being situated in the mountains along the borders with Skyrim and Cyrodiil; add that to the tense atmosphere of divided Dragonstar and the relative detachment of Elinhir, and Rihad becomes instantly appealing. Rihad lies amongst the rolling hills of the Goldmoor region, with its climate a pleasant mix of the Gold Coast and Colovian Highlands, tied together with the warmth of the west. It is an important port for Hammerfell, as it is closer to the rest of the world than shipping competitors such as Sentinel and Hegathe.

And a city very much of the world it is! Wares and people pass through from every corner of the continent, and Rihad is just as much a gateway to the west as it is a lifeline for Hammerfell.

Arrive at the gates of Rihad on the road from Anvil, and you’re greeted by walls of weathered white stone, flanked in the distance by farmland amidst the hills. The walls are high, but you can see a few landmarks on the skyline; the great dome of the temple and the towering flame of the lighthouse (which is more of a gigantic torch) accompanied by a few of the larger ships’ masts. The architecture of Rihad truly is beautiful; on my first visit, I was impressed by the gilded domes and dew sails that adorn just about every building – it’s also worth mentioning that these features are effective methods of combating the southern Hammerfell heat, the dew sails collecting water that is used to keep cool and the domes helping indoor spaces to breathe. Something else uniquely Rihadan is the presence of unique mosaic colophons on most structures. As we know, a colophon is a publisher’s mark, but in this sense it is an architectural feature – something like a crest carved in stone, but far more intricate and with a deeper story to tell. Some are even magical runes, made to ward off evil spirits.

As I mentioned, Rihad is a place that boasts a very diverse culture and population. Being a port and hub of trade, it manages to reach all around our continent and draw in people from the farthest corners of Tamriel (including myself, a Dunmer of Morrowind). However, my kin are certainly the minority; the most established of groups is that of the Redguard Forebears, first to arrive in Hammerfell and a fixture ever since. Tied for the second largest minorities are Redguard followers of Sakatal – though admittedly, many of these people are nomads, and it is only a steady cycle of them that keeps their numbers high – and former denizens of High Rock, often Bretons. Rihad also has a fine tradition of warriors, and many are drawn in to train. The city is a melting pot, and the constant flow of shipping through its harbor coupled with a long-standing Imperial bias has led to an atmosphere of vibrancy and life.

Now, dear reader, you may now expect me to list a few highlights of the city as I normally would, taverns or attractions that cannot be missed; but I have grown to love this city so, it has taken such a special place in my heart, that to do that would be to lay bare the gems that can only found through the process of getting to know the city of Rihad. I urge you, take a carriage or a boat to Rihad, and find, as I have, that the greatest gems are those that one unearths oneself.

Merry travels!