Lore:Turala

Turala
Race	Dunmer	Gender	Female
Resided in		Mournhold Old Barbyn's Farm

Mournhold

Turala was a Dunmer woman from the late First Era. She was originally a member of House Redoran and the mistress of Indoril Brindisi Dorom, the Duke of Mournhold, but after being pregnant with the Duke's child, she was forced into exile. Turala traveled to High Rock, where she was brought in by the Skeffington Coven of witches and went by her new name, Turala Skeffington. She is most well-known as one of the central characters of 2920, The Last Year of the First Era, a famous historical fiction written by Carlovac Townway.

History

Much of what is known about Turala comes from the 2920 series, which has varying claims of authenticity. Carlovac Townway himself claims that none of it is fiction. Only that some of it is conjecture stemming from research, and that any event in the distant past is open to interpretation. An example he gives is that while he did not know what Turala and Brindisi Dorom talked about privately, he knew who they were and what their conversations led to, so in that sense, he considered it non-fiction.

Biography as told through 2920

The Skeffington Coven

Turala was born sometime in the late First Era to members of House Redoran and became Brindisi Dorom's mistress. By Morning Star in 1E 2920, they were in love, and she was his favorite mistress. But when she revealed her pregnancy with the Duke's child, he cut her off. Returning to her family, she told them the truth, and as proud members of House Redoran, her father branded her with the sign of expulsion, and her family banished her on the 13th of Sun's Dawn.

By late Second Seed, she was crossing the border between Morrowind and Cyrodiil via Kavas Rim Pass. Though she had a tough time with border guards, they let her through when they realized she had no weapon. She traveled the road for about a month or two, and along the way saw caravans and even ate with adventurers, but none of them could give her a ride to the next town.

On the 31st of Second Seed, she suddenly had to give birth and began screaming in rage and agony. A Wild Elf appeared and held her down as she struggled. After a few minutes, she felt a release and passed away. She awoke later to the sound of her crying child and the Wild Elf long gone. Before she continued her journey, she quietly thanked him and named her daughter, Bosriel, or "Beauty of the Forest" in her native tongue. In mid Last Seed, Turala and her baby were in the town of Wroth Naga when she met Cassyr Whitley, an infamous veteran of the Four Score War. He offered to give her a ride to High Rock, on his way back home to the Iliac Bay, and she accepted.

In early Hearthfire, the three travelers were in the Phrygias wilderness when they suddenly ran into an Orcish party. Before they were caught, they were saved by Mynistera Skeffington, of the infamous Skeffington Coven. She brought them to Old Barbyn's Farm, where Turala and Bosriel met the coven's family and found a new home with the witches. While Cassyr Whitley continued on his way home to Dwynnen, Turala began to learn conjuration magic under Mynistera and was already advanced than most witches after a month of learning. Mynistera believed that it was not lon before Turala could take over as leader of the coven.

Mynistera tasked Turala and two other witches, Doryatha and Celephyna, to travel to Wayrest and acquire herbs, as well as have Turala become acquainted with cityfolk as a Skeffington wise woman. On the way back, the three witches ran into Cassyr in the forest and brought him back to Old Barbyn's Farm. But coming across the hill, they found the farm burned to the ground, with no sign of any survivors. Cassyr recognized it as an Orcish raid. Feeling embittered by his negative reputation spread by Vivec, he lied to the enraged Turala and told her that this was Brindisi Dorom's doing. In a moment's notice, Turala began a summoning ritual to the daedra of Oblivion.

Legacy

A statue depicting Almalexia's battle with Mehrunes Dagon

"Her resentment over the cruelty the Duke had shown her had quieted, but never disappeared. One look at her burning eyes told him [Cassyr Whitley] that she would summon the daedra and wreak his, and her, revenge upon Morrowind. And what's more, he knew they'd listen.

And listen they did. For the power that is greater than desire is rage. Even rage misplaced." —The last lines of 2920, Frostfall (v10)

On the 29th of Frostfall, a red mist, flashing with lightning and bellowing wind, began shrouding over Mournhold. Brindisi Dorom tried to send a message to the Tribunal, but they were too far to be immediately contacted. On the 12th of Sun's Dusk, Almalexia and Sotha Sil arrived to find the city in ruins and splattered in the blood of its people. Mehrunes Dagon was eventually vanquished, but Almalexia and Sotha Sil were left greatly injured.

Mournhold was able to rebuild in due time. Though the Duke was killed in the city's destruction, his heir ruled in his stead. Almalexia decided to stay in Mournhold as its patron deity and Many years later, the city became the center of the Tribunal Temple's power and influence. The ruins of the original city were driven underground and became part of the sewer systems. This section became known as Old Mournhold, and it included the battlefield where Almalexia fought Mehrunes Dagon.

What became of Turala herself is unknown. Despite the destruction of Old Barbyn's Farm, the Skeffington Coven lived on well into the late Third Era. Turala's story is documented in the historical fiction series, 2920, The Last Year of the First Era, written by the Third Era historian turned author, Carlovac Townway. However, there are no known records of the real-life figure. He spent a great deal of time researching this year in particular and was able to find enough information on the real-life Turala to include her as one of the story's central characters.

Gallery

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  The battlefield in Old Mournhold, where Almalexia fought Mehrunes Dagon

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  The Wretched Spire, a remnant of Old Mournhold that was pulled into Oblivion

See Also

Books

• 2920, The Last Year of the First Era by Carlovac Townway — A fictional series of books about historical events involving Vivec and the Empire

References

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.