Locations & Regions

Welcome, intrepid adventurer, to the heart of Cyrodiil! This section will guide you through the diverse and often dangerous landscapes of the Imperial Province, highlighting key locations, hidden treasures, and strategic points of interest. Understanding the geography and its inhabitants is crucial for survival and success in Oblivion.

The Imperial City and Surrounds

The bustling heart of Cyrodiil, the Imperial City, is a hub of activity, quests, and vital services. Its surrounding regions offer early opportunities for exploration and resource gathering.

Imperial City Districts

Market District: Your primary stop for buying and selling goods. Look for The Best Defense for armor, A Warlock's Luck for spells, and The Main Ingredient for alchemy supplies. Don't miss Jensine's "Good as New" Merchandise for a chance at rare, often stolen, items.
Temple District: Home to the Temple of the One, a sanctuary and source of healing. Useful for early game blessings and potions.
Arena District: For those seeking glory and coin. Participate in the Arena battles to earn gold and fame. Remember to visit the Bloodworks to sign up.
Waterfront District: A grittier area, often associated with the Thieves Guild. Keep an eye out for suspicious characters and potential quest givers here.

Surrounding Wilderness (Imperial Reserve)

Just outside the city walls, the Imperial Reserve is a relatively safe area for new characters to hone their skills. However, dangers still lurk.

Bandit Camps: Scattered throughout the woods, these camps often contain low-level bandits. Good for early combat practice and gathering basic loot like Iron Armor, Steel Weapons, and small amounts of gold.
Ayleid Ruins: Ancient elven structures like Vilverin (just east of the Imperial City) are excellent for finding Welkynd Stones (restore Magicka) and Varla Stones (recharge enchanted items). Be prepared for undead enemies such as Skeletons and Zombies.
Caves: Common early game dungeons. Barren Cave (northwest of the Imperial City) often contains Goblins and their crude gear. Always check every corner for hidden chests.

Anvil and the Gold Coast

Located on the western coast of Cyrodiil, Anvil is a port city with a distinct maritime feel. The Gold Coast is known for its rugged shoreline and pirate activity.

Anvil City

The Count's Castle: Speak with Count Corvus Umbranox for potential quests.
The Flowing Bowl: A popular tavern, often a source of rumors and side quests.
Benirus Manor: A haunted house available for purchase. Completing the associated quest, "Where Spirits Have Lease," will grant you a player home. Be ready for ghosts and spectral foes.

Gold Coast Wilderness

Pirate Coves: Along the coast, you'll find numerous coves and shipwrecks, often inhabited by pirates. These can be lucrative for finding fine steel weapons and gold, but be wary of their numbers. Plundered Mine is a notable example.
Lighthouse: The Anvil Lighthouse itself can be a point of interest, sometimes involved in quests.
Roadside Ruins: Keep an eye out for smaller, unnamed Ayleid ruins or bandit hideouts along the main roads leading out of Anvil.

Bravil and the Nibenay Basin

Bravil, a city built on the Niben River, is known for its poverty and criminal element. The surrounding Nibenay Basin is a swampy, often dangerous region.

Bravil City

Castle Bravil: Home to Count Regulus Terentius.
The Lonely Suitor Lodge: A common gathering place for the city's inhabitants.
Arvena Thelas' House: A key location for the "Caught in the Hunt" quest, involving a rat problem.

Nibenay Basin

Swamplands: The marshes around Bravil are teeming with creatures like Mudcrabs, Slaughterfish, and occasionally Will-o-the-Wisps. Be prepared for combat and potential diseases.
Forts: Ruined forts like Fort Grief (east of Bravil) are often infested with bandits or other hostile creatures. They can contain valuable loot but are challenging.
Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary: The entrance to the Cheydinhal Sanctuary is located in this region, though its discovery is tied to a specific questline.

Bruma and the Jerall Mountains

Nestled in the snowy Jerall Mountains, Bruma is a Nordic-influenced city. The surrounding mountains are cold, treacherous, and home to unique creatures.

Bruma City

Castle Bruma: Seek out Countess Narina Carvain for quests.
Olaf's Tap and Tack: A popular inn and stable.
Jearl's House: Involved in the "Whispers of Death" quest.

Jerall Mountains

Snowy Peaks: Expect to encounter Wolves, Bears, and even Trolls in the higher elevations. Frost resistance can be beneficial here.
Mountain Caves: Many caves in this region are home to Goblins or Ogres. Plundered Mine (northwest of Bruma) is a good example.
Ayleid Ruins: While fewer than in central Cyrodiil, Ayleid ruins like Sedor (southeast of Bruma) offer similar rewards and challenges.

Cheydinhal and the Valus Mountains

Cheydinhal is an eastern city with a strong Dunmer influence. The Valus Mountains form the eastern border of Cyrodiil, leading into Morrowind.

Cheydinhal City

Castle Cheydinhal: Home to Count Andel Indarys.
Newlands Lodge: A common inn.
Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary: The main entrance to the Cheydinhal Sanctuary is located within the city itself, though it requires specific actions to access.

Valus Mountains

Forests and Foothills: The lower slopes are forested, with typical forest creatures. As you ascend, the terrain becomes more rugged.
Goblin Camps: These are particularly prevalent in the Valus Mountains. Be prepared for large groups of Goblins and their shaman leaders.
Daedric Shrines: Several Daedric Shrines, such as Malacath's Shrine (southeast of Cheydinhal), are found in this region. Completing their quests can yield powerful artifacts.

Chorrol and the Colovian Highlands

Chorrol is a picturesque city nestled in the Colovian Highlands, known for its strong Fighters Guild presence. The highlands are a mix of forests and rolling hills.

Chorrol City

Castle Chorrol: Speak with Countess Arriana Valga.
The Oak and Crosier: A popular inn.
Fighters Guild Hall: A major hub for Fighters Guild quests.

Colovian Highlands

Forests: Dense forests are common, offering opportunities for hunting Deer and Wolves.
Forts: Many ancient forts, often overrun by bandits or undead, dot the landscape. Fort Rayles (south of Chorrol) is a good example.
Ayleid Ruins: Several Ayleid ruins, such as Ninendava (northwest of Chorrol), provide valuable Welkynd Stones and Varla Stones.

Leyawiin and the Blackwood

Leyawiin is a southern city situated at the confluence of rivers, bordering Black Marsh. The Blackwood region is a dense, often dangerous swamp.

Leyawiin City

Castle Leyawiin: Home to Count Marius Caro.
Five Claws Lodge: A popular Khajiit-run inn.
Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary: A smaller, less prominent Dark Brotherhood sanctuary can be found near Leyawiin, though its discovery is also quest-related.

Blackwood

Swamplands: Similar to the Nibenay Basin, expect Mudcrabs, Slaughterfish, and other swamp creatures. The terrain can be difficult to navigate.
Argonian Camps: Occasionally, small Argonian camps can be found, though they are usually neutral.
Forts and Ayleid Ruins: These structures are often more overgrown and dilapidated in Blackwood, making them harder to spot but potentially richer in loot. Fort Redman (northwest of Leyawiin) is a notable location.

Skingrad and the West Weald

Skingrad is a prosperous city known for its vineyards and wealthy inhabitants. The West Weald is a fertile, rolling landscape.

Skingrad City

Castle Skingrad: Home to Count Janus Hassildor, a reclusive vampire.
Two Sisters Lodge: A well-known inn.
Colovian Traders: A good place to buy and sell general goods.

West Weald

Vineyards: The region is dotted with vineyards, offering scenic views but generally little in the way of combat.
Caves: Many caves in the West Weald are home to creatures like Goblins, Imps, and occasionally Trolls. Bleak Mine (north of Skingrad) is a common early-game dungeon.
Ayleid Ruins: Several Ayleid ruins, such as Miscarcand (west of Skingrad), are present. Miscarcand is particularly important for a main quest and contains the Great Welkynd Stone.