House Dres

Great House Dres is one of the Great Houses of Morrowind.^[1] It focuses itself on agriculture and, up until the late-Third Era, on slavery. Their position with agriculture provided them with both a steady source of income, as well as political influence.^[2] House Hlaalu notes that House Dres knows how to make money, but also points out how it does not know how not to make enemies.^[3] They are a member of the Grand Council of Morrowind, alongside House Sadras, Telvanni, Redoran and Indoril.^[4] The warriors of House Dres are noted as being amoral, and expendable thugs.^[5] They are known to use Parraptons as mounts, especially on plantations.^{[6][UL 1]}

By game

• House Dres (Online)

Religion

House Dres always kept a traditional following of Daedra and ancestor worship, even during the times of the Tribunal.^[7] The patron Saint of House Dres is Saint Llothis the Pious.^[8] Even so, the Dres were still noted as being firm Temple supporters.^[9]

Territory

The territory of Great House Dres consists of southeastern Morrowind, as well as pieces of central Morrowind.^[2] It borders the swamps and marshes of Black Marsh.^[9]

• Thorn^[10]
• Stormhold^[11]
• Kragenmoor^[12]
• Tear, Capital of House Dres^[13]

Slavery

Great House Dres was largely fueled by the slaves providing labor on their large saltrice plantations.^[9] In contrast to the slaves in the rest of Morrowind, who were given special bracers,^[14] slaves in Dres territory were shackled.^[15] Within the city of Stormhold, slave sales were officiated through the usage of an auctioneer's gavel made from fist bones of an Argonian.^[11]

History

Founding

When Great House Dres was formed is unknown. What is known, however, is that it was formed following a successful slave raid on Thorn,^[16] which turned House Dres into the primary supplier of slaves for Morrowind.^[2]

First Era

Not many records exist of House Dres during the First Era. However, they are noted to have fought during the War of the First Council, when they, alongside House Hlaalu, Telvanni, Indoril, and Redoran fought against the forces of the Dwemer and House Dagoth. The orthodox Dunmeri forces were originally outmatched, suffering heavy defeats from the Dwemer and the Sixth House, backed by Orcs and Nord warriors. It was only when lord Nerevar was given full authority over the armies of the Houses that they were able to push back and achieve victory.^[17]

Second Era

In 2E 559, a House War broke out between House Hlaalu and House Dres due to the Hlaalu establishing a trading post in disputed territory. The Dres, heavily outnumbering the Hlaalu, engaged with their Hlaalu opponents, and were gaining the upper hand, until the Hlaalu opened a portal leading to Narsis, from which numerous Hlaalu soldier turned the tide. The Hlaalu were victorious, and the Dres were beaten.^[18]

During the Tiber Wars of the Second Era, Great House Dres opposed Tiber Septim's advances on Morrowind, and were willing to resists the Imperial Legion to the death. The situation became complicated when House Redoran, one of the Houses opposing the Empire, was left to fight for itself due to House Indoril and Dres being in favor of a guerilla war. After Vivec himself appeared and announced a treaty would ensure relative independence for Morrowind, House Redoran joined House Hlaalu in supporting accommodation, with now House Telvanni also showing their support. House Indoril still refused, and House Dres stood by them. The Lord High Councilor of the Grand Council of Morrowind was an Indoril, and refused to accept the treaty, and so he was assassinated and replaced by a Hlaalu, resulting in the treaty being accepted.^[19]

Third Era

In 3E 396 the Arnesian War broke out^[20] between Black Marsh and Morrowind. The war was provoked by the Argonians, who tortured a Dunmer for not giving up his faith. Upon his death, this Dunmer would be known as Saint Roris, and his death was used as a rallying cry by the Dunmer during the war.^[21] The war started as a slave revolt in the land of House Dres,^[22] and ended with a victory for Morrowind with bits of Black Marsh being seceded to the province.^[23]

The Dres heavily opposed Imperial Law and culture during the late-Third Era, with particular attention on any attempts to outlaw the practice of slavery,^[9] even going so far as to ignore Imperial Law by continuing with illegal slave raiding in Black Marsh.^[24]

Oblivion Crisis

During the Oblivion Crisis, Great House Indoril was in ruins. Through an alliance with Great House Hlaalu, the Dres and Hlaalu alike picked at the weakened Indoril. Notably, both House Hlaalu and House Dres renounced the slave trade at the same time, giving freedom to the beastfolk in their service,^[25] after King Hlaalu Helseth had outlawed the practice. House Hlaalu and Dres alike were on the rise within the province, willing to embrace new customs, while also welcoming the old.^[22]

Fourth Era

Most cities within Morrowind were destroyed by the eruption of Red Mountain.^[26] The cities of House Dres were included in this event. The Dres capital of Tear was hit hard. Within hours after the eruption, the ground which the city was built upon began to sink, similar to the swamp-like terrain of Black Marsh, causing cracks to form in buildings, and even causing the southern city wall to collapse, sending numerous laborers and Dres guardsmen to their deaths. Even so, many farmers of the surrounding countryside came to the aid of those in need.^[27]

After the Red Year, Morrowind was invaded from the south by the An-Xileel, powered by the Hist, devastating what remained of the Great Houses,^[28] killing and driving out many Dunmer,^[26] and even settling within southern Morrowind itself.^[29]

It is unknown how much the flying city of Umbriel affected House Dres, nor is it known how much power the House holds as of 4E 201. What is known that there are still a number of Argonian clans living within the southern borders of Morrowind.^[30]

Gallery

"Art of Morrowind" concept drawing by Michael Kirkbride.

A House Dres spy.

The plantations surrounding the city of Tear in the Second Era.

The Baron of the city of Tear.

Trivia

• Garan Marethi, a Vampire of Castle Volkihar, will mention having served House Dres when spoken to.
  • The book A Game at Dinner implies that House Dres has had other connections to vampires.

Appearance

• The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (mentioned only)^[1]
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (mentioned only)^[19]
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (mentioned only)^[4]
• The Elder Scrolls: Legends
• The Elder Scrolls Online

References