Saarthal Hold

Saarthal, most commonly referred to as Saarthal Hold or Jarldom of Saarthal, is one of the four Old Holds of the Atmoran Kingdom, located in the northeast region of Fatherland. The capital of the hold is the city of Saarthal. The Jarl of the hold is Harald Highlander.

Description
Saarthal Hold is the coldest of the four Jarldoms, and most of the region is covered in snow for the whole year. The hold's harsh climate has earned it the nickname "Winter Mantle"; however, the name is commonly used to describe the barren northern coastline of Fatherland within Saarthal and Korvanjund. Fjotli the Living, a well-known skald of Fatherland, has described the Jarldom as "the place where flowers never grow".

Saarthal, the capital of the hold, has earned quite a sinister reputation because of an event known as the Night of Tears, when the city was sacked by the Falmer forces in search of the fabled artifact, the Eye of Magnus. The city was rebuilt a few years later, but the horrors of the past remain within the denizens despite the authorities' claims that the Eye is merely a manipulation tool created by an unknown third party to keep the populace in fear of another invasion. Some claim that the banner of the hold depicts the Eye, and that the Jarls are aware of the Eye's existence within Saarthal and keep it secret. However, the city's advantageous position of being surrounded by a massive mountain range in the harshest of climates makes it one of the safest havens for Atmoran immigrants.

Saarthal is currently in a dispute with the neighboring Jarldom of Østmark and is constantly fighting over the port town of Gjallarbrú, which is considered to be in control of Saarthal but is located within Østmark; the town had been sacked and rebuilt many times, had switched sides over the past few years and had been under control of Østmark until ME 50, when it was retaken by Saarthal. The town has been under the latter's jurisdiction since. Clashes tend to occur along Yorgrim River, where Saarthal Hold divides Østmark and Korvanjund due east of lake Yorgrim. The eponymous settlement of Saarthal Hold, located to the north of the river in a mountain range, was constantly being attacked by Østmark. However, the sieges are rare and mostly unsuccessful due to Yorgrim's advantageous location, making the town impossible to breach.

Capital City

 * Saarthal

Towns and Settlements

 * Yorgrim
 * Ljosalfheim
 * Gjallarbrú
 * Halden

Temples, Shrines and Barrows

 * Kirkja
 * Ysgramor's Tomb

Dwemer Settlements

 * Alftand

Landmarks

 * Ysgramor's Guardians