| City Isle | |
|---|---|
| Type | Island |
| Continent | Tamriel |
| Province | Cyrodiil |
| Region | Heartlands |
| Appears in | Arena, Oblivion, ESO |
City Isle (also called the Eight Islands, the Imperial Isle, or the Ruby Isles) is a large island in the Heartlands region of Cyrodiil. It is surrounded by Lake Rumare, and is dominated by the White-Gold Tower and the surrounding Imperial City. Located at the center of Tamriel, the island is of great metaphysical and political importance.
The island was originally inhabited by native birdlike beastfolk. The Aldmeri explorer Topal the Pilot gave these beastfolk the gift of language and literacy, and in return they made him their lord and gave the island as a gift. Topal promised to return some day, but was unable to find a route between Lake Rumare and Summerset Isle. Language was evidently not enough to save the bird men from their fate, as they never again appeared in recorded history, likely having fallen victim to the ancient Khajiit of the region.
The Ayleids later came to inhabit the island. They constructed the White-Gold Tower in imitation of the Adamantine Tower, and the island became the center of the Ayleid Empire. After the Alessian Slave Rebellion, the newly-established Alessian Empire continued to rule from the Tower. The Imperial City grew around it and served as the capital of every Cyrodilic Empire since. As such, it has been the center of many significant historical events, including the Soulburst, the Alliance War, the end of the Oblivion Crisis, the banishment of Umbriel, and the final battle of the Great War. Aside from the city itself, the island is dotted with several caves.