Lore:Bthzark

Bthzark
Type	Ruin
Continent	Tamriel
Province	Hammerfell
Region	Stros M'Kai
Appears in	Redguard, ESO

Bthzark circa 2E 582

Bthzark circa 2E 864

Bthzark is a Dwarven ruin found in Hammerfell, on the island of Stros M'Kai.

Bthzark was built by the Rourken clan, who left Morrowind to settle the wastes of Hammerfell after refusing to join the First Council.^[1] The complex was built with a distinct architectural style, and its many machines are powered entirely by a system of steam pipes. Bthzark also contained a large mine, which became partially flooded with lava at some point. The complex was left abandoned after the Dwemer's disappearance in 1E 700 and fell into ruins, although one of the entrances was sealed shut and prevented looting. The Dwemer presence on the island left a long-standing influence, inspiring the use of Dwemer pipes in Port Hunding and allowing the island's future inhabitants to study the stars using the Dwemer observatory near Saintsport.

Typically initiates of the Order of the Scarab must go to Bthzark and "wrestle its mechanical men back into shape" before they can join the Knights of the Scarab.

HistoryEdit

At one point the ruins contained a coveted Dwemer schematic, although a team of sellswords were betrayed from within and killed by traps while they attempted to recover it.^[2] In 2E 582, an Altmer scholar named Neramo came to Stros M'Kai to recover the schematics for himself. With the help of the Vestige and a tamed Dwarven Spider, Neramo was able to use focusing crystals to access the ruins, fight past the traps and guardians, repair the broken machinery, and ultimately reach the schematics.^[3]

Following the Battle of Hunding Bay, Stros M'Kai's Provisional Governor Amiel Richton and the Imperial Archaeological Society took an interest in the ruins and resealed the ancient gates to keep visitors out. The society took possession of the site under the Dwarven Reclamation Act 2E 864.^[4]^[5] In 2E 864, Cyrus entered the ruins to recover a Dwemer gear in order to repair the island's observatory. Using a book on Dwemer runes, he was able to unseal the entrance, and managed to manipulate the ancient machinery to continue deeper into the mines. Among the obstacles that faced him were a complex mechanical scarab puzzle, Dwemer constructs, and a colossal Dwarven Centurion. It was from the wreckage of this Centurion that he was able to salvage a spare gear.^[6]