The Tagh Droiloch (also known as High Dark Wizards in the language of the Reach) were a secretive Reachfolk coven made up exclusively of witch-men, not witches, which is a rare practice among the Reachfolk. They specialized in conjuration magic and commanding Daedra. The witch-men coven exerted power over the Reach in secret during the Interregnum and were responsible for Durcorach's rise to power.[1]
HistoryEdit
The believed approximated date of formation of Tagh Droiloch is c. 2E 516. The coven was formed in the wilderness of the Reach.[1]
The Tagh Droiloch were responsible for the dissolution of several rival covens standing in their way with relative ease and over time made themselves the secret masters of the Reach. For years the Tagh Droiloch preferred to act from behind the scenes and were content to bide their time, allowing the dread of their name and whispers of their displeasure to govern the unruly Reach for them.[1] Tagh Droiloch coven assisted Durcorach with making deals with various Daedric entities in order to increase and solidify his power.[2]
The strategy of Tagh Droiloch changed once the right opportunity arose. In 2E 527 an exceptionally strong and cunning Reachfolk chieftain by the name of Durcorach the Black Drake began building a following in the Reach. He soon was noticed by the witch-men of the Tagh Droiloch. The Coven decided to ally with the promising warlord and Durcorach accepted the offer. Together the Tagh Droiloch and Durcorach were able to subdue all the rival clans of the Reach through means involving Daedric bargains.[1][3] By 2E 528, Durcorach became warlord commanding two thousand soldiers, which rose to ten thousand by 2E 529.[1]
Tagh Droiloch coven was known to use asp oil and soot to create a special war paint used by the Black Drake and warriors loyal to his cause. It is known that whenever they applied the soot mixture the warriors were falling into a battle frenzy.[3]
A deal was struck with Mehrunes Dagon to have Durcorach crowned, with his sorcerers performing countless tasks in wait for the day when the "final part of the arrangement" would be carried out and Dagon will "claim his due" with the Four Ambitions.[4] With years of preparation, Durcorach summoned a great horde of Reach warriors many times more numerous than his forces from the time of 2E 529[1] and descended upon Cyrodiil in 2E 533, seizing the Ruby Throne for his own and starting the dynasty of the Longhouse Emperors.[5]
Soon afterward The Tagh Droiloch disappeared from the public. Their numbers, status, and further objectives as of 2E 536 were unknown.[1]
Emperor Leovic, crowned between 2E 560 and 2E 564,[6] the grandson of Durcorach was also considered the scion of the Tagh Droiloch,[7] even though his witch coven advisory body consisted of another group known as Icereach Coven.[8][9]
Speculated MembersEdit
It is suspected that some of the original members of Tagh Droiloch were the most trusted sorcerers serving Emperor Durcorach. Three names of the suspected members of the hidden coven were known.[1]
BooksEdit
- High Chancellor's Papers: The Tagh Droiloch by Abnur Tharn — Abnur Tharn's notes on an infamous coven of Reach witch-men
- Secret History of the Longhouse Emperors by Councilor Vandacia — A brief history of the Longhouse Emperors
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b c d e f g h High Chancellor's Papers: The Tagh Droiloch — Abnur Tharn
- ^ Secret History of the Longhouse Emperors — Councilor Vandacia
- ^ a b The Black Drake's Face Warpaint's description in ESO
- ^ A Deal is Struck
- ^ History of Markarth: A Story in Stone — Consul Cardea, the Ard's Administrator
- ^ A Year Among the Eagleseer Clan — Glabrian Tuliel, University of Gwylim
- ^ Chronicles of the Five Companions 5 — Abnur Tharn
- ^ Tayfaern's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Arvnir's dialogue in ESO