Commander Aeralion Solinor stood proudly at the bow of his flagship, the Golden Clarity, watching the shimmering horizon with cold anticipation. Tall even by Altmer standards, Aeralion possessed the classic High Elf stature—lean yet muscular, with angular features, sharp cheekbones, and a complexion reminiscent of pale gold. His eyes, vibrant amber flecked with silver, held a calculating arrogance shaped by privilege and high birth. Long golden hair, meticulously groomed and braided in traditional Altmeri fashion, cascaded down his back, shimmering softly in the sea breeze.
He wore immaculate armor crafted from quicksilver alloy, adorned with intricate filigree that depicted Summerset's sunburst sigil. A crimson cloak, edged in gold embroidery, fluttered gently behind him, marking his status as a commander within the Aldmeri Dominion's naval hierarchy.
Aeralion had briefly fought in the early years of the Great War, having barely reached adulthood just in time to gain a single year of combat experience. His involvement was minimal yet politically maximized. His family connections—deeply woven within Summerset's noble circles—ensured swift promotions despite limited frontline experience. On paper, he appeared the perfect officer: intelligent, ruthless when needed, magically adept, and unquestionably loyal to Dominion ideals.
The fleet under his command was significant, a formidable force composed of numerous Altmer and Bosmer vessels, showcasing the Dominion's unity and overwhelming strength. The Golden Clarity, a sleek Altmeri warship known for speed and precision, formed the core of his expansive armada. Around it sailed ranks upon ranks of agile Bosmeri skirmish ships and heavily armed Altmeri battleships, crewed by skilled archers and disciplined soldiers whose effectiveness at sea was unmatched.
Accompanying the naval forces were elite battlemages—masters of destruction and conjuration—poised to unleash devastating spells upon coastal defenses. The fleet also carried lore-friendly siege equipment such as reinforced ballistae, powerful mangonels, and enchanted siege ladders, designed specifically to breach the formidable stone walls and battlements of Hammerfell's coastal cities.
Aeralion saw the upcoming assault on Taneth—and subsequently, the broader campaign into central Hammerfell—as his destiny, a carefully orchestrated moment to demonstrate his tactical brilliance and secure his family's standing in Alinor's political web. This would be the victory that silenced whispers of favoritism, establishing him as a military power and a hero of the Dominion.
Standing confidently at the helm, he gazed across the sea, already envisioning the banners of the Aldmeri Dominion fluttering over the conquered city, and his name celebrated throughout Summerset.
Commander Aeralion Solinor sat in his private cabin aboard the Golden Clarity, hunched over a desk scattered with intelligence reports and naval charts. A single magelight hovered near his shoulder, casting cool illumination across the parchments. His amber eyes scanned each line meticulously, the initial confidence he had felt at the outset of the journey gradually giving way to cautious skepticism.
Reports from forward scouts described a scenario that deviated sharply from expectations. Rather than the unprepared, vulnerable Taneth promised by their intelligence operations, Aeralion now faced a city entrenched along the Yer River. Defensive positions had already been established—barricades raised, siege platforms constructed, and defensive formations arranged in preparation for a prolonged siege. Taneth's granary and key dock infrastructure had been utterly destroyed, severely limiting strategic options for immediate resupply or reinforcement by sea. The loss of Taneth's grain supply was particularly problematic, jeopardizing the fleet's capacity to sustain its troops and mount further inland operations.
Aeralion's jaw tightened as he continued reading. The bridge spanning the Yer, a vital route for swift inland advancement, had collapsed entirely, its remains now sunken beneath the river's murky currents. Moreover, Taneth's decision to withdraw and fortify positions along the Yer River proved problematic for the Dominion's fleet. The shallow and narrow waters of the river limited maneuverability, rendering their largest and most powerful warships ineffective. Such ships relied on deep waters and open sea engagements, where their superior firepower and advanced naval tactics could dominate. In these restricted river conditions, however, their advantage was drastically reduced, forcing the Dominion to rely heavily on smaller support vessels and ground-based siege units, severely limiting naval support and reducing their overall strategic advantage.
Additionally, troubling reports indicated civilians fleeing the city en masse. This exodus hinted at coordinated efforts by local leadership to minimize collateral damage, depriving the Dominion forces of valuable leverage and potential local resources.
Aeralion leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. The Dominion had accelerated their assault precisely because of their successful misinformation efforts, hoping to strike Taneth while the bulk of Hammerfell's seasoned Imperial-aligned troops remained stranded inland, selectively blocked from returning by sea. These blockades ensured slow progress for returning Redguard forces traveling overland, providing an ideal opportunity for the Dominion to swiftly occupy and fortify their initial targets before resistance could mount.
But now, Taneth had rallied unexpectedly. The entrenched defenses along the Yer River forced his fleet into a direct confrontation—they could neither bypass nor circumvent the city without leaving their supply lines dangerously exposed. Securing Taneth was essential; it controlled critical inland routes necessary for launching deeper incursions into central Hammerfell.
Aeralion exhaled slowly, regaining his composure. His career, reputation, and family name depended on swift, decisive victory. He rose from his seat, sweeping the reports aside, and stepped to the cabin door. He would need to adapt quickly, mobilizing his battlemages and siege units decisively. Taneth might be better prepared than expected, but it would still fall. The Dominion did not tolerate setbacks.
He pushed open the door, striding purposefully onto the deck to begin issuing new orders. This battle would define his legacy—and he had no intention of letting unexpected resistance tarnish it.