Hammerfell — the province behind TES6

The Sentinel teaser names Hammerfell outright. Here's the province the earlier games established — its deserts, its cities and the war that defines its recent history.

Updated 2026-11-03

This page covers series lore established in earlier Elder Scrolls games — the background the Sentinel teaser is drawing on, not confirmed TES6 content.

Where Hammerfell is

Hammerfell is the province of the Redguards, occupying western Tamriel. The Iliac Bay lies along its northern coast, separating it from High Rock; Skyrim borders it to the north-east, Cyrodiil to the east, and the Abecean Sea runs along its western and southern shores. The island of Stros M’Kai sits off its coast.

Geography

The Alik’r Desert dominates the interior — one of Tamriel’s defining landscapes, and a natural home for a teaser about “sands of time scattered by fate.” The Dragontail Mountains rise in the east. Around the desert sit the province’s cities and regions: Sentinel, Rihad, Taneth, Gilane, Hegathe, Skaven, Elinhir, Dragonstar, Bergama and Satakalaam.

History

Hammerfell was settled by Yokudan warrior-waves — the Ra Gada — who landed in 1E 808 and conquered the province, bringing the traditions that became Redguard culture. Its people have since been renowned as perhaps the finest natural warriors of Tamriel.

The province’s most dramatic recent chapter came in the Fourth Era. In 4E 171, the Aldmeri Dominion invaded Hammerfell as part of the Great War. When the Empire signed the White-Gold Concordat in 4E 175 — ceding part of southern Hammerfell — the province refused the terms, broke from the Empire and fought on alone, forcing the Dominion out. The Second Treaty of Stros M’Kai in 4E 180 ended that war. Hammerfell enters the era of TES6 as a province that defied both an empire and a dominion — and won.

Hammerfell in previous games

• Arena (1994) — Hammerfell appears as one of the provinces the player travels.
• Daggerfall (1996) — the game is set around the Iliac Bay, with Sentinel as one of its major powers.
• The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (1998) — set on the island of Stros M’Kai in 2E 864.
• The Elder Scrolls Online (2014) — features the Alik’r Desert, Bangkorai, Craglorn, Stros M’Kai and Betnikh zones.

The TES6 connection

The Sentinel name-reveal teaser is attributed to Yazar, “Moth Priest to High Queen Iradne of Hammerfell,” writing in 4E 206 — placing the named court firmly in this province. The Verge reported on October 29, 2026 that the game is set in Hammerfell. For the city itself, see Sentinel; for its people, see the Redguards.