Holds
Haafinheim
Solitude remains Imperial to the core, under High Queen Elisef the Widow. The hold is relatively peaceful, with the exception of Fort Hraggstad, which was seized by the Stormcloaks and menaces the northwest of the hold, and frequent marauder and pirate attacks (labelled 'privateer by the Stormcloaks) along the coast. The hold has grown both in population and prosperity, largely due to an influx of Cyrodiilic immigrants. Dragon's Bridge is prosperous, and has more than doubled in size.
Eastmarch
In Eastmarch, after the loss of the Rift at the Treaty of High Hrothgar, there were widespread food shortages. This led to rationing and, of course, preference was given to the Nordic population. After the starvation of more than a dozen Dunmer and Argonians, there were a series of major riots in Windhelm. In the so-called "Tenth of Evening Star" massacre, over fifty Dunmer and Argonians were slaughtered by overzealous Stormcloaks guards. After this, many were dragged from their homes and executed without trial on trumped up charges. Those Dunmer and Argonians that remained alive fled the city, and founded a resistance from a secret hideout high in the Velothi Mountains. They name themselves the Free Easterners. The only thing that could make the two races come together, it seemed, was a regime that slaughtered their friends and family. Brunwulf Free-Winter has likewise mounted a resistance, headquartered in Kynesgrove.
The Reach
The Reach was handed over to the Stormcloaks after the Treaty, and, as feared, discrimination against Reachmen intensified to a level unheard of since the incident more than forty years before. As a result, Forsworn resistance has intensified, as the Reach rebelled against Ulfric's tightening fist. In a major, recent scandal, Jarl Thongvor Silver-Blood was abducted by the Forsworn, and immolated in one of his own silver foundries. One of the kidnappers evidently had a sense of humour, and, in the Jarl's own blood, wrote the words Blood & Silver at the foot of the foundry. Ulfric sent his lieutenant Galmar Stone-Fist to take up the mantle of 'military governor' in Markarth, and conditions for Reachmen that remain in the city have worsened even more. Karthwasten is under control of the Forsworn.
The Rift
The Rift was handed over to the Empire in the Treaty, with Jarl Maven Black-Briar replacing Laila Law-Giver. The new regime was unimaginably corrupt, imposing high taxes, and fully allowing the Thieves Guild to function, using the gang as an untraceable secret police. Murder and thievery are unpunished... If the perpetrator is in Maven’s pay. Which they usually are. The angry people of the Rift formed a resistance, and rescued the deposed Jarl from Maven's prison. Soft, kind Laila Law-Giver had been tortured and starved, and emerged a new woman, cold and angry. She dubbed herself Laila Law-Bringer, and the rebellion that formed around her termed themselves the Law-Bringers. Men and women of every race joined the movement, hatred of the Jarl overriding everything. The rebellion controls Shor's Stone and Darkwater Crossing, as well as much of the rural Rift. However, Maven controls Riften and all of the hold's forts. Although the Law-Bringers have won many small battles, they are still reeling after a massive defeat after their failed attempt to take Riften. They were cut off by the unexpected arrival of an Imperial fleet, in the catastrophic Battle of Lake Honrich. As the Rebels lick their wounds, the Rift remains in turmoil.
Falkreath
Falkreath's Jarl, Siddgeir, was assassinated shortly after the treaty was signed, and the throne fell to his deposed uncle Dengeir. His uncle immediately declared his Stormcloak allegiance. However, the majority of the hold remained in the hands of the Imperials. The entire hold is alight with skirmishes between Stormcloaks and Imperials, the roads being preyed on by Imperials and patrolled by Stormcloaks, while the depths of the forests and most forts are administrated by the Imperials... and the Stormcloaks lead raids to attack them. The entire hold is embroiled in chaos.
The Pale
Jarl Skald of Dawnstar died in 4E203 of a severe toe infection. By popular demand of the small city's citizens, ex-Legate Brina Merilis became the Jarl. She immediately declared for the Empire. However, most of the hold remains under Stormcloak control. In contrast to Falkreath, the war remains cold, with both sides avoiding the other, building strength, and waiting.
Hjaalmarch
Amazingly, Igrod Ravencrone is still alive. Little has changed in sleepy Morthal, still Imperial, still lonely. The town has noticeably grown, but it is still isolated.
Winter Hold
Winterhold has grown considerably, with many citizens of Windhelm moving here and rebuilding the town after they left the violent, sad streets of Windhelm. It is still Stormcloak, and still anti-mage.
White Hold
Jarl Balgruff has declared total neutrality, renouncing his Imperial tis but also rejecting the Stormcloaks. Riverwood is the home of a Grey-Mane led Stormcloak resistance. Rorikstead is the site of a similar Imperial resistance under the Battle-Borns.All across the hold, there are infrequent cavalry skirmishes between the great clans, as well as with the Whiterun soldiers trying to keep the peace. The hold has gained control of the Lake Geir region, as Ivarstead decided to leave the war-torn Rift. Balgruff encourages the actions of the Greybeards, and tries to protect High Hrothgar.
Factions
Stormcloaks
The Stormcloaks have grown restless after a ten year long stalemate, and are often the instigators of skirmishes throughout Skyrim. Nord supremacist and racist ideals have intensified across Skyrim, especially in Eastmarch, but with the exception of the Rift. Even non-humans are taking up arms with the law-Bringers to bring an end to Maven's tyranny. In the Reach, Stormcloaks go missing and are killed and wounded so often, it is nicknamed 'Madenach's Meat Grinder' in the east.
Imperial Legion
General Tullius ironically died of frostbite after falling through the ice on a pond near Morthal. He was replaced by Legate Rikke. In Cyrodiil, there have been widespread protests against the Skyrim war. As a result, most of the Imperial forces were withdrawn, with the exception of professional soldiers and veterans, the most highly trained soldiers in the empire. The legions, despite their inferior numbers, are usually successful against the Stormcloaks in skirmishes because of their experience and training. This also makes garrisoning a nightmare, forcing reliance on Nord recruits, the Hold's own armies, and even Nordic and Alik'r mercenaries.
The Dragonborn
The Dragonborn, a Nord,
Dirich Dragonbane, defeated Alduin a decade ago, remaining neutral in the civil war, resolving it through the Treaty of High Hrothgar. He remained loyal to Paarthurnax, and in the years since the treaty, has helped the Greybeards' expansion of High Hrothgar into a training ground for the young children 'touched by Akatosh' after Alduin's demise. He meditates and teaches with the Greybeards, as well as goes on adventures periodically.
The Greybeards
After the discovery of the phenomenon of the children gifted with the Thu'um, the Greybeards devoted themselves to their instruction. Master Borri has passed away, and the others, while extremely old, still live. Paarthurnax continues his meditations in his perch.
The Blades
After they were rejected by the Dragonborn, the Blades reformed, gained new members, and continued their mission to keep Skyrim safe from Dragons. They bear no ill will for the Dovah'kiin, and ignore the Greybeards. The mercenaries Jenassa, Stenvar and Vorstag have joined the dragonslaying guild.
Dragons
Dragons have proven capable of breeding, and remain common throughout Skyrim.
