Alduin awoke due to the influx of magicka during the oblivion crisis, meaning the empire now has to deal with both flying gods of destruction, and the oblivion gates popping up everywhere. Fortunately, or unfortunately, they have you.
Bravil is located in southern Cyrodiil on a small peninsula at the mouth of the Larius River as it empties into Niben Bay. From the look of the buildings and its architecture, it appears that Bravil's populace is one of the less wealthy of Cyrodiil. It also might be high in crime rate, as there is a skooma den within the walls of the city.