Daggerfall:Wood Elf

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Illustration of a typical Bosmer male.

The Bosmer are the various barbarian Elven clan-folk of Valenwood, a forested province in southwestern Tamriel. In the Empire, they are often collectively referred to as Wood Elves, but "Bosmer", or "the Tree-Sap People", is what they call themselves. "Tree-Sap" suggests the wild vitality and youthful energy of Wood Elves, in contrast with their more dour cousins, the Altmer and Dunmer. Bosmer reject the stiff, formal traditions of Aldmeri high culture, preferring a romantic, simple existence in harmony with the land, its wild beauty and wild creatures. These country cousins of the High Elves and Dark Elves are nimble and quick in body and wit, and because of their curious natures and natural agility, Bosmer are especially suitable as scouts, and thieves. But most of all, the Bosmer are known for their skills with bows; there are no finer archers in all of Tamriel. Their ability to command simple-minded creatures is also well known. As part of their Green Pact, they are religiously carnivorous and cannibalistic, but do not destroy trees or plant life, though they are not averse to using wooden or plant-derived products created by others.

The Elves of Valenwood have always been involved in political arguments between the other races of Tamriel, but have never waged war with other nations, only defended their lands countless times, from the Khajiits of Elsweyr and the High Elves of the Summerset Isle. One of these skirmishes with the Khajiits formed the basis of the book Mixed Unit Tactics.

They have never been truly allied with other nations. Mistrust has been engendered by the ritual cannibalism that they practice in accord with their Green Pact. The specifics of other Bosmeri beliefs and traditions makes them uncomfortable with the "dour" city life lived by other races. In addition, the many invasions of Valenwood have not probably not helped, nor the depredations of the Camoran Usurper in the Colovian Highlands and other provinces.

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