Lore:Mer

Mer (/mɛɹ/), meaning elf, is used to refer to any of the Elder Races of Mundus, such as the Dunmer (formerly the Chimer), Altmer and Bosmer. Besides these three races, the Orcs and the Falmer are also said to be mer. While the Bretons are the result of interbreeding between Aldmer and Nedes, they are most commonly considered men, and not mer. A few mer races have disappeared or otherwise died out, including the Dwemer and the Ayleids. All of these races are thought to be descended from the Aldmer. The Maormer either have a different origin entirely or diverged from their brethren before the Aldmer inhabited Summerset Isle.

Aldmer

The Aldmer (meaning "First Folk" or "Elder Folk") were the original Merethic Era proto-mer who settled Summerset Isle and most of mainland Tamriel. They are often said to have been the first technologically sophisticated inhabitants of Nirn, although some believe this distinction belongs to the Hist. The ancestors to the beast people, the Argonians and Khajiit, existed at the time in aboriginal, preliterate communities, and were easily displaced by the more advanced Aldmer. The Aldmer allegedly came from a lost city-continent called Aldmeris, but a number of sources - including the revered Elder Scrolls - claim that this is pure myth..

As the Aldmer spread throughout Tamriel, they evolved away from one another, physically and culturally, into the various types of Mer known today. Some remained in Summerset Isle and became the Altmer. The first emigrants to the mainland settled in Valenwood and became the Bosmer. Morrowind was colonized by both the Dwemer and later the Chimer (forerunners of the Dunmer). There were also the Ayleids of Cyrodiil, the Falmer of Skyrim, the Maormer of Pyandonea, and the Orcs or Orsimer, a group of Altmer who worshipped Trinimac and were transformed when he became Malacath. They then migrated to the province of High Rock and founded Orsinium. High Rock is also home to the Bretons, mixed-blood descendants of the native Nedes and (non-Orc) Aldmeri settlers.

The modern Altmer are believed to resemble the original Aldmer. The Altmer today hold their ancestors in great reverence and constantly strive to emulate their ways; it has even been alleged that they selectively breed for Aldmer-like features.

The term Aldmeri is occasionally used as a catch-all term for all Elves, and is also used when referring to members of the Aldmeri Dominion.

Altmer

To Imperials, the haughty, tall, golden-skinned peoples of Summerset Isle are called High Elves. The Ayleids referred to them as Salache, but they call themselves Altmer, or the "Cultured People". In the Empire, "High" is often understood to mean proud or snobbish, and as the Altmer generally personify these characteristics, the "lesser races" generally resent them. Altmer confidently consider themselves, with some justice, to be the most civilized culture of Tamriel; the common tongue of Tamriel is based on Altmer speech and writing, and most of the Empire's arts, crafts, laws, and sciences are derived from Altmer traditions. However, the Altmer's smug self-assurance of superiority can be hard to bear. The Altmer are the most strongly gifted in the arcane arts of all the races, and they are very resistant to diseases. However, they are also somewhat vulnerable to fire, frost, and shock. They are among the longest living and intelligent races of Tamriel, and they often become powerful magic users due to both their magical affinity and the many centuries they may devote to their studies. Some Altmer's incredibly strong minds make them naturally immune to all kinds of paralysis.

For more information, see the main Lore article.

Ayleid

Ayleids, also known as the Ancient Ones, Wild Elves, or Heartland High Elves, were the first race to establish an empire in Tamriel. The Ayleids were the original founders of the Imperial City, although it was a fortress called Temple of the Ancestors in those days. They spoke a language now referred to as "Ayleidoon", a derivative of Aldmeris which was once the language of the human Cyrodiils as well. Much like the lost Dwemer (whose ruins can be found in Hammerfell, Skyrim, and Morrowind), many Ayleid ruins can be found in Cyrodiil. These underground cities can prove deadly for adventurers, hiding such dangers as traps, monsters, undead, and criminals that hide out in the ruins. Many would-be treasure hunters have died trying to plunder their vast riches. Their cities were amazing feats of architecture, ranging from small settlements to gigantic, labyrinth-like metropolises; they also seem to have had a firm grasp of the magical arts, as many of their ruins contain stones filled with magicka essences harvested from the sky and they developed what came to be called the school of Alteration as they were skilled in magics such as shapeshifting and levitation. They were usually devout worshippers of Daedra, and even attempted to gain their power, blessings, and military aid. As for their appearance, like all elves, they were most likely thin and lean with pointed ears and angular facial features. Complexion-wise, they were lighter than dark elves though darker than high elves.

Bosmer

The Bosmer are the Elven clan-folk of Valenwood, a forested province in southwestern Tamriel. In the Empire, they are often referred to as Wood Elves, but Bosmer, Boiche, or the Tree-Sap People is what they call themselves. Bosmer rejected the stiff, formal traditions of Aldmeri high culture, preferring a more romantic, simple existence in harmony with the land, its wild beauty and wild creatures. They are relatively nimble and quick in body and wit compared to their more "civilized" Elven cousins, making them well-suited for a variety of professions, including scouts, thieves, traders and scholars. The best archers in all of Tamriel, the Bosmer snatch and fire arrows in one continuous motion; they are even rumored to have invented the bow. They have many natural and unique abilities; notably, they can command simple-minded creatures and have a nearly chameleon-like ability to hide in forested areas. As part of their Green Pact, they are religiously carnivorous and cannibalistic, but do not harm vegetation of Valenwood (though they are not averse to using wooden or plant-derived products created by others).

For more information, see the main Lore article.

Chimer

"Boethiah showed them the lies of the et'Ada, the Aedra, and told them Trinimac was the biggest liar of all, saying all this with Trinimac's voice! Boethiah told the mass before him the Tri-Angled Truth. He showed them, with Mephala, the rules of Psijic Endeavor. He taught them how to build Houses, and what items they needed to bury in the Corners. He demonstrated the right way to wear their skin. He performed the way to walk to achieve an Exodus. Then Boethiah relieved himself of Trinimac right there on the ground before them to prove all the things he said were the truth. It was easy then for his new people to become the Changed Ones." - The Changed Ones

The Chimer (changed folk or Changed Ones) were a sect of Aldmeri dissidents who abandoned the ways of Summerset Isle and embarked on a great exodus to Morrowind. They followed the prophet Veloth, who spoke to them on behalf of Boethiah, Prince of Plots, and two other Good Daedra. The teachings of Veloth and the Daedra spawned a new culture on Tamriel and a new people, though the Chimer were physically indistinguishable from their former compatriots. Henceforward, the exiles were known as the Velothi. The term can be used in a general sense for the Dunmer as well, though it carries a specific meaning referring to ex-Ashlanders who have abandoned their nomadic ways.

Dunmer

The Dunmer, also known as Dark Elves, or Moriche in the Ayleid Language, are the ash-skinned, red-eyed, Elven peoples of the Eastern Empire. "Dark" is commonly understood as meaning such characteristics as "dark-skinned", "gloomy", "ill-favored by fate" and so on. The Dunmer and their national identity, however, embrace these various connotations with enthusiasm. In the Empire, "Dark Elf" is the common usage, but among their Aldmeri brethren they are called "Dunmer". Their combination of powerful intellects with strong and agile physiques produce superior warriors and sorcerers. On the battlefield, Dunmer are noted for their skill with a balanced integration of the sword, the bow and destruction magic. In character, they are grim, aloof, and reserved, as well as distrusting and disdainful of other races.

Dunmer distrust and are treated distrustfully by other races. They are often proud, clannish, ruthless, and cruel, from an outsider's point of view, but greatly value loyalty and family. Young female Dark Elves are well known for their promiscuity. Despite their powerful skills and strengths, the Dunmer's vengeful nature, age-old conflicts, betrayals, and ill-reputation prevent them from gaining more influence. Those born in their homeland of Morrowind before its devastation were known to be considerably less friendly than those who grew up in the Imperial tradition.

For more information, see the main Lore article.

Dwemer

The Dwemer , the "people of the deep", are a fabled "Lost Race" of Mer from Dwemereth, which mostly consisted of modern-day Morrowind, where they are believed to have been the most prolific, though they also had a strong presence in Hammerfell, High Rock, and Skyrim. Meric races use the term "Dwemer", which translates to "Deep-Elves" or "Deep Folk". Men commonly refer to them as Dwarves. The early history of the Dwemer is still clouded in mystery. There is no known story of their dissociation from the Aldmer, which must have occurred very early in Tamrielic history, as their society bore few correlations with that of the Altmer besides some similar legal principles. The Dwemer built elaborate underground cities near and beneath mountain ranges, including the Velothi Mountains and Red Mountain, and in the mountains of the isle Stros M'Kai. Many misconceptions about them have abounded for centuries: scholars long thought that most Dwemer ruins which dotted Tamriel outside Morrowind were mere outposts and that there were few significant Dwemer settlements elsewhere until 1E 420. The presentation of the Dwemer in fictitious but popular novels like the Ancient Tales of the Dwemer has also lodged an inaccurate impression of them in the popular consciousness, painting them as familiar, comfortable characters very similar to humans. In reality, they are better described as having been fearsome, unfathomable, and even cruel, though also careful, intelligent, and industrious. Their society consisted of free-thinking yet reclusive clans devoted to the secrets of science, engineering, and the arcane until they mysteriously disappeared around 1E 700.

Falmer

Falmer, also known as Snow Elves or Ice Elves, are a twisted race of blind subterranean Mer that live deep beneath the surface of Skyrim. The Falmer were once a proud people with an unusually great aptitude for magic. They had a strong resistance to frost, as their skin was coated with a thin layer of blue-white ice. They had a civilization which rivaled even the Altmer of the Summerset Isles. They had their own language, which was written in a complex and nearly indecipherable alphabet. They were purported to use spears and archery in combat. The Dwemer agreed to protect the Falmer, but did not trust them. The Dwemer forced their Falmer guests to consume a type of toxic fungus found growing deep underground which rendered them blind. The Falmer first became servants of the Dwemer, then their slaves. The Dwemer made the fungus an essential part of the Falmer diet, ensuring that all future generations would be as powerless as their current slaves. The Falmer were embittered by this betrayal and rebelled against their dwarven masters. In 1E 700, when the Dwemer disappeared, the Falmer were left to spread freely throughout Blackreach. However, centuries of subterranean slavery, combined with their permanent blindness, left the Falmer crippled, and years of fighting the Dwemer left the race bloodthirsty and brutal.

Feeling the need to conquer, the Falmer began launching raids on the surface world. The Falmer tamed the Chaurus, a poisonous insect native to the deepest reaches of Skyrim. They learned to use chitin for all of their crafting needs, creating everything from tents to swords with the dark, brittle substance. The Falmer dwell mostly in the ruins of their masters, including the Silent City of Blackreach, although they can occasionally be found living in isolated cave systems. They have a strong hatred for all but their own race, but are known to keep their own as slaves.

Lefthanded Elves

The Lefthanded Elves were a race of elves from Yokuda, closely related to the Aldmer. They were the enemies of the Yokudans (ancient Redguards). During the Mythic Era, the Na-Totambu (Yokudan royalty) fought to a standstill among themselves to decide who would lead the charge against the Lefthanded Elves. Leki intervened and a victor emerged; war was then declared on the Elves. Diagna, an avatar of the HoonDing, brought orichalc weapons to the Yokudans, which were instrumental in defeating the Elves.

Their defeat by the Yokudans and the subsequent sinking of Yokuda imply that the race is extinct.

Maormer

The Maormer, also known as Sea Elves or Tropical Elves, are a race of mer that reside on the island of Pyandonea, south of the continent of Tamriel. They have blank eyes and colorless, chameleon-like skin, which is capable of blending in with the environment. It was originally believed that they had lived in the Altmer home of Summerset Isle and were exiled, but tapestries found in the Crystal Tower of Alinor reveal an enmity going back so far as to make that theory impossible. Their leader is an immortal wizard named Orgnum. The Maormer practice a snake-like magic which they use to tame sea-serpents.

For more information, see the main Lore article.

Orc

Orcs, also called Orsimer or "Pariah Folk" in ancient times, are sophisticated, beastlike people of the Wrothgarian Mountains, Dragontail Mountains, and Orsinium (literally translated as "Orc-Town"). They are noted for their unshakable courage in war and their unflinching endurance of hardships. In the past, Orcs have been widely feared and hated by the other nations and races of Tamriel, and were often considered to be goblin-ken. However, they have slowly won acceptance in the Empire, in particular for their distinguished service in the Emperor's Legions. Orc armorers are prized for their craftsmanship, and Orc warriors in heavy armor are among the finest front-line troops in the Empire, and are fearsome when using their berserker rage. Most Imperial citizens regard the Orc society as rough and cruel. The Orcs of the Iliac Bay region have developed their own language, known as Orcish, and have often had their own kingdom, Orsinium.

For more information, see the main Lore article.

Gallery

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  Illustration of a typical Altmer male

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  An Ayleid Guardian

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  Illustration of a typical Bosmer male

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  Illustration of a typical Dunmer male

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  Concept art of two Dwemer

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  A modern Falmer

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  Illustration of a typical Orc male

References

Note: the following references are not found in game. They are included to provide a rounder background to this article, but may not reflect established lore.