Definitions by Elder Scrolls
high elf
A race in the Elder Scrolls video game series.
In the Imperial tongue, the haughty, tall, golden-skinned people of Summerset Isle are called "High Elves," but 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" harbor little warmth for them. Altmer confidently consider themselves, with some justice, as the most civilized culture of Tamriel; the common tongue of the Empire, Tamrielic, is based on Altmer speech and writing, and most of the Empire's arts, crafts, and sciences are derived from Altmer traditions. However, the Altmer's smug self-assurance of superiority can be hard to bear. Deft, intelligent, and strong-willed, Altmer are the most strongly gifted in the arcane arts of all the races, and Altmer boast that their sublime physical natures make them far more resistant to disease than the "lesser races." However, they are also somewhat vulnerable to fire, frost, and shock.
In the Imperial tongue, the haughty, tall, golden-skinned people of Summerset Isle are called "High Elves," but 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" harbor little warmth for them. Altmer confidently consider themselves, with some justice, as the most civilized culture of Tamriel; the common tongue of the Empire, Tamrielic, is based on Altmer speech and writing, and most of the Empire's arts, crafts, and sciences are derived from Altmer traditions. However, the Altmer's smug self-assurance of superiority can be hard to bear. Deft, intelligent, and strong-willed, Altmer are the most strongly gifted in the arcane arts of all the races, and Altmer boast that their sublime physical natures make them far more resistant to disease than the "lesser races." However, they are also somewhat vulnerable to fire, frost, and shock.
high elf by Elder Scrolls January 24, 2008
imperial
A race in the Elder Scrolls video game series.
Natives of the civilized, cosmopolitan province of Cyrodiil, the Imperials are well-educated and well-spoken. Imperials are also known for the discipline and training of their citizen armies. Though physically less imposing than the other races, the Imperials have proved to be shrewd diplomats and traders, and these traits, along with their remarkable skill and training as light infantry, have enabled them to subdue all the other nations and races, and to have erected the monument to peace and prosperity that comprises the Glorious Empire.
It is assumed that Imperials are based on the Romans, as it is assumed that Bretons are based on the French.
Natives of the civilized, cosmopolitan province of Cyrodiil, the Imperials are well-educated and well-spoken. Imperials are also known for the discipline and training of their citizen armies. Though physically less imposing than the other races, the Imperials have proved to be shrewd diplomats and traders, and these traits, along with their remarkable skill and training as light infantry, have enabled them to subdue all the other nations and races, and to have erected the monument to peace and prosperity that comprises the Glorious Empire.
It is assumed that Imperials are based on the Romans, as it is assumed that Bretons are based on the French.
imperial by Elder Scrolls January 24, 2008
nord
A race in the Elder Scrolls video game series.
The Nords are a race of tall and fair-haired humans from Skyrim. They are strong, stubborn and exceptional warriors, being skilled in many weapons and armor styles. They are also highly resistant to frost, and are very enthusiastic for war and brutality. Furthermore, Nords are good sailors, with well established trade links along all the rivers and coasts of Tamriel.
The Nords are a race of tall and fair-haired humans from Skyrim. They are strong, stubborn and exceptional warriors, being skilled in many weapons and armor styles. They are also highly resistant to frost, and are very enthusiastic for war and brutality. Furthermore, Nords are good sailors, with well established trade links along all the rivers and coasts of Tamriel.
nord by Elder Scrolls January 24, 2008
breton
A race in the Elder Scrolls video game series.
Bretons are part-elvish and part-human beings (more human than elvish) that populate the province of High Rock, where the second game of the series, Daggerfall, takes place. They are capable mages with high magicka resistance. Other than that, they have few distinctive features. They are considered an intelligent human race in Tamriel, known for a proficiency in abstract thinking, a possible reason for their adeptness in the magical arts.
The Bretons' origin can be traced to the First Era of Elder Scrolls history, when the Aldmer attacked and destroyed the Nedic holdings in Skyrim. Many of the female Nords captured in the raids were subsequently enslaved as concubines, and gave birth to mixed Aldmer-Nord offspring, termed Manmer by the pure-blooded Nords. While the Aldmer maintained control of Tamriel, the Manmer lived as lower-class citizens, supporting their meric brethren. After the Aldmer lost their foothold, the remaining Manmer interbred with the controlling human races. The Bretons of modern-day Tamriel have a much-diluted meric ancestry, seen in their higher magical affinity.
It is assumed that Bretons are based on the Breton people of France (or Celtic people in general), just as it is assumed that Imperials are based on the Romans.
Bretons are part-elvish and part-human beings (more human than elvish) that populate the province of High Rock, where the second game of the series, Daggerfall, takes place. They are capable mages with high magicka resistance. Other than that, they have few distinctive features. They are considered an intelligent human race in Tamriel, known for a proficiency in abstract thinking, a possible reason for their adeptness in the magical arts.
The Bretons' origin can be traced to the First Era of Elder Scrolls history, when the Aldmer attacked and destroyed the Nedic holdings in Skyrim. Many of the female Nords captured in the raids were subsequently enslaved as concubines, and gave birth to mixed Aldmer-Nord offspring, termed Manmer by the pure-blooded Nords. While the Aldmer maintained control of Tamriel, the Manmer lived as lower-class citizens, supporting their meric brethren. After the Aldmer lost their foothold, the remaining Manmer interbred with the controlling human races. The Bretons of modern-day Tamriel have a much-diluted meric ancestry, seen in their higher magical affinity.
It is assumed that Bretons are based on the Breton people of France (or Celtic people in general), just as it is assumed that Imperials are based on the Romans.
A Breton is particularly skilled in mysticism and healing and summoning magic, which means they are natural defensive mages.
breton by Elder Scrolls January 24, 2008
dark elf
A race in the Elder Scrolls video game series.
Dunmer, also known as Dark Elves, are the dark-skinned Elven peoples of the Eastern Empire. "Dark" is variously understood to mean "dark-skinned," "gloomy," and "ill-favored by fate." The Dunmer and their national character embrace these various connotations with enthusiasm. In the Empire, "Dark Elves" is the common usage, but in their Morrowind homeland, and among their Aldmeri brethren, they call themselves the "Dunmer". The dark-skinned, red-eyed Dunmer combine powerful intellect with strong and agile physiques, producing superior warriors and sorcerers. On the battlefield, Dunmer are noted for their skilled and balanced integration of the sword, the bow and destruction magic. In character, they are grim, aloof, and reserved, distrusting and disdainful of other races. Life in the volcanic terrains of Vvardenfell has made them very resistant to fire; they laugh in the face of enemies lobbing fireballs at them.
Dunmer are treated distrustfully by other races. They are often proud, ruthless, cruel, and young female Dark Elves are well known for their promiscuity. While the skills and strengths of the race makes them very powerful, vengefulness, ages-long conflicts, betrayals, and ill reputation prevent them from gaining more significance.
Dunmer, also known as Dark Elves, are the dark-skinned Elven peoples of the Eastern Empire. "Dark" is variously understood to mean "dark-skinned," "gloomy," and "ill-favored by fate." The Dunmer and their national character embrace these various connotations with enthusiasm. In the Empire, "Dark Elves" is the common usage, but in their Morrowind homeland, and among their Aldmeri brethren, they call themselves the "Dunmer". The dark-skinned, red-eyed Dunmer combine powerful intellect with strong and agile physiques, producing superior warriors and sorcerers. On the battlefield, Dunmer are noted for their skilled and balanced integration of the sword, the bow and destruction magic. In character, they are grim, aloof, and reserved, distrusting and disdainful of other races. Life in the volcanic terrains of Vvardenfell has made them very resistant to fire; they laugh in the face of enemies lobbing fireballs at them.
Dunmer are treated distrustfully by other races. They are often proud, ruthless, cruel, and young female Dark Elves are well known for their promiscuity. While the skills and strengths of the race makes them very powerful, vengefulness, ages-long conflicts, betrayals, and ill reputation prevent them from gaining more significance.
dark elf by Elder Scrolls January 24, 2008
khajiit
A race in the Elder Scrolls video game series.
The Khajiit are a race of feline creatures hailing from the province of Elsweyr, well-known for their keen Intelligence and Agility. While these traits make them superb thieves, Khajiit are also fearsome warriors, although seldom gifted with the skill to harness magical forces. This is not to say that Khajiit do not possess the ability, merely that strenuous training must be undertaken to make wielding magic a serious option, either in passive or aggressive actions.
Physiologically, Khajiit differ greatly from both the varied races of man and mer, not only in their skeletal structure (possessed of a tail and aft-jointed legs) and dermal makeup (the "fur" that covers their bodies) but in their digestion and metabolism as well. The Khajiit, along with the Argonians, make up the so called 'beast races' of the Empire, due to their therianthropic qualities.
It is currently unclear whether a successful union between Khajiit and other races may occur, for, while reports of children born of such unions have been noted in the past, no well-documented cases exist.
The Khajiit are a race of feline creatures hailing from the province of Elsweyr, well-known for their keen Intelligence and Agility. While these traits make them superb thieves, Khajiit are also fearsome warriors, although seldom gifted with the skill to harness magical forces. This is not to say that Khajiit do not possess the ability, merely that strenuous training must be undertaken to make wielding magic a serious option, either in passive or aggressive actions.
Physiologically, Khajiit differ greatly from both the varied races of man and mer, not only in their skeletal structure (possessed of a tail and aft-jointed legs) and dermal makeup (the "fur" that covers their bodies) but in their digestion and metabolism as well. The Khajiit, along with the Argonians, make up the so called 'beast races' of the Empire, due to their therianthropic qualities.
It is currently unclear whether a successful union between Khajiit and other races may occur, for, while reports of children born of such unions have been noted in the past, no well-documented cases exist.
Combining a Khajiit race, thief/assassin class and shadow birth sign results in a very quick, agile and efficient thief and/or assassin.
khajiit by Elder Scrolls January 24, 2008
redguard
A race in the Elder Scrolls video game series.
The most naturally talented warriors in Tamriel, the dark-skinned, wiry-haired Redguards of Hammerfell seem born to battle, though their pride and fierce independence of spirit makes them more suitable as scouts or skirmishers, or as free-ranging heroes and adventurers, than as rank-and-file soldiers. In addition to their cultural affinities for many weapon and armor styles, Redguards are also physically blessed with hardy constitutions, resistance to poison, and quickness of foot. Redguards do not share the same blood as the other human races. Their original home was not Atmora, the ancestral land of the Nedic progenitors of Nord, Breton, and Imperial bloodlines.
The most naturally talented warriors in Tamriel, the dark-skinned, wiry-haired Redguards of Hammerfell seem born to battle, though their pride and fierce independence of spirit makes them more suitable as scouts or skirmishers, or as free-ranging heroes and adventurers, than as rank-and-file soldiers. In addition to their cultural affinities for many weapon and armor styles, Redguards are also physically blessed with hardy constitutions, resistance to poison, and quickness of foot. Redguards do not share the same blood as the other human races. Their original home was not Atmora, the ancestral land of the Nedic progenitors of Nord, Breton, and Imperial bloodlines.
A Redguard, the fiercest warrior in the game, is a master of martial arts. With bonuses in Blade, Blunt and Athletics, they are fast - and deadly - warriors.
redguard by Elder Scrolls January 24, 2008