Altmer

"MALVASIAN: Let me make sure I understand. You have a little bit of magicka left, so you elected to use it to make Schiavas the ghost's target, forcing me to use most of my limited reserve to destroy the creature so I wouldn't be more powerful than you. That's first-rate thinking.

INZOLIAH: Thank you. It's only logical. Do you have enough power to cast any other spells?

MALVASIAN: Naturally. An experienced battlemage always knows a few minor but highly effective spells for just such a trial. I take it you, too, have a few tricks up your sleeve?"

-- Anthil Morvyr, A Hypothetical Treachery

The Altmer, self described as the Cultured "Ones," are among the oldest existing race of Elves. They are direct descendants of the Aldmer, and many would cling to that heritage as proof of their supremacy. They reside in the Summerset Isles, and let few outsiders enter.

Ancients Among US

The Altmer hold a belief that they are directly descended from the Aedra, and though they are mortal, some believe they must find a path to ascension. To these Altmer, Nirn and Mundus itself is considered a roadblock. Altmer who seek ascension are less often adventurers, and more often stay in the Summerset Isles, becoming politicians and scholars.

Some Altmer, however, have accepted their mortality. These Mer have a tendency to seek further understanding of the world they live in, be it through the Mage's Guild, Adventuring, or acting as merchants. They are more likely to be excited by material goods, but despite their disposition, they still hold themselves as superior to any non-Altmer they come across.

Elven Rivalry

Maormer

The Altmer and the Maormer of Pyandonea have been locked in a feud for centuries. Nobody is quite sure why, but many chalk it up to the Altmer's high-and-mighty ways.

The Maormer regularly send ships of soldiers to Summerset's shores. It is unheard of, even among adventurers, for Altmer and Maormer to ever get along.

Bosmer

The Altmer see the Bosmer as misguided, and seek to enlighten the Bosmer to their heritage, so that they might join them and return to their Aldmeric heritage.

Dunmer

The Altmer see the Dunmer as Daedra-worshipping fools, but don't discount their scholarly prowess.

Orsimer

To the Altmer, the Orsimer are beasts, and a black mark on the Aldmeri family tree.

Cultural Progenitors

Altmeris has shaped the Common Tamrielic tongue even more than Cyrodillic has, and The Empire has derived much of its arts, crafts, sciences, and laws from Altmeric culture. The Empire has even gone as far as to give focus to the 8 divines of the Atmeri pantheon, albeit with their own local flavoring.

Reasons for their culture being omnipresent could be in part due to their reputation as scholars, and their lengthy lifespans allowing them to focus and truly master a field of study. The other Elven races are said to have been originally Altmer, and moved off after minor disagreements.

Magically Gifted

The Altmer are among the most powerful in magical ability. The longer an Altmer lives, the stronger of a mage they may be, as they've had countless years to devote to honing their skills. There is debate as to the upper limit of an Altmer's age because of this. While most Altmer don't make it beyond 400, the first true leader of the Altmer in the Summerset Isles led the race through the first era, surviving well past 3000.

An Altmer's greatest weakness is their ability to resist Magic and the elements, or lack thereof. They are vulnerable to magical attack, the cold, fire, and electricity. Because of this weakness, it is often trained into Altmer youth not to trust even their closest friends, as an Altmer is most able to hurt another Altmer.

A Stratified Society

Altmer society is made up of castes. In order of importance, they were:

• Teachers and Priests

•Artists, Princes

•Warriors

•Landowners

•Merchants

•Workers

•Slaves

Slavers

Because the Altmer, for the most part, see themselves above all other Mortals, they are often open to the enslavement of lesser beings. Most well known is the enslavement of Goblins, which often fetch good money on the black market for their use as guards for underground dealings.

They have also been known to enslave the Kkajiit and Argonians, seeing them as little more than beasts. This has caused political issues with the Empire and with the beast races, though little has come of it.

Altmer Names

Altmeris is a flowy language, and somewhat inspired Nedic in that regard.

Altmer Names: (Male) Aldaril, Caryarel, Eraamion, Henantier, Lithnillian, Muril, Vanus, (Female) Medora, Calmaninde, Elante, Imare, Nerussa, Taarie, Tuinden, (Surname) Adal, Gaethar, Mothril, Aliaria, Rilis, Ateldil