Homebrew Dunmer, TES Species Details

The Dunmer were born from the ashes of the Battle of Red Mountain. The infamous confrontation around 1E 700 led to the death of an ancient and respected war leader known as Lord Indoril Nerevar, the destruction of the Sixth House, the disappearance of the entire Dwemer race then present on Nirn, and the ascension into godhood of four of Nerevar's councilors and closest friends, culminating in a curse from Azura that transformed the Dunmer into their present appearance. Before that, they were the Chimer, a race of elves with skin like pale gold that followed the prophet Veloth to Resdayn (present-day Morrowind) seeking religious freedom. But the Daedra Azura (the Goddess of Dusk and Dawn and the patron of Nerevar), became angry and cursed the Chimer, turning their eyes red and their skin ashen. Nerevar's councilors, his general Vivec, the sorcerer Sotha Sil, and his wife Almalexia, broke an oath they had sworn to Nerevar and Azura by stealing divine power for themselves. When this Tribunal of new living gods showed no remorse to Azura, she cursed them and all Chimer, and tied together the fate of the Dunmer and Tribunal until the end of time.

The Dunmer came to worship them and follow their teachings, with some notable detractors. For thousands of years, they used their power and leadership to protect the Dunmer from foreign invasion and, later, from Dagoth Ur, their ancient archenemy and the devil incarnate for the Dunmer (for he, too, had stolen divine power). After he awakened in 2E 882, the Tribunal had to devote their full attention to him, allowing for the Treaty of the Armistice with Tiber Septim's Third Empire that made Morrowind an autonomous province (and may have been influenced by the Tribunal's awareness of Tiber Septim's rise to divinity and the comparative weakness of Dunmer forces). Near the end of the Third Era, their power crumbled upon the advent of the Nerevarine, the reincarnation of Nerevar whom Azura had prophesied would come to set right the mistakes of the past. The Nerevarine, an outlander to Morrowind and purported Blades agent of Emperor Uriel Septim VII, severed their divine power at its source: the Heart of Lorkhan. The Heart had been discovered in the First Era by the Dwemer, and their plan to exploit it is what caused the Battle of Red Mountain in the first place. The Nerevarine released the Heart; Dagoth Ur, Sotha Sil, and Almalexia were killed soon after. Vivec is missing (with some claiming he has been "taken" by the Daedra).

Dunmer, TES Traits

Your elf character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of your Ehlnofey Ancestory and dedicated training.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2. Your Intelligence or Wisdom score increases by 1. 

Age

Dunmer reach maturity at the same age as Humans, only living longer. Dunmer have been known to live an upwards of 300 years.

Size

Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Dunmer Weapon Training

You are proficient with shortswords, longswords, bows, and light and medium armor.

Dunmer Magic

You know the Fire Bolt cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Summon Undead spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Intelligence or Wisdom if your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Dunmer Fire Resistance

Accustomed to the harsh land of Vvardenfell and areas surrounding the Red Mountain such as the the Ashlands, you are resistant to Fire Damage.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Ehlnofey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.