Homebrew Altmer Species Details

Basic Information

The Altmer, or High Elves, are the inhabitants of the Imperial province of the Summerset Isles. They have golden skin, hair, and eyes, and range from six and a half to seven and a half feet tall. They tend to be very slender in proportion to their height, with the average male weighing about 170 pounds, and the average female weighing in at 140 pounds. They are tied with the Dunmer for the longest lifespans of the mortal races, with the average Altmer living to be 350 years old. They are the most naturally magically attuned of all the races, and many of the great mages of Tamrielic history were Altmer. In battle, Altmer tend to use magic, though Elven swordsmen are known for their prowess and agility.

 

History

The Altmer are the purest descendants of the original race of Elves, the Aldmer. The Aldmer arrived on the Summerset Isles from their lost native homeland of Aldmeris in the early Merethic Era. These early Aldmer were radically different in culture to the modern Altmer. They were originally a relatively egalitarian society, though for unknown reasons they quickly developed a rigid hierarchy of Castes. These are the Royalty followed by Teachers, Priests, Artists, Warriors, Landowners, Merchants, Laborers, and Slaves. This change led to millennia of civil conflicts, emigrations, and expulsions that led to the creation of the Ayleids, Bosmer, Chimer (now Dunmer), Dwemer, Falmer, Maormer, and Orsimer. Those Aldmer who stayed in the Summerset Isles became the modern Altmer after generations of eugenic infanticide and selective breeding. For most of early history, the Altmer stayed on the Summerset Isles, every so often trading with the Bosmer and Khajiit to the East, the Redguards to the North, and fending off invasions from the Maormer to the south, and the Sload to the West. This changed in the 580th year of the Second Era when Queen Ayrenn returned to the Isles after decades of adventuring. In her travels, she found that the Empire of Cyrodiil had collapsed, leaving a large void of power to be filled. For millennia, the Altmer had harbored much hatred and resentment for the Empire, viewing the Human races as beneath them, and longed for control. Now was their opportunity. Queen Ayrenn convinced the Bosmer High Chieftain and the Khajiit Mane to form an alliance, which became the first Aldmeri Dominion. At the same time, the Redguard, Bretons, and Orsimer formed their own alliance, called the Daggerfall Covenant, as did the Nords, Argonians, and Dunmer, called the Ebonheart Pact. These alliances went to war in an attempt to control Cyrodiil, as to control Cyrodiil meant to control Tamriel. This war raged for over 300 years, until a man named Tiber Septim used an ancient Dwemer golem called the Numidium to conquer the entire continent, including the Summerset Isles, and established the Septim Empire. This was a humiliating blow to the Altmer, who in their entire history had never once been under human control. The Altmer in response have become highly resentful of all humans, even more so than before, and most Altmer are prideful and arrogant.

 

Religion

The Altmer believe they are a direct descendent of the primordial force of order, Anu. Their creation myth says that Anu’s son Auriel, along with the other Aedra (meaning Ancestor Spirit) were tricked by Lorkhan (son of Padomay, the primordial force of chaos) into creating the mortal realm, Nirn. In doing so, the lesser Aedra lost their divine power, and fell to nirn, becoming the Ehlnofey, or Earth Bones; the progenitors of all races. The Ehlnofey who strived to work together became the Aldmer, and the Ehlnofey who strived to work for themselves became the various races of men. The Altmer therefore view mortality and Nirn as a prison, and desire to ascend to the heavens to rejoin their Aedric ancestors.

 

Pantheon

Auriel

The primary deity of worship, Auriel is the King of the Gods, and is the Eagle-God of Time and Life. He is venerated as the source of Life.

Domains: Order, Life

 

Magnus

Magnus is the God of Magic and the Sun, and the Architect of Nirn. He is venerated for his intelligence and wisdom.

Domains: Light, Arcana

 

Y’ffre

Y’ffre is the Goddess of Nature and Music, and is venerated for her creativity and kindness.

Domains: Life, Nature

 

Xarxes

Xarxes is the God of Secrets and Hidden Knowledge, and is venerated for his inquisitive nature.

Domains: Arcana, Knowledge

 

Mara

Mara is the Goddess of Love and Fertility, and is venerated for her endless compassion.

Domains: Peace, Life

 

Stendarr

Stendarr is the God of Justice and Righteous Rule, and is venerated for his protection of the weak.

Domains: War, Order

 

Phynaster

Phynaster is the Teacher’s God, and is venerated for his cleverness.

Domains: Trickery, Knowledge

Altmer Traits

Highborn

Aedric Blood

Being the most magically inclined of the mortal races, you can channel more magical energy. You gain one additional spell slot per spell level when using a spellcasting class.

Ability Score Increase

Altmer are gifted with a naturally high intelligence, which gives them an appreciation for the finer arts, such as music, dance, and poetry. You gain +2 to Intelligence and +1 to Charisma.

Altmeri Education

The government of the Summerset Isles provides free education for its youth. You gain proficiencies in Arcana, History, and Performance.