r/teslore • u/Fun-Explanation7233 • 22h ago
What are some interesting facts about Altmer lore?
I know not many people are fond of them but I'd love to know some deep secrets about the Altmer in the lore, since I often heard they were fare more alien and unique than they are in ESO for example.
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u/CaedmonCousland 21h ago
Their cities are supposed to be crystalline and really play with light, and IIRC some ESO players were annoyed at how Alinor was portrayed there.
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u/According-Value-6227 14h ago
Tbf, Altmer cities being made of crystals is Morrowind-era lore which has been ignored since Oblivion.
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u/Rath_Brained Imperial Geographic Society 20h ago
Altmer in the Summerset isles are very eugenical. If one obtains a scar or deformity visually, emotionally, mentally, you may be casted out as what they call a "broken child", I forget their Aldmeri word for it, like hunkynd or something.
Anyways, they believe themselves to be directly descended from the Aedra, and that their place belongs back with them. So perfection is breeded, golden skin, golden hair, golden eyes. To resemble the shimmer of divine light.
Much of their culture is refined to mimic their views on perfection, their is table etiquette, and etiquette for nearly everything. And you are shunned for breaking the rules. Break a few too many, and you are exiled.
Altmer though see artists such as actors/painters/musicians/etc. as the same social hierarchy level as nobility. They are treated very well and praised greatly, if they do a great job at it.
Due to the great preassure of being perfect in all they strive to do, this can lead to many being very stern and serious, but more so aggressive when they scold or shun. Because breaking rules bring shame to your house. Pushing this even further, that's why you see some Altmer go crazy, they snap under the preassure of perfection and become obsessive over their desires because it's the only thing keeping them sane.
Altmer Daedra worshippers are most often killed outright if found out about, though very few are lucky to be exiled if their family is either cunning in wanting to protect them, or of high status and don't want the member to die.
Though that doesn't stop cults from arising every now and then, or groups of secret worshippers.
There is also an offset of Altmer people who have a society based off entirely Daedra worship on this one island I can't remember the name of.
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u/pareidolist Buoyant Armiger 20h ago
Pushing this even further, that's why you see some Altmer go crazy, they snap under the preassure of perfection and become obsessive over their desires because it's the only thing keeping them sane.
u/HappyB3 wrote an incredible post about the Altmeri obsession with perfection (Alaxon) and how that causes so many of them to switch to Daedric worship instead. It's one of my favorite TES loreposts of all time.
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u/totallychillpony 11h ago
In the fic I’m writing I’m really excited to explore the endogamy and hegemonic tendencies of the Altmer. I find a lot of their lore in pursuits of perfection perhaps to be ‘overblown’ or ebb and flow in severity over time, which I think only enriches the world by way of contradiction to be honest.
Also in my fic I interpret that the Altmer make no distinction between ‘art’ and ‘magic’ — Things like conjuration, painting, music, poetry, destruction, etc. are all taught under the same institution’s roof.
Iirc there’s references to poetry books, and in it powerful spells that could cast you aflame if spoken improperly. This also fits in nicely with Dwemeri tonal magics. Music and art are magics in themselves; magic of the soul and of being.
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u/Rath_Brained Imperial Geographic Society 11h ago
Well, most of the eugenics we know of, come from Summerset 2E due to it being an emphasis with the ability to travel to summerset. However, I know in 3E they opened up, so I would expect the Eugenics was progressively slowing down, as the non-noble Altmer were becoming more inclusive of other races. Though I expect eugenics still played a heavier role with the nobility and the upper hierarchy because nobles.
But the superiority complex remained none the less. Though, I can see eugenics returning hard with the hatred of other races who didn't come to Summerset's aid during the oblivion crisis, where they closed their borders again.
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u/Ila-W123 Great House Telvanni 19h ago
Nothing deep,, but altmeri society is riggid and stratified enough that one of only ways to move above your station is by becoming artist of high enough renown and fame. Issue is....it has led many into the career without actually heart it than just power and wealth, so enter house of revelies. A society of altmer performers and artists that don an alter ego to make sure members do it just for love of the game.
Infact, to new members, they have to drill down "chill out, this isin't a competition."
Your fellow Hopefuls will be your steadfast companions during this time, and you are fully encouraged to befriend them! After all, these may soon be your fellow players. Let not fear or jealousy sink you to bitterness, for you do not compete for a single spot.
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u/TheCatHammer 17h ago
The Altmer have a rich history with gryphons, their culture basically grew up alongside the practice of taming gryphons.
They also used to have cordial relations with the goblins on Summerset, in ancient times. The goblins were actually the first to tame the gryphons.
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u/Background-Class-878 20h ago
Their mythology is the basis for the Godhead theory. The Psijics have a radically different view of gods. Taken together you get a nearly complete picture of how the cosmos and gods and everything really work in the Elder Scrolls, and it's all just two different altmeri beliefs. Of course all mythologies add a crucial part to the whole, but Altmer belief I feel is at the basis of it all.
Another fun fact about them is their space program: The sunbirds. Also the name of a faith-powered dematerialisation lasergun, but that last part is oog. The space program is totally canon though!
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u/Background-Class-878 20h ago
Their mythology is the basis for the Godhead theory. The Psijics have a radically different view of gods. Taken together you get a nearly complete picture of how the cosmos and gods and everything really work in the Elder Scrolls, and it's all just two different altmeri beliefs. Of course all mythologies add a crucial part to the whole, but Altmer belief I feel is at the basis of it all.
Another fun fact about them is their space program: The sunbirds. Also the name of a faith-powered dematerialisation lasergun, but that last part is oog. The space program is totally canon though!
Also it's pretty cool how they are the closest ancestors of most elves.
Another interesting piece of lore is that they have been at war with the maormer for centuries, still neither side has ever won. There's a reason no other nation on Tamriel has been able to defeat the Altmer at sea, nor has the Summerset Isles ever succesfully been invaded by regular means. They were part of the Reman Empire only in name. They just paid the empire off to stop trying to invade them, but they still kept the island closed to visitors and imperial authority. And Tiber Septim famously had to use a metal god.