The Dunmer (or Dark Elves) are a race present in most of the Elder Scrolls games. They are the focus of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, but they also play a major role in Skyrim. Players can explore their history and lore related to the Dunmer in various places in the game, such as the Gray Quarter in Windhelm, or certain places in Riften.
As one of the proudest and oldest races in Tamriel, the Dunmer have had their say in many pivotal moments of the Elder Scrolls’ lore. The Dark Elves have a long, twisted and fascinating backstory. However, not many players are too knowledgeable about them, mainly because most of the interesting information about them actually comes from the 20-year-old gem that is Morrowind.
10 The Convoluted Dunmer Politics
As the Dunmer originally hail from Morrowind, the region is almost entirely ruled by the Dark Elves. More particularly, it is the Great Houses who hold the power on Morrowind (with the exception of the Tribunal). There are five of them: Hlaalu, Redoran, Ildoril, Dres, and Sadras. They rule together through what’s known as the Council of Morrowind. Although at first glance, they may seem like they get along quite well, the truth is that there is a lot of intrigue and backstabbing going on behind the scenes.
Another complication is the disputed existence of the Sixth House — House Dagoth. Ruled by the banished Dagoth Ur from the depths of Red Mountain, it is central to the plot of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Other House leaders deny its existence and influence on the events unfolding throughout the game, though.
9 They Were Once Known As The Chimer
The Dark Elves didn’t always have the red eyes and grey skin they’re associated with. In fact, they used to be known as the most beautiful race of elves in Tamriel, with golden skin and deep, black eyes. Apart from the looks, they didn’t differ much from the Dunmer in terms of their beliefs and way of life. They also worshipped the Daedra.
It was the Chimer’s religious beliefs that turned out to be their ultimate downfall. The Dwemer, a more technologically advanced elven race, mocked the Chimer for their faith, which led to a war that culminated in the Battle of Red Mountain, which was the event that ended the Chimer and gave rise to the Dunmer.
8 Their Current Looks Are A Result Of Azura’s Curse
After the Battle of Red Mountain, the Tribunal (Vivec, Almalexia and Soltha Sil) along with Nerevar have made their way into the Heart of Lorkhan deep within the Mountain and used Kagrenac’s Tools on the Heart of Lorkhan, turning themselves into gods in the process. This has infuriated Azura, the Daedric Prince of Dusk and Dawn.
As punishment for the insubordinate behavior of the Tribunal, Azura has cursed the entire Chimer race. From that point onwards, they would be born with grey, ash-like skin, and red eyes. The only Chimer that were not transformed was the Tribunal members themselves, as well as a few exceptions.
7 They’re Divided Into Two Subgroups
Although it isn’t as emphasized upon in Skyrim, the Dunmer are actually divided into two completely different cultural groups: the Ashlanders and the Great Houses. While the Great Houses adopted a more “Western” way of life with settling into cities and establishing the Council of Morrowind, the Ashlanders roam the lands of Morrowind and congregate in clans, each one ruled by the Ashkan, or war chiefs.
As opposed to the Great Houses, the Ashlanders don’t worship the Tribunal. They deem the religious worship of living Chimer to be an abomination, and they’ve stuck by the ancient Dunmer beliefs and continued to worship the Daedra, much to the disdain of the Tribunal Temple.
6 They Have A Complicated Religious History
Ever since the Azura’s transformation, the Dunmer have divided themselves along the lines of religious beliefs. While some of them (mainly those who later formed the first Ashlandic tribes) continued to worship the Daedra, the wide majority of the Dunmer have begun to worship the Tribunal.
With the establishment of the Tribunal Temple and the building of cities to honor Vivec, Almalexia, and Soltha Sil, the Tribunal Cult quickly became the mainstream religion on Morrowind. Interestingly enough, the events in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind have shined a light on the personalities of the Tribunal gods, deeming them a bit less worthy of worship than Azura and the other Daedric Princes.
5 They Worship The Daedra
Back when they looked different and were referred to as the Chimer, the Dunmer used to worship Daedric Princes, primarily Boethiah, Mephala, and Azura. There were other Princes who were also subjects of worship for the Dunmer, but they were known as the House of Troubles, and had to be dealt with caution. These princes were Mehrunes Dagon, Sheogorath, Molag Bal, and Malacath. The Dunmer also frequently engaged in ancestor worship, which gave rise to the Nerevarine Cult.
After the events of Morrowind and the revelation of the Tribunal’s true motivations and characters, the Dunmer beliefs reverted back to the worship of the Daedra. This is also who they worship in Skyrim, which takes place 200 years after Morrowind.
4 Most Dunmer Fled To Skyrim After The Eruption Of The Red Mountain
When the Red Mountain erupted and destroyed most of the region of Morrowind, the majority of surviving Dunmer sought refuge in the province of Skyrim. Initially, they settled on the island of Solstheim, occupying the buildings and towns left behind by the East Empire Company.
As time went by, the Dunmer have spread out to different parts of Skyrim. Aside from Solstheim, Dark Elves can also be found in the Gray Quarter of Windhelm.
3 Some Dunmer Received A Warning Of The Red Mountain Disaster
As stated earlier, not all of the Dunmer have abandoned the Daedra and moved on to worship the gods of the Tribunal. A lot of them have chosen the Ashlander way of life. Living off the land and following the Ashkan into battle against other tribes, they continued to worship the Daedric Princes.
Some of these faithful Ashlanders have been blessed by Azura with the visions of the Red Mountain eruption. They left Morrowind much earlier than the rest of the Dunmer, and built a Shrine to Azura in Skyrim. Players can find and interact with one of these Ashlanders, Aranea Ienith when they come across the Shrine in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
2 They Are Discriminated Against In Skyrim
The Dunmer have never had an easy time settling in and assimilating with the populations living in Skyrim. Initially, they didn’t even have to, as they mostly occupied the island of Solstheim, given to them by the High King of Skyrim. However, as they continued to live on the tiny island and their population continued to grow, some Dunmer inevitably had to move to the mainland.
There, they were met with a lot of prejudice towards them from the Nords. This was mostly because of their grey skin and red eyes, which set them apart not only from the Nordic populations, but also other elves and races of creatures that live in Skyrim.
1 They’re Kind Of Racist
While the prejudice the Dunmer experience in Skyrim is definitely unjust, with being forced into separate living quarters, and mocked for their skin and eye color, one can’t help but wonder whether it isn’t karma. Back on the island of Vvardenfell, the Dunmer considered themselves to be superior to all of the other races, and continuously discriminated against them.
Morrowind players will surely be familiar with the derogatory “outlander” or “n’wah” being thrown their way by virtually every single Dunmer they came across during their playthrough. Well, in Skyrim, the tables have turned, and it is the Dunmer who became “outlanders”.
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