We need more positive representations of Altmer in the next Elder Scrolls.

[Tealius Maximus]

Not Thalmor.
But I just want some Altmer which aren't egotistical maniacs.

[Ilja]

Like Viarmo from Bard's College? He is not really an egoistic or maniac.

The problem here is that Thalmor rose to power by first killing opposition members in Sunset Isles and then proceeding to kill Altmer refugees who had fled on continent. They also do occasional purges among "lesser elves" and potential opposition.

So... many altmers are obnoxious snobs, because Thalmor has spent few centuries how they are above and beyond the mortals - and that they should actually be divine beings, in an universe where mortal plane does not exist (at least in state as it is now.)

[theo]

Originally posted by Ilja:

The problem here is that Thalmor rose to power by first killing opposition members in Sunset Isles and then proceeding to kill Altmer refugees who had fled on continent. They also do occasional purges among "lesser elves" and potential opposition.

All according to Imperial sources.

I dunno, pretty much all non-Thalmor high elves seem decent. I'm sure most Thalmor elves are also potentially great buddies, it's just the war situation. Nobody in Skyrim likes them in the first place, why would they behave nice.

Perhaps nords deserve a better representation. I want some nords that aren't racists, drunkards, and/or idiots.

[Ilja]

Not only according to Imperial sources. Malborn lost his family in purges, which is why he is helping you.

I never saw Nords like Alvor (or genearlly people in Riverwood, Whiterun, Solitude etc.) as idiot, drunks or racists though.

And as stated, Skyrim have Altmers like Viarmo, who are clearly not from the snobby side of life.

The point there was that ultra religious group is managing big part of Aldmeri culture and using heavy violence against their own race to stay in power. Thalmor idea is literally "let's kill the whole world to be free!" - cult. We know very little how Aldmeri culture would be these days, if Dominion wouldn't be run by lunatics.

[theo]

That's his side of the story though (or, rather, Delphine's, who's known to be not exactly upfront with you)

[th]

I have such thoughts about Altmers too. But I came up with much more logical idea for myself. Someday I am just gonna play a playthrough for a good Altmer myself. Very magic, very typical Altmer, but a good one. Simple.

[Ihateeverybody]

Just from the Thalmor I meet, I have no issue with belieiving purges of the Bosmer. Elven supremecy means the Altmer at the top and the Thalmor higher with the individual Thalmor talking above that. I know the type.

Heck if I wasn't more balanced I would be the type. I just am not a joiner of groups, even if I would be the leader.

[Shir Blackwater]

It's not really that black and white, the altmer have a long history with the Nords and Imperials since Isgramor almost genocided the elves, as did Pelinal Whitestrake who even went after the Ohmes khajiit mistaking them for elves. So in a way the altmer are kind of justified in their hatred of Nords and the Empire, but the Nords and Imperials have their reasons as well since they were enslaved by the high elves (before the first era I think?) and the khajiit would be pretty miffed as well if they ever find out they were lied to by the high elves about being responsible for bringing the moons back, that's not to mention the khajiit and Argonians especially often being enslaved by the Altmer and Dunmer...

The Altmer have pretty much always been massive [REDACTED] the Altmeri Dominion and the adoring fan especially.

So it comes down to you as the Altmer player character to be one of the good ones, who don't agree with the dominion.

[Ihateeverybody]

There are plenty of altmer in Skyrim that likely have lived there for years or hightailed it as far from the Thalmor as they could get. Just off of memory.

1. Altmer Couple in Windhelm running the stables (if the wife doesn't get serial killed).
2. Altmer Farmer in Rorikstead (Can't tell if the guy she lives and works with is adoptive son or lover).
3. Altmer Wife of Farmer in Whiterun (one near cicero intro).
4. Altmer Alchemist in Windhelm.
5. Calcemo and Nephew in Markarth.

I doubt all Altmer are stuck up Aholes, I mean other then the Uniform wearing Thalmor I doubt too many are.

And it bears repeating, Tamriel is called the Arena for a reason, because you can't throw a rock without hitting an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ (not redacted).

[theo]

Originally posted by Shir Blackwater:

but the Nords and Imperials have their reasons as well since they were enslaved by the high elves (before the first era I think?)

These were the other elves, Ayleids. Some of them sympathized with human slaves and helped the rebellion. Guess why they're all extinct now lol.

Elves ain't exactly angels in TES but humans, as usual in fantasy settings, are arrogant, short-sighted, ungrateful, and all around problematic, especially in the long term context (and keep in mind that elves live and remember longer - at least twice as much without the help of magic, and at the end of the 3rd era there were non vampire characters literally older than Tiber Septim, some should be present still - imagine how petty the whole Imperial crisis and Talos problem must seem to them)

[Ihateeverybody]

Look, I think this is being over complicated. Some ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ are Thalmor. ALL THALMOR ARE ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.

You really can't make that statement about most other groupings in the game (outside the enemy factions (Bandits, Reavers, Forsworn, etc). Alik'r maybe.

[alexander_dougherty]

If you played Oblivion, it was obvious that most Altmer are Arrogant and believe they are better than everyone else..... The problem isn't how they are represented, the problem is they were created to be Egotistical Snobs.


And lets be honest, we need to stop rewriting everything so that everyone is a good person really..... We need to have differences, including that some races (fictional of course) are actually unpleasant and unlikeable... otherwise everything becomes BLAND [/i]

Not sure why it's showing the end of the italics prompt, had this yesterday with the bold prompt, am giving up on trying to fix it.

[theo]

The goodest guy in Oblivion is an altmer though (Ocato)

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by theo:

The goodest guy in Oblivion is an altmer though (Ocato)

Yes, there are some good Altmer in Oblivion, just because we need Alrmer to be arrogant snobs doesn't mean we can't have good ones too. Just as we need Orcs to be.... well Orcish, it doesn't mean we can't have a few refined cultured Orcs too (just as there were in Oblivion again)