Post by Lucien Lachance on Oct 22, 2008 0:22:50 GMT -5
Altmer
In the Imperial tongue, the haughty, tall, golden-skinned peoples of Summerset Isle are called 'High Elves', but they call themselves Altmer, or the "Cultured People."
In the Empire, "High" is often understood to mean "proud" or "snobbish," and as the Altmer generally personify these characteristics, the "lesser races" harbor little warmth for them. Altmer confidently consider themselves, with some justice, as the most civilized culture of Tamriel; the common tongue of the Empire, Tamrielic, is based on Altmer speech and writing, and most of the Empire's arts, crafts, and sciences are derived from Altmer traditions. However, the Altmer's smug self-assurance of superiority can be hard to bear.
Deft, intelligent, and strong-willed, Altmer are the most strongly gifted in the arcane arts of all the races, and Altmer boast that their sublime physical natures make them far more resistant to disease than the "lesser races." However, they are also somewhat vulnerable to fire, frost, and shock.
The first edition of 'A Pocket Guide to the Empire and its environs' (aka PGE), published in 2E 864, contains a passage from an earlier date (1E 2820) suggesting that the Altmer practice eugenic infanticide, putting to death nine in ten of their newborns for being of impure bloodline. It also suggests that Altmeri names are simply combinations of numbers in their own language, and that their culture revolves almost entirely around displaying social status. How reliable and unbiased this account is is a matter of some doubt, as the document itself is written from a highly pro-Imperial - and thus anti Altmeri Dominium - point of view, and contains numerous objections written in the margins by an anonymous Elf.
The third edition of the PGE, published much later in 3E 432, contains no mention of any of these practices - whether this is because they don't exist any more, or never existed, or do exist but simply go unmentioned, is not known.
Attributes
Male
+10 Intelligence
-10 Strength and Speed
Female
+10 Intelligence
-10 Strength and Endurance
Skills
+10 Alteration, Destruction, and Mysticism
+5 Alchemy, Conjuration, and Illusion
Gameplay
High Elves are the best choice for a pure Mage character, with +10 bonuses to Destruction, Alteration and Mysticism. Due to their weakness to Fire, Frost and Shock damage, however, an Altmer mage should beware of other Mages. They are most powerful against non-magic-using characters, utilizing their more proficient magical skills to outsmart and confound their opponents.
Playing as an Altmer tends towards a more nonviolent role-playing experience, as they profit off creating spells, selling goods in the market, and making and selling potions, all of which are strongly enhanced by the Altmer's innate magical talents. High Elves are the principal academic, professional mages, who may reside in the Imperial Arcane University, studying books on magic, enchanting weapons, binding souls and selling scrolls to the mundane inhabitants of the Imperial City. They dress in robes and form a large part of the Imperial Mages Guild. Some Altmer NPCs in Cyrodiil are notably wealthy and learned.
Enemy Altmer will most frequently be encountered as Conjurers (including Conjurer Adepts) and Necromancers (including Necromancer Adepts) in Cyrodiil, as well as Heretics, Zealots, and Priests of Order in the Shivering Isles. All Marauder Battlemages are also high elves. Among vampires, the Witchhunters and Sorcerers are Altmer, including Sorcerer Vampire Matriarchs and Patriarchs. All of these Altmer mages usually dress in robes (sometimes enchanted) rather than armor, and attack with lightweight weapons (daggers, shortswords, or maces) or fire staffs at their opponents.
In the Imperial tongue, the haughty, tall, golden-skinned peoples of Summerset Isle are called 'High Elves', but they call themselves Altmer, or the "Cultured People."
In the Empire, "High" is often understood to mean "proud" or "snobbish," and as the Altmer generally personify these characteristics, the "lesser races" harbor little warmth for them. Altmer confidently consider themselves, with some justice, as the most civilized culture of Tamriel; the common tongue of the Empire, Tamrielic, is based on Altmer speech and writing, and most of the Empire's arts, crafts, and sciences are derived from Altmer traditions. However, the Altmer's smug self-assurance of superiority can be hard to bear.
Deft, intelligent, and strong-willed, Altmer are the most strongly gifted in the arcane arts of all the races, and Altmer boast that their sublime physical natures make them far more resistant to disease than the "lesser races." However, they are also somewhat vulnerable to fire, frost, and shock.
The first edition of 'A Pocket Guide to the Empire and its environs' (aka PGE), published in 2E 864, contains a passage from an earlier date (1E 2820) suggesting that the Altmer practice eugenic infanticide, putting to death nine in ten of their newborns for being of impure bloodline. It also suggests that Altmeri names are simply combinations of numbers in their own language, and that their culture revolves almost entirely around displaying social status. How reliable and unbiased this account is is a matter of some doubt, as the document itself is written from a highly pro-Imperial - and thus anti Altmeri Dominium - point of view, and contains numerous objections written in the margins by an anonymous Elf.
The third edition of the PGE, published much later in 3E 432, contains no mention of any of these practices - whether this is because they don't exist any more, or never existed, or do exist but simply go unmentioned, is not known.
Attributes
Male
+10 Intelligence
-10 Strength and Speed
Female
+10 Intelligence
-10 Strength and Endurance
Skills
+10 Alteration, Destruction, and Mysticism
+5 Alchemy, Conjuration, and Illusion
Gameplay
High Elves are the best choice for a pure Mage character, with +10 bonuses to Destruction, Alteration and Mysticism. Due to their weakness to Fire, Frost and Shock damage, however, an Altmer mage should beware of other Mages. They are most powerful against non-magic-using characters, utilizing their more proficient magical skills to outsmart and confound their opponents.
Playing as an Altmer tends towards a more nonviolent role-playing experience, as they profit off creating spells, selling goods in the market, and making and selling potions, all of which are strongly enhanced by the Altmer's innate magical talents. High Elves are the principal academic, professional mages, who may reside in the Imperial Arcane University, studying books on magic, enchanting weapons, binding souls and selling scrolls to the mundane inhabitants of the Imperial City. They dress in robes and form a large part of the Imperial Mages Guild. Some Altmer NPCs in Cyrodiil are notably wealthy and learned.
Enemy Altmer will most frequently be encountered as Conjurers (including Conjurer Adepts) and Necromancers (including Necromancer Adepts) in Cyrodiil, as well as Heretics, Zealots, and Priests of Order in the Shivering Isles. All Marauder Battlemages are also high elves. Among vampires, the Witchhunters and Sorcerers are Altmer, including Sorcerer Vampire Matriarchs and Patriarchs. All of these Altmer mages usually dress in robes (sometimes enchanted) rather than armor, and attack with lightweight weapons (daggers, shortswords, or maces) or fire staffs at their opponents.