Oblivion:Altmer

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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.

For more information on the Altmer people, see the Lore article on Altmer.

Contents 1 Attributes 2 Skills 3 Traits 4 In-Game Description 5 Gameplay 6 Dialogue 7 Notes

[edit] Attributes

Male

• +10 Intelligence
• -10 Strength and Speed

Female

• +10 Intelligence
• -10 Strength and Endurance

[edit] Skills

• +10 Alteration, Destruction, and Mysticism
• +5 Alchemy, Conjuration, and Illusion

[edit] Traits

• High Elf Enhanced Magicka ability (FormID 00047ADC): Fortify Magicka 100 points on Self, constant
• High Elf Disease Resistance ability (FormID 00047AD7): Resist Disease 75% on Self, constant
• High Elf Elemental Weakness ability (FormID 00014D52): Weakness to Fire, Frost & Shock 25% on Self, constant

[edit] In-Game Description

The High Elves consider themselves 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 derive from High Elven traditions. Deft, intelligent, and strong-willed, High Elves are often gifted in the arcane arts, and High Elves boast that their sublime physical natures make them far more resistant to disease than the "lesser races."

[edit] Gameplay

High Elves are the best choice for a pure Mage character, with +10 bonuses to Destruction, Alteration and Mysticism; the maximum Magicka in the game is obtained by playing an Altmer with the Atronach birthsign. 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 staves at their opponents.

[edit] Dialogue

• When in combat, NPCs may shout to the Altmer player ""You Elves are all the same! All flash and no fury!" "
• NPCs other than Altmer with a disposition less than 30 towards the player may say "Something on your mind, Goldenrod?"

[edit] Notes

• If you want to offset most of the weaknesses to fire, frost, and shock, buy the Hands of the Atronach from the Mystic Emporium in the Imperial City Market District, which provides 20% Resist Fire, Frost, and Shock.
• A list of all the Altmer in Cyrodiil can be found here.

Races in Oblivion
Playable:	Altmer | Argonian | Bosmer | Breton | Dunmer | Imperial | Khajiit | Nord | Orc | Redguard
Other:	Ayleid | Dark Seducer | Dremora | Golden Saint | Sheogorath