While wasting time in Riften with a particular character that had sided with the Empire, I spoke to the captain of the army in the area, located in the palace in the rear of the throne room. Legate Fasendil is a decidedly anti-Thalmor High Elf, and his story surprised me.

According to him, a group of Altmer refugees were fleeing from Alinor. He as a soldier was stationed in Hammerfell in 4E 42, and was helping the refugees find safety. While there, suddenly the district he was in was violently burned down, and all the refugees massacred. It's why he seems to have a great dislike for the Thalmor and requested his position in Skyrim following the Great War in order to watch the Thalmor.

There is no record of this in any books as far as I can see. The closest is http://www.imperial-library.info/content/great-war

Given the event described, there most certainly was "internal strife" in the Dominion, potentially a full blown civil war. At the very least, an elvish version of the Great Terror certainly did occur.

Actually, the Altmer variant of the Reign of Terror did occur when the Thalmor rose to power. It's likely still going on, in fact. Anyway, one of the books/journals in skyrim mentioned that a well-respected Altmer had started speaking out against the Thalmor. He "dissapeared" shortly afterwards.

The Thalmor are like China's old Red Guard. Yes, they're the of same people as the country. But that means squat, and if you're not "with" them, you're at best a neutral party, and at worst a person to be suspected and interrogated/executed.

Like all nations and races, every political party has it dissidents.

Certainly there are Altmer that do not share the opinion that Mundus is evil or that elves (an by elves, I mean Altmer) are the "better" race., and even if they do, they don't share the Thalmor's extremist views on it.

Indeed, if I was an Altmer, I'd hate to be stereotyped as a "racist, elitist, magic loving jerk who wants to blow up the world".

Fasendil is what one of these "lesser" elves (in the Thalmor's eyes).

It's a good read: http://www.imperial-library.info/content/rising-threat
If your curious, OP.

I know about Rising Threat (on one of my toons, I made an effort to find every volume - found them all in Dragonsreach, if you're interested). What I find most shocking is that during the period of "silence" from the Dominion, they would make such a blatant effort to attack a district in Hammerfell and destroy it. That suggests a potential civil war, and it's also an incredibly ballsy move. In fact, the Thalmor are lucky that little stunt didn't cause a war.

Ah, I found all the volimes in the Temple of Dibella, of all places. There may not be another Altmer faction strong enough or willing to counter the Thalmor. The events the Legate tell us, to me sounds like the Dominion was trying to teach their country a lesson: There is no where you can go, that we can't reach and punish you for your treachery. Action makes for a powerful weapon.

They probably weren't too worried. They stormed valenwood in 4e29 and the empire pulled out immediately and never sent any counterattacks or attempts to reclaim it.

It's nice to see a Atlmer with a good personality. The Thalmor give the race a bad name, and tend to cause a lot of players to kill Atlmer on sight.

See the irony of this post when you look at my icon!

Aeroilasendolel: Gee, it sure is boring around here...
Varlavavarda: Mah boi, unwinding the universe is what all true warriors strive for!
Aeroilasendolel: I just wonder what the Shezzarine is up to.
Ancano: Your Varliance, the Eye of Magnus has seized the town of Winterhold.
Varlavavarda: How can we help?
Ancano: It is written, only the Eye can unravel Mundus.

...and so on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoW9czgQBqE

The fact that thw Thalmor always have a bounty on me and attack on sight makes it easier to believe this. Thalmor seem to be obsessed with cuttint out dissenting voices but their just making more people speak out against. Attacking people of your own rae is never good.

He survived their assassination efforts against Altmer that they don't like. He survived the Great War. He's decided to stay close to them so he can keep an eye on them. And they've never managed to kill him. I'm impressed.

Aeroilasendolel: Wow! What are all those heads?
Ancano: These are the many heads of Talos.

They use fear to rule. It's a legit way to rule I guess. If they're good enough at it, few will speak out, and those that do will help fuel the fear as they are executed.

What's to say those 'dissidents' weren't actually terrorists and rebels, who murdered people loyal or neutral to the Thalmor? I think the poor, misunderstood Thalmor get a bad press on these forums

Boot licking ape.....

And more icon irony!

NOT IN THE MOOD FOR MOCKERY, MAN-SCUM. My shaving cuts are hurting, where I have shaved myself to look like a glorious Altmer.

Edit: Might change it though. The novelty has worn off.

Ehh it's in a land where killing does not instantly amount to murder (unlike pvssyfoot modern earth). If I lived in Alinor I'd be cutting thalmor mofos every chance I get. Not openly like a nord, but in the sneaky elf way. You don't wanna get caught...

c.f. Syria right nao.

Sort of, always two sides to every story, but I think real-world geopolitics are banned, aren't they?

Its true.
Im (usually) an Altmer and Im not like that at all.
Im a racist, elitist, magic loving jerk who wants to be left alone by the lesser races in order to pursue his studies.
I enjoy the world and do not want it unraveled, whats the point of trying to become a god if there arent any worshipers?

The world of TES has always been full of examples to remind that individuals are that first and foremost, instead of being a trope their race embodies.
I like this a lot.

In any case, Green Fire Night, the Disappearances, the Assassination of Ocato: These are terroristic acts if I've ever had even foggy notions of it.

Furthermore, you can be sure that any similar acts the Thalmor endured would been enshrined in the party rhetoric as dolchstosslegends to prove to Altmer skeptics, beyond all doubt, the absolute necessity of the Thalmor and their tactics.

There's actual Thalmor supporters in this thread? I thought they were myths?! Insta ban for you! muhahaha

Atlmer have nothing to be cocky about, they are but maggots! Breton master race!

On a semi related note, I can't write worth a [censored] after 9 pm.

Also, remember the Altmeri Barbarian in Morrowind.

Don't act all high and mighty just because one man of your race is one third of Talos.



Lies and Slander.

Wait, Atlmer barbarian? Was he in Ebonheart? I dropped that game too quickly.

An Altmer wearing leather, Nordish armor is in Ebonheart, but the one I'm talking about is in...Molag Mar? I forget.