Here is a brief synapses of a mod I am working on:

Your character hears rumors about the Altmeri Orders new garrison which can be reached by boat via the docks at Ebonhart and a few other places.

The Altmeri Order is an elite military unit from the Summerset Iles charged with keeping their way of life and their people safe from those whom would see it harm. Recent events made the Altmer think it best to set up a garrison on Vvanderfell.

Throughout the questline you are primarilly fighting the terrorist group the Beautiful, who are trying to recruit members on Vvanderfell and lnock off some important Altmer residents while they are at it.


Fort Pheonix, the AO garrison, is an old Imperial garrison recently aquired by the AO (and some residents will be sure to let you know what they think of the Imperial "structure"


I have had a very hard time finding any lore pretaining to the Altmeri military (ranks, ect) or political systems. I have also not found what Altmeri armor should really look like (in oblvion, elven is basically alyied, orcish is styled after elven however)

To fill in these holes, I've barrowed things from Warhammer's High Elves such as ranks (Silver Helm, Swordmaster, Dragon Prince, ect) as well as armor types (tall silver helms, chain skirts, ect)

Oh yes, and obviously, they will only allow an Altmer character into a elite Altmeri military unit.


So what do you think? I tried to stay as lore friendly as poss, anything you would change?

1. Altmer HATE Dunmer

2. There is no Altmer military, or one cohesive nation. Its more like mage-lords with their own territories. Furthermore, Altmer are less about physical fighting and more about magic (though there are still some Altmer that practice physical combat,t hey are aminority) or ranged combat.

its kinda weird that a traditionalist altmer order would set up in vvardenfell, which is as far away from summerset as you can get.

ranks are easy enough to invent, i'd go for something historical instead of something from another series (the titles sound rather lame, imo, especially "dragon prince).

Well according to my plot, the Altmeri Order is basically "barrowing" an old Imperial fortress for the time being while they asses the threat to their homeland and people. They didn't travel to Vvardenfell for [censored] and giggles so to speak, and all of them will express their feelings on being sent there (such as when asked about Morrowind, they reply "I'd much rather be home, but duty calls I suppose." or as simple as "Horrid place.")

As far as ranks go, I am sure I can do better..

Altmer are Xenophobes, they're not going to set up shop in a land they DESPISE just to get at the Cyrodills. Furthermore, after the Oblivion crises, the Imperials are no longer a threat. Altmer in-fighting would be much more likely then any fighting with the Cyrodills.

However, a Sload or Maomer threat would be possible...

1. I highly doubt the Empire would allow the Summerset Isle to keep its own military force, other than maybe some local militias. The only reason Morrowind get's to keep its Great House armies and its Ordinators is because it was annexed by treaty and not by force.

Couldn't you just make an island so far off the map that it is "in Summerset actually?"

While not nearly as strong as in their best days, for example, during the Aldmeri Dominion, the Altmer still should not be underestimated. They - or each of the more influential kings, like those of Firsthold or Alinor - still maintain a fleet to defend themselves against the Sload or the Maormer and it is at sea where they really have their strengths. Altmer excel in naval combat. During the Simulacrum, they fought a war against Valenwood, however, they were not (very) successful. See http://www.imperial-library.info/pge3/summerset.shtml.

@ mortalo

I am aware the Altmeri are xenophobic, their post in Vvardenfell would not be something they enjoyed in the least bit, but something that had to be done in the circumstances.

They wouldn't be there to 'get at' the Imperials in any way, they would be there to put down a threat to their people. (The threat being the terrorist faction whom intends to murder important Altmeri residents and possibly do a little recruiting.)

A sload/maomer invasion would be a threat surley, but that wouldn't be reason for them to have to set up a temporary outpost in Morrowind.


@ paw

Yes, this occured to me, but if I had it take place anywhere in Summerset I wouldn't find peace or sleep until I made the whole nation -- a task I'd really prefer not to embark on.


I am still refining my plotline as to why exactly the Altmeri Order would come to Vvardenfell in the first place, and the legallity of them being there. I have came up with the following:

(As always, questions, comments, changes and insults are welcome)

1. The Altmeri Order is an organized militia compromised of soldiers from all the major city-states of Summerset. They are regulated by the Empire and their actions are limited to stopping threats to the Summerset Iles (business the Empire frankly has no time or interest for) and may only act after filing a request with the Empire.

2. They are stationed at Fort Pheonix (an old Imperial fortress on an island west of Hla Oad). This has been "loaned" to them while they carry out their tasks as it is not an active Imperial barracks. Imperial soldiers are on the island as well 'monitoring' the Altmeri activity and are still in charge of the law. There will be a letter in-game from the Emporer's council basically outlining the rules and regulations of the post and tasks they can/can not perform.

3. The Altmeri don't want to be there a second longer than they have to, this post is the worst place they feel they could be sent. I don't want to give the impression they are there because 'they want to be' or anything like that. They are there on strictly business.


On another note, armor and weaponry used in the mod by the Altmeri:

I wanted to give the AO a unique armor set so I've been researching Elven armors. Someone pointed out to me that the in-game description of glass armor states its a high elven design. The more I looked into the lore on glass, it states this is ONLY crafted in Morrowind which would make that seem like the last set of armor an Altmeri would use. (On another note, if that is the case, how is it all over Cyrodill in Oblivion?)

Elven armor in Oblivion is basically of Ayleid design, so I am not using that as a base.

However, Orcish is BASED off elven designs. I think the armor I create will have some simular characteristics, mainly the curiass. I am thinking pauldrons that look lighter and more agile, with a chainmesh skirt with an actual skirt draqed over.

And for weapons, I am aware Altmeri are big on magick, but I am going to craft some interesting spears and bows none-the-less.

Any input, ideas?

I think the real question you need to answer is why a terrorist group based in Vvardenfell poses a major threat to the Summerset Isle. What is this group planning that is so threatening to the Altmer, that the Altmer could convince the Imperials to let them send an expeditionary force out against them? If you can connvince the player that there is a reasonable answer to this, you're well on your way.

The Beauiful, per TES lore, is a group of radicals bent on bringing down symbols of Altmeri pride (ie crystal tower) and have since started taking up murdering of high profile Altmeri citizens. I am basically going the route of this: a rouge cell of the Beautiful, either full fledged members or just symphasizers (yet to be determined) have started taking prominet Altmeri citizens hostage and possibly killing them. Whilst doing this, recruiting people to travel back to Summerset to cause damage there. The Altmeri Order basically requested to send a force out there to put this threat out, and was granted to do so by the Emporer (with terms, of course.)

I know, I know. Third PGE. I'm just not sure why a branch based in Vvardenfell is more a threat than the branches in Summerset itself. Wouldn't the Altmer be better served rooting out the terrorists actually within thier society? Unless, of course, this Vvardenfell branch has some high level hostage?

Ahhhh, I like it. I like it a lot!