How do the 3rd Era Altmer feel about the Alyeids?

I can imagine that, as an Altmer character, you might choose to think of it as ancient history. But when you discover Umaril is returning, and listen to prophets speech, and read the books in the Dibella Chapel... what happens then?

To me it seems pretty unlikely that you'd be motivated to take up the prophet's quest.

AFAIK the Altmer still have as their basic belief system (no matter how worldly or modern they might be) that they'll one day return to Ehlnofey. And you're hearing all the time how Altmer mages are boycotting imperial goods or summoning Daedra.


I guess I'm asking... should I skip knights of the nine? Is it more of an optional quest line for 'good' (and non-mer) characters?


I'm not obsessive about roleplaying but doing something completely out of character isn't me either.

Why should the Altmer even care? The Altmer are from Summerset Isle. The Ayleids, or Heartland High Elves are different, culturally - and even as a race (as some accounts indicate that they were able to change in to birds, or something).

EDIT: Wait, return to Ehlnofey? That's the Earthbones, the Aedra who created Nirn, inextricably bound up in Nirn. The High Elves believe they are sundered from Anui-El.

From the top of my head:

The Ayleid, the Hearth-Land High Elves didn't have much to do with their Island kind.

Like the Altmer, the Ayleid philosophy revolved around restoration of their lost stature (literally, the gods were giants) but rather then focusing on preservation, the Ayleids actively tried to take it back by any means.

Umaril somewhat sold his soul to the Daedra.

The Imperial gods are an amalgam of the Nordic and Elven pantheon.

There is an Altmer who joined the Knights of the Nine.

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Alaisiagae: It's the same difference. The Elnofey once were the ancestors of the Elves, ultimately descending from Auri-El.

:shrug:

For what it's worth, the rich Altmer collector Umbecano in "Oblivion" wanted to revive the Ayleids' power. :shrug:

He could've been of Ayleid descent and you wouldn't even have been able to tell. Sure they're wild and all, but that doesn't mean some wouldn't try to 'blend in'

Stendarr is seen as the apologist of Men in the Altmeri pantheon. You might find a hook there.

I would also say that not all Altmer are going to think alike. Some will be more generally compassionate than others. I'd even suggest that any Altmer willing to leave the Summerset Isles to go adventuring around Cyrodiil is probably quite an unusual individual.

There are a LOT of Altmer who are extremely loyal to the Empire and the Pantheon of Man, Ocato being one prime example. I'm sure the higher ranks of the Legions, the Nobility and the Knighthoods of Cyrodill are full of Altmer, as well as every single Guild.