Original Name for Ayleid : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Fri May 27, 2011 10:52 pm

I came across this in UESP today, no idea the source:
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Tamriel:Eraintine#Eraintine

The Bosmer proved to be too undisciplined and prone to desertion for furthur use. They would sometimes walk into the shade of a single tree and vanish. Their forest-coupling skills are remarkable. The title of their most famous poem, the 'Meh Ayleidion', means, 'The One Thousand Benefits of Hiding'.

That makes it pretty clear that "Ayleid" means something like "Hidden", making a latter-era Wild Elf name for themselves. What might the Ayleid have originally called themselves? Something-mer no doubt. They had a high opinion of themselves, so maybe something like Malamer (high elf in Ayleidoon), Adomer (lordly elf), or Arpemer (noble elf.) On the other hand one of the text fragments from the mage's guild quest references "our exiled elven ancestors" so they might have a name related to exile: Meldimer (driven elves), Abamer (forbidden elves). Sun, sky, and stars were important in their culture, so maybe something like Varlamer or Kynmer.

» Fri May 27, 2011 11:15 pm

That makes it pretty clear that "Ayleid" means something like "Hidden"

Actually, no. It could mean "Just Maaaarvellous" and thus from there "Ayleidoon" would be translated in English as "One Thousand Benefits" but be more literally "Really Absolutely Wonderful Super-Duper Marvelously Cool", leaving "Meh" to mean "Hidden" or something.

Languages are not necessarily English with a different vocabulary.

Plus, there's also the power of cultural metaphores and allusions. The literal meanings of Meh and Ayleidoon may both have nothing to do with hiding, benefits or thousands.

Finally, the Ayleid didn't use the -mer suffix so it's doubtful you'd get Arpamer or similar constructions. You're mixing languages up.

» Sat May 28, 2011 8:19 am

How do you know the Ayleid didn't use the mer suffix?

» Sat May 28, 2011 6:49 am

Gez,

Nah.

Ayleidion from Ayleidoon from Altadoon, some sort of weapon. Hidden weapon works.

So Meh Ayleidion, 'The One Thousand Benefits of Hidden weapons', which really is only a small change and in the scope of the original subject.

Rhoark,

same reason the Direnni don't get the mer suffix. They Ayleid were the Heartland High Elves.

» Sat May 28, 2011 12:27 am

The Direnni don't get the suffix because they're a family rather than a race.

» Sat May 28, 2011 3:18 am

Ayleids, like the Direnni, though still a distinct cultural group, weren't distinct enough to be considered a race, as the Heartland High Elves moniker shows. They were established as a tributary kingdom to Alinor, and became Aldmer who lost their way in a Heart of Darkness sort of descent into barbarism.