I had a long thing typed out, but I lost it. Basically, I have been thinking, and an Altmer Dragonborn makes a ton of sense to me. This idea rests on two pillars of thought. Bear with me and kindly ignore the fact that there is a Nord Dragonborn behind this post.

1: The Dual Nature of Akatosh/Auri-El and the Human Fall from Glory

Essentially, the human emperors failed to maintain the barrier between Oblivion and Nirn, requiring the direct intervention of Akatosh/Auri-El to permanently restore the barrier (see: Oblviion). Akatosh/Auri-El has since removed his favor from humanity, and, as evidenced by the clear rise of the elves since Oblivion, returned his favor to mer. As the original instituting authority of the initial elven empires, Akatosh/Auri-El has propped up the elves before. This is also likely a possibility because of the schizophrenic nature of Akatosh/Auri-El, and recent events in the TES universe could very well explain be explained by the predominance of an Auri-El centric identity. This shift from propping up human authority to establishing mer authority after the failure of the Empire to maintain the barrier without divine intervention is the first pillar.

2: The Inadequacy of Thalmor Means and the Realization of a mer Tiber Septim

Auri-El, per Elven lore, regrets creating Nirn and essentially trapping lesser Aedric spirits there (mer). He very much wishes to aid mortals in achieving transcendence to Aetherius. He does not, however, support the plan of the Thalmor, which involves interfering directly in his realm (time). Therefore, he initiates an alternate plan: the creation of a new divine, an elven Tiber Septim, if you will. Given the state of disrepair and disuse the Chantry of Auri-El is in, Auri-El can no longer guide mortals to transcendence through it. By creating a tenth divine charged with guiding mortal kind to transcendence who has the power to do so, however, Auri-El may establish a means of freeing the lesser Aedra that is not as susceptible as the chantry to the machinations of mortals. The ultimate goal of helping the elves and mortals in general transcend his regrettable creation is the second pillar.

There are other connections in my head, such as the Dawnguard storyline signalling a shift of focus towards Auri-El, but these are the two big ones. Thoughts?

Auri-El ent Akatosh.

"Some Aedra were disappointed and bitter in their loss, and angry with Shezarr, and with all creation, for they felt Shezarr had lied and tricked them. These Aedra, the Gods of the Aldmer, led by Auri-El, were disgusted by their enfeebled selves, and by what they had created. 'Everything is spoiled, for now, and for all time, and the most we can do is teach the Elven Races to suffer nobly, with dignity, and chastise ourselves for our folly, and avenge ourselves upon Shezarr and his allies.' Thus are the Gods of the Elves dark and brooding, and thus are the Elves ever dissatisfied with mortality, and always proud and stoic despite the harshness of this cruel and indifferent world."Other Aedra looked upon creation, and were well pleased. These Aedra, the Gods of Men and Beast Folk, led by Akatosh, praised and cherished their wards, the Mortal Races. 'We have suffered, and are diminished, for all time, but the mortal world we have made is glorious, filling our hearts and spirits with hope. Let us teach the Mortal Races to live well, to cherish beauty and honor, and to love one another as we love them.' Thus are the Gods of Men tender and patient, and thus are Men and Beast Folk great in heart for joy or suffering, and ambitious for greater wisdom and a better world.


Signed,

Simia Divinus

Before the Ages of Man

"The Cosmos formed from the Aurbis [chaos, or totality] by Anu and Padomay. Akatosh (Auriel) formed and Time began. The Gods (et'Ada) formed. Lorkhan convinced -- or tricked -- the Gods into creating the mortal plane, Nirn. The mortal plane was at this point highly magical and dangerous. As the Gods walked, the physical make-up of the mortal plane and even the timeless continuity of existence itself became unstable."

The Monomyth

"At first the Aurbis was turbulent and confusing, as Anuiel's ruminations went on without design. Aspects of the Aurbis then asked for a schedule to follow or procedures whereby they might enjoy themselves a little longer outside of perfect knowledge. So that he might know himself this way, too, Anu created Auriel, the soul of his soul. Auriel bled through the Aurbis as a new force, called time. With time, various aspects of the Aurbis began to understand their natures and limitations."

Yes, as the bracket eludes to, they are both time gods. We took care of that conundrum in the Middle Dawn.

That depends on if you believe the exorcism of Auri-El was successful. We only know it was attempted, and some scholars doubt the existence of a Dragon Break then at all. Not conclusive enough evidence to suggest that the Maruhkati Selective were successful.

Even if they failed, why wouldn't belief have separated them?

I mostly agree with the view, to be honest. The only reason we even think of the Auriel and Akatosh as one entity is because they're both time gods, and we've been shown pretty definitely that just because the Empire's taken the view that they're the same entity does not mean they're the same entity *coughAlduincough*

Alduin is Akatosh. They are just different personalities of a crazy oversoul. Don't forget that Dragons are not born and do not -usually- die.

Since a lot of people believe they are the same, belief wouldn't have separated them.

Also, Alduin is clearly not just a run of the mill dragon, what with never dying. Could be Alduin/Akatosh/Auri-El are the same and the crazy schizophrenic oversoul is fighting a battle between its personalities.

Note that being separate parts of an oversoul does, in fact, make them different in at least the roles they fulfill. Plus do we even know why Auriel mantled the Time-God and not Magnus? We have the word "Drachochrysalis" which implies that he went into a cocoon and became a Dragon.. but why.. how..? Plus we have this Aka-Tusk thinger during the same-ish period as Auriel.

Akatosh is too connected to Shezzar to be Auriel. Look at the imagery.. elf holding a sun.. dragon with man head. Auriel is the eagle that eats the snake. Akatosh is a snake with wings. Akatosh is everlasting legitimacy and perseverance. Auriel is get me the [censored] out of here.