Playing ESO and exploring the territory, motivations and internal relations of the Ebonheart Pact, the subject of institutionalised slavery being practiced in Morrowind is inevitably brought to the forefront and I find myself trying to understand why the keeping of slaves is such a basic part of Dunmeri society when the religion(s) they so fervently adhere to make little mention of it.

Before the apotheosis of the Tribunal, we are told that Chimer (and later Reclamational Dunmer) society was shaped fundamentally by the influence and teachings of the three 'Good Daedra', Boethiah, Mephala and Azura. One might assume that the basis for capturing and using slaves might lie in the respective spheres of these three Princes, but I don't think that any of these Daedra could easily be associated with the practice of slavery.

Azura is too enigmatic and abstract to be associated with such a specific social practice (her "teaching the Chimer to be different to the Altmer" sounds like her warping their physical appearance to me).

Mephala's domain of secrets, six and murder doesn't necessarily convey a fondness for subjugation, though admittedly, the master-slave relationship is often integral to sixuality.

And lastly, Boethiah, perhaps the most hands-on Daedric Lord in shaping Dunmer culture, strikes me as the least supportive of slavery. (S)He is an open enemy of Molag Bal, Lord of Domination, and his-her dominion over violent upheaval and anarchy directly conflicts with the practice of slavery. I would imagine that (s)he is more likely to act as patron for the slaves rather than the masters.

I tried looking at Tribunal doctrine to see if the Dunmeri appreciation for slave-labour perhaps arose from the influence of ALMSIVI rather than the 'Anticipations', but nothing in the 36 Lessons (at first glance) or other Tribunal-born literature seems to suggest that slavery should be considered an essential part of the Dunmer societal system.

Using slaves seems, to me, as quintessential a quality of Morrowind society as the House system or the preference for assassination over warfare, both of which are easily attributed to the influence of the 'Good Daedra', so why is there so little information regarding the integral nature of slavery in Dunmer civilisation? Why are a people as religious and doctrinal as the Dunmer (at least while the Tribunal were still obviously alive) so adamant to continue a practice that seems to have exclusively secular origins?

If anyone can explain the importance of slavery to the Dunmer in a religious context, I would greatly appreciate your perspective.