Since the release of Skyrim, interest and awareness of the Dwemer has sparked in the Elder Scrolls community once again, as Skyrim includes many Dwemer ruins and a few quests that give some further insight into this mysterious race. The question on many players' minds has been whether or not the Dwemer will ever return, and if so, many seem to want them to become a playable race. I submit that this idea would be a disgrace to the currently established lore, and would ultimately ruin the concept of Dwemer completely and utterly.
So I'd like to address the following questions: Could the Dwemer return? And if yes, should they? and If they did return, should they be a playable race?

Before we begin, I'd like to recommend the Imperial Library's http://www.imperial-library.info/content/definitive-guide-dwemer, as it offers a wonderful introduction to the race, as well as some information you might not be familiar with.



Before I address the questions, let's delve into the mystery surrounding the Disappearance of the Dwarves.

In 1E700, the Battle of Red Mountain occurred. During this time, Lord Kagrenac, Tonal Architect of the Dwemer, used his Tools on the Heart of Lorkhan. At this same moment, the entire Dwemer race vanished from the face of Tamriel.
Now, we also know the Dwemer sought to create a new god from the remains of a dead one. They harnessed the Heart of Lorkhan with the intent of placing it in Numidium (or Anumidium) the Brass God.
I'd like to bring to attention the http://www.imperial-library.info/content/final-report-trebonius, as it does a far better job than I could of explaining the exact circumstances and the explanation of what happened to the Dwemer when they disappeared. It is a long read, however, and so I'll highlight the most relevant parts:
So I think that squares things away. Other often-mentioned theories such as "maybe they went to Oblivion" or "Azura banished them" are fruitless, thoughtless, and lack any evidence or logical reasoning. In addition to developers explicitly confirming this, I think it is safe to say that the fact is, the majority of the living Dwemer souls became the golden metal skin of their Brass God, Numidium. However, Numidium did not ascend. It would appear that their plan only half-worked, though it is up to debate as to why that is.



Now, let's look at the first question: Could the Dwemer return? And if so, should they?

We know the Dwemer became the skin of Numidium. So if we are to consider the possibility of the Dwemer returning, the first question we need to ask is, where is Numidium?
This implies that Numidium is currently fighting the Altmer Logicians outside of time (such ramifications seem common when he is activated) but it seems the fight will end in the Fifth Era. Skyrim takes place in the Fourth Era. When Numidium stops fighting, it's possible it will return to the present time and space in Mundus--since, after all, the Surrender of Alinor only seemed to take one hour. With Numidium back on Mundus, it could be theoretically possible to somehow extract the souls of the Dwemer. However unlikely, if we're looking for excuses to bring the Dwemer back, I'd say that's our best bet.

So could the Dwemer return? Anything is possible, so yes, they could. But should they return? That's a different question altogether. We can see through forum polls (such as http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1320100-which-unplayable-race-intrigues-you-the-most/) that the Dwemer are very popular among the fanbase and have always been an interest to many. It is not hard to figure out that the reason for this is directly related to the sense of mystery and intrigue they fill our minds with. The Dwemer had knowledge beyond any race of Tamriel, and they used that knowledge to build constructs the likes of which have never been seen before and have rarely been attempted to be replicated since. All 10 playable races aren't really that different from one another, and the other non-playable races are usually less advanced, uncivilized, and/or savage beasts. The Dwemer, on the other hand, were far more advanced than all the other races. If the Dwemer race were to return, we would see them the same as any Imperial or Nord or Khajiit strolling around Tamriel. The mystery would be gone. The sense of wonder would be gone.
Most likely, if the Dwemer souls were extracted from Numidium and returned to Mundus as mortals, they would go right back to doing what they were doing before, and would simply attempt this anti-creation all over again. So what would be the point? At best, they would probably be a closed-off society that the player-character would have a very minimal interaction with. At worst, they would assimilate with the other races and just seem...average. Is such a thing really worth ruining their mysterious nature and the intrigue around their seemingly endless knowledge?
And, let's be honest, for all the hype Dwemer have gotten as to how amazing their race was and the insane feats they could easily accomplish, is it even possible for Bethesda to do them justice when implemented in one of the games? I have lots of faith in Bethesda, but even I have to say it's highly unlikely. Any attempt to show us the Dwemer race in all their glory would inevitably be a disappointment.

So could the Dwemer return? Yes. Should they? No.



But let's say the Dwemer did return, for the sake of argument. Should they become a playable race?

I think this question can be best addressed by quoting a post from an ex-dev who worked on Morrowind and is responsible for a very large amount of lore, including but not limited to the Dwemer:
Now I ask you, is this appropriate for a playable race? Taking into consideration that the Elder Scrolls series is a video game series designed for roleplaying, do you think you could roleplay as a Dwemer? I think the vast majority of players would not even comprehend the role of a Dwemer. The other races don't need much to understand them, and are versatile enough that you can get away with a lot. The Dwemer are far more intelligent, period. They know things that we, the players, could never know. It would be like an infant trying to understand the role of a super-genius from his perspective. Our ignorance would forever prevent us from truly understanding any playable Dwemer. In short, it would be a travesty.

"A Dwemer of eight can create a golem, but an eight of Dwemer can become one." - Ancient Tales of the Dwemer, Part VI: Chimarvamidium

And that's just taking it from the perspective of understanding our character from a roleplaying standpoint. If we think about a Dwemer going around doing the same tasks and same quests as any other average mortal around Tamriel, it becomes insulting. Part of the fun of quests is being caught off guard, or not understanding something--for example, in the College of Winterhold questline in Skyrim, and we find the Eye of Magnus. While an average mortal will have no idea what the Eye of Magnus is, a Dwemer could most likely figure out its purpose quickly and easily, and, once more, do a bunch of tests on it and harness its power in the most logical and complete way and make more of them and...yeah, do you see where I'm going with this? Playing as a Dwemer should be an entirely different experience than playing as any of the other 10 races. It would require completely custom made scenarios and quests and paths and everything, all just for one race, and that's just to make things not a total disgrace to the Dwemer. I'm sorry, but a playable Dwemer is just out of the question if we're hoping to maintain any semblance of respect for the established lore.



So is that it? No Dwemer interaction from here on out? Not necessarily! Instead, I'd like to stand alongside the rest of you in hoping for some smaller-scale interactions with the Dwemer. There's bound to be more non-hostile ghosts, such as Radac Stungnthumz, whom we could interact with, maybe some that are a little more sociable. Perhaps Yagrum Bagarn is still alive somewhere. Or, maybe there was one or two more Dwemer in an Outer Realm at the time of their disappearance. Many possibilities exist for us to get more information on the Dwemer and learn a bit more about them, while still maintaining the mystery and intrigue around their race. Or, hopefully--better than all of that--we could get to see Numidium again in the Fifth Era, and in addition to learning more about the Brass God, we would, by extension, learn more about the Dwemer.
Even if not, the Dwemer had locations all over Tamriel. There will still be more ruins to explore, more mysteries to solve, and more Dwemer lore to learn!


The potential for the Dwemer is one of the greatest out of all aspects of the lore. Please, let's not waste it.

Well, I personally believe that the dwemer achieved what the Thalmor aspire to achieve. They managed to escape from the prison that is mundus. They escaped Lorkhans inescapable trap. They worked out the unsolvable equation by actually out thinking a god and finding a loophole.

As for their return, I hope they don't ever make that happen in a game. It would really be anti-epic, if that is a word. The grand scale of the dwemers plan whether you believe they were successful or it tragically failed, would be diminished if they were suddently to reappear once more.

Hey, i find myself agreeing with you the vast majority of this


I think, however, that the dwemer should limmit themselves to the north . Borders have changed since 1E and i can imagine them making a few outposts in southern tamriel.

One thing that skyrim aproached was dwemer cities. In morrowind you had dwemer dungeons (although i did prefer morrowind dwemer architecture a lot more, the bronze structures were unique and would have looked amazing with modern graphics) (oblivion also did aylied Dungeons rather than cities

I wouldnt mind if, by accident (and only by accident, for if you had to consult people on how to get there then there would be flawed logic in how it took so long for people to figure it out) you found yourself on a plane of oblivion with the dwemer. But of course only you left

Like most of the rest of the wording in dealing with Dwemer technology and tonal "magic", you have to accept that it's a poor attempt to make an inherently incomprehensible idea palatable. The "skin" of the Numidium does not necessarily mean "a metal covering"; it could have metaphysical aspects that are impossible state clearly, especially if it's effects are entirely outside of Mundus, but that's the "best approximation" of it in the physical world which is used to describe it.

The only thing that's "clear" (in a murky sort of way) is that the Dwemer attempted to reverse the process of the creation of the mundane from the divine, and that the result was their removal from Mundus. Whether they succeeded beyond that is speculation.

I tried my best in this topic not to overload the average reader with too much information. This isn't the lore forum after all, and this topic is designed more for the average player, as those are typically the ones suggesting a return of the Dwemer or a playable Dwemer race.

You are correct though, and the Dwemer becoming "the skin of Numidium" is mostly likely a mythopoeic metaphor. But my suggestion of "extracting" the Dwemer souls from Numidium is the same type of metaphor, and the concept is basically the same.

Yes, I wouldn't say the Dwemer should never return. I would say it would take great imagination and writing to make it other than a let down. I can't think of a good way to do it.
As for being a playable race defnitely not. I'd think if they did return they'd be strange beyond the average persons comprehension.

This was brilliant! I learned so much. I never knew that we had more than a few theories concerning their disappearance. I would love to see the brass-god return!
Your point about the Dwemer essentially being to advanced to be a playable race is valid. Imagine having the Dwemer around at the time of Alduins return!

I believe that Dwemer are essentially the only race to have ever completely one. They manage to complete their goal of becoming/creating a god and transcending Mundus while keeping to the rules and not destroying it. Bringing them back would essentially take away that victory and render it hollow.

Also, if the Dwemer are so alien in mindset, how come Yagrum Bagarn is so human and relatable?

No one said they aren't relatable at all. It's well documented that Dwemer were sometimes friends with the other races, such as the relationship between Dumac and Nerevar. Plus, after thousands of years of only having the other races as company, obviously he would know how to best explain things to you in a way you could understand. The point is, Dwemer would approach every situation differently. That's not to say they couldn't seem human or relatable, you just couldn't understand their mindset. Roleplaying effectively is all about being in that character's mind, but a Dwemer's mind is unfathomable.

Random note, I hate that text. I'd rewrite it if I weren't busy elsewhere.

Nowadays it's more of an Introduction to the Dwemer rather than a Definitive Guide. Is there another reason why you hate it though?

The heart was left behind at Red Mountain, as well as the Numidium follow Kagrenacs failed spell, so they are obviously immune to it. And considering that the Numidium was meant to be a portal of ascension from Mundus, it is possible that instead of ascending, the spell caused the dwemer to become melded with it, and the Heart lost inside the mountain. Considering the Numidium was completely destroyed in daggerfall following the Dragon Break, it's unlikely we will see their return. Aside from Yagrum there are no remaining Dwemer, and his explorations throughout the other realms would hint that the Numidium was not sent somewhere else. Is it entirely impossible that they will never come back however, no. Septimus Signus of Skyrim believes the Heart of Lorkhan to be located there, which could be a result of the eruption of Red Mountain. With the Heart of Lorkhan, if a similar device to the Numidium, a portal to the other realms, was constructed, it seems plausible a second Dragon Break could occur, perhaps reversing the original Numidiums destruction and bringing them back. But this is all very just speculation ofcourse.

Agreed.

I think if the Dwemer DO return, it's most likely going to happen as a major plot device in another TES game. A return of the Dwemer marks a SERIOUSLY bad turn of events for everyone in Tamriel. Think about it: the Dwemer were extremely technologically advanced, they understand metaphysics, they have Animunculi that can beat the living hell out of seasoned adventurers. They're a major force. I'd even be willing to argue that the only reason the Chimer won the War of the First Council is because the Dwemer disappeared. They would have lost otherwise.

Most importantly, though, would be the suddenness of their reappearance. Every Dwemer everywhere disappeared in an instant. It makes sense, then, that the Dwemer would reappear in a similar instant. Taking an example of Markarth, where people now reside, if Dwemer suddenly appeared in the city you can only imagine what would happen. Plus, the Dwemer know how to control the Animunculi.

All this = TESVI Game Plot that also plays off the community's love of the Dwemer.

I don't, however, think the Dwemer should be a playable race. Velorien is spot on with that.

I met a hostile Dwemer ghost in Morrowind, and I think that's enough. IF the Dwemer did come back, TES as we know it will be changed forever, and will go the RDR path with the downfall of magick and the dawn of technology. It could make for a nice setting, magick being replaced by technology and the wizards being a thing of the past. The Arcane University becomes obsolete. You must try to appeal to the Divines and smite this Technology to Oblivion and restore the superior Magick to its rightful place. I could see it happen too. It'd be a delicate situation, and could explode in Beth's face if not done right.

I think it'd be for the best for them to stay dead, but it'd be cool to learn more about them.

Nice post; very informative. I think the biggest reason I'm not too enthusiastic about the idea of having the Dwemer return is that it'd seem like un-doing major events that shaped the setting instead of moving forward into new things, like if they made the next Emperor in TES6 a lost decendent of the Septims or something.

Although that'd just be if the Dwemer popped back into existance just as they were. If it even was possible to return them, they could end up changed by the experience and be as different from the Dwemer as the Falmer are from the original Snow Elves. That could also avoid de-mystifying the Dwemer by having people show up who'd have been right at home in those ruins and be able to explain everything.

I don't think the return of the Dwemer would cause some type of magic vs. technology thing. After all, the Dwemer used enchanting and other such things to achieve their goals. They just harnessed magicka in very different ways.



Very good point. Well said.

Here's a piece of interesting information on the possibility of dwemer return:

This post has made me want to go back on Morrowind and do the quest for the Arch-Mage, Trebonius I think his name was, and completel his quest again. The mystery of the dwemer is what made Morrowind such an engrossing game. I think, that if the Dwemer would ever to be reintroduced into the series, I think they should no only be few in numbers, but relatively far beyond our grasp of understanding. Perhaps it would be part of the Mage's Guild questline to uncover the mysteries of the Dwemer in a fuller extent, or perhaps make it a main questline. I ultimately am not in favor of bringing them back as I don't think that our or the Devs imagination is grand enough to implement them into the game without utterly disappointing the fanbase and tarnishing the reputation formed by the mystery of their disappearance.

It's basically like Infinity. I can somewhat concieve what Infinity is, however, I can't begin to fathom how to demonstrate or present it without underscoring it's value.

Probably just a poor choice of words. That's a quality common to every Daedric artifact, not to the Dwemer themselves. If they had vanished and returned before, it would have been a big enough deal to warrant more documentation.

I'm curious..Was there any definite assersion in the lore that they died off? all what i've seen so far just said that they "suddenly dissapeared"

It is often said that all of the Dwemer disappeared, and it remained true as no one hs seen one (Outside the corprinasium) in centuries. However, it is not entirely impossible that they are alive somewhere, but it's just not a very good idea to bring them back without taking careful consideration as to where and how they would return.

The most likely theory is they managed to erase themselves from existence by mishandling Lorkhan's Heart. Only a System Restore to a point prior to their disappearance can bring them back... maybe.

Before reading this I was hoping for some more DLC content containing Dwemer lore. I did think that one day they would return, but not as a playable race. Instead an evil conquering enemy who only seek to control all of Tamriel and that includes Altmer. What other threat out there could unite the empire to re organize and put aside their differences.

After reading this, I realize that no race, even united, would stand a chance against them and it would never work Lore wise. So yeah I for the most part agree with you. I hope Bethesda keeps the Dwemer out unless they can come up with a very good excuse why they lost all their ancient knowledge or something along those lines.

Former Dev Mike Kirkbride told us that the Dwenmer became the golden skin of the Numidium. While it doesn't out right say their dead, to me it strong hints that their plan to become God's didn't quite work and instead became part of a God.