One of my favorite tropes is "going native", where "the character lifted out of his typical environment and thrust into a new one, only to become a part of that new world". Think Avatar, Dances with Wolves, The Last Samurai etc.

Anyway, I've been thinking of making a character that follows along this path, as I think the MQ easily gives this option. However, I've noticed something.

In looking at the faction roster for the Temple, it would seem that it is the most racially homogeneous of all the factions. Besides one Imperial pilgrim and one breton healer, all of them are dunmer. And in considering a few things, I am begining to think that its a bit unrealistic for a non-Dunmer to join the Temple.

a) Would a non-Dunmer be able to use those ash pits or communicate with the ancestors like dunmer can?
B) Would a non-Dunmer even be accepted into higher positions in the Temple, seeing as how parts of doctrine seem so anti-non-dunmer?
c) Essentially, what would an outlander get out of being part of the Temple?

I can only answer c...Political power over the people.

From what I've seen, the Temple's beliefs seem to be that you don't have to be a Dunmer to accept the Tribunal; heck, they believe that the Tribunal are the only gods worthy of worship. But they do allow non-Dunmer to join, and despite their prejudices against Nords and Argonians (which are more due to the fact that those two have fought the Dunmer in the past), they seem like they're able to look past race. I suspect the pilgrimages are what keep outlanders from joining.

The only snag I see is since ancestor worship is a large part in the Tribunal religion, outlanders (which include Dunmer) wouldn't really be able to engage in it because their ancestors weren't Tribunal worshippers like the native Dunmer.

Well...
A) Propably not.
B ) Dunno. Most likely not if you ask me.
C) Enlightenment. Your heathen ways have been put away and you now worship the Tribunal. The living gods. The true gods. (Said in a very Dunmeric way, sorta)

The ending of the words is ALMSIVI.

:huh: ...eh..???...WHAT???? :huh:

Read the 36 Lessons of Vivec. And read about the Tribunal in general.

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/1978/453968-almalexia_large.jpghttp://pics.livejournal.com/morningstarlady/pic/006c7xs9/s640x480http://www.kehlet.cx/images/morrowind/ScreenShot%20133.jpg

It's like saying "amen," but for the Tribunal (and it's the first few letters of their name ALM = Almalexia, SI = Sotha Sil, VI = Vivec, ALMSIVI)

OOOOOHHH now i get it :foodndrink: Thanks

A.) I would assume not...unless they had some long buried ancestor in there as well (assuming that is indeed how it works.)

B.) Depending on that non-Dunmer's contributions to the Temple, I don't see why not. If the non-Dunmer truly accepts and believes in the Tribunal and their teachings, then I don't see why they wouldn't be able to rise through the ranks. It would likely be more difficult, at least initially, but once they've established themselves as truly faithful and prove it through their deeds, I think that they could.

C.) What anyone would get out of the temple, I presume. The advantage of worshiping "gods" who are alive and amongst them....(at least before the Neravarine comes along.) After that....I see the temple fading. It would also surely make living life in Morrowind easier for an Outlander forced to live there for whatever reason, in the same way it would help for a person in real life who must go to another region of the world with a different dominant religion to learn at least the basics of that religion...and if it ends up appealing to them, they could convert.

I just wanted to point out that you can "go native" and be Dunmer--just an imperialized one. Dunmer who have lived in the Imperial province their whole lives are still considered outlanders, and the culture of Morrowind could still be very strange to them. Also, to sort of turn the trope around, you can play a (possibly outcast) Ashlander--a native going 'civilized' I suppose.

The Temple is much more liberal in the inclusion of outlanders in Dunmer society then other groups in Vvardenfell. Take, for instance, the Camona Tong and House Dagoth. They're the only groups, besides possibly House Telvanni, that use the term, "N'wah" in their central principles.

You can alleviate some of the inconsistancies by playing a Dark Elf character. Reasons being:

1) on the ancestor front, even though you are an outlander, and your parents, grandparents, etc may have been outlanders as well, somewhere down your lineage you could eventually trace an ancestry of native born Dunmer
2) theres nothing saying the temple wont advance outlanders, but lets be honest with ourselves, it would be highly improbable, nearly impossible in fact, to reach the upper ranks. A Dark Elf, even one thats an outlander, would have a much more realistic chance of "proving themself" worthy of being accepted fully by the Temple.
3) Until the end of the MQ storyline, ALMSIVI reigns supreme. The Temple has a lot of power, especially in political circles. Let's not forget that you are doing the will of the only known living gods, definitely a good bunch of have on your side.

And news that Ayem and Seht are dead haven't leaked out to the public yet, so the Temple is still very strong. After all, it was Faith in the Three that was channeled through them (probably only Vivec actually) was what was keeping the Ghost-Gate running. Just because it no longer is doesn't mean that Faith is gone (and I'd argue on the short-term the opposite would be true, despite the truth of the Three coming out).