When I think of having my still unused High Elf character join the DB, first thing that comes to mind is that the Altmer are a rather intellectual people who wouldn't see the appeal of joining a bunch of hired killers living in a cave.

I don't think they would if they knew about their tie to Sithis. Because of his tie to Lorkhan.

Now I'm curious. Mind to elaborate?

I mean, all Altmer aren't of a hive mind, so the question really is, would your Altmer join the Dark Brotherhood?

Well... not all Altmer are strict Anuics.

If your Altmer is a strict traditionalist and follows the Altmer's anuic culture and beliefs... he would would find worshiping Sithis... troublesome to say the least.

I know, role-playing does allow free choice. But there are these traits that are common in certain races. Nords are all about strength and glory, while the Altmer are generally haughty and pompous.

Can't say I have decided what he should be like because I'm focusing on my Redguard now.

I got that bit. I mean, how is Sithis connected to Lorkhan?

As Hevnoraak pretty much said, it has to do with some of them being Anuics. Their religion focuses around their ancestors or "Aedra" being tricked by Lorkhan who was created from Padomay to create Mundus which trapped them in the mortal world. Padomay is Sithis.

edit: Not to say thats why Padmay created Lorkhan but who knows.

Note that this is their belief and not necessarily true. Although I like to think it is at least partly.

Sithis is Chaos, enemy of Anui-El who is Stasis.

Lorkhan is son of Sithis - Enemy of Auri-El son of Anui-El.

Yes, true, but even in game there are precedents for nearly everything.

Off the top of my head, Oblivion has a Wood Elf warrior, a Redguard mage, and a heavy armored Orc warrior in the Dark Brotherhood.

Morrowind has a High Elf warrior, plenty of Wood Elf mages

Skyrim has Nord mages.

These are just off the top of my head. These games, in the world, have precedents of something to break nearly every "stereotype".

Not all Altmer are conservative and believe in religion, especially not all of them who live outside of Alinor.

There are some Altmer who worship the Nine Divines, such as that guy in Falkreath. It is rather easy to justify a Altmer serving Sithis.

If you mean the priest of Arkay I dont think he ever admits to worshiping Talos.

Question, did it ever say if Arkay was a human or an elf when he was mortal? And do Altmer have a problem with believing in a god who was once mortal like Talos?

You do know that many of the 9 were borrowed from the Merrish religion, and that before Talos, Shezarr occupied the 9th slot. After all, Alessia wanted to continue their worship of the merrish religion, but had to make a compromise or else the nords who, other than Pelinal, where the real military arm of the slave revolt, and they would have been PISSED if the newly liberated Cyrodiils were just a bunch of mer lovers.

He has a journal saying he worships Talos. That is what I meant.

Oh the one in that cave you have to recover? The one where you go to for Hircine's mission? I forgot it's contents.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Runil%27s_Journal

once you step in the cave and see how ridiculous the DB is, you'll be walking back the way you came. That or kill them all for being such idiots

Yup thats the one clearly. Interesting that there are Altmer who worship Talos. I knew that there would be plenty of Altmer who didn't agree with Thalmor but I thought Altmer would resent the man god being pushed onto them.

I don't get these questions. There's always exceptions... we can see it in every game.

Heresy is what it is.

I think the key influence is date of birth. The Thalmor rulers are likely the ones whom are 1,000+ year old sorcerers who were alive at the time. Their the real driving force between the Thalmor's agenda. Runil, while old, suggests that he is likely 200 - 400 years old. Altmer on average live to 400 - 500ish.

TESO guys were asked about life expectancy and they said 300 years old is very old for an elf. Any Elves that are older have expanded there life expectancy using magic or some nonsense.

It svcks I know. TESO is ruining everything.

Why is he so old if you think he's only 400 500 ish? Neloth is around that age and looks much better. Is it because altmer age differently? I never did understand fully how elf aging works.

edit: Actually isnt Neloth older? I forgot how old he was in Morrowind already.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Arquen

If the stuff the Elder Scrolls online guys say is true, then Elves can expand their life expectancy using powerful magic, like Neloth did. Most Elves will be considered very old above 200.