Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-74.240.204.179-20130522155455/@comment-68.147.220.253-20131223122248

I don't think any 'race' in TES is based definitively on one single corresponding race/nationality/culture on Earth. Except maybe the Nords, because, Nords. Even so, there are many different distinctive nordic/Scandinavian/Baltic subcultures, like the Sami and the Fins that play a role in Tamrielic Nord culture (think Skaal).

As for the aforementioned Redguards, I have to disagree in that I think their names are rather Japanese, mixed with various Saharan/East-African/Arabian dialects. This I think also reflects on their culture as a whole. They hailed from the island of Yokuda, and one of their most famous heroes was the first Arena Blademaster, Gaiden Shinji. Moreover, the Redguard ruling factions are divided between the Crowns and the Forebears, akin to the Japanese ruling castes of Kuge (traditional/religious nobility) and Daimyo (warlord) respectively. Then there's also the Order of the Sword-Singers created by, Frandar do Hunding Hel Ansei No Shira, which hearkens to the Samurai class. Redguards are also canonically described as being naturally gifted at sea-faring, which fits well with the Island-culture of Japan and also reflects the numerous Arabian and East-African sea traders that helped connect the Mediterranean to the Indian and Oceanian subcontinents. I think the other more noticeable features of the Redguards can speak for themselves.

Ah, screw this, might as well elaborate on the other races as well. :P

The easier races to define are the Bretons (French names; medieval Celtic/Norman/Frankish feudal structure), and the Imperials (Roman/Italian names; early Greco-Italian city-state structure, later replaced by Roman Empire). The Akaviri (more accurately, the Tsaesci) are also influenced heavily by Japanese/East-Asian culture as is the case with their tiled infrastructure and distinct military equipment, though arguably the Orcs also possess some resemblance as well (Morrowind Orcish armour, iirc).

Orsimer are actually pretty unconventional in their relation to real-world cultures, but pretty conventional when it comes to fantasy lore. Aside from what their armour looked like in Morrowind, there's the Orcish tribal society with strong women and one de-facto chief to organise, lead and procreate for the entire tribe and stronghold. The tribe itself is very martial, and focuses almost exclusively on the worship of the Daedric Prince Malacath, so we can loosely relate this to shamanism. Pretty much just take any stationary tribal society, though one culture that stands out is the Iroquois Confederacy (stationary longhouses, shamanism, particular emphasis on the role of women in creating strong leaders). But ultimately, Orcs probably take much of their influence from the real-world animal kingdom, like lion prides or troops of gorillas -- it would certainly explain their animalistic pack mentality (Disclaimer: I by no means am relating the honourable Haudenasaunee or any other culture to wild animals, and if I have been even slightly perceived as doing so, please know that I meant absolutely no insult).

Likewise, Bosmer and Altmer are also pretty stereotypical fantasy lore-wise. It's like TES chopped up LOTR's Eldar elves and divided their formality to the Altmer and their love of nature to the Bosmer. Now that I think about it, Tolkien said his Eldar elves came from a place called, Valinor. Now where did I hear that before? *cough* Alinor *cough*. If you really want to associate an Earth culture to them, at best the Altmer could be considered Enlightenment Western European conventions mixed with East/South Asian dynastic tradition. Altmeri societal structure may also be superficially compared to the Indian/Yuan/Japanese caste systems in that it is essentially an innate hierarchy based on socio-economic and sometimes racial features. Bosmer can be superficially compared with pre-agrarian hunter-gatherer cultures, because protect mother nature, save a tree and kill a beaver, etc etc ad nauseam. Replace Enlightenment conventions with Enlightenment ideals and ideas and you get the Dwemer. I can't really say much about all the other obscure Mer because I'm not a TES loremaster by far. :P

Then there's the Dunmer. If there ever was an indisputable testament to TES originality, it would be the Dunmer and the chaotic genius of Michael Kirkbride (do not read Kirkbride's later works if you value your sanity). This one's tough, and I don't really know where the Dunmer stand. I do recall reading a comment on DeviantArt a while ago made by a Russian poster that drew some remarkable similarities between the Dunmer and Russia (lolwut). Stuff like names (Dagoth Ur is Ural, Eastern Vvardenfell's Molag Amur is the Russian Far-East's Amur, etc), or the Temple faith as the Eastern Christian Orthodoxy with their own saints, or comparing the Tribunal to Marx, Lenin and Stalin (guess who is who?). Really crazy stuff, but then again, crazy is also Michael Kirkbride. Seriously, don't read Kirkbride's later works, especially not the C0DA, unless you're into Hist spaceships and robots taking control of the Aldmeri Dominion. wat.

The beast races are left. For the sake of brevity, that would be the Khajiit and the Argonians. Almost there!

Khajiit, especially as they have appeared in Skyrim, are very reminiscent of various Middle-Eastern cultures. They are expert traders and negotiators, and many live a nomadic lifestyle in the form of merchant caravans (Silk Road). Their love of moon sugar and skooma are also comparable to the historical use of the Hashish and Opium plants in the Middle East. Of minor note is also their reverence of the moons revolving Nirn, which may allude to the crescent moon symbolism of Islam, or perhaps a more Central American-themed astronomy worship. Also, the Khajiit probably take inspiration from real-world felines. Just saying.

Finally, there are the Argonians. They are colloquially known in the real-world scientific community as, 'reptiles'. It's 5:13AM. Give me a break.

I've undoubtedly missed numerous gaping references to real-world cultures, and this has all been my conjecture above all else. Let me be the first to thank any subsequent posters for correcting me or adding more info. I enjoy Elder Scrolls lore like this (not Michael Kirkbride's maniacal metaphysics; seriously *DON'T OPEN, DEAD INSIDE*), and I would appreciate knowing more about such an intricate world. As long as it doesn't have anything to do with spaceships and robots. Cheers!