Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-5227390-20130210010500

So, I was curious if any others out there have an interest similar to mine in regards to the series' lore surrounding the Altmer and the Thalmor (and Aldmeri Dominion(s)). To summerize before my lengthy commentary, that the Altmer race was taken over from within by what eventually became the Thalmor, and the Altmer's original honorable and noble culture was stolen from them and now they are falsely represented throughout history as selfish, tyrannical, greedy, power-hungry and arrogant adversaries to the denizens of greater Tamriel.

My character is a High Elf. If you study the Altmer's lore, they are one of the most complex and influential races in the entire series. (In fact, they're the race that claims to be the closest to the Aldmer that the Mer races "evolved" from)  Unfortunately, their true origins and culture seem to have been corrupted numerous times by an undeniably evil and cunning influence from within their very own ranks. My aim for my character is the pursuit at regaining the Altmer's "true" and intended culture and dignity. This means by extension, a pursuit of the erradication of the Thalmor and the Aldmeri Dominion as they have used their influence to sow corruption and chaos all across Tamriel and unjustly besmirch the great Altmer race.

At first, before and very immediately after the other Mer races' respective departures from Sumerset Isle's region, the Altmer have remained pretty much the "original" Mer race. (Or as close to it as possible)  They chose to stay in their ancestral region, and pursued a culture that nurtured their natural magical affinities, as well as their religion and dignity. Sumerset Isle and Valenwood initially became the homelands for the main Elf cultures.. the two that changed the least from their Aldmer past, the Altmer more so than the latter. At first, they desired to keep to themselves and live peaceably pursuing the interests of their culture, ancestors, and Deities.

But, before long (skipping many lengthy circumstances) the desire to expand into Valenwood from Sumerset Isle to create roads and basically accessibility to the other regions of Tamriel is where the first push by the evil hiding amongst the Altmer is exemplified. (The forming of the first Aldmeri Dominion offered the first outward opportunity for this evil to pursue its plans) From there it just goes on and on... basically long story short the Altmers divided amongst themselves behind the scenes... and the Altmer culture was essentially assimilated into what the Aldmeri Dominion and those behind it chose to turn it into, going through two alliances and degrading to Thalmor representation. Those who tried to hold true to the original Altmer culture throughout these Eras were driven out and painted as traitors... and at some points in their timeline this can even be read about (See books such as The Rising Threat series amongst others.)

This topic is almost too overwhelming to go into detail over... but essentially the Altmer race has been lost. What remains is a false representation of who they were and who they should have been.

Does anyone else agree that they'd love to see the Altmer's past dignity and honor restored? That the true Sumerset Isle inhabitants can regain what they used to be? It'd make for a great DLC (destroying the Thalmor) and would solve this issue at the same time.

Long post, my apologies. 