Editing Dunmer

[[File:SepLnUp Dunmer b4&d4.png|thumb|281px|Dunmer in {{Skyrim|!}}.]]
[[File:Dunmer (Online).jpg|thumb|281px|Dunmer in {{Online|!}}.]]
The '''Dunmer''', more commonly referred to as '''Dark Elves''' in the rest of [[Tamriel]], are the gray skinned elves originating from the province of [[Morrowind]].<ref name="PGE1">''[[Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: Morrowind]]''</ref> Known to be strong, intelligent, quick, aloof, and reserved, but considered by some to be ill-fated. Dunmer tend to keep to themselves, as most Dunmer natives of Morrowind harbor a bitter distrust and disdain for other [[races]], considering themselves superior.<ref name="MWDesc">{{Morrowind}} – in-game description of Dunmer</ref>

==By game==
*[[Dunmer (Arena)]]
*[[Dunmer (Daggerfall)]]
*[[Dunmer (Battlespire)]]
*[[Dunmer (Redguard)]]
*[[Dunmer (Morrowind)]]
*[[Dunmer (Oblivion)]]
*[[Dunmer (Skyrim)]]
*[[Dunmer (Online)]]
*[[Dunmer (Legends)]]
*[[Dunmer (Blades)]]

==Morrowind==
[[File:Dark Elf avatar 3 (Legends).png|thumb|Dunmer card art from {{Legends}}.]]
{{Main|Morrowind}}
The province of Morrowind, formerly known as [[Resdayn]], is located in the northeastern corner of [[Tamriel]]. It is composed of two main parts: the mainland and the island of [[Vvardenfell]], which are separated by the [[Inner Sea]].<ref>''[[Guide to Vvardenfell]]''</ref> The mainland has always harbored the capital of Morrowind; it being [[Mournhold]] (also called Almalexia) for much of its history, but moved to [[Blacklight]] in the [[Fourth Era]] due to the [[Argonian]] invasion that destroyed most of the southern region of Morrowind.<ref>{{Dragonborn}} – dialogue with [[Lleril Morvayn]]</ref> The mainland also harbors very different climates and types of vegetation; ranging from swamps and forests to the [[Deshaan Plains]] and the [[Velothi Mountains]].<ref name="PGE1" /> The island of [[Vvardenfell]], on the other hand, is generally comprised of ash wastes due to the presence of the [[Red Mountain]], and until the [[Red Year]] was largely inhabited by the [[Ashlander]] tribes, and members of the [[Tribunal Temple]] and three of Morrowind's five [[Great Houses]]: [[House Hlaalu|Hlaalu]], [[House Redoran|Redoran]] and [[House Telvanni|Telvanni]].<ref>''[[A Short History of Morrowind]]''</ref>

In the [[Third Era]] the [[Tribunal]]'s representatives, the Temple, were the major political force in Morrowind, with the five Great Houses ([[Dres]], Hlaalu, [[House Indoril|Indoril]], Redoran and Telvanni) coming right after. After the events of the [[Nerevarine]] and [[Red Year]] the Tribunal has been killed and overthrown,<ref name="PGE3">''[[Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: Morrowind]]''</ref> although the Temple still has a lot of influence over Morrowind's affairs, having reverted to worship of the [[Daedric Princes]] [[Mephala]], [[Boethiah]] and [[Azura]].<ref name="Reclamations" /> Until the end of the [[Third Era]] Morrowind was nominally ruled by [[Helseth Hlaalu|King Hlaalu Helseth]] from the city of Mournhold,<ref name="PGE3" /> with real governance in the hands of the Grand Council.<ref name="RealNerevar">''[[The Real Nerevar]]''</ref> however, given the destruction of Mournhold in the Red Year and House Hlaalu's fall from political favor,<ref name="TESVArano">{{Dragonborn}} – dialogue with [[Adril Arano]]</ref> it is not likely that this is still the case.

Its cities (many of which are almost completely destroyed following the eruption of Red Mountain in 4E 5) include: [[Vivec City|Vivec]], [[Mournhold]], [[Balmora]], [[Sadrith Mora]], [[Ald'ruhn]], [[Blacklight]], [[Necrom]], [[Narsis]], [[Tear]], [[Gnisis]], and [[Port Telvannis]].

==Physiology==
Most Dunmer have red, glowing eyes with skin tones varying from somewhat greenish and the more common gray to the occasional light blue. They are known to be strong, intelligent, and quick, however, they are also said to be ill favored by fate<ref name="MWDesc" />. Both male and female Dunmer have a height similar to most of the human races. This means that they are generally taller than their [[Bosmer]] cousins and shorter than the [[Altmer]].

The current form the Dunmer take was changed from that of the [[Chimer]] by Azura, as a curse for the actions of the Tribunal in either using [[Kagrenac's Tools]], or murdering [[Nerevar]].<ref name="BattleofRM">''[[Battle of Red Mountain (Book)|Battle of Red Mountain]]''</ref><ref name="Nerevar@RM">''[[Nerevar at Red Mountain]]''</ref> The Chimer were very similar in appearance to the [[Altmer]], having golden skin.{{fact}}

[[Maramal]]'s conversation with [[Dinya Balu]] in the [[Temple of Mara (Skyrim)|Temple of Mara]] demonstrates that [[Redguards]] and Dunmer are cross-fertile.

==History==
The Dunmer were once the Chimer (Changed Folk, or Changed Ones), who were several clans of mer who [[Boethiah]] convinced to abandon the customs and laws of the [[Summerset Isles]], and follow the prophet [[Veloth]] in a great exodus to Resdayn.<ref>''[[The Changed Ones]]''</ref><ref>''[[End of the Journey]]''</ref> At the time of exodus the exiles were also known as the Velothi. The term can be used in a general sense for the Dunmer as well, though after the exodus it generally carried a specific meaning referring to those who maintain the original nomadic lifestyle of Veloth's followers, rather than that of the settled Great Houses.<ref>{{Morrowind}} – dialogue with [[Nibani Maesa]]</ref>

The exiles settled in Resdayn and flourished, developing what is now known as Velothi High Culture, based on worship of the three Good Daedra and respect for the House of Troubles and the new customs. The ruins of [[Dunmer Strongholds]] that dot Morrowind are attributed to this period.<ref>''[[Before the Ages of Man]]''</ref> On their arrival, they found the Dwemer already settled there, and much of the early history of Resdayn is of Chimer-Dwemer conflict.<ref name="PGE3" />

Disunity allowed the [[Nords]] to conquer Morrowind, and rule over Morrowind for many years, until fighting of their own (the [[War of Succession]]) allowed the Chimer and Dwemer, led by Indoril Nerevar and [[Dumac Dwarfking]], to form an alliance against the Nords, and oust the occupiers, creating the [[First Council]].<ref name="PGE3" /><ref name="Nerevar@RM" />

===Azura's curse and the Chimer's transformation===
War ultimately erupted between the Dwemer and the Chimer, over religious differences that had their root in the Dwemer's use of the [[Heart of Lorkhan]].<ref name="RealNerevar" /><ref name="Nerevar@RM" /> This culminated in the [[Battle of Red Mountain]], which resulted in the disappearance of the Dwemer and the annihilation of their [[House Dagoth]] allies.<ref name="RealNerevar" /> Nerevar dies soon after the battle, either from wounds sustained in the battle,<ref>''[[Saint Nerevar]]''</ref> or was murdered by the [[Tribunal]], three of his closest advisors.<ref name="Nerevar@RM" />

The Tribunal's actions, either in using the tools to become gods,<ref name="BattleofRM" /> or in murdering Nerevar, caused Azura to curse the Tribunal and the Chimer people, turning their skin to ash and their eyes red, making them the Dunmer.<ref name="Nerevar@RM" />

===Red Year===
{{Main|Red Year}}
After the fall of [[Baar Dau]] and subsequent eruption of [[Red Mountain]] destroyed much of Morrowind,<ref>''[[The Red Year, Vol. I]]''</ref><ref name="RedYearv2">''[[The Red Year, Vol. II]]''</ref> many Dunmer fled to [[Skyrim]] as refugees. Many eventually settled on the island of [[Solstheim]], which was given to them by the High King of Skyrim at the time.<ref>{{Lord of Souls}}</ref> Many more fled to [[Windhelm]], the seat of the [[Stormcloaks]] resistance against the [[Empire of Tamriel]]. They live there in the [[Gray Quarter]].<ref>''[[Dunmer of Skyrim]]''</ref>

Before the cataclysm that lead to the mass exodus of Dunmer, several of the faithful of [[Azura]] received visions of the eruption of Red Mountain. Setting out for [[Winterhold (City)|Winterhold]], these Dunmer built the [[Shrine of Azura (Skyrim)|Shrine of Azura]] in Skyrim. The only remaining member of this group is [[Aranea Ienith]].<ref>{{Skyrim}} – dialogue with [[Aranea Ienith]]</ref> In the months after the cataclysm, many Dunmer started to return home to rebuild,<ref name="RedYearv2" /> only to be met by an invading force of Argonians.<ref>''[[Lymdrenn Tenvanni's Journal|Lymdrenn Telvanni's Journal]]''</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Dunmerarchitecture.png|thumb|270px|Dunmer architecture as it is seen in {{Online}}.]]
There are two major cultural groups among the Dunmer: the Great Houses, and the [[Ashlanders]].

===Great Houses===
{{Main|Great Houses}}
The Great Houses have their origins in ancient Velothi tribes, and function effectively as political parties within the Morrowind polity,<ref>''[[Great Houses of Morrowind]]''</ref> as well as controlling much of the trade and local administration in the province.<ref name="PGE1" /><ref name="PGE3" />

Representatives from each of the Great Houses form the Grand Council, which has ruled Morrowind since the late [[First Era]].<ref name="Warof1stCouncil">''[[War of the First Council (Book)|War of the First Council]]''</ref> The Houses themselves also have ruling councils, which enforce House policy and conduct.

Great Houses that have been referenced in the games to date are House Dagoth, House Dres, House Hlaalu, House Indoril, House Redoran, [[House Sadras]] and House Telvanni. All but House Dagoth and House Sadras had a stake in Morrowind's governance for most of its history. House Dagoth was destroyed following the events at the Battle of Red Mountain,<ref name="Warof1stCouncil" /> while House Sadras replaced House Hlaalu following the Red Year.<ref>{{Dragonborn}} – dialogue with [[Adril Arano]]</ref> During the time of Resdayn in the First Era, the Dwemer were also accorded the status of a House, referred to as "House Dwemer."<ref name="Warof1stCouncil" />

===Ashlanders===
{{Main|Ashlander}}
Ashlanders claim to be the direct descendants of the [[Aldmer]]i peoples who followed the prophet Veloth into the lands now called Morrowind.<ref>''[[Zainsubani's Notes]]''</ref> They live in camps of small, mobile huts, herding guar, and hunting wildlife for meat and hides. Ashlanders claim it is their right to raid settlements and other tribes for plunder and slaves. The Ashlanders worship their ancestors and are led by their Ashkhan, or warchiefs, and are counseled by the arcane wisdom and prophecies of their wise women.<ref>{{Morrowind}} – Ashlander dialogue</ref>

The Ashlander culture is an anachronistic survival of the ancestor worshiping tribal culture from which the Great Houses emerged. They see the worship of living Dunmer, the practice of the Tribunal Temple, as an abomination.<ref name="HuleeyaNotes">''[[Notes from Huleeya]]''</ref> The [[Nerevarine Cult]] can be seen as such an ancestor cult.

==Religion==
===Ashlander worship===
The ancient Velothi acknowledged [[Boethiah]], Mephala and Azura as their primary figures of worship, with ancestor worship also a prominent feature.<ref name="DaedraWorshipPhrastus" /><ref name="HuleeyaNotes" /> Sheogorath, Mehrunes Dagon, Malacath and Molag Bal are acknowledged as the "House of Troubles," testing figures to not be worshipped but dealt with caution.<ref name="DaedraWorshipPhrastus">''[[Daedra Worship: The Chimer]]'' – [[Phrastus of Elinhir]]</ref> Following the Tribunal's apotheosis, the Great House Dunmer began to worship the Tribunal, with only House Dres openly still worshiping the Daedra.<ref>{{Morrowind}} – dialogue with [[Vivec (Morrowind)|Vivec]]</ref>

However, the Ashlanders remained worshipers of the Daedric Lords Boethiah, Mephala, and Azura; this has caused many conflicts between the Temple and the Ashlanders. Another core facet of their belief system is the prophecy involving the [[Nerevarine]], that is meant to save the native Dunmer from outlanders.<ref name="HuleeyaNotes" />

Following the fall of the Tribunal and the establishment of the [[New Temple]], Daedra worship was restored among the House Dunmer, and Ashlanders regarded as guardians of the "true way."<ref name="Reclamations" />

===The Temple===
====Tribunal period====
{{Main|Tribunal Temple}}
The Tribunal Temple was dedicated to the worship of the three god-kings of Morrowind known as the Tribunal. The Tribunal is composed of the goddess Almalexia, the god-poet Vivec, and Sotha Sil. It was the dominant religion in the province of Morrowind, until after the Red Year.<ref name="Reclamations" />

According to the temple, the three Daedra that recognized the divinity of the Tribunal were Azura, Boethiah, and Mephala. These three Daedra are known as the "Anticipations" because they share the same aspects and spheres as each member of the Tribunal. Each Daedra is an anticipation for each of the Tribune; Azura is the anticipation of Sotha Sil, Boethiah is the anticipation of Almalexia, and Mephala is the anticipation of Vivec.<ref>''[[The Anticipations]]''</ref> The House of Troubles did not acknowledge the divinity of the Tribunal, and therefore continued in their role as testing figures and tricksters, and their worship was forbidden by the Temple.<ref>''[[The House of Troubles]]''</ref>

As well as worship of the Tribunal and veneration of the Anticipations, the Temple encouraged a pantheon of saints whose example should be followed in order to live a virtuous life.<ref>''[[Lives of the Saints]]''</ref>

====The New Temple====
After the events of {{Morrowind}}, Sotha Sil and Almalexia were killed, and Vivec disappeared.<ref name="PGE3" /> This caused a crisis of faith among the Dunmer people, and the [[Dissident Priests]], formerly persecuted, rose to control the Temple. Ultimately, the Temple went back to worshiping the Daedric Lords Boethiah, Mephala, and Azura, styled as "the Reclamations," as they reclaimed their proper place of worship. Almalexia, Sotha Sil and Vivec were relegated to the status of saints within the new pantheon.<ref name="Reclamations">''[[The Reclamations]]''</ref>

==Language==
{{Main|Dunmeri}}
Dunmeri is the common language of the Dunmer. It is descended from Aldmeri, the language of the first elves, and written using the [[Daedric alphabet]].{{fact}}

==Notable Dunmer==
<div style="{{column-count|2}}">
*[[Andel Indarys]]
*[[Athyn Llethan]]
*[[Barenziah]]
*[[Brindisi Dorom]]
*[[Cassynder Septim]]
*[[Conoon Chodala]]
*[[Divayth Fyr]]
*[[Dralsi Indoril]]
*[[Dram]]
*[[Drayven Indoril]]
*[[Ezhmaar Sul]]
*[[Gilvas Barelo]]
*[[Gothren]]
*[[Helseth Hlaalu]]
*[[Karliah]]
*[[Katariah]]
*[[Mehra Nabisi]]
*[[Moraelyn]]
*[[Morgiah]]
*[[Neloth]]
*[[Neria Relethyl]]
*[[Purilla Falen]]
*[[Rangidil Ketil]]
*[[Savos Aren]]
*[[Symmachus]]
*[[Tanval Indoril]]
*[[Tarvus]]
*[[Ulvul Llaren]]
*[[Uriel Septim IV]]
*[[Magistrix Vox|Urili Vox]]
*[[Duke Vedam Dren|Vedam Dren]]
*[[Yeveth Noramil]]
</div>

==Trivia==
*The term "[[Wikipedia:Dökkálfar and Ljósálfar|Dark Elf]]" originates from [[Wikipedia:Norse mythology|Norse mythology]]. Additionally, the term "[[wiktionary:dun#Etymology 1|dun]]" refers to a slightly brownish-dark gray color.
*According to [[Michael Kirkbride]], [[Todd Howard]] and [[Ken Rolston]], the Dunmer and Morrowind were greatly inspired by the cultures and settings of [[Wikipedia:Culture of Egypt|Egypt]], [[Wikipedia:Culture of Japan|Japan]], [[Wikipedia:Conan the Barbarian|Conan the Barbarian]], [[Wikipedia:Dune (franchise)|Dune]], [[Wikipedia:Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]], [[Wikipedia:Mad max|Mad Max]], [[Wikipedia:RuneQuest|RuneQuest]], [[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]] and [[Wikipedia:The Dark Crystal|The Dark Crystal]].<ref>[https://www.imperial-library.info/content/interviews-MW-team Interview With Morrowind's Developers]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071019071012/http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Articles.Detail&id=27 Development Team chat]</ref><ref>[https://www.polygon.com/2019/3/27/18281082/elder-scrolls-morrowind-oral-history-bethesda Morrowind: An oral history]</ref>

==Appearances==
*{{Arena}}
*{{Daggerfall}}
*{{Battlespire}}
*{{Redguard}}
*{{Morrowind}}
*{{Oblivion}}
*{{Infernal City}}
*{{Lord of Souls}}
*{{Skyrim}}
*{{Online}}
*{{Legends}}
*{{Blades}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{UL}}

{{Races}}

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[[ru:Данмер (Lore)]]
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[[Category:Races]]
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