Who Hates Dark Elves in Skyrim? A Deep Dive into Racial Prejudice
In the expansive world of Skyrim, racial tensions run deep, shaping the political landscape and influencing character interactions. The Dark Elves, or Dunmer, are a particularly divisive race, facing animosity from various groups. To put it simply: several groups hate dark elves in Skyrim, including Nords, High Elves and Argonians. This hate is deep-seated and rooted in history, culture, and prejudice. Let’s delve into who harbors this hatred and the reasons behind it.
The Primary Haters: Nords, High Elves and Argonians
The Nord people of Skyrim, the High Elves, and the Argonians are those that primarily hate Dark Elves.
Nords: Distrust and Disdain
Nords are arguably the most prominent group to display open hostility toward Dark Elves in Skyrim. This animosity stems from several factors:
- Historical Conflicts: While not direct enemies throughout history, the Nords have often been at odds with Elven races in general, including the Dunmer. This is further inflamed when coupled with the belief that the Mer are the reason that they worship Daedra (devils).
- Cultural Differences: Nord society is based on strong warrior traditions, ancestor worship, and a reverence for the god Talos. Dark Elves, on the other hand, follow a different pantheon and possess a more nuanced, often perceived as “dishonorable,” approach to warfare.
- Immigration and Competition: The influx of Dunmer refugees into Windhelm following the Red Year (the eruption of Red Mountain in Morrowind) created a strain on resources and led to resentment. Many Nords view the Dark Elves as unwelcome outsiders encroaching on their territory.
- Stormcloak Ideology: The Stormcloak Rebellion, led by Ulfric Stormcloak, promotes a fiercely nationalist agenda, prioritizing the interests of Nords above all others. This naturally breeds suspicion and hatred toward non-Nord races, including the Dark Elves.
High Elves: Purity and Prejudice
High Elves, or Altmer, from the Aldmeri Dominion, view themselves as the superior race in Tamriel, holding other races in contempt. This arrogance extends to the Dark Elves, whom they consider a “fallen” branch of the Elven lineage:
- Racial Purity: The Altmer prioritize racial purity and view the Dunmer’s embrace of Daedric worship and their distinct physical characteristics as signs of degradation.
- Political Rivalry: The Aldmeri Dominion, led by the Thalmor, seeks to control Tamriel, placing them in direct opposition to any independent factions or races, including the Dunmer.
- Historical Disagreements: The split between the Altmer and the Chimer (the ancestors of the Dunmer) thousands of years ago laid the foundation for long-standing animosity.
Argonians: Scars of Slavery
Argonians harbor a deep-seated hatred for the Dark Elves due to the long history of slavery practiced in Morrowind. For centuries, Argonians were enslaved by the Dunmer, subjected to brutal treatment and denied basic human rights:
- Generational Trauma: The legacy of slavery has left lasting scars on Argonian society, fostering mistrust and resentment towards the Dark Elves.
- Rebellion and Revenge: The Argonians eventually rose up in rebellion, liberating themselves from slavery after the Oblivion Crisis. This victory fueled their animosity towards their former enslavers.
- Cultural Differences: The Argonians’ deep connection to the Hist trees and their unique culture clash with the Dunmer’s traditions, further exacerbating tensions.
Other Groups with Negative Views
While the Nords, High Elves, and Argonians exhibit the most pronounced hatred, other groups also hold negative views of the Dark Elves:
- Wood Elves (Bosmer): Though not as intense as the High Elves’ disdain, the Wood Elves share a degree of prejudice towards the Dark Elves due to the Elven splintering.
- Reachmen: Like the Nords, the Reachmen tend to distrust outsiders and are generally hostile towards all non-Reachmen races, including the Dark Elves.
- Imperials: The Imperials, while generally more tolerant, can still harbor prejudice towards the Dark Elves, particularly those who support the Stormcloak Rebellion.
The Complexities of Hatred
It’s important to note that not all individuals within these groups hate Dark Elves. Individual personalities, experiences, and choices play a significant role in shaping attitudes. Some Nords may sympathize with the Dunmer refugees in Windhelm, while some Argonians may believe in forgiveness and reconciliation. The world of Skyrim, like our own, is full of nuanced perspectives and complex relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do all Nords hate Dark Elves?
No, not all Nords hate Dark Elves. However, a significant portion of Nord society harbors distrust and resentment towards the Dunmer due to historical conflicts, cultural differences, and the influx of refugees into Windhelm.
2. Why are Dark Elves treated poorly in Windhelm?
Dark Elves are treated poorly in Windhelm due to the influx of refugees fleeing Morrowind after the Red Year, straining resources and leading to resentment from the Nord population.
3. Do the Stormcloaks hate Dark Elves?
The Stormcloaks, particularly those aligned with Ulfric Stormcloak’s nationalist ideology, tend to be prejudiced against non-Nord races, including Dark Elves. However, not all Stormcloaks share this sentiment.
4. Why did the Argonians enslave Dark Elves?
The Argonians did not enslave Dark Elves. Historically, it was the Dark Elves who enslaved the Argonians for centuries in Morrowind.
5. What is the Red Year?
The Red Year refers to the eruption of Red Mountain in Morrowind, a cataclysmic event that devastated the province and forced many Dark Elves to flee as refugees.
6. Are Dark Elves evil?
No, Dark Elves are not inherently evil. While they have a history of Daedra worship and some engage in morally questionable practices, individual Dark Elves can be good or evil, just like members of any other race.
7. Why do High Elves look down on Dark Elves?
High Elves look down on Dark Elves because they view them as a “fallen” branch of the Elven lineage, having abandoned their ancestral traditions and embraced Daedra worship. They also prioritize racial purity.
8. What is the Aldmeri Dominion?
The Aldmeri Dominion is a political alliance of High Elves, Wood Elves, and Khajiit seeking to control Tamriel. They are led by the Thalmor, a group of High Elven supremacists.
9. Why do Dark Elves worship Daedra?
Dark Elves worship Daedra due to their historical connection to the Chimer, who followed the “Good Daedra” (Azura, Mephala, and Boethiah) as their patron deities.
10. What is the Thalmor?
The Thalmor are a powerful political organization within the Aldmeri Dominion, composed primarily of High Elves. They believe in Elven superiority and seek to restore Elven dominance over Tamriel.
11. Do all Dark Elves live in Morrowind?
No, not all Dark Elves live in Morrowind. Many Dark Elves have migrated to other provinces of Tamriel, seeking new opportunities or fleeing from conflict.
12. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Dark Elves?
Dark Elves are known for their proficiency in magic, particularly destruction magic, and their resistance to fire. They tend to be more susceptible to frost damage, but are very difficult to fight in groups due to their blinding attacks.
13. How long do Dark Elves live?
Dark Elves can live for hundreds of years, typically two to three times as long as humans. A 200-year-old Elf is considered old and a 300-year-old Elf is very, very old indeed.
14. What is the Ebonheart Pact?
The Ebonheart Pact is a political alliance between the Dark Elves, Argonians, and Nords in the Elder Scrolls Online.
15. Can racial prejudice be overcome in Skyrim?
Yes, racial prejudice can be overcome in Skyrim, although it requires conscious effort and a willingness to challenge ingrained biases. Players can choose to support characters and factions that promote tolerance and understanding, or they can become researchers who are passionate about digital media and learning, as are those within the Games Learning Society.
Ultimately, the world of Skyrim provides a compelling reflection of our own, highlighting the complexities of racial prejudice and the importance of empathy and understanding. To learn more about how games can impact culture and society, check out the GamesLearningSociety.org website.