History TheElderScrolls / TropesPToR

** Throughout the series, this is a very common trait of the Dark Brotherhood, an illegal [[MurderInc organization of assassins]] whose membership mostly takes a [[PsychoForHire sadistic glee]] in killing and who practice a ReligionOfEvil. As long as you're willing to kill on command and have some skill in doing so, the Dark Brotherhood [[EqualOpportunityEvil will welcome you]]. Notable members have included [[OurVampiresAreDifferent vampires]], [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent werewolves]], [[MightyGlacier heavily armored]] and [[AnAxeToGrind axe wielding]] [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orcs]], [[PlayingWithFire pyromaniac]] mages who believe in [[TheresNoKillLikeOverkill No Kill Like Over Kill]], and all other manner of misfit. The Dark Brotherhood is damned effective in what they do, right up to having [[TheKingslayer assassinated the Emperor of Tamriel himself]].

* PositionOfLiteralPower: The series invokes this trope with the concept of "mantling". In essence, to mantle someone (a person, a deity, a ''cosmic force'', etc.), one must become so like them that there ceases to be a functional difference between the two entities; it seems that at this point the universe itself ceases to distinguish between the two, and they become one entity. It operates on the principle of "if you walk like a duck, swim like a duck and quack like a duck, you ARE a duck". As the Dunmeri [[PhysicalGod Tribunal deity]] Vivec would say, "walk like the gods until they walk like you". Essentially, it is BecomingTheMask played UpToEleven. There have been several notable examples throughout the series and in history. To note:

* PurelyAestheticGender: For about 99% of each game, gender is completely aesthetic. In the pre-''Skyrim'' games with character attributes, the starting attributes are slightly different between genders of the same race, and there is the occasional quest (or set of quests) only available to (or is slightly different for) one gender, but these are only a very small minority. Really, the gaming experience is the same regardless of your character's gender. Taken UpToEleven in ''Skyrim'', where (thanks to EveryoneIsBi) every single marriageable character can be married regardless of your character's gender.

* PatchworkWorld: One of the more popular {{Creation Myth}}s states that this is the case for Nirn, the planet on which the series is set. [[GodOfGods Anu]] and [[TheAntiGod Padomay]] are the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification anthropomorphized]] primordial forces of [[OrderVersusChaos "stasis/order/light" and "change/chaos/darkness"]], respectively. Their interplay in the great "Void" led to Nir, "creation". Nir loved Anu, [[DrivenByEnvy which Padomay hated]]. Padomay killed Nir and the 12 worlds she gave birth to. Anu wounded Padomay, driving him off and presuming him dead. Anu salvaged the pieces of the 12 worlds to create one world: Nirn. Padomay returned and wounded Anu, seeking to destroy Nirn. Anu then [[TakingYouWithMe pulled Padomay and himself outside of time]], ending Padomay's threat to creation "forever". One of these 12 worlds was believed to have been Lyg, ruled by the [[FishPeople Dreugh]] in the name of [[GodOfEvil Molag]] [[TheCorrupter Bal]]. Another was the original world of the Hist, [[WiseTree sentient]] and possibly {{Omniscient}} trees now worshiped by the [[LizardFolk Argonians]] in Black Marsh.

* ReforgedBlade: You get the opportunity to do this a few times throughout the series. In particular, Mehrunes Razor, a [[LegendaryWeapon legendary]] [[DeviousDaggers dagger]] associated with the Daedric Prince of [[DestroyerDeity Destruction]], is a frequent recipient of this trope's treatment.

** Following the Oblivion Crisis, Ocato of Firsthold became Potentate (only after, according to records, [[TheCreon exhausting efforts to find a sufficiently acceptable imperial heir]]), and by all accounts was [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure well on his way to stabilizing the Empire]]... only to be assassinated by the [[ANaziByAnyOtherName Thalmor]] in a (successful) attempt to destabilize the Empire to make way for the rebirth of the [[AntiHumanAlliance Aldmeri]] [[TheEmpire Dominion]] under their rule.

** An esoteric concept mentioned in fairly deep lore (and further supported by [[AllThereInTheManual devleoper written]] [[LooseCanon supplemental texts]]) is the "Dreamsleeve". When a mortal dies in Mundus (the mortal plane), and their soul is not bound to the world for some reason or claimed by a deity such as a [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]], it is believed that their souls enter [[SpiritWorld Aetherius]], the "immortal" plane and realm of magic. (Depending on the beliefs of the deceased, they may enter specific areas, such as [[WarriorHeaven Sovngarde or the Far Plains]] for [[ProudWarriorRace Nords and Redguards]], respectively.) Here, their soul may enter the Dreamsleeve, a process related to the cycle of death and rebirth, whereby souls are recycled within the Mundus. Altmeri religious beliefs (passed down to them by the ancient [[{{Precursors}} Aldmer]]), further support this and actively preach in the idea of reincarnation. (The Altmer are rumored to "cull" undesirable progeny and consider it an act of ''mercy'' for this reason, as it frees the soul to be potentially reincarnated in a better form.)

** Following the events of ''Morrowind'', the Oblivion Crisis, the [[ColonyDrop Red]] [[ChekhovsVolcano Year]], and finally the subsequent [[LizardFolk Argonian]] [[TheDogBitesBack Invasion]], Dunmer-controlled Morrowind has become this. What little habitable land was left was mostly taken over by the Argonians, while only a few northern areas of [[ProudWarriorRace House Redoran]] territory remain. Most of the Dunmer people were forced to flee to Solsthem (a frozen over, barren rock of an island) and Skyrim (where they are treated as second class citizens to the native Nords). [[TheClan Great House]] Indoril is a particular example, following the fall of the [[CorruptChurch Tribunal Temple]], with which House Indoril was [[ReligiousBruiser heavily intertwined]]. While still better off than [[ProudMerchantRace House Hlaalu]] (which was scapegoated and {{Unperson}}ed by the other Houses), the Indoril are one of the weakest Council Houses as of the 4th Era.

** This trope is also {{invoked|Trope}} to emphasize the average Tamrielic denizen's fear and hatred of the [[{{Wutai}} Akaviri]] [[SnakePeople snake-men/Tsaesci]], who once attempted to invade Tamriel.

** Until ''Morrowind'', there is no mention of a race native to the Imperial Province, the province is a cosmopolitan mish-mash of all the other races, and the Imperial line is descended from the Nords. ''Morrowind'' introduces (and [[PromotedToPlayable makes playable]]) the Imperial race, and retcons them as a descendant of the original [[{{Precursors}} Nede/Atmoran]] [[HumansAreWhite Caucasian]] race, from which the modern Nords, Bretons (via mix with elves) and Imperials are all descended. The retcon does maintain that the Emperor's family has more Nord blood than most Imperials.

** Throughout the series, [[ShockAndAwe Storm]] [[ElementalEmbodiment Atronachs]] are a loosely humanoid collection of rocks held together with electricity.

* PlanetOfHats: Downplayed throughout the series. Many of the nations and peoples of Tamriel have leanings towards certain professions and characteristics but there are a lot of exceptions to the rule - generally, individuals who grew up in their homeland play the hats straight, while individuals who were raised in other lands tend to be exceptions. Some of the "hats" in question include: Nords are [[TheNeedForMead mead-loving]] [[DoesNotLikeMagic magic-hating]] [[HornyVikings viking-esque]] {{Boisterous Bruiser}}s; [[UnevenHybrid Bretons]] are DeadpanSnarker FrenchJerk {{Magic Knight}}s; Redguards are [[ScaryBlackMan Scary Black Men]] badass [[MasterSwordsman Master Swordsman]] and [[{{Pirate}} adventurous sailors]]; Altmer are [[MageSpecies naturally magically inclined]], [[CulturalPosturing snobby]], [[SuperiorSpecies supremacist]] {{Squishy Wizard}}s; Bosmer (Wood Elves) are NobleSavage {{Forest Ranger}}s who are amazed by basic carpentry because of an [[BindingAncientTreaty ancient code]] which prevents them from ever harming plantlife in their [[TheLostWoods Lost Woods]] homeland and who that same code requires to [[ImAHumanitarian consume fallen enemies]], etc. etc. For additional information, please see the series' [[Characters/TheElderScrollsRaces "Races" sub-pages]].

* ReforgedBlade: You get the opportunity to do this a few times throughout the series. In particular, Mehrunes Razor, a [[LegendaryWeapon legendary]] [[KnifeNut dagger]] associated with the Daedric Prince of [[DestroyerDeity Destruction]], is a frequent recipient of this trope's treatment.

* RapunzelHair: The Khajiit race is led by the Mane. Khajiit will cut off their manes in deference to the Mane, who will have them weaved into his own mane. As the Khajiit population grew over time, this became impractical, so in modern times, only the Mane's own tribe and his royal guard will cut their manes in this fashion. Still, the Mane is so weighted down by the hair that movement is difficult without aid and he will often travel the countryside by means of a palanquin.

* {{Pride}}:
** Pride is the FatalFlaw of [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]]. This flaw is often ''literally'' fatal, because a dragon who is [[MightMakesRight challenged must accept]], and to [[DirtyCoward not do so]] is to call into question whether you're a true dragon in the first place.
** Pride, along with his colossal arrogance, tends to be the fatal flaw of series' recurring villain Mannimarco, a highly [[TheDreaded dreaded]] [[OurLichesAreDifferent Lich]][=/=]{{Necromancer}}. As a result of the [[TimeCrash Warp in the West]] [[MergingTheBranches merging]] ''Daggerfall''[='s=] MultipleEndings, he does succeed in his goal of [[GodhoodSeeker becoming a god]], but it is in a very minor station and left him with LiteralSplitPersonalities. He fails to wipe out the rival [[MagicalSociety Mages Guild]] in ''Oblivion'', as the Mages Guild Arch-Mage made a HeroicSacrifice to [[EvilCannotComprehendGood ensure Mannimarco's defeat]]. In the prequel ''The Elder Scrolls Online'', Mannimarco serves as TheDragon to [[BigBad Molag Bal]], but attempts to [[TheStarscream Starscream]] him and usurp his position of divinity. [[FateWorseThanDeath This ends poorly]] for Mannimarco, but he does survive as he appears in (chronologically) later games in the series.

* {{Pride}}: Pride is the FatalFlaw of [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]]. This flaw is often ''literally'' fatal, because a dragon who is [[MightMakesRight challenged must accept]], and to [[DirtyCoward not do so]] is to call into question whether you're a true dragon in the first place.

* {{Pride}}:
** Pride is the FatalFlaw of [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]]. This flaw is often ''literally'' fatal, because a dragon who is [[MightMakesRight challenged must accept]], and to [[DirtyCoward not do so]] is to call into question whether you're a true dragon in the first place.
** Pride, along with his colossal [[SmugSnake Arrogance]], tends to be the fatal flaw of series' [[OverarchingVillain recurring villain]] Mannimarco, a highly [[TheDreaded dreaded]] [[OurLichesAreDifferent Lich]][=/=]{{Necromancer}}. As a result of the [[TimeCrash Warp in the West]] [[MergingTheBranches merging]] ''Daggerfall''[='s=] MultipleEndings, he does succeed in his goal of [[GodhoodSeeker becoming a god]], but it is in a very minor station and left him with LiteralSplitPersonalities. He fails to wipe out the rival [[MagicalSociety Mages Guild]] in ''Oblivion'', as the Mages Guild Arch-Mage made a HeroicSacrifice to [[EvilCannotComprehendGood ensure Mannimarco's defeat]]. In the prequel ''The Elder Scrolls Online'', Mannimarco serves as TheDragon to [[BigBad Molag Bal]], but attempts to [[TheStarscream Starscream]] him and usurp his position of divinity. [[FateWorseThanDeath This ends poorly]] for Mannimarco, but he does survive as he appears in (chronologically) later games in the series.

* PosthumousCharacter: Numerous characters from the series' backstory have been dead for hundreds or even thousands of years prior to the events of the games, but their impact is still felt as a catalyst for those events. Notable examples include St. Alessia, [[FounderOfTheKingdom founder]] of the First Cyrodiilic Empire whose pact with the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Eight (later Nine) Divines]] is felt in numerous occassions throughout the series, and [[GodEmperor Tiber Septim]], founder of the Third Cyrodiilic Empire (the current empire in the main series of games) who [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascended after his death]] as [[DeityOfHumanOrigin Talos]], the Ninth Divine. Other examples can be found on the series' [[Characters/TheElderScrollsHistorialFigures Historical Figures]] sub-page.

* PlanetOfHats: Downplayed throughout the series. Many of the nations and peoples of Tamriel have leanings towards certain professions and characteristics but there are a lot of exceptions to the rule - generally, individuals who grew up in their homeland play the hats straight, while individuals who were raised in other lands tend to be exceptions. Some of the "hats" in question include: Nords are [[TheNeedForMead mead-loving]] [[DoesNotLikeMagic magic-hating]] [[HornyVikings viking-esque]] {{Boisterous Bruiser}}s; [[UnevenHybrid Bretons]] are DeadpanSnarker FrenchJerk {{Magic Knight}}s; Redguards are [[ScaryBlackMan Scary Black Men]] badass [[MasterSwordsman Master Swordsman]] and [[{{Pirate}} adventurous sailors]]; Altmer are [[WitchSpecies naturally magically inclined]], [[CulturalPosturing snobby]], [[SuperiorSpecies supremacist]] {{Squishy Wizard}}s; Bosmer (Wood Elves) are NobleSavage {{Forest Ranger}}s who are amazed by basic carpentry because of an [[BindingAncientTreaty ancient code]] which prevents them from ever harming plantlife in their [[TheLostWoods Lost Woods]] homeland and who that same code requires to [[ImAHumanitarian consume fallen enemies]], etc. etc. For additional information, please see the series' [[Characters/TheElderScrollsRaces "Races" sub-pages]].

** Among the extant races of Mer, the Altmer (High Elves) best embody the "mystical" aspect of the trope. They are the [[WitchSpecies naturally magically inclined]] race in Tamriel, and also one of the oldest, being the most direct descendants of the Aldmer (First or Old Elves). Though non-Altmer scholars are loathe to admit, Tamriel owes much of its [[CrystalSpiresAndTogas art, science, philosophy, language, and religion]] to the Altmer. The Psijic Order, a monastic [[TheMagocracy magical society]] made up primarily of Altmer (though they do take in worthy members of other races), takes this even further. The have OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness and MysteriousBacker traits, are a RenownedSelectiveMentor that many magically inclined students would kill to join, and generally try to protect the rest of the world from [[TheWorldIsNotReady threats it is not ready to deal with on its own]]. They have so SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic that they are capable of performing feats no other group in Tamriel can match, including {{Telepathy}}, [[TimeStandsStill time-freezing]], AstralProjection, and significant WeatherManipulation.

* {{Reincarnation}}: The [[CatFolk Khajiit]] are led by the Mane, the unofficial "head of state". According to Khajiit tradition, the Mane is one entity reborn in different bodies with the passage of time. Thus, ThereCanBeOnlyOne Mane, and historically, this has proven true as there has been no recorded instance of multiple Manes contending for power.

* {{Reincarnation}}:
** The [[CatFolk Khajiit]] are led by the Mane, the unofficial "head of state". According to Khajiit tradition, the Mane is one entity reborn in different bodies with the passage of time. Thus, ThereCanBeOnlyOne Mane, and historically, this has proven true as there has been no recorded instance of multiple Manes contending for power.
** An esoteric concept mentioned in fairly deep lore (and further supported by [[AllThereInTheManual devleoper written]] [[LooseCanon supplemental texts]]) is the "Dreamsleeve". When a mortal dies in Mundus (the mortal plane), and their soul is not bound to the world for some reason or claimed by a deity such as a [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]], it is believed that their souls enter [[SpiritWorld Aetherius]], the "immortal" plane and realm of magic. (Depending on the beliefs of the deceased, they may enter specific areas, such as [[WarriorHeaven Sovngarde or the Far Plains]] for [[ProudWarriorRace Nords and Redguards]], respectively.) Here, their soul may enter the Dreamsleeve, a process related to the cycle of death and rebirth, whereby souls are recycled within the Mundus. Altmeri religious beliefs (passed down to them by the ancient [[{{Precursors}} Aldmer]]), further support this and actively preach in the idea of reincarnation. (The Altmer are rumored to "cull" undesirable progeny and consider it an act of ''mercy'' for this reason, as it frees the soul to be potentially reincarnated in a better form.)

*** Despite the status of Belharza (the son of [[FounderOfTheKingdom St. Alessia]] and the demi-god [[ALoadOfBull Morihaus]], believed to have been the first Minotaur) as Emperor and the Minotaur race's loyalty/devotion to the Alessian Empire, the Alessian Order demonized them as well. Minotaurs were reclassified as "monsters" and driven from civilized areas, with whatever culture they had being destroyed.

** While the Altmer are the most advanced extant race, they still pale in comparison to what the extinct [[OurDwarvesAreDifferent Dwemer]] were capable of on the "scientific" side of this trope. They were an industrious, highly intelligent, and ''extremely'' technologically advanced people. They combined their [[{{Magitek}} mastery of enchanting]] with their SteamPunk technology and were known to [[RealityWarping bend the laws of physics]] to [[RagnarokProofing make their creations last]]. Essentially, they were a fantasy version of SufficientlyAdvancedAliens. While attempting to do ''[[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence something]]'' with the heart of a [[GodIsDead dead god]], they managed to make their entire race blink out of all known planes of existence in a single instant. [[RiddleForTheAges No one knows for sure what happened to them]], but the LostTechnology the left behind is still far more advanced than anything the extant races have been able to create even in the thousands of years since their disappearance.

** What happened to the [[OurDwarvesAreDifferent Dwemer]]? They were a [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien highly technologically advanced]] race who created all manner of {{Magitek}} and SteamPunk technology, which remains unmatched by any other race in Tamriel. They were also extreme {{Naytheist}}s for whom a major part of their outlook was the idea of [[BlueAndOrangeMorality refuting everything as real]]. During the mid-1st Era, they discovered the [[CosmicKeystone Heart of Lorkhan]] (the "divine center" of the [[GodIsDead dead creator god]] of the mortal plane) [[DugTooDeep deep beneath Red Mountain]]. Though there are [[RashomonStyle many different versions]] of the story regarding what happened next, the Dwemer did ''something'' with the Heart that caused their entire race to disappear from every known plane of existence in a single instant. The leading theory (which you can put together yourself in the Mages Guild quest line in ''Morrowind'') states that they were trying to [[CessationOfExistence break themselves down into their base elements]] before [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascending into divine form]]. However, they [[GoneHorriblyWrong got something wrong]] with the "reforging" step and instead blinked out of existence. Other theories state that they may have even been ''successful'' in their attempt, and are currently on said "higher plane." Making it only more confusing is one particular Dwemer ruin that shows whatever happened was violent and abrupt: it's a residential area, and you find piles of ash that used to be Dwemer in beds or near their piles of equipment on guard duty. Despite the theories, no definitive answer has been given in the series to date.
** In-Universe, the mystery of the Dwemer has only deepened by the time of ''Skyrim'' since much of what was known about the Dwemer was again lost in the 200 years following the Oblivion Crisis and the eruption of Red Mountain (which wiped away a great number of Dwemeri ruins in Vvardenfell, the epicenter of Dwemer culture prior to their disappearance). Even one of the greatest experts on the Dwemer, Calcelmo, knows less about the Dwemer than some amateur archeologists in Vvardenfell during the time of ''Morrowind''.

* PatronGod: In every main series game since ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'' there have been shrines or temples you can pray at that grant a unique blessing of the god or [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]] they are dedicated to. The Daedra and some gods also grant their followers powers, and many of the [[InfinityMinusOneSword Infinity -1 Swords]] of the games are given to you by Daedric Princes.

** Spriggans are nature spirits who take on a [[WhenTreesAttack tree-like]] humanoid female form. They are revered as ''[[GaiasVengeance Nature's Guardians]]'', being associated with Kynareth (one of the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Nine Divines]] and goddess of the heavens, winds, and elements), and are at frequent odds with [[HarpingOnAboutHarpies Hagravens]], who are an EnemyToAllLivingThings. In most games, they possess a powerful HealingFactor which kicks in when get critically low on health, and have TheBeastmaster qualities, able to command wild animals (especially [[BearsAreBadNews bears]] and [[BeeAfraid bees]]) to aid them in battle. While they are called "[[CallAPegasusAHippogriff Spriggans]]", they are actually closer to violent Dryads in nature.

* RuleThirtyFourCreatorReactions: InUniverse with ''The Real Barenziah'', a novelized biography of the Queen Mother of Morrowind which, in ''Daggerfall'', has a notorious case of {{Getting|CrapPastTheRadar}} IKEAErotica [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar Past the Radar]] (namely, Barenziah having sex with a Khajiit so he'll induct her into the ThievesGuild). In later games, the Tribunal Temple had it censored, but by some reports Barenziah herself actually enjoyed the series and is friends with the author (even sparing his life when the Tribunal Temple wanted to execute him).

* PlayingThePlayer: For the series, although UnreliableNarrator, UnreliableExpositor, and UnreliableCanon are in full effect for what you are told and can read, the experiences of the {{Player Character}}s can be assuemd to be as reliable as they can be when told through the medium of the game. Your ''character'' may be misled by illusions or lies, but you (the player) can be sure those illusions or lies were there. In the event of a TimeCrash, you can also be sure that your character did what he or she seemed to do, just known that it also occurred alongside mutually contradictory things.

* PhallicWeapon: "MUATRA" is the name of the spear used by Dunmeri [[PhysicalGod Tribunal Deity]] Vivec. It is rather strongly implied to be a ''literal'' case of this trope, particularly in Vivec's ''36 Lessons'' [[InGameNovel book series]], crossing over with ICallHimMisterHappy and NamedWeapon. In the ''Lessons'', he uses it to kill his monster children (sired with [[GodOfEvil Molag Bal]]) and to have sex with fellow Tribune Almalexia, amongst other things. Granted, Vivec is a notoriously UnreliableNarrator, who later admits that [[BlatantLies some of his sermons are false]], and is a master of using the MetaphoricallyTrue trope.

* PortalDoor: The [[TheOrder Psijic Order]], a powerful MagicalSociety and the oldest monastic order in Tamriel, has the "Dreaming Cave" on their home island of Artaeum. The Dreaming Cave is a portal to Oblivion and allows for communicating with the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Princes]].

* PlanetOfHats: Downplayed throughout the series. Many of the nations and peoples of Tamriel have leanings towards certain professions and characteristics but there are a lot of exceptions to the rule - generally, individuals who grew up in their homeland play the hats straight, while individuals who were raised in other lands tend to be exceptions. Some of the "hats" in question include: Nords are [[TheNeedForMead mead-loving]] [[DoesNotLikeMagic magic-hating]] [[HornyVikings viking-esque]] {{Boisterous Bruiser}}s; [[UnevenHybrid Bretons]] are DeadpanSnarker FrenchJerk {{Magic Knight}}s; Redguards are [[ScaryBlackMan Scary Black Men]] badass [[MasterSwordsman Master Swordsman]] and [[{{Pirate}} adventurous sailors]]; Altmer are [[CulturalPosturing snobby]], [[SuperiorSpecies supremacist]] {{Squishy Wizard}}s, Bosmer (Wood Elves) are NobleSavage {{Forest Ranger}}s who are amazed by basic carpentry because of an [[BindingAncientTreaty ancient code]] which prevents them from ever harming plantlife in their [[TheLostWoods Lost Woods]] homeland and who that same code requires to [[ImAHumanitarian consume fallen enemies]], etc. etc. For additional information, please see the series' [[Characters/TheElderScrollsRaces "Races" sub-pages]].

** Ysgramor, the [[LongDeadBadass ancient]] Atmoran/Nord hero and FounderOfTheKingdom of Skyrim, was one. Don't mess with his people. The [[OurElvesAreBetter Falmer (Snow Elves)]] did, and he drove them to near extinction in an ''epic'' RoaringRampageOfRevenge. Another example is with Yngol and the Sea Ghosts. Yngol was a son of Ysgramor who had run afoul of evil spirits who ensnared him and his clan. Ysgramor became aware of this and demanded the ghosts set him free; in response, the ghosts summoned a terrible storm. Ysgramor fearlessly strode into it and defeated each of the ghosts, only to find Yngol and his clan dead. Filled with grief, he vented his rage on 24 of the fiercest monsters in Skyrim, slaying them all in honor of his kin. He then ordered a great barrow to be dug for Yngol and his clansmen's resting place.

* PlanetOfHats: Downplayed throughout the series. Many of the nations and peoples of Tamriel have leanings towards certain professions and characteristics but there are a lot of exceptions to the rule - generally, individuals who grew up in their homeland play the hats straight, while individuals who were raised in other lands tend to be exceptions. Some of the "hats" in question include: Nords are [[TheNeedForMead mead-loving]] [[DoesNotLikeMagic magic-hating]] [[HornyVikings viking-esque]] {{Boisterous Bruiser}}s; [[UnevenHybrid Bretons]] are DeadpanSnarker FrenchJerk {{Magic Knight}}s; Redguards are [[ScaryBlackMan Scary Black Men]] badass [[MasterSwordsman Master Swordsman]] and [[{{Pirate}} adventurous sailors]]; [[WitchSpecies Altmer (High Elves)]] are [[CulturalPosturing snobby]], [[SuperiorSpecies supremacist]] {{Squishy Wizard}}s, Bosmer (Wood Elves) are NobleSavage {{Forest Ranger}}s who are amazed by basic carpentry because of an [[BindingAncientTreaty ancient code]] which prevents them from ever harming plantlife in their [[TheLostWoods Lost Woods]] homeland and who that same code requires to [[ImAHumanitarian consume fallen enemies]], etc. etc. For additional information, please see the series' [[Characters/TheElderScrollsRaces "Races" sub-pages]].

* PollyWantsAMicrophone: There existed a race of [[BirdPeople Bird Men]] native to what would become the Imperial City Isle in central Cyrodiil. When first approached by [[OurElvesAreBetter Aldmeri]] explorers, the Bird Men spoke back in [[ConLang Aldmeris]], surprising the Aldmer. However, they quickly realized that the Bird Men were only repeating their own words back to them. Despite this, the Aldmeri were able to teach them to actually speak their own words and to write, for which the Bird Men were grateful. [[MightyWhitey They declared Topal, the leader of the Aldmeri explorers, to be their lord and offered him their islands]].

** The Ayleids, a presumed extinct race of [[OurElvesAreBetter Mer (Elves)]] who acted as AbusivePrecursors to early humankind, had several types of crystalline objects imbued with magical power. Many of these are still found in their ruins in modern times (most notably in ''Oblivion'' which is set in their former homeland), but is now {{Magitek}} LostTechnology. To note:

** The Companions are a regional variant that operates only within Skyrim. (Due to their presence, the Fighters Guild [[SupermanStaysOutOfGotham stays out of Skyrim]].) The Companions trace their organization back to the original [[BadassArmy 500 Companions]] of [[FounderOfTheKingdom Ysgramor]], who slaughtered Skyrim's native [[OurElvesAreBetter Falmer (Snow Elves)]] and claimed Skyrim for the [[BarbarianHero Atmorans]] (ancestors of the [[HornyVikings Nords]]). They fulfill many of the duties that the Fighters Guild performs in other territories.

** Among the extant [[OurElvesAreBetter races of Mer (Elves)]], the Altmer (High Elves) best embody the "mystical" aspect of the trope. They are the [[WitchSpecies naturally magically inclined]] race in Tamriel, and also one of the oldest, being the most direct descendants of the Aldmer (First or Old Elves). Though non-Altmer scholars are loathe to admit, Tamriel owes much of its [[CrystalSpiresAndTogas art, science, philosophy, language, and religion]] to the Altmer. The Psijic Order, a monastic [[TheMagocracy magical society]] made up primarily of Altmer (though they do take in worthy members of other races), takes this even further. The have OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness and MysteriousBacker traits, are a RenownedSelectiveMentor that many magically inclined students would kill to join, and generally try to protect the rest of the world from [[TheWorldIsNotReady threats it is not ready to deal with on its own]]. They have so SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic that they are capable of performing feats no other group in Tamriel can match, including {{Telepathy}}, [[TimeStandsStill time-freezing]], AstralProjection, and significant WeatherManipulation.

** Achieving [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence CHIM]], essentially realizing that everything, including yourself, is just a dream of [[TheOmnipotent the Godhead]] but having the mental fortitude to exist as one with it, grants this ability. Only two beings in history are believed to have achieved it - the [[OurElvesAreBetter Chimeri/Dunmeri]] [[PhysicalGod Tribunal deity]] Vivec and (MindScrew warning) the being known variously as ([[MergerOfSouls some or all of]]) Tiber Septim/Talos of Atmora/Hjalti Early-Beard/Zurin Arctus/Wulfharth Ash-King. Following the death of Tiber Septim, [[FounderOfTheKingdom founder of the Third Tamrielic Empire]], though an unknown but hotly debated means possibly involving the Numidium and/or the spirit of Lorkhan, the DeityOfHumanOrigin known as Talos came to be the Ninth Aedric Divine. Talos then ([[UnreliableCanon allegedly]]) used this power to change Cyrodiil from a jungle to a temperate grassland, a change that was retroactive, essentially making it so Cyrodiil had ''always been'' a temperate grassland. As well as achieving CHIM, Septim was also Dragonborn, giving him natural use of the Thu'um, and used the Numidium in his conquests. Taking all of that into account, it's not surprising that he was able to conquer all of Tamriel. Beyond CHIM supposedly lie two other states of being: Amaranth and Zero-Sum. Achieving Amaranth means that one exits the dream of the Godhead to create his own reality, while Zero-Sum occurs when one fails to maintain his individuality upon realizing the dream, fading into it and [[CessationOfExistence ceasing to exist]].

** Empress Katariah (A [[OurElvesAreBetter Dunmeri]] Duchess, the sole non-human to hold the Imperial throne during the Septim dynasty) officially became Empress-Regent not long after becoming Empress -- her marriage to [[TheCaligula Pelagius the Mad]] was arranged by Pelagius' father specifically ''because'' she was a shrewd and capable politician that could help cover for Pelagius' eccentricities, and right from the coronation most actual power was held by Katariah and the Elder Council. However, by the two year mark of Pelagius' reign, his madness had become too publicly apparent, and Katariah was officially granted regency, holding it until Pelagius' death (at which point she assumed the throne and ruled in her own right in what is widely recorded as one of the most prosperous, peaceful periods of the Septim Empire).

** An esoteric concept mentioned in fairly deep lore (and further supported by [[AllThereInTheManual devleoper written]] [[LooseCanon supplemental texts]]) is the "Dreamsleeve". When a mortal dies in Mundus (the mortal plane), and their soul is not bound to the world for some reason or claimed by a deity such as a [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]], it is believed that their souls enter [[SpiritWorld Aetherius]], the "immortal" plane and realm of magic. (Depending on the beliefs of the deceased, they may enter specific areas, such as [[WarriorHeaven Sovngarde or the Far Plains]] for [[ProudWarriorRace Nords and Redguards]], respectively.) Here, their soul may enter the Dreamsleeve, a process related to the cycle of death and rebirth, whereby souls are recycled within the Mundus. [[OurElvesAreBetter Altmeri (High Elven)]] religious beliefs (passed down to them by the ancient [[{{Precursors}} Aldmer]]), further support this and actively preach in the idea of reincarnation. (The Altmer are rumored to "cull" undesirable progeny and consider it an act of ''mercy'' for this reason, as it frees the soul to be potentially reincarnated in a better form.)

** Following the events of ''Morrowind'', the Oblivion Crisis, the [[ColonyDrop Red]] [[ChekhovsVolcano Year]], and finally the subsequent [[LizardFolk Argonian]] [[TheDogBitesBack Invasion]], [[OurElvesAreBetter Dunmer]]-controlled Morrowind has become this. What little habitable land was left was mostly taken over by the Argonians, while only a few northern areas of [[ProudWarriorRace House Redoran]] territory remain. Most of the Dunmer people were forced to flee to Solsthem (a frozen over, barren rock of an island) and Skyrim (where they are treated as second class citizens to the native Nords). [[TheClan Great House]] Indoril is a particular example, following the fall of the [[CorruptChurch Tribunal Temple]], with which House Indoril was [[ReligiousBruiser heavily intertwined]]. While still better off than [[ProudMerchantRace House Hlaalu]] (which was scapegoated and {{Unperson}}ed by the other Houses), the Indoril are one of the weakest Council Houses as of the 4th Era.

* RenownedSelectiveMentor: The [[TheOrder Psijic Order]], the oldest monastic order in Tamriel, founded during the ancient times by an [[OurElvesAreBetter Aldmeri]] sect who rejected the transition to [[OurGodsAreDifferent Aedra]] worship from ancestor worship, known to them as the "Old Way" or "Elder Way." They settled on the island of Artaeum, the third largest island in the Summerset Isles, which has been known to disappear for centuries at a time for reasons only known to the Order. Thousands of years later, they are now more well known as a reclusive order of immensely powerful [[MagicalSociety magic users]], who have SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic to the point where they can [[RealityWarper utilize magic in ways (and on a scale)]] unmatched by any other extant group in Tamriel. Many magically adept prospective students seek to join the Order from all over Tamriel, but very few are ever accepted. It is said that the Psijics use a "complex, ritualized method" for selecting initiates that is "not understood by the common man." In the roughly 500 years between Artaeum's reappearance in the 2nd Era until 3E 430, only 17 initiates were taken on by the Order. However, from 3E 430 to 3E 432, leading up to the Oblivion Crisis, the Order accepted an unheard of 30 initiates.

** The forces of Emperor Tiber Septim, [[FounderOfTheKingdom founder]] of the Third Tamriellic Empire, sacked Mournhold, the capital city of Morrowind, home of the [[OurElvesAreBetter Dunmer (Dark Elves)]]. His legions slaughtered the entire noble family, down to their young daughter, Barenziah. Septim's Dunmeri General, Symmachus, convinced Septim to spare Barenziah in order to groom her as a [[PuppetKing Puppet Queen]] who could look out for Imperial interests in Morrowind after the armistice was signed joining Morrowind to the Empire as a VoluntaryVassal.

** Pride, along with his colossal [[SmugSnake Arrogance]], tends to be the fatal flaw of series' [[OverarchingVillain recurring villain]] Mannimarco, a highly [[TheDreaded dreaded]] [[OurLichesAreDifferent Lich]][=/=]{{Necromancer}}. As a result of the [[TimeCrash Warp in the West]] [[MergingTheBranches merging]] ''Daggerfall''[='s=] MultipleEndings, he does succeed in his goal of [[AGodAmI becoming a god]], but it is in a very minor station and left him with LiteralSplitPersonalities. He fails to wipe out the rival [[MagicalSociety Mages Guild]] in ''Oblivion'', as the Mages Guild Arch-Mage made a HeroicSacrifice to [[EvilCannotComprehendGood ensure Mannimarco's defeat]]. In the prequel ''The Elder Scrolls Online'', Mannimarco serves as TheDragon to [[BigBad Molag Bal]], but attempts to [[TheStarscream Starscream]] him and usurp his position of divinity. [[FateWorseThanDeath This ends poorly]] for Mannimarco, but he does survive as he appears in (chronologically) later games in the series.