History TheElderScrolls / TropesH

** Tiber Septim, the [[FounderOfTheKingdom founder]] of the Third Tamriellic Empire who [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascended after his death]] as [[DeityOfHumanOrigin Talos]], the Ninth Divine, could use the power of the [[MakeMeWannaShout Thu'um]] early in his campaigns. He used it to "shout down" the walls of Old Hroldan, which earned him much attention and acclaim. However, a failed assassination attempt left him with his throat slashed and unable to speak in more than whisper. He still completed his conquest of Tamriel (with the help of the [[HumongousMecha Numidium]] at the end). He would, of course, also later ascend to Godhood.

* HeelFaithTurn: In the series' backstory, during the 1st Era, the [[HornyVikings Nordic]] Empire, led by the Tongues (masters of the [[LanguageOfMagic Thu'um]]), was expanding rapidly out of Skyrim. Their armies invaded deep into Morrowind, slaughtering both the Chimer (ancestors of the Dunmer) and Dwemer. The leaders of these long time enemy races, Lord Indoril Nerevar and Dumac Dwarfking, agreed to form an EnemyMine. Their combined forces met at the base of Red Mountain, where the Chimer/Dwemer alliance ''"annihilated"'' the Nord army, a [[ShockingDefeatLegacy truly shocking defeat]] in this history of the ProudWarriorRace Nords. The most powerful of the Tongues, Jurgen Windcaller, survived but fell into HeroicBSOD despair. Despite the [[MakeMeWannaShout advantage conferred by the Thu'um]], the Nord army was soundly crushed. For seven years, Windcaller meditated and reflected on the defeat, coming to the conclusion that it was a punishment from the gods for misusing the Thu'um. He would use the defeat as inspiration to discover the Way of the Voice and found the Greybeards, a monastic order who espouse [[BadassPacifist nonintervention and pacifism]], and only use the Voice to honor the gods.

** The PlayerCharacter throughout the series is a Downplayed example. To date, none of the games have given spoke dialogue to the player character beyond battlecries (and in ''Skyrim'', [[MakeMeWannashout Shouts]]). However, they are nevertheless quite talkative in the dialogue choices.

'''Note:''' ''Elder Scrolls'' lore is generally not clear-cut. Reasons for this range from [[UnreliableNarrator biased]] in-universe sources intentionally only giving you only one side of a story, to sources [[CriticalResearchFailure lacking critical information]] or working from [[BlatantLies false information]], to the implication that AllMythsAreTrue, despite the contradictions, or that at least all myths are MetaphoricallyTrue. [[WordOfGod Out-of-game developer supplemental texts]] (frequently referred to as "Obscure Texts" by the lore community) are more trustworthy, but are frequently left [[LooseCanon unofficial]] and sometimes later contradicted. Because of this, it is entirely possible for two contradictory statements in the below examples to ''both'' be true. (And due to frequent events in-universe that [[TimeCrash alter the timeline]], both may ''literally'' be true in-universe.)

* HornyDevils: A trait of Daedric/Dark Seducers, a feminine form of lesser Daedra in service to [[MadGod Sheogorath]].

** Throughout the series, the [[OurWerebeastsAreDifferent were-creatures]], especially [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent werewolves]], exemplify this trait. The [[ViralTransformation disease which causes the transformation]] was created by the Daedric Prince of the Hunt, Hircine, and the were-creatures are his minions. For most were-creatures, this is an InvoluntaryTransformation at nightfall, with the exact frequency varying depending on the particular strain of the disease. They are overcome with an intense bloodlust and typically must hunt and kill at least one sentient being while transformed. If they fail to do so, they will return to their original form in an extremely weakened state.

* HiddenElfVillage: The Bosmer (Wood Elves) are a ForestRanger race whose homeland is Valenwood, a region almost totally composed of [[TheLostWoods thick, dense forests and tall, sometimes ''migratory'' trees]] in which the Bosmer make their homes. As such, Bosmer villages are often connected only by narrow footpaths which make them difficult for non-Bosmer to find.

** While most objects (swords, articles of clothing, VendorTrash, etc.) have semi-realistic weights, this trope is still in play for metals. For example, gold ingots typically weigh the same as iron or silver ingots of the same dimensions.

** The Dunmer (Dark Elves) practice slavery, in particular, enslaving the [[CatPeople Khajit]] and the [[LizardFolk Argonians]], considering them to be lesser races. Playing as either of those races in ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsOnline'' gives the player a first-hand account of how vile and cruel some Dunmer can be (and this is during a time in which slavery is technically "banned" as part of the Ebonhart Pact). In general, most of the most vile and heinous of these character wind up killed, humiliated or otherwise punished by the player.

** The Dunmer (Dark Elves) practice slavery, in particular, enslaving the [[CatPerson Khajit]] and the [[LizardFolk Argonians]], considering them to be lesser races. Playing as either of those races in ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsOnline'' gives the player a first-hand account of how vile and cruel some Dunmer can be (and this is during a time in which slavery is technically "banned" as part of the Ebonhart Pact). In general, most of the most vile and heinous of these character wind up killed, humiliated or otherwise punished by the player.

* HatePlague: The series has long included the StatusEffect "Frenzy", which can be achieved by spells in the Illusion school. This effect causes the target to attack anything in sight, including members of his own faction. The results are even better when the spell has a large area of effect, enabling you to turn entire groups against each other.

** The series has Hagravens, a flightless Harpy-variant who were [[WasOnceAMan once mortal women]] that performed a ritual to trade in their humanity for [[WitchSpecies access to powerful magic]]. A HumanSacrifice is required for the ritual to even become a Hagraven, and Hagravens serve as {{Evil Matriarch}}s to [[BarbarianTribe Reachmen clans]] as well as generally being an EnemyToAllLivingThings. Naturally, they have feathers, beak-like noses, and [[FemmeFatalons talons for fingers and toes]].

** The Direnni Clan of [[WitchSpecies Altmer (High Elves)]] were masterful conjurers, known to be able summon [[PlayingWithFire Flame Atronachs]] in any shape they desired. During the Battle of Glenumbria Moors against the [[KnightTemplar Alessian]] [[TheOrder Order]], they famously summoned Flame Atronachs in the shape of horses and rode them into the battle.

** Hagravens, a species of flightless [[HarpingOnAboutHarpies harpy]] who were [[WasOnceAMan once mortal women]] that performed a ritual to trade in their humanity for [[WitchSpecies access to powerful magic]]. A human sacrifice[[note]]Though they're not so picky as demanding an actual ''human'' ([[OurElvesAreDifferent Elves]] or {{Beast |Man}}folk will work all the same).[[/note]] is required for the ritual to even become a Hagraven, and Hagravens serve as {{Evil Matriarch}}s to [[BarbarianTribe Reachmen clans]] as well as generally being an EnemyToAllLivingThings. Naturally, they have [[FeatheredFiend feathers]], beak-like noses, and [[FemmeFatalons talons for fingers and toes]].

** Though lacking the [[LongLived longer lifespans]] and [[WitchSpecies natural talents]] in various types of magic inherent in the races of Mer, it has been the races of Men who have forged four empires (one by the [[ProudWarriorRace Nords]], three by the [[HumansAreDiplomats Imperials]]) which dominated Tamriel for the better part of the past 3000 or so years.

** The only "human" race which doesn't obviously qualify are the Bretons of High Rock, an UnevenHybrid race created via an ancient eugenics experiment by breeding Direnni Altmer with their human slaves (modern Bretons are solidly human with a small bit of elven ancestry). The result is a WitchSpecies that is second only to the Altmer themselves in terms of natural magical prowess, particularly as {{Magic Knight}}s, but which also has AntiMagic traits in their blood that make them great {{Mage Killer}}s. Though they lack some of the physical combatant qualities of their human cousins, they still have a strong chivalric tradition with various knightly orders

* HumanSubspecies: The four races of Men in Tamriel are all different enough to have unique racial abilities and innate proficiency in certain skills. Three (the [[HornyVikings Nords]], [[HumansAreDiplomats Imperials]], and [[WitchSpecies Bretons]]) all share a common ancestor in the [[{{Precursors}} Nedes]], one of the indigenous human tribes (or a collective name for those tribes) of Tamriel. Additionally, the races of Men and Mer also share a common ancestor even further back in history known as the Ehlnofey. Each race of Men and Mer can interbreed and produce viable offspring, [[UnevenHybrid which almost entirely takes after the mother]], averting AllGenesAreCodominant.

** Over the course of many generations however, this is played straight. Fore example, the Bretons were born of a eugenics program which mated the Direnni Altmer of High Rock with the Nedes, one of Tamriel's indigenous human tribes (or a collective name for those tribes) who are the common ancestors of most of the modern races of men (except for the Redguards). As a result, the Bretons have a greater [[WitchSpecies natural magical prowess]] than their fellow races of men, while having [[HumansAreWarriors hardier constitutions]] (especially in terms of inherent magical defenses) than their Altmeri ancestors. The Bretons make for exceptional MageKiller {{Magic Knight}}s.

** In terms of mankind specifically, this is the opinion of the races of Mer along with thinking that HumansAreBastards. To the elves, mankind lives pitifully [[WeAreAsMayflies short lives]] filled with [[HumansAreWarriors violence and savagery]]. Their version of the CreationMyth even states that mankind was specifically created out of the "weakest souls" to ''be'' bastards by a JerkassGod.

** Barenziah, former Queen of Morrowind and Wayrest and later Queen Mother of Morrowind, is portrayed as such in her [[HistoricalHeroUpgrade official biography]], ''[[http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Biography_of_Queen_Barenziah Biography of Queen Barenziah]]'', as well as in Imperial and Tribunal Temple propaganda. In those, she possesses beauty and goodness of the highest order, and exudes loyalty to the Empire with her every word and action. However, it is subverted and ''heavily'' deconstructed in her "unofficial" biography, ''[[http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Real_Barenziah The Real Barenziah]]''. It reveals that in her youth as LostOrphanedRoyalty, she got into all sorts of adventures that would be unbecoming of a Queen, including spending time as TheArtfulDodger (as a member of the ThievesGuild no less) and engaging in TheOldestProfession for a time. She had some [[RulingFamilyMassacre extremely]] [[PuppetKing negative]] [[GoodGirlsAvoidAbortion experiences]] when dealing with Tiber Septim and his Empire, and any loyalty to it came out of either [[HappilyMarried love for her husband]], Symmachus, a retired Imperial Legion General, or because the Empire was the "Gray" in a BlackAndGrayMorality scenario. Naturally, ''The Real Barenziah'' version of events is denied by the official Imperial histories and the Dunmeri Tribunal Temple, who wanted to put the author to death for heresy. Barenziah's own reaction varies depending on which game you go with; in Daggerfall, where it first appears, she calls it "cruel and defamatory" and sends the player on a quest to destroy the only uncensored copy of one of its volumes. Elsewhere, she is said to have enjoyed the book, befriended the author, and spared his life.

** Barenziah, former Queen of Morrowind and Wayrest and later Queen Mother of Morrowind, is portrayed as such in her [[HistoricalHeroUpgrade official biography]], ''[[http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Biography_of_Queen_Barenziah Biography of Queen Barenziah]]'', as well as in Imperial and Tribunal Temple propaganda. In those, she possesses beauty and goodness of the highest order, and exudes loyalty to the Empire with her every word and action. However, it is subverted and ''heavily'' deconstructed in her "unofficial" biography, ''[[http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Real_Barenziah The Real Barenziah]]''. It reveals that in her youth as LostOrphanedRoyalty, she got into all sorts of adventures that would be unbecoming of a Queen, including spending time as TheArtfulDodger (as a member of the ThievesGuild no less) and engaging in TheOldestProfession for a time. She had some [[RulingFamilyMassacre extremely]] [[PuppetKing negative]] [[GoodGirlsAvoidAbortion experiences]] when dealing with Tiber Septim and his Empire, and any loyalty to it came out of either [[HappilyMarried love for her husband]], Symmachus, a retired Imperial Legion General, or because the Empire was the "Gray" in a BlackAndGrayMorality scenario. Naturally, ''The Real Barenziah'' version of events is denied by the official Imperial histories and the Dunmeri Tribunal Temple, who wanted to put the author to death for heresy, but Barenziah herself is said to have enjoyed the book, befriended the author, and spared his life. Make of that what you will.

** [[ALoadOfBull Minotaurs]] come the closest to playing it straight out of the races of Tamriel. They are said to descend from the DivineDate coupling of St. Alessia (a Nedic woman) with Morihaus (an [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Aedric demi-god]] "man bull"). Their son, Belharza, was said to be the first Minotaur and ruled the First Empire following Alessia's death. [[EternalHero Pelinal Whitestrake]], Alessia's "champion" and Morihaus' divine "uncle," specifically warned Morihaus against this relationship, believing that they would "[[MonsterProgenitor beget more monsters on this earth]]." (Which, if this is the true origin of Minotaurs, proved to be the case.)

** During the [[SlaveLiberation Alessian Revolt]] against the [[AbusivePrecursors Ayleids]], the Divines themselves sent aid to the revolting Nedic people under Queen Alessia. In particular was the [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Aedric demi-god]] Morihaus, the "[[ALoadOfBull winged man-bull]]". Going with his "man-bull" theme, his favored style of combat was to gore enemies with his horns. When Alessia's [[EternalHero divine champion]], Pelinal Whitestrake, was cut to pieces after his battle with Umaril the Unfeathered (BigBad leader of the Ayleids), Morihaus scared off the remaining Ayleids when he "shook the whole of the tower with mighty bashing from his horns." The tower in question was the ''massive'' White-Gold tower that now stands as the Imperial Palace in the Imperial City.
** [[ALoadOfBull Minotaurs]], said to be the result of Alessia's coupling with Morihaus as part of their DivineDate, are massive half-man half-bulls. They are known to use their horns in combat, which are hard and sharp enough to rend even the toughest armor.

* HatePlague: The series has long included the [[StandardStatusEffect status effect]] "Frenzy", which can be achieved by spells in the Illusion school. This effect causes the target to attack anything in sight, including members of his own faction. The results are even better when the spell has a large area of effect, enabling you to turn entire groups against each other.

** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'': The major cities of Cyrodiil are walled off and implemented as separate exterior cells from TheOverworld, and therefore most combat that can take place in cities is player-instigated. At the end of the game, the Oblivion Crisis culminates in a massive daedric invasion on the Imperial City from inside the walls, led by Mehrunes Dagon himself.
** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'':

** A race that prides themselves for completely shaping modern Tamriel into what it is today, who bull-headedly [[FantasticRacism looks down on other races]] and [[KlingonScientistsGetNoRespect professions]] that are commonly not used in their culture even though history has shown that they were once skilled practitioners of it, follow a religion that is basically a combination of Men and Mer beliefs while a sizable minority still follows their old religion. All of these can easily describe both the Nords and the Altmer as of the 4th Era.

** Similar to the Bretons, the Bosmer (Wood Elves) are said to have come into being when the Aldmer (the {{Precursors}} to all the modern races of Mer) who settled in Valenwood started taking "Mannish wives." Opposite the Bretons, the Bosmer are still far more Mer than Men.

* HenotheisticSociety:
** Despite the Nords worshipping the other Aedra of the Imperial pantheon, they hold a far greater reverence of Shor/Lorkhan than most of the other races of men, as they believe he saved all the spirits from the static cage of pre-creation, and welcomes any Nord who died honorably into the hallowed halls of [[WarriorHeaven Sovengarde]], which he created for them.
** Like the Nords, the Bosmer too worship the Imperial pantheon, but for them, it is Y'ffre, [[NatureSpirit who was responsible for bringing nature itself to Nirn]], who is held in higher regard.
** Though they worship the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Aedra]] as well, the [[OurElvesAreDifferent Dark Elves]] hold Azura as their patron [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Daedra]], and they also have the [[DeityOfHumanOrigin Tribunal]], who were Chimer (The Ancestors of Dark Elves) before they ascended to godhood.
** Talos is another DeityOfHumanOrigin, and is held in high regard by most men, but especially the [[HornyVikings Nords]].

** With the Dwemer gone, Nerevar dead, and Azura a Daedric Prince who doesn't often openly communicate with most mortals, the Dunmeri [[PhysicalGod Tribunal]] combined this with WrittenByTheWinners in regards to themselves following the Battle of Red Mountain. They took credit for all of the positives that came out of the event, as well as many of Nerevar's accomplishments before, while blaming the Dwemer or Dagoth Ur for the negatives, including the death of Nerevar. As such, the Tribunal Temple's ''official'' story about what happened there is the most widely accepted version, even though it is clearly the version most full of BlatantLies and [[MetaphoricalTruth Metaphorical Truths]] out of those that comprise TheRashomon once you've done a little research. All stories to the contrary are considered heresy, kept alive only by the actions of the [[NobleSavage Ashlander]] Nerevarine Cult and the [[DefectorFromDecadence Dissident Priests]].

* HyperspaceArsenal: The only real limit on what you can carry is your "Encumbrance" limit, determined by your Strength attribute (and Health in ''Skyrim''). You can have an infinite number of items on your person (including numerous large weapons, sets of armor, thousands of arrows, enough food to feed an army, enough books to fill a library, gallons of potions, literally millions of gold coins, etc.) and none of it will show unless you specifically equip them. (Essentially, your inventory is a BagOfHolding minus the "Bag" itself.) As long as the [[CriticalEncumbranceFailure combined weight of the items]] is below your Encumbrance limit, you can move around without issue. (And ''Skyrim'' changes the system so that you can't ''run'' while over-encumbered, but you can still ''walk''. You can carry literally billions of tons of items and move, albeit it at a snail's pace.)

* HyperspaceMallet:
** Prior to ''Oblivion'', equipped items do not appear on character models until they are drawn. This can lead to a seemingly unarmed character pulling a gigantic warhammer from thin air over his shoulder upon being agro'd.
** A serious example are the Bound Weapon/Armor spells available throughout the series. Crossing over with SpontaneousWeaponCreation, the spell essentially uses magic to create a temporary SpectralWeaponCopy out of thin air. (The Bound item usually has no weight and shares its stats with Daedric level equipment, typically the most powerful generic crafting material available in the series.)

* {{Heaven}}: This is one of the roles of [[SpiritWorld aetherius]], as it is divided into various realms that serve as the afterlives for the races. Nords get [[WarriorHeaven sovengarde]], Khajiit get the Sands Behind the Stars, the Redguards get the Far Shore. So far, only sovengarde has been visited by the players and the realms for the other races are currently unknown.

* Heaven: This is one of the roles of [[SpiritWorld aetherius]], as it is divided into various realms that serve as the afterlives for the races. Nords get [[WarriorHeaven sovengarde]], Khajiit get the Sands Behind the Stars, the Redguards get the Far Shore. So far, only sovengarde has been visited by the players and the realms for the other races are currently unknown.