The tundras now are empty

The mountaintops are bare

The alabaster cities' gleam

Is not but shattered glare.

Their temples are deserted

Their humble priests are dead

Their villages and forts of old

Are known by what is said.

Men and Elves fight over land

While horror lurks below

In caverns old and fortresses

Beneath the ice and snow.

In darkest depths of Mundus

The Twisted weep and rage

And curse the names of Dwemer gone

Within their joyless cage.

The dwarven halls have darkened

In dust and rot they've lain

But deep within the poisoned earth

Proof of their crimes remain.

The Snow Elves lived in safety

Their homes and halls were great

But stirred within the hearts of Men

Fear, jealousy, and hate.

The Nords desired Skyrim

The birthplace of all men

But did not deem to let their home

Remain an elven den.

The conflict came to bloodshed

Great cities sacked and burned

The Nords and Elves both suffered much

And each the other spurned.

For years went on the conquest

Companions fell and bled

But, sensing that their doom was near

The elves were filled with dread.

At length the elves were vanquished

Their towers toppled down

And Ysgramor the Merciless

Bestowed on Men their crown.

The Falmer had been shattered

Their power was no more

Survivors fled invaders wrath

And knocked on Dwemer doors.

The Deep Elves, oh so crafty

With faces carved from ice

They welcomed in their brethren

But at a ghastly price.

By Arch-Curate Gelebor, The Fallen Falmer (written 4E 217)

Of all the elven races, the people that has survived the most hardship has unquestionably been the Snow Elves, or Falmer, in Aldmeris. These resilient, snow-resistant mer have one of the most convoluted and dark histories of all the known mortal races, surviving millennia of war, degradation, torture, and darkness. However, theirs is also one of the most inspiring stories known to Tamriel, one of redemption, and mastery of self. In this chapter, you will learn everything you need to know about this reclusive people, in order to not only learn to appreciate another culture, but to also know what to not bring up at the dinner table!

Appearance

Like the Khajiit or Argonians, there are multiple variations of the Falmer, but for very different reasons. There are two known varieties of Snow Elf- the surface-dwelling race of Altmer-like elves that most commonly identify themselves as "the Snow Elves" of "the Mountain-Dwellers", and the cave-dwelling race of people that most commonly identify themselves as "the Joranmer" (Betrayed Elves), "Frükrik" (essentially "Falmer" in their native language, which is derived from Aldmeris), or "the Falmer", on occasion (they are often called "the Betrayed" by the Snow Elves themselves)

The Snow Elves are very similar in appearance to their close relatives, the Altmer. They possess angular features, including long, knife-like ears, pronounced cheekbones, and generally sport a lean, muscular physique. Like the Altmer, they can grow to impressive heights, around 7 and a half feet on average. Their skin and hair, which most clearly sets them apart from other elves, is a pure white, with occasional hints of glacial blue.

The Joranmer are easily distinguished from their counterparts. Thousands of years trapped underground, along with cruel torture and mutilation at the hands of the Dwemer, has deformed their bodies to the point that one can almost not guess at their elven heritage. They are eyeless, with large nostrils and ears to help them make their way around. Their skin is much darker than that of the mountain-dwellers, closer to that of an Imperial or Bosmer, and they are known for having long, wiry arms. One might assume, by their sharp teeth and nails, that they are little more than large, blind goblins, but in actuality they are much more similar in intelligence and articulation to the other Falmer. They are usually around 6 feet tall, but they generally hunch over closer to 5 and a half.

Religion

Although several tribes of Falmer are still known to ascribe to the primitive, ritualistic faith that was developed underground during the long years of imprisonment, most Falmer today, of both sub-races, practice the ancient religion of their forefathers. Their primary deity is Auri-El, the Snow Elf incarnation of Akatosh, but they are also known to revere and pray to Trinimac, Syrabane, Jephre, and Phynaster. The Falmer believe in purifying oneself of worldly taint, and becoming closer to the gods, through a lifetime of worship and self-improvement. They do this by making pilgrimages to certain locations considered holy to them, most notably the ancient Temple of Auri-El and surrounding Forgotten Vale, and building monuments to their gods.

The Falmer also preach the idea of forgetting ones' grievances against yourself, and looking within at your own faults in order to improve. This attitude of forgiveness can be traced all the way back to the Falmer Revival, when the Ysmiran Empire helped to enlighten and make peace with the Joranmer and helped to reestablish the Snow Elves in Skyrim. The Falmer have many old enemies, most notably the Nords, the descendants of the ancient Atmorans that nearly drove them to extinction, and the Dwemer, who enslaved and deformed the majority of Falmer from their previous state. Under guidance from their religious leaders, and influenced by the teachings of Kaarstun faal Kohnariik, the Falmer were taught not to bear a grudge against their old foes for causing them so much suffering. The powers that fought with them and made them suffer so long ago are dead and gone, and harboring resentment towards the dead will only bring grief and more violence. However, this doctrine is still amongst the most volatile of the Falmer religion. Many Snow Elves and Joranmer go on pilgrimages for the express purpose of gaining belief in this doctrine, and struggle with prejudice towards others all their lives. Even the influential Arch-Curate Gelebor, the purported father of the new Falmer civilization, harbored a grudge against the enemies that he and very few other Falmer had escaped from unscathed. The above poem, of which he is the author, is a somewhat biased account of what he called "the unfortunate series of events leading to the ages-long scourge of our race."

Culture

Although they are mainly one on the subject of religion, the two sub-races of Falmer have developed very different cultural practices due to their long separation and isolation.

The Snow Elves have a rigid, authority-driven society. Like the Altmer, they appreciate grandness and great scope, but also possess a certain distance of self in everything they do. The exterior and outer appearance is what they put the most effort into, with beautiful, graceful architecture, intricately detailed clothing and armor, and calm, apparently emotionless demeanors. This practice of isolation is less pronounced in some areas, and more in others. Due to the principals of their religion, they are usually somewhat more open and friendlier to others than the Altmer, but in contrast, they prefer to live in isolated, mostly self-contained mountain settlements, far away from other people. Like other peoples, Snow Elves are hard to know, but good and loyal once they have accepted you.

The Joranmer are significantly less strict. They live in large, familial clans, which conform to the appointed leader from all the clans in the area in order to provide some structure and stability to their way of life. Joranmer are most commonly farmers or nomadic herders, and they now can be found both above and below ground. Like the Snow Elves, they prefer seclusion, but unlike them they are known to be very shy. They know that most other races consider them hideous, and as a result you will rarely see Falmer roaming abroad. They prefer secluded mountain passes and valleys, and are often nocturnal due to their continued dislike of sunlight. Since there is little adherence to rank or status, excepting the locally appointed leader, the Joranmer elders and young alike work together, side by side, to accomplish their goals. Their philosophy is one of simplicity, and hard work. Anyone privileged enough to be accepted by a clan of these Betrayed Elves will see in ample evidence how industrious they are. Their settlements, be they temporary tent-villages or intricate farming compounds, are often large and sprawling, and usually are at least partially underground due to the skill and speed of their inhabitants in the way of excavation. Many of them, as of the writing of this issue, are moving closer and closer towards other civilized places, and they are trading more and more with other places outside their own trade network.

In Conclusion

-Don't mention The Dwemer, Atmorans, or basically anything about their past that happened more than 2,000 years ago. Also don't mention their monstrous appearance (if they are Joranmer), or their religion, if you want them to like you.

-Do compliment them on their herds or fields (whatever they may be composed of) and their buildings and trade. Be polite and respectful, and remember that they probably know the racial slurs people use on you as well.


The above section is quoted from "The Traveler's Guide to Tamriel", by Quentus Maxweil.