elenwen-and-ondolemar

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

Is there anything in Skyrim that you actually really like, and might miss when you eventually go home? Any specific food, places, whatever. It’s easy to be negative, but surely there’s something nice!

Elenwen: I hope I haven't given you the impression that I dislike Skyrim and its people. Nothing could be farther from the truth. From the moment I stepped foot on the Solitude docks, I've been invigorated by the fresh air, beautiful scenery, and the unfailing courtesy of the Nords. Your Jarls have made me feel so welcome in their homes, and are regular visitors at my little gatherings.

Something I would miss when I return to Alinor? Alto Wine is famous throughout Tamriel, one of the rarest and most expensive historical vintages. It's rumored that Emperors of Cyrodiil once reserved the entire harvest of Aalto-grown Jazbay Grapes for their own use.

There are plenty of lovely Jasbay vintages here in Skyrim that are commonly called Alto wine, but you probably have never have had the privilege of tasting the Alto wine from the original historic vineyards in Eastmarch. I keep a few bottles for special guests, if you would like to sample. They pair well with a sweet Skyrim dessert.

Ondolemar: The Reach does make good cider.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

Dearest First Emissary and Chief Justiciar of the Third Aldmeri Dominion of Skyrim,

Fine greetings from the Fellowship of Anchorites, I send this belated letter to you and your equals scattered across Tamriel to thank your for the bountiful harvest your efforts have granted me and mine for our research and experimentations. Not since the calamities of the 2nd era had Tamriel seen such untold destruction and death so wildly spread in so short a time, with the proper preservation techniques my order now has enough material to allow our initiates to try and fail to make a thousand thousand flesh golems each. Might I ask what you officially do with the bodies of those your loyal soldiers capture and bring back to your embassies to be tortured? One of my adepts has heard of a delightful technique he overheard being discussed by some of your soldiers in Solitude, "Intermediate Manual unwinding" I believe it was? Is this a magical technique or something more physical involving the intestines? I can only imagine the kind of cathartic energies that is left on the subject's body after such an experience, and am eager to know lest I end up wasting one of our ever so preciously rare live subjects. Let alone one of our more unliving captures. Our newfound wealth and succor would not have been possible without your aggressive war, and so we salute you and your efforts. May the next war be just as in your favor as the last.

signed, Worm Anchorite Rhobar of the Many-Rivers

Elenwen: @vigil-of-stendarr-official These and other deranged missives lately arrived at the Thalmor embassy have left me questioning the commitment of Skyrim's governors to protecting its citizens from daedric and necromantic threats. Perhaps your organization could look into this.

Of course, this letter writer could be an over-imaginative trouble maker. "Intermediate Manual Unwinding" sounds like a fevered fantasy from a cheap novel. Real interrogation is a painstaking labour of asking questions, comparing answers to the evidence, and and arriving at a mutual agreement of fact. It does not end in dead bodies, but in exoneration or confession. In the latter case, the appropriate sentence or rehabilitation is not carried out by the interrogator but by the duly appointed authorities.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

Asking for a friend. Is Commander Ondolemar married?

Elenwen: What has that to do with our mission here in Skyrim or fostering the locals' understanding of the Aldmeri Dominion?

Ondolemar: Is this a proposition? I'm not certain whether to be flattered or insulted that your "friend" assumes themselves worthy. (No.)

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

(in follow up to The Shards of Whitestrake) Oh Lady Elenwen, it seems that Razelan is upsetting the guests again. You should probably stop him before he causes a political incident and another ban on alcohol for the next few parties!

(After Elenwen leaves) Okay yes actually Ondolemar, please do address the historical claims by the shards of, Whitestrake? With this bottle of honningbrew mead too perhaps. I want to hear all about it!

Ondolemar: You brought your own bottle to one of Elenwen's parties? You certainly like to dance close to the fire, as the Nords say. I'm not partial to mead but He examines the bottle. Oh, this was bottled before that Black-Briar takeover. I'll make an exception for this rarity. He signals a servant for a pair of tumblers.

So what was it you wanted to know about? That lunatic group's historical claims? Let me see. It's a curious text but its central fallacy is common to many Nords, that all Elves are the Same. Note:

We know what you are! Time and time and time again you Elves have tried to return Mankind to your tyranny. First it was the Ayleids with their flesh forges and undead liches that to this day leak out from beneath Cyrodiil's hills like Reman himself.

Leak? How uncouth. The author believes in the myth of 'Reman Birthed from the Land' which has been thoroughly debunked by even Imperial scholars. Disgusting . . . but you weren't here to ask about the Cyrodiils' vulgar legends, were you?

Right, the Ayleids as examples of our alleged guilt. The Ayleids were Aldmeri by descent, but they strayed from the worship of our Ancestors to follow after Daedra. They formally rejected the sovereignty of Alinor in the founding year of the first Era. For their betrayal, they lost the gods' protection.

Then it was your Queen Ayrenn! She who sought to return Tamriel to Elven Dominion like that of the damned treacherous foul Elves of the City-States!

In retrospect, we can see that Queen Ayrenn's greatest fault was her forbearance. She entered the continental melee while the Empire was doing its best to deliver Tamriel into Molag Bal's maw. They surpassed his Ayleid worshipers a thousand times over.

Later still when her forced fell and Tiber Septim righteously crushed you with the Dwemer's Brass God, that wasn't enough!

This author is keen to blame Alinor for all the sins and alleged sins of the mer, but then is himself in love with "the walking horror" of the Dwemer. I will take this as a compliment.

You sent Jagar Tharn upon us to destroy the Septim Empire!

What? Did Alinor force Uriel VII to promote this mongrel to the rank of Imperial Battle-mage? Are the Tharns now a famous Altmer family?

After him the Camoran Usurper who attempted rule of arms. Then *again* with the Mankar Camoran's Mythic Dawn. We READ his Commentaries, we know what he was. A Bosmer turned Altmer! And we ALL know that the Bosmer are just the Ayleids in shorter form! He sought to fool us all even as he tried to enslave and kill the world.

None of that is in the Commentaries! Look, I don't recommend reading the Commentaries, that's cultist trash and if I saw you with a copy, I'd take it and burn it. Just for your own good. As a friend. But a Justiciar . . . well a Justiciar has to learn about this stuff, no matter how unpleasant. And I can tell you, none of this is in the Commentaries.

Though the Bosmer do have a great deal of Ayleid ancestry, so there's that. Not much going on for Master Shard, otherwise.

Then you killed Good Chancellor Ocato,

So there's at least one mer he likes.

and you would have gotten away with it were it not for a traitor of your own kind spreading the truth!

Who?

And no, of course we didn't kill Ocato. Honestly it's a surprise the poor mer lasted as long as he did. Ever notice how many of Uriel's family members and subordinates died or went missing in weird circumstances? Unless . . .

Have you ever heard of the theory that Ocato was a member of the Mythic Dawn?

Blessed be the Emperor that halted your plans with the White Gold Tower to wipe all of man out of existence like the Great Maruhk tried with you damned Elves.

It's spelt Marukh, you illiterate halfwit. Sorry, not you, of course, the author of this screed. Doesnt even know to spell his hero's name. And he thinks it was Marukh dancing on the tower, of course he does. Did Fervidius Tharn wheel in his mummy to do a spin?

Wait, our plans to . . . Dance on the tower? Because that worked so well when the humans did it. Stands to reason we'd want to do the same thing.

I'm being sarcastic, you get that right?

Blessed by the Lady Alessia, Blessed be Tiber Septim who became Talos,

No, he didn't.

Blessed be Martin Septim who became Akatosh

Even the Nords don't believe this heresy. Go ask the High Priest down at Castle Dour. He'll tell you. Akatosh appeared in answer to Martin Septim's prayer and took him to his side to live on in blessed Aetherius with all the other Cyrodiiil emperors. That doesn't make Martin Septim the Dragon King of Time. in a confidential tone It sounds unlikely, but it's not exactly heretical, just self-centred of the humans to believe the Lord of all Time needed Martin Septim's plea to banish Mehrunes Dagon from Mundus.

Blessed be Maruhk the Prophet! We know who you are, and you will be stopped!

signed, The Shards of Whitestrake Is this a reference to the laughable Shards of AKA theory? Odd . . . the author doesn't strike me as educated enough to have heard of such esoteric material. Perhaps he was servant to a mage, or worked as a bookbinder for a magical organization.

This screed exemplifies the need for oversight of all education. How can the Emperor and his Council expect to maintain their Empire if they don't ensure that their citizens are accurately taught by carefully trained instructors using vetted textbooks?

Well, they can't expect that. Just in confidence, they're obviously doomed. The Dominion does better by its subjects, and you would all benefit from our expertise.

notices Elenwen approaching I shouldn't take more of your time. Thank you for the drinks.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

A letter found in the Personal Office of the First Emissary

To the Thalmor Leadership , Recently we have hearing about the Thalmor Leadership here in Skyrim answering letters and questions from those in the province, and hearing that my squad and I figured that we might as well send in some questions of our own, which they will write below this line each. _________________________________________________________ Ylta Snow-Hammer: Why do you do the things you do. Talos worship hurt nobody, and all you have done is kidnap and torture innocents who dared to give praise to the god of their choice in the privacy of their own homes. How can you live with yourselves? Johan Skywalker: Most of our Officers are former veterans of the Great War, and I am curious as to whether or not the Thalmor Leadership in Skyrim are also Veterans, or if you are all just a bunch of overpaid, overly-ambitious bureaucrats eager to earn their wings in peace when they couldn't at war? Isrid Shatterforge: This has been bothering me for years now. We fought a war with you, we lost our God to you, but we don't *know* you. Our Officer, Drakon Indarys, is one of those Dark Elves that live for centuries and he fought against you too. He can name dozens of your Generals and Kinlords and Ladies and Knights he faced personally on the field of battle and in guerilla skirmishes. But even he didn't know who actually the Thalmor are. How they operate. Who leads you. He just wants you to burn. But who *are* you? The boys and I actually have started taking bets on this. Johan thinks that the Queen from the 2nd Era is still leading you. Ylta thinks that that daughter of Queen Barenziah and her husband took over and are trying to conquer the world. My personal theory is that the Thalmor is ruled by a Council system like the Dark Elves, but with a Secret Council above the public one where the real individual leaders actually make the decisions behind the scenes (like three of them? Three feels fitting). Khar gro-Largashbur : The last Thalmor squad I ambushed kept complaining about the robes. Are you a magocracy like those Telvanni of the boss's? Why have they not been killed yet? Wuunfrith the Younger: Why do the Thalmor never seem to wield spears? Or use Horses? They're always transporting prisoners to Northwatch on foot, and it's kind of weirding us out. Just Swords, gleaming golden armor, some magic they're too slow to actually use, and traveling on foot. Also is General Tullius as unpleasant in person as he seems by reputation? Oh and- nevermind, the boss-man is waiting for me to finish, he'll do this thing to get this to you I guess? If he sends a Courier don't forget to tip! _____________________________________________________________ Drakon Indarys: Mark and Recall is such a fascinating set of spells, it's a shame that so many in this era have forgotten how they work.

Do answer my squad's questions promptly, impertinent and ignorant though they may be, they get easily excited these young soldiers. With *pleasant* regards, Squad Atronach and Officer Drakon Indarys.

Elenwen: It's been some time since we've last heard from you, Sera Indarys. I hope the Stormcloaks have been treating you well. During our last meeting, I sent my regards to your Jarl. I gave you my assurances that the Thalmor would maintain our neutrality in this dreadful war and we are ready to establish diplomatic ties with any future government of Skyrim. I must treat this parcel of questions in good faith as the start of that process. However, If you are truly interested in establishing dialogue between the Aldmeri Dominion and the people of Stormcloak-controlled Skyrim, the proper procedure would be to invite a representative of the Dominion to Windhelm with guarantees of safe passage and diplomatic immunity. That representative could discuss these matters in full and provide answers immediately to any follow-up inquiries. Surely that would be more efficient than sending us reams of accusatory questions from every Nord soldier you know? However, in the interests of stabilizing this delicate new diplomatic relationship, we will answer these questions. Thank you for supplying us with your squad's names so we can personally address each questioner.

To Ylta Snow-Hammer: Ondolemar: Your assertion that "Talos worship hurt nobody" is false. The Talos cult has encouraged division, hatred, and violence among the people of Tamriel for centuries. That tendency has been restrained and somewhat tempered by the priests of the so-called "Nine Divines" but now that Imperial institutions have returned to their ancestral Belief in the Eight, it is only the dangerous fanatics who still hold to Talos.

But I doubt I could convince you of this. The study of Tamriel's history must be difficult in your circumstances. Windhelm is not famed for its great libraries or its well-educated populace. I'm not even sure you know how to read, or if your Dunmer commander is reading this response to you.

to Johan Skywalker Elenwen: Both I and Commander Ondolemar served during the war. We saw death and destruction on both sides. How sad that you dismiss the value of diplomacy in favour of the horrors of war. to Isrid Shatterforge: Ondolemar: Your commander could have answered most of these. I assure you he knows that Queen Ayrenn died in the Second Era, and is wasting your time by not answering your speculations. He has discussed the Thalmor with me on many occasions, during his regular visits to Markarth and at one of the Ambassador's Haafingar soirées. Elenwen: Perhaps his memory is failing. Sera Indarys, this might refresh your memory on the make-up of the Thalmor Council. Ondolemar: Ylta Snow-Hammer confirms my previous assumption that she is historically illiterate. How else could she come to the conclusion that the Dominion is led by Empire-loving cronies of the last Septims? And yet, she is absolutely confident in the truth of her historical opinions about the Talos cult. I despair of these Nords yet again. Elenwen: Do not despair, Commander. Further education is definitely needed, but we have seen in Cyrodiil and High Rock the good effects of our instruction to the populace. Skyrim will follow.

to Khar gro-Largashbur Elenwen: No, Alinor is not a mageocracy. We are ruled by scholars. Unlike you, we do not believe that the capacity to inflict violence makes a great leader. The Wise are given more honour here than hereditary princes, fighters, or landowners. Many great scholars are mages, but others are brilliant theologians, jurists and natural historians.

to Wuunfrith the Younger

Elenwen: This war and the dragon crisis have certainly created the same shortages for you. Supply chains have been broken, merchants are murdered and their goods lost, pirates rule the Sea of Ghosts, and there are few horses to be had in this country for love or money. We are learning together a bitter appreciation for the days of peace. General Tullius is a soldier, not a diplomat. I do not expect him to make pleasantries. Nor do I work with the General, if that's what you believe. He is a soldier of a foreign country, the same as you are. None of you are the Dominion's enemies unless you choose to be. Some final words to Sera Indarys

Elenwen: Mark and recall are not so forgotten as to be unopposed. For your future reference, we have brought over mirror logicians to oversee security. Ongoing diplomatic correspondence will have to go through the courier system.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

An Accusatory Conspiracy filled Screed left pinned to the gates of the Thalmor Embassy: We know what you are! Time and time and time again you Elves have tried to return Mankind to your tyranny. First it was the Ayleids with their flesh forges and undead liches that to this day leak out from beneath Cyrodiil's hills like Reman himself. Then it was your Queen Ayrenn! She who sought to return Tamriel to Elven Dominion like that of the damned treacherous foul Elves of the City-States! Later still when her forced fell and Tiber Septim righteously crushed you with the Dwemer's Brass God, that wasn't enough! You sent Jagar Tharn upon us to destroy the Septim Empire! After him the Camoran Usurper who attempted rule of arms. Then *again* with the Mankar Camoran's Mythic Dawn. We READ his Commentaries, we know what he was. A Bosmer turned Altmer! And we ALL know that the Bosmer are just the Ayleids in shorter form! He sought to fool us all even as he tried to enslave and kill the world. Then you killed Good Chancellor Ocato, and you would have gotten away with it were it not for a traitor of your own kind spreading the truth! Blessed be the Emperor that halted your plans with the White Gold Tower to wipe all of man out of existence like the Great Maruhk tried with you damned Elves. Blessed by the Lady Alessia, Blessed be Tiber Septim who became Talos, Blessed be Martin Septim who became Akatosh, Blessed be Maruhk the Prophet! We know who you are, and you will be stopped!

signed, The Shards of Whitestrake

Elenwen: If this is a prank, it's really not humorous.

Ondolemar: To address the historical claims -

Elenwen: Please do not. Just find out who sent it and deal with them.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

Hey there, Mister Ondolemar! You may remember me, you asked me to steal a bard's Talos amulet for you a few months ago. I didn't take you up on the offer but I've been thinking how weird that was ever since. I just have to ask you, what use would it be to have a Talos amulet you couldn't prove came from that bard in the first place? Were you planning on calling me in front of the Jarl or some Legion commander to testify where I found it and how I burgled a local citizen's house on your orders?

Ondolemar: You over-estimate Nords, my larcenous friend. They need only a nudge to spill out all their pathetic secrets. Take a Nord's precious family amulet and he's as likely to angrily demand it back as he is to continue his pretence of innocence.

But it doesn't really matter how this target chooses to react. If he admits to worshiping Talos, we put a heretic in prison and end his spread of heresy. If he publicly repudiates the amulet, the other Nords see how little he actually cares for his god and his family's honour. You don't think anyone will be asking for the secret lays of Blessed Talos from the skald who swore Talos was no god, do you? Imprisonment or public derision, either benefits us. All we need is cause to demand his oath.

The offer is still on the table if you're interested.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

A letter to the esteemed First Emissary and Lord Chief Justiciar. Throughout my many long years of traveling across Cyrodiil following the ravages of the Great War, I took it on myself to make a study of correspondences of the Imperial Soldiers and those letters that the priesthood allowed me to peruse from their records. In these letters and records, I would often come across something rather stimulating and odd, that I would appreciate getting your learned opinions on. Specifically the case of Elven men and women of the Empire, giving praise and worship to the God Talos. Though this was not uncommon in the latter days of the Septim Empire, it is still something of note, and I am rather curious as to what the Official opinion of the Thalmor is on these Mer (Bosmers, Dunmers, and Altmers alike) worshipping what became known as the God of Man. And on a more personal level what your personal opinions are on the matter. Simply a case of assimilation into the mainstream culture of the Septim Empire, where the Eight and One became synonymous with the faith in the Aedra?

But if so, how does one explain the exploits of the reknowned healer Gureryne Selvilo, a Dunmer of Chorral providence, who alone saved hundreds of Imperial Partisans during the war who seemed to give praise to Talos above all others? Were it not for his disappearance after the war I would query him myself, but alas no trace can be found of this hero. So again I ask for your commentary on this phenomena of the Septim Empire, and of those few Elves who may still follow Talos to this day. With Regards, Primate Rurik Dralgoner of the Temple of the One

Elenwen: I do not find it very surprising that some Cyrodiil-bred elves have acknowledged Talos as one of the Nine. The people of Cyrodiil trusted in their priests and Emperor, as is natural. Thankfully, your cult no longer promotes the false worship of Talos. All your faithful are better guided as a result.

Ondolemar: It doesn't surprise me either that your devotee to Talos was a Dunmer. The Dunmer have been afflicted by a terrible spiritual disorientation, ever since their false gods were cast down and exposed as frauds. Many in Morrowind have returned to the Daedra, others to a more basic form of ancestor worship. Still others honour the Aedra, following either the ancient Aldmeri forms or the rituals of the Imperial cult. Very few of these new converts focused upon Talos as a patron. As Ambassador Elenwen says, Cyrodiil-assimilated mer came to accept Talos as a part of the Imperial faith, but his presence in the pantheon rarely inspired them. But, in a time of spiritual disorientation, searchers will find all sorts of strange rituals and beliefs. Since the priest in question is lost, very likely a casualty of the last war, we may never know what drove him to prize Talos so highly. It is a pity that a mer who had officially pledged himself to Stendarr could not find the fullness of mercy and healing in his own patron.

I would also wish that our own people followed the forms and creeds prescribed by our ancestors, but we recognize that mer who have left behind Alinor may be long-distanced from that tradition. It is not our duty to police any worship save for the illegal veneration of Talos.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

This one would like to make a formal complaint against his superior officer. Khajiit is alfiq, and so it is difficult to travel outside of Elsweyr, yet he did so anyways so as to put his excellent magical skills to good use. Khajiit expected men who are unfamiliar with different furstocks to make remarks about his shape, but not mer that have worked with and aided Elsweyr for so long! Superior officer tried to pet khajiit like a common house cat when he should know better!

Elenwen: Master wizard, I am sorry to hear that. You know how greatly we value our alliance with the Khajiit people. Your work is crucial to the Cause. I will have a word with the officer in question.

Ondolemar: To be clear, I meant no disrespect. Perhaps I was a little tipsy that evening, we were all drinking to the Ambassador's escape from that damned dragon, remember? But it was meant as a gesture of congratulation. If you hadn't spent all those months playing housecat in the Legion's courier office, Tullius would have wrapped up his business in Skyrim quickly. I accept that I was mistaken in trying to pet you, but you look a lot like a cat I owned when I was a boy and -

Elenwen : hastily It will not happen again. It's a pity Tullius caught wind of you. How would you feel about a mission to Windhelm? We could do with a pair of eyes in the Palace of the Kings.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

I will be upfront, I've come upon this deeply disturbing text while going through the belongings of a Justiciar drunk in an alley in Markarth, for safe keeping of course, and felt the need to question you both on this.

What appears to be an Altmeri commentary on Talos:

"To kill Man is to reach Heaven, from where we came before the Doom Drum's iniquity. When we accomplish this, we can escape the mockery and long shame of the Material Prison.

"To achieve this goal, we must:

"1) Erase the Upstart Talos from the mythic. His presence fortifies the Wheel of the Convention, and binds our souls to this plane.

"2) Remove Man not just from the world, but from the Pattern of Possibility, so that the very idea of them can be forgotten and thereby never again repeated.

"3) With Talos and the Sons of Talos removed, the Dragon will become ours to unbind. The world of mortals will be over. The Dragon will uncoil his hold on the stagnancy of linear time and move as Free Serpent again, moving through the Aether without measure or burden, spilling time along the innumerable roads we once travelled. And with that we will regain the mantle of the imperishable spirit." This is a frankly terrifying text to find on anyone, so I would suggest you illuminate the Dominions stance on this. I would also suggest you teach your Justiciars to drink less and protect their pockets better. As a general rule of course.

Elenwen: . . . That is a good general rule. I applaud your concern for the Justiciar's security. You did the right thing in asking for our response instead of indulging in baseless speculation. And this document is indeed baseless. The Altmer have never recognized Talos as a god. Commander Ondolemar, this falls within your jurisdiction. Can you provide our visitor the pertinent details of the Justiciar's work in Markarth?

Ondolemar: (He is visibly fuming.) I am aware of this particular incident, yes. I wish you had been half as solicitous about the deceased Justiciar's health. What sort of barbarian leaves a dead-drunk man outside in a Skyrim winter? If you had assisted the poor mer to an inn or temple, his parents would still have a son.

Elenwen: I am sure our guest feels awful enough about his lapse of foresight. Let's move on to the document in question.

Ondolemar: It's a Justiciar's duty to confiscate pernicious libels about the Thalmor. This one has been circulating since the late Third Era, a ridiculous forgery which attributes a range of bizarre and heretical opinions to our scholars. This document cannot have been written by an Altmer, even an apostate or renegade. Such a renegade would know how to make their heresy sound more authentic.

The greatest heresy displayed in the text is the belief that there is any need to "escape the mockery and long shame of the Material Prison." This might have been a pressing concern in the Dawn Era. But the foundation of Altmer religion is simple. Even that popular Imperial book, Varieties of Faith, gets it right.

"[Auri-El] then ascended to heaven in full observance of his followers so that they might learn the steps needed to escape the mortal plane."

Our Ancestors were trapped in Mundus, but they have ascended to Aetherius, and invite their descendants to follow. We know that our ancestors are in Aetherius since we consult with them in times of need.

This Commentary attempts to solve a problem that does not exist within Altmer religion, while claiming that Auri-El had no idea what he was doing, lied to his descendants about the way to ascension, and needs to be rescued from his own ignorance. You can see how blasphemous this reads to any Altmer. If a true Altmer scholar came to this conclusion, he or she would certainly include arguments for overcoming the resistance of Altmer believers, rather than state it as an accepted truth that underlies the rest of the argument.

Now that we have established how foreign this Commentary is to true Atmer religion, let me point out that it contradicts itself. "With Talos and the Sons of Talos removed, the Dragon will become ours to unbind. The world of mortals will be over."

Wasn't it "the Doom Drum's iniquity" that supposedly doomed us to his material prison? Suddenly, Talos instead is very important, for no reason at all. Removing Talos will apparently change the nature of the world, even though Talos only appeared in the world about seven hundred years ago. What happened to Lorkhan in this Commentary? He has apparently trapped us in mortality but doesn't matter anymore? And who knew that linear time only started when Tiber Septim was born in Atmora or Alcaire or wherever it was? Elenwen: The so-called Altmeri Commentary only makes sense as the product of a member of a Talos cult who wanted their object of worship to be the most important and powerful of the gods. Someone who had a vested interest in duping the credulous into supporting their failing cult. Someone who wanted the humans of Tamriel to see elves as their mortal enemies. In short, there is every reason to believe the Commentary was written and distributed by the premier cult of Talos, the Blades.

Fortunately, the Emperor, the Elder Council and the Hierarchy of the Imperial Cult now recognize the perverse origins of such conspiracy theories. The Empire and the Dominion join together in condemning these calumnies. If you would leave us the copy of the Commentary you retrieved for safekeeping, we can commit it to the fire, as the late Justiciar would have done.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

A Messenger Arrives at the Gathering With the Following Documents for Elenwen

To: First Emissary Elenwen Security: Eyes only From: Dominion Advisor Ancano Date: 25 Rain's Hand 4e203 Re: Saarthal Magickal Relic at Winterhold Please see previous memorandum of 15 Rain's Hand 4e203 and all prior memorandums with the heading "Saarthal" On 22 Rain's Hand the senior magisters of the College of Winterhold relocated the large (10-12 ft diameter) magickal artifact discovered during the excavation at Saarthal to a display area in the Hall of Elements. The amount of magicka emanating from this artifact (colloquially termed "The Eye of Magnus")has proved impossible to quantify due to its sheer intensity. While I do not have access as yet to documentation in regards to Saarthal, the Eye itself remains in public view. I am continuing to document observations. Requesting immediate escalation to Lillandril and the Sapiarchs. Please advise further. Ancano By: Justiciar Mage-Aspirant Cyrelian To: First Emissary Elenwen Security: Administrative From: Justiciar Mage-Aspirant Cyrelian Date: 25 Rain's Hand 4e203 Re: Transfer Requesting immediate transfer of duty assignment to Whiterun Hold and reporting officer to Commander Ondolemar (detached duty). Rationale: I have completed all required coursework in Restoration from Master Collette Marance and have been offered a fellowship and further study under Danica Purespring, Temple of Kynareth, Whiterun Hold. This is an unprecedented opportunity as it would enable me to skip directly to my Adept level of certification in Restoration Magick. Dear Elen, Why on Nirn have we not sent anyone one else up here?! The preliminary reports on this EYE of MAGNUS are appalling and absolutely warrant further investigation by the First Council. Please. Anyone. It is spewing Magicka at a ridiculous rate-- and, even worse-- no one here really knows where it came from. For all we know it IS the damned Eye of Magus. Please tell me why we haven't sent a full team. Also-- You warned me, and you were right. I'll say it again: you were right. Just get me away from this lunatic, and I'll be good as gold for the Commander, I promise. The opportunity with Danica IS quite good, and it is likely I'll have a little time to deal with whatever administrative issues crop up in the southern Holds. Just-- would you mind telling me? If you can get my transfer to go through, what would you like for me to do about the open and notorious Talos worship going on in Whiterun's Wind District? Or would your preference be for me to keep my Thalmor affiliation under the rose? Do you think that the First Council even understands that operational needs take primacy in this regard? I'd surely hate to get you in trouble with the Special Clerical Court again, so please let me know what you'd like me to do. Yours in Service; Glory to the Dominion &etc Your Loving Brother, Cyrelian PS: Tell Cireen she loses her bet. It's been another whole year and nobody's drummed me out yet.  

Elenwen:  What in the - Thank you for delivering these documents, but this is neither the time nor the place.

Still, I will have to secure these documents immediately. Commander, take over in my absence.

Ondolemar:  The First Emissary is attending to some urgent family - that is, official business. Malborn, do I need to beg you to bring a glass of Alto wine this way?

My, but this is one of those rare moments when I can appreciate the upside of having no living family.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

Vaigna:  Ambassador Elenwen, I heard a man "with connections" claim that the Thalmor currently is the most dangerous group on Nirn. I believe his name was Mickel Kirkbridge. A scholar of sorts, a very creative fellow you might say. Perhaps a little bit too creative? What's your opinion, Ambassador. Do the Thalmor somehow pose a danger? To what? And how?

Elenwen: I am not familiar with the name. A Breton perhaps?

Ondolemar: Not a scholar I've heard of either. I suppose it depends what he means by dangerous. To those who traffick with Daedra or spread the worship of a false god, yes, the Justiciars are dangerous.

Elenwen: It may also be this Breton has been reading some of the wilder literature that exists out there about the Thalmor. He didn't happen to accuse us of causing Red Mountain's explosion? Because we are certainly familiar with that ridiculous allegation.

Ondolemar: In some circles, the Thalmor are blamed for every disaster to befall any country of Tamriel. Last year it was the flu in Cyrodiil, as if the same flu hadn't hit Valenwood equally as hard. This sort of conspiratorial thinking ignores the fact that we are bound to Tamriel and its welfare quite as much as the races of men. At least for the present moment.

Elenwen: Commander!

Ondolemar: I'm talking about Ascending after Auri-El's example, not - by the Eight, what did you think -

Elenwen: There are enough ridiculous rumours about the Thalmor without you accidentally beginning more.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

Sokuryu: Thank you for the information. I will get back to my business and let the Thalmor know if I hear anything suspicious that may need to be addressed. If you will excuse me.

Elenwen: If only everyone in Skyrim was so amenable to reason as you are.

Ondolemar: If you do see signs of Talos worship, please submit a report to my headquarters at Understone Keep.  For anything that threatens the security of the Dominion more generally, Third Emissary Rulindil here at the Embassy would be glad to take your report.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

Sokuryu:  Necromancy is not illegal in the Empire, though body and spirit are protected as property, and may not be used without the permission of the owner, and public display of the living dead is widely prohibited. Morrowind is the only province of Tamriel in which necromancy has been banned and is illegal. Necromancy is not illegal in Tamriel, but is prohibited to be shown in public and is looked down on. Necromancers can even buy the body of a individual when passed away legally. If a necromancer would follow the right procedures and legal routes, would they still be prosecuted? What is your opinion on the conjuration school of magic?

Elenwen: Let me be clear that within the Empire, one should follow Imperial laws. However, in the lands of the Dominion, Necromancy is much more completely prohibited than in The Empire. There are some legitimate uses for this school of magic, but they are so far beyond the scope of the ordinary mage, that Necromancy can be regarded as practically outlawed under the Dominion.

Conjuration, on the other hand, is regularly employed by our mages, within certain bounds.

If your interest is as a scholar, rather than a necromancer wishing to practice in our lands, Commander Ondolemar can enlighten you on the exceptions I've mentioned.

Ondolemar: Necromancy illegal in Morrowind, Pfah. The Dunmer raise their own ancestors to ever-lasting servitude, and have the face to deny it's necromancy. Their Great House Telvanni doesn't even pretend to shun necromancy, if its mages think it might be useful.

Hypocrisy is the usual state of Tamriel's governments on this subject. Necromancy is spurned by the elite, and takes place in dark little corners, with no oversight, performed by the worst of mages.

In Alinor, it is quite the opposite. Only those mages who have proven their worth, not just in magic but in character, will ever be granted the permission to conduct experiments in necromancy, and their experiments will be limited, conducted openly under the oversight of the Divine Prosecution.

Legitimate uses for necromancy are very rare, but in the past, mages have made some great breakthroughs employing necromancy as a tool. Outsiders point to our mages' experiments in prolonging life - such experiments have certainly taken place, but most of them do not involve necromancy. A far more important use of necromancy is the pursuit of knowledge. Age old wisdom of our ancestors may be recovered by a humble and prudent use of necromancy. A necromancer who can speak to the dead in wartime may save lives.

During the last War, I had the unique experience of witnessing such a scene, in which one of our mages raised a dead scout to discover the opposing Legion's whereabouts. It was not a pleasant thing to witness, and there were many risks to both the mage and the target's soul, but we were alive at the end of the day, thanks to that mage.

Conjuration is much easier ground to cover. Our ancestors in their wisdom laid down rules to keep us safe in using the creatures of Oblivion without giving them their own will. Too much familiarity with the summoned Daedra is a temptation that even Justiciars must watch against, but unlike Necromancy, summoning does not mess with the souls of our own brethren.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

 I extend my gratitude to your distinguished personages. If I may trouble you both with a final question?

What is the Dominion's stance on Y'ffre? Is he revered as the principal god of vegetation or is that a different member of the Eight? Here in Valenwood, even under Dominion stewardship, the commoners still utter prayers to Y'ffre and call out for the return of their Green Father. Why, they even claim descent from the storyteller!

I am of course aware that Y'ffre is one of the Aedra but how should he properly be venerated as primacy must always be given to Auri-El.

Blessings of the Eight,

Valyravain of Malabal Tor

 Ondolemar: Y'ffre is more commonly called Jephre in Alinor, but this is merely a difference in local names. As do the Bosmer, the Altmer revere him as the god of nature and indeed, vegetation. He is our Ancestor as he is yours. Many of our prayers, songs, and stories are shared. So, there is no contradiction on that point.

However, I have served in Valenwood as a Justiciar, and observed in person certain perversions of Y'ffre's worship. Certain superstitions and traditions have sprung up around Y'ffre that do not give honour to our ancestors. Y'ffre being venerated in the place that more properly belongs to Auri-El is one such unseemly tradition.

But we cannot expect immediate exactness in ordinary's mer's belief, when it has been clouded by centuries of confusion. Superstitions exist in Alinor as well; the Bosmer would hardly take well to the common folk belief in Alinor that Jephre made the Altmer more beautiful than any other mer to match the superior beauty of our islands!

Therefore, I tread lightly when I examine devotional practices for heresy. If the spirit is correct, and the mer wishes to show respect to the Eight, some defects in their understanding can be overlooked. In the context of Valenwood, the believer who steadfastly avoids consuming all plant matter shows a proper spirit of submission to the charge of stewardship given to us by Y'ffre . I do not believe that Y'ffre demands this of any mer, but they do no harm. If, on the other hand, the believer insists Y'frre demands that they eat their dead kin, then the Justiciars must intervene.

I am aware that other scholars and officials have come to different conclusions on this delicate matter. Please refer to your local Justiciars if there is a serious problem in regards to Y'ffre's worship.

Thank you for these questions. The opportunity to seriously discuss theological matters rarely arises in Skyrim, where the usual quality of discourse is "My Pa told me Talos was a god, so there."

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

As a Bosmer, I have grown up on tales of the Wild Elves, the Ayleids, and have heard the Empire's accounts of their enslavement of men and the revolution of St. Alessia. I ask you both, First Emissary Elenwen and Commander Ondolemar, what is the Aldmeri Dominion's official stance on the Ayleids? Are they considered to be akin to the Aldmer or are they reviled like the Chimeri dissidents? I know from my own studies that their works are still unrivalled, one need only look at White-Gold Tower to ascertain the truth of this statement. I am also aware that the Altmer have taken steps to replicate the famous welkynd and varla stones, successfully producing the culanda and malondo stones that I have seen across the Isles.

I ask this as I was perplexed to find in some scholarship on ruins of the Ancients in Alinor that they were described as Ayleidoon in aesthetic. Granted, this text did date from the Interregnum so its reliability may be in question.

Thank you for your time,

Valyravain of Malabal Tor (Phantasmak)

Elenwen: Unlike the later Chimer, who departed Alinor in disgrace, the Ayleid were descendants of Aldmer explorers who upheld the rule of Alinor in the lands they came to. The early Ayleid kingdoms were vassals to the King of Alinor and there was a rich exchange between the Isles and the Mainland from the time of Topal the Pilot onward.

Many of the later Ayleid kingdoms descended into barbaric daedra worship, much like the Chimer, but the foundations of their society were strong, and many of the positive aspects of Cyrodiil's Empires can be attributed to their Ayleid roots, even if the Imperials are of no mind to admit it.

The raising of White-Gold Tower, like Crystal-Like-Law, was a great achievement of the ancient Aldmer, who were in those times closely united in purpose and communication.

Take pride in your people's Ayleid ancestry. Through honouring those ancestors, you bring glory to the Dominion.

Ondolemar: Any description of Alinor's ruins as Ayleid show only the gross ignorance of the authors. There are similarities between the ancient ruins of Alinor and Cyrodiil but they are exactly where you would expect to find them: in the great religious complexes built about our ancestors' tombs. The actual lay-out of Ayleid cities, for example, takes a very different form from nearly the beginning than cities did in Alinor: an obvious consequence of the difference in landscape and local threats to security.

As you say, any scholarship dating from the Interregnum is questionable. Colovian scholarship is of course horrendous, but even scholarship in Alinor entered a period of decay before the renewal of the First Aldmeri Dominion blossomed at last.

[elenwen-and-ondolemar]

Drakon Indarys  bows head I shall be sure to [pass on your regards], sera, though I highly doubt that the High King will be receptive to your respects. And I do thank you for your answers today. I have learned much more then I had been expecting to at this little soiree.

Ondolemar I expect to see you next week for another debate regarding the False Tribunal over Cyrodilic Brandy. Elenwen. . .The Stormcloaks will be seeing you soon.

prepares his recall and gives a Nasty grin  May Talos guide you. recalls out back to Windhelm.

 Ondolemar: Dunmer Stormcloak mages, will wonders never cease?

Elenwen: . . . .