Aldmeri Dominion

Lore & Background

The philosophy driving the Dominion is deeply rooted in the rejection of the Eight Divines. The Thalmor view the creation of humanity as a mistake that corrupted the world, leading them to pursue policies aimed at suppressing human worship and dismantling the Imperial cult. This ideological stance has led to widespread persecution of mages and humans alike within their territories. Despite internal tensions between the more traditional Altmer leadership in Summerset and the radicalized Thalmor Justiciars, the Dominion remains a terrifyingly efficient machine capable of projecting power across the entire continent.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell cold against the stone walls of the occupied Imperial city, washing away the blood but not the memory. A Thalmor Justiciar stood atop the balcony, his green robes fluttering in the wind that smelled of ash and fear. Below, the once-proud banners of Cyrodiil were torn down, replaced by the golden sun of Summerset. He watched a group of human captives being marched through the gates, their heads bowed not just in defeat, but in confusion. They did not understand why the Elves had come; they thought it was for gold or land. The Justiciar knew better. This was not conquest for resources, but a necessary correction of history. The world was broken by men, and only the Dominion could mend it.

Reader's Guide

The Aldmeri Dominion represents one of the most complex political entities in Tamrielic history, embodying the clash between ancient tradition and radical ideology. From the perspective of the Altmer, the Dominion is a necessary bulwark against the chaos introduced by humanity and the Daedra. They view themselves as the rightful stewards of magic and order, tasked with restoring the world to its pre-Lorkhan state. However, human cultures like the Imperials and Nords see the Dominion as an existential threat. The Thalmor's attempts to ban the worship of the Eight Divines are viewed not as religious reform, but as cultural genocide. This creates a deep schism in Tamrielic society, where loyalty is often dictated by racial identity rather than geography. Philosophically, the Dominion challenges the player and the world to consider the nature of divinity and creation. If Lorkhan's sacrifice created a flawed world, does correcting that flaw justify tyranny? The Dominion forces every race in Tamriel to confront these questions, shaping the political landscape for millennia.

Did You Know?

• The Thalmor are so opposed to magic users of non-Elven origin that they actively hunt down and execute any human or Nord who practices magic within their territories.
• Despite being an alliance of three races, the Dominion is heavily dominated by Altmer culture, often leading to friction with Bosmer and Khajiit members who feel marginalized.
• The Great War ended in a devastating defeat for the Empire, resulting in the Treaty of St. Hylar which forced Cyrodiil to cede territory and ban the worship of Talos.
• Queen Ayrenn originally founded the Dominion as a peaceful union, but it was later radicalized by the Thalmor faction after her death.