The Thalmor in Skyrim: Are They Really the Bad Guys? (Spoiler: Yes, Mostly)
You wander Skyrim. You might aim to shout at a dragon or snag some sweetrolls. Suddenly, BAM! A group of High Elves in yellow robes jumps you. You’ve met the Thalmor. But who are they? Why do people in Skyrim loathe them more than a skooma addict hates being sober?
Let’s dig deeper into the Thalmor. They are the self-declared superiors of Skyrim. They remind us of that HOA president who measures your lawn regularly. Not exactly a warm welcome.
Who Exactly ARE the Thalmor?
The Thalmor are Altmer, or High Elves. They come from the Summerset Isles. Picture them as the stuck-up cousins of all Tamriel races. They lead the Aldmeri Dominion, a military alliance aiming to “make Tamriel great again.” Just in their way.
Why the hatred? They’re an autocratic regime. Not winning any popularity contests here. They aggressively expand territory. They push their cultural agenda like a Nord plowing through snow. They took “Elven Supremacy” too far, making it everyone’s issue.
Why the Hate? Everyone’s on the Bandwagon
Name someone in Skyrim who likes the Thalmor. We’ll wait. Even General Tullius, the military governor and Empire representative, dislikes them. He must interact with Thalmor like Elenwen but hates them. He warned High King Torygg about giving them power. Even Imperials have standards.
The Stormcloaks? Extreme anti-Thalmor. Ulfric Stormcloak hates them, seeing them as enemies of Nords. Imperials and Stormcloaks agree on one thing: “Thalmor? Hard pass.”
And the Dunmer? No love lost there either. While not explicitly allies with the Stormcloaks or Empire, they share the disdain. The Thalmor dislike a wide range.
Thalmor Justice: Less Justice, More Just-Killing
Ever wondered if you’d get a bounty for taking out a Thalmor Justiciar? Good news! If they strike first (which is frequent), you can defend yourself with no repercussion. Killing hostile Justiciars won’t land you in jail. Think of it as public service.
So, are they evil? Definitely not running soup kitchens. They are the dominant power in Tamriel during the Fourth Era, pushing their agenda ruthlessly. They act like the Empire’s passive-aggressive overlords.
Thalmor Shenanigans: What Are They Actually Up To?
Why do the Thalmor keep attacking you? It’s not just about your attire (though they’re critical). The Thalmor have reasons to get violent.
Sometimes, it’s quest-related. Complete certain tasks, and you’re on their radar. Wearing a Talos amulet? That’s a Thalmor target. Speak out, and a High Elf brawl ensues. Think of them as easily triggered Karens with swords.
Did they invade Skyrim? Not in recent times. The Thalmor invaded Cyrodiil quickly, with the Empire being defenseless. Then they moved into Skyrim. The nation, already weak, couldn’t defend against their advance, leading to the unwelcome occupation.
Occupation? More like guests who refuse to leave and rearrange your home. The Thalmor occupy parts of Skyrim, enforcing the White-Gold Concordat, banning Talos worship.
What’s their plan? World domination, but an Elven version. They view humans and beast races as inferior. Their aim is to “purify” Tamriel. They seek a new Merethic Era with Mer ruling everything. It’s like Elven Manifest Destiny, with prejudice and less reason.
Their main issue? Talos worship suppression, which they see as heresy. Justiciars patrol, stopping any hint of Talos devotion. They’ve massacred Beastfolk and even turned on Orcs and Dunmer, showing a wide range of intolerance.
Do they favor the Stormcloaks’ victory? Interesting question. The Thalmor play the long game. They don’t want the Stormcloaks to win but want them to weaken the Imperials. A prolonged war in Skyrim keeps the Empire busy and vulnerable for future plans. It’s a classic strategy to let them fight while they rebuild.
Is Ulfric a Thalmor agent? Juicy details ahead. Thalmor documents suggest Ulfric had some earlier cooperation with them. That connection soured quickly, now leaning towards manipulation. They see Ulfric as an “unwitting asset,” a pawn serving their agenda. Spoiler alert for Ulfric.
Why do Stormcloaks hate them if Ulfric is a pawn? Even pawns can resent their controllers. Stormcloaks genuinely despise the Thalmor for their arrogance and schemes. They view them as enemies of Skyrim and all they value. It’s a hate-filled relationship.
Thalmor Quests: When Elves Get You Involved
Despite universal dislike, Thalmor appear in a few quests. Usually, quests where you annoy them, which is entertaining.
Ever sneak into the Thalmor Embassy? The “Diplomatic Immunity” quest lets you act like a secret agent at a High Elf party. Need to escape? Find a trapdoor in the dungeon—because every embassy needs a secret exit, right? Pro-tip: grab the
What about freeing a Thalmor prisoner? You might encounter a quest regarding a Thalmor captive. If you rescue the Thalmor Prisoner, you escort him to Windhelm. He might not be thankful, but you did your part… sort of.
Rescue Thorald Gray-Mane from Northwatch Keep? This quest lets you stick it to the Thalmor again. Thorald is captured by them, and you can save him. If you’re in the Imperial Legion and friendly with General Tullius, you could get a pardon letter for a peaceful release. Though, knowing Thalmor’s demeanor, “peaceful release” isn’t really their style.
After escaping, Thorald, annoyed at his Thalmor vacation, joins the Stormcloaks for revenge against his captors. Revenge is best served… Nord-style.
On the lookout for a
Thalmor Characters: Meet the Elven Elite (and Not-So-Elite)
Meet some notable Thalmor figures in Skyrim.
Ancano. Ah, Ancano. A Thalmor agent in the College of Winterhold, he poses as an advisor. Surprise! He’s a spy! Ancano is the main antagonist in the College questline, scheming to control the Eye of Magnus. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well for him. Good or bad? About as bad as they come.
as week-old mammoth cheese. A major antagonist.
Ondolemar in Markarth? He is the Thalmor Justiciar in Understone Keep. Think of him as the Thalmor’s enforcer in Markarth. He ensures nobody secretly worships Talos in basements.
Beyond the Thalmor: A Quick Skyrim World Tour
Thalmor deep dive done. But Skyrim is vast. There is more than just pointy-eared supremacists. Let’s discuss other Skyrim-related topics.
Assassins: Shadowy Figures in the Night
Are there assassins in Skyrim? Yes, indeed! The Dark Brotherhood exists. They are active, though not thriving. They handle contract killing. You can join them if you want. Dream of being a master assassin? Choose Khajiit or Argonian for their sneakiness. Khajiit excel at stealth with night vision. Best build involves Khajiit, stealth armor, daggers. Who is the most powerful assassin in fiction? Ezio Auditore tops lists, while Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad is the original. But in Skyrim, *you* can be the mightiest assassin.
Skyrim Races: A Rainbow of Peoples (and Elves)
Human races? Imperials, Nords, Redguards. Classic humans. Bretons are half-elves with added magical flair. Elven races include Dunmer, ashen-skinned folks from Morrowind. Ancient races? Ayleids, Dwemer, Falmer, Aldmer, and Chimer. Strongest race? Debatable. Orcs and Nords are tough; High Elves wield magic; Redguards are great warriors. Dragonborn race? Any race can be Dragonborn. It isn’t a trait; it’s a destiny. Can the Dragonborn be evil? Yes. Your morality is yours… mostly.
Skyrim Factions: Pick a Side, Any Side (Except Thalmor, Obviously)
Imperials or Stormcloaks? This is the critical question of Skyrim’s Civil War. Which is superior? Depends on your views. Imperials represent the established Empire. Stormcloaks seek Skyrim’s independence and some religious freedom. Choose Imperials if you’re not a Nord or favor unity. Choose Stormcloaks if you support Nord pride and dislike Imperial control and the Talos ban influenced by Thalmor. Stormcloak victory could harm the Empire, good or bad depending on your view—and the Thalmor’s plans. A weakened Skyrim might become a Thalmor puppet state. Civil wars are messy.
Skyrim Villains: Beyond the Thalmor
Main villain? Alduin, the World-Eater dragon. Big and scary, wants to end everything—typical villain behavior. Other foes? Miraak from Dragonborn DLC and the Thalmor itself. Ancano plays a major role in the College questline, while Lord Harkon, the vampire lord from Dawnguard DLC, is another charming villain. Calixto Corrium, known as “The Butcher,” appears in “Blood on the Ice” quest.
Skyrim Deities: Gods and Daedra and Divines, Oh My!
Talos? He was human once but became a god. Worship of him is banned by the Thalmor. Akatosh? The dragon god of time and top deity of the Aedra. Hermaeus Mora? Daedric Prince of secrets and knowledge—definitely avoid borrowing books from him.
Skyrim Locations and Items: Hidden Treasures and Secret Stashes
Looking for Khajiit caravan chests? Seek them in Markarth, Dawnstar, and Solitude. No chest in Whiterun for enthusiasts, unfortunately. Secret stashes? Look in Dawnstar mine, Solitude, and under Skyforge in Whiterun for hidden loot. Is there an invisible chest in Dawnstar? Yes, with treasures inside. Rare items abound, from unique weapons to obscure tomes. Go explore!
Skyrim Characters: The People You Meet
Serana? She’s the Nord vampire lady from Dawnguard. You can’t marry her in the base game (without mods). Lydia? Your loyal housecarl, a Nord warrior who proves resilient. General Tullius? He dislikes the Thalmor despite looks. Ulfric Stormcloak? His relationship with Thalmor is complex; he may be an unwitting pawn but is not Dragonborn. Jarl Balgruuf? The Jarl of Whiterun may side with Imperials, ensuring things unfold “normally”—as normal as Skyrim gets.
So there you have it. The Thalmor, assassins, races, factions, villains, deities, locations, and characters—a whirlwind tour of Skyrim’s world. Now venture forth and explore, Dragonborn! Don’t forget to pack an extra healing potion… just in case you meet some Thalmor.
