Elder Scrolls: How The Ayleid Culture Fell Into Obscurity

gamerant.com:

The Ayleids are a mysterious elven race that players can learn of in some older Elder Scrolls titles. There are mentions of them in the texts of Morrowind, meanwhile Arena and Oblivion players can explore ancient Ayleid ruins that have stood the test of time.

Despite their presence in these Elder Scrolls games, it’s clear that this elven race is no longer as prominent as it used to be. In fact, they seem to have died out by the Third and Fourth eras. This is the consequence of the Ayleids’ systematic maltreatment of humans.

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The Ayleids in the Elder Scrolls franchise were also known as the Heartland High Elves, and later the Wild Elves. The race originated from groups of elves who left the Summerset Isles and settled in what would become Cyrodiil. There, the Ayleids engaged in Daedra worship, a practice that is strictly forbidden in the Summerset Isles. Without the Altmer’s strict laws, the Ayleids were able to practice their faith freely.

Late in the Merethic Era, the Daedric Princes of The Elder Scrolls were celebrated among the Ayleids. They drew no distinction between the good and evil Daedra, as each Prince was worshipped to some degree. This includes the likes of Mehrunes Dagon, Molag Bal, and Namira. Some Daedric Princes were even openly revered by Ayleid royalty.

Despite a growing support for Daedra worship, the elves were by no means united. Different regions worshipped different Daedric Princes in Elder Scrolls lore, and things only got worse when the Aedra-worshipping Ayleids butted heads with the Daedra-worshipping majority. This led to a civil conflict known as the Narfinsel Schism, which lasted from late in the Merethic Era to the beginning of the First Era. By