Lore General Discussion!

[Maxrebo]

I would imagine that due to the magic in their blood that Bretons have a long lifespan for Humans.A Breton can probably live to at least 100 even without using life prolonging magic.

This is my view on the lifespans of Tamriel's Races

Human Races

Bretons 100 to 110 Years
Imperials 90 to 100 Years because of maybe some Ayleid and Tsaesci interbreeding
Redguards 80 to 90 years though some ancient Redguard's could push that quite a bit,but no modern examples,most probably die younger through.
Nords 80 to 90 years they probably have the shortest life span probably comparable IRL Humans in the recent past.

Elves

Altmer Hundreds of years some pass a thousand
Dunmer Similar to High Elves though really powerful Wizards can push it to thousands
Bosmer Hundreds of Years I think they might have shorter lifespan the other elves
Orismer 70 to 80 years Shortest Lifespan of Elves and Man

Beast Races

Khajiit 80 Years it depends some Khajiit might live a long time but I have feeling they don't live as long due to their feline forms and probable corresponding higher metabolism
Argonians ? They're that strange

[Br3admax]

Everybody has magic in their blood. Magic is more like matter in Tamriel than any metaphorical thing in ours(as Tamriel is a metaphor). It's more likely that almost all the Men live about the same, and the Mer also live about the same without becoming wizards and the like, who live longer. Altmer have more mages on average(along with some other obscure lore) that help them live longer, of course.

[legoless]

Bretons 100 to 110 Years
Imperials 90 to 100 Years because of maybe some Ayleid and Tsaesci interbreeding
Redguards 80 to 90 years though some ancient Redguard's could push that quite a bit,but no modern examples,most probably die younger through.
Nords 80 to 90 years they probably have the shortest life span probably comparable IRL Humans in the recent past.

I think those numbers are pretty inaccurate for the general populace. There's nothing to suggest the average human regularly lives to 90 in Tamriel, nor any reason to believe there's much of a lifespan difference between Imperials, Nords, and Redguard.

[MidbossVyers]

When Mannimarco said that he developed a particular fondness for Galerion, ill preserved though he may be, was he referred to the fact that it's been a while since Galerion was alive, so Mannimarco's memory of Galerion has faded somewhat, or does Mannimarco have Galerion's body preserved somewhere, but because it was still in Mannimarco's early days of corpse preservation, the body is not preserved as well as it should be?

[BetaB17]

In his never-ending lust for power, the undead Mannimarco began a tradition of killing, soul trapping and collecting the bodies of powerful wizards, most often arch-mages of the Guild, which he would then resurrect as Worm Thralls and study. Galerion was one such Thrall, whom Mannimarco developed a particular fondness for. He was still in a state of undeath in 3E 433 when Mannimarco once again returned to the affairs of mortals

[MidbossVyers]

But no undead Galerion battle? Seems like a missed opportunity. Still ill-preserved. Sloppy, huh?

[BetaB17]

I do believe he appears in oblivion as a zombie, hints 'ill preserved'.. But considering how long he has been dead, and likely being the start of an early hobby.. It's still remarkable especially when by some margin that zombie is a threat

[MidbossVyers]

Link to the UESP page?

[MetaCthulhu]

Still ill-preserved. Sloppy, huh?

If you start with the assumption that he had a body to work with, yes, sloppy. If you take it from the assumption that he probably obliterated the man, the fact that he's only "ill preserved" might be a testament to Mannimarco's skill.

[BetaB17]

Ah, nevermind, I was mistaken. I thought his zombie appeared in one if the Oblivion questlines/dungeon traps

[Crawldragon]

Bretons 100 to 110 Years
Imperials 90 to 100 Years because of maybe some Ayleid and Tsaesci interbreeding
Redguards 80 to 90 years though some ancient Redguard's could push that quite a bit,but no modern examples,most probably die younger through.
Nords 80 to 90 years they probably have the shortest life span probably comparable IRL Humans in the recent past.

I think those numbers are pretty inaccurate for the general populace. There's nothing to suggest the average human regularly lives to 90 in Tamriel, nor any reason to believe there's much of a lifespan difference between Imperials, Nords, and Redguard.

Uriel Septim says outright in the introduction to Oblivion that he is 87 years old and has reigned for 65 years, and it's worth noting that his age shows. It seems pretty clear that the only reason he survived to that age is that he's royalty and has priests and wizards on-hand to keep him alive. Plus it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to presume that his natural lifespan is prolonged because he's a Dragonborn, although you could argue that by now the bloodline has become so diluted with human DNA that it wouldn't matter anymore.

I always just naturally assumed that natural human lifespans in the Elder Scrolls games would match modern humans, since that's par for the course in modern fantasy. The average human in a more realistic game would probably live closer to 60 assuming they survived childhood, and this is actually a pretty reasonable estimate for Tamriel given how dangerous it often is. Still, we frequently see characters in the games who have lived to a pretty ripe age, usually scholars or those of noble stock, but there's nothing in the games suggesting that it's typical for humans to live up to a century; this would be a more reasonable estimate for elves.

Orcs and Argonians are a bit harder to nail down. Orcs because we know from Skyrim that they tend to abandon their elders if they don't just voluntarily agree to die in combat, and Argonians because they're so reclusive and so little is known about their physiology. Both races are hardy, but there's just no knowing what a typical age would be for them. I seem to recall that there's some lore suggesting that Khajiit tend to die younger, but this is also likely because they live in dangerous country and tend to enjoy dangerous jobs.

[Maxrebo]

Bretons 100 to 110 Years
Imperials 90 to 100 Years because of maybe some Ayleid and Tsaesci interbreeding
Redguards 80 to 90 years though some ancient Redguard's could push that quite a bit,but no modern examples,most probably die younger through.
Nords 80 to 90 years they probably have the shortest life span probably comparable IRL Humans in the recent past.

I think those numbers are pretty inaccurate for the general populace. There's nothing to suggest the average human regularly lives to 90 in Tamriel, nor any reason to believe there's much of a lifespan difference between Imperials, Nords, and Redguard.

Uriel Septim says outright in the introduction to Oblivion that he is 87 years old and has reigned for 65 years, and it's worth noting that his age shows. It seems pretty clear that the only reason he survived to that age is that he's royalty and has priests and wizards on-hand to keep him alive. Plus it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to presume that his natural lifespan is prolonged because he's a Dragonborn, although you could argue that by now the bloodline has become so diluted with human DNA that it wouldn't matter anymore.

I always just naturally assumed that natural human lifespans in the Elder Scrolls games would match modern humans, since that's par for the course in modern fantasy. The average human in a more realistic game would probably live closer to 60 assuming they survived childhood, and this is actually a pretty reasonable estimate for Tamriel given how dangerous it often is. Still, we frequently see characters in the games who have lived to a pretty ripe age, usually scholars or those of noble stock, but there's nothing in the games suggesting that it's typical for humans to live up to a century; this would be a more reasonable estimate for elves.

Orcs and Argonians are a bit harder to nail down. Orcs because we know from Skyrim that they tend to abandon their elders if they don't just voluntarily agree to die in combat, and Argonians because they're so reclusive and so little is known about their physiology. Both races are hardy, but there's just no knowing what a typical age would be for them. I seem to recall that there's some lore suggesting that Khajiit tend to die younger, but this is also likely because they live in dangerous country and tend to enjoy dangerous jobs.

Good point,I now the Elves especially the Altmer and Dunmer live centuries some able to push to millennia.There are Elves who have seen multiple Eras some even multiple Imperial Dynasties.

For Elves Bosmer seem to be the mystery,do they live as long as their cousins or shorter either due to physiological reasons or just the danger of their environment.I imagine that Altmer are the mostly like to have the highest average lifespan,with Dunmer in second place due to some not living as long probably due to meeting violent ends due to their culture and environment.

Bosmer are a bit of a mystery you've got to figure in physiology,environment and diet,So my guess most live a little bit shorter than Altmer and Dunmer but still longer than everyone else with some special exceptions depending on circumstance like Spinners,The Silvenar,or the Green Lady.

Orcs live the shortest lives of them maybe even shorter than most humans since its mentioned and heavyily implied that Orcs live short and brutal lives.It is not seen as positive thing for a Orc to live to ripe old age even more so if they start to slack behind in certain areas of Orcish Pride,and that dieing violently in battle is preferable to die of old age in bed being a burden to your clan.

Falmer seem to also live a long time because Gelebor is more than 2 centuries old by the events of Skyrim which is impressive for race reduced by such a drastic amount since the 1st Era over 3000 years before.

Khajiit probably live pretty short lives on average at least certain breeds due to a high feline metabolism which leads to faster aging,hostile environment,and a prevalence of high risk behaviors.

Argonians as you and I have said are mystery,Though imagine they might live pretty long lives because we do see mention of Elderly Argonians but its hard to see age in them due to their Reptilian Nature compared to Khajiit,Mer and Men.

After some thinking I imagine that most of the races of men live about the same to modern humans in the real word especially those in the industrialized west.Not the just the nobility,scholars or wizards since they're does seem to be a decent amount of elderly commoners throughout the games.I am not sure if the Elven Blood effects the Lifespan of Bretons but I imagine that it must have some effect so they live or at least age just a little bit slower than other humans.

The exceptions for lifespan for all the races seem to be Wizards(Including Necromancers and Alchemists),Vampires,Dragonborn,and Sword Singers and maybe Divine Avatars since Frandar Hunding is said to have pushed the average Human Lifespan.

[legoless]

Plus it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to presume that his natural lifespan is prolonged because he's a Dragonborn, although you could argue that by now the bloodline has become so diluted with human DNA that it wouldn't matter anymore.

Dovah Sos is a blessing, not a genetic thing. Father Akatosh blessed the Septim line with his blood, and Uriel VII was most definitely gifted with the Sight. He was just as worthy of the Stormcrown as any of his ancestors.

Falmer seem to also live a long time because Gelebor is more than 2 centuries old by the events of Skyrim which is impressive for race reduced by such a drastic amount since the 1st Era over 3000 years before.

Likely Auriel's influence. Gelebor had a mythic role to play, after all.

[BetaB17]

Not to mention on top of divine favor, he very much had access to magic >_> something we all know plays a factor in an individual's lifespan

It may be safe to assume the original Snow Elves had similar lifespans as too their cousins the Altmer, Chimer, or Alyieds <_< something that is not too hard to see. However I am more than inclined to believe most members of any of these races reach past their natural lifespans >_>

[Maxrebo]

I forgot to count the he probably has Auriel's Divine Favor,in order to keep him alive long enough to fulfill his duty and after that do whatever he sees fit,which if he choose to try and help the Betrayed,may not be very long.Though on average I would imagine the lifespan for a Falmer pre-degradation at the hands of the Dwemer to be around the same as their Altmer,Chimer\Dunmer and Aylied Cousins.I thinks Orcs have the shorts lifespan all the elves and the Bosmer are kind of a mystery,though I tend to lean toward them life slightly shorter lives than their cousins on average with some exceptions not counting Mages(including Necromancers)or divine favor given Valenwood's Weirdness.It would probably be someone involved with the Green.

[MidbossVyers]

Along with Kathutet asking you to provide him "service", in that voice, in Oblivion, I like how the final restoration quest in Skyrim basically involves a teacher asking a student to get naked (or half-naked, depending on mods).

[Pilaf The Defiler]

Using Uriel Septim as an example of typical aging patterns is a tad dishonest since he spent over a decade in Oblivion and is said to have emerged old and bitter.

[MidbossVyers]

Well, when he died at 87, he did look 87, right? Also, I really must thank Vojne Mierstyyd. He makes those of us who like dead people feel slightly better because he, or at least his character in the story, Palla, not only fell in love with a dead person but ended up falling for the wrong dead person.

[The SheoDovah]

I think out of the human races, Nords are the ones that age the most due to their culture and lifestyle. They love to fight, they fight the land, each other, the odd skeever invasion and Skyrim being the coldest province is likely to cause them to look older then they are. Altmeri, i think they cheat and can magic away their true age. Then there's Master Neloth who does whatever he wants and probably could make himself look like a teen if he cared to. Elves cheat at life.

Uriel was a Dragonborn and I could see that slowing the aging process though a decade in Oblivion is bound to cause people to age a decade or two. I wouldn't be surprised if the usurper Tharn purposely aged him out of spite and to attempt to prevent him from returning.

[BetaB17]

That's blatantly short sighted, dont ya think. I mean, by that regards: Orcs should have even shorter lifespans due to their warrior/tribal lifestyle and their frequent hardships <_< or the Dunmer, due to the hostility of their environment and political/cultural hostility. Or the Khajiit due to their arid lands and natural tenacity for getting in trouble with the law. Or best yet, Argonians bc Blackmarsh is just hellish and slavery is just the worse

Do you see the point I'm trying to make Cultural influences and life choices are not contributing factors to a race's lifespan. It may influence the average lifespan(I.e death:birth rate) but in all regards most of the human races fair pretty even. The only other factors that may contribute to this counterpoint, is whether magic plays a large part to the race's identity/culture and whether there are any common practices that extend/prove detrimental to the natural lifespan

And also, just to point this out. Even tho Skyrim is one of the coldest regions in Tamriel, keep in mind the nords have a natural affinity to frost, so as far as I'm concerned they can barely feel the chill
--------
Keep in mind a few things >_> for starters, just about every Emperor had court mages and the best care at their disposal, so many would in true life to the best of their health or even beyond that. This isn't just a fact from the finer things life can provide, but a matter of status and right. Human rulers may be less inclined to take every advantage as they could nor be that well endowed with magic.. But living long is still a perk none the less.

Now per the Dragon blood, that is a much less known subject and the exact properties are so vague >_> let alone the exact process by which it is inherited

But more seriously, per Uriel's unexpected stay in Oblivion <_< For starters, the exact influence of such an extended stay is unclear and it's never specified as to which realm he was placed in stasis for(And yes, I do mean stasis)

Tharn slowed time so that Uriel VII would not age, because if he died the Amulet of Kings would alert the Elder Council; this may explain why Uriel VII lived and ruled for such a long period of time.

So while his age may seem rather impressive, do keep in mind that he was not active nor in the same plane of existence for a good chunk of his 'life time', in short, his life span is well exaggerated

Also, just to mention this <_< did anybody really think Jarn had a backup plan in case the Emperor was ever freed? I mean, he certainly didn't expect to fail, and even then he took measures to hide away(and shatter) the only folly to his plan. If you never expected to fail, why bother with a failsafe once you've already lost. Tho I do have to question, what was Jarn's endgame? I mean, he clearly got power and bargaining with Dagon, but he certainly didn't think he could keep Uriel forever and stay as the Emperor what with his finite life and poor management <_<

Tho.. One thing of interest, and probably never considered With Uriel stuck in stasis with the Amulet of Kings, and trapped in Oblivion by the Staff of Chaos.. So long as Jarn's continued influence is no longer needed, hypothetically the dragonfires should never die out, essentially preventing even the possibility of the Oblivion Crisis from ever taking place. So one [&@%!], fake Emperor in exchange for the continued safety of Nirn.. Doesn't sound all too bad now(That is till Akotash and Martin changed it all)

[The SheoDovah]

Then Dagon merely loses his patience and uses every loophole there is to try to invade. Or create a Daedric version of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory that provides Daedra.

I thinkJarn did not believe he would fail and as you said, lacked a backup plan. Which, come to think of it, none of the major antagonists have a backup plan or at least any hints of it. Dagoth Ur relied on the heart of lorkhan(I admit, I don't know that much about him). Mankar Cameron's entire plan revolved around the Amulet of Kings and Mehrunes Dagon's book which resulted in it all collasping when the Champion of Cyrodiil got them back. The entire assassination was a bit poorly planned. Zerg rushing works if you have the numbers. I suspect they lacked the numbers or got overconfident. Ironically, the Daedra who do use Zerg Rushing as their tatics or one of them got their asses handed to them by Argonians. Dem 'Gonians are crazy!

Alduin had no plan and seemed to be improvising, which to be fair, he had little choice due to the nords cheating with the Elder Scroll. He was about to win when they kicked him out of their era but that's TES, Baby. And I am never using that joke again.

I hope that TESVI's big bad has backup plans and potentially use them if we take certain pathes.

[Secret Magic User]

Come to think of it, none of the major antagonists have a backup plan

I think that's being a bit unfair. The major antagonists you've listed weren't like any Bond Villain, where if they had just allocated some of their endless evil towards a second detonation trigger or a more thorough training program for guards they would have been alright.

These Opposing Forces (I hesitate to say antagonists or bbegs due to lore and perspective. Except for Mankar and Jagar. Those guys are jerks.) were driven by, and harnessing near-godly, godly, and cosmic powers. There is no real substitute for the Heart of the Missing God, and it's not as though Dagoth Ur had a bad or poorly executed plan, nor could he have done anything else, given his circumstances.

Regarding Mankar's pulling of Dagon into the Mundus wholly and completely, and the Akatosh pact-shield that safe-guarded Mundus are very rather unique, in terms of power and scale. You can't just go pick up cheaper versions of these spells at your local discount spell merchant, yanno? The CoC taking the items back is a big deal because those are the only ones in existence that fit the bill.

Finally, on Alduin. He's an inevitability, with only one goal in mind. I'm sure there are many ways, when you're a cosmic force, to undo creation, and that this time he chose a particular method. Maybe he had to, given the existence of the Elder Scroll covering the occurrence. Perhaps this method we see in the game is a fixed aspect of this point in the kalpa's cycle.

I would like to see some more variety in the living story, lIke you said, but I would not be so quick to look at our previous opposing forces as though they were unprepared.

[Dark Spark]

Plan B is simply Kill.

[MidbossVyers]

While long term, Mannimarco actually achieved both of his objectives. The apotheosis that he planned in ESO was achieved in Daggerfall, and the destruction of the Mages Guild that he planned in Oblivion was achieved in Skyrim (ironically, through implosion).

[BetaB17]

'Begins to lean back in chair with a smug face'

Feasible? Well, certainly. Likely? Well, probably not. It would have to be one decrepit, nasty lil animal to give you that disease, and by that point you should be more worried over what else you may have caught

Cholera primarily infects people thru bodily fluids and fecal matter via the small intestine >_> often leading to contamination of water, food, and social contact. It's less common of an issue in sparse or wild populations, but is a literal plague to the more dense, urban societies

Feasibly, an animal(like a rat) could contract the bacteria to you, but that would mean that it was previously consuming or digging thru contaminated fecal matter >_> And while the bite itself may not allow the bacteria to properly infect it's new host, any contaminates may be left near the wound and unintentionally find it's way to a more direct route(I.e from your hands to your mouth/food or bathing the wound and reusing the water)

Honestly, Cholera isn't exactly one of my most familiar of bacterial diseases <_< so I do apologize if I got anything wrong. Anyways, if your having trouble finding diseases, both fictional and real, you may want to check this out

Edit: Damn ninja Suddenly up'd and vanished on me