TES Races what are they in real life?

[Assassin540]

Ok so I know this has been posted before but I can't find it but the question is what races in TES are equivelant to races you know in real life here's what I think

Dunmer-Asian of somesort because of ancestor worhip and things
Nord-Scandanavian/Scottish
Imperial-Roman/Greek
Wood Elf-South American Indians because of cannabilism and the habitat they live in
Breton-British/French
Argonian-North American Indian tribes from the south in the swamps of Florida
Khajit-Egyptian
Redguard-Muslim countries because of the attire in Skyrim
High Elf-not sure?
Orc-Mongolian because of hairstyles and attire also the way they live and their culture

[Frost Mage]

I don't think they were like, "Let's base Dunmer off of Asian people" when they created TES. This isn't necessarily the most PC topic either (not that I care), but some people may be offended by some of the stereotyping that may eventually stem from this thread. All I'm saying is, be careful .

[Iaius Amaius Heron]

This topic (not this thread, but the subject of discussion) is a can of worms that's probably best left closed.

[Feanor]

I don't think anyone should feel offended by the topic, afterall the races are really based on historical cultures (not present ones, important!). For example, if the Wood Elves are partly based on the North American Indians, that doesn't mean they are Indians, Bethy just borrowed a few aspects of them for a fantasy game.

My opinion on the matter:
The Imperials: A mix of Ancient Roman, Ancient Greek and Medieval Italians.
The Nords: Early Medieval Germanic people and in a few aspects Ancient "Western" Celts.
The Bretons: Medieval Western Europeans (mostly Medieval French and English).
The Redguards: A mix of Medieval Middle-Eastern people (mostly Seljuk Turks and Medieval Arabs) and in a few aspects Medieval Spanish/Portugal
The Khajiit: Ancient Egyptians and Far Eastern people (maybe Ancient/Medieval Chinese or Indian, I'm not sure, I don't know too muck about their ancient-medieval ages).
The Orismer: In a few aspects they really resemble the Medieval Mongolians, but in my opinion they also have Medieval Eastern European features too. Probably a mix of both.
The Dunmer: I can't really fit them anywhere.
The Bosmer: Medieval North-American Indian tribes, I can agree with that.
The Argonians: A mix of Medieval Central-American Indian and Polynesian cultures, but this is just a loose guess by historical stereotypes.
The High Elves: Interestingly, for me they resemble a mix of Western European and Japanese cultures in the Early Modern Age.

[Avron the S'wit]

I don't think anyone should feel offended by the topic, afterall the races are really based on historical cultures (not present ones, important!).

Very true. It isn't an offensive topic unless we, as members, make it offensive. All fantasy races are created from real world influences. Nothing is created in a vacuum.

I also think that the Redguards have a lot of Moorish influence - more Moorish than "Muslim." (Which is not entirely correct; the Muslim culture varies greatly from country to country, as do Catholic and Jewish cultures and other religions.) Truth be told, when you think about it, the Redguards are extremely interesting, culture and lore wise...

[Narzul]

I've been trying to match the Dunmer to existing cultures before too, but it's hard to make them fit to just one. Their architecture reminds me of north Africa (Hlaalu architecture anyway), the ancestral worship exists in parts of Asia, the Ashlander clans remind me of both African, Irish and Aboriginal tribes/clans and the veneration of mortals who have ascended through apotheosis and the structure of the Great Houses make things even more complicated. To me, this makes them the most interesting race of all.

[Assassin540]

I don't think they were like, "Let's base Dunmer off of Asian people" when they created TES. This isn't necessarily the most PC topic either (not that I care), but some people may be offended by some of the stereotyping that may eventually stem from this thread. All I'm saying is, be careful .

Oh I know they weren't they are very unique but I just wanted to see what people thought

[Frost Mage]

Sure, they may have used influences from the real world, but they used fantasy characteristics also.

[Assassin540]

I know

[svknight]

I can't really see any similarities between Egyptian cultures and Khajiits. Nords are pretty obvious. Imperials and Bretons are a mix of European cultures. Dunmers are a mix of tribe-based cultures, I guess?

[Assassin540]

Just think about it how the Egyptian had the cats and stuff and their climate is desert

[Narzul]

Just think about it how the Egyptian had the cats and stuff and their climate is desert

That's an extremely shallow comparison. But I do see similarities between the Mane and an Egyptian Pharaoh.

[Ralok]

redgaurd actually have a little bit of Renaissance in them it seems, or maybe french

but they do have mostly spanish, arabic, and golden age of pirates things going on

[Mehra Milo]

I can't really see any similarities between Egyptian cultures and Khajiits. Nords are pretty obvious. Imperials and Bretons are a mix of European cultures. Dunmers are a mix of tribe-based cultures, I guess?

Well i think the khajiits you see in Skyrim is a lot like the nomads, traveling around with there tents.. And i asume that Elsweyr is a warm country, don't know why..

[Biggsydaboss]

Dunmer definitely remind me of north African Bedouin tribes (culturally) Especially in Morrowind. I agree with Avron, Redguards are based the Moors (physical features yes, not sure about culturally, are Redguards known for sailing?). Bretons, well thats pretty obvious, Pagan Northern Europe. The reason I say Pagan is because of their in game affiliation with magic. British & Northern French Pagans were quite culturally advanced. Imperials, more Roman then Greek. High Elves, Either late imperial British or maybe early modern era Japanese. Kajiit possible a reference to the Mongels. Bosmer North & South Native Americans. Nords, too easy. Argonians, possibly a mix of Central African & Aboriginal Tribes. Though I have to admit that's just a guess

[Pilaf The Defiler]

While the TES races purposely have superficial resemblance to real world cultures, they all have their own histories and unique aspects. As quoted in a concept art diary.

Though Skyrim’s Nords share some similarities to real-world Vikings, the likeness is superficial – the Nords have their own distinct cultural history that needed to be detailed from the ground up.

You can and should apply this to any and all of of Tamriel's races.

There should always be a "but" at the end.

Imperials are sorta like Romans BUT...

Orcs are sorta like steppe barbarians BUT...

etc.

[Avron the S'wit]

I agree with Avron, Redguards are based the Moors (physical features yes, not sure about culturally, are Redguards known for sailing?).

They absolutely are known for sailing! Haven't you heard the famous song?

There once was a hearty young lad of the sea,
a Redguard of courage and honor was he!
Sail on, my Cyrus, sail on.

The number of times I had that stuck in my head in Oblivion, I tell ya... But yes. Redguard culture is very much a nautical culture.

[Ralok]

Redgaurd are culturally diverse, they even have some sorta gypsy like peoples amongst there race

[Assassin540]

Where have you seen these gypsy's?

[Biggsydaboss]

Avron I never heard that song, but I see they share more then just physical likeness. You seem to know your history, so I imagine you know about the Rifian muurs/moors who basically invented the science behind sea travel. Also the Ottoman Corsairs/pirates. I imagine they both hold cultural similarities with the Redguard.


Pilaf the Defiler. I would say the Nords & the Norse people share quite a lot of cultural similarities. Especially around death & religion. As religion (in real world terms) helped bring us together & unify us in to societies of people who share the same morals & outlooks. For them to share a religious connection, would make them similar on a very basic level.
For anyone who has an issue with what I'm saying. Well anthropologists & historians have surmised that religion helped early civilisation flourish & helped bring us together under the same set of ideals. Ironically it's the very thing that's tearing society apart.