UESP Forums

This place is to discuss the situation of Dunmer in Skyrim from an in-game view. What have you seen? What have you heard? Do you like the way Dunmer are depicted? Feel free to discuss.

Those of you who have been to Windhelm should know about the heavy Dunmer presence in the city. The relations between the Nords and the Dunmer are not the best. The Dunmer live in the "Grey Quarter", which is basically a slum. And there's the New Gnisis Cornerclub, their own tavern! The Dunmer seem to be sad because of their exile but will they prevail?

What are the greates Dunmer moments you have experienced in the game?

They are seriously SCREWED. Sadly.

Apparently, someone decided to slap the Dunmer hard for the daedra worshipping or something.

Which is sad. I think Bethesda is making a little jab at the way minorities are treated when emigrating to somewhere else, or fleeing to somewhere else. Basically they appear to be fighting for the survival of their culture, which seems like a losing battle in my opinion.

Here are two important primary sources on the issue, as far as books go: Dunmer of Skyrim and Scourge of the Gray Quarter.

I wouldn't write the Dunmer off just yet, and I have high hopes for them in the future. I did read this:

Morrowind had never recovered fully from the eruption of Mount Vvardenfell.

In this amazing little book. It seems to indicate that the Dunmer are recovering, although I could be reading too much into the wording.

Either way, the strong Dunmer presence in Eastern Skyrim is something, and I'm sure it extends to Solstheim too.

But I think the way they represent refugees is realistic: some dislike them, and often they are forced to assimilate or live poorly. But I don't believe that the Dunmer are defeated: they will rise again, because they are a gifted race and in times of need they can unite their forces. They will not give up, at least I hope so.

The Dunmer are a bit like Danes. We squabble regionwise but band together against outsiders (Swedes).

They will probably recover, but it will take one hell of a lot of time.