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As someone who's only played Oblivion and Skyrim (and started playing Morrowind a day ago,) I've only seen little bits and pieces of information as to why the Bretons may hate the Orsimer, but I couldn't find anything really concrete. I googled it, and all I seemed to get were people arguing on other forums about which races were good and which were terrible, which was both somewhat annoying and uninformative, as it didn't answer the question. I understand that the Bretons completely trashed Orsinium multiple times (along with the Redguards,) and I suppose it makes some sense with the first Orsinium due to the raids, but... It seems as if there's more than that. Does anybody know?

The disdain isn't mutually exclusive to the Bretons, or their ancestors. But to what exactly differentiates them from say.. The Ayleids/Altmer or even the Redguards? Territorial proximity and cultural conflict

While orc populations do have some standing in Skyrim and the various mountainous borders.. High Rock seems to act as the central point of their settlement.. Whether this is due to their shared desired for a racial homeland/capital or the logical consequence of stability in an already heavily populated territory. Either way. The Orcs have long held an interest within High Rock, much like the Bretons

I mean, in all honesty, the Bretons had reasonable cause and justification against the orc tribes. They both were competing for the same land and resources, the two factions often raided the other, and by all means most mortal races deemed the Orcs as little more than goblin-kin and barbaric.

In their mind, they had the numbers, the governing/economic advantage, and were doing a favor wiping these 'lesser beasts' from the surface of Nirn. Plus.. What with the politically tense atmosphere of the Bretons, to whom they often warred with amongst themselves(sometimes literally over a hill), it seriously helps to have a shared and mutual enemy that they all can fight against

This is really just an informed guess. Hell, the Bretons weren't the only race or faction to literally beat the orcs over the head.. But alot of it stems from proximity and interests. Especially when one faction is arguably superior. This can also apply to the Dunmer/Chimer and Argonians to an extent(tho with more slavery and egg snatching)

Besides what you mentioned, I believe natural prejudice has a lot to do with it as well. They have always been considered more beastfolk than civilized, whether that's true or not.

Keep in mind that their patron daedra is Malacath, the prince of the ostracized and pariahs. This fits their treatment very well.

They have always been considered more beastfolk than civilized

And? That's a pretty mute point. Even amongst beastfolk, they can be more than just civilized, and certainly more so than the Reachmen

The Orcs rule half of High Rock in ESO. They're an ancient enemy for the Bretons, regardless of their porcine likeness.

Bay-tahB7teen wrote:

They have always been considered more beastfolk than civilized

And? That's a pretty mute point. Even amongst beastfolk, they can be more than just civilized, and certainly more so than the Reachmen

I'm using the perspective of non-beastfolk races, in case you couldn't tell.

There's a long established distrust of beastmen by some of the other races, outlined in many books throughout the games. During the eras of Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim many are accepted but there are still many lines of dialogue in the games which hint toward subtle racism toward Orcs, Khajiit, Argonians, etc for perceived uncivilized behavior (and historical conflicts).

It is pretty impressive to think that these two races disliked each other for so long that the Order of Diagna held out on a 30 year siege on Orsinium at the Breton King's request - or so the story goes. That's some dedication to a grudge, eh?

I'm sure some cultural issues also played into the territory grabs that region experienced for ages and ages. You are right that there is a lot of misunderstanding toward the beastfolk's races by others, and while the Orcs are considered mer, they're also seen as a "corrupted" folk, and that's certainly to play in as well. I can see how people would consider them more beast-like than mer-like, whatever the lore category. Certainly prejudices follow.

Ah, Tamriel. A place of delightful, racial conflict.

Avron the S'wit wrote:You are right that there is a lot of misunderstanding toward the beastfolk's races by others, and while the Orcs are considered mer, they're also seen as a "corrupted" folk, and that's certainly to play in as well. I can see how people would consider them more beast-like than mer-like, whatever the lore category.

They're seen as beastfolk regardless of their elven heritage.