Skyrim:Thalmor
The Thalmor is the combined government of the third Aldmeri Dominion and according to Ondolemar represents an alliance between Altmer and Bosmer regents. A militarist regime founded on beliefs of racial supremacy, the Thalmor seek to advance their power and influence across Tamriel with the specific intent of establishing the racial superiority of Mer over Man, "one century at a time".
By 4E 201, the Thalmor has established a significant presence in Skyrim's Haafingar hold, including an embassy in the mountains overlooking Solitude, a fort known as Northwatch Keep (used as a covert detainment center for their political prisoners), and an unused building within Solitude which was set aside for the Thalmor by the Empire. Thalmor Justiciars can also be found traveling the roads of Skyrim, sometimes with a Nord prisoner in tow, and engaging Stormcloaks in combat as part of a random encounter. While not immediately hostile to you, conversing with them will reveal their antagonistic nature and choosing certain dialogue options (particularly on the topic of Talos worship) can turn them hostile toward you. Thalmor death squads may also track you down in the wilds, proclaiming "Behold the future! Behold the Thalmor!" as they attack.
Contents
Overview[edit]
- For more information, see the main lore article.
Prior to present-day Skyrim, the Aldmeri Dominion and the Empire waged a devastating conflict known as the Great War. The Dominion sacked the Imperial City and held it under military occupation for two years before the Empire was able to mount a counter-attack and reclaim the city proper. With the Empire greatly weakened after these campaigns, a peace treaty known as the White-Gold Concordat was negotiated. The White-Gold Concordat outlawed Talos worship, disbanded the Blades, and forced the Empire to cede much of southern Hammerfell to the Aldmeri Dominion. The Thalmor thereafter set up various embassies across the Imperial provinces, such as the one in Skyrim, from which their Justiciars and other agents keep the local provincial governments under control and enforce the terms of the White-Gold Concordat.
Members[edit]
Name | Location | Description |
---|---|---|
Ancano | College of Winterhold | Thalmor advisor to the Arch-Mage. |
AncarionDB | Northshore Landing | Leader of a Thalmor mission on Solstheim. |
Elenwen | Thalmor Embassy | First Emissary to Skyrim. |
Estormo | Labyrinthian | Thalmor agent, second to Ancano. |
Agent Lorcalin | Shrine of Talos at White River Gorge | Thalmor agent sent to kill Talos worshippers. |
Northwatch Guard | Northwatch Keep | Guards the front gate from possible trespassers. |
Northwatch Interrogator | Northwatch Keep | Justiciar in charge of interrogations at Northwatch Keep. |
Ondolemar | Understone Keep | Commander of the Justiciars assigned to Markarth. |
Rulindil | Thalmor Embassy | Third Emissary to Skyrim. In charge of interrogations. |
Agent Sanyon | Southwest of the Guardian Stones (map) | Dead Thalmor agent near a Talos shrine. |
Captain Valmir | Forelhost | An undercover Thalmor agent. |
Hired Members[edit]
Name | Location | Description |
---|---|---|
Gissur | Thalmor Embassy | Undercover Thalmor agent sent to track you down. |
J'datharr | Outside Windhelm Stables | Thalmor assassin sent to kill Malborn. |
Shavari | Riften | Thalmor assassin sent to kill you. |
Tsavani | Thalmor Embassy | Thalmor Embassy's cook. |
Generic Thalmor Members[edit]
Name | Class | Location |
---|---|---|
Northwatch Archer | Thalmor Archer | Northwatch Keep |
Northwatch Guard | Thalmor Warrior | Northwatch Keep |
Northwatch Mage | Thalmor Wizard | Northwatch Keep |
Thalmor Archer | Thalmor Archer | Skyrim |
Thalmor Soldier | Thalmor Warrior | Skyrim |
Thalmor Wizard | Thalmor Wizard | Skyrim |
Thalmor come in three different types, with names based on their location. The type you encounter does not depend on your level, the only differences being in their armor, weapons, health, and magic. The boss in any encounters will always be a Wizard. Though the lore states that the Thalmor are a union between Altmer and Bosmer, all Thalmor NPCs seen in Skyrim are Altmer.
Justiciars[edit]
Justiciars are the official enforcers of the terms of the White-Gold Concordat, specifically enforcing the ban on the worship of Talos. They can be randomly encountered wandering the countryside accompanied by Thalmor Warriors. You have the option of talking to them and discussing various topics. Telling them that you worship Talos, support freedom of religious belief, or lingering too long near one will provoke them into attacking you. They can either be Warriors or Wizards, and will be equipped as such.
Thalmor Archers[edit]
Thalmor Archers use elven or glass bows and arrows and wear light elven or glass armor depending on your level. They carry a leveled dagger (steel, elven, or glass) and a random selection of gems, food, drink, and gold.
Player Level |
—BaseID | Spells | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 00072884 0002b127 |
127 | 56 | Bound Sword, Fast Healing, Highborn |
12 | 00072aa8 00072af6 |
249 | 72 | Bound Sword, Fast Healing, Highborn |
20 | 0007d963 0007d964 |
371 | 88 | Bound Sword, Fast Healing, Highborn |
28 | 0007d968 0007d969 |
493 | 104 | Bound Sword, Fast Healing, Highborn |
36 | 0007d96d 0007d970 |
565 | 120 | Bound Sword, Fast Healing, Highborn |
Thalmor Warriors[edit]
Thalmor Warriors use leveled one-handed weapons, made of steel, elven, or glass, and wear leveled armor, made of either elven or glass, depending on your level. They can hold just a weapon, a weapon and shield, or dual-wield two weapons. They carry a leveled dagger (steel, elven, or glass) and a random selection of gems, food, drink, and gold.
Player Level |
—BaseID | Spells | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 00072883,000f960b 0002b126, 000f960a |
127 | 56 | Fast Healing, Flames, Highborn |
12 | 000f95f2, 0007297a, 000f960e 000f95f1, 00072aa6, 000f960d |
249 | 72 | Fast Healing, Flames, Highborn |
20 | 0007d961, 000f95f4, 000f9610 0007d962, 000f95f3, 000f960f |
371 | 88 | Fast Healing, Flames, Highborn, Lesser Ward, Turn Lesser Undead |
28 | 0007d967, 000f95f6, 000f9612 0007d96e, 000f95f5, 000f9611 |
493 | 104 | Bound Sword, Fast Healing, Flames, Highborn, Lesser Ward, Turn Lesser Undead |
36 | 0007d96c, 000f95f8, 000f9614 0007d96f, 000f95f7, 000f9613 |
565 | 120 | Bound Sword, Close Wounds, Fast Healing, Flames, Highborn, Lesser Ward, Turn Lesser Undead |
Thalmor Wizards[edit]
Thalmor Wizards are the main spell-casters of the Thalmor armies, and are generally harder to kill, even though they only wear robes. They carry a leveled dagger (steel, elven, or glass) and a random selection of gems, soul gems, ingredients, potions, and gold.
Player Level |
—BaseID | Spells | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 00072885 0002b125 |
127 | 118 | Flames, Frostbite, Healing, Highborn, Lesser Ward, Oakflesh, Sparks |
12 | 00072886 000728ae |
249 | 166 | Conjure Flame Atronach, Fast Healing, Firebolt, Highborn, Lesser Ward, Lightning Bolt, Oakflesh |
20 | 0007d95f 0007d960 |
371 | 239 | Banish Daedra, Chain Lightning, Conjure Frost Atronach, Fast Healing, Fireball, Highborn, Lightning Bolt, Oakflesh, Steadfast Ward |
28 | 0007d965 0007d966 |
493 | 312 | Chain Lightning, Conjure Storm Atronach, Fast Healing, Highborn, Incinerate, Steadfast Ward, Stoneflesh, Thunderbolt, Turn Lesser Undead |
36 | 0007d96a 0007d96b |
565 | 385 | Banish Daedra, Chain Lightning, Close Wounds, Conjure Storm Atronach, Expel Daedra, Fast Healing, Highborn, Incinerate, Steadfast Ward, Stoneflesh, Thunderbolt, Turn Undead |
44 | 0007d971 0007d972 |
637 | 458 | Banish Daedra, Chain Lightning, Close Wounds, Conjure Storm Atronach, Expel Daedra, Fast Healing, Highborn, Incinerate, Ironflesh, Steadfast Ward, Thunderbolt, Turn Undead |
Thalmor Equipment[edit]
Name (ID) | Type | Notes |
---|---|---|
Hooded Thalmor Robes (0010c698) |
Clothing | Worn by Wizards |
Thalmor Boots (00065bac) |
Clothing | Worn by Wizards |
Thalmor Gloves (00065bb3) |
Clothing | Worn by Wizards |
Thalmor Robes (00065bbf) |
Clothing | Worn by Wizards |
Leveled Equipment[edit]
All generic Thalmor have weapons that are leveled, and can be either steel, elven, or glass; the only exceptions are the archers' bows, as there are no steel bows. The archer and warrior classes wear leveled armor, either elven, gilded elven or glass; the only exceptions are the warrior's shields which are either elven or glass and are leveled separately.
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Related Quests[edit]
Major quests revealing important lore about the Thalmor include:
- A Cornered Rat: Locate Esbern.
- Diplomatic Immunity: Infiltrate a party at the Thalmor Embassy.
- Search and Seizure: Find evidence of a Talos worshipper for the Thalmor.
- Season Unending: Enforce a ceasefire to secure Dragonsreach.
- Unbound: Escape Imperial custody and a dragon attack.
Other Thalmor Quests[edit]
Quests and favors that merely involve the Thalmor or going into Thalmor controlled areas include:
- Find the Thalmor Assassin: The Thalmor are after Malborn. Help him get to safety.
- Good Intentions: Find and consult the Augur of Dunlain.
- Missing In Action: Rescue a missing Stormcloak supporter from the Thalmor.
- Siege on the Dragon Cult: Enter the ruins of Forelhost and defeat Rahgot to recover his mask for Captain Valmir.
- The Eye of Magnus: Reclaim the College and contain the Eye.
- The Staff of Magnus: Retrieve the Staff of Magnus.
- Under Saarthal: Uncover the mysteries beneath this ancient ruin.
Dragonborn[edit]
Thalmor (lore page) |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Location | Northshore Landing, Abandoned Lodge | ||
Race | High Elf | Gender | Male |
Level | Leveled (4-36) | Class | (?) |
RefID | N/A | BaseID | N/A |
Other Information | |||
Health | 127-565 | ||
Magicka | 56-120 | ||
Stamina | 62-190 | ||
Morality | No Crime | Aggression | Aggressive |
Voice Type | MaleElfHaughty | ||
Respawns | Yes | ||
Faction(s) | Thalmor |
In the Dragonborn expansion, Thalmor Soldiers are Altmer who came with Ancarion in order to search for a source of stalhrim. They can be found at the Abandoned Lodge and Northshore Landing. These Thalmor Soldiers are dressed slightly differently than their allies in Skyrim. They have standard elven boots, gauntlets, helmets, and weapons, but they all wear leather armor.
Related Quests[edit]
- A New Source of StalhrimDB: Find a blacksmith missing from Skaal Village.
- Sell Stalhrim Armor and Weapons to AncarionDB: Sell stalhrim equipment to Ancarion.
Notes[edit]
- They will respawn at the Abandoned Lodge, but will no longer be hostile.
Dialogue[edit]
When you first encounter Thalmor Justiciars you may have the following conversation:
- Player: "Who are you?"
- Justiciar: "I am a Thalmor Justiciar on important business that you are interfering with."
You then have two choices:
- Player: "Who are the Thalmor?"
- Justiciar: "We are special envoys of the Aldmeri Dominion, the rightful rulers of Tamriel. If you'd like I can show you why."
- Player: "What are you doing in Skyrim?"
- Justiciar: "We're making sure your Emperor wasn't lying to his elven masters when he agreed the Empire would give up false gods and foolish beliefs. Perhaps there's something you wish to confess?"
A third conversation option is available if you have discovered that Talos worship is illegal:
- Player: "Do all Thalmor have such high opinions of themselves?"
- Justiciar: "That we are superior to men is an established fact. For example, take this belief in Talos. The "ninth" Divine. Heh. Certainly you don't believe such things? Perhaps there's something you wish to confess?"
Subsequent encounters will also provide you with the following initial option:
- Player: "What's wrong with worshipping Talos?"
- Justiciar: "It's immoral to worship a man. And it's also illegal. A faithful Imperial citizen would know that. Perhaps there's something you wish to confess?"
You then have three choices, the first two of which will and the third may result in combat:
- Player: "You got me. I believe in Talos."
- Justiciar: "And so, you will die a heretic's death." (attacks)
- Player: "I can worship anyone I want."
- Justiciar: "Incorrect. You can worship whatever gods you like. But Talos is a man, and only a heretic would think otherwise... And so, you will die a heretic's death." (attacks)
- Player: (Remain silent)
- Justiciar: "I don't like you... I think you're a heretic."
Thalmor Justiciars may warn you away with one of the following lines. These may be said outside of conversation and at the end of most conversation lines:
- "You're interfering with official Thalmor business."
- "This doesn't concern you, "citizen.""
- "And now you'll walk away, if you know what's good for you."
- "If you're smart, you'll walk away."
- "Perhaps there's something you wish to confess?"
- "Now, go away."
- "Now, get of my way."
- "Walk away. Now."
- "Move along."
When leaving conversation with them they have a number of possible remarks (three for everyone and nine race-dependent):
- "Go now. Return to your pathetic pursuits."
- "Be warned. You have been marked by the Thalmor."
- "Now remove yourself from my presence, while you still draw breath."
- "You are a disgrace to the Altmer. I should kill you on general principle."[Altmer]
- "Go. Your very presence sickens me." [Altmer]
- "Back to the swamp with you, Argonian. Lest I carve you into boots." [Argonians]
- "Pathetic excuse for an elf..." [Bosmer]
- "Flee from my sight, Dunmer, or I'll have you shipped back to Vvardenfell in a crate." [Dunmer]
- "Slink away now, little Khajiit, with your tail between your legs." [Khajiit]
- "Filthy Nord. In time, your entire race will be eradicated." [Nords]
- "The Justiciars know your face. And we elves have long memories..." [Nords]
- "Crawl back into whatever pit spawned you, Orc." [Orcs]
Notes[edit]
- Elenwen is present at the execution in Helgen when Alduin attacks during the first main quest, Unbound.
- According to dialogue from Delphine and Legate Fasendil, the Thalmor have carried out secret acts of assassination on some segments of their own Bosmer and Altmer populations, which are never heard about elsewhere in Tamriel. The reasons for this are unclear, but Fasendil's comments suggest this is related to the quelling of dissident uprisings or the purging of dissenters.
Related Lore[edit]
The following is a list of lore that reveals various aspects of the Thalmor's culture and history:
- Dragon Investigation: Current Status by Rulindil — A Thalmor report on the return of Dragons
- Flight from the Thalmor by Hadrik Oaken-Heart — A written epitaph of a Nordic skald
- Imperial Missive by General Tullius — About the Thalmor imprisonment of a Whiterun citizen
- J'datharr's Note — Mark information for a Thalmor Assassin
- Justiciar Execution Order
- Rising Threat by Lathenil of Sunhold — A multi-volume series on the threat posed by the Thalmor
- Thalmor Dossier: Delphine — Thalmor Dossier on the Blades agent Delphine
- Thalmor Dossier: Esbern — Thalmor Dossier on the Blades Loremaster Esbern
- Thalmor Dossier: Ulfric Stormcloak — Thalmor dossier on the Jarl of Windhelm
- Thalmor Orders by Elenwen — A communique from a Thalmor agent to a subordinate scout
- The Great War by Legate Justianus Quintius — A soldier's summation of the major events before and during the Great War
- Valmir's Orders — Orders to retrieve Rahgot's Dragon Priest Mask