The Ayleids are a mysterious elven race that players can learn of in some olderElder Scrollstitles. There are mentions of them in the texts ofMorrowind, meanwhileArenaandOblivionplayers can explore ancient Ayleid ruins that have stood the test of time.
Despite their presence in theseElder Scrollsgames, it’s clear that this elven race is no longer as prominent as it used to be. In fact, they seem to have died out by the Third and Fourth eras. This is the consequence of the Ayleids’ systematic maltreatment of humans.
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The Rise of the Ayleid Empire
The Ayleids in theElder Scrollsfranchise were also known as the Heartland High Elves, and later the Wild Elves. The race originated from groups of elves who left the Summerset Isles and settled in what would become Cyrodiil. There, the Ayleids engaged in Daedra worship, a practice that is strictly forbidden in the Summerset Isles. Without the Altmer’s strict laws, the Ayleids were able to practice their faith freely.
Late in the Merethic Era,the Daedric Princes ofThe Elder Scrollswere celebrated among the Ayleids. They drew no distinction between the good and evil Daedra, as each Prince was worshipped to some degree. This includes the likes of Mehrunes Dagon, Molag Bal, and Namira. Some Daedric Princes were even openly revered by Ayleid royalty.
Despite a growing support for Daedra worship, the elves were by no means united. Different regions worshippeddifferent Daedric Princes inElder Scrollslore, and things only got worse when the Aedra-worshipping Ayleids butted heads with the Daedra-worshipping majority. This led to a civil conflict known as the Narfinsel Schism, which lasted from late in the Merethic Era to the beginning of the First Era. By the end of the conflict, the Aedra-worshippers were cast out, further strengthening the practice of Daedra worship among the Ayleids.
Come the First Era, the Ayleid Empire had grown into a powerful force. Theymade pacts with the Daedra, utilizing their power to further the Ayleid race. They also captured and enslaved the Nedic people, a human race that resided in Tamriel during the Merethic Era and the First Era. These slaves were primarily taken in for human labor, forced to build the Ayleids’ White-Gold Tower and other such structures. They were also subjected to physical abuse, as the Ayleids had developed a disturbing taste for “art-torture” with “wailing wheels,” “gut gardens,” “flesh sculptures,” and other such macabre installations.
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The Alessian Slave Rebellion in Elder Scrolls
Civil conflicts were still common within the Ayleid Empire, but the race only grew more powerful as time passed. However, in the year 243 of the First Era, a human woman named Alessia would lead enslaved humans to freedom. A devout Aedra-worshipper, Alessia prayed to Akatosh -father of the dragons in theElder Scrolls- to ask for help in liberating the human race. Her prayers were answered when the demigod Morihaus and the mysterious Pelinal Whitestrake came to her aid in the rebellion.
In addition to this, Alessia was given the Amulet of Kings by Akatosh himself. Uponreceiving the mystical necklace, Alessia and Akatosh formed a bond. So long as the Amulet of Kings was worn by Alessia’s kin, Akatosh would prevent the Daedra from entering the Mundus. This severely weakened the Ayleid Empire, as they had relied on their pacts with the Daedra.
With the Ayleid Empire in shambles, the slaves and some Ayleid rebels took up arms against their masters. Alessia’s army also hadhelp from the Nords of Skyrim, who had recently overthrown their elven masters. In just one year, the human race conquered the White-Gold Tower and established the Alessian Empire. Alessia was then dubbed the Slave Queen, and the first Empress of the region.
The Fall of the Ayleids
The Alessian Slave Rebellion wiped out a huge number of the Daedra-worshipping Ayleids. Those who fought alongside Alessia became the rulers of some Aedra-worshipping settlements. However, resentment of the Ayleid race was on the rise among the human race. This eventually led to the creation of the Alessian Doctrines and the Alessian Order, which were firmly against Ayleid culture. This forced the ruling Ayleids to step down, and the rest oftheElder Scrolls' dwindling elven racesimply left to find a more welcoming home.
By year 371 of the First Era, a settlement known as Nenalata would be the last remaining Ayleid kingdom in Cyrodiil. They were given an ultimatum: leave or be massacred. The Ayleids eventuallysettled in theElder Scrollsregion of High Rock, where they built the city of Bisnensel. There, they freely worshipped the Daedric Prince Hermaus Mora.
Not many Ayleids lived past the First Era, and there were barely any left come the Second Era. Some believe that they took to living in the forests of Cyrodiil, which is how they came to be known as the Wild Elves. However, sightings of the reclusive Ayleid race have dwindled since the turn of the Era. Some Ayleids managed to settle among the people of Cyrodiil, the most notable of them being Tjurhane Fyrre, who worked at the University of Gwylim in Cyrodiil until he died in the Second Era. He was lauded as one of the greatest sages of his time and even published some works on Ayleid culture.
By the Third Era, there would be no more Ayleid sightings, leading people to believe that the elven race has died out. However, inThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, a powerful Ayleid sorcerer would make an appearance inthe game’s Knights of the Nine DLC. Luckily, the player is given the opportunity to defeat this dangerous Ayleid before he can wreak havoc across Cyrodiil.
It’s unclear whether Bethesda has any plans of bringing this ancient race back inits next installment ofThe Elder Scrolls. If it does, there’s no doubt that the Ayleid race and its history make for an interesting story; one that explains why the humans of Tamriel are still distrustful of the elves.
