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The world ofTheElder Scrolls Onlineis vast, and there are dozens of races and cultures to learn about as you travel across all of Tamriel. There are hundreds of quests to complete all while interacting with a large, active, and diverse community of players dedicated to making all of Nirn a better place (for the most part).
As you explore all that Tamriel has to offer, you’ll find Ayleid ruins and learn bits and pieces about who they were. While information changes hands easily, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about who the Ayleids are and why they’re important.
Who Are The Ayleids?
TheAyleids were a race of elvesthat settled in the Heartlands of Tamriel, better known as Cyrodiil, in the first era. In appearance, they resembled the high elves, known as Altmer, though their skin tones varied in slightly darker shades.
While theymostly settled around Cyrodiil, they have ruined cities spread throughout much of Tamriel. They were once a powerful force to be reckoned with, and have now all but died out in the most recent installments.
In Elder Scrolls Online, however, you get the rare opportunity to see more about them before their inevitable downfall and near extinction. Theirruined cities stand the test of timeand act as monuments to a once proud civilization of sorcerer kings and scholars.
The History Of The Ayleids
The Ayleid Empire started out asthe original dominant power in Cyrodiil, long before the Imperials, and their arrogance led to their downfall. Believing that their new empire would last forever, it collapsed after a few hundred years, leaving them to fade into obscurity as time passed.
Part of the problem stemmed fromclashes between the Aedra worshippers and the Daedra worshippers, but their hubris overall sealed their fate.
The Merethic Era
Setting out from the Summerset Isles, the former Altmer (and soon to be Ayleids) made their way to Cyrodiil, where they settled topractice their Daedra worship. Such practices were outlawed in the Summerset Isles, where the Aldmeri Pantheon is revered, but in their new domain, they could worship freely.
The worship of Daedra was not forbidden in the Ayleid Empire, though it spread rapidly and quickly developed cults for each of the princes, regardless of danger.
To build their empire and the iconic White-Gold Tower, the Ayleids enslaved a group of people called the Nedes, who descended from Skyrim and are the ancestors of the Imperials. The Ayleids were able to not only build their empire, but also participate in various Daedric-inspired arts which involved cruel and brutal practices.
The First Era
In the first era, theAyleids enjoyed an unrelenting rule over the Nedes. The Ayleids also made deals with the Daedra for power, which contributed to the downfall of the empire. There wereDaedric cults foreach of the Daedric Princes, and eventually they began to betray one another.
This expanded to the Ayleids who worshiped the Aedra as well, leading toa slew of civil conflictsthat weakened the Ayleid Empire. Following these events, theAlessian Slave Rebellion was set in motion.
Having united the Nedes under her guidance, thedevout Aedra-worshipper Alessia prayed to Akatoshfor help in freeing man from Ayleid rule. Akatosh answered by sending both Morihaus, the demigod, and Pelinal Whitestrake to her aid.
Alessia was also gifted the Amulet of Kings, which would keep the Daedra from entering the Mundus so long as one of Alessia’s kin wore the amulet.
Together,the united forces of manwere able to bring down andoverthrow the Ayleid Empire, sending the few that remained fleeing for their lives. Most of the kings were killed by Pelinal, but he was cut into eight pieces for mocking the Ayleid ancestors.
Pelinal’s foe,Umaril the Unfeathered, was a sorcerer king whose wings were cut off in the battle. Pelinal thought he had killed the immortal, though Umaril’s return was prophesied as Pelinal lay dying.
Following this,an uneasy peace was brokeredbetween the remaining Nedes and Ayleids. Those that remained in the Ayleid societies wereforced to adapt the Eight Divinesas their gods, per an ultimatum meant to prevent another war.
This did not sit well with the Ayleids, sothe Heartland Elves retreated from Cyrodiil and settled in High Rock. Those who stayed in Cyrodiil were later massacred.
The Second Era
While most of the Ayleids perished in the first era, some managed to survive into the second era. Thelast known Ayleid to have survived was King Laloriaran Dynar, who was transported to Coldharbour after Delodiil, the Hollow City, was brought there.
There are several quests in Elder Scrolls Online, which takes place during the second era, that involve the Ayleids.
The Vestige later rescued him, andhe took command of the Fighter’s Guild. While he later died defending the city, he left his sword with the Vestiage as a symbol of trust and friendship to remember him by.
The Third Era
In the third era, in whichThe Elder Scrolls IV: Obliviontakes place,Umaril the Unfeathered returned to Tamriel. He killed all the followers in the Chapel of Dibella in Avil, vowing to bring down the mortal gods.The Hero of Kvatch defeated himwith the help of theKnights of Nine, destroying him–both body and soul–for good.
Additionally, an Altmer namedUmbacano collects Ayleid artifactsin the Talos Plaza District. After the Hero of Kvatch brings him all the Ayleid artifacts he requires, it’s discovered that he wishes torecreate the Ayleid Empireanew–with himself at the helm.
Whether he is transformed into the King of Nenalata or is killed instantly depends on the Hero of Kvatch, but either way, hisgrand plans end prematurely.
The Fourth Era
In the fourth era, very little is known about what remains of the Ayleids. The fourth era is whereThe Elder ScrollsV:Skyrimtakes place, andnot much is left from the Ayleid civilizationsother than their ruins and artifacts.
By the time the Dragonborn is wandering around Tamriel, theAyleids are believed to be extinct. There have been no recent sightings, and no further information to go off of. However, anything is possible.
