The Elder Scrolls series contains several millennia' worth of backstory, told through sidequests and in-game books, and especially interesting is the history of Skyrim and its people, the Nords, who are most prominently featured in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. History in the Elder Scrolls series is often complicated and contradictory, stemming from dozens of different authors. Still, when looking over the history of Tamriel as a whole, a theme begins to emerge: the Nords are basically awful.
Humans in the Elder Scrolls series originated on the frozen northern continent Atmora. Over the centuries, multiple groups of humans traveled from Atmora to Tamriel, a continent ruled over by various groups of Elves. Early settlers of High Rock, Hammerfell, and Cyrodiil managed to find peace with the Elf-types of The Elder Scrolls, establishing and growing their new nations. The early settlers of Skyrim, led by the warrior Ysgramor, instead went to war with Skyrim’s native Snow Elves.
After years of tension and strife, the Snow Elves attacked the Nordic settlement Saarthal, razing it to the ground and killing everyone but Ysgramor and his sons. This brutal act led to even more violent actions by the Nords. Ysgramor fled to Atmora, returning with a 500-man-strong army and slaughtering the Snow Elves. Ysgramor’s companions spread over the country, systematically exterminating the Snow Elves until none remained. In modern Skyrim, the only remnants of the Snow Elves are the Falmer, twisted monsters that live in the caves beneath Skyrim, and a pair of Snow Elf brothers who appear in Skyrim's Dawnguard expansion.
Skyrim's Nords Created Tamriel’s Empires
The conquests of Skyrim's High Kings continued after the country was reclaimed from the Snow Elves. After encountering the half-elf Bretons of the Reach, the Nords attacked in disgust. The Nords invaded High Rock in a self-described attempt to liberate it from elven control. In the following years, these wars spread to Morrowind and parts of Cyrodill, conquering them under the flag of the Nordic Empire. This initial empire collapsed during a succession crisis.
During Tamriel’s Second Era, a Nordic general named Hjalti Early-Beard worked to reforge the old empire. The people of Skyrim initially fought against Hjalti’s imperial conquest, but ed him after witnessing the strength of his Thu’um. With the aid of the Nords, Hjalti conquered Cyrodiil and gave himself a new name, Tiber Septim, beginning The Elder Scrolls' Septim Dynasty. In the following years, Septim would conquer the rest of Skyrim, as well as High Rock, Black Marsh, and Hammerfall, forging the Third Empire. Septim later ascended to godhood, becoming the deity of war and governance, Talos.
Modern Skyrim Is Filled With Jerks
During the Fourth Era, shown in Skyrim, the Nords are locked in a violent civil war, spurred on by laws outlawing the worship of Talos. On one side, Nords ally themselves with the Empire, enforcing these restrictive laws. On the other, a band of Nordic rebels led by Ulfrick Stormcloak fights for independence. Unfortunately, while the Stormcloaks' goals are somewhat irable, many of the Stormcolaks encountered throughout the game are violent, racist, hyper-nationalists motivated just as much by a desire to turn Skyrim into an ethnostate as they are to protect Talos worship in Skyrim from the Thalmor. The Stormcloak capital Windhelm is heavily segregated and drunken racists roam the streets, discussing their desire to commit hate crimes.
Beyond the Stormcloaks, Skyrim as a whole is obsessed with war and strength, while shunning academia and peace. It is a kingdom culturally obsessed with tradition and the honoring of heroes, in spite of the monstrous acts those heroes committed. Skyrim is a land of warriors - it's no surprise that it is constantly engaged in war.
Of course, Skyrim is also filled with countless kind, friendly, helpful Nords who treat the player with respect. Plenty of the country’s residents break the stereotypes. There are some annoying Skyrim NPCs, but, for the most part, the people of Skyrim are good people. While the nation of Skyrim has its fair share of blood in its past, the same can be said of every nation in Tamriel. Although The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is filled with jerks, being a jerk is not a trait exclusive to the people of Skyrim.
