I've been obsessively combing through every bit of information I can find on the Maormer, also known as Sea Elves, since being introduced to them in ESO. Here are all my notes about them!
Appearance / Physiology
Maormer are similar to Altmer in build.
Their typical skin is compared to ocean spray or white jelly.
They have blank, white eyes.
Their ears have typical elven pointed tips, but with fin-like flares.
They often have elaborate tattoos.
Under certain unsubscribed conditions, they can change the appearance of their skin to gain scales.
They are capable of drinking salt water, thanks to their tongues being able to filter out the salt.
They are able to remain steady on their feet even in rough waters, and are naturally nimble.
Leviathans are a special kind of Maormeri, born from magical coupling with sea serpents. They are taller than Nords, have scales all over their bodies, are physically strong, and are capable of popping out and stretching their jaws to swallow large prey, like a large snake.
History
It was long believed that Maormeri were exiled from the Summerset Isles long ago, by Altmeri. In actuality, the Sea Elves were separated from their High Elf cousins in their original homeland of Aldmeris.
Allegedly, there was once an exceptionally wealthy nobleman (Orgnum) who financed a rebellion in Aldmeris, and when the rebellion failed, were banished to the island of Pyandonea.
Orgnum became the King of Pyandonea as a "deathless wizard" and allegedly the Serpent God, Satakal.
In 2E 570, Orgnum sent an ambassador Sealord to Sunport to suggest an alliance with the Altmer Corelanya Clan, against the throne in Summerset. Regent Karinwe politely declined, and said that no more than one Maormer ship at a time be docked at her port, or she would question King Orgnum's intentions.
Despite being allies of the Second Aldmeri Dominion, the Dominion allowed the Colovian kings to destroy Maormer outposts on the western coast.
Orgnum has launched countless attacks against the Summerset Isles. In 3E 1100, he was nearly successful in seizing control. (Also during this time, Orgnum met with Queen Potema to agree to an insurrection against the Emperor; a lie on Potema's part.) The Psijics of Artaeum ultimately annihilated the Maormer fleet in the War of the Isles, forcing them to retreat back to Pyandonea. They have yet to return.
Pyandonea
The Maormer primarily reside on Pyandonea: an archipelago kingdom south of the Summerset Isles.
Pyandonea translates to "The Mist-Veiled Isles". Appropriately named, because the island is surrounded by a disorienting mist.
The island is mostly covered in dense rain forest, marshes, and home to water spirits.
Tendrils of kelp in bays trap all but the Maormer's ships, and act as camouflage for sea serpents.
Life and Culture
The Maormer have a clan structure, under the ruler of King Orgnum.
King Orgnum uses magic rituals and sacrifices to continually renew his youth.
Some Maormer clans are opposed to necromancy, finding liches to be abhorrent. They believe that when a Sea Elf dies, their body belongs to Mother Sea, where they are guided into the beyond through song.
Sea Witches act as religious figures or magic leaders.
The Maormer have a special loathing for Altmer, and consider consorting with one to be tantamount to treason. This is nursed by King Orgnum, who has a grudge over his exile and envy of the Summerset Isles. Falling in love with a High Elf is the ultimate taboo.
They consider being stranded with someone at sea the sign of a fateful match.
Maormer tea is made with rose and seaweed.
Silverbloom, a plant native to Galen, is considered a delicacy.
They value seastones for ritual use as well as jewellery-making. Hues of blues and purples hold special value.
They sometimes call non-Sea Elves "groundwalkers" as an insult.
Seafaring
Maormer are so at home on the water, that they can survive at sea indefinitely, so long as their ship remains sea-worthy.
Their cutters are faster than any ship made by the Altmer.
Their fleets are most often made up of small vessels for quick hit-and-run engagements.
Most ships have at least one Sea Mage on board, capable of controlling the weather.
Maormer also breed/train reef vipers and sea serpents for engaging in naval warfare.
Combat & Magic
Maormer favour sabers, and consider anyone who can't use one to be an embarrassment to their kind.
Their mages practice "Snake Magic" - a skill capable of taming sea serpents for use as steeds and war beasts.
They know how to use "Storm Totems" to collect spirit energy from rune-marked sacrifices, capable of channelling it into summoning hurricanes or binding powerful storm atronachs. The Maormer wear loadstones on their wrists to bypass the lightning bonds themselves.
Their weapons are marvellously lightweight, which is a hallmark of their craftsmanship.
They prefer to wear armour made from porpoise hide or ornaug leather, in the form of vests and chest wraps.
They very rarely use steel to craft armour, as it weighs too heavy for good swimming speed.
They wash their clothes with dreugh wax to treat it for salty sea spray.
Their bows are made of yew native to Pyandonea, and often elaborately decorated with sea serpent motifs.
They also make use of a mysterious lightweight metal called orgnium, found in Pyandonea.
Daggers and swords are typically curved, with a barbed hook behind the point.
Maormer wear snake fang styled charms on ankle bracelets, necklaces, and earrings to honour their king.
In the First Era, Maormer invented locks capable of keeping slaves docile and compliant, using Snake Magic.
Miscellaneous
Juline Courcelles, owner of the tour company Savage Systres Tours on Galen, considers the Maormer living on Galen to be "exotic" and tries to entice them into working for her as performing tour guides.
Most black eltheric pearls come from Maormer pearl farms, by inserting snake scales into Pyandonean Snap-Mussels.
When Queen Potema invited King Orgnum to her bed, he used strange herbs that "made her feel as if she was floating on the surface of time, conscious only of the gestures of love after she had found herself making them. She felt herself like the cooling mist, quenching the fire of his lust over and over and over again." So, apparently the Maormer have magic sex drugs?
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SOURCES:
Maormer Fish Appearance (collectable skin description)
Maormer Salt Drinker (item description)
Steel Serpent Fangs (item description)
Coiled Serpent Lock (item description)
Black Eltheric Pearls (item description)
Silverbloom (item description)
Maormer Tea (recipe)
Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition - The Aldmeri Dominion
Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition - The Wild Region by the Imperial Geographical Society
Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition - Other Lands by the Imperial Geographical Society
Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition - The Blessed Isle: Alinor and the Summersets
The Scaled Elves by Marin Laroix
The Maormer of Pyandonea by Imperial Geographical Society
The Sea Elf Ambassador by Vanurtol, Scribe to the Regent's Court
The Wolf Queen, Book Four by Waughin Jarth
The Chosen People of Aldmeris by Sealord Malleroth Of Pyandonea
Not My Journal of an Ill-Omened Cavern
Sea Lore for Arcane Crafting by Rianara Aulamer
A Sailor's Guide to Sea Elves by Virillda of the Silver-Sails
Crafting Motif 64: Pyandonean Style by Telenger the Artificer
Crafting Motif 110: Dreadsails Style by Fleet Provisioner Sorticthel
Sorcerer-King Orgnum Tales of Tribute Deck
Stormwarden Undercroft loading screen
Serpent's Grotto loading screen
Ambient dialogue at Maormer Embassy on Khenarthi's Roost
two forces pulling in opposite direction ā¢ I had the pleasure of painting Sten with the tarot card The Chariot as inspiration for 2026's @dragonageannual ARCANA!
stormborns
2087
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