The Mer name for Snow Elves? : V

» Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:45 pm

Not sure if this has been asked in the past but has always puzzled me since I started playing TES.
Obviously the name falmer is often interchanged for snow elf at times but I also understand that this is the term given only to the falmer as is known hostiles in caves and ruins. Also that the term is deemed an insult to the snow elves.

I also assume the term "snow elf" is not the correct answer as it is a description rather than name (such as wood elf, dark elf etc), not to mention it lacks the "Mer" suffix.

Have I overlooked somewhere in the game (or previous) for their accurate name, keeping in mind that my experience of game time in Morrow and Ob is somewhat limited. Is it ever mentioned or are they always just referred to as snow elves.

» Fri Jan 11, 2013 11:15 pm

Falmer is the Mer name for Snow Elves.

Dawnguard spoiler:

Spoiler

However, the Snow Elves who survived the Nords' genocide and were not deformed by the Dwemer call themselves "Snow Elves" and the blind Falmer as "The Betrayed." No idea why they don't use their proper name.

» Fri Jan 11, 2013 3:31 pm

Uh, Falmer.

Ninja'd

» Sat Jan 12, 2013 12:55 am

Falmer is the Mer name for Snow Elves.

Dawnguard spoiler:

Spoiler

However, the Snow Elves who survived the Nords' genocide and were not deformed by the Dwemer call themselves "Snow Elves" and the blind Falmer as "The Betrayed." No idea why they don't use their proper name.

This is why I have been puzzled by their true name, all sources that I had seen in Skyrim have negative connotations in regards to the name "falmer". Even from memory I thought I recall reading a line saying the "snow elves became falmer after being forced to live underground by the dwemmer" (obviously not direct quote but something to that effect).

The Dawnguard information is what makes it so confusing as to it being their true name.

If you could, a link to them being referred to as falmer outside of the context of their corrupted form I would greatly appreciated it.

» Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:59 pm

Falmer is the Mer name for Snow Elves.

Dawnguard spoiler:

Spoiler

However, the Snow Elves who survived the Nords' genocide and were not deformed by the Dwemer call themselves "Snow Elves" and the blind Falmer as "The Betrayed." No idea why they don't use their proper name.

Spoiler

They don't use Falmer as it has become associated with the Betrayed.

» Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:11 pm

This is why I have been puzzled by their true name, all sources that I had seen in Skyrim have negative connotations in regards to the name "falmer". Even from memory I thought I recall reading a line saying the "snow elves became falmer after being forced to live underground by the dwemmer" (obviously not direct quote but something to that effect).

The Dawnguard information is what makes it so confusing as to it being their true name.

If you could, a link to them being referred to as falmer outside of the context of their corrupted form I would greatly appreciated it.

No problem.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:The_Falmer:_A_Study: "According to this eyewitness account, the great Falmer leader known only as the Snow Prince died in glorious battle, and was buried with honor by his Nord slayers."

The above quote is referring to the Snow Prince as Falmer in an event that led to the Snow Elves becoming the beings we meet in Skyrim.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Falmer_Alphabet: I doubt they would have developed a written language after losing their sight, especially one as ornate and stylized as it is.

There's probably more than that, but those were the first I could look up quickly.

Spoiler

They don't use Falmer as it has become associated with the Betrayed.

Makes sense.