Bosmer (Aldmeris: green/forest/tree sap people/folk) or Wood Elves are from Valenwood in the South-West of Tamriel. The Bosmer live in the wild alongside nature, trees and animals, rather than the more comfortable or luxurious lives their kin chose. Their major cities are giant migratory trees that roam Valenwood and they decorate themselves to match the forest. Due to this, the Bosmer are viewed as barbarians by many but they're an agile and quick people; this makes them good at anything involving thievery, as well as masters of the bow.
Wood Elves are a collection of barbarian elven clans in the Western Valenwood forests but the Bosmer or Tree Sap People is the main term. It suggests the wildness, a youthful energy. They aren't like their dour Dunmer or Altmer cousins.
Valenwood is largely uninhabited forest with the coasts made up of mangrove swamps and tropical rainforests, with enough heavy rainfalls for temperate inland rainforests. There are clanhouses along the coast and in the interior, with only underdeveloped foot trails to connect them.
Bosmer are smaller than most other races in Tamriel, and smallest of the elves, usually light brown to pale tan to light green in colour. Some Bosmer have horns. As they're Mer, they're cousins to the Dunmer, Orsimer, and Altmer. They aren't so noble as the Altmer in terms of bloodline but they've adapted well to Tamriel. It was the Bosmer that the Ayleids - Wild Elves - joined in seclusion after fleeing Cyrodiil and were completely assimilated so this has probably affected the modern-day Bosmer biology a great deal.
Several Imperial surveys partially describe the geography of Valenwood, and it was claimed as a wasteland product of the Second Empire. Due to the Green Pact, despite Bosmer living in many different towns, they built none of them for themselves. They allowed a few roads to be built by the Second Empire but didn't maintain them as they had no need of them to move easily through thick forest. If it weren't for the Thalmor, these would be overgrown by now, but they've been repaired and widened to allow them to move their weapons and soldiers to and from the coast.
By the time of the Fourth Era, the Thalmor wished to recreate the Aldmeri Dominion of old so expanded into Valenwood as they had Elsweyr, and briefly Cyrodiil and Hammerfell. Valenwood was consolidated with the Summerset Isles into the Third Aldmeri Dominion, and a policy began of expanding their influence and power across Tamriel. It isn't known what Bosmer think of of this but the Thalmor kill families, and there are incidents such as the Falinesti Incident, purges that people never hear about, and re-education, successful or not.
Bosmer worship the Forest Gods and practice ancestor worship. In their legends, the Bosmer saw the death of Y'ffre, first of the Ehlnofey to die who as he passed formed an Earth Bone, a natural law, to limit certain aspect of the world. Y'ffre's Earth Bone limited the ability of a being to change its form and nature as previously they could change them at will, however the Bosmer, having witnessed this formation, learnt how to manipulate it to avoid the restriction. The most notable use is the Wild Hunt, a ritual known only to the shaman of Valenwood. The Wild Hunt transforms all those who take part into bloodthirsty monsters permanently who consume all enemies then themselves, an act called to protect Valenwood from invaders. The Bosmer believe that all monsters in the world were born from Wild Hunts past. At the end of each era it's invoked as a ritual practice within Valenwood.
Auri-El (King of the Aldmer) The Elven Akatosh is Auri-El. Auri-El is the soul of Anui-El, who, in turn, is the soul of Anu the Everything. He is the chief of most Aldmeri pantheons. Most Altmeri and Bosmeri claim direct descent from Auri-El. In his only known moment of weakness, he agreed to take his part in the creation of the mortal plane, that act which forever sundered the Elves from the spirit worlds of eternity. To make up for it, Auri-El led the original Aldmer against the armies of Lorkhan in mythic times, vanquishing that tyrant and establishing the first kingdoms of the Altmer, Altmora and Old Ehlnofey. He then ascended to heaven in full observance of his followers so that they might learn the steps needed to escape the mortal plane.
Y'ffre (God of the Forest) Most important deity of the Bosmeri pantheon. While Auri-El Time Dragon might be the king of the gods, the Bosmer revere Y'ffre as the spirit of 'the now'. According to the Wood Elves, after the creation of the mortal plane everything was in chaos. The first mortals were turning into plants and animals and back again. Then Y'ffre transformed himself into the first of the Ehlnofey, or 'Earth Bones'. After these laws of nature were established, mortals had a semblance of safety in the new world, because they could finally understand it. Y'ffre is sometimes called the Storyteller, for the lessons he taught the first Bosmer. Some Bosmer still possess the knowledge of the chaos times, which they can use to great effect (the Wild Hunt).
Arkay (God of the Cycle of Life and Death) Member of the Eight Divines pantheon, and popular elsewhere as well. Arkay is often more important in those cultures where his father, Akatosh, is either less related to time or where his time aspects are difficult to comprehend by the layman. He is the god of burials and funeral rites, and is sometimes associated with the seasons. His priests are staunch opponents of necromancy and all forms of the undead. It is said that Arkay did not exist before the world was created by the gods under Lorkhan's supervision/urging/trickery. Therefore, he is sometimes called the Mortals' God.
Z'en (God of Toil) Bosmeri god of payment in kind. Studies indicate origins in both Argonian (!) and Akaviri mythologies, perhaps introduced into Valenwood by Kothringi sailors. Ostensibly an agriculture deity, Z'en sometimes proves to be an entity of a much higher cosmic order. His worship died out shortly after the Knhaten Flu.
Xarxes Xarxes is the god of ancestry and secret knowledge. He began as a scribe to Auri-El, and has kept track of all Aldmeri accomplishments, large and small, since the beginning of time. He created his wife, Oghma, from his favorite moments in history.
Baan Dar (The Bandit God) In most regions, Baan Dar is a marginal diety, a trickster spirit of thieves and beggars. In Elsweyr he is more important, and is regarded as the Pariah. In this aspect, Baan Dar becomes the cleverness or desperate genius of the long-suffering Khajiiti, whose last minute plans always upset the machinations of their (Elven or Human) enemies.
Mara (Goddess of Love) Nearly universal goddess. Origins started in mythic times as a fertility goddess. In Skyrim, Mara is a handmaiden of Kyne. In the Empire, she is Mother-Goddess. She is sometimes associated with Nir of the 'Anuad', the female principle of the cosmos that gave birth to creation. Depending on the religion, she is either married to Akatosh or Lorkhan, or the concubine of both.
Stendarr (God of Mercy) God of the Eight Divines, Stendarr has evolved from his Nordic origins into a deity of compassion or, sometimes, righteous rule. He is said to have accompanied Tiber Septim in his later years. In early Altmeri legends, Stendarr is the apologist of Men.
Lorkhan (The Missing God) This Creator-Trickster-Tester deity is in every Tamrielic mythic tradition. His most popular name is the Aldmeri 'Lorkhan', or Doom Drum. He convinced or contrived the Original Spirits to bring about the creation of the mortal plane, upsetting the status quo-- much like his father Padomay had introduced instability into the universe in the Beginning Place. After the world is materialized, Lorkhan is separated from his divine center, sometimes involuntarily, and wanders the creation of the et'Ada. He and his metaphysical placement in the 'scheme of things' is interpreted a variety of ways. In Morrowind, for example, he is a being related to the Psijiic Endeavor, a process by which mortals are charged with transcending the gods that created them. To the High Elves, he is the most unholy of all higher powers, as he forever broke their connection to the spirit plane. In the legends, he is almost always an enemy of the Aldmer and, therefore, a hero of early Mankind.
Herma-Mora (The Woodland Man) Ancient Atmoran demon who, at one time, nearly seduced the Nords into becoming Aldmer. Most Ysgramor myths are about escaping the wiles of old Herma-Mora. Also called the Demon of Knowledge, he is vaguely related to the cult origins of the Morag Tong ('Foresters Guild'), if only by association with his brother/sister, Mephala.
Jone (Little Moon God) Aldmeri god of the Little Moon. Also called Secunda or Stendarr's Sorrow. In Khajiti religion, Jone is only one aspect of the Lunar Lattice, or ja-Kha'jay.
Jode (Big Moon God) Aldmeri god of the Big Moon. Also called Masser or Mara's Tear. In Khajiti religion, Jode is only one aspect of the Lunar Lattice, or ja-Kha'jay
The Bosmer have made a pact with Y'ffre to never harm the green which has greatly impacted their culture. They are religiously carnivorous and cannibalistic as this is a central tenet of the faith which has simple rules for governing Bosmer life:
Only meat-based products can be consumed.
Prohibits the use of wood or other vegetable derivatives as building materials.
Forbidden to harm trees and plant life for their own betterment.
Forbidden to smoke anything of a vegetable nature.
Forbidden to alter their physical form(s)
Bosmer have to use stone or import wood for their own building needs and it's impacted their cuisine, combat, and weapons. They ferment meat and milk to make alcohol, and weapons like bows are made of animal bones or horns. Bosmer combat rules state that the corpse of an enemy must be consumed within three days of being killed. A family is allowed to help eat the kill. Fasting and planning family feasts following battle are all part of combat. Bone pipes for smoking grubs or caterpillars are also common in Valenwood.
The Green Pact is relaxed for bosmer outside of Valenwood, additionally, the following loopholes are found: the bosmer cannot harm living plants and can't eat food made from plants. So some bosmer eat raw fruit that's fallen from trees and they're able to eat mushrooms since those don't count as plants. Eating insects, honey, and dairy products are acceptable. While they can't harm the plants of Valenwood, chosen outsiders are allowed to and the bosmer have been known to purchase lumber from outsiders who cut the trees.
By the age of fourteen all bosmer children are expected to be skilled enough with a bow to join the hunting parties.
The very best archers are known as Jaqspurs, able to snatch an arrow, draw their bow, and fire in one one continuous motion.
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earthbones) wrote2017-11-18 09:04 pm
Bosmer
Wood Elves are a collection of barbarian elven clans in the Western Valenwood forests but the Bosmer or Tree Sap People is the main term. It suggests the wildness, a youthful energy. They aren't like their dour Dunmer or Altmer cousins.
Valenwood is largely uninhabited forest with the coasts made up of mangrove swamps and tropical rainforests, with enough heavy rainfalls for temperate inland rainforests. There are clanhouses along the coast and in the interior, with only underdeveloped foot trails to connect them.
Bosmer are smaller than most other races in Tamriel, and smallest of the elves, usually light brown to pale tan to light green in colour. Some Bosmer have horns. As they're Mer, they're cousins to the Dunmer, Orsimer, and Altmer. They aren't so noble as the Altmer in terms of bloodline but they've adapted well to Tamriel. It was the Bosmer that the Ayleids - Wild Elves - joined in seclusion after fleeing Cyrodiil and were completely assimilated so this has probably affected the modern-day Bosmer biology a great deal.
Several Imperial surveys partially describe the geography of Valenwood, and it was claimed as a wasteland product of the Second Empire. Due to the Green Pact, despite Bosmer living in many different towns, they built none of them for themselves. They allowed a few roads to be built by the Second Empire but didn't maintain them as they had no need of them to move easily through thick forest. If it weren't for the Thalmor, these would be overgrown by now, but they've been repaired and widened to allow them to move their weapons and soldiers to and from the coast.
By the time of the Fourth Era, the Thalmor wished to recreate the Aldmeri Dominion of old so expanded into Valenwood as they had Elsweyr, and briefly Cyrodiil and Hammerfell. Valenwood was consolidated with the Summerset Isles into the Third Aldmeri Dominion, and a policy began of expanding their influence and power across Tamriel. It isn't known what Bosmer think of of this but the Thalmor kill families, and there are incidents such as the Falinesti Incident, purges that people never hear about, and re-education, successful or not.
Bosmer worship the Forest Gods and practice ancestor worship. In their legends, the Bosmer saw the death of Y'ffre, first of the Ehlnofey to die who as he passed formed an Earth Bone, a natural law, to limit certain aspect of the world. Y'ffre's Earth Bone limited the ability of a being to change its form and nature as previously they could change them at will, however the Bosmer, having witnessed this formation, learnt how to manipulate it to avoid the restriction. The most notable use is the Wild Hunt, a ritual known only to the shaman of Valenwood. The Wild Hunt transforms all those who take part into bloodthirsty monsters permanently who consume all enemies then themselves, an act called to protect Valenwood from invaders. The Bosmer believe that all monsters in the world were born from Wild Hunts past. At the end of each era it's invoked as a ritual practice within Valenwood.
Varieties of Faith: The Wood Elves
(King of the Aldmer) The Elven Akatosh is Auri-El. Auri-El is the soul of Anui-El, who, in turn, is the soul of Anu the Everything. He is the chief of most Aldmeri pantheons. Most Altmeri and Bosmeri claim direct descent from Auri-El. In his only known moment of weakness, he agreed to take his part in the creation of the mortal plane, that act which forever sundered the Elves from the spirit worlds of eternity. To make up for it, Auri-El led the original Aldmer against the armies of Lorkhan in mythic times, vanquishing that tyrant and establishing the first kingdoms of the Altmer, Altmora and Old Ehlnofey. He then ascended to heaven in full observance of his followers so that they might learn the steps needed to escape the mortal plane.
(God of the Forest) Most important deity of the Bosmeri pantheon. While Auri-El Time Dragon might be the king of the gods, the Bosmer revere Y'ffre as the spirit of 'the now'. According to the Wood Elves, after the creation of the mortal plane everything was in chaos. The first mortals were turning into plants and animals and back again. Then Y'ffre transformed himself into the first of the Ehlnofey, or 'Earth Bones'. After these laws of nature were established, mortals had a semblance of safety in the new world, because they could finally understand it. Y'ffre is sometimes called the Storyteller, for the lessons he taught the first Bosmer. Some Bosmer still possess the knowledge of the chaos times, which they can use to great effect (the Wild Hunt).
(God of the Cycle of Life and Death) Member of the Eight Divines pantheon, and popular elsewhere as well. Arkay is often more important in those cultures where his father, Akatosh, is either less related to time or where his time aspects are difficult to comprehend by the layman. He is the god of burials and funeral rites, and is sometimes associated with the seasons. His priests are staunch opponents of necromancy and all forms of the undead. It is said that Arkay did not exist before the world was created by the gods under Lorkhan's supervision/urging/trickery. Therefore, he is sometimes called the Mortals' God.
(God of Toil) Bosmeri god of payment in kind. Studies indicate origins in both Argonian (!) and Akaviri mythologies, perhaps introduced into Valenwood by Kothringi sailors. Ostensibly an agriculture deity, Z'en sometimes proves to be an entity of a much higher cosmic order. His worship died out shortly after the Knhaten Flu.
Xarxes is the god of ancestry and secret knowledge. He began as a scribe to Auri-El, and has kept track of all Aldmeri accomplishments, large and small, since the beginning of time. He created his wife, Oghma, from his favorite moments in history.
(The Bandit God) In most regions, Baan Dar is a marginal diety, a trickster spirit of thieves and beggars. In Elsweyr he is more important, and is regarded as the Pariah. In this aspect, Baan Dar becomes the cleverness or desperate genius of the long-suffering Khajiiti, whose last minute plans always upset the machinations of their (Elven or Human) enemies.
(Goddess of Love) Nearly universal goddess. Origins started in mythic times as a fertility goddess. In Skyrim, Mara is a handmaiden of Kyne. In the Empire, she is Mother-Goddess. She is sometimes associated with Nir of the 'Anuad', the female principle of the cosmos that gave birth to creation. Depending on the religion, she is either married to Akatosh or Lorkhan, or the concubine of both.
(God of Mercy) God of the Eight Divines, Stendarr has evolved from his Nordic origins into a deity of compassion or, sometimes, righteous rule. He is said to have accompanied Tiber Septim in his later years. In early Altmeri legends, Stendarr is the apologist of Men.
(The Missing God) This Creator-Trickster-Tester deity is in every Tamrielic mythic tradition. His most popular name is the Aldmeri 'Lorkhan', or Doom Drum. He convinced or contrived the Original Spirits to bring about the creation of the mortal plane, upsetting the status quo-- much like his father Padomay had introduced instability into the universe in the Beginning Place. After the world is materialized, Lorkhan is separated from his divine center, sometimes involuntarily, and wanders the creation of the et'Ada. He and his metaphysical placement in the 'scheme of things' is interpreted a variety of ways. In Morrowind, for example, he is a being related to the Psijiic Endeavor, a process by which mortals are charged with transcending the gods that created them. To the High Elves, he is the most unholy of all higher powers, as he forever broke their connection to the spirit plane. In the legends, he is almost always an enemy of the Aldmer and, therefore, a hero of early Mankind.
(The Woodland Man) Ancient Atmoran demon who, at one time, nearly seduced the Nords into becoming Aldmer. Most Ysgramor myths are about escaping the wiles of old Herma-Mora. Also called the Demon of Knowledge, he is vaguely related to the cult origins of the Morag Tong ('Foresters Guild'), if only by association with his brother/sister, Mephala.
(Little Moon God) Aldmeri god of the Little Moon. Also called Secunda or Stendarr's Sorrow. In Khajiti religion, Jone is only one aspect of the Lunar Lattice, or ja-Kha'jay.
(Big Moon God) Aldmeri god of the Big Moon. Also called Masser or Mara's Tear. In Khajiti religion, Jode is only one aspect of the Lunar Lattice, or ja-Kha'jay
The Bosmer have made a pact with Y'ffre to never harm the green which has greatly impacted their culture. They are religiously carnivorous and cannibalistic as this is a central tenet of the faith which has simple rules for governing Bosmer life:
Bosmer have to use stone or import wood for their own building needs and it's impacted their cuisine, combat, and weapons. They ferment meat and milk to make alcohol, and weapons like bows are made of animal bones or horns. Bosmer combat rules state that the corpse of an enemy must be consumed within three days of being killed. A family is allowed to help eat the kill. Fasting and planning family feasts following battle are all part of combat. Bone pipes for smoking grubs or caterpillars are also common in Valenwood.
The Green Pact is relaxed for bosmer outside of Valenwood, additionally, the following loopholes are found: the bosmer cannot harm living plants and can't eat food made from plants. So some bosmer eat raw fruit that's fallen from trees and they're able to eat mushrooms since those don't count as plants. Eating insects, honey, and dairy products are acceptable. While they can't harm the plants of Valenwood, chosen outsiders are allowed to and the bosmer have been known to purchase lumber from outsiders who cut the trees.
By the age of fourteen all bosmer children are expected to be skilled enough with a bow to join the hunting parties.
The very best archers are known as Jaqspurs, able to snatch an arrow, draw their bow, and fire in one one continuous motion.
The (Improved) Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: Valenwood