First Aldmeri Dominion
The first great Elven alliance forged to halt the rising tide of humanity.
The First Aldmeri Dominion was more than a military pact; it was an ideological fortress built by the Altmer of Summerset Isles and their Bosmer allies in Valenwood during the twilight of the Merethic Era. Formed as a desperate countermeasure against the consolidating power of Nedic and human expansionism following the collapse of early human kingdoms, this alliance sought to preserve Elven supremacy and protect traditional magical traditions across Tamriel. It stands as history's first major attempt by the Aldmeri peoples to unite under a single banner against external threats, setting a violent precedent for the conflicts between Elves and Men that would echo through the ages.
- Primary Leaders
- King Orgnum (Maormer), Queen Ayrenn (later era, but early Dominion roots in Summerset)
- Core Members
- Altmer of Summerset Isles, Bosmer of Valenwood
- Era of Formation
- Late Merethic Era
- Primary Conflict
- Wars against the Nedes and early human kingdoms
- Historical Status
- Dissolved prior to the First Era proper
- Ideology
- Elven supremacy, preservation of Aedric traditions
Lore & Background
In the fading light of the Merethic Era, as human civilizations began to harden their borders in High Rock and Skyrim, ancient Elven dominance felt its first true cracks. The Altmer, guardians of Aetherius's old ways, feared a world overrun by Nedes if left unchecked. To counter this existential threat, they forged an unlikely pact with the Bosmer of Valenwood, creating a union that was as ideological as it was martial: a desperate attempt to enforce a divine order where Elves ruled and Men served or were kept at bay.
The Dominion's influence extended beyond warfare; it represented a cultural renaissance for the Altmer who sought to isolate themselves from the 'barbaric' influences of the mainland while simultaneously projecting power outward. However, internal strife and the sheer resilience of human populations eventually led to its fragmentation before the First Era fully commenced. The legacy of this first Dominion would haunt the Summerset Isles for millennia, serving as both a cautionary tale and a blueprint for the later, more infamous Third Aldmeri Dominion.
In Their Own Story
Salt spray stung the eyes of the Altmer sentinel as he gazed toward the horizon where smoke from Nedic forges darkened the sky. Beside him stood a Bosmer archer, silent and still as the trees of Valenwood, his hand resting on a bow carved from living green wood. 'They build like termites,' the elf whispered, voice heavy with ancient sorrow. The archer did not speak, only nodded toward the distant coast where human ships gathered. They were the first line of defense in an age that believed the world belonged to those who remembered the stars. Tonight, they would hold the beach; tomorrow, perhaps, the war would come for them.
Reader's Guide
The formation of the First Aldmeri Dominion began as a strategic necessity rather than a cultural unity. Fearing human expansion following the collapse of early Nedic kingdoms in Skyrim and High Rock, the Altmer initiated contact with the Bosmer to secure Elven borders.
The conflict primarily involved skirmishes along the coastlines of Valenwood and the surrounding mainland shores, aimed at pushing back human settlements before they could consolidate into empires. These early engagements defined the Dominion's military doctrine: swift, magical strikes designed to disrupt rather than occupy.
Did You Know?
- The First Aldmeri Dominion predates the Third Aldmeri Dominion by thousands of years, establishing the concept of an Altmer-Bosmer political union.
- Unlike its successor, the First Dominion did not include the Dunmer (Dark Elves) or Khajiit in its core alliance.
- The dissolution of this early alliance contributed to the long-standing isolationist policies of the Summerset Isles that lasted until the Third Era.
- Historical records suggest the Maormer of Pyandonea attempted to exploit the division between the Altmer and Bosmer during this period.