Bretons

Bretons (from the Ehlnofex "beratu," or "half")^[1] are the human descendants who hail from the province of High Rock. According to the Third Pocket Guide to the Empire, they are descended from the Nedic and Aldmeri, while other sources claimed they were the mix of Atmoran and Aldmeri blood. The Altmer thought of making a new race with their own 'elder' or 'superior' blood, by mating with other races.^[2]^[3] The Bretons are sometimes called 'Manmeri' because of this.^[3]

By game

Breton (Arena)
Breton (Daggerfall)
Breton (Battlespire)
Breton (Morrowind)
Breton (Oblivion)
Breton (Skyrim)
Breton (Online)
Breton (Legends)

High Rock

Breton card art from The Elder Scrolls: Legends.

Main article: High Rock

High Rock is a western region of the Empire of Tamriel. It borders Hammerfell to the south-east and Skyrim to the north-east. It is mainly populated by Bretons. High Rock and the Summerset Isles are the only provinces of Tamriel that do not share a land-border with Cyrodiil. This region is known for its many small villages and towns and for the many grim fortifications that dot the hills and crags around them. In the past, these castles were the domains of many petty kings and lords that ruled the massive patchwork of small nations that used to make up High Rock.^{[citation needed]}

Physiology

Bretons are the descendants of either an Aldmeri-Nedic or Aldmeri-Atmoran hybrid race of the First Era and are consequently termed as 'the mongrel race of Tamriel.' Their elven blood is heavily diluted, due to their ancestors intermingling with the Nordic population in Skyrim and High Rock. Bretons are sometimes called "Manmeri" as a result of the interbreeding, literally translating to 'man-elf.'^{[citation needed]} Although their Aldmeri ancestry is shadowed by their appearance, they still inherit the magical affinity of their elven blood. Their physical features resemble their Nedic ancestors, including their pale skin tone and the obvious physical resemblance to Imperials/Nords, but some still inherit the frail, sharp appearance of the elves, along with the arrogance, and some do have slight points in their ears.

History, culture, and talents

Bretonarchitecture — Breton architecture as it is seen in *The Elder Scrolls Online*

They are pure spell weavers and are advanced in all the Arcane arts. While lacking in physical skill, they make up for it in their ability to resist and cast spells that overwhelm most people. They are united in culture and language, but are divided politically. Descendants of the Druids of Galen, their origins can be traced to the 1st Era of Tamriel's history, when the Aldmer intermingled extensively with the Nedic people. This mostly happened during the period in the First Era when Mer held Men as slaves, which lead to masters impregnating their female captives. Bretons are of medium height, with fair or medium hair.^{[citation needed]} They are highly intelligent, willful, and have an outgoing personality. It is said that Bretons are weaned on magic, for it seems to infuse their very being. Intermingling with elven blood has given Bretons an affinity for magic, though hardiness is also part of their heritage. Breton culture operates under the feudal system, and their society is agrarian and hierarchical.^{[citation needed]}

Personality

Passionate, eccentric, poetic, flamboyant, intelligent, willful, and excellent cooks,^{[citation needed]} the Bretons feel an inborn, instinctive bond with the mercurial forces of magic and the supernatural world. Many great sorcerers have come out of their home province of High Rock, and in addition to their quick and perceptive grasp of spellcraft, enchantment, and alchemy, even the humblest and least prominent Breton can boast a high resistance to destructive and dominating magical attacks they encounter.

Religion

The main religion in High Rock is the worship of the Eight Divines, along with three Elven deities, Magnus, Y'ffre, and Phynaster, and Sheor, who is unique to the Bretons, although most scholars agree that he is an offshoot of the Nordic deity Shor.^[4] A History of Daggerfall notes that Bretons in general are "hardly ever given to excessive religion."^[5]

Deities

Notable Bretons

Trivia

In The Elder Scrolls: Arena and The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, Bretons are described as a tall people, but they are the smallest human race since The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.
During the character creation in The Elder Scrolls: Arena the following is shown when a Breton character is chosen: "Know ye this also: Thy race is descended from the ancient Druids of Galen, quick witted and strong in the mystical arts. Thy folk are crafty and intelligent, a learned people who use their gifts to guide others to enlightenment..."
In Daggerfall, Bretons also worshiped a god named Ebon Arm.
The fictional 'Breton' race are based on the Celtic Britons of Northwestern Europe who live in Britain, Ireland, Northern France and Belgium, refrenced by their surnames. For example, Bretons have many Irish Gaelic, Gallic, French and Celtic sounding surnames. The fictional Breton culture of magic & Sorcery, Mer & Man is based on the paganism, druidism and mysticism prevalent throughout the Celtic cultures. Simularly, the Forsworn characters have Pictish names.

Appearances

References

[1] The Bretons: Mongrels or Paragons?

[2] Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: Eras

[PGE3:HR-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: High Rock

[4] Varieties of Faith: The Bretons

[5] A History of Daggerfall

[6] The Arcturian Heresy

[7] Holidays of the Iliac Bay

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

Men
Common	Bretons Imperials Nords Redguards
Extinct/Endangered	Akaviri Atmorans Keptu Kothringi Nedes Orma

Races
Humans	Akaviri Atmorans Bretons Imperials Keptu Kothringi Nedes Nords Orma Redguards
Mer	Aldmer Altmer Ayleids Bosmer Chimer Dunmer Dwemer Falmer Maormer Orsimer Sinistral Elves Snow Elves
Beast	Argonians Imga Khajiit Lilmothiit Sload Giants Minotaurs
Akaviri	Ka Po' Tun Kamal Tang Mo Tsaesci Dragons
Et'Ada	Aedra Daedra