In the world of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, few races hold a more tragic backstory than the Falmer. This race is completely blind and reliant on sound to get around, and literally imprisoned underground - cursed to roam the halls that belonged to their former captors. Many see Falmer as coldblooded murders given their antagonistic status, but fans can dig into the lore and recognize the tragedy that has befallen them.
Though many believe that they are only afflicted by blindness and mangled bodies, the severity of the Falmer's deformities goes far deeper. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim's Falmer are poisoned by a much greater affliction that roots itself all the way to the depths of their souls.
The Truth Behind the Falmer's Demise in Skyrim
Skyrim's Falmer were once an advanced race known as Snow Elves. Originally, the Snow Elves had peaceful relations with the races of man, but this ended during the "Night of Tears" where Snow Elves sacked a Nord settlement called Saarthal. A man named Ysgramor survived, returned to Atmora, and told his people of the Snow Elves' treachery. He would return to Skyrim with an army of 500 that systemically eradicated any Snow Elves on sight. This gesture also extended to any signs of their existence, hence the lack of Snow Elf architecture in Skyrim.
To escape the brutality of the Atmorans, the Snow Elves moved underground into Black Reach. They were met by the Dwemer, who gave them a brutal ultimatum: they would only provide sanctuary if the Snow Elves consumed a toxic fungus that blinded them. This would physically alter the biology of the Snow Elves for all time, leading them to become the Falmer. Soon their diets became subsistent on this fungus, and they became servants for the Dwemer.
As a result of the toxic fungi and their time spent underground, they Falmer would become blind and meek, hunching over in contrast to their Snow Elf ancestors who once stood tall. However, the alteration that changed them the most was not physically visible. This decision by The Elder Scrolls' Dwemer damaged the fabric of the race's souls. Unlike mer and men, who have black souls, the Falmer only have lesser - and more common - white souls akin to bears, horses, and wolves.
The difference between white and black souls is purely artificial, according to Vanus Galerion's in-game lore book, "Guild Memo on Soul-Trapping." The shrinking of their souls could be mean a lot of things, perhaps being responsible for their lowered intelligence. The Dwemer have always been mysterious, but the idea that they may have intentionally shrunk the souls of sentient creatures to create a perfect servant race speaks volumes to their cruelty. Thankfully, recorded findings of the Falmer is Skyrim have noted that their recent behavior is more intelligent than it has been in the past. The Snow Elves could return to their former glory if this continues, but it may take ages for their souls to fully recover - if they even can.
While a real explanation of what happened to the Falmer's souls may never be provided, the implications provide a deeper look into the tragic history of Skyrim. Perhaps The Elder Scrolls 6's plot will dig deeper into this mystery, providing more insight into how this race of once-proud elves met such a fate.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim - Anniversary Edition is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
