Unlock the Secrets of the Vanished Ayleids in Oblivion Remastered

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Summary

  • The Ayleid Elves were a powerful and advanced race that once ruled Cyrodiil before humans and beastfolk overthrew them.
  • Despite being mostly wiped out, occasional Ayleids have resurfaced throughout history, such as King Dynar and Umaril the Unfeathered.
  • Ayleids worshipped Meridia, practiced necromancy, and enslaved humans, engaging in cruel mistreatment and torture.

Among the striking features in the game world of Oblivion Remastered lies a multitude of Ayleid ruins scattered across Cyrodiil’s terrain. Originating from an era long forgotten, these ruins stand as the sole relics of a powerful Mer race that once held sway in the heartland. Since their disappearance, these cities have endured, sparking curiosity about who they were.

In the game Oblivion Remastered, the player may encounter Ayleid ruins sporadically or find one by the roadside, but for the most part, they remain unexplored. With minimal lore tidbits scattered about, or passing references here and there, these structures could easily be overlooked as mere ancient stones. However, their past holds a captivating tale that surpasses in significance what many players have previously understood.

The Ayleid Elves Were Dominant Long Before the Events of Oblivion Remastered

In ancient times, a catastrophic event known as the Sundering forced the elves to abandon their original homeland and move to Tamriel. Different regions of this new land became home to various elven races that exist today. The Altmer chose the Summerset Isles as their dwelling place, resembling the elves in the modern Elder Scrolls universe. The Chimer migrated to Resdayne and shared territory with the Dwemer. The remaining elven races established territories somewhere between these two, but the Ayleids, who settled in the core of Cyrodiil, were arguably the most powerful among them.

In the expanses that would later become Morrowind, Black Marsh, Elsweyr, and Valenwood, the Ayleids set up magnificent city-states. They erected the White-Gold Tower before humans arrived, having acquired the island from the avian inhabitants of Cyrodiil in exchange for imparting them with literacy skills. The Ayleids also developed colossal wells to harness magicka oozing from the cosmos; one such well is said to have captured a droplet from Lorkhan’s Heart, transforming into the Amulet of Kings.

For a while, it was the star-gazing aspect that truly characterized the Ayleids. They held stars in high regard, dedicating much time to studying them and integrating them into their religious practices. They discovered means to utilize the power emanating from wells, as well as crystals called Welkynd Stones. These crystals served as a source of energy for their subterranean cities, accelerating their growth and making them the dominant race among their kind, establishing an impressive empire at a swift pace.

The Ayleids Worshipped Meridia, but Also Other Daedra

Over time, the Ayleids shifted their religious focus towards more tangible expressions of devotion. They resonated strongly with Meridia, the Daedric Princess of Life and Light, whose light was perceived as a blessing to their people. Numerous cities and monuments were erected in her name, suggesting that she held a significant position in their pantheon, albeit an informal one, comprising various deities they revered.

Meridia, unlike most Daedric Princes, has a distinct origin and isn’t solely associated with chaos. She is a Magna-Ge, a descendant of the sun god Magnus, who retreated to Aetherius during creation. As Magnus departed from Mundus, he ripped open a skyward chasm, giving birth to the sun, enabling magicka to cascade down from Aetherius, and his Magna-Ge trailed after him, crafting the stars and the smaller celestial openings in the cosmic dome. The reason Meridia remained behind remains unclear, suggesting that not every deity within the same sphere is entirely focused on a single purpose.

As a fervent admirer, I must confess that Meridia was indeed a captivating figure to the Ayleids, seemingly embodying the essence of a Daedric Prince worthy of their worship. However, it’s essential to note that Meridia wasn’t the only object of their reverence. The Ayleids, driven by an insatiable thirst for power, made few distinctions between the Daedra.

Meridia enjoyed widespread popularity, but her cult was not exclusive. Across their empire, other cults dedicated to various Daedric Princes emerged, and over time, the methods of worship grew increasingly depraved. Many Ayleid settlements took to Necromancy, a dark practice that cast a grim shadow over their once prosperous realm.

The Ayleids Enslaved Humans and Other Races

As humans eventually settled in Tamriel, the central dwellers were swiftly subjected to slavery by the Ayleids. Although not all Ayleids showed monstrous behavior towards other races, it was frequent for them to take pleasure in abusing their subjects. From the lush gardens of Sercen, to the groaning gears of Vindaesel, the Ayleids mastered the art of torment, devising intricate methods to inflict pain upon those beneath them. It is hypothesized that the same avian people they taught were enslaved and eventually wiped out by their cruel elven overlords.

The peak of these events unfolded during the early years of the First Era. A slave named Alessia implored the deities for assistance amidst the relentless cruelty inflicted by the Ayleids. Touched by her pleas, the gods granted aid to both humans and beasts in the form of divine champions – Morihaus and Pelinal Whitestrake. These heroes rose against their oppressors, instigating the Alessian slave rebellion which ultimately toppled Ayleid rule within Cyrodiil, giving birth to the First Empire under Alessia’s leadership.

It’s not accurate to say that all Ayleids perished during the rebellion. In fact, quite a few of them had sided with Alessia, dissatisfied with their race’s trajectory and yearning for a future where they could coexist harmoniously with others. For a brief period after the uprising, this vision seemed achievable. However, it didn’t take long before the Alessian Order, an influential religious faction within the Empire, gained power, gradually stripping elves and beastfolk of many rights. Eventually, the surviving Ayleids were faced with two options: either depart or face death.

In the central lands, where humans ruled and Ayleid cities lay deserted, the Ayleids found themselves without a home. Some of them adopted a nomadic lifestyle, initially living in hiding, later facing penalties up to death for their existence. It remains unclear how long they survived in this limbo state, but by the Second Era, sightings of Ayleids were rare, suggesting that the Ayleid race had significantly declined due to the Alessian Order.

The Ayleids Were Not Completely Wiped Out

Occasionally throughout history, remnants of the ancient Ayleid race have been discovered. King Dynar, the last known Ayleid monarch, was preserved from his people’s extinction when he was imprisoned in Coldharbour, Molag Bal’s Daedric realm. However, his release by the Vestige brought him back to Tamriel. In the Third Era, rumors circulate of another Ayleid reemerging. It is also said that Umaril the Unfeathered, a long-dead champion of Meridia, is rising from the dead. As one legendary figure returns, so does its most formidable adversary.

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2025-05-10 05:53